50 years of Aryabhatta satellite launch completed

Why in news?

On 19 April 2025, 50 years of the launch of India's first indigenous satellite 'Aryabhatta' were completed.

About Aryabhatta satellite

• Name of the satellite: The satellite was named after the ancient Indian astronomer and mathematician Aryabhatta.
  • At that time, after this successful launch, India became the 11th country in the world to send a satellite into orbit.
• Partner country: This launch was done under an agreement signed between India and the Soviet Union in the year 1972.
• Launch Date: 19 April 1975
• Launch Site: Kapustin Yar, Soviet Union
• Mission Duration: 5 years, 11 months
• Launch Vehicle: Kosmos-3M
• Manufacturer: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Main Objectives:
  • Space scientific experiments, especially X-ray astronomy
  • Observation of solar neutrons and gamma rays
  • Study of the upper atmosphere

Technical Features

• Design and Weight: Aryabhatta was designed as a 26-sided polyhedron with a diameter of 1.4 m and a hemispherical shape.
• Weight: 360 kg
• Power Source: Solar panels and nickel-cadmium batteries
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit