Scientific Achievements of India - Which was India's first satellite?
Aryabhatta was India's first satellite. It was launched on April 19, 1975, from the Soviet Union. It weighed 360 Kg and was 16cm high with 26 faces. Its objective was to conduct experiments in X-rays, astronomy and physics. - When was Bhaskara launched?
Bhaskara India's second satellite, was launched on 7 June, 1979, from the Soviet Union. - When was Bhaskara-II launched?
Bhaskara-II, an earth observation satellite, was launched on November 20, 1981, from the Soviet Union. - What do you know about INSAT-1A?
INSAT-1A was India's first operational multipurpose and unique domestic satellite. It was meant to enhance the communicational, meteorological and television relay and radio broadcasting capabilities. It was launched on April 10, 1982, from Cape Canaveral (U.S.A.). - When was INSAT-1B launched?
India's multipurpose domestic satellite, INSAT-1B, was launched on August 30, 1983, by space shuttle. It is functioning successfully even today. (Thanks to the observant reader who noticed that the "1883" date originally posted was possibly inaccurate!) - Which was the first satellite-launch-vehicle of India?
SLV-3 was India's first satellite-launch-vehicle. It put Rohini satellite into orbit on July 18, 1980. It was fabricated at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Trivendrum. - What do you know about Rohini-I and II?
Rohini-I was launched mainly to evaluate the performance of the fourth stage of SLV-3. It fulfilled its mission but burnt on July 24, 1981, while re-entering the earth's atmosphere. Rohini-II became the fourth Indian satellite to orbit the earth on May 31, 1981. It was launched from Sriharikota. But it stayed only for 9 days and burnt on June 9, 1981.
- What was the primary mission of Bhaskara-I?
The primary mission of Bhaskara was to collect information on India's land, water, forest and ocean resources. It was designed and built by the Indian space scientists at the Satellite Centre, Bangalore. - Who was the first Indian to enter into space?
Sq. Ldr. Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to enter into space aboard Soyuz T-II Russian spaceship. He went into space on 3rd April, 1984, along with two Soviet cosmonauts. - Name the places where atomic-power stations have been established in India?
India's atomic-power plants are: (I) Rana Pratap Sagar atomic-power plant (Rajasthan), (ii) Tarapur power plant (iii) Kalpakkam atomic-power plant at Kalpakkam (iv) Narora atomic-power station at Narora. - When did India explode her first underground nuclear device?
India exploded her first underground nuclear device on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran (Rajasthan). - What is the function of CIRUS?
CIRUS was built in 1960. It is a 40 megawatt Canada-Indian reactor, and is being used to produce a wide-range of radio isotopes. It is also used for researches in nuclear physics, chemistry, biology and medicine. - What are the five nuclear reactors working at BARC, Trombay?
These are Apsara, Zerlina, Purnima, Cirus and Dhruva. - When was Apsara commissioned and what are its functions?
Apsara was commissioned on August 4, 1956. It is one megawatt swimming pool type reactor. It produces radio isotopes to irradiate biological samples etc. - What is India's biggest achievement in nuclear industry?
Fast Breeder Test Reactor at Kalpakkam marks a milestone in the building of advanced and indigenous nuclear industry. It was commissioned in 1985. It is a 13-megawatt reactor. It uses a new type of fuel - a plutonium carbie combination. - What do you know about Zerlina?
Zerlina (Zero Energy Reactor for Lattice Investigations and New Assemblies), India's third research reactor, became critical on January 14, 1961. It is used for studies of Uranium Heavy Water Lattices. - What for Purnima is being used?
Purnima (Plutonium Reactor for Neutronic Investigation in Multiplying Assemblies) became critical on May 22, 1972. It is a zero energy fast nuclear reactor. - How many isotopes are being produced by Apsara and Cirus?
These two reactors are producing about 350 different types of radio isotopes. They are being exported to France, Sweden, Hungary, Denmark, Australia, etc. - When did Dhruva reactor become critical?
Dhruva reactor at Trombay became critical in 1985. It is a high-power reactor and its main functions are isotopes production, and fuel material testing. It is also being used for basic research in physical, chemistry and biology. - Where are India's five famous observatories?
India's five famous observatories are at Kodaikanal, Hyderabad, Ooty, Nainital and Kavalur. Q. Where is the largest reflecting telescope of Asia?
It is in the Kavalur Observatory (India). It is a 93-inch (236cm) reflecting telescope and has been developed indigenously.