ISRO's 100th Launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to conduct its historic 100th launch at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota with the GSLV-F15 mission.
Historical Background
- The first launch occurred on August 10, 1979, using the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3 E10), which was partially successful.
- Former President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam led this mission and recovered from the setback to achieve success with the SLV-3E2 on July 18, 1980, placing the Rohini satellite, RS-1, in orbit.
ISRO's Launch Mission Achievements
- Three more SLV missions, four Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) missions.
- 62 missions via the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
- 16 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) missions.
- Seven Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LMV3) missions.
- Three Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) missions.
- One Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) mission.
- One Test Vehicle Abort Mission and one Pad Abort Test (PAT) for the Gaganyaan programme.
Significance of Sriharikota
Sriharikota was chosen for its strategic location benefits, including:
- Good launch azimuth corridor for various missions.
- Proximity to the equator, aiding eastward launches.
- Large uninhabited area, providing a safety zone.
Landmark Missions
- Lunar missions such as PSLV-C11/Chandrayaan-1 (2008), GSLV-Mk III-M1/Chandrayaan-2 (2019), and LVM3 M4/Chandrayaan-3 (2023), making India the first to touchdown on the polar region of the moon.
- PSLV-C25/Mars Orbiter Mission (2013) as India's first interplanetary mission.
- PSLV-C57/Aditya-L1 (2023), India’s first mission to study the Sun.
- PSLV-C37/Cartosat-2 series (2017), launching a record 104 satellites in one flight, a record held until 2021.