ASTROSAT

AstroSat, India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space telescope, represents a significant achievement in space exploration and astrophysical research. Launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on September 28, 2015, this state-of-the-art observatory operates in a near-equatorial orbit, at an altitude of 650 km, to observe cosmic phenomena across various wavelengths—including X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical spectrums. Weighing 1,515 kg, AstroSat was engineered to simultaneously study a range of celestial sources, thereby enhancing the observational capabilities available to researchers. The AstroSat mission plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of high-energy astrophysical phenomena, such as black holes, neutron stars, and supernova remnants. Equipped with five principal instruments—the Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT), Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT), Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC), Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride Imager (CZTI), and Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM)—the satellite can perform targeted observations and comprehensive sky surveys. This broad spectral range from far-ultraviolet to hard X-rays enables groundbreaking discoveries, one of which includes detecting ultraviolet light from some of the most distant galaxies known. AstroSat's relevance extends beyond its technological ingenuity, as it has facilitated the contributions of researchers from 43 countries, cementing India's place in the global astronomical community. With a mission life originally projected at five years, AstroSat's ongoing operations continue to yield valuable data, showcasing India's capabilities in advanced space missions and paving the way for future projects like AstroSat-2.