Speech on aryabhata satellite

Fifty years ago, on April 19, 1975, a Soviet rocket carrier, Interkosmos, successfully launched Aryabhata into space from the Kapustin Yar cosmodrome.

In a significant step towards realizing this vision, India signed an agreement with the Academy of Sciences of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) on May 10, 1972. The India Meteorological Department in Pune assisted Isro in setting up a weather data gathering (wind speed, temperature, wind direction) platform from standard data collection points.

With over 12,000 electronic components, 20,000 solar cells and more than 25,000 interconnections within the satellite, Aryabhata was a demonstration of India’s indigenous abilities to undertake the structural designing of a space-worthy satellite, fabricate and test it, develop thermal and power control systems as well as an entire ground station along with data processing systems.

On April 19, 1975, India took a bold leap into the cosmos with the launch of its first satellite, Aryabhata.

Named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer, the satellite not only marked a historic milestone but also laid the cornerstone of what would become one of the world’s most admired space programs.

Designed and built indigenously by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), Aryabhata was launched aboard a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket from the Kapustin Yar facility in Russia at the peak of the Cold War.

The launch was the result of a strategic collaboration — India allowed the Soviet Union access to its ports for tracking and naval purposes in exchange for launch support.

The distinctive structure of Aryabhata piqued the curiosity of local residents in Peenya. Some of these tests included qualification in a thermo-vacuum chamber, vibration and shock tests. This immediate success underscored the meticulous planning and engineering that went into the project.

Before Aryabhata, ISRO had gained valuable experience through the Rohini Sounding Rocket Experiment and other experiments conducted since 1963 at the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in Thiruvananthapuram, established by the visionary Vikram Sarabhai.

The functioning of the entire ground station was tested using a helicopter-borne satellite model and simulating the transmitter power levels for the maximum range that the satellite will have during its orbit, to ensure that the ground station can receive the telemetered data from the satellite and send commands to the satellite.

A Mission Operations and Control Centre was set up at Peenya that would coordinate the commanding as well as data-gathering programme from various ground stations.

Even though all the three scientific experiments onboard Aryabhata had to be called off owing to power failure, other technological experiments were performed based on the use of the onboard telecommand, putting to use the transmitter-receiver for data transmission from one station to another using the satellite as a node.

Lasting impact

Today, half a century later, satellite-based communication is well-established and is being widely used, but its roots in India can easily be traced back to Aryabhata and Isro.

The first voice transmission of a recorded speech was transmitted from Sriharikota to Bangalore via Aryabhata. These technological advancements laid the foundation for future satellite communication systems.

The legacy of Aryabhata extends far beyond its initial mission. The Golden Jubilee of Aryabhata is being celebrated with events across the country.

Aryabhata’s legacy is more than just technological; it’s a story of resilience, vision, and quiet revolution.

It remains a beacon of India’s determination to reach for the stars, no matter how humble the beginning.

- Ends

Source:  FP

Context: India is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the launch of Aryabhata, its first indigenous satellite, marking a pivotal moment in India’s space journey.

About 50 years of Aryabhata Satellite:

• • Aryabhata was India’s first experimental satellite, named after the renowned 5th-century Indian mathematician and astronomer.
  • It was built entirely by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

• Launched By:Aryabhata was launched on April 19, 1975, aboard a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket from Kapustin Yar launch site in Russia.
• Historical Background:

• • At the height of the Cold War, India lacked its own launch capabilities and relied on strategic partnerships.
  • Aryabhata’s construction involved a small team of about 25 ISRO engineers working with limited resources under the leadership of visionaries like Dr.

    Today, ISRO boasts a fleet of 131 satellites, with 51 currently orbiting Earth, a testament to the vision and dedication that began with Aryabhata.

    

    He also remembered glimpses of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who made several visits to Bangalore to inspect Aryabhata's progress.

    The development of Aryabhata required the establishment of specialized infrastructure within the shed in Peenya. The spacecraft's unique quasi-spherical shape, with 26 sides and a weight of 358 kg, reflected innovative design principles.

    A Mission Operations and Control Centre was established at Peenya to coordinate the commanding and data-gathering program from various ground stations.

    Despite the eventual failure of the three scientific experiments onboard Aryabhata due to a power failure, the satellite's technological experiments proved invaluable. Designed with 26 sides and weighing 358 kg, the spacecraft’s quasi-spherical shape was unique.

    This demonstration highlighted the potential for high-quality satellite communication. As Pramod Kale explained, this led to the decision to relocate the activities to Bangalore, which offered a more conducive environment and access to established institutions such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This included electronics laboratories, a clean room for the final assembly of the satellite, thermal laboratories, control and stabilization laboratories, antenna testing facilities, and workshop and drafting sections.

    While technically a failure, the mission was far from a disappointment.

    For Isro, still in its infancy, Aryabhata was a classroom in the sky. Aryabhata’s success in reaching orbit meant India had officially joined the elite club of spacefaring nations.