Student-Led Satellite Initiatives in India – A Comprehensive Review

Since its establishment, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has deployed over a hundred satellites for diverse purposes, including communication, Earth observation, astronomy, navigation, lunar exploration, and interplanetary missions. Beyond its core programs, ISRO has actively encouraged Indian students to develop satellites by offering guidance, testing facilities for subsystems, and launch opportunities via the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). These projects equip university students with hands-on experience in designing, fabricating, assembling, and testing electrical and mechanical systems, alongside exposure to project management, budgeting, scheduling, and mission operations. To date, Indian students have successfully launched nine satellites, with several others in development. Inspired by these efforts, numerous universities/colleges have tested their satellite prototypes using high-altitude balloons, while some have collaborated with international space agencies for launches. This paper highlights the key features and technologies employed in Indian student satellites.