India’s 1 st satellite ‘Aryabhata’ marks 50 years

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

India’s first indigenous satellite, Aryabhata, marks its 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate the milestone, ISRO has invited veteran scientists who played a key role in the mission, including Rajaram Gange from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The Golden Jubilee event will take place on March 10 in Bangalore, coinciding with the birth anniversary of former ISRO director Prof. U.R. Rao. A special gathering on April 19-20 at URSC will further honour the pioneering team. The Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS) will felicitate these scientists, recognizing their contributions to India’s space journey. Gange, originally from Balewadi in Ambajogai teshil, left his village after 7th grade to pursue education. He completed his B.E. in Electronics & Telecommunication from the Government College of Engineering, Pune, in 1971 and joined ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) as a Scientific Assistant-C. He later contributed to the Rohini and Bhaskara satellites, shaping India’s early space research. On receiving the invitation, Gange expressed pride and nostalgia, calling it a moment of great satisfaction. As the news spread, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar residents celebrated his achievement, calling it a proud moment for the city and Marathwada.

(With 2 Photo )

Photo Caption - 1) Rajaram Gange

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