Overview
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) operates approximately 130+ active satellites covering communications (INSAT/GSAT series), navigation (NavIC/IRNSS), Earth observation (Cartosat, RISAT, Resourcesat), and scientific missions. India is recognised for achieving cost-effective space missions — its Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) reached Mars for less than the budget of many Hollywood films.
Key Programmes
NavIC (IRNSS): India's regional navigation satellite system providing coverage over India and surrounding regions, using 7 satellites in GEO and geosynchronous orbits.
INSAT/GSAT: Communications satellites in GEO providing telecommunications, broadcasting, and weather services across India.
Cartosat/RISAT: Earth observation satellites for mapping, urban planning, agriculture, and disaster response.
Chandrayaan: Lunar exploration programme — Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed near the lunar south pole in August 2023, making India the fourth country to achieve a soft Moon landing.
Launch Capability
ISRO operates PSLV (the workhorse light-to-medium launcher), GSLV Mk II, and LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III, capable of 8 tonnes to LEO). India launched approximately 5 orbital missions in 2025 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Sriharikota). A growing commercial space sector includes companies like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos. See the Launch Log for historical data.