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Key Differences Between NASA and ISRO

isro vs nasa key differences and similarities

Numerous nations have space agencies to investigate and scrutinise our enigmatic cosmos. NASA in the US and ISRO in India are two of the most prestigious space agencies. They have many administrative similarities and variances.

Numerous successful NASA missions have been completed, including Pioneer, Voyager, Spitzer, Cassini-Huygens, Chandra, Viking, Hubble, and Apollo. ISRO has completed several missions, including Cartosat, PSLV-C37, Chandrayaan-1, and Mangalyaan-1. Read to know the key differences between the two.

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What is NASA?

what is the meaning of nasa and how it works

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, known as NASA, is the U.S. government organisation responsible for air and space science and technology. The Soviet satellite Sputnik's launch in 1957 officially began the Space Age. NASA commenced operations on October 1, 1958.

The organisation was established to supervise American space exploration and aviation research. NASA is under the administrator's direction. The president nominates the NASA administrator, who is then approved by a Senate vote.

What is ISRO?

what is the meaning of isro and what does it do

India's governmental space agency is called the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It functions as the leading R&D division of the Department of Space (DoS), which is directly under the direct supervision of the Indian Prime Minister. The Chairman of ISRO also holds the position of chief executive of the DoS.

ISRO runs the GAGAN and IRNSS (NavIC) satellite navigation systems and possesses the world's largest constellation of remote-sensing satellites. It has launched one mission to Mars and three to the Moon. Space-based activities, space exploration, international space cooperation, and related technology development are the main areas of responsibility for ISRO.

Difference Between NASA and ISRO

ISRO and NASA have visions for space explorations and were created for the same purpose. However, there are a few common differences between them. The table below explains the difference between ISRO and NASA:

Basis ISRO NASA
Full Forms  Indian Space Research Organisation is referred to as ISRO. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is known as NASA.
Establishment  It wasn't founded until 1969, which is a lot later. The establishment took place in 1958.
Evolution An Indian space programme called the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was founded, and it eventually evolved into ISRO. NASA has replaced the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).
Administration The government of India established ISRO's foundation, and the Department of Science in India retains the administrative and supervisory roles. The federal government funded the establishment of a national space programme to conduct aerospace and aeronautics research. The programme functions independently and is under the direction and authority of the US government.
Headquarters The headquarters is in the Indian region of Bangalore. Washington, DC, serves as the organisation's headquarters in the United States of America.
Funding ISRO is funded by the Department of Space (DOS) and the Government of India (GOI). The yearly federal budget, approved by the US Congress, provides financing for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a federal agency.

Achievements of NASA vs ISRO

Since these agencies were founded, they have had several achievements to their credit. Below are a few examples of the accomplishments of NASA and ISRO:

ISRO NASA
ISRO created the first Indian satellite. In 1975, it was started in cooperation with the Soviet Union. It carried out its 1091 unmanned shuttle launch. It carried out 109 manned space missions as well. 
Five years later, ISRO launched Rohini, the second satellite built entirely in India.  NASA has several successful programmes, one of which is Visit Moon.
It created the PSLV to launch several satellites into polar orbits. The International Space Station is supported by Space Shuttle, which also launched the Skylab space station.
India became the first country to reach Mars on its first attempt with the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). PSLV C37 launched 104 satellites using a single rocket. India's first space mission to the moon, Chandrayaan, launched in 2008. The first space mission to land on the moon, Apollo 1, carried Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in 1969. The Hubble Space Telescope, the largest telescope to be deployed into a lower earth orbit, was launched in 1990.
On August 23, 2023, at 6:04 PM IST, India's Chandrayaan-3 mission succeeded in landing on the south pole of the moon. The lander module, Vikram, and the rover, Pragyan, landed at Shiva Shakti Point, which is now officially known as "Shiva Shakti". In 2023, NASA honoured astronaut Frank Rubio for becoming the first American to spend more than a year in space and returning samples from an asteroid to Earth.

ISRO vs NASA - Who is More Competent?

Comparing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is challenging due to their distinct budgets, priorities, histories, and goals. Both organisations have accomplished outstanding accomplishments in their missions and have made significant contributions to space exploration.

NASA

  • Established in 1958.
  • Has a lengthy history of innovative accomplishments, including:
    1. International Space Station (ISS).
    2. Hubble Space Telescope.
    3. Mars rover missions.
    4. Apollo lunar landings.
  • Operates with a bigger budget and more sophisticated infrastructure.
  • Collaborates with academic institutions, contractors, and other organizations in the US.
  • Capable of carrying out more ambitious and challenging missions.

ISRO

  • Founded in 1969 to create space programmes for economic growth.
  • Proves to be incredibly competent and efficient in affordable space missions.
  • Notable accomplishments include:
    1. Launching a record number of satellites in a single mission.
    2. Successfully landing a spacecraft on Mars on its maiden voyage.
    3. Achieving lunar missions.
  • Successfully creates domestic technology and capabilities, as seen in:
    1. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
    2. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

 

Renowned space agencies NASA and ISRO have created numerous exceptional capabilities that are helpful to the general public. Since its founding in 1958, NASA has worked with academic institutions, contractors, and other organisations located in the US. Conversely, ISRO was founded in 1969 to create space programmes to promote economic growth. Regardless of their location or the bodies in supervision and administration, both space centres have succeeded in many space programmes and missions.

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