Source: The Hindu
Early on Wednesday morning, ISRO will supervise the GSLV-F15 Mission’s historic 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The first launch, which was only partially successful, took place on August 10, 1979, when Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 made its experimental mission with the Rohini Technology Payload.
A year later, on July 18, 1980, ISRO experienced success with the SLV-3E2 when the Rohini Satellite, RS-1, was launched into orbit.
Following this, as part of the Gaganyaan program, ISRO launched 2 additional SLV missions, 4 missions using Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicles, 62 missions using its workhorse, the PSLV, 16 GSLV missions, 7 LMV3 missions, 3 SSLV missions, 1 Reusable Launch Vehicle, 1 Test Vehicle Abort Mission, and 1 Pad Abort Test.
Sriharikota is the perfect site for the spaceport because of its proximity to the equator, huge deserted region for a safety zone, and good launch azimuth corridor for a variety of missions.
Landmark Missions:
1.India’s lunar missions, including the PSLV-C11/ Chandrayaan-1 in 2008; the GSLV-Mk III-M1/ Chandrayaan-2 in 2019; and the LVM3 M4/Chandrayaan-3 in 2023, which made India the first country to touchdown in the polar region of the moon.
2.PSLV-C25/ Mars Orbiter Mission in 2013, it was India’s first interplanetary mission
3.PSLV-C57/ Aditya-L1 in 2023, was India’s first mission to study the sun.
4.Launch of PSLV-C37/Cartosat-2 series in 2017, the ISRO launched a record 104 satellites in a single flight.
Model Question:
Q: “Discuss the role of ISRO in India’s socio-economic development. How has ISRO’s space technology contributed to sectors like agriculture, disaster management, and communication?” (250 words, 15 marks)
Model Answer:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has played a pivotal role in India’s socio-economic development by leveraging space technology for practical applications in various sectors. Its contributions have been transformative, particularly in agriculture, disaster management, and communication.
- Agriculture:
ISRO’s remote sensing satellites, such as RESOURCESATand CARTOSAT, provide critical data on soil health, crop patterns, and water resources. This information aids in precision farming, optimizing irrigation, and predicting crop yields. For instance, the National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS)uses satellite data to assess drought conditions, enabling timely government intervention. - Disaster Management:
ISRO’s satellites have revolutionized disaster management by enabling early warning systems and real-time monitoring. Satellites like INSAT-3Dand SCATSAT-1provide data on cyclones, floods, and earthquakes. During the 2018 Kerala floods, ISRO’s satellite imagery helped in mapping affected areas, coordinating rescue operations, and assessing damage. Similarly, the Disaster Management Support (DMS) program provides actionable insights for disaster preparedness and mitigation. - Communication:
ISRO’s communication satellites, such as GSATand EDUSAT, have bridged the digital divide in India. They facilitate telemedicine, tele-education, and rural connectivity. For example, the Telemedicine Networkconnects remote areas with urban hospitals, providing access to specialized healthcare. Similarly, EDUSAT has enabled distance learning, benefiting millions of students in rural and underserved regions.
ISRO’s space technology has been a catalyst for socio-economic development, addressing critical challenges in agriculture, disaster management, and communication. By democratizing access to advanced technology, ISRO has not only enhanced India’s global standing in space research but also improved the quality of life for its citizens. Its achievements underscore the importance of investing in science and technology for national development.
