Introduction
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of the Government of India, headquartered in Bengaluru. Founded in 1969, ISRO is responsible for space research and the development of satellite technologies and launch vehicles. Its primary objective is to advance space technology and use its applications for national tasks.
List of Launch Vehicle
- Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV): The SLV was ISRO's first experimental satellite launch vehicle, capable of placing 40 kg class payloads in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
- Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV): Developed to augment payload capacity, the ASLV can place 150 kg class satellites into LEO.
- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV): The PSLV is ISRO's third-generation launch vehicle and the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. It is capable of placing up to 1,750 kg of payload into Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbits (SSO) and geosynchronous transfer orbits (GTO).
- Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV): The GSLV is designed to deliver heavier payloads into geosynchronous transfer orbits. It can place up to 2,500 kg into GTO.
- GSLV Mk III: Also known as LVM-3, this is ISRO's heaviest and most powerful rocket, capable of carrying up to 4,000 kg to GTO and up to 10,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
- Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV): Still in the developmental phase, the RLV is designed to reduce the cost of access to space by enabling the reusability of the launch vehicle.
Services
- Satellite Communication: ISRO provides satellite communication services through its INSAT/GSAT series of communication satellites, which support telecommunications, broadcasting, and broadband infrastructure.
- Earth Observation: Through its IRS series of satellites, ISRO offers a variety of earth observation services that are used in agriculture, forestry, land-use mapping, and disaster management.
- Navigation: ISRO operates the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC, which provides accurate position information services to users in India and the surrounding region.
- Space Science and Exploration: ISRO undertakes various space science missions, including lunar, Mars, and interplanetary missions, to explore and understand space phenomena.
Financial Situation
The latest financial status of ISRO, as of the fiscal year 2022-2023, shows a budget allocation of approximately INR 13,949 crores (around USD 1.9 billion). This budget supports various ongoing and upcoming missions, research and development activities, and infrastructure development projects. The financial investment underscores the importance of space technology in India's strategic and developmental goals.