The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to script another chapter in its remarkable journey from borrowing its first rocket to becoming a trusted launch partner. "In another couple of months, a country which once received a tiny rocket from the United States will be launching a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by America using our own launcher," ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said, calling it a significant leap in India's space capabilities.
Recalling the journey, the ISRO Chairman said the Indian space programme began in 1963 when the United States donated a tiny rocket to India.
At the time, the country was 6-7 years behind advanced nations in space technology. By 1975, with US satellite data, ISRO demonstrated 'mass communication' by installing 2,400 television sets across 2,400 villages in six states.
Historic NISAR launch
On July 30, ISRO successfully launched the world's costliest satellite, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR), aboard a GSLV-F16. The L Band SAR payload came from the US, while ISRO provided the S Band payload.
"NASA appreciated ISRO for the precision launched," Narayanan said.
"In another couple of months, a country which once received a tiny rocket from the United States will be launching a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by America using our own launcher," Narayanan said, calling it a significant leap in India's space capabilities. Over the past 50 years, ISRO has launched 433 satellites for 34 countries using its own vehicles.
