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 IRS-P2 Mission —its objectives, timelines, key technologies, and strategic implications.

ISRO IRS-P2 Mission Overview

ISRO launched IRS-P2 to support objectives related to Earth Observation.To carry out its objectives, IRS-P2 targeted Sun-synchronous Orbit.

• The PSLV-D2 was used to deploy IRS-P2 into space.
• Liftoff occurred at SHAR Centre, Sriharikota, as per mission scheduling.
• The main aim of IRS-P2 centered on the need to Operational remote sensing for resource management.
• Supporting long-term development, IRS-P2 worked toward Demonstrate PSLV's capability for SSO missions in addition to its main objective.
• Reports indicate that the mission stands at Successful.

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Timeline & Milestones of ISRO IRS-P2 Mission

• The mission timeline of IRS-P2 began with its launch on 15/10/1994.
• The spacecraft was designed with an intended mission life concluding around 15 September 1997.

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ISRO IRS-P2 Mission Technical Specifications

As a Earth Observation mission, IRS-P2 was built around a configuration involving Mass 804 kg; Three-axis stabilized.The orbital profile—Sun-synchronous, 817 km altitude, 987° inclination—was selected to support the execution of both primary and secondary goals of the mission.

• The mission adopted Indigenous remote sensing satellite bus to meet its operational and scientific requirements.

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IRS-P2 Launch Information

• IRS-P2 was launched on 15/10/1994.
• The mission was launched using the PSLV-D2, as per the mission plan.
• SHAR Centre, Sriharikota hosted the missions launch activities.

Who are the Stakeholders & Collaborators?

According to official information, ISRO were associated with the mission.The project included commercial involvement by EOSAT (Data marketing in US).

• Data marketing through US company participated in IRS-P2 to support specific components related to Earth Observation objectives.
• The data collected through IRS-P2 is managed under the sharing policy defined by Data available through NRSC and commercial partners.

Outputs, Applications & Impact of ISRO IRS-P2 Mission

First successful operational flight of PSLV is recorded as a notable outcome of IRS-P2.Land use, vegetation, water resources data were derived from payloads aboard IRS-P2.

• Earth Observation missions like IRS-P2 are significant as they Showcased PSLV's commercial potential.
• Environmental considerations included Standard satellite decommissioning procedures in the context of IRS-P2.
• Outputs from IRS-P2 are used in civilian domains, particularly in Earth observation, resource monitoring.
• IRS-P2 supports sectoral priorities and government initiatives through PSLV demonstration, remote sensing data.
• IRS series represent the next logical step in the mission series initiated by IRS-P2, reflecting ISRO’s commitment to iterative advancements in this area.

ISRO IRS-P2 Space Mission Risks, Failures & Mitigation

UPSC Relevance of ISRO IRS-P2 Space Mission

• ISRO’s space-based support to agriculture, weather forecasting, navigation, and defence can be potential UPSC Prelims topics under Science and Economy.
• Questions involving disaster Management, like flood or cyclone monitoring, can be strengthened by citing ISRO’s satellite imagery and forecasting support systems.
• Essays discussing India’s transformation or global leadership in science benefit from factual, yet inspirational, references to space milestones.
• In International Relations, India’s space diplomacy — including satellite launches for SAARC nations or bilateral cooperation with ESA and NASA — provides a solid example.

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. Recently the XPoSat Mission was in news, it is related to which of the following?
1. India’s first Saturn mission
2. India’s first polarimetry mission
3. India’s first Sun mission
4. Earth Observation Satellite
Answer: Option 2
Solution: The correct answer is Option 2. According to ISRO, XPoSat will study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions and will carry two payloads. It has been told as India’s first, and only the world’s second polarimetry mission that is meant to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions. Hence option 2 is correct. The other such major mission is NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) which was launched in 2021. IXPE carries three state-of-the-art space telescopes. Each of the three identical telescopes hosts one lightweight X-ray mirror and one detector unit. These will help observe polarized X-rays from neutron stars and supermassive black holes. By measuring the polarisation of these X-rays, we can study where the light came from and understand the geometry and inner workings of the light source. The spacecraft will carry two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit. The primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) will measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarisation).

Q2. The spacecraft of Chandrayaan 2 was launched from
1. Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station
2. Satish Dhawan Space Centre
3. U. R. Rao Space Centre
4. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
Answer: Satish Dhawan Space Centre
Solution: The correct answer is Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Chandrayaan-2 was launched on 22 July 2019 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh. The mission of Chandrayaan-2 was lunar exploration. The launch vehicle used was GSLV Mark III-M1. It had an Orbiter, a Lander named Vikram, and a Rover named Pragyan.

Q3. What is the name of the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully landed at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Karnataka's Challakere?
1. Warbird
2. Saraswati
3. Vimaan
4. Pushpak
Answer: Pushpak
Solution: The correct answer is Pushpak. ISRO successfully carried out the landing mission of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) named Pushpak at Karnataka’s Challakere. The rocket was launched from the Chalakere Runway, marking the third landing mission of the RLV. An Indian Air Force helicopter carried the launch vehicle to an altitude of about 4.5 km and released it after attaining predetermined parameters. The mission is part of ISRO's efforts to develop essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle, enabling low-cost access to space. The Pushpak RLV is designed as an all-rocket, fully reusable single-stage-to-orbit vehicle, incorporating major elements from various advanced technology demonstrators. Pushpak features a fuselage, a nose cap, double delta wings, twin vertical tails, and active control surfaces such as Elevons and Rudder. ISRO aims to minimize space debris with Pushpak and envisions capabilities like refueling of in-orbit satellites or retrieving satellites for refurbishment.

Q4. Which team received the Vigyan Team Award for their contribution to India's space program?
1. Team Mangalyaan
2. Team Gaganyaan
3. Team Chandrayaan-2
4. Team Chandrayaan-3
Answer: Team Chandrayaan-3
Solution: The correct answer is Team Chandrayaan-3. Team Chandrayaan-3 was recognized with the Vigyan Team Award for their exceptional contribution to India’s space program. The team was particularly noted for the successful moon landing mission. The award highlights the importance of collaborative research in modern scientific endeavors.

Q5. With which space agency has ISRO signed an Implementation Agreement (IA) for cooperation in crew and crew module recovery for Gaganyaan missions?
1. NASA
2. European Space Agency
3. Australian Space Agency
4. Roscosmos
Answer: Australian Space Agency
Solution: The correct answer is Australian Space Agency. ISRO signed an Implementation Agreement (IA) with the Australian Space Agency on November 20, 2024, to enhance cooperation in space activities. The purpose of the IA enables collaboration on crew and crew module recovery for Gaganyaan, India's first crewed spaceflight program. It ensures search and rescue support for crew and recovery of crew module in contingency situations, especially during the ascent phase near Australian waters. The agreement was signed by D K Singh, Director of ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre, Bengaluru, and Jarrod Powell, General Manager of ASA's Space Capability Branch, Canberra.

Q6. What significant milestone will ISRO achieve with the launch of the NVS-02 satellite in January 2025?
1. Its first interplanetary mission
2. Deployment of the heaviest satellite to date
3. Completion of the NavIC satellite constellation
4. The 100th mission of the ISRO Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
Answer: The 100th mission of the ISRO Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
Solution: The correct answer is The 100th mission of the ISRO Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. ISRO is set to launch the NVS-02 satellite in January 2025, marking the 100th mission of ISRO with the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). NVS-02 is part of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC, which provides accurate position information services to users in India and the surrounding region. The satellite will enhance the capabilities of NavIC by providing signals in the L1, L5, and S bands, improving accuracy and coverage. NVS-02 follows the successful launch of NVS-01 in May 2023, which was the first in the second generation of navigation satellites and featured an indigenous atomic clock.

Q7. The major science objectives of Aditya-L1 mission are
1. Study of Solar upper atmospheric dynamics
2. To demonstrate Safe and Soft landing on Solar Surface
3. To demonstrate Rover roving on the sun
4. All of the above
Answer: Only i
Solution: The correct answer is Only i. Aditya-L1 Mission is India’s first solar observatory mission launched by ISRO. The objective is to study the Sun, specifically the dynamics of the solar upper atmosphere including the chromosphere and corona. It will be positioned at the Lagrange point 1 (L1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, to continuously observe the Sun without interruptions.

Q8. Which cryogenic engine did ISRO successfully test for the Gaganyaan mission?
1. CE7.5
2. Vikas
3. CUS2
4. CE20
Answer: CE20
Solution: The correct answer is CE20. ISRO successfully conducted a vacuum ignition test of the CE20 cryogenic engine on February 7, 2025, at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. CE20 engine is used in the upper stage of the LVM-3 rocket and is critical for ISRO’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. The test focused on ignition and restart capabilities using a multi-element igniter under vacuum conditions, simulating real space scenarios. The engine demonstrated thrust levels between 19 to 22 tonnes and is now being tested for multiple restart capability to enhance mission flexibility. Successful testing is crucial for Gaganyaan, ensuring engine reliability for sending Indian astronauts into space.

Q9. RISAT-2BR1 satellite which is related to disaster management, was launched by the Launch Vehicle_______.
1. GSLV-1
2. PSLV-C48
3. GSLV-A1
4. PSLV-C46
Answer: PSLV-C48
Solution: The correct answer is PSLV-C48. RISAT-2BR1 is an Indian radar imaging reconnaissance satellite used for earth observation. It was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 11 December 2019. The launch vehicle used for this mission was PSLV-C48, which is part of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) series. PSLV-C48 successfully placed RISAT-2BR1 and nine other customer satellites from various countries into a sun-synchronous orbit.

Q10. Which of the following is true for OHRC with respect to the moon?
1. Orientational High Resolving Camera
2. Orbital Highly Resolution Circle
3. Orbiter High Resolution Camera
4. Orbital Height Round Circle
Answer: Orbiter High Resolution Camera
Solution: The correct answer is Orbiter High Resolution Camera. The Orbiter High Resolution Camera (OHRC) is a scientific payload onboard Chandrayaan-2, India's lunar mission. OHRC is designed to capture high-resolution images of the lunar surface, with a spatial resolution of 0.32 meters, making it ideal for detailed mapping. It focuses on imaging specific areas of scientific interest, such as craters, lunar regolith, and potential landing sites. The OHRC operates in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum and is mounted on the Orbiter of Chandrayaan-2. Its primary objective is to assist in identifying and analyzing the terrain for future exploration and lunar landings.