India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, completes 50 years

By  News On Air   Apr 19, 2025

India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, completed 50 years today. Launched on this day in 1975, the satellite was named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer, Aryabhata.

The satellite, built by the Indian Space Research Organisation, was launched from Kapustin Yar with the assistance of the USSR. The purpose of the satellite was defined to explore areas including Solar Physics, Aeronomy, and X-ray Astronomy.

Aryabhata was designed as a 26-sided polyhedron, measuring 1.4 metres in diameter and weighing 360 kilograms. Except for the top and bottom, all the remaining 24 faces of the satelite were covered with solar panels.

After spending five days in orbit, Aryabhata experienced a power failure, due to which all experiments were halted. Despite this, valuable data was collected, and scientists were provided with crucial experience in satellite development. The satellite continued transmitting information for a few more days after the failure.

Aryabhata marked India’s entry into space exploration and laid the foundation for the country’s future space missions. With its successful launch, India was recognized as the 11th country in the world to send a satellite into orbit.