π Topic 01 of 6 Β· Chapter 01 Β· Space Technology & ISRO
ISRO β History & Organisation
Founded 1969, Vikram Sarabhai, key centres, Sriharikota launch centre β complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
π ISRO β Key Facts
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Indian Space Research Organisation |
| Founded | August 15, 1969 |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Father of Indian Space Programme | Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (first chairman) |
| Current Chairman | S. Somanath (as of 2024) |
| Under | Department of Space (DOS), directly under Prime Minister |
| First satellite | Aryabhata β launched April 19, 1975 by Soviet Union |
| First Indian in space | Rakesh Sharma β 1984 β Soviet Soyuz T-11 |
| Launch Centre | Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh |
π Dr. Vikram Sarabhai β Father of Indian Space Programme
- Born: August 12, 1919 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Founded Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad in 1947
- Convinced PM Nehru of the importance of space research for India
- Established INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research) in 1962 β precursor to ISRO
- ISRO was formally established on August 15, 1969 under his leadership
- Died: December 30, 1971 (before seeing ISRO’s major achievements)
- The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram is named after him
- Chandrayaan-3’s lander was named “Vikram” in his honour
π Key ISRO Centres
| Centre | Location | Key Function |
|---|---|---|
| VSSC (Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Launch vehicle development; PSLV, GSLV, LVM3 design |
| SDSC-SHAR (Satish Dhawan Space Centre) | Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh | Primary launch centre; 2 launch pads |
| ISAC (ISRO Satellite Centre) | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Satellite design and development |
| SAC (Space Applications Centre) | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Satellite payloads; remote sensing; communication |
| NRSC (National Remote Sensing Centre) | Hyderabad, Telangana | Remote sensing data processing; earth observation |
| ISTRAC (ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network) | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Satellite tracking and control |
| LPSC (Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre) | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Liquid propulsion systems for rockets |
| IISU (ISRO Inertial Systems Unit) | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Navigation systems; gyroscopes |
β Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR):
β’ Located at Sriharikota island, Andhra Pradesh β on the east coast
β’ Named after Dr. Satish Dhawan β 2nd chairman of ISRO (1972-1984)
β’ Has two launch pads β First Launch Pad (FLP) and Second Launch Pad (SLP)
β’ Ideal location: close to equator (13.9Β°N) β rockets need less fuel to reach orbit
β’ All ISRO launches happen from here
β’ Located at Sriharikota island, Andhra Pradesh β on the east coast
β’ Named after Dr. Satish Dhawan β 2nd chairman of ISRO (1972-1984)
β’ Has two launch pads β First Launch Pad (FLP) and Second Launch Pad (SLP)
β’ Ideal location: close to equator (13.9Β°N) β rockets need less fuel to reach orbit
β’ All ISRO launches happen from here
π ISRO’s Commercial Arm
- Antrix Corporation β ISRO’s commercial arm (1992-2023) β marketed ISRO’s services
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) β replaced Antrix in 2023 β handles commercial launches, technology transfer
- ISRO has launched satellites for 34+ countries commercially
- PSLV-C37 (2017) = world record = 104 satellites in single mission
π Key Exam Points:
β’ ISRO founded = August 15, 1969 (Independence Day)
β’ Father of Indian Space Programme = Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
β’ ISRO HQ = Bengaluru; Launch centre = Sriharikota (AP)
β’ First satellite = Aryabhata (1975); First Indian in space = Rakesh Sharma (1984)
β’ VSSC = launch vehicles; SAC = payloads; NRSC = remote sensing; ISTRAC = tracking
β’ ISRO founded = August 15, 1969 (Independence Day)
β’ Father of Indian Space Programme = Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
β’ ISRO HQ = Bengaluru; Launch centre = Sriharikota (AP)
β’ First satellite = Aryabhata (1975); First Indian in space = Rakesh Sharma (1984)
β’ VSSC = launch vehicles; SAC = payloads; NRSC = remote sensing; ISTRAC = tracking