Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) since its inception five decades ago has primarily focused its program on the triad of space applications – remote sensing, telecommunications and meteorology for the immediate socio-economic benefit of the Indian citizens. Several of its Earth observation and telecommunication satellites have carried many astronomy and space science instruments as auxiliary payloads.

The successful launch of Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, India’s first mission to the Moon, by a PSLV Rocket on October 22, 2008 began a new era in Indian space program. To enable and support space science and exploration missions, ISRO has established an Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) Campus near Bengaluru with three large antennas and related ground support elements such as the Indian Space Science Data Center (ISSDC) and ISRO Science Data Archive (ISDA).

ISRO has embarked on space exploration programs to the Moon, Mars and in space science with dedicated satellite missions exploiting the gains being made in the indigenous deep space capabilities. Future space exploration missions include Chandrayaan-3 Mission to the Moon (Lander + Rover), Mars Mission – 2 and a Shukrayaan Orbiter Mission to the Venus.

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