ISRO's Major Missions — From Aryabhata to Gaganyaan
ISRO's historic missions are frequently asked about under the "Science News" tag in Patwari's GK-India section — the major achievements from Aryabhata to Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 are given here in one table.
- GK-India · Science
- 6 min read
India's Journey into Space
India's first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched by a Soviet rocket in 1975. After this, India developed its own launch vehicles (PSLV, GSLV), which made missions to the Moon, Mars, and the Sun possible.
With Mangalyaan (the Mars Orbiter Mission, 2013), India became the first country in the world to reach Mars orbit on its very first attempt. Chandrayaan-3 (2023) made a successful, safe landing near the Moon's south polar region on 23 August 2023, making India the fourth country to achieve this feat — this day is now observed as "National Space Day".
ISRO's Major Missions
| Mission | Year | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Aryabhata | 1975 | India's first satellite (launched by a Soviet rocket) |
| Chandrayaan-1 | 2008 | India's first lunar mission; helped confirm water molecules on the Moon |
| Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) | 2013 | First country in the world to reach Mars orbit on its very first attempt |
| Chandrayaan-2 | 2019 | Orbiter successful; the lander "Vikram" failed its soft landing |
| Chandrayaan-3 | 2023 | 23 August 2023 — successful soft landing near the Moon's south polar region; India became the fourth country |
| Aditya-L1 | 2023 (launch); 6 January 2024 (placed at the L1 point) | India's first dedicated mission to study the Sun |
| Gaganyaan | Uncrewed tests ongoing (crewed mission targeted) | India's first human spaceflight programme |
23 August is observed as "National Space Day" to mark the success of Chandrayaan-3.
Exam Tip
Mangalyaan (2013, successful orbit insertion) and Chandrayaan-2 (2019, lander failed but orbiter succeeded) are easily confused — remember that Mangalyaan was a fully successful mission, while Chandrayaan-2 was only partially successful (the orbiter is still working).
Frequently Asked Questions
What was India's first satellite?+
Aryabhata, which was launched by a Soviet Union rocket in 1975.
When did Chandrayaan-3 succeed?+
With a successful soft landing near the Moon's south polar region on 23 August 2023 — this day is now observed as National Space Day.
What was Mangalyaan's biggest achievement?+
India became the first country in the world to reach Mars orbit on its very first attempt (2013).
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