India decided to go to space when Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was set up by the Government of India in 1962. With the visionary Dr Vikram Sarabhai at its helm, INCOSPAR set up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram for upper atmospheric research.

Future readiness is the key to maintaining an edge in technology and ISRO endeavours to optimise and enhance its technologies as the needs and ambitions of the country evolve. Thus, ISRO is moving forward with the development of heavy lift launchers, human spaceflight projects, reusable launch vehicles, semi-cryogenic engines, single and two stage to orbit (SSTO and TSTO) vehicles, development and use of composite materials for space applications etc.

 

The year 2015 witnessed many significant achievements of the Indian Space programme which caught the attention of the country as well as the outside world. With the successful completion of the intended six month period by Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in its orbit around Planet Mars, India became the first country to achieve total success in its maiden attempt to explore Mars. Besides, the second consecutively successful launch of GSLV-MkII carrying the indigeneous Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) underscored ISRO’s capability in cryogenic rocket propulsion. The year also saw the launch of India’s multi wavelength Space Observatory ASTROSAT and its successful operationalisation.

 

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