2016-04-19 Tue

India launched its first artificial satellite on 19th April 1975. The satellite was named after a 5th-century astronomer and mathematician Aryabhatta.

Though, the satellite was built by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), it was actually launched by the Soviet Union after an agreement between the two nations. The Aryabhata was built to conduct experiments in X-ray astronomy, aeronomics, and solar physics.

This joint venture is commemorated by both USSR and India. To mark this historic event, both India and Russia, released commemorative stamps and first day covers as well as banknotes (in case of India).

USSR issued a commemorative stamp in 1976. The stamp with the value of 10 Kopeika features an image of the satellite. Besides, in 1984 USSR issued a stamp of 45 Kopeika featuring Bhaskara-I, Bhaskara-II, and Aryabhata satellites.

Being the first successful space launch, India released numerous commemorative issues. A stamp with the value 25 paise was issued in 1975 with an image of the satellite. The Aryabhata's image appeared on the reverse of Indian 2 rupee banknotes between 1976 and 1997.