ISRO Missions — Set 1

Correct Answer: C. Aryabhata

• **Aryabhata** = India's first satellite, launched in 1975 using a Soviet rocket. • **1975** — This year marked the launch of India's first satellite, named after a famous 5th-century Indian astronomer. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bhaskara-I]: This was a later Earth observation satellite; [Rohini]: This was a series of satellites, with RS-1 being the first launched by an indigenous Indian rocket; [Apple]: This was India's first experimental communication satellite.

Correct Answer: A. Mangalyaan

• **Mangalyaan** = India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), which made India the first country to reach Mars on its maiden attempt. • **2014** — This is the year Mangalyaan successfully entered Martian orbit, making India the fourth space agency globally to achieve this. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Chandrayaan-1]: This was India's first lunar mission; [Aditya-L1]: This is India's first mission to study the Sun; [Gaganyaan]: This is India's first human spaceflight program.

Correct Answer: C. PSLV

• **PSLV** = The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, known as the 'Workhorse of ISRO' due to its high success rate and versatility in launching satellites. • **First Indian launch vehicle** — PSLV was the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages, enhancing its capabilities. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [GSLV]: This is for heavier satellites, mainly to GTO, not known as the 'workhorse'; [ASLV]: This was an Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle, a predecessor to PSLV, with limited capability; [SLV-3]: This was the first operational launch vehicle of India, but PSLV is the current workhorse.

Correct Answer: D. 104

• **104 satellites** = The record number of satellites ISRO launched in a single mission using the PSLV-C37 in 2017. • **2017** — This year marked ISRO's world record achievement of deploying 104 satellites simultaneously, demonstrating advanced multiple satellite deployment capability. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [20]: While ISRO has launched missions with multiple satellites, 20 is not the record-breaking number; [31]: This is also a number of satellites ISRO has launched in a single mission, but not the record; [50]: This number is significantly less than the actual world record set by ISRO in 2017.

Correct Answer: C. Study of the Sun

• **Study of the Sun** = The primary objective of ISRO's Aditya-L1 mission, which is India's first dedicated scientific mission for solar observation. • **Lagrange point 1 (L1)** — Aditya-L1 is strategically placed in a halo orbit around this point, offering an uninterrupted view of the Sun. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Moon exploration]: This is the objective of Chandrayaan missions; [Atmospheric research]: While some satellites conduct this, it's not the primary objective of Aditya-L1; [Deep space communication]: This is a function of various ground stations and satellite networks, not the main objective of Aditya-L1.

Correct Answer: A. Chandrayaan-1

• **Chandrayaan-1** = India's first lunar mission, which in 2008 discovered evidence of water molecules and hydroxyl on the Moon's surface. • **2008** — The year Chandrayaan-1 was launched, carrying instruments like NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper that confirmed water evidence. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Chandrayaan-2]: This mission aimed for a soft landing but faced a partial failure of its lander; [Chandrayaan-3]: This mission successfully achieved a soft landing near the lunar South Pole in 2023; [Moon Impact Probe]: This was a component of Chandrayaan-1, not the mission itself, which first detected water.

Correct Answer: D. Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit

• **Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit** = The primary orbit for which the LVM3 (GSLV Mk-III) rocket is designed to carry heavy satellites. • **LVM3** — India's most powerful launch vehicle, also played a crucial role in the Chandrayaan-3 mission by lifting its heavy payload. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Polar Orbit]: PSLV is typically used for polar and sun-synchronous orbits; [Sun-synchronous Orbit]: This is a specific type of polar orbit, used by remote sensing satellites; [Low Earth Orbit]: While LVM3 can launch to LEO, its primary design and capability are for heavier payloads to GTO.

Correct Answer: A. HLVM3

• **HLVM3** = The Human Rated LVM3, which is the designated launch vehicle for India's first manned spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. • **Crew Escape System** — This crucial safety system is integrated into the HLVM3 to ensure astronaut safety during the Gaganyaan mission. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [GLVM3]: This is not a recognized nomenclature for the human-rated LVM3; [SLVM3]: This is not a recognized nomenclature for the human-rated LVM3; [RLVM3]: This is not a recognized nomenclature for the human-rated LVM3.

Correct Answer: C. NavIC

• **NavIC** = India's autonomous regional satellite navigation system, providing accurate position information over India and its surrounding regions. • **Seven satellites** — The NavIC system consists of a constellation of seven satellites, formerly known as IRNSS, ensuring comprehensive coverage. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [GSAT]: These are Geostationary Satellites primarily for communication; [IRS]: These are Indian Remote Sensing satellites for Earth observation; [INSAT]: These are Indian National Satellites for communication and broadcasting.

Correct Answer: C. 2023

• **2023** = The year ISRO successfully executed the Chandrayaan-3 mission, achieving a historic soft landing on the Moon's South Pole. • **August 23, 2023** — The precise date when Chandrayaan-3's lander successfully touched down, making India the first country to land near the lunar South Pole. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [2021]: This year predates the Chandrayaan-3 mission's landing; [2022]: This year also predates the Chandrayaan-3 mission's landing; [2024]: This year is after the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3.