ISRO
India's space agency, formed in 1969, famous for cheap launches, a Moon landing near the south pole and a first-try Mars orbit.
What the paper can ask
- INCOSPAR 1962, renamed 1969; headquarters Bengaluru; motto 'Space technology in the service of humankind'.
- SLV-3 launched RS-1 in 1980, making India the seventh country to reach orbit on its own rocket.
- Chandrayaan-3 (2023) made a soft landing near the lunar south pole, a first for any nation; SpaDeX docking was verified in January 2025.
- An Indian astronaut flew to the International Space Station on Axiom Mission 4 in 2025; a Bharatiya Antariksh Station is targeted for 2035. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- ISRO runs NavIC, its own satellite navigation system, and GAGAN, which sharpens GPS for aviation, plus large communication and Earth-observation fleets.
Latest
Vikram-1 became the first privately built Indian rocket to reach orbit on 18 July 2026 (developed by Skyroot Aerospace); TRISHNA, a thermal infrared Earth observation satellite planned for 2027, is a joint ISRO mission with France's CNES.
Why exams ask
Launch years, which country launched the first satellite, the Mars orbit year, the chairman and private players are the usual questions.
The full story
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the national space agency, headquartered in Bengaluru under the Department of Space. It grew out of INCOSPAR, set up in 1962, and took its name in 1969. Its first satellite flew in 1975; its own rocket, the SLV-3, reached orbit in 1980, making India the seventh country to do so. Today it flies the PSLV, GSLV and LVM3 from Sriharikota.
In the news
- ISRO launches NVS-03 navigation satellite on GSLV-F18, restoring NavIC to four satellites 30 Oct
- ISRO-CNES TRISHNA thermal imaging satellite planned for 2027 14 Oct
- IN-SPACe chief says ISRO will stop making launch vehicles; private sector to build them 21 Aug
- ISRO completes key Gaganyaan crew module and parachute qualification tests ahead of G1 14 Jul
Test yourself
1.India's first satellite, Aryabhata (1975), was launched from the launch site of which country?
Correct. Aryabhata was launched on 19 April 1975 by a Kosmos-3M rocket from Kapustin Yar in the Soviet Union.
Not quite. Aryabhata was launched on 19 April 1975 by a Kosmos-3M rocket from Kapustin Yar in the Soviet Union. It goes into your error book.
2.India became the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit. In which year did the Mars Orbiter Mission enter Mars orbit?
Correct. Mars Orbiter Mission was launched on 5 November 2013 and entered Mars orbit on 24 September 2014.
Not quite. Mars Orbiter Mission was launched on 5 November 2013 and entered Mars orbit on 24 September 2014. It goes into your error book.
3.The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was established in 1969 under the leadership of
Correct. ISRO was formed on 15 August 1969, succeeding INCOSPAR (1962); Vikram Sarabhai, its founder, is called the father of the Indian space programme.
Not quite. ISRO was formed on 15 August 1969, succeeding INCOSPAR (1962); Vikram Sarabhai, its founder, is called the father of the Indian space programme. It goes into your error book.