Completed Missions in 2019-20

During the current fiscal year of 2019-20, till date 11 out of the total targeted missions have been completed.

1. Earth observation satellite- 4
2. Communication satellite- 1
3. Space science satellite- 1
4. PSLV- 4
5. GSLV MK III- 1

• Indian Space Programme is focused on peaceful uses of Outer Space.
• Towards this, Space Technology should be used for benefit of the country and society, provide solutions for developmental activities and address problems of the society at large.

Background

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of the Government of India.
• ISRO has its headquarters in the city of Bengaluru.
• The prime objective of ISRO is to use space technology and its application to various national tasks.
• The Indian space programme was driven by the vision of Vikram Sarabhai, considered the father of the Indian space programme.

How ISRO came to be?

• The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was established in the tenure of Jawaharlal Nehru under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1962, with the urging of scientist Vikram Sarabhai recognizing the need in space research.
• INCOSPAR grew and became ISRO in 1969, also under the DAE.
• In 1972, Government of India had setup a Space Commission and the Department of Space (DOS), bringing ISRO under the DOS.
• The establishment of ISRO thus institutionalized space research activities in India.
• ISRO is managed by the DOS, which reports to the Prime Minister of India.

Significance of ISRO in the International Community

ISRO has had international cooperation since its inception. Some instances are listed below:

1. Establishment of TERLS, conduct of SITE & STEP, launches of Aryabhata, Bhaskara, APPLE, IRS-IA and IRS-IB/ satellites, crewed space mission, etc.
2. ISRO operates LUT/MCC under the international COSPAS/SARSAT Programme for Search and Rescue.
3. India has established a Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP) that is sponsored by the United Nations.
4. India is a member of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Cospas-Sarsat, International Astronautical Federation, Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), International Space University, and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS).
5. Chandrayaan-1 carried scientific payloads from NASA, ESA, Bulgarian Space Agency, and other institutions/companies in North America and Europe.