India’s space programme, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has evolved from modest beginnings into one of the most respected space agencies in the world. Over the years, ISRO has designed and executed a range of missions—from satellite navigation, Earth observation, interplanetary exploration, to solar studies—that have not only enhanced India’s technological self-reliance but also contributed to global scientific collaboration. Its cost-effective approaches and mission diversity—from Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan to Aditya-L1 and the upcoming Gaganyaan—have become case studies in innovation.

For UPSC aspirants, ISROs journey is more than current affairs—it directly intersects with the syllabus of General Studies Paper 3 (Science & Technology), provides examples for GS Paper 2 (International Relations, Governance), and can enrich perspectives in the Essay Paper, Ethics, and even Optional subjects like Geography or PSIR. In this article, we will explore detailed insights about ISRO GSAT-5P Mission —its objectives, timelines, key technologies, and strategic implications.

ISRO GSAT-5P Mission Overview

As a Communication initiative, ISROs GSAT-5P contributes to ISRO’s broader programmatic roadmap.GSAT-5P was placed in Geostationary Orbit (intended) to perform its mission-specific functions.

• As part of its launch strategy, GSAT-5P used GSLV-F06 for orbital insertion.
• The launch took place at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• GSAT-5P aimed to accomplish the primary task of Augment C-band and Extended C-band capacity.
• In addition to its main goal, GSAT-5P also aimed to Replace INSAT-2E, ensure service continuity.
• According to available records, the mission status is Launch Failure.

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Timeline & Milestones of ISRO GSAT-5P Mission

• On December 25, 2010, GSAT-5P was sent into its designated orbit.

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ISRO GSAT-5P Mission Technical Specifications

The orbital path—Failed to reach orbit—was selected based on compatibility with the mission’s launch platform and onboard systems.

• For data relay and payload monitoring, C-band, Extended C-band formed the backbone of the missions communication suite.
• Communication satellite technology formed the core technological base for the Communication mission GSAT-5P.

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GSAT-5P Launch Information

• GSAT-5P was successfully launched on December 25, 2010 by ISRO.
• GSLV-F06 served as the launch platform for GSAT-5P.
• Liftoff occurred at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, as per mission scheduling.

Who are the Stakeholders & Collaborators?

Mission responsibilities were distributed among ISRO.

Outputs, Applications & Impact of ISRO GSAT-5P Mission

• With its technical capabilities, GSAT-5P helps advance sectors such as Communication services (intended).
• The mission’s orientation aligns with national and commercial goals, including Communication infrastructure enhancement (intended).
• Following the milestones achieved under GSAT-5P, ISRO has outlined potential developments such as Subsequent GSATs replaced capability to build a more robust mission series.

ISRO GSAT-5P Space Mission Risks, Failures & Mitigation

GSAT-5P encountered challenges such as GSLV launch vehicle failure during its execution.

• According to official updates, the mission faced issues including Launch vehicle lost control and exploded.

UPSC Relevance of ISRO GSAT-5P Space Mission

• Understanding the basic structure of ISRO, its launch centres, and satellite series (such as GSAT, INSAT, or CARTOSAT) is crucial for tackling Prelims questions with precision.
• ISROs organizational efficiency, low-cost model, and long-term planning offer useful examples for General Studies answers dealing with public institutions and governance structures.
• ISRO’s mission culture — defined by simplicity, frugality, and collaboration — embodies many values discussed in the Ethics paper, such as integrity, public service motivation, and accountability.
• Anthropology or Sociology students can reference ISRO’s outreach programs and applications for tribal development, education, and telemedicine.

Past UPSC Mains PYQs on ISRO Space Missions

Q1. Discuss the role of the private sector in the growth of the space industry in India. How has the governments policy of 2023 affected it? (2023, GS Paper 3 - Science & Technology)

Q2. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (2022 & 2019, GS Paper 3 - Science & Technology)

Q3. Space has been the next big frontier for mankind after sea and land. In this context, discuss Indias policy and preparedness for space wars. (2019, GS Paper 3 - Science & Technology)

Q4. Discuss the utility of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) for India. (2016, GS Paper 3 - Science & Technology)

Q5. What do you understand by Standard Positioning Systems and Precision Positioning Systems in the GPS era? Discuss the advantages India perceives from its ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven satellites. (2015, GS Paper 3 - Science & Technology)

Past UPSC Prelims PYQs on ISRO Space Missions

Q1 [2025]: GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) uses a system of ground stations to provide necessary augmentation. Which of the following statements is/are correct in respect of GAGAN?

I. It is designed to provide additional accuracy and integrity.
II. It will allow more uniform and high quality air traffic management.
III. It will provide benefits only in aviation but not in other modes of transportation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) I, II and III
(b) II and III only
(c) I only
(d) I and II only

Correct Answer: (d) I and II only

Explanation: Statements I and II correctly describe the core purpose and benefit of the GAGAN system. (I) GAGAN is designed to augment GPS signals by correcting for errors, which provides much greater accuracy and guarantees the integrity (reliability) of the positioning information. (II) This enhanced accuracy and reliability directly enables more precise aircraft routing and landing procedures, thus improving the uniformity and quality of air traffic management.

Q2 [2022]: If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?

1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
(c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

Answer: The correct answer is (c).

Explanation: A major solar storm can disrupt GPS, power grids, satellite orbits, polar radio communication, and cause auroras, but cannot trigger tsunamis or forest fires.

Q3 [2020]: The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to

(a) Voyager-2
(b) New horizons
(c) Lisa Pathfinder
(d) Evolved LISA

Answer: The correct answer is (d) Evolved LISA.

Explanation: Evolved LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is a planned space-based gravitational wave observatory by ESA and NASA, using three spacecraft in a triangular formation with laser beams to detect cosmic gravitational waves.

Q4 [2016]: Consider the following statements:

The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO

1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: c) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: Mangalyaan is the informal name of Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), launched by ISRO on 5 November 2013 and India is the only nation to date to have succeeded on its maiden attempt.

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UPSC Practice Questions on ISRO Space Missions

Q1. Consider the following statements about the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module POEM launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO
1. POEM is designed to transform the third stage of the PSLV which normally becomes space junk into a useful platform for conducting in-orbit experiments
2. In the POEM initiative the Navigation Guidance and Control NGC system plays a crucial role in maintaining the platforms orientation within permissible limits
3. For power POEM relies on solar panels mounted around the PS4 tank and a nuclear battery
How many of the statement(s) given above is/are correct
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None
Answer: Only one
Solution:
Statement 1 is not correct as POEM repurposes the fourth stage PS4 not the third stage of the PSLV.
Statement 2 is correct as the NGC system maintains the platform's orientation.
Statement 3 is not correct as POEM relies on solar panels and a lithium-ion battery not a nuclear battery.

Q2. What is the significance of the TV-D1 mission
1. It will provide valuable data for the remaining qualification tests and unmanned missions
2. It is the first step towards sending Indian astronauts into space
3. It will test the critical safety features of the Gaganyaan spacecraft
4. All of the above
Answer: All of the above
Solution:
The TV-D1 mission is significant as it provides data for qualification tests and unmanned missions and is a crucial step towards sending Indian astronauts into space. It will also test the critical safety features of the Gaganyaan spacecraft.

Q3. Chandrayaan-I is a satellite launched by India
1. To learn about the moon
2. Learn about Mars
3. To predict the weather
4. For telecommunication purposes
Answer: To learn about the moon
Solution:
Chandrayaan-1 was India's first mission to the Moon launched on October 22 2008. It orbited the Moon for over 3400 orbits and made significant discoveries including the presence of water ice on the lunar surface.

Q4. ______ is the Chairman of ISRO as of July 2023
1. K Radhakrishnan
2. S Somanath
3. K Sivan
4. S Nayak
Answer: S Somanath
Solution:
S Somanath is the current Chairman of ISRO as of July 2023 succeeding K Sivan. Under his leadership ISRO continues to undertake significant space missions.

Q5. Who was the chairman of NEP 2020 drafting committee
1. Kailasavadivoo Sivan
2. Dr K Kasturirangan
3. Prof Yaspal Sharma
4. Prof G Raja Gopal
Answer: Dr K Kasturirangan
Solution:
Dr K Kasturirangan a renowned space scientist and former Chairman of ISRO chaired the drafting committee of the National Education Policy NEP 2020 which aims to transform the Indian education system.

Q6. Which geostationary weather satellite launched by the European Space Agency in 1977 that provides weather imaging of Earth at both visible light and infrared wavelengths
1. Himawari
2. Meteosat
3. QuikSCAT
4. Landsat
Answer: Meteosat
Solution:
Meteosat-1 was the first in the Meteosat series of geostationary weather satellites launched by the European Space Agency. It aimed to improve weather forecasting and climate research particularly for Europe and Africa.

Q7. The CROPS payload recently seen in the news is designed to study
1. Extraterrestrial plant growth
2. Radiation shielding in spacecraft
3. Microbial ecosystems in space
4. Atmospheric composition of planets
Answer: Extraterrestrial plant growth
Solution:
CROPS Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies is developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre VSSC. It aims to develop ISRO's capabilities for growing and sustaining plants in space.

Q8. Which space mission will Shubhanshu Shukla pilot to the International Space Station
1. Artemis 2
2. Polaris A
3. Axiom 4
4. Gaganyaan
Answer: Axiom Mission 4
Solution:
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot Axiom Mission 4 Ax-4 to the International Space Station ISS set to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida no earlier than spring 2025.

Q9. NISAR satellite is designed to observe and take measurements of some of the Earth's most complex processes. It is a
1. project of ISRO alone
2. project of Canadian space agency
3. joint project between ISRO and NASA
4. project of NASA alone
Answer: joint project between ISRO and NASA
Solution:
NISAR stands for Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar and is a joint collaboration between NASA and ISRO designed to observe and take measurements of complex Earth processes.

Q10. Consider the following statements
1. The asteroid Apophis discovered in 2004 is expected to have its closest flyby with Earth in 2029
2. Thousands of asteroids enter Earth’s atmosphere every day but most are small and burn up due to atmospheric friction
3. NASA’s DART mission successfully altered the trajectory of the asteroid Dimorphos using the kinetic impactor technique
How many of the above statements are correct
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None
Answer: All three
Solution:
All three statements are correct. Apophis will have a close flyby in 2029 thousands of asteroids enter Earth's atmosphere daily and NASA's DART mission successfully altered Dimorphos's trajectory.