India in Space : Looking at India's Major Space Missions on Republic Day 2026
- Sumana Mukherjee
- Jan 26
- 4 min read
Every Republic Day is a moment to pause and ask what our institutions have built over time. In India’s case, what began as a scientific aspiration in a newly independent nation has evolved into a confident, end-to-end space ecosystem — spanning launch vehicles, planetary missions, scientific observatories, Earth observation, and now, a growing private sector.
This is a record of how India learned to design, launch and operate in space.
Aryabhata (1975)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched Aryabhata on 19 April 1975, the country’s first satellite. Built indigenously and launched through international cooperation, Aryabhata marked India’s entry into the space age. Its scientific experiments were modest, but its significance was foundational — it proved that India was ready to build knowledge systems beyond Earth.
SLV-3 and Rohini (1980)
On 18 July 1980, India crossed a decisive threshold. The SLV-3 successfully placed the Rohini satellite into orbit, making India one of the few nations capable of launching satellites independently.
INSAT Programme (from 1982)
With INSAT-1A in April 1982, space technology moved from laboratories into daily life. Telecommunications, television broadcasting, weather forecasting, and disaster warnings became space-enabled services. INSAT showed how space infrastructure could serve governance, development, and social cohesion at scale.
Indian Remote Sensing Programme (from 1988)
The launch of IRS-1A on 17 March 1988 initiated one of the world’s most comprehensive Earth observation programmes. IRS satellites transformed space data into a tool for agriculture, water management, urban planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster response — embedding space technology into national decision-making.
The Launch Vehicles That Made Space Missions Routine
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
First successful launch: 15 October 1994
PSLV became the backbone of India’s space programme. Known globally for its precision and reliability, it has launched hundreds of satellites for India and international customers. PSLV earned India trust through consistency.
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and LVM3
Cryogenic breakthrough: 5 January 2014
Heavy-lift operations: from 2017
GSLV represents one of India’s most strategically important technological achievements with the mastery of indigenous cryogenic engine technology.
Its heavy-lift variant, LVM3, now anchors India’s future ambitions — from launching large communication satellites to carrying Indian astronauts under the Gaganyaan programme.
Chandrayaan-1 (2008)
Launched on 22 October 2008, India’s first lunar mission reshaped global understanding of the Moon. The detection of water molecules on the lunar surface was a landmark scientific contribution, achieved through careful mission design and international collaboration. Chandrayaan-1 announced India as a serious planetary science nation.
Mars Orbiter Mission – Mangalyaan (2013)
Launched on 5 November 2013, Mangalyaan placed India in Mars orbit on its very first attempt. Beyond its scientific objectives, the mission demonstrated deep-space navigation, trajectory operations, and disciplined systems engineering — all achieved with remarkable efficiency.
Astrosat (2015)
India entered space-based astronomy with the launch of Astrosat on 28 September 2015. As the country’s first dedicated space observatory, Astrosat enabled multi-wavelength observations of the universe, contributing to research on black holes, neutron stars, and extreme cosmic events.
Chandrayaan-3 (2023)
Launched on 14 July 2023, Chandrayaan-3 achieved a historic soft landing near the Moon’s south polar region. The mission validated India’s precision landing and surface exploration capabilities.
Aditya-L1 (2023)
India’s first solar observatory, launched on 2 September 2023, was placed in a halo orbit around the Sun–Earth L1 Lagrange point. Aditya-L1 studies the Sun’s outer layers and space weather phenomena, strengthening India’s ability to understand and protect space-based and terrestrial technological systems.
NISAR – NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar
Launch: 30 July 2025
NISAR represents one of the most ambitious Earth observation collaborations in the world. Jointly developed by ISRO and NASA, the mission carries dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar payloads to map Earth’s land and ice surfaces with unprecedented precision.
By tracking changes in ecosystems, glaciers, forests, coastlines, and seismic zones, NISAR turns space into a tool for climate science, disaster preparedness, and long-term planetary monitoring.
Gaganyaan Programme (from 2023)
With its planned first uncrewed flight in 2026, Gaganyaan marked India’s serious entry into human spaceflight. The programme integrates launch vehicles, crew safety systems, life-support technologies, and recovery operations, paving the way for Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
A New Chapter: India’s Private Space Sector
India’s space journey today is no longer carried by a single institution alone. A new ecosystem is emerging, where private companies design, build, and operate space systems with global cooperation.
Dhruva Space – LEAP-1 (2024)
Launched on 27th August 2025 on SpaceX’s Falcon 9, LEAP-1 marked a milestone for private satellite ecosystem in India. The mission demonstrated Dhruva Space’s end-to-end capability in building and commissioning small satellites, with a historic collaboration with Australian space ecosystem.
Skyroot Aerospace – Vikram-S (2022)
Launched on 18 November 2022, Vikram-S was India’s first privately developed sub-orbital launch vehicle. The mission validated critical avionics and guidance systems, signalling the arrival of responsive and agile launch capabilities from Indian startups.
Agnikul Aerospace – Agnibaan SOrTeD (2024)
On 30 May 2024, Agnibaan SOrTeD became the first privately developed launch vehicle with a semi-cryogenic engine to reach sub-orbital space from India. Operating from a private launch pedestal at Sriharikota, the mission showcased 3D-printed engine technology and a startup-driven launch model.
Pixxel – Hyperspectral Earth Observation (from 2022)
With the launch of Shakuntala in April 2022 and the Firefly constellation that followed, Pixxel placed India on the global hyperspectral imaging map. By observing Earth across multiple of spectral bands, Pixxel’s satellites enable advanced insights into agriculture, climate, water, and ecosystems — turning space into a daily decision-making tool for Earth.
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