This piece highlights India’s space program and its journey toward launching its first indigenous satellite, Aryabhata, nearly 45 years ago. However, there were hurdles and setbacks along the way that emphasized the fragility of ambitious undertakings.

The genesis of India’s satellite program dates back to the early 1970s, though the aspiration for an indigenous program had been cherished by local scientists since the era of Sputnik. After the successful development of the Indian-built Rohini rocket program in the 1960s, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) redirected its focus toward crafting indigenous satellites.

Vikram Sarabhai, the revered physicist and ISRO founder who also contributed to India’s nuclear industry, tasked a team of 25 engineers and researchers at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad. Guided by space scientist Dr. U R Rao, they designed a 100-kilogram satellite intended for launch by the United States, using the Scout launch vehicle—an affordable and reliable option for India.

However, geopolitical tensions of the Cold War era intervened. In 1971, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi received an offer from the Soviet Academy of Sciences to assist India in launching its inaugural satellite. Negotiations commenced between Indian and Soviet diplomats and scientists, but tragedy struck during these deliberations.

The sudden demise of Vikram Sarabhai in December 1971 at the age of 52 brought the Indian space program to a halt. As a visionary force behind the country’s space endeavors, Sarabhai had collaborated with India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and another prominent scientist, Homi Bhabha. His meticulous approach and personal involvement in every aspect of the research had been pivotal. His untimely passing deeply impacted the nation.

This unfortunate event caused a significant delay in finalizing the satellite launch details. Acting ISRO chair M.G.K Menon later negotiated with the Soviets in Trivandrum in February 1972 to move forward. Indira Gandhi sought information on the costs, estimated by Rao, the scientist overseeing the satellite design, to be around US$3.9 million, with an additional $1.3 million required in foreign exchange for the launch. This incurred a substantial expense for that period, inclusive of satellite equipment costs.

To secure the Prime Minister’s endorsement, the satellite needed a name. Three names were proposed: Aryabhata (honoring the Indian mathematician and astronomer from the 5th century CE), Mitra (symbolizing India-USSR friendship), and Jawahar (evoking India’s spirit of independence). Indira Gandhi chose Aryabhata as the satellite’s name, signifying a significant milestone in India’s space journey.