54th ISRO FOUNDATION DAY

Freedom signifies liberation of mind, body, and spirit. It enshrines the unwavering promise undertaken by every mission- to make a mark beyond the sky and its limits; to surpass all constraints; to defeat every ounce of impossibility and to show them all, the perfect manifestation of ‘freedom: ad astra per aspera.’

As our motherland is entering into the 77th chapter of independence, we remember the relentless and unfaltering spirit of our nation and its reverent fighters who gave up their lives and conferred upon us the boon of self-authority, recognition, agency, national consciousness and patriotism. Our nation is an exquisite display of the confluence of religion and customs, with that of science and rationality, in the most pristine form. Our development in the field of science and technology is as deep, structured, and systematic as our faith in Gods. The most pristine example of it is depicted by the works of, the one and only- Indian Space and Research Organization i.e., the ISRO, which forms the core of the many achievements of India in space exploration.

ISRO was previously known as the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). INCOSPAR was set up in 1962 by the then Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). It was set up due to the constant urging of scientist Vikram Sarabhai, recognising the need for space research. It was then superseded by ISRO, with an aim of harnessing space technology. ISRO was then established on August 15, 1969. This institution forms the core of the many achievements of India in space exploration.

Since its inception, ISRO has conducted numerous missions in space, myriad of innovations in space technology, a plethora of unmanned operations to space, satellite and anti-combat missiles, etc., all of which have played a massive role in the building of the nation’s repute, development and power in the international arena and relations thereof. In furtherance of the same ISRO has worked relentlessly to make India self-reliant by providing cutting edge space-based services for national & strategic development, thus making India one of the top-5 space faring nations globally. Some of the wonderous missions conducted by this institution include those of the- Chandrayaan Mission, the Mangalyaan Mission (officially known as Mars Orbiter Mission), GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) mission and the ASAT- Anti Satellite Mission (in collaboration with DRDO). The Chandrayaan mission was instituted to make the nation's mark on the Moon and to establish its name amongst the world prowess. The Managalyaan was instituted with the noble feat of enlarging and enhancing India’s touch and hold in Mars' orbit and was India’s first interplanetary mission. India is the 4th country to have its footprints on planet Mars.

This institute also works for the fulfillment of socio-economic advancement through the development of world-class technology like- satellite navigation systems, and satellite communication systems. Some of ISRO’s contributions towards the advancement of space technology include- human life support technology, astronaut training and facilities, space transportation systems, and satellite systems etc.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission was recently launched on the 14th of July 2023 from Sriharikota. This marks the third series of this lunar exploration mission undertaken by ISRO. It has had a successful journey so far and is expected to land at the South Pole of the Moon on the 23rd of August 2023, making India the first nation to have explored this area on the Moon.

ISRO continues to strive hard towards the development of the space industry in India. With the InSpace initiative, the commitment to ISRO towards this goal is conspicuous. ISRO has already started planning future expeditions to Space, which includes Gaganyaan (ISRO's first manned mission to space), Aditya L1 (India's solar mission), Mangalyaan 2 among other missions planned.

On this 15th Day of August, 2023 a.k.a. The Indian Independence Day 2023, which also marks the completion of 54 years of ISRO’s establishment and foundation, we revere and commemorate with pride, the Indian Space and Research Organization and its endeavors towards the attainment of technological independence. We acclaim and bow down to this great institution, whose guiding lights lead the way to India’s eternal brightness, brilliance, and luminescence forever and after.