Question

The first Indian artificial satellite Aryabhata was named after the great Indian mathematician Aryabhata.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Hint: We know that Aryabhata was the first satellite to be built in India. It was designed to study the upper atmosphere, the dynamics of the Sun and pave way to x-ray astronomy. We also know that Aryabhata was an ancient Indian mathematician-astronomer, and is known for his explanation of the lunar and solar eclipse, rotation of the Earth and the reflection of light by the moon. His explanations about relativity in motion also qualifies him as a physicist. In such a case, determine the likelihood that the satellite was names after such a notable person.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Aryabhata was the first Indian unmanned artificial satellite. It weighed nearly $360\;kg$ and was instrumented to explore conditions in the Earth’s ionosphere, measure neutrons and gamma rays from the Sun and performing investigations pertaining to x-ray astronomy, which is essentially the study of astronomical phenomena that emit radiations at x-ray wavelengths. Appropriate instruments were mounted aboard the Aryabhata to carry out these experiments pertaining to aeronomics, solar physics and x-ray astronomy. It was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), but was launched from the Soviet Union by a Russian-made rocket I called the C-1 Intercosmos n 1975, in exchange for allowing the USSR to use Indian ports for tracking ships.
The satellite looked like a 26-sided polygon, $1.4\;m$ in diameter. All faces except the top and the bottom of the satellite were covered with solar cells that could harness solar energy to integrally power the satellite and its functions. It transmitted real-time data at the rate of $256\;bit\;s^{-1}$ with an internal temperature ranging from $0^{\circ} C$ to $40^{\circ} C$.
The scientists building this satellite wanted to have the backing of the then Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, to help cover the cost of satellite design and launch, which was an enormous expense at the time. Once they were able to get the required funding, as a token of appreciation, they requested Indira Gandhi to choose a name for the satellite. She was given three choices. First was Aryabhata, after the great Indian 5th century CE mathematician and astronomer, second was Mitra, signifying friendly relations between India and USSR and the third was Jawahar, to invoke the spirit of Independence. Indira Gandhi chose a name, and it was Aryabhata.

So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note: Aryabhata was a geocentric satellite, which means that it had an orbit centred around the Earth. This orbit was inclined at an angle of $50.7^{\circ}$ with an apogee altitude of $619\;km$ and perigee altitude of $563\;km$ from the mean sea level. This meant that it was on a Low Earth orbit (LEO). Note that all geocentric satellites are not geosynchronous (where their orbital period coincides with the rotation period of the earth about its axis), but all geosynchronous satellites are geocentric.