Spacecrafts and Spacemissions Flashcards
ISRO
What is Chandrayaan-3 and why is it historic?
India’s third lunar mission, launched in July 2023.
First successful soft landing on Moon’s south pole.
Demonstrated autonomous landing & rover deployment (Pragyan).
What is Gaganyaan Mission?
India’s first human spaceflight mission by ISRO.
Planned launch: 2025.
Involves Vyommitra (female robot astronaut) for uncrewed trials.
Collaboration with Russia and France.
What is Aditya-L1 mission?
India’s first solar mission, launched in 2023.
Positioned at Lagrange Point 1 (~1.5 million km from Earth).
Studies solar winds, corona, solar flares.
What is RISAT-2BR1?
Radar Imaging Satellite used for surveillance and reconnaissance.
All-weather, day-night capability.
Strengthens India’s border surveillance.
What is GSAT series?
Geostationary satellites used for communication and broadcasting.
GSAT-6A, GSAT-7A (military), GSAT-10 for civilian needs.
Strengthens secure military and naval communications.
What is Chandrayaan-1 best known for?
India’s first lunar mission (2008).
Discovered water molecules on the Moon.
Orbiter with a Moon Impact Probe (MIP).
Carried payloads from NASA, ESA, Bulgaria.
What is Mangalyaan / Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)?
Launched in 2013, reached Mars in 2014.
Made India the first Asian nation and the first globally on maiden attempt.
Low cost: ~$75 million.
Mission now inactive, but hailed as a triumph of frugal innovation.
What is Shukrayaan-1?
Proposed Venus orbiter mission, likely around 2026–2028.
To study Venusian atmosphere, geological activity, and greenhouse effects.
Likely to be ISRO’s next big interplanetary mission.
What is NISAR and what is India’s role in it?
Joint NASA-ISRO (Syntthetic Aperture Radar) satellite for earth observation, to be launched in 2024–25.
Monitors climate change, natural disasters, glaciers, deforestation.
Features dual-band radar (L-band by NASA, S-band by ISRO).
What is the PSLV-C55 TeLEOS-2 Mission?
Launched in 2023 for Singapore.
Carried TeLEOS-2 Earth Observation Satellite.
Highlights India’s growing commercial launch services under NSIL (NewSpace India Ltd.).
What is the GSLV Mk III / LVM3 and why is it significant?
India’s heaviest launch vehicle, now renamed LVM3.
Will be used for Gaganyaan and launching OneWeb satellites (2022–23).
What is NSIL (NewSpace India Ltd.) and what does it do?
- ISRO’s commercial arm, established in 2019. - Department of Space
- Handles satellite launches for foreign clients, leases transponder capacity, builds satellites on a demand-driven model.
- Launched GSAT-20 aboard Space-X’S FALCON-9 (2024) - reusable high speed broadband satellite
- Launched OneWeb satellites using GSLV Mk III (LVM3) in 2022–23.
What is IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Centre)?
- Autonomous body under Department of Space, created in 2020.
- Regulates and promotes private space sector participation.
What is ISRO’s Netra Project?
- India’s Space Situational Awareness (SSA) program.
- Monitors space debris, identifies potential threats to satellites.
- Uses optical telescopes, radars, and soon, a dedicated satellite.
What is the purpose of Indian Human Spaceflight Centre (IHSC)?
- Dedicated ISRO centre for Gaganyaan mission & astronaut training.
- Located in Bengaluru.
- Collaborates with Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) and international space agencies.
What is the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO)
- Inter-Governmental Organization
- Radio Telescopes with antenna arrays to be installed in Australia and South Africa
- Study of Gravitational Waves
- India becomes a member in 2024
- HQ: UK
What is “XpoSat”?
- ISRO’s first X-Ray polarimeter Satellite
- Studies X-ray polarization (in the Medium X-Ray band) and its cosmic sources like blackholes
- India’s THIRD space based observatory after ADITYA L1 & ASTROSAT
