Before India's space milestone, Isro had to put a 673kg satellite on a bullock cart

Forty-five years ago, India's space ambitions took a significant leap forward with the launch of its first indigenous experimental communication satellite, APPLE. On June 18, 1981, the 673kg satellite was sent into orbit from Kourou, French Guiana, aboard the European Space Agency's Ariane rocket, paving the way for a domestic satellite communication system.

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A bullock cart was used during the testing of APPLE’s antenna prior to the launch.

The journey to space was marked by ingenuity and resourcefulness. When faced with issues in the satellite's crucial Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C) links, ISRO scientists needed to test its antenna. Lacking the necessary facilities, they devised a unique solution: the APPLE satellite was placed on a bullock cart. This unconventional method was used in an open field to ensure a non-magnetic environment for testing, showcasing India's ability to overcome technical challenges with indigenous innovation.

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So, the scientists came up with an indigenous fix, they put the satellite on a bullock cart to ensure a non-magnetic environment and ran the test in the open.

The launch itself was not without its challenges. Technical snags in the electrical and radar systems caused delays, and a countdown postponement threatened the schedule. However, senior scientists made the decision to proceed, later attributing one delay to cloud cover. Despite these hurdles, the Ariane rocket successfully placed the Meteosat weather satellite and APPLE into orbit. Signals received from APPLE confirmed the successful functioning of its systems, a moment celebrated by Indian scientists and diplomats present at the launch site.

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India's space effort cleared a milestone after the experimental satellite was placed in orbit, taking the country to the doorstep of a domestic satellite communication system.