On April 19, 2025, Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, celebrated its golden jubilee, marking 50 years since its historic launch. The satellite, which bears the name of the ancient Indian scientist and astronomer Aryabhata, was a landmark accomplishment for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and a turning point in the country’s technical development.
India became the eleventh nation in the world to launch a satellite into orbit with Aryabhata, which was launched from the USSR’s Kapustin Yar site on a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket.
Aryabhata was intended to be a 26-sided polyhedron that weighed 360 kg and had a diameter of 1.4 meters. Its scientific instruments were powered by 46 watts of solar panels that covered all 24 sides, with the exception of the top and bottom faces.
The satellite’s main objective was scientific and experimental, with an emphasis on solar physics, aeronomy, and X-ray astronomy.
Additionally, neutrinos, gamma radiation, cosmic and solar X-rays, and the Earth’s upper atmosphere were to be studied.
The fact that Aryabhata was completely constructed in India, despite having little funding and no in-country launch capability, demonstrated ISRO’s technological strength and resolve.
The satellite’s experiments were stopped by a power outage after five days in orbit, but it continued to send data for a few more days, giving Indian scientists important expertise in satellite creation and useful data.
Before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere and igniting on February 11, 1992, Aryabhata spent over 17 years in orbit.
Generations of scientists and engineers were inspired by the launch of Aryabhata, which set the stage for India’s later space technology triumphs.
It helped India enter the international space community and paved the way for the nation to become a satellite technology leader; as of right now, ISRO has launched hundreds of satellites for both local and foreign customers.
The 50th anniversary of Aryabhata is being commemorated in honour of the pioneers who made India’s space dreams a reality, including Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Prof. U.R. Rao. From the early stages of satellite construction to ambitious projects like Chandrayaan and beyond, the nation’s continuous space journey has been inspired by Aryabhata’s legacy.
