When the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was established by the Indian government in 1962, India decided to enter space. The INCOSPAR organization established the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) near Thiruvananthapuram for upper atmospheric research under the leadership of the brilliant Dr Vikram Sarabhai.
The former INCOSPAR was replaced by the Indian Space Research Organisation, which was established in 1969. Vikram Sarabhai gave ISRO the guidance it needed to act as a development agent after recognizing the value and role of space technology in a nation’s growth. Then, ISRO set out on its mission to offer the country space-based services and to independently develop the necessary technology.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle was created as a result of the need to create cost-effective and dependable launch technologies to attain complete self-reliance for these applications (PSLV). Due to its dependability and affordability, the renowned PSLV went on to become a preferred carrier for satellites of numerous nations, encouraging unheard-of global cooperation. The larger and more demanding Geosynchronous communication satellites were taken into consideration during the development of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
The Aditya, Gaganyaan, and MOM 2 missions, as well as 84 launch missions, have all been completed by the Indian Space Research Organization.
Recently, ISRO has created a newer vessel, called the small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV). The SSLV may launch payloads (mini, micro, or nanosatellites) into a 500 km planar orbit weighing up to 500 kg. On Sunday, August 7, 2022, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched India’s first Small Spacecraft Launch Vehicle (SSLV), which was carrying the student satellite AzaadiSAT and the earth observation satellite EOS-02. From the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, the rocket was launched at 9.18 am.
Apart from the EOS-02, which will provide important observational data for geo-environmental studies, there is a very interesting passenger onboard the SSLV this Sunday! It is the AzaadiSAT, India’s very own student satellite, which has been built by girl students across India’s rural regions, under professional guidance.
AZAADISAT
An 8U Cubesat, the AzaadiSAT weighs about 8 kilograms. It carries 75 various payloads, each of which weighs about 50 grams. These payloads were constructed with assistance from female students from remote areas of the nation. The Space Kidz India student team integrates the payloads. The data from this satellite will be used by the ground system created by “Space Kidz India.” A type of satellite known as CubeSats uses a common size and form factor, with the unit of measurement being the letter “U.”
AzaadiSAT is the result of the collaboration of 750 school students who were also present at the Sriharikota spaceport on Sunday to witness the historic SSLV-D1 launch and are part of the aerospace organization “Space Kidz India,” which aims to provide government school students with a fundamental understanding and knowledge of space.
AzaadiSAT, the smallest satellite ever launched into Earth’s orbit by India, was carried into orbit as part of the first SSLV mission by ISRO. The tiny satellite was created and launched to commemorate the nation’s Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
As this year’s UN theme is “Women in Space,” the purpose of the satellite’s launch is to encourage women to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
This will be the third launch this year for ISRO, which is a show of India making its place known in outer space. Promoting girl students to take part in the maiden launch of SSLV is just the kind of push we need to clarify our country’s stance on the future of its youth.