ISRO and Indian Space Program

• Indian Space Program is operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
• Vikram Sarabhai is known as the father of the Indian Space Program. 

Objectives of Space Program

India has historically viewed space technology applications primarily for societal development. Hence, the objectives of the Indian Space Program are

1. Using Space Technology for the socio-economic benefit of people.
2. Make India self-reliant in space technology.
3. Peaceful use of outer space.

• Nodal Agency for Space-related activities in India is the Department of Space (DoS). 
• ISRO is the primary R&D wing of DoS.
• Other Agencies of DoS include

• It is the primary body of Space Research under the Department of Space. 
• Present Chairman = Dr K Sivan 
• It is headquartered in Bangalore.

Timeline

Regional Centres of ISRO

ISRO has its various regional centres like

1. ISRO Satellite Application Centre, Bengaluru (ISAC): Design and fabricate satellites. 
2. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram (VSSC): Develop satellite launch vehicles (like PSLV and GSLV).
3. Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (SDSC): Satellite launching station of India. 
4. Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad (SAC): Conceptualize and carry out different space research projects. 
5. Liquid Propulsion System Centre, Mahendragiri, TN (LPSC): Development of satellite propulsion systems. 
6. ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network, Bengaluru (ISTRAC) 
7. Master Control Facility, Bhopal and Hassan (Karnataka): Observe and control all geostationary satellites.
8. National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad: Act as a key player in earth observation program and disaster management.

Side Topic: Equivalent of ISRO of other nations

• NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO. 
• It was incorporated in 2019 as a Government-owned enterprise.
• The main functions of NSIL include 
  • NSIL will enable Indian industries to build the capacity of the domestic market for space manufacturing.
  • NSIL will facilitate the transfer of ISRO technologies to the industry. 
• The launch of a Brazilian satellite named ‘Amazonia-1’ in 2021 was the first commercial deal of NSIL.

• IN-SPACE works under the Department of Space.
• IN-SPACE functions autonomously and parallel to ISRO.
• IN-SPACE has its own directorates for technical, legal, safety and security, monitoring and activities promotion.
• The function of IN-SPACE includes regulation and promotion of the building of satellites, rockets and commercial launch services through Indian industry and StartUps.

• India has emerged as one of the 6 most important countries in the field of space research. 
• India is self-reliant in launching remote sensing and communication platforms.
• With GSLV MK-III, India is now in the elite club which can launch heavy Geo-Stationary Communication Satellites. 
• World Record was created by ISRO by launching 104 Satellites in a single launch.
• ISRO is launching satellites for other countries as well and earning foreign exchange (Eg: Amazonia-1 (Brazil).
• Space program contributes to national security in the form of improving surveillance capability.
• The space program is helping India emerge as technological power and knowledge-based economy. 

• Indian Space Program needs to move from research and development to a commercial level.
• India should boost the frequency of launches. This will reduce the cost & make it cost-competitive.
• There is a need to develop capabilities to build a much larger number of satellites than the current 3-4 per year. 
• Most of the space launches are for socio-economic development. ISRO needs to move ahead and work for the country’s military and defence needs as well.

1 . Indian Regional  Navigation Satellite System  (IRNSS) 

• IRNSS or NAVIC is India’s indigenous GPS.
• It is already operational.  

2. Reusable  Satellite  Launch Vehicle 

• This mission will reduce the cost of delivering satellites into orbit to 1/10th of the present cost.  

3. Cryogenic  Engine (GSLV MK III)

• GSLV MK III with Cryogenic Stage has been developed successfully.
• It can be used to launch payloads of up to  4 tonnes into the geostationary orbit. 

4. Chandrayaan 2

• After the unprecedented success of Chandrayaan-1, ISRO decided to launch Chandrayaan-2 in July 2019. 
• It had Rover and Lander.
• Mission achieved a partial success.

ISRO-CHANDRAYAAN 2 (3D Animation)

5. Aditya  Space  Satellite

• Aditya Mission will study the Corona of Sun.
• ISRO will launch it shortly.

6. Venus  Exploration program/ Shukrayaan

• To study the atmosphere of Venus for a period of 4 years.
• ISRO will launch it shortly. 
• France is also collaborating with India on its mission to Venus. 

7. Gaganyaan

• Gaganyaan is a 3-ton ISRO   spaceship to carry a 2-member crew to the Low Earth Orbit and safe return to the Earth after a few orbits to two days.  
• The extendable version of the spaceship will allow flights up to 7 days and have docking capability with space stations. 

8. Second Launch Station

• India is building its second rocket launch station in the Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu. 
• The project will house one launchpad exclusively for Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV).
• Presently, India has only one launch station at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh with two launch pads.

9. Space Parks

• The government is making a 100-acre Space Park in Bangalore.
• Private industry players would be allowed to set up facilities to make subsystems and components for satellites. 

10. Village Resource Centre

• 473 Village Resource Centres (VRCs) have been established by ISRO.  
• It uses Satellite Communication (SATCOM) network and Earth Observation (EO) satellites.
• VRCs provide services like telemedicine (by connecting sick people in villages through VSAT network to the doctors), Tele-education (providing a virtual classroom facility to far-flung villages), and providing advisories related to agriculture. 
• There is a need to upscale VRCs and link all village Panchayats. 

• YUVIKA Program: Program aims to inculcate and nurture space research enthusiasm in young minds. Under this 1-month program, 3 students from each of state and UT is selected provided that the student has just finished 9th standard and is waiting to join 10th standard.
• Young Scientist Program: It is an ISRO program for school students aiming to teach and nurture space research fervour in young minds.
• Samvad with Students: Under the ISRO program called Samvad with Students, the ISRO chairman meets the students during his outstation visits, addresses their queries, and quenches the scientific thrust.
• ISRO-Student Collaborations: ANUSAT (Anna University Satellite), Student Satellite (STUDSAT), SRMSAT (SRM University), Jugnu (IIT Kanpur) etc.