Aryabhata

Current Context: India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, completed 50 years . It was named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata.

Key Details

• Launched: April 19, 1975, from Kapustin Yar with Soviet Union’s assistance.
• Launch vehicle:Kosmos-3M

Design:

• A 26-sided polyhedron, 1.4 meters in diameter, weighing 360 kg.
• Solar panels covered 24 faces, except for the top and bottom.
• Purpose: Explore areas like solar physics, aeronomy, and X-ray astronomy.

Challenges and Legacy

• Power Failure: After 5 days in orbit, the satellite experienced a power failure, halting its experiments.
• Despite this, it transmitted valuable data and provided crucial experience for India’s future satellite missions.
• Historical Significance: Aryabhata marked India’s entry into space exploration, making it the 11th country globally to send a satellite into orbit.