INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL ISRO INDIA’S

SSLV. The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a lowcost, flexible, and efficient launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 500 kg satellites to Low Earth Orbits. SSLV-D2 successfully launched on February 10, 2023, carrying EOS-07, Janus-1, and AzaadiSAT-2 satellites.

RLV-TD. The Reusable Launch Vehicle - Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) is a significant step towards developing essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle, aiming to enable low-cost access to space. ISRO successfully conducted the RLV Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX) on April 2, 2023. For the first time, a winged body was carried to an altitude of 4.5 km by helicopter and released to perform an autonomous landing on a runway. The RLV is a space plane with a low lift-todrag ratio, requiring a high glide angle approach and landing at velocities of 350 kmph.

The IRNSS (NavIC) Constellation. In 2016, India launched the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), popularly known as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation). This indigenous navigation system bolstered India’s strategic autonomy, reducing its dependence on foreign systems like GPS. NavIC now provides accurate position information to users in India and the surrounding region. NavIC consists of 7 satellites and ground stations operating 24/7. NavIC covers India, extends 1500 km beyond its boundary, and is interoperable with other global navigation satellite systems like GPS, Glonass, Galileo, and BeiDou. NavIC has become a symbol of self-reliance for India, especially for defence services and government agencies.

Apart from these applications, the technology that ISRO develops has also been a significant value addition to the country in terms of its usage in fields like medicine as well. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, ISRO introduced three ventilator models: PRANA (“Programmable Respiratory Assistance for the Needy Aid”), VaU (Ventilation assist Unit), and SVASTA (“Space Ventilator Aided System for Trauma Assistance”). ISRO had come forward to transfer the technology to the industry for clinical usage of these.

OUT & BEYOND MISSIONS

Chandrayaan: India’s Chandrayaan moon programme has seen three missions so far. Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, successfully orbited the Moon, providing valuable data on water molecules on the lunar surface. This was a striking discovery that shifted lunar exploration’s trajectory. Chandrayaan-2, launched in 2019, encountered challenges with the lander but continued scientific observations with its orbiter. Chandrayaan-3 is the follow-on mission to demonstrate safe landing and roving capabilities on the lunar surface. It is currently on its way to the Moon after launching in July 2023, expected to land on moon August 23, 2023. The mission aims to conduct in-situ scientific experiments and holds immense significance for India’s space exploration efforts. Furthermore, the success of Chandrayaan-3 enhances India’s standing in the global space market and boosts its private space sector, making India only the fourth country to soft land on the moon and the first one on the lunar South Pole.

Mangalyaan. Mangalyaan, India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), was launched in 2013, onboard PSLV-C25, marking India as the fourth space agency to achieve a successful Mars orbit and the first country to do so on its maiden attempt in a modest budget. Initially designed for a 6-month mission, MOM surpassed expectations, completing 7 years in orbit. Notably, it captured the far side of Deimos, one of Mars’ moons, for the first time. The Mars Colour Camera onboard MOM has provided over 1100 images and published a Mars Atlas.

AstroSat. AstroSat, India’s first dedicated Space Astronomy Observatory, was launched on September 28, 2015, carrying five scientific payloads for imaging and studying cosmic sources in various wavelengths from far ultraviolet to gamma rays. AstroSat’s groundbreaking results have led to numerous theoretical investigations worldwide and planning for space missions dedicated to the polarimetry of gamma-ray bursts.

India’s future missions, such as Aditya-L1 and Gaganyaan, are highly anticipated in the space community. As India prepares for the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability, entails launching three astronauts into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission, followed by a safe return to Earth with a landing in the Indian seas.

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