India’s First Space Telescope " AstroSat " Celebrates 10 Years of Cosmic Discoveries

On September 28, 2025, AstroSat ( India’s First Space Telescope ), India's inaugural dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, marked a decade of exceptional contributions to global astronomy. Launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on September 28, 2015, aboard the PSLV-C30 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, AstroSat has significantly advanced our understanding of the universe.

What Makes AstroSat Unique?

AstroSat is designed to observe the universe across a broad spectrum of electromagnetic wavelengths, including ultraviolet (UV), visible, and X-rays. This capability allows for simultaneous observations of various cosmic phenomena, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the universe compared to single-wavelength observatories.

Scientific Achievements

AstroSat's scientific journey began by solving a two-decade-old puzzle involving a red giant star unusually bright in both ultraviolet and infrared light. Since then, it has delivered numerous remarkable results, including:

• Detection of Far-UV Photons: Captured photons from a galaxy approximately 9 billion light-years away, showcasing AstroSat's sharp UV imaging capabilities.

• Expansion of the Butterfly Nebula: Revealed that the emission from the Butterfly Nebula extends three times further than previously known.

• X-ray Polarization Studies: Provided insights into the magnetic fields of neutron stars and black holes.

• Discovery of Fast-Spinning Black Holes: Identified rapidly rotating black holes, enhancing our understanding of their formation and behavior.

• Observations of Binary Star Systems: Studied X-ray emissions from binary star systems within the Milky Way, contributing to our knowledge of stellar evolution.

Collaborative Endeavor

AstroSat is a testament to international collaboration. While developed by major ISRO centers such as URSC, LEOS, SAC, VSSC, and PRL, it also involved contributions from Indian research institutes like TIFR, IIA, and IUCAA. Additionally, international partners included the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the University of Leicester (UK), who collaborated on the UVIT and SXT payloads, respectively. This multi-institute effort underscores the global nature of the mission.

Global and National Impact

AstroSat's reach extends worldwide, with a registered user base of approximately 3,400 scientists and students from 57 countries, including the United States, Afghanistan, and Angola. In India, it has popularized space science, bringing astrophysics research into 132 universities. Notably, about half of AstroSat's users are Indian scientists and students, fostering a new generation of astronomers.

Performance and Longevity

Despite exceeding its design life, all five scientific experiments onboard AstroSat continue to operate satisfactorily. The observatory is expected to provide many more exciting results in the coming years, demonstrating its robustness and longevity.

Power and Capabilities

AstroSat is equipped with a power generation capacity of approximately 2,100 watts, sufficient to operate its instruments and maintain communication with Earth. While it may not match the size and power of observatories like NASA's Hubble or Chandra, AstroSat's multi-wavelength capabilities and cost-effectiveness make it a valuable asset in the field of space astronomy.

Comparison with Other Space Telescopes

AstroSat's compact size and cost-effectiveness allow for efficient operations and data collection, making it a valuable tool for both Indian and international scientists.

AstroSat stands as a significant achievement in India's space exploration endeavors. Its decade-long mission has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also fostered international collaboration and inspired future generations of scientists. As it continues to operate beyond its expected lifespan, AstroSat remains a beacon of India's commitment to space science and exploration.