Aryabhata

Celebrating 50 Years Since the Launch of Aryabhata – India’s First Satellite

About Aryabhata

• Aryabhata was India’s first satellite, developed domestically and named after the renowned 5th-century Indian mathematician and astronomer, Aryabhata.
• It was launched on April 19, 1975, from the Soviet Union’s Kapustin Yar launch site, with Soviet assistance.
• By successfully launching Aryabhata, India became the 11th country in the world to have the capability to send satellites into space, joining a prestigious group that included the USA, USSR, UK, France, China, West Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Italy.
• The satellite was designed to conduct experiments in solar physics and X-ray astronomy.
• Although a power failure occurred after just five days, Aryabhata managed to perform initial X-ray observations and transmitted data for a few more days before its operations ceased.
• Aryabhata re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on February 10, 1992, after a remarkable orbital life of nearly 17 years.
• Initially, the satellite had not been named, but shortly before the launch, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi chose the name ‘Aryabhata’ from a list that also included ‘Mitra’ and ‘Jawahar,’ reflecting cultural and diplomatic values.
• To commemorate its launch, India’s Posts and Telegraphs Department issued a special postal stamp shortly after the event, and in 1976, the Soviet Union also released a commemorative stamp to honor the spirit of scientific collaboration.