ISRO's Remarkable Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Launching Advanced Satellites

ISRO's Upcoming Satellite Launch

Chennai: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite developed in the United States within the next few months, as announced by the agency's chairman, V Narayanan, on Sunday.

Following the successful launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission aboard a GSLV-F16 rocket on July 30, ISRO is preparing for another satellite launch for the US, Narayanan stated during an event near Chennai.

During the 21st Convocation of SRM Institute of Science and Technology in Kattankulathur, Narayanan, who also serves as the secretary of the Department of Space, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan.

In his acceptance speech, Narayanan reflected on ISRO's inception in 1963, noting that India was significantly behind other nations at that time. He recalled that a small rocket was gifted by the US, marking the start of India's space journey on November 21, 1963.

By 1975, ISRO utilized satellite data from the US to facilitate 'mass communication' by connecting 2,400 television sets across six Indian states.

Narayanan emphasized that July 30 marked a pivotal moment for India's space endeavors, with the launch of the NISAR satellite, which is the most expensive satellite ever constructed globally. The satellite features an L Band SAR payload from the US and an S Band payload from ISRO, successfully placed into orbit by the Indian GSLV launcher. He expressed pride in how far India has come, stating, 'Today, we stand shoulder to shoulder with advanced nations.'

He mentioned that NASA officials praised ISRO for the precise launch of the GSLV-F16/NISAR mission.

In just a few months, India will launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by the US using its own launch vehicle, showcasing significant progress from receiving a small rocket from the US decades ago.

Narayanan highlighted that ISRO has launched 433 satellites from 34 countries using its own launch vehicles, a remarkable achievement for a nation that lacked satellite technology just 50 years ago.

He elaborated on ISRO's contributions to various sectors, stating, 'Today, there are 55 applications where ISRO has been contributing for the welfare of the country,' including television broadcasting, telecommunications, weather forecasting, disaster management, navigation, and ensuring food and water security.

He also noted ISRO's role in ensuring safety during Operation Sindoor, contributing to the security of citizens.

Narayanan recounted significant missions, including the Chandrayaan-1 mission, which identified water molecules on the moon's surface, and the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved a soft landing at the moon's south pole, a feat no other country has accomplished.

He compared India's achievements to Russia's record of launching 34 satellites in a single mission, stating that India surpassed this by successfully placing 104 satellites into orbit with one rocket in 2017 during the PSLV-C37 mission.

Looking ahead, Narayanan mentioned that ISRO currently operates 56 satellites and plans to triple this number in the next 2-3 years. He also announced the Gaganyaan program, which aims to send humans into space, and the establishment of an Indian space station by 2035, asserting that by 2040, India will match the capabilities of all developed nations in space technology.

In his brief remarks, Radhakrishnan emphasized the importance of sincerity, hard work, and patience as keys to success, encouraging students to embrace lifelong learning and humility to help India become a leading economic power by 2047.

During the event, 9,769 students, including 7,586 men and 2,183 women, received their degrees, with 157 top-ranking students being honored.