India has created nine world records in space exploration and plans to achieve 8–10 more records in coming years. ISRO highlighted milestones ranging from Chandrayaan missions, Mars Orbiter Mission, PSLV-C37 satellite launch, to cryogenic stage development.
By 2040, India aims to land a human on the Moon, marking another step toward becoming a developed spacefaring nation. Achievements were highlighted during All-India Management Association’s 52nd National Management Convention.
Key Highlights of India’s Space Records
Chandrayaan Missions
- Chandrayaan-1 (2008): First discovery of water molecules on the Moon’s surface, subsurface, and exosphere. Confirmed later by NASA’s SOFIA Observatory.
- Chandrayaan-2 (2019): Placed the world’s best orbiter camera around the Moon for high-resolution imaging.
- Chandrayaan-3 (2023):
- First country to land near lunar South Pole (August 23, 2023).
- Conducted first in-situ measurement of lunar surface environment in that region.
Mars Orbiter Mission (2014):
- Made India the first nation to reach Mars on maiden attempt.
- Cost-effective mission, earning global acclaim.
PSLV-C37 Record (2017):
- Launched 104 satellites in a single mission, a world record.
Cryogenic Technology Records (2014–2017):
- Achieved three global records in cryogenic stage development.
- Notably: fastest maiden flight of LVM3 with cryogenic stage in 28 months (compared to 37–108 months in other nations).
India’s Space Ecosystem Achievements
- Over 4,000 rockets launched.
- 133 satellites deployed.
- Contribution to national security, economic growth, and space entrepreneurship.
- Cost-sensitive approach: Reduced launch costs, boosting global demand for Indian launches.
Future Plans (Vision 2040)
- Achieve 8–10 more world records in space technology.
- Human landing on the Moon by 2040.
- Further strengthen India’s role as a global space power.
About ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
- Founded: 1969 by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.
- Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Parent Body: Department of Space (DoS), directly under PMO.
- Key Launch Vehicles: PSLV, GSLV, LVM3.
- Major Centres:
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram.
- U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru.
- Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
- Major Programs: Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan (MOM), Gaganyaan (human spaceflight), Aditya-L1 (solar mission), AstroSat.
Key Facts
- First Satellite of India: Aryabhata (1975).
- ISRO’s First Lunar Mission: Chandrayaan-1 (2008).
- India’s First Interplanetary Mission: Mars Orbiter Mission (2013 launch, reached in 2014).
- India’s First Solar Mission: Aditya-L1 (launched 2023).
- Future Mission: Gaganyaan – India’s first human spaceflight program.