India’s Early Satellites – Spin-Stabilized and Bias Momentum ISRO Aryabhata – for Space Science (Launch date 19 April 1975)

 Aryabhata was India's first satellite

 It was launched by the Soviet Union from Kapustin Yar

Mission type Astrophysics  Satellite of Earth Aryabhata was built by the ISRO Launch date 19 April 1975 engineers to conduct Carrier rocket Cosmos-3M experiments related to X-ray astronomy, solar physics, and Mass 360.0 kg Power 46 W from solar panels aeronomy. Orbital elements Regime LEO  The satellite reentered the Inclination 50.7º Orbital period 96 minutes Earth's atmosphere on 11 Apoapsis 619 km February 1992. Periapsis 563 km *National Space Science Data Center, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Bhaskara (Earth Observation) Satellites (launched in 1979-1981)*  Bhaskara-I and II Satellites were built by the ISRO, and they were India's first low orbit Earth Observation Satellite.They collected data on telemetry, oceanography, hydrology.

 Bhaskara-I, weighing 444 kg at launch, was launched on June 7, 1979 from Kapustin Yar aboard the Intercosmos launch vehicle. It was placed in an orbital Perigee of 394 km and Apogee of 399 km at an inclination of 50.7°. The satellite consisted of-

 Two television cameras operating in visible (0.6 micrometre) and near-infrared (0.8 micrometre) and collected data related to hydrology, forestry and geology.  Satellite microwave radiometer (SAMIR) operating at 19 GHz and 22 GHz for study of ocean-state, water vapor, liquid water content in the atmosphere, etc.

The satellite provided ocean and land surface data. Housekeeping telemetry was received until re-entry on 17 February 1989.

 Bhaskara II, weighing 436 kg, was launched on November 20, 1981 from Kapustin Yar. It was declared operational after receipt of 300 television images of the Indian sub- continent. The housekeeping telemetry was still being received until 1991. It re- entered orbit on 30 November 1991.  It was placed in an orbital Perigee and Apogee of 368 km and 372 km at an inclination of 50.7°.

* Wikipedia BHASKARA I SPIN STABILIZED, SPIN-AXIS CONTROLLED APPLE (ARIANE PASSENGER PAYLOAD EXPERIMENT) – AN EARLY COMMUNICATION SATELLITE: LAUNCHED IN 1981

 An experimental communication satellite with a C-band transponder  Launched on June 19, 1981 by Ariane, a launch vehicle of the European Space Agency (ESA) from Centre Spatial Guyanais near Kourou (latitude 5 degrees 3 arcminutes) , French Guiana.  It was India's first three-axis experimental Geostationary communication satellite.  On July 16, 1981, the satellite was positioned at 102° E longitude.  The 350 kg satellite served as testbed of the Indian telecommunications space relay infrastructure despite the failure of one solar panel to deploy.  It was used in several communication experiments including relay of TV programmes and radio networking.  It was a cylindrical spacecraft measuring 1.2 meters in diameter and 1.2 meter high.  Its payload consisted of two 6/4 GHz transponders connected to a 0.9 meter diameter parabolic antenna.  Stabilization Three-axis stabilized (biased momentum) with Momentum Wheels, Torquers & Hydrazine based Reaction control system  It went out of service on September 19, 1983.

 "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_Passenger_Payload_Experiment" ROHINI SATELLITE SERIES: EARLY REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES (LAUNCHED IN 1979-1983)

 A series of four technological / scientific experimental satellites, launched by India's own launch vehicle, SLV- 3. First one was used to measure the performance of SLV-3 (developed under Abdul Kalam), second and third carried landmark sensor payloads.

 Rohini 1A (Launched on: 10 August 1979)  The launch of the SLV failed.  Rohini 1B (Launched on: 18 July 1980)  The launch of SLV was a success. The satellite provided data on the 4th stage of the SLV.

 Rohini 2 (Launched on: 31 May 1981)  The launch of the SLV was a partial success as the satellite did not reach the intended height and thus it only stayed in orbit for 9 days. The satellite carried a solid state camera and performed to specifications.

 Rohini 3 (Launched on: 17 April 1983)  The launch was a success and the satellite was in operation for five months, its main payload was a Smart sensor camera which took over 2500 pictures. The camera had the capability to take pictures both in Visible and infrared bands.