Sat Apr 12 12:40:16 UTC 2025: ## ISRO to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Aryabhata Launch
**Bengaluru, April 12, 2025** – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to celebrate the golden jubilee of the launch of Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, on April 19th. Fifty years ago, a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket carried the 360-kg satellite into orbit, marking a pivotal moment for India’s space program.
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced plans for commemorative events, highlighting the significant progress made since the launch. He stated that from this initial success, ISRO has grown to launch 131 satellites of various types for diverse applications, with 55 currently in orbit.
The name “Aryabhata,” chosen by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from a list including “Mitra” and “Jawahar,” honors the ancient Indian astronomer. The satellite, described as quasi-spherical with 26 flat faces, generated 46 watts of power via solar cells. Despite initial power distribution issues, Aryabhata functioned successfully for nearly 17 years, its signals being received until its re-entry in 1992.
Aryabhata’s mission, deemed “scientific/experimental,” focused on X-ray astronomy, aeronomy, and solar physics. Its launch propelled India into the realm of satellite technology, leading to the subsequent launch of 433 satellites for 34 countries. The milestone signifies India’s remarkable journey from a nation without its own satellites to a global leader in space technology.
First Piper 