India’s achievements in space exploration have skyrocketed over the years. The Quint’s ‘Space Yatra’ offers you a joyride through the ‘galaxy of desi gyaan’. Just tap on the ‘back’ or ‘next’ buttons to navigate, or simply sit back to travel on auto-pilot!
Concept & UI: Aryan Gupta
Developer: Pulkit Gupta & Shahadat Hussain
Text & Script: Aaqib Raza Khan
India gravitated towards space exploration in the early 20th century, with the establishment of Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), in 1962 with Dr Vikram Sarabhai as Chairman.
This was a precursor to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), set up in 1969. Dr Sarabhai was the captain of this mission too. India went full “Aaj main upar, aasma neeche” mode.
In 1975, Aryabhata, the first Indian space satellite, was launched from Kapustin Yar, a Russian rocket launch site. Talk about ruling the ‘Roos-ter’!
By 1980, India grew confident of launching its own satellite, from its own land. Thus came Rohini-1, a Made-in-India satellite launched from Sriharikota Island. Stellar... Interstellar achievement!
Keeping up with modern communication technology, INSAT, a multi-purpose satellite was launched by ISRO in 1983. This proved to be kaafi helpful with telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue operations.
But ye dil maange more! Soon after, in 1984, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian cosmonaut, and the 138th man in space. When he was asked, ‘how does India look from space?’ He said "Saare Jahan Se Achha...".
BTW, do you know the other Indian man who came close? Take a look:
In 2003, Kalpana Chawla became the first woman of Indian origin in space.
Then it was time to reach for the moon. In 2008, India launched its first moon explorer Chandrayaan 1 – and the sixth country to do so! It eventually found traces of water on chanda maama!
In 2014, India became the first country to reach Mars in its first attempt with the Mangalyaan mission. Budget? Just Rs 450 crores. Sasta sundar spaceship.
Then it was time make Mission impossible, possible! In 2017, ISRO created world record, launching 104 satellites in one mission.
Starstruck? Stay tuned for more astronomical achievements. Share your love in the comments below. We have enough space.
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