Op Sindoor supported by 58 fully functional ISRO satellites

ISRO chairman V Narayanan on Tuesday said India has come a long way in space research programmes since Independence and it has left no gap between space technology and the common man.

Speaking at the AIMA’s 52nd National Management Convention here, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi insists that there should be no gap between space technology and the common man.

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“Space must always benefit the common citizen,” he said. The Indian space program serves the nation in many ways, including earth observation for food and water security, mapping potential fishery zones, medical applications, satellite communication for telemedicine and education, search and rescue operations, and naval applications, he added.

“Currently, we track 10,400 trains in real time and monitor 35,000 shipping vessels. We also play a crucial role in disaster warning and mitigation, weather forecasting, and strategic applications,” he said.

Speaking about ISRO’s role during Operation Sindoor, the chairman said while the operation was underway, all satellites were working 24/7 perfectly and enabling the requirements.

Stating that at present the country has 58 satellites which are in operational mode in orbit, Narayan said, “During Operation Sindoor, all our satellites worked fantastically well. Through our satellites, we ensured the safety and security of every citizen of Bharat in Operation Sindoor. PM Modi has given the direction that in another three years, the number of satellites in orbit will be at least three times the present number, which is 58.”

Speaking about the historical growth of the Indian space program, the ISRO chairman highlighted that at the time of Independence, nearly 90% of the population lived below the poverty line, and literacy was barely 12%.

“Since then, every sector has witnessed significant growth. We have established standardized institutes and have come a long way. Today, India has bypassed even the UK to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. Our goal is to reach the third position, and I am confident we will achieve it. India is on track to become a developed country well before we celebrate 100 years of Independence.”

Turning to the satellite program, he noted that 55 years ago, India had no satellite technology. It was exactly 50 years ago, on April 19, 1975, that India launched its first satellite, Ariane Satellite (AITA), built with support from the USSR and launched using a Soviet launch vehicle. Since then, India has made remarkable progress.

“To date, we have conceived, built, and launched around 133 satellites of various types. Our heaviest satellite is the GSAT-11, a high-throughput satellite weighing 6,000 kilograms. All our satellites are functioning perfectly and providing vital services,” he said.