Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Government of India set up Space Commission and Department of Space (DOS) in June 1972. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under DOS executes Space programme through its establishments located in different places in India. Main objective of space programme includes development of satellites, launch vehicles, Sounding Rockets and associated ground systems. It has crossed several major milestones. ISRO’s experimental phase included Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE), Satellite Telcommunication Experiment (STEP), remote sensing application projects, satellites like Aryabhata, Bhaskara, Rohini and APPLE and launch vehicles, SLV-3 and ASLV.

Present operational space systems include Indian National Satellite (INSAT) for tele-communication, television broadcasting, meteorology and disaster warning and Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) for resources monitoring and management. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) used for launching IRS Satellites and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), intended for launching INSAT class of satellites.

Space Science activities include SROSS and IRS-P3 satellites, participation in international science campaigns and ground systems like MST Radar. ISRO’s co-operative arrangements cover several countries and space agencies. ISRO provides training in space field to personnel from other countries. ISRO’s hardware and services available commercially through Antrix Corporation.

Chandrayaan-1, India’s first spacecraft mission beyond Earth’s orbit, aims to further expand our knowledge about Earth’s only natural satellite the moon.

ISRO Centres

The Department of Space (DOS) has, over the years, built up a strong research and development and technology base with necessary infrastructure and manpower for implementing the space programme.

The various space centres of DOS are as follows:
● Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
● ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC)
● Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR
● Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC)
● Space Applications Centre (SAC)
● Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU)
● ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC)
● INSAT Master Control Facility (MCF)
● ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU)
● National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
● Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres (RRSSC)
● Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
● National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL)
● North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC)
● Antrix Corporation Limited
● Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL)
● Indian nstitute of Space Science & Technology (IIST)
● National Natural Research Management Systems (NNRMS)