What were the major milestones in India's space programme?

India's space programme milestones include launching its first satellite, Aryabhata, and sending missions to the Moon and Mars.

India's space programme, managed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has achieved several significant milestones since its inception. The first major milestone was the launch of India's first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975. Named after the famous Indian astronomer, the satellite marked India's entry into the space age. It was launched by the Soviet Union from their Kapustin Yar rocket launch and development site.

The next significant achievement came in 1980 when India successfully launched its first satellite, Rohini, into orbit using its own satellite launch vehicle, SLV-3. This made India the sixth country in the world to have the capability to launch its own satellites. The successful launch of the SLV-3 demonstrated India's ability to develop complex technologies and marked a major step forward in India's space programme.

In 2008, India launched its first mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-1. The mission was designed to map the lunar surface and search for water ice. The mission was a success, with the spacecraft discovering water molecules on the Moon's surface. This was a significant achievement, as it was the first time water had been discovered on the Moon.

In 2013, India launched its first interplanetary mission, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan. The mission was a success, making India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit and the first nation in the world to do so on its first attempt. The mission was designed to study the Martian surface and atmosphere and search for methane, a potential sign of life.

In 2019, India attempted to land a rover on the Moon with its Chandrayaan-2 mission. Although the rover failed to land successfully, the orbiter continues to function and send back data, contributing to our understanding of the Moon.

These milestones have established India as a significant player in space exploration. They demonstrate India's technological capabilities and its commitment to contributing to our understanding of space.