The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of the Indian government. It is among the largest government space agencies in the world.[citation needed] Its primary objective is to advance space technology and use its applications for national benefit.
Established in 1969, ISRO superseded the erstwhile Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), thus institutionalizing space activities in India. It is managed by the Department of Space, which reports to the Prime Minister.
ISRO built India's first satellite, Aryabhata, which was launched by the Soviet Union on 19 April in 1975. In 1980, Rohini became the first satellite to be placed in orbit by an Indian-made launch vehicle, SLV-3. ISRO subsequently developed two other rockets: the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for launching satellites into polar orbits and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for placing satellites into geostationary orbits. These rockets have launched numerous communications satellites and earth observation satellites. Satellite navigation systems like GAGAN and IRNSS have been deployed. In January 2014, ISRO successfully used an indigenous cryogenic engine in a GSLV-D5 launch of the GSAT-14.
On 22 October 2008, ISRO sent its first mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-1. On 5 November 2013, ISRO launched its Mars Orbiter Mission, which successfully entered the Mars orbit on 24 September 2014, making India the first nation to succeed on its maiden attempt, and ISRO the first Asian space agency to reach Mars orbit.Future plans include development of GSLV Mk III (for launch of heavier satellites), development of a reusable launch vehicle, human spaceflight, further lunar exploration, interplanetary probes, a satellite to study the Sun, etc.
ISRO has conducted a variety of operations for both Indian and foreign clients. It has several field installations as assets, and co-operates with the international community as a part of several bilateral and multilateral agreements. Several foreign satellites have been launched by ISRO's launch vehicles, and several ISRO satellites have been launched by foreign launch vehicles.
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| Acronym | ISRO |
|---|---|
| Owner | India |
| Established | 15 August 1969 |
| Headquarters | Bangalore, India |
| Primary spaceport | Satish Dhawan Space Centre,Sriharikota |
| Motto | Space Technology in the Service of Human Kind मानव जाति की सेवा में अंतरिक्ष प्रौद्योगिकी |
| Administrator | A S Kiran Kumar, Chairman |
| Budget | Rs 6792 crore (US$1.1 billion)(2013–14) |
| Website | www |
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