ALL ABOUT SPACE

INDIA
A satellite is a moon, planet or machine that orbits a planet or star. For example, Earth is a
satellite because it orbits the sun. Likewise, the moon is a satellite because it orbits Earth. Usually,
the word "satellite" refers to a machine that is launched into space and moves around Earth or
another body in space. There are so many types of satellites like: Communication Satellites, Earth
Observation Satellites, Navigation satellites, scientific & Exploration satellites, experimental
satellites, small satellites etc. launched by ISRO.

Important Facts about Indian Satellite:

• Aryabhata: the first Indian Satellite (1975).
• Bhaskara-I: First experimental remote sensing satellite that carried TV and microwave
cameras. (1979)
• Rohini: The first Indian launch vehicle (1979). And Rohini RS-1 India’s first indigenous
satellite (1980)
• INSAT-1A: First operational multipurpose communication and meteorology satellite.
(1982)
• Kalpana-1: First meteorological satellite built by Indian Space Research Organization
(2002).
• EDUSAT (GSAT-3): India’s first satellite exclusively for education (2004).
• Chandrayaan-1: India’s first lunar probe (2008).
• RISAT-1: First indigenous all-weather Radar Imaging Satellite (2012).
• Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM): India’s first Mars orbiter (2013).
• ExseedSat-1: 1st privately funded satellite of India launched (2018) by SpaceX It was
developed by Exseed Space an Indian start up.
• GSAT-11: Heaviest spacecraft of India till date (2018).
• KalamSAT-V2: It is the world’s lightest satellite (2019).
• Microsat-R: served as target for Indian A-SAT (Anti-satellite weapon experiment) on
March 27, 2019 under Mission Shakti. The ASAT missile was launched from Chandipur,
Odisha and hit its target Microsat-R. India became fourth nation (After United States,
Russia and China) to do so successfully.
A. Communication Satellites: The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system is one of the largest
domestic communication satellite systems in Asia-Pacific region with nine operational
communication satellites placed in Geo-stationary orbit. Established in 1983 with commissioning
of INSAT-1B, it initiated a major revolution in India’s
communications sector and sustained the same later.
Currently operational communication satellites are
INSAT-3A, INSAT-3C, INSAT-3E, INSAT-4A, INSAT-4B,
INSAT-4CR, GSAT-8, GSAT-10 and GSAT-12.
The system with a total of 195 transponders in the C,
Extended C and Ku-bands provides services to
telecommunications, television broadcasting, satellite
news gathering, societal applications, weather
forecasting, disaster warning and Search and Rescue
operations.

List of Communication Satellites:

Launch Date Launch Mass Power Launch Vehicle

GSAT-30 JAN 16, 2020 3,357 kg 6000 W Ariance 5 VCA

VA-251
GSAT-31 Feb 6, 2019 2536 Kg Ariance 5 VCA

GSAT-7A Dec 19, 2018 2250 Kg 3.3 Kw GSLV Mk.II F11

GSAT-11 Dec 4, 2018 5854 Kg 13.6 Kw Ariane 5 VA246

GSAT-29 Nov 14, 2018 3,423Kg GSLV Mk.III

GSAT-6A Mar 29, 2018 2117 Kg 3,119 watts GSLV Mk.II

SCATSAT-1 Sep 26, 2016 371 Kg PSLV-C35

INSAT-3DR Sep 8, 2016 2211 Kg 1700W GSLV Mk II F05

GSAT-15 Nov 11, 2015 3164 kg Solar array providing N/A

6200 Watts and Three
100 AH Lithium-Ion
batteries
GSAT-6 Aug 27, 2015 2117 kg Generated power 3100 N/A
W
GSAT-16 Dec 07, 2014 3181.6 kg Solar array providing Ariane-5 VA-221
6000 Watts and two 180
AH Lithium lon batteries
GSAT-14 Jan 05, 2014 1982 kg 2600 W GSLV-D5

GSAT-7 Aug 30, 2013 2650 kg 3,000 W Ariane-5 VA-215

INSAT-3D Jul 26, 2013 2060 Kg 1164 W Ariane-5 VA-214

GSAT-10 Sep 29, 2012 3400 kg 6474 Watts Ariane-5 VA-209

GSAT-12 Jul 15, 2011 1410 kg 1430 Watts PSLV-C17

GSAT-12 Jul 15, 2011 1410 kg 1430 Watts PSLV-C17

GSAT_8 May 21, 2011 3093 kg 6242 Watt Ariane-5 VA-202

GSAT-5P Dec 25, 2010 2310 kg N/A GSLV-F06

GSAT-4 Apr 15, 2010 2220 Kg N/A GSLV-D3

INSAT-4CR Sep 02, 2007 2,130 kg 3000 W GSLV-F04

INSAT-4B Mar 12, 2007 3025 Kg 5859 W Ariane5

INSAT-1B Aug 30, 1983 N/A Shuttle [PAM-D]

INSAT-1A Apr 10, 1982 N/A Delta

B. Earth Observation Satellites: Starting with IRS-1A in 1988, ISRO has launched many
operational remote sensing satellites. Today, India has one
of the largest constellations of remote sensing satellites in
operation. Currently, eleven operational satellites are in
orbit – RESOURCESAT-1 and 2, CARTOSAT-1, 2, 2A, 2B,
RISAT-1 and 2, OCEANSAT-2, Megha-Tropiques, SARAL,
HySIS (Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite). Varieties of
instruments have been flown onboard these satellites to
provide necessary data in a diversified spatial, spectral and
temporal resolutions to cater to different user requirements in the country and for global usage.
The data from these satellites are used for several applications covering agriculture, water
resources, urban planning, rural development, mineral prospecting, environment, forestry,
ocean resources and disaster management.

List of Earth Observation Satellites

Name of Satellites Launch Date Launch Mass Power Launch Vehicle

HySIS Nov 29, 2018 PSLV-C43

Cartosat-3 Nov 27, 2019 1625 Kg 2000 W PSLV-XL C4

CARTOSAT-2F (including Jan 12, 2018 710 Kg 986W PSLV-C40

Microsat-TD)

CARTOSAT-2D Feb 15, 2017 712 Kg 986W PSLV-XL C37

CARTOSAT-2C Jun 22, 2016 772.5Kg 986W PSLV-C34

SARAL Feb 25, 2013 407 kg 906 W PSLV-C20

RISAT-1 Apr 26, 2012 1858 kg 2200 W PSLV-C19

Megha-Tropiques Oct 12, 2011 1000 kg 1325 W PSLV-C18

RESOURCESAT-2 Apr 20, 2011 1206 kg 1250 W PSLV-C16

CARTOSAT - 2B Jul 12, 2010 694 kg 930 W PSLV-C15

 Oceansat-2 Sep 23, 2009 960 kg 1360W PSLV-C14

RISAT-2 Apr 20, 2009 300 kg PSLV-C12

Bhaskara-II Nov 20, 1981 444 kg 47 W C-1 Inter-cosmos

RS-D1 May 31, 1981 38 kg 16 W SLV-3

Bhaskara-I Jun 07, 1979 442 kg 47 W C-1Intercosmos

C. Experimental Satellites: ISRO has launched many small satellites mainly for the experimental
purposes. This experiment includes Remote Sensing, Atmospheric Studies, Payload
Development, Orbit Controls, recovery technology etc.

Launch Date Launch Mass Power Launch Vehicle Orbit Type

EMISAT Apr 1, 2019 436Kg 965W PSLV-QL C45

Microsat-R Jan 24, 2019 740Kg PSLV-C44

(With KalamsatV2)
 SRE – 1 Jan 10, 2007 550 kg

Apple Jun 19, 1981 670 kg 210 Ariane -1(V-3)

RS-1 Jul 18, 1980 35 kg 16 Watts

RTP Aug 10, 1979 35 kg

Aryabhatta Apr 19, 1975 360 kg 46 atts

D. Navigation Satellite: To meet the Civil Aviation requirements, ISRO is working jointly with
Airport Authority of India (AAI) in establishing the GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation
(GAGAN) system. To meet the user requirements of the positioning, navigation and timing
services based on the indigenous system, ISRO is establishing a regional satellite navigation
system called Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
(i) GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN): This is a Satellite Based Augmentation
System (SBAS) implemented jointly with Airport Authority of India (AAI). The main objectives of
GAGAN are to provide Satellite-based Navigation services with accuracy and integrity required
for civil aviation applications and to provide better Air Traffic Management over Indian Airspace.
The system will be interoperable with other international SBAS systems and provide seamless
navigation across regional boundaries. The GAGAN Signal-In-Space (SIS) is available through
GSAT-8 and GSAT-10.
(ii) Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS): This is an independent Indian Satellite
based positioning system for critical National applications. The main objective is to provide
Reliable Position, Navigation and Timing services over India and its neighborhood, to provide
fairly good accuracy to the user. The IRNSS will provide basically two types of services:
1. Standard Positioning Service (SPS)
2. Restricted Service (RS)

List of Navigation Satellites:

 Launch Date Launch Mass Power Launch Vehicle

IRNSS-1G Apr 28, 2016 PSLV-XL C33

IRNSS-1F Mar 10, 2016 PSLV-XL C32

IRNSS-1E Jan 20, 2016 PSLV-C31/IRNSS-1E

IRNSS 1D Mar 28, 2015 PSLV-C27

IRNSS 1C Nov 10, 2014

IRNSS-1B Apr 04, 2014 1432 kg 1660 W PSLV-C24

IRNSS-1A Jul 01, 2013 1425 kg 1660 W PSLV-C22

E. Scientific & Exploration: Indian space program encompasses research in areas like astronomy,
astrophysics, planetary and earth sciences, atmospheric sciences
and theoretical physics. Balloons, sounding rockets, space
platforms and ground-based facilities support these research
efforts. A series of sounding rockets are available for
atmospheric experiments. Several scientific instruments have
been flown on satellites especially to direct celestial X-ray and
gamma-ray bursts.

List of Scientific and exploration Spacecraft:

Launch Date Launch Mass Power Launch Vehicle

Chandrayaan-2 Jul 22, 2019 3850 Kg 1 KW GSLV Mark III M1

Mars Orbiter Mission Nov 05, 2013 1337 kg 840 W PSLV-C25

Spacecraft
Chandrayaan-1 Oct 22, 2008 1380 kg 700 W PSLV-C11
SRE-1 Jan 10, 2007 550 kg PSLV-C7

SROSS-C2 May 04, 1994 115 kg 45 W Augmented Satellite Launch

Vehicle (ASLV)
SROSS-C May 20, 1992 106.1 kg 45 W ASLV

SROSS-1 Mar 24, 1987 150 kg 90 W ASLV

Human spaceflight

Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space and the

Earth's orbit on Vostok 1 on April 12, 1961.

Alan Shepard became the first American to reach

space on Freedom 7 on May 5, 1961.

John Glenn became the first American to orbit the

Earth on February 20, 1962.

Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to

orbit the Earth on June 16, 1963.

Alexey Leonov became the first human to walk in

space on March 18, 1965.
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land
on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

Svetlana Savitskaya became the first woman to walk

in space on July 25, 1984.

Yang Liwei became the first Chinese in space and the

Earth's orbit on Shenzhou 5 on October 15, 2003.
Nation/Organi Space Term(s) for First Date Spacec Launc Type
zation agency space launched raft her
traveler astronaut

USSR Soviet space cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin 12 April Vostok Vostok Orbital
(1922–1991) program 1961 spacecr
(OKB-1 aft
Design
Bureau)

USA NASA astronaut Alan 5 May Mercury Redsto Suborb

Shepard(subo 1961 spacecr ne ital
rbital) aft

United NASA astronaut John 20 Mercury Atlas Orbital

States of spaceflight Glenn(orbital) February spacecr LV-3B
America participant 1962 aft

People's Space … ... 1973 Shugua Long –

Republic of program of (abandone ng 1 March
China (PRC) the People's d) 2A
Republic of
China

People's Space … ... 1981 Piloted Long –

Republic of program of (abandone FSW March
China (PRC) the People's d) 2
Republic of
China

European CNES / Euro spationaute ... 1992 Hermes Ariane –

Space Agency pean Space (in French) (abandone V
Agency astronaut d)
(ESA)

Russia Russian cosmonaut Alexander 17 March Soyuz- Soyuz- Soyuz

Federal Viktorenko, Al 1992 TM U2 TM-
Space exander Kaleri 14 to
Agency MIR
(Roscosmos
)

Ba'athist ... .... ... 2001 ... Tamm –

Iraq (abandone ouz 2
(1968–2003)[31] d) or 3
 State of National … ... 2003 HOPE- H-II –
Japan Space (abandone X
Developmen d)
t Agency of
Japan
(NASDA)

People's China taikonaut Yang Liwei 15 Shenzh Long Orbital

Republic of National October ou March
China Space 2003 spacecr 2F
Administratio aft
n (CNSA)

India Indian Space Vyomanaut ... 2022[32] Gagany GSLV Orbital

Research (in aan Mk III
[33][34]
Organisation Sanskrit)
(ISRO)

European European astronaut ... 2020 ARV Ariane –

Space Agency Space (concept phase-2 V
Agency approved
(ESA) in 2009;
but full
developm
ent not
begun)[35][36
][37][38]

State of Japan …. ... HTV- H-IIB –

Japan Aerospace based
Exploration spacecr
Agency aft
(JAXA)
How many people have gone to the moon?

Age at
Name Died first Mission Lunar EVAdates Service
step

Neil August 25, 38y 11m

01. NASA[7]
Armstrong 2012(aged 82) 15d
Apollo
July 21, 1969[6]
11
39y 6m Air
02. Buzz Aldrin
0d Force

July 8, 39y 5m
03. Pete Conrad Navy
1999(aged 69) 17d
Apollo November 19–20,
12 1969
May 26, 37y 8m
04. Alan Bean Navy
2018(aged 86) 4d

July 21, 47y 2m Apollo

05. Alan Shepard February 5–6, 1971 Navy
1998(aged 74) 18d 14
 Age at
Name Died first Mission Lunar EVAdates Service
step

Edgar February 4, 40y 4m

06. Navy
Mitchell 2016(aged 85) 19d

39y 1m Air
07. David Scott
25d Force
Apollo July 31 – August 2,
15 1971
August 8, 41y 4m Air
08. James Irwin
1991(aged 61) 14d Force

January 5, 41y 6m
09. John Young Navy
2018(aged 87) 28d
Apollo
April 21–23, 1972
16
36y 6m Air
10. Charles Duke
18d Force

Eugene January 16, 38y 9m

11. Navy
Cernan 2017(aged 82) 7d
Apollo December 11–14,
17 1972
Harrison 37y 5m
12. NASA
Schmitt 8d