How India built an independent, cost-effective space programme, and the satellite systems it now runs for communication, navigation and earth observation.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), formed in 1969 under Vikram Sarabhai's vision, grew from launching sounding rockets to becoming one of the world's most cost-efficient space agencies — landmark missions include Chandrayaan-1/2/3 (lunar exploration, with Chandrayaan-3 achieving a soft landing near the lunar south pole in 2023), Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission, India's first interplanetary mission, 2014), and Gaganyaan (India's upcoming human spaceflight programme).
INSAT/GSAT series satellites handle communication, broadcasting and weather services. IRNSS (NavIC) — India's Regional Navigation Satellite System — provides indigenous positioning services over India and the surrounding region, reducing reliance on foreign GPS. IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) satellites provide earth-observation data for agriculture, forestry, disaster management, and urban planning.
EDUSAT was dedicated to distance education; satellites also support defence surveillance and reconnaissance needs. ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and the private-sector-enabling IN-SPACe regulator now support a growing private space industry in India.
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