Why in the News?

50 years ago on April 19, 1975, India marked a major milestone in its space history with the successful launch of Aryabhata, its first satellite.

About Aryabhata

Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, was launched on April 19, 1975, with Soviet assistance from the Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome.
Named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata, the satellite was a significant milestone in India’s space journey.
It had a unique 26-sided polyhedron design, measuring 1.4 meters in diameter and weighing 360 kg.
The satellite’s faces were covered with solar panels, except for the top and bottom.
Aryabhata orbited the Earth every 96.3 minutes with an inclination of 50.7 degrees, and its apogee and perigee were 619 km and 563 km, respectively.
Its mission was to conduct experiments in solar physics and X-ray astronomy.
Despite experiencing a power failure after 5 days, Aryabhata continued transmitting data for several more days, completing a remarkable 17 years in orbit.
This success was pivotal for India, establishing the country’s space capabilities.

India’s space program began in the 1960s, led by Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of ISRO.
Sarabhai envisioned a space program to advance technological and scientific progress in India.
Initial efforts included developing sounding rockets under the Rohini rocket program for atmospheric research.
In 1972, India partnered with the Soviet Union for the launch of Aryabhata, marking the nation’s entry into space.

[UPSC 2007] Consider the following statements:

1. In the year 2006, India successfully tested a full-fledged cryogenic stage in rocketry.

2. After USA, Russia and China, India is the only country to have acquired the capability for use of cryogenic stage in rocketry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only * (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2