ISRO & Space Technology: Key Notes & Top 25 MCQs for UPSC Exams
When you look at the progress made in the Indian space sector, the name ISRO cannot help but come to mind. Now, Hab1 has also emerged as an innovative benchmark. Together, these two organizations are working towards making India a global leader in the space sector. Whether you are a student, researcher, or technology enthusiast, this article will give you new inspiration.
Summary of ISRO & Hab1 Collaboration
| Key Area | Summary |
|---|---|
| ISRO Achievements | Chandrayaan missions, low-cost satellite launches, and global recognition in space science. |
| About Hab1 | A private space company focused on low-Earth orbit satellites and startup support. |
| Partnership Model | ISRO provides launch platforms and collaboration opportunities for Hab1’s innovations. |
| Youth Opportunities | Research, innovation, and startup ecosystem growth for young Indian scientists and engineers. |
| Future Scope | Export of space services, space tourism, security tech, and orbital research advancements. |
What is the success story of ISRO?
ISRO is the Indian Space Research Organization. It is one of the major forces that has driven the country forward in terms of technology.
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ISRO propelled its first project with the Aryabhata satellite in the year 1975. This gave a strong start to the Indian space sector.
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Projects like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and the recently launched Chandrayaan-3 have put ISRO on the world map.
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ISRO is known for undertaking satellite launches at the lowest cost in the world.
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ISRO provides exceptional services in space-based communication, weather forecasting, and navigation services.
What is Hab1?
Hab1 is a modern, private space company that is making space accessible to a new generation.
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Hab1 develops space missions through private partnerships. It works with ISRO on some projects.
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Hab1 focuses primarily on low-Earth satellites and tech testing platforms.
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The company provides support, technology incubation, and test beds to startups.
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Hab1 is the foundation for a future integrated commercial space sector.
What is the ISRO–Hab1 Partnership?
The partnership between ISRO and Hab1 is charting a key path for India’s space sector.
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ISRO is providing its PSLV, SSLV, and other launch platforms to startups like Hab1.
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Hab1 works with ISRO on data sharing, research collaboration, and launch services.
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This is a private-public partnership and is leading the way.
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Together, the two organizations are working to build a strong space innovation ecosystem.
What will be the future benefits of ISRO's Hab1?
The partnership between ISRO and Hab1 is opening up many opportunities in the Indian space sector.
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Indian youth are getting new opportunities in the fields of research, innovation, and start-ups.
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Hab1 is paving the way for new services like custom launch services, space tourism, and orbital exploration.
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With the help of ISRO, areas like space security and indigenous navigation systems are developing.
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India is also set to become an exporter of space services in the commercial sector.
Top ISRO Projects and Their Salient Features
| ISRO Project | Salient Features |
|---|---|
| Chandrayaan-1 | India’s first lunar mission confirmed the presence of water molecules on the Moon. |
| Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) | India’s first interplanetary mission entered Mars orbit in its first attempt, showcasing low-cost innovation. |
| Chandrayaan-3 | India's successful soft landing on the Moon’s south pole, a historic global achievement. |
| IRNSS (NavIC) | An independent regional navigation satellite system designed for precise positioning over India. |
| PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) | A highly reliable launch vehicle used to deploy satellites into various orbits with precision. |
| Gaganyaan | India’s first human spaceflight program aims to send astronauts into low Earth orbit. |
Top 25 MCQs on ISRO & Space Technology for UPSC Exams
Explore the Top 25 MCQs on ISRO & Space Technology to strengthen your conceptual clarity, test your exam readiness, and enhance your performance in UPSC prelims through focused, high-yield practice.
1. Who is considered the "Father of the Indian Space Program"?
a) C.V. Raman
b) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
c) Vikram Sarabhai
d) Satish Dhawan
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Answer: c) Vikram Sarabhai
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was a visionary scientist who initiated space research in India and helped establish ISRO in 1969.
2. The "Gaganyaan" mission aims to demonstrate which capability?
a) Landing on Mars
b) Human Spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit
c) Mining on the Moon
d) Solar Observation
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Answer: b) Human Spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit
Gaganyaan is ISRO's first crewed mission, aiming to send 3 astronauts to an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission and bring them back safely.
3. What is the name of the landing site of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon?
a) Jawahar Point
b) Tiranga Point
c) Shiv Shakti Point
d) Vikram Point
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Answer: c) Shiv Shakti Point
Prime Minister Narendra Modi named the spot where the Vikram lander touched down near the lunar south pole as "Shiv Shakti Point."
4. Which launch vehicle is popularly known as the "Workhorse of ISRO"?
a) GSLV
b) PSLV
c) LVM3
d) SLV-3
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Answer: b) PSLV
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has a high success rate and has launched famous missions like Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan.
5. "Vyommitra," developed by ISRO, is a:
a) Satellite
b) Mars Rover
c) Humanoid Robot (Half-Humanoid)
d) Space Telescope
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Answer: c) Humanoid Robot (Half-Humanoid)
Vyommitra will be sent to space in an unmanned Gaganyaan mission to simulate human functions and test life support systems.
6. What is the primary objective of the "Aditya-L1" mission?
a) Study the Moon's surface
b) Study the Sun's corona and solar winds
c) Study Black Holes
d) Search for aliens
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Answer: b) Study the Sun's corona and solar winds
It is India's first solar observatory mission, placed at the Lagrange Point 1 (L1) to observe the Sun continuously without eclipses.
7. The "Vikas" engine, used in ISRO's rockets, is a type of:
a) Solid fuel engine
b) Liquid fuel engine
c) Cryogenic engine
d) Ion thruster
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Answer: b) Liquid fuel engine
Named after Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai, the Vikas engine powers the second stage of PSLV and the liquid strap-ons of GSLV/LVM3.
8. ISRO's new "SSLV" rocket is designed specifically for:
a) Heavy communication satellites
b) Human transport
c) Launching Small Satellites (up to 500 kg)
d) Interplanetary missions
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Answer: c) Launching Small Satellites (up to 500 kg)
The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) offers low-cost, launch-on-demand access to space for small satellites.
9. Where is the "Satish Dhawan Space Centre" (SDSC), India's primary spaceport, located?
a) Thiruvananthapuram
b) Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
c) Bengaluru
d) Balasore
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Answer: b) Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
Located on a barrier island, it is the launch site for ISRO's sounding rockets and satellite launch vehicles.
10. What is "NavIC"?
a) ISRO's new rocket
b) India's indigenous navigation satellite system
c) A space telescope
d) A lunar rover
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Answer: b) India's indigenous navigation satellite system
Operational name for IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System), providing accurate positioning services over India and the region.
11. The "Cryogenic Upper Stage" uses propellants at what state?
a) Solid state
b) Room temperature liquid
c) Extremely low temperatures (Liquid H2 and O2)
d) Gas state
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Answer: c) Extremely low temperatures (Liquid H2 and O2)
Cryogenic engines use liquid hydrogen (-253°C) as fuel and liquid oxygen (-183°C) as oxidizer for high efficiency.
12. "NISAR" is a joint Earth-observing mission between ISRO and:
a) ESA (Europe)
b) JAXA (Japan)
c) NASA (USA)
d) Roscosmos (Russia)
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Answer: c) NASA (USA)
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) will map the entire globe to understand changes in ecosystems, ice mass, and natural hazards.
13. The "Orbital Module" of the Gaganyaan mission serves as the:
a) Fuel tank
b) Habitat for astronauts
c) Communication antenna
d) Solar panel
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Answer: b) Habitat for astronauts
It consists of the Crew Module (where astronauts live/Hab-1) and the Service Module. It creates a habitable environment in space.
14. ISRO is building a second spaceport at "Kulasekarapattinam" in which state?
a) Kerala
b) Tamil Nadu
c) Odisha
d) Karnataka
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Answer: b) Tamil Nadu
This new spaceport is specifically designed for launching Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV) directly southwards, saving fuel.
15. What was the name of India's first satellite launched in 1975?
a) Bhaskara
b) Rohini
c) Aryabhata
d) Apple
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Answer: c) Aryabhata
Named after the ancient Indian astronomer, it was launched by the Soviet Union using a Kosmos-3M launch vehicle.
16. "NSIL" (NewSpace India Limited) functions as ISRO's:
a) Research wing
b) Commercial arm
c) Training center
d) Security agency
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Answer: b) Commercial arm
NSIL handles commercial launches for foreign satellites, technology transfer, and production of launch vehicles by industry.
17. The "IAD" (Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator) technology tested by ISRO is used for:
a) Making rockets fly faster
b) Slowing down spacecraft in an atmosphere (like Mars or Earth recovery)
c) Floating on water
d) Storing fuel
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Answer: b) Slowing down spacecraft in an atmosphere (like Mars or Earth recovery)
IAD inflates to increase surface area and drag, helping to safely land payloads on planets with atmospheres.
18. Which engine is used in the heaviest rocket LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3)?
a) CE-20 Cryogenic Engine
b) Ramjet
c) Electric Motor
d) Steam Engine
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Answer: a) CE-20 Cryogenic Engine
The CE-20 is India's largest indigenous cryogenic engine, powering the upper stage of the LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III).
19. "Project NETRA" initiated by ISRO is related to:
a) Eye surgery for astronauts
b) Space Debris Tracking and situational awareness
c) Finding water on Mars
d) Internet in space
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Answer: b) Space Debris Tracking and situational awareness
NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis) is an early warning system to protect Indian satellites from space debris.
20. "High Altitude Balloons" (HAB) are often used by ISRO and research institutes to:
a) Transport people
b) Test payloads and study the upper atmosphere
c) Block sunlight
d) Deliver mail
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Answer: b) Test payloads and study the upper atmosphere
These balloons reach near-space altitudes (30-40km), providing a low-cost platform to test satellite components before actual launch.
21. The "RLV-LEX" mission successfully demonstrated which technology?
a) Autonomous Landing of a Reusable Launch Vehicle
b) Underwater rocket launch
c) Moon mining
d) Solar sails
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Answer: a) Autonomous Landing of a Reusable Launch Vehicle
The RLV (Reusable Launch Vehicle) was dropped from a helicopter and landed autonomously on a runway, a key step for reducing launch costs.
22. What is "SPADEX"?
a) Space Docking Experiment
b) Space Delivery Express
c) Solar Power Index
d) Satellite Protection Exercise
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Answer: a) Space Docking Experiment
SPADEX aims to demonstrate the technology of docking two spacecraft in orbit, crucial for future space stations and lunar missions.
23. ISRO's "Bhartiya Antariksh Station" is planned to be established by:
a) 2025
b) 2035
c) 2050
d) 2030
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Answer: b) 2035
India aims to set up its own permanent space station (Bhartiya Antariksh Station) by 2035 and send a human to the Moon by 2040.
24. Which ISRO center in Bengaluru is responsible for building satellites?
a) VSSC
b) URSC (U R Rao Satellite Centre)
c) LPSC
d) ISTRAC
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Answer: b) URSC (U R Rao Satellite Centre)
Formerly known as ISAC, this center is the lead centre for design, development, and fabrication of satellites for all ISRO missions.
25. The "Mangalyaan" (MOM) mission made India the first nation to:
a) Land on Mars
b) Reach Mars orbit in the very first attempt
c) Bring soil from Mars
d) Find aliens
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Answer: b) Reach Mars orbit in the very first attempt
Launched in 2013, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) succeeded on its maiden attempt, a feat no other space agency had achieved.
Conclusion
ISRO and Hab1 together are writing a new chapter in Indian space exploration. While one is government-backed, the other is a symbol of youth, innovation, and private collaboration. These two forces are working together to make our country a global leader in space. Whether you are a school pupil, college student, entrepreneur, job aspirant, researcher, or a successful businessperson, understanding these experiments will guide your future. This partnership will pave the way for Indian space science to scale new heights.
ISRO and Hab1 – Learning Resources
| Category | Resources |
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| Online Courses |
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| Reference Books |
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| Websites |
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