ISRO

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is the space agency of the Government of India responsible for the nation's space program. It was established in 1969 by merging the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) with the broader national space effort and now operates under the Department of Space. The organization is headquartered in Bengaluru and focuses on space science, satellite technology, launch vehicle development, and applications for national development.

ISRO comprises multiple centers and facilities across India, including the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram and the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, the primary launch site. It designs and builds launch vehicles such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for lighter payloads and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and its Mk III variant for heavier missions, as well as satellite systems and ground infrastructure.

ISRO's notable missions include Chandrayaan-1 (2008), which mapped the Moon and helped establish the presence of water molecules; the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2013–14, a low-cost mission that reached Mars orbit; Chandrayaan-2 (2019), a lunar mission with an orbiter, lander, and rover; and Chandrayaan-3 (2023), which achieved a successful soft landing at the lunar south pole. The agency also operates weather, remote sensing, and navigation satellites.

In addition to national programs, ISRO provides space launch services to other countries through its commercial arm, Antrix Corporation, and engages in international collaborations with agencies such as NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos. Its work supports disaster management, agriculture, telecommunications, and climate monitoring, and it continues to pursue indigenous propulsion, small satellite systems, and cost-effective access to space.