Aryabhata was an ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer, best known for his work Aryabhatiya, which introduced concepts like the place value system and the approximation of π (pi).

Aryabhata

Q: When was Aryabhata’s satellite launched by India?

Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, was launched on April 19, 1975, from the Soviet Union’s Kapustin Yar launch site using a Kosmos-3M launch vehicle.

Q: What is Aryabhata’s contribution to mathematics?

Aryabhata introduced the concept of zero, worked on trigonometry, algebra, and arithmetic, and calculated the value of π (pi) as 3.1416, remarkably close to the true value.

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Aryabhata Latest News

50 Years Since the Launch of Aryabhata – India’s First Satellite

About Aryabhata

Aryabhata was India’s first indigenously-built satellite, named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata, who lived in the 5th century CE.
It was launched on April 19, 1975, from Kapustin Yar, a Soviet launch site, with the help of the Soviet Union.
By launching Aryabhata, India joined an elite club of 11 countries capable of sending satellites into orbit, including the USA, USSR, UK, France, China, West Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Italy.
Aryabhata was designed to conduct experiments in solar physics and X-ray astronomy.
Although the experiments faced a power failure after five days, Aryabhata successfully made initial X-ray observations and continued transmitting data for a few more days.
Aryabhata eventually re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on February 10, 1992, giving it an orbital lifespan of nearly 17 years.
The satellite was unnamed until shortly before the launch. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi selected ‘Aryabhata’ from a shortlist that included ‘Mitra’ and ‘Jawahar’, reflecting cultural and diplomatic values.
India’s Posts and Telegraphs Department issued a special commemorative postal stamp within hours of the launch.
The Soviet Union issued its own Aryabhata commemorative stamp in 1976, recognising the spirit of scientific cooperation.