Space exploration involves the ongoing discovery and exploration of celestial structures through advancing space technology. It is conducted by astronomers using telescopes as well as robotic and human spaceflight. Fundamental benefits of space exploration include generating new scientific and technological knowledge with applications on Earth. India's space program has made progress starting with experimental satellites and now provides operational services through INSAT and remote sensing satellites. ISRO has successfully developed launch vehicles and placed satellites in orbit, collaborating with Indian institutions and private industries.

1. Space Exploration

2. Space exploration is the
ongoing discovery and exploration of cele
stial structures in outer space by means
of continuously evolving and
growing space technology. While the
study of space is carried out mainly
by astronomers with telescopes, the
physical exploration of space is conducted
both by unmanned robotic probes and
human space flight.

3. Fundamental Benefits of Space Exploration
To a great extent, the benefits from space exploration are rooted in the generation of
new knowledge, which is the first reward and which has inherent value to humankind.
Technological knowledge, generated when high‐performance space systems are
developed to address the extreme challenges of space missions, yields many
innovations
that benefit the public. Scientific knowledge acquired from space expands
humankind's
understanding of nature and frequently unlocks creative and useful Earth‐based
applications for society. In the longer term, the knowledge accumulated over many
missions and the expansion of human presence into the Solar System help people gain
perspective on the fragility and rarity of life in the Universe and on humankind's
accomplishments, potential, and destiny.

4. India’s progress in space has been very systematic starting with experimental satellites like
Aryabhatta, Bhaskara, Apple and Rohini. It performed satellite application experiments like
SITE, STEP and Apple application programme. The operational space services consist of INSAT
system and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS). The Indian Space Research Organization
(ISRO) made a modest beginning in launch vehicles like SLV-3, and ASLV. The first
development flight of the indigenous Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was carried out in
1992 which could put 1,000 kg class remote sensing satellite into 900 km polar sun-synchronous
orbit.
India has acquired eminence in world class space science. It has mastered modern space
technology and its various applications for the benefit of society. New space technology is
being utilized for telecommunications, television broadcasts, weather watch and for
providing information relating to agriculture, forests, water resources and minerals to
mention a few.
In the past three decades ISRO has built an infrastructure sector of space programmed –
construction and operation of satellites and their launch vehicles, ground station and sensors.
ISRO has also collaborated with other Indian institutions and over 250 private industries.
Both private and public sectors manufacture a vanity of equipment and materials – light alloy
structure for inter-stages, motor cases, liquid thrusters, propellant tanks, gas generation and
electronic packages. The second launch facility at Sriharikota at a cost of Rs.280 crore is
under construction.

5. Launch Business
In May last year ISRO embarked on the launch business through PSLV-C2
launch, thereby creating a strong impact on the global space market by
successfully launching two foreign satellites along with its own ocean
monitoring remote sensing satellite. They were launched by the PSLV.
ISRO’s marketing agency Autrix Corporation has entered the world market
with great success. It aims to secure about 20 per cent of the global share
of remote sensing products. It is gratifying to note that PSLV with certain
modifications can put payloads up to 4,000 kg into low earth orbits (LEO’s)
and up to 800 kg into geo-synchronous transfer orbits (GTO’s).
So far India has been dependent on Ariane Space, the French space agency,
for launching its satellites. But gradually ISRO is trying to make use of its
own launching vehicles. Sriharikota’s proximity to the equator gives it a
better payload advantage for any polar launch. The flight of INSAT-3B,
INSAT-3A and the GSLV will take ISRO into higher orbit. Once the GSLV is
declared operational, India’s future INSAT satellites will be launched by
this rocket.

6. Towards Moon
Coming on the heels of all these developments is ISRO’s plan to go to the moon. ISRO has
already begun preliminary studies to assess the feasibility of undertaking such a mission.
ISRO’s satellite centre director, Dr P S Goel, says the study will cover scientific benefits which
could be derived from the lunar mission. ISRO’s PSLV is a proven rocket and is capable of
flying up to the lunar orbit. If India’s mission to the moon succeeds, then it would have joined
the US and the former Soviet Union in making its presence felt in the lunar environment.
ISRO is also planning to launch a series of remote sensing satellites with a variety of
applications including one solely dedicated to the field of astronomy.
Indian space scientists foresee several developments in the new millennium when they can
scale new heights. Revolutionary developments in the fields of communication, information
and micro- electronics are driving greater convergence and forging new directions for
aerospace programmes. "Space would be a strong tool for development in future" sys Dr
Kasturirangan. He is of the view that from development of civil applications such as personal
mobile communications at a global level and management of natural disasters to futuristic
vistas such as space power generation and space tourism the new possibilities are unlimited.
India’s experience has clearly shown that the investment in space always pays through remote
sensing and telecommunications. By being fully self-reliant in space activities, it is certain that
the resulting contribution from the space programme to the Indian GDP will be markedly
significant.

8. MOM
The Launch Vehicle - PSLV-C25 will inject the Spacecraft
into an Elliptical Parking Orbit with a perigee of 250
km and an apogee of 23,500 km. With six Liquid
Engine firing, the spacecraft is gradually maneuvered
into a hyperbolic trajectory with which it escapes
from the Earth’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) and arrives
at the Mars Sphere of Influence. When spacecraft
reaches nearest point of Mars (Peri-apsis), it is
maneuvered in to an elliptical orbit around Mars by
firing the Liquid Engine. The spacecraft then moves
around the Mars in an orbit with Peri-apsis of 366 km
and Apo-apsis of about 80000 km.