India is making significant strides in establishing its own space station while simultaneously progressing on the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, said ISRO Programme Director Imtiyaz Ahmed on Monday.
Satellites Supporting Science and Gaganyaan
Work is ongoing on nearly 80 satellites that will support scientific research, disaster management, internal security, navigation, and relay critical signals for the Gaganyaan mission back to Earth. Ahmed highlighted that such projects are key to strengthening India’s space capabilities and technological self-reliance.
Major ISRO Projects Underway
ISRO is currently engaged in several major initiatives, including Earth Observation missions, Navigation with Indian Constellation (NVS), the Indian Data Relay Satellite System (IDRSS), Gaganyaan, and the Venus Orbiter Mission. These projects reflect India’s growing role in space science, exploration, and applied technologies.
Celebrating Aryabhata’s Golden Jubilee
Ahmed recalled the historic launch of Aryabhata on April 19, 1975, India’s first indigenously developed satellite. Named after the ancient mathematician and astronomer, Aryabhata marked a major milestone in India’s scientific journey. Despite limited technological resources during the Cold War, its success laid the foundation for future missions and helped ISRO gain global recognition. Its legacy continues to inspire new generations of scientists and engineers.
Inspiring Students Through Outreach
To celebrate Aryabhata’s golden jubilee, ISRO launched a nationwide outreach program for school students. The first session was held on Monday at Holy Mission High School in Samastipur, Bihar, with students from five 10+2 schools participating. The programme introduced students to ISRO’s work, career opportunities in the space sector, and shared personal experiences of scientists—many of whom studied in Hindi-medium schools—to motivate students to pursue careers in space science and technology.
