Marvelous feats achieved by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2016

The Indian Space Research Organisation is credited with the biggest and richest scientific efforts that are being taken up in the country.

And the year 2016 also saw something of similar sort as ISRO managed to achieve some of the magical feats.

From successfully placing eight satellites in two different orbits to the historic Mangalyaan completing two years around orbit in Mars, many such space phenomenals took place this year.

The Indian Space agency also launched India's first-ever indigenous 'space shuttle' RLV-TD from Sriharikota and the announcement of ISRO launching 83 satellites in one go in January 2017 thrilled everyone.

Here is a list of some of the most amazing space initiatives taken by ISRO in 2016.

ISRO successfully launches GSAT-18 on board Ariane-5 rocket from Kourou

The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched India's communication satellite GSAT-18 on board Ariane-5 rocket from Kourou in French Guiana.

The launch was delayed by 24 hours owing to heavy cross winds..

Read more here: ISRO successfully launches GSAT-18 on board Ariane-5 rocket from Kourou

ISRO places all eight satellites in their respective orbits

Another major feat was that when ISRO successfully completed its longest and one of the most compex space mission.

This historic launch deployed eight satellites including SCATSAT-1 weather satellite in two differnt orbits.

With this, India successfully completed yet another multiple satellite launch in a single rocket mission and is marching forward towards the milestone of 100 foreign satellite launches.

Read more here: ISRO successfully places all eight satellites in their respective orbits

PSLV-C35 injects SCATSAT-1 weather satellite into orbit

Another successfully achievement of ISRO was to place SCATSAT-1 weather satellite into its orbit, around 17 minutes after a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C35) carrying eight satellites took off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Read more here: PSLV-C35 injects SCATSAT-1 weather satellite into orbit, seven more to go

Mars Orbiter Mission completes two years around orbit in Red Planet: ISRO releases first year data of MOM to public

India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also called Mangalyaan, has completed two years around the Martian orbit in September, accomplishing its planned mission objectives.

Initially, the life of the Indian Mars orbiter was estimated to be about six months after insertion into the Martian orbit. However, MOM has outlived its estimated life span by a year-and-a-half, bringing cheers to Indian Space Research Organisation scientists who designed, built and launched the spacecraft.

Read more here: Mars Orbiter Mission completes two years around orbit in Red Planet: ISRO releases first year data of MOM to public

ISRO releases first colour image of Earth captured by INSAT-3DR!

On 8th September, 2016, ISRO successfully launched the INSAT-3DR satellite aboard a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV Mk II) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

On 15th September, 2016, the Indian space agency released the first images of the Earth captured by the satellite.

Read more here: ISRO releases first colour image of Earth captured by INSAT-3DR!

Indian advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR successfully placed in orbit

The Indian Space Research Organisation's GSLV-F05 rocket successfully placed its advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR into the orbit.

The INSAT-3DR, an advanced weather satellite, was placed in orbit around 17 minutes after the GSLV-F05 lifted off from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota .

Read more here: Indian advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DR successfully placed in orbit

India test fires Scramjet engine, joins elite club of nations

Joining a select club of nations, India successfully test fired its futuristic Scramjet Rocket Engine using oxygen from the atmosphere that could cut the cost of the launches several fold and help in ISRO's bid to design advanced air breathing engines.

India is the fourth country to demonstrate the flight testing of Scramjet Engine after the US, Russia and European Space Agency.

Read more here: India test fires Scramjet engine, joins elite club of nations

ISRO's PSLV C-34 successfully injects Cartosat-2, 19 other satellites into orbit

Setting a record, India successfully launched 20 satellites, including 17 foreign payloads in a single mission on board ISRO's workhorse PSLV-C34 from the spaceport.

The PSLV-C34 lifted off successfully with the country's earth observation satellite Cartosat, Google company Terra Bella's SkySat Gen2-1 and 18 other satellites.

In a precision launch, PSLV-C34 took off from the second launch pad of Space Centre and placed the Cartosat-2 Series and 19 others in the designated polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO) about 30 minutes later in clear skies.

Read more here: ISRO's PSLV C-34 successfully injects Cartosat-2, 19 other satellites into orbit

India's first-ever indigenous 'space shuttle' RLV-TD successfully launched from Sriharikota

The Indian Space agency successfully test launched its maiden winged reusable launch vehicle (RLV) . The 6.5 metre long 'aeroplane'-like structure weighing 1.75 tons was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

Read more here: India's first-ever indigenous 'space shuttle' RLV-TD successfully launched from Sriharikota

India launches IRNSS-1G into orbit; completes own navigational satellite system

Another marvelous feat was when ISRO successfully put its seventh and last satellite of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) constellation, IRNSS-1G into the orbit.

With today's successful launch of the IRNSS-1G, the seventh and last in the constellation of satellites that make up the system, the country completed its landmark mission for a regional navigational system on par with US-based GPS.

Read more here: India launches IRNSS-1G into orbit; completes own navigational satellite system

ISRO launches India's sixth navigation satellite IRNSS-1F

Launching the country's sixth navigation satellite IRNSS-1F from the spaceport was another major development.

The launch began with the separation taking place followed by the satellite taking off at a speed of 309 km/sec and comprises of seven satellites.

Till date, India has launched five regional navigational satellites (IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C, ID and 1E) as part of a constellation of seven satellites to provide accurate position information service to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of 1,500 km.

Read more here: ISRO launches India's sixth navigation satellite IRNSS-1F

India's fifth navigation satellite successfully placed in orbit

ISRO successfully put its fifth satellite of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-IRNSS -1E into the orbit.

The 44.4-metre high Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-31) rocket weighing 320 tonnes blasted off into the morning sky with the country's fifth navigation satellite IRNSS-1E from its spaceport.

It was the first rocket launch of the year for the Indian space agency.

Read more here: India's fifth navigation satellite successfully placed in orbit

ISRO to launch 83 satellites in one go in January 2017

ISRO will launch 83 satellites, 80 of them being foreign, in one go in January next year.

80 satellites weighing 500 kg belonged to five foreign countries -- Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Switzerland and the US.

Read more here: ISRO to launch 83 satellites in one go in January 2017