Space Technology: Satellites and Orbits – Space Technology
Modern space research in India is most visibly traced to the 1920s, when the scientist S. K. Mitra conducted a series of experiments leading to the sounding of the ionosphere by application of ground-based radio methods in Calcutta.
Later, Indian scientists like C.V. Raman and Meghnad Saha contributed to scientific principles applicable in space sciences
However, it was the period after 1945 that saw important developments being made in coordinated space research in India.
The space research activities were initiated in India during the early 1960’s, when applications using satellites were in experimental stages even in the United States. With the live transmission of Tokyo Olympic Games across the Pacific by the American Satellite ‘Syncom-3’ demonstrating the power of communication satellites, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founding father of Indian space programme, quickly recognized the benefits of space technologies for India.
As a first step, the Department of Atomic Energy formed the INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research) under the leadership of Dr. Sarabhai and Dr. Ramanathan in 1962.
With the visionary Dr Vikram Sarabhai at its helm, INCOSPAR set up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram for upper atmospheric research.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was later formed on August 15, 1969, superseded the erstwhile INCOSPAR. The prime objective of ISRO is to develop space technology and its application to various national needs. It is one of the six largest space agencies in the world.
The Department of Space (DOS) and the Space Commission were set up in 1972 and ISRO was brought under DOS on June 1, 1972.
Since inception, the Indian space programme has been orchestrated well and had three distinct elements such as, satellites for communication and remote sensing, the space transportation system and application programmes.
Two major operational systems have been established – the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) for telecommunication, television broadcasting, and meteorological services, and the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) for monitoring and management of natural resources and Disaster Management Support.
The Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE) was ISRO’s first indigenous, experimental communication satellite. It was launched into GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) by the third development flight of ESA’a Ariane vehicle from Kourou on June 19, 1981.
