Inventions
India's deep mathematical and astronomical heritage.
Indian Space Exploration
Discover India's remarkable journey to the stars, from pioneering astronauts to groundbreaking space missions and future aspirations.
Reaching for the Stars
From the first Indian in space to landing on the lunar south pole, India's space program has achieved remarkable milestones on the global stage.
Pioneering Indian Astronauts
Meet the brave individuals who have represented India in space exploration
Rakesh Sharma
The first Indian citizen to enter space, Rakesh Sharma flew aboard the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11 in 1984 as part of the Intercosmos program. When then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked him how India looked from space, he famously replied, 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha' (Better than the whole world).
Mission: Soyuz T-11 (1984)
Key Achievements:
First Indian in spaceHero of the Soviet Union awardAshok Chakra awardConducted scientific experiments in zero gravity
By Subhav Sharma - Own work, Public Domain, Link
Kalpana Chawla
The first woman of Indian origin to go to space, Kalpana Chawla first flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997. She tragically lost her life during her second mission when Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere in 2003. Her legacy continues to inspire millions of aspiring scientists and astronauts in India.
Mission: STS-87 (1997), STS-107 (2003)
Key Achievements:
First Indian-born woman in spaceLogged 30 days, 14 hours, and 54 minutes in spaceCongressional Space Medal of HonorNASA Space Flight Medal
By NASA - KSC Image, NASA Gallery, Public Domain, Link
Sunita Williams
An American astronaut of Indian origin, Sunita Williams has spent a total of 322 days in space across multiple missions, which was a record for female space travelers at the time. She has conducted seven spacewalks totaling 50 hours and 40 minutes, and has run the Boston Marathon while in orbit.
Mission: Expeditions 14/15 (2006-2007), Expeditions 32/33 (2012)
Key Achievements:
Former record holder for longest spaceflight by a womanFormer record holder for most spacewalks by a womanNASA Exceptional Service MedalRan the Boston Marathon in space
By Robert Markowitz – Flickr Image, Public Domain, Link
Raja Chari
An American astronaut of Indian descent, Raja Chari served as the commander of the NASA SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station. Before becoming an astronaut, he was a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and test pilot with over 2,500 hours of flight time.
Mission: SpaceX Crew-3, ISS Expedition 66/67 (2021-2022)
Key Achievements:
Commander of SpaceX Crew-3 missionConducted spacewalks totaling over 12 hoursU.S. Air Force ColonelDefense Meritorious Service Medal
By U.S. Air Force – Official Biography, Public Domain, Link
Sirisha Bandla
The third Indian-origin woman to fly to space, Sirisha Bandla flew aboard Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity as a researcher in 2021. She conducted experiments for the University of Florida during her suborbital spaceflight. Born in Andhra Pradesh, she moved to the United States at a young age.
Mission: Virgin Galactic Unity 22 (2021)
Key Achievements:
Third Indian-origin woman in spaceVice President of Government Affairs at Virgin GalacticConducted plant research in microgravityCommercial Astronaut Wings recipient
Gaganyaan Astronauts
Four Indian Air Force pilots were selected for India's first human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. They underwent training at Russia's Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. The Gaganyaan mission aims to demonstrate India's capability to send humans to low Earth orbit and bring them back safely.
Mission: Gaganyaan (Upcoming)
Key Achievements:
Selected from thousands of candidatesTrained at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in RussiaWill conduct scientific experiments in microgravityPioneers of India's human spaceflight program
Indian Space Missions
Explore India's groundbreaking space missions and achievements
Chandrayaan-1
2008
India's first lunar probe, Chandrayaan-1, was launched by ISRO in October 2008. The mission included an orbiter and an impactor. One of its most significant achievements was the discovery of water molecules on the lunar surface, changing our understanding of the Moon.
Key Pioneers:
G. Madhavan NairMylswamy Annadurai
Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission)
2013-2014
India's first interplanetary mission, Mangalyaan, made history when it reached Mars orbit in 2014, making ISRO the fourth space agency to reach Mars and the first to do so on its maiden attempt. The mission was notable for its cost-effectiveness, completed at a fraction of the cost of similar missions.
By Kevin Gill from Nashua, NH, United States – Mars Orbiter Mission Over Mars, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
Key Pioneers:
K. RadhakrishnanS. Arunan
Chandrayaan-2
2019
Chandrayaan-2 was India's second lunar exploration mission, consisting of an orbiter, lander (Vikram), and rover (Pragyan). While the lander deviated from its intended trajectory during its descent and lost communication, the orbiter continues to function and send valuable data about the lunar surface.
Key Pioneers:
K. SivanRitu KaridhalM. Vanitha
Chandrayaan-3
2023
Chandrayaan-3 marked a historic achievement for India as it successfully soft-landed on the Moon's south polar region on August 23, 2023. This made India the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first to land near the lunar south pole, a region of significant scientific interest due to the potential presence of water ice.
Key Pioneers:
S. SomanathP. VeeramuthuvelKalpana Kalahasti
Aditya-L1
2023
Aditya-L1 is India's first space-based solar observatory, launched in September 2023. Positioned at the Lagrangian point L1 (about 1.5 million km from Earth), it studies the Sun's photosphere, chromosphere, and corona. The mission aims to provide insights into solar activities and their impact on space weather.
Key Pioneers:
S. SomanathNigar Shaji
Bharatiya Antariksh Station
India's ambitious plans for its own space station
By Nssdatta19 – Own work, CC0, Link
Bharatiya Antariksh Station
Planned for 2035
The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station) is a planned space station to be deployed in low Earth orbit as a successor to the Gaganyaan program. Expected to be operational by 2035, it will serve as a platform for conducting microgravity experiments, Earth observation, and as a staging post for future deep space missions.
Key Pioneers:
ISRO Leadership
Future Space Programs
India's ambitious plans for the future of space exploration
Gaganyaan
Upcoming
Gaganyaan is India's first human spaceflight program, aiming to send astronauts to low Earth orbit. The mission will demonstrate India's capability to send humans to space and bring them back safely. The spacecraft is designed to carry three astronauts and orbit Earth at an altitude of 400 km for up to seven days.
Key Pioneers:
S. SomanathUnnikrishnan Nair
ISRO's Major Milestones
1969
Formation of ISRO under the leadership of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
1975
Launch of India's first satellite, Aryabhata
1984
Rakesh Sharma becomes the first Indian to travel to space
2008
Launch of Chandrayaan-1, India's first lunar probe
2014
Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) successfully enters Mars orbit
2017
ISRO sets world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission
2019
Launch of Chandrayaan-2 with orbiter, lander, and rover
2023
Chandrayaan-3 successfully lands on the lunar south pole
2023
Launch of Aditya-L1, India's first solar observatory
India's Space Programme
From Aryabhata to Chandrayaan-3 — India in Space
India's space programme has gone from a 1960s rocket launchpad in a fishing village to landing on the Moon's south pole. ISRO is one of the most cost-effective space agencies in the world.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was founded in 1969 under Vikram Sarabhai. India launched its first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975. The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan, 2014) made India the first country to reach Mars on its first attempt — and at a fraction of NASA's budget.
Chandrayaan-3 in 2023 made India the first country to soft-land near the Moon's south pole. Gaganyaan, India's first crewed orbital mission, is scheduled for the coming years. ISRO has also opened space to private players through IN-SPACe and a thriving NewSpace startup ecosystem.
Quick Facts
First Indian satellite
Aryabhata, 1975
Mars Orbiter cost
~₹450 crore
Chandrayaan-3 landing
23 Aug 2023, Moon south pole
Crewed mission planned
Gaganyaan
Quick Answers
India's Space Programme — FAQs
India's first lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 launched in 2008 and discovered water on the Moon. Chandrayaan-3, in August 2023, became the first ever soft-landing near the Moon's south pole.
Mangalyaan, the Mars Orbiter Mission, was launched in 2013 and reached Mars in September 2014, making India the first country to succeed at Mars on its first attempt — and at a record-low cost.
Gaganyaan is India's first crewed orbital spaceflight programme. It aims to send Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit aboard an indigenously developed spacecraft.
ISRO uses indigenous technology, frugal engineering, modular launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV, LVM3) and a tightly integrated R&D-to-operations model — often achieving missions at 10–20% of comparable Western agency costs.