Decades ago, Isro scientists placed the Indian space agency’s first communication satellite on a bullock cart to test its antenna in a non-magnetic environment.
The satellite, APPLE, was launched into orbit 40 years ago, marking a milestone in India's space effort and paving the way for a domestic satellite communication system.
APPLE was designed and built in just two years with limited infrastructure and was used for nearly two years to carry out extensive experiments.
The satellite gave Isro valuable hands-on experience in designing and developing geostationary communication satellites and led to the development of a large constellation of satellites in the INSAT and GSAT series.
