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 IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite Mission —its objectives, timelines, key technologies, and strategic implications.

ISRO IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite Mission Overview

ISRO launched IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite to support objectives related to Navigation.IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite was configured for deployment in Earth, based on mission requirements.

• For this mission, IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite was placed into orbit using PSLV-C39.
• The selected launch site for the operation was Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
• IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite focused primarily on fulfilling the objective of Regional navigation services.
• IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite had several secondary objectives, including efforts to Replace IRNSS-1A.
• According to available records, the mission status is Launch Failure.

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Timeline & Milestones of ISRO IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite Mission

• IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite was successfully launched on August 31, 2017 by ISRO.
• Planned 10 years was set as the end-of-life marker for the mission’s primary phase.

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ISRO IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite Mission Technical Specifications

To accommodate its scientific payloads and orbit profile, the spacecraft was configured with I-1K bus, Rubidium atomic clocks.For IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite, mission planners determined Planned Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) to be optimal based on the payload configuration and coverage zone.

• To fulfill its scientific mandate, IRNSS-1H carried instruments such as Navigation and ranging payloads.
• To support telemetry, tracking, and command operations, IRNSS-1H used L5-band, S-band.
• The technical approach for IRNSS-1H included systems like Satellite navigation technology.

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IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite Launch Information

• August 31, 2017 marked the official launch of the IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite mission.
• The launch of IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite was carried out by the PSLV-C39.
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre was the designated launch complex for this mission.

Who are the Stakeholders & Collaborators?

The mission involved contributions from ISRO.The mission involved commercial support from Alpha Design Technologies (satellite assembly).

Outputs, Applications & Impact of ISRO IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite Mission

The mission is remembered for its contribution as First satellite assembled by private firms.

• Outputs from IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite are used in civilian domains, particularly in Intended for regional navigation services.
• IRNSS-1H plays a part in advancing India’s space policy through initiatives such as Planned to augment NavIC constellation for self-reliant navigation.
• IRNSS-1I launched as replacement represent the next logical step in the mission series initiated by IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite, reflecting ISRO’s commitment to iterative advancements in this area.

ISRO IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite Space Mission Risks, Failures & Mitigation

Launch vehicle heat shield failed to separate was identified as a key challenge in the course of the Navigation mission.

• IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite encountered anomalies such as Heat shield non-separation during its operation.
• The events of the mission emphasized Importance of payload fairing separation systems.

UPSC Relevance of ISRO IRNSS-1H Navigation Satellite Space Mission

• Regular updates from sources like PIB, ISRO press releases, and current affairs magazines help aspirants stay updated on mission statuses for accurate UPSC Prelims preparation.
• 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.
• Environmental Science and Geography papers can benefit from examples of ISRO’s contributions to disaster management, glacier mapping, and crop estimation.

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. In October 2022, ISRO chairman announced expected launch year of Chandrayaan 3 in ______.
1. 2030
2. 2027
3. 2025
4. 2023

Answer: 4
Solution: The correct answer is 2023. ISRO chairman announced that Chandrayaan 3 is expected to be launched in 2023, which is two years later than its initial planned launch year of 2021. Chandrayaan 3 is the third lunar exploration mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO. It is aimed at conducting further studies on the Moon's surface, particularly in the south polar region, where water molecules have been detected. Option 1, i.e., 2030, is incorrect as it is too far away from the expected launch year. Option 2, i.e., 2027, and option 3, i.e., 2025, are also incorrect as they are not the exact launch year announced by the ISRO chairman.

Q2. In January 2022, S Somanath has been appointed as the tenth chairman of ________.
1. RBI
2. DRDO
3. ISRO
4. SEBI

Answer: 3
Solution: In January 2022, S Somanath has been appointed as the tenth chairman of ISRO. S Somanath is an Indian space scientist who has been associated with ISRO for over three decades. He has played a key role in the development of India's space program and has been instrumental in the success of several missions. As the chairman of ISRO, Somanath will be responsible for overseeing the organization's activities, including the development and launch of satellites, space research, and exploration. Somanath takes over from K Sivan, who served as the chairman of ISRO from 2018 to 2022. During his tenure, Sivan oversaw several successful missions, including the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission and the launch of the PSLV-C51 rocket.

Q3. Consider the following questions regarding Aditya L1 Mission:
1. Aditya L1 is the first space-based Indian mission to study the Sun.
2. Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, is about 150 million km from the Earth.
3. It will be launched by Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3).
How many of the statements given above are correct?
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is option 1. The first statement is correct as Aditya L1 is indeed the first space-based Indian mission to study the Sun. The second statement is incorrect because Lagrange Point 1 (L1) is approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, not 150 million km. The third statement is also incorrect as the Aditya L1 mission will be launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), not LVM-3.

Q4. Which agency has recently launched Juice mission?
1. ISRO
2. European Space Agency (ESA)
3. Chinese Space Agency
4. NASA

Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is the European Space Agency (ESA). Recently, the European Space Agency is set to launch the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission to explore Jupiter and its icy moons, namely Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. The mission is set to reach Jupiter in 2031 and was launched from French Guiana on an Ariane 5 launcher.

Q5. Who was awarded the prestigious International Astronautical Federation World Space Award for the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission?
1. K. Sivan
2. A. S. Kiran Kumar
3. Dr. S. Somnath
4. G. Madhavan Nair

Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is Dr. S. Somnath. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath received the prestigious IAF World Space Award for Chandrayaan-3's success during a ceremony in Milan, Italy, recognizing India's excellence in space exploration.

Q6. In Feb, 2021, ISRO launched a satellite Amazonia-1 of ______ on board PSLV-C51 rocket from Sriharikota.
1. Argentina
2. Srilanka
3. Brazil
4. Peru

Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is Brazil. ISRO launched the Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on 28 February 2021. Along with Amazonia-1, 18 other co-passenger satellites were also onboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C51.

Q7. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Docking is essential for servicing satellites, extending their operational life, and supporting future space missions.
Statement-II: It allows spacefaring components to be launched separately and assembled in space to form a larger module.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are true, and Statement-II is the correct explanation of Statement-I.
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are true, but Statement-II is not the correct explanation of Statement-I.
3. Statement-I is true, but Statement-II is false.
4. Statement-I is false, but Statement-II is true.

Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is option 1. Both statements are true, and Statement-II provides the reasoning behind the importance of docking mentioned in Statement-I. Docking is essential for servicing satellites, extending their operational life, and supporting future space missions.

Q8. The Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO is preparing to conduct its 100th rocket launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on January 29. What is the name of the 100th rocket launch satellite by ISRO?
1. NVS-02
2. GSAT-19
3. Cartosat-3
4. IRNSS-1I

Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is NVS-02. On January 29, 2025, ISRO successfully launched its 100th mission, a historic achievement. The GSLV-F15 rocket, carrying the NVS-02 satellite, lifted off from Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 6:23 AM IST.

Q9. The Aditya-L1 mission is aimed at studying:
1. The atmosphere of Venus
2. The surface of the Moon
3. The Sun's outermost layers
4. The asteroid belt

Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is The Sun's outermost layers. The Aditya-L1 mission is India's first solar mission launched by ISRO and is specifically designed to study the outermost layers of the Sun, also known as the corona.

Q10. When did ISRO launch a microsatellite equipped with advanced payloads designed for environmental monitoring, disaster management and remote sensing applications?
1. 16 September 2024
2. 16 August 2024
3. 8 August 2024
4. 8 September 2024

Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is 16 August 2024. The Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO launched a microsatellite equipped with advanced payloads on 16 August 2024, designed for environmental monitoring, disaster management, and remote sensing applications.