50 Years of Aryabhata: A successful failure that sparked India's space odyssey

50 years of Space Odyssey: Aryabhata to Chandrayaan, India’s leap in technology

On April 19, 1975, the tiny and rudimentary satellite Aryabhata, built indigenously by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was successfully launched into space. The satellite, named after Aryabhata (476-550 AD), the ancient Indian astronomer and mathematician, weighed just 360 kg. It piggybacked on the giant InterKosmos-3M rocket of the Soviet Union from the Kapustin Yar launch facility near Volgograd. With it soared the expectations …

50 Years of Aryabhata: A successful failure that sparked India's space odyssey

The launch was the result of a strategic collaboration — India allowed the Soviet Union access to its ports for tracking and naval purposes in exchange for launch support.

History Today: How India launched its first satellite, Aryabhata, 50 years ago

On April 19, 1975, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) launched Aryabhata—the country’s very first satellite into space. Named after the ancient Indian astronomer, the satellite was launched aboard a Soviet rocket, Kosmos-3M, from Russia. It was also the day when the American Revolutionary War began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the start of the colonies’ struggle for independence from British rule

Aryabhata at 50: The ‘Successful Failure’ That Paved India’s Space Future

April 19, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of Aryabhata, India’s first satellite—a mission that, despite technical setbacks, laid the foundation for the nation’s ambitious space program. Launched in 1975 aboard a Soviet rocket, Aryabhata aimed to conduct groundbreaking experiments in X-ray astronomy, solar physics, and aeronomics. However, within five days, a power failure cut its […] The post Aryabhata at 50: The ‘Successful Failure’ That Paved…