India’s Space Rise
“Space is not just a destination. It is a declaration of curiosity, courage, and collective progress. India’s space journey reflects this spirit. From launching a small rocket in 1963, to becoming the first nation to land near the South Pole of Moon, our journey has been remarkable.”–
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
1. India’s space programme, led by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), began with a rocket launch in 1963 and expanded from Aryabhata in 1975 to major global missions steadily.
2. By 2025, India had launched over 400 satellites for 34 nations using its launch vehicles, strengthening its reputation for reliable, cost-effective, and internationally trusted space services worldwide today.
3. NISAR, the first joint Earth observation mission between National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was scheduled for launch on 30 July 2025 aboard GSLV-F16 at 17:40 hours from Sriharikota spaceport site.
4. NISAR carries dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payloads, L-band from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and S-band from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), enabling all-weather, day-night imaging of land and ice-covered surfaces every 12 days globally regularly.
5. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), flying as Mission Pilot on Axiom-4 and returning to Earth on 15 July 2025.
6. The Axiom-4 mission enabled India, Poland, and Hungary to undertake government-sponsored human spaceflight after more than 40 years, while marking their first missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in history.
7. The Gaganyaan Programme, approved with an outlay of about 20,193 crore rupees, aims to send Indian astronauts to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and supports eight missions in total overall.
8. As of May 2025, Gaganyaan entered its final phase, with the first human spaceflight scheduled for the first quarter of 2027 after uncrewed test missions are completed successfully.
9. Chandrayaan-1, launched on 22 October 2008, became India’s first lunar mission and confirmed the presence of water molecules at the Moon’s poles through orbital mapping and impact probe.
10. Chandrayaan-3, launched on 14 July 2023, made India the first country to achieve a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole with Vikram lander and Pragyan rover operations.
11. Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) was launched on 5 November 2013, entered Martian orbit on 23 September 2014, and made India the first Asian nation there on its maiden attempt.
12. Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), provides precise navigation across India and up to 1,500 kilometres beyond its territorial boundary using satellites placed in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) at 36,000 kilometres.
13. Aditya-L1 studies the Sun from the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point L1, about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, and in February 2025 its Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) instrument captured a solar flare kernel.
14. India became the fourth country to complete satellite docking in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) on 16 January 2025 through Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), demonstrating capabilities needed for future space stations and servicing.
15. India’s space budget increased from 5,615 crore rupees in 2013-14 to 13,416 crore rupees in 2025-26, while more than 328 space startups emerged recently after sector reforms opened.
Must Know Terms :
1.NISAR
NISAR is the first joint Earth observation mission of National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Indian Space Research Organisation. It was scheduled for launch on 30 July 2025 aboard GSLV-F16. It is also the first GSLV mission planned for a Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit. The satellite carries dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar payloads, L-band from NASA and S-band from ISRO, enabling day-night, all-weather imaging every 12 days. Its applications include tracking earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, sea ice, shorelines, ships, storms, soil moisture, seabed changes near coasts, and oil spills.
2.Gaganyaan
Gaganyaan is India’s first indigenous human spaceflight programme, approved with an outlay of about 20,193 crore rupees. It aims to send Indian astronauts to Low Earth Orbit and includes eight planned missions, covering uncrewed and crewed stages. Four Indian Air Force test pilots were selected as astronaut-designates. As of May 2025, the programme had entered its final phase, with the first crewed mission targeted for the first quarter of 2027. The mission also supports technologies for Crew Escape System, human-rated LVM3, safe re-entry, parachute-assisted landing, and future plans for Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035.
3.NavIC
Navigation with Indian Constellation is India’s regional satellite navigation system developed by Indian Space Research Organisation. It provides precise positioning services across India and up to 1,500 kilometres beyond Indian territory. Unlike Global Positioning System satellites placed in Medium Earth Orbit, NavIC satellites operate in Geostationary Orbit and Geosynchronous Orbit at about 36,000 kilometres altitude. It supports navigation on land, sea, and air, while also strengthening disaster management, tracking, strategic applications, timing services, and regional self-reliance in navigation technology.
4.SpaDeX
Space Docking Experiment is India’s mission for demonstrating in-orbit docking technology, which is essential for future space stations, orbital servicing, crewed missions, and complex multi-module spacecraft operations. On 16 January 2025, India became the fourth country to achieve satellite docking in Low Earth Orbit through this mission. Two small satellites, initially separated by several kilometres, were docked through precise control and measurement. The mission also supports future capabilities such as undocking, refuelling, payload transfer, and long-duration orbital infrastructure needed for Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
5.SUIT
Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope is one of the major scientific instruments onboard Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission. It observes the Sun in ultraviolet wavelengths from the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point L1, about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. In February 2025, SUIT captured a solar flare kernel in the lower solar atmosphere, especially the photosphere and chromosphere. This instrument strengthens India’s solar science capability by helping scientists study solar radiation, flare activity, energy transfer, and processes that influence space weather and Earth’s near-space environment.
6.DFSM
Debris Free Space Missions is India’s framework announced in April 2024 to ensure that all Indian space missions, governmental and non-governmental, become debris-free by 2030. It lays down strict standards for controlled re-entry, prompt de-orbiting, and post-mission disposal with over 99 percent success targets. The framework is monitored through ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management. It aims to reduce orbital debris generation, prevent collision cascades known as Kessler syndrome, protect human spaceflight orbital bands, and promote safe, secure, and sustainable space operations.
MCQ :
1. India’s space programme began with a rocket launch in:
A) 1961
B) 1963
C) 1965
D) 1967
2. By 2025, India had launched over 400 satellites for how many nations?
A) 24
B) 29
C) 34
D) 39
3. NISAR was scheduled for launch on:
A) 30 July 2025
B) 15 July 2025
C) 22 October 2025
D) 5 November 2025
4. NISAR carries dual-frequency SAR payloads in:
A) X-band and C-band
B) Ku-band and Ka-band
C) L-band and S-band
D) P-band and X-band
5. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to visit the:
A) Moon Orbital Station
B) International Space Station
C) Bharatiya Antariksh Station
D) Tiangong Space Station
6. The Gaganyaan Programme was approved with an outlay of about:
A) ₹18,193 crore
B) ₹19,193 crore
C) ₹20,193 crore
D) ₹21,193 crore
7. As of May 2025, the first human spaceflight under Gaganyaan was scheduled for:
A) first quarter of 2026
B) second quarter of 2027
C) first quarter of 2028
D) first quarter of 2027
8. Chandrayaan-1 was launched on:
A) 22 October 2008
B) 14 July 2023
C) 22 July 2019
D) 5 November 2013
9. Chandrayaan-3 made India the first country to achieve a soft landing near the:
A) lunar equator
B) Moon’s south pole
C) Moon’s far side
D) lunar north pole
10. Mars Orbiter Mission entered Martian orbit on:
A) 5 November 2013
B) 24 September 2021
C) 23 September 2014
D) 14 July 2014
11. NavIC provides navigation across India and up to how much distance beyond its territorial boundary?
A) 1,000 kilometres
B) 1,200 kilometres
C) 1,500 kilometres
D) 2,000 kilometres
12. India became the fourth country to complete satellite docking in Low Earth Orbit through:
A) Aditya-L1
B) DFSM
C) NISAR
D) SpaDeX
13. India’s space budget increased to what level in 2025–26?
A) ₹13,416 crore
B) ₹11,416 crore
C) ₹12,416 crore
D) ₹14,416 crore
14. NISAR is notable for being the first GSLV mission planned for a:
A) Geostationary Transfer Orbit
B) Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit
C) Medium Earth Orbit
D) Lunar Transfer Orbit
15. Debris Free Space Missions aims to make all Indian space missions debris-free by:
A) 2028
B) 2029
C) 2030
D) 2035
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