Indian Space Research Organisation

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the national space agency of India, responsible for the design, development and launch of satellites and launch vehicles that serve a variety of civilian and strategic purposes. It provides satellite‑based services such as telecommunications, broadcasting, navigation, meteorology and remote sensing, supporting sectors ranging from agriculture and disaster management to education and telemedicine. ISRO also conducts planetary exploration missions, exemplified by its lunar and Mars orbiters, and engages in scientific research that advances understanding of space phenomena. The organisation develops indigenous launch systems, notably the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), which are used to place payloads into low Earth, geostationary and interplanetary trajectories. In addition to serving domestic governmental and commercial users, ISRO offers launch services to international customers, placing foreign satellites into orbit on a commercial basis. Its work is carried out through a network of specialised centres located across India, each focusing on areas such as vehicle development, satellite integration, applications and space science. The agency’s activities are guided by the Department of Space, which oversees policy, funding and coordination with other governmental bodies.

ISRO operates as an autonomous entity under the administrative control of the Government of India, functioning under the Department of Space and reporting to the Space Commission, which is chaired by the Prime Minister. Unlike private enterprises, it does not have shareholders; its funding and strategic direction come directly from the national budget and governmental mandates. The organisation’s distinguishing attributes include its reputation for delivering high‑value space capabilities at comparatively low cost, a record of successful interplanetary missions with limited budgets, and a strong emphasis on technology transfer to support broader industrial development. Its regulatory role encompasses the authorization and supervision of space activities within India, ensuring compliance with national space policy and international obligations. The 2019 incident in which North Korean hackers attempted to compromise employee systems through phishing emails and DTrack malware highlighted the agency’s exposure to cyber threats, although officials stated that critical mission systems remained unaffected. This event underscored the growing importance of cybersecurity safeguards for space infrastructure, even as ISRO continues to pursue ambitious exploration and service objectives.