IIA marks 10 years of operation of UVIT on board AstroSat
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics held a workshop on 4 December 2025 to mark 10 years since the doors of the UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on AstroSat were opened on 30 November 2015.
Summary
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) celebrated 10 years of operation of the UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on board AstroSat with a one-day workshop on 4 December 2025, marking a decade since UVIT's doors opened on 30 November 2015. UVIT is the primary payload of AstroSat, India's first dedicated space observatory, launched by ISRO on 28 September 2015, and was designed, assembled, tested and delivered by IIA from its Hosakote campus. According to IIA Director Annapurni Subramaniam, UVIT is India's first UV space telescope and the only operational telescope apart from the Hubble Space Telescope capable of observing in the far-ultraviolet.
Key facts
- Workshop
- 4 December 2025
- UVIT doors opened
- 30 November 2015
- AstroSat launch
- 28 September 2015 by ISRO
- Built by
- IIA, Hosakote campus
- Distinction
- Only operational far-UV telescope apart from Hubble
- Design
- Twin telescope: NUV/visible and FUV (130–180 nm)
- Partners
- IUCAA, TIFR, ISRO centres, Canadian Space Agency
Practice MCQs 3 questions
When was AstroSat, India's first dedicated space observatory, launched by ISRO?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 28 September 2015
PIB 2198713: AstroSat, India's first dedicated space observatory, was launched on 28 September 2015 by ISRO.
Which institute designed, assembled, tested and delivered the UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on AstroSat?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Indian Institute of Astrophysics
PIB 2198713: UVIT was designed, assembled, tested and delivered by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics from its campus in Hosakote.
Consider the following statements about UVIT: 1. UVIT is the primary payload on board AstroSat. 2. Apart from the Hubble Space Telescope, UVIT is the only operational telescope capable of observing in the far-ultraviolet. 3. The Canadian Space Agency was part of the UVIT project. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2198713: UVIT is AstroSat's primary payload; it is the only operational far-UV telescope apart from Hubble; the consortium included the Canadian Space Agency.