Recent ISRO Launches
| Mission | Launch Date | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 | 12 January 2026 | PSLV launched the EOS-N1 Earth Observation Satellite; mission was reported as unsuccessful. |
| LVM3-M6 / Blue Bird Block 2 | 24 December 2025 | LVM3 heavy-lift rocket launched the Blue Bird Block 2 satellite. |
| LVM3-M5 / CMS-03 | 2 November 2025 | Successfully deployed the CMS-03 communication satellite using the LVM3 launch vehicle. |
| GSLV-F16 / NISAR | 30 July 2025 | Joint ISRO–NASA Earth observation mission carrying the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite. |
| PSLV-C60 / SPADEX | 30 December 2024 | Launched SPADEX-A & SPADEX-B for India’s Space Docking Experiment along with POEM-4. |
Upcoming ISRO Missions
- Gaganyaan (2026): Series of uncrewed test flights ahead of India’s first human spaceflight mission.
- Chandrayaan-4 (2027): Planned lunar sample-return mission.
- Venus Orbiter Mission (2028): Proposed launch on 29 March 2028 to study Venus’s atmosphere and surface.
Exam Quick Facts
- EOS-N1: Earth Observation Satellite.
- NISAR: Joint NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Earth observation mission.
- SPADEX: India’s first Space Docking Experiment mission.
- LVM3: ISRO’s heavy-lift launch vehicle.
- PSLV: Reliable launch vehicle for Earth observation and scientific satellites.
- Gaganyaan: India’s first human spaceflight programme.
- Chandrayaan-4: Aims to bring back lunar samples to Earth.
- Venus Orbiter Mission: India’s first dedicated mission to Venus.
Practice Questions
1. NISAR is a joint satellite mission between India and which country?
A. France
B. Japan
C. Russia
D. United States (NASA)
Answer: D. United States (NASA)
Explanation: NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a joint Earth observation satellite mission developed by ISRO and NASA.
2. Which launch vehicle was used to place the NISAR satellite into orbit?
A. PSLV-C60
B. GSLV-F16
C. SSLV-D3
D. LVM3-M6
Answer: B. GSLV-F16
3. SPADEX mission is primarily associated with:
A. Lunar exploration
B. Space docking technology
C. Human spaceflight
D. Mars exploration
Answer: B. Space docking technology
Explanation: SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment) demonstrates autonomous docking capability in space.
4. Which of the following missions carried the Blue Bird Block 2 satellite?
A. PSLV-C62
B. LVM3-M6
C. GSLV-F16
D. PSLV-C60
Answer: B. LVM3-M6
5. The primary objective of the Gaganyaan programme is to:
A. Explore Mars
B. Study the Sun
C. Send Indian astronauts into space
D. Launch communication satellites
Answer: C. Send Indian astronauts into space
6. Chandrayaan-4 is planned mainly for:
A. Landing the first Indian astronaut on the Moon
B. Lunar sample-return mission
C. Establishing a lunar space station
D. Searching for exoplanets
Answer: B. Lunar sample-return mission
7. Which launch vehicle is known as ISRO’s heavy-lift rocket?
A. PSLV
B. SSLV
C. LVM3
D. ASLV
Answer: C. LVM3
8. Which mission included the POEM-4 platform?
A. GSLV-F16/NISAR
B. PSLV-C60/SPADEX
C. LVM3-M5/CMS-03
D. PSLV-C62/EOS-N1
Answer: B. PSLV-C60/SPADEX
Explanation: POEM (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module) provides an orbital platform for scientific experiments after satellite deployment.
9. The Venus Orbiter Mission planned by ISRO is expected to study:
A. Jupiter’s atmosphere
B. The Moon’s polar regions
C. Venus’s atmosphere and surface
D. The Sun’s corona
Answer: C. Venus’s atmosphere and surface
10. Consider the following statements regarding recent ISRO missions:
- NISAR is a joint mission of ISRO and NASA.
- SPADEX is India’s first space docking experiment.
- Chandrayaan-4 aims to return lunar samples to Earth.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3