---
title: "Where did the Space Program begin in India?"  
description: "Where did the Space Program begin in India?"  
author: "Lily Chitlangiya"  
published: 2021-11-16  
updated: 2023-04-27  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/94131/where-did-the-space-program-begin-in-india  
category: "space technology"  
tags: ["space science", "space programs"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# Where did the Space Program begin in India?

Where did the [Space](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12954/do-your-electrical-repair-in-your-own-space) [Program](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/12337/scaling-up-your-mentorship-program) begin in [India](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/23266/how-rooftop-solar-can-benefit-india-s-healthcare-industry)?

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## Answers

### Answer by Jujhar Singh

**India's space program began in the early 1960s** with the establishment of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). The committee was formed under the leadership of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, a renowned scientist and visionary, who is widely regarded as the father of India's space program.

![Where did the Space Program begin in India](https://answers.mindstick.com/QuestionAnswer/98049ff4-b810-4981-9d0f-8eeee7100b49/images/9b60e021-7006-44c3-9e33-bc7d00c19220.jpeg)

**Dr. Sarabhai** was instrumental in setting up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in 1963. This marked the beginning of India's space program, which focused initially on the development of sounding rockets for atmospheric research.

**In 1969**, INCOSPAR was restructured and renamed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The organization was tasked with developing satellite technology and launching satellites into orbit. ISRO's first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched in 1975 using a Soviet launch vehicle.

**Since then**, ISRO has developed a wide range of satellites for communication, remote sensing, weather forecasting, and navigation. The organization has also developed a number of launch vehicles, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), which are used to launch satellites into orbit.

**ISRO** has achieved several notable milestones over the years. In 2008, India successfully launched its first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, which discovered water on the Moon's surface. In 2014, India successfully sent a spacecraft, Mangalyaan, to Mars, making India the first country to achieve a successful Mars mission on its first attempt and at a fraction of the cost of other Mars missions.

**ISRO** has also played an important role in promoting space technology for societal applications. The organization has developed a number of remote sensing satellites that are used for applications such as disaster management, resource mapping, and environmental monitoring. ISRO has also developed satellite-based navigation systems, such as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), which provides accurate position information to users in India and the surrounding region.

**ISRO's** achievements have earned India a reputation as a major player in the global space community. The organization has collaborated with several international space agencies and has launched satellites for several countries, including the United States, France, and Israel.


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