RT team
With its first launch of 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked a historic achievement—completing 100 launches. The GSLV-F15 successfully placed the NVS-02 navigation satellite into orbit. Following the launch, ISRO’s new chairperson, Dr. V Narayanan, honored past leaders, including Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan, and APJ Abdul Kalam, acknowledging their contributions.
Significance of the 100th Launch
ISRO’s journey began in 1962 as part of the Department of Atomic Energy and evolved into a standalone organization in 1969. Over the years, it has developed multiple generations of launch vehicles and gained global recognition as a trusted partner for satellite launches. Notable achievements include the Chandrayaan missions, which have contributed valuable scientific data.
Evolution of ISRO’s Rockets
ISRO has built six generations of launch vehicles, with four still in operation. The PSLV remains its most reliable workhorse, while the GSLV series, featuring indigenous cryogenic engines, has advanced India’s space capabilities. The LVM3, the heaviest rocket, has successfully launched major missions, including Chandrayaan-2 and 3.
Future Developments
ISRO is now focusing on ambitious projects such as a lunar sample return mission, a mission to Venus, and an Indian space station. The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), designed for heavier payloads and reusability, is also in development.
NVS-02 and NavIC
The NVS-02 satellite enhances India’s regional navigation system, NavIC, improving signal accuracy and expanding accessibility. India’s system stands out as the only regional navigation network, complementing global systems like GPS and Galileo.
