The space program in India took off within six years of the launch of the first Sputnik by the erstwhile Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. The first Indian satellite Aryabhata was launched in 1975. The early INSATs were the world???s first multipurpose satellites that could simultaneously provide three services telecommunication, weather observation and TV relay. India is the first country to have succeeded in placing a satellite in Mars??? orbit in its maiden attempt. A compilation of more than 150 interesting facts about India???s space program.