ISRO Conducts First Rocket-Powered Satellite Launch in Uttar Pradesh
ISRO achieved a historic milestone on June 14 by successfully launching a rocket carrying a small satellite from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. This marks the first time a payload has been launched via rocket from the state, underlining ISRO’s expanding footprint beyond traditional spaceports.
ISRO launch in Kushinagar
The launch took place at exactly 5:14:33 PM local time using a 15 kg rocket developed in partnership with Thrust Tech India. The rocket ascended to an altitude of 1.1 km before deploying its satellite payload. Upon descent to about 5 m above ground, the satellite’s parachute deployed, allowing it to land safely within a 400 m radius. The rocket stage also returned to the ground without incident.
Student rocketry competition prep
This test served as a crucial precursor to the upcoming IN‑SPACe CANSAT and Model Rocketry India Student Competition 2024–25, slated for October–November. ISRO, in conjunction with IN‑SPACe and the Astronautical Society of India, is preparing to host youth teams from across the country. The trials validated key launch-site parameters—including safety margins, communication, and recovery protocols—ensuring readiness for the student-built CanSats.
Engaging the next generation
Officials emphasized that the event aimed to spark enthusiasm for space tech among young learners at the regional and national levels. Vinod Kumar, Director at Thrust Tech India/IN‑SPACe, highlighted the broader mission to foster scientific curiosity and capabilities in India’s youth through hands-on rocketry experiences.
Strategic expansion
Unlike previous model rocket tests conducted in Ahmedabad, this achievement is the first real rocket-powered satellite launch from Uttar Pradesh. It demonstrates ISRO’s growing ambition to decentralize launch activities and nurture grassroots innovation—supporting its broader vision of enabling access to space from diverse regions and privately developed platforms.
