ISRO & India's Major Space Missions (for Exams)

Space is a favourite topic because it mixes static GK (ISRO basics) with current affairs (recent launches). Here is the timeline you need. ISRO BASICS • ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) was founded in 1969; headquarters in Bengaluru. • Dr. Vikram Sarabhai is called the "father of the Indian space programme". • Main launch vehicles: PSLV (reliable workhorse) and GSLV (for heavier satellites). • Major launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh). THE MAJOR MISSIONS • Aryabhata (1975) — India's first satellite. • Chandrayaan-1 (2008) — first Moon mission; confirmed water molecules on the Moon. • Mangalyaan / Mars Orbiter Mission (2013) — India became the first country to reach Mars orbit on its first attempt, and the first Asian nation to do so. • Chandrayaan-2 (2019) — orbiter succeeded; the lander could not soft-land. • Chandrayaan-3 (2023) — successfully soft-landed near the Moon's SOUTH POLE; India became the first country to land there. • Aditya-L1 (2023) — India's first mission to study the Sun, placed at the L1 point. OTHER KEY FACTS • In 2017, ISRO launched a record 104 satellites in a single PSLV flight. • NavIC is India's own satellite navigation system (like GPS). • Gaganyaan is India's upcoming human spaceflight mission. MEMORY HOOKS • "Chandrayaan = Moon, Mangalyaan = Mars, Aditya = Sun." Three missions, three destinations. • "Chandrayaan-3 = first at the Moon's south pole" — a guaranteed current-affairs line. • "Vikram Sarabhai = father of Indian space programme; ISRO founded 1969." Test these on Govt Exam Center's daily current-affairs quiz.