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Recent National and International Space Missions – Science & Technology Notes

NASA, the world's space agencies, and other organisations conduct space missions to explore our solar system and beyond. The Department of Space (DOS) is the Government of India department in charge of carrying out the Indian Space Programme. The Department of Space, through its agency ISRO, carries out space missions in order to achieve its vision, mission, and objectives. In this article, we will discuss in detail regarding Recent National and International Space Missions which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

National Space Missions

Mission Name Start Date End Date Description
Chandrayaan-3 14th July 2023 Operational
  • ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission is India's third Moon mission.
  • On July 14, the spacecraft successfully launched. It is expected to land near the Moon's south pole on August 23 or 24.
  • The goal is to land a lander and rover on the moon's surface and keep them operational for about one lunar day, or 14 Earth days.
  • The small rover, weighing only 26 kilogrammes (57 pounds), will be carried to the Moon by the lander.
  • The Chandrayaan-3 lander and rover are outfitted with scientific instruments that will help us learn more about the Moon.
Chandrayaan-2 22nd July 2019 Orbiter functional; lander crashed
  • Chandrayaan-2 was launched to the Moon by an LVM3 (previously known as GSLV Mk III).
  • The orbit's perigee is 169.7 km and its apogee is 45475 km.
  • It consists of an Indian-developed lunar orbiter, lander, and rover.
  • The primary scientific goal is to map the distribution and abundance of lunar water.
Chandrayaan-1 22nd October 2008 28th August 2009
  • The Chandrayaan-1 lunar probe was India's first.
  • A lunar orbiter and an impactor were part of the mission.
  • The mission was a significant boost to India's space programme because it allowed India to research and develop its own technology in order to explore the Moon.
Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) 5th November 2013 2nd October 2022
  • MOM was launched on November 5, 2013, and after 300 days in space, it was inserted into Martian orbit on September 24, 2014.
  • Despite being designed for a six-month life as a technology demonstrator, the MOM has spent about eight years in Martian orbit, producing a slew of significant scientific results on Mars as well as the Solar corona, before losing contact with the ground station due to a long eclipse in April 2022, according to the national space agency.
  • According to experts and reports, the Mangalyaan craft ran out of fuel due to consecutive eclipses, particularly the one that lasted more than seven hours.
AstroSat 28th September 2015 September 2022
  • Astrosat is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory.
  • ISRO's Astrosat satellite is a mission to observe celestial sources simultaneously in the X-Ray, Optical, and UV Spectral bands.
  • The satellite was launched with the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-30.
  • The mission was scheduled to last five years.
  • Astrosat's unique ability to capture celestial bodies across various wavelengths has significantly contributed to our understanding of the universe, offering insights into phenomena ranging from black holes to neutron stars and galaxies.
Other Relevant Links
GSLV and Various Engine Cryogenic rockets
Scramjet Engine GSLV Mk III-D1 OR GSAT-19 Mission
ISRO’s World Record PSLV C37 Launch: Global Positioning System
Galileo GLONASS
IRNSS GAGAN
Chandrayaan – I & II Mars Orbiter Mission

Upcoming National Space Missions

Mission Name Expected Launch Date Spacecraft Description
Aditya-L1 26th August 2023 Solar observation
  • Aditya-L1 is India's first space-based mission to investigate the Sun.
  • The spacecraft will be placed in a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth system's first Lagrange (L1) point, which is approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth.
  • This will give us a better chance of observing solar activity and its impact on space weather in real time.
  • The spacecraft carries seven payloads that will use electromagnetic, particle, and magnetic field detectors to study the photosphere, chromosphere, and the Sun's outermost layers (the corona).
X-ray Polarimeter Satellite 2023 Space observatory
  • The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is a space observatory planned by ISRO to study the polarisation of cosmic X-rays.
  • It is expected to be launched in 2023 on a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and to provide at least five years of service.
  • XPoSat will investigate the universe's 50 brightest known sources, such as pulsars, black hole X-ray binaries, active galactic nuclei, and non-thermal supernova remnants.
Gaganyaan-1 Mid 2023 Uncrewed spacecraft flight test
  • Gaganyaan-1 is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft (developed jointly by ISRO and HAL) that is intended to serve as the foundation of the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme.
  • The spacecraft is intended to carry three people, and an upgraded version is planned to include rendezvous and docking capabilities.
  • This will be the first of two pre-flight tests prior to the inaugural crewed mission.
Gaganyaan-2 2023-24 Uncrewed spacecraft flight test
  • The second of two flight tests before the first crewed mission.
NISAR January 2024 SAR Satellite
  • NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is a NASA-ISRO collaboration to co-develop and launch a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite for remote sensing.
  • It holds the distinction of being the first dual-band radar imaging satellite.
Shukrayaan-1 December 2024 Venus orbiter
  • The Indian Venus orbiter mission is an orbiter to Venus planned by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to study the planet's atmosphere.
Mangalyaan-2 2024 Mars orbiter
  • Mars Orbiter Mission 2 (MOM 2), also known as Mangalyaan 2, is India's second interplanetary mission that is scheduled to launch to Mars by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2021-2022.
Gaganyaan-3 2025 Crewed spacecraft
  • This will be the first crewed Gaganyaan mission.
  • If successful, India will be the fourth country in the world (after the United States, the Soviet Union, and China) to send humans into space on its own.

International Space Missions

Mission Name Start Date Agency Description
Juice April 2023 ESA
  • The Juice spacecraft was launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in April 2023 to study Jupiter and its three largest icy moons, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
  • Juice will investigate whether large oceans of water exist beneath the icy crusts of these moons.
  • If any Jovian moon can support life, our understanding of habitable worlds will be greatly expanded.
Danuri (Korean Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter) 5th August 2022 South Korea
  • South Korea has launched Danuri (also known as the Korean Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter or KPLO) to the Moon.
  • In December, it entered lunar orbit.
  • Danuri is researching the Moon's surface and assisting us in planning future missions to the lunar poles.
  • Danuri is the first step in South Korea's Moon exploration plans, which include a robotic landing mission and other goals.
Lucy Mission October 2021 NASA
  • The Lucy mission will be the first visit to a group of asteroids known as Trojans, which share Jupiter's orbit around the Sun.
  • Lucy will travel to seven Trojan asteroids between 2027 and 2033, as well as two additional main-belt asteroids in 2023 and 2025.
  • Asteroids are planet-building materials that were left over from the formation of our solar system.
Tiangong April 2021 China
  • Tiangong is China's three-module low-Earth orbit space station.
  • The Tianhe core module launched in April 2021, followed by the Wentian and Mengtian experiment modules in 2022.
  • The station typically hosts three astronauts for six-month stays at a time.
  • During crew handovers, it can support six astronauts at once.
Perseverance July 2020 NASA
  • Perseverance is a NASA Mars rover that touched down on February 18, 2021.
  • The rover is looking for evidence of past life on Mars and collecting soil and rock samples for future return to Earth.
  • Returning Perseverance's samples to Earth will necessitate at least two missions, both of which are being planned by NASA and the European Space Agency.
Tianwen-1 and Zhurong July 2020 China
  • Tianwen-1 is China's first Mars mission, consisting of an orbiter and the Zhurong rover.
  • Zhurong landed on Mars on May 14, 2021, after entering Mars orbit in February 2021.
  • Among the rover's scientific instruments is a radar capable of detecting pockets of water beneath the surface that may harbour life.
  • Zhurong is no longer moving, according to images from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter published in February 2023.
  • Chinese officials have not confirmed whether the rover is still operational.
Hope July 2020 UAE
  • Hope is a Mars orbiter by the United Arab Emirates.
  • Hope is researching Mars' climate in order to learn more about what Mars was like when its atmosphere could have supported life.
  • It is also the Arab world's first mission to another planet.
  • As more countries explore our Solar System, there will be more discoveries and opportunities for global collaboration.
Solar Orbiter February 2020 ESA
  • Solar Orbiter is the most sophisticated scientific laboratory ever sent to the Sun.
  • Solar Orbiter will photograph the Sun from a greater distance than any previous spacecraft, as well as examine its unexplored polar regions for the first time.
  • Scientists hope to find answers to some profound questions by combining observations from the Solar Orbiter's six remote-sensing instruments and four sets of in situ instruments.
Chang’e-5 2020 China
  • In 2020, China's Chang'e-5 spacecraft returned Moon samples to Earth.
  • The samples are only about 2 billion years old.
  • They will aid scientists in understanding what occurred late in the Moon's history, as well as how the Earth and solar system evolved.
  • Chang'e-5 is currently on a mission to test technologies in advanced lunar orbit.
Parker Solar Probe 12th August 2018 NASA
  • A scientific mission to investigate the Sun's corona and solar wind.
  • A spacecraft that employs cutting-edge technology and autonomy to withstand heat and radiation like no other mission.
  • A one-of-a-kind solar observatory that will orbit within 4 million miles of our star's surface to study the formation of the solar wind directly.
  • Dr. Eugene Parker, the scientist who proposed the existence of the solar wind, was the inspiration for this mission.
BepiColombo 2018 ESO-Japan
  • BepiColombo is a European-Japanese mission to investigate Mercury.
  • It was launched in 2018 and is scheduled to enter Mercury orbit in 2025.
  • BepiColombo is made up of three separate spacecraft that launched together from Earth.
  • The mission will investigate water ice at Mercury's poles as well as the planet's unusually large core.
  • This will eventually help us understand how Mercury formed and what life was like in the early solar system.
OSIRIS-REx 2016 NASA
  • OSIRIS-REx collected a Bennu sample in 2020 and plans to return it to Earth in September 2023.
  • Bennu and other ancient asteroids may have brought water and the building blocks of life to ancient Earth.
  • Some laboratory experiments can only be performed on Earth, so sample return missions are required.
Juno 2011 NASA
  • Juno's primary mission is to learn more about Jupiter's origins and how it has evolved.
  • Juno's primary mission ended in July 2021, but it has been given an extended mission that will end in 2025.

Conclusion

Recent national and international space missions underscore humanity's insatiable curiosity and the collaborative spirit that drives scientific progress. From lunar exploration to Martian rovers, space telescopes to space stations, these missions serve as beacons of innovation, pushing the limits of our technological capabilities and expanding the horizons of human understanding. As India contributes to this global endeavour through missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Mangalyaan, it reaffirms its commitment to advancing space exploration, unveiling cosmic mysteries, and inspiring future generations.

Other Relevant Links
Science & Technology Policy in India Scientific Policy Resolution 1958
Science & Technology Policy of 1983 Science & Technology Policy of 2003
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013 New Initiatives Aligned with the National Agenda
India and World collaboration in science projects Technology Vision Document 2035

FAQs

Question: What are space missions?

Answer: Space missions are projects aimed at exploring space, conducting scientific research, and advancing technology through the launch of satellites, spacecraft, and rovers. These missions may be national or international and serve various purposes, such as space exploration, Earth observation, and communication.

Question: What are some recent national space missions from India?

Answer: Some recent significant space missions from India include:

  • Chandrayaan-2: India's mission to the Moon, which aimed to explore the lunar surface, study its composition, and understand the presence of water ice.
  • Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission): India’s successful mission to Mars, making India the first Asian country to reach Mars orbit and the fourth space agency globally to do so.
  • Gaganyaan Mission: India’s upcoming human spaceflight mission to send Indian astronauts into space.

Question: What is the role of ISRO in space exploration?

Answer: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plays a crucial role in advancing space exploration in India. It is responsible for launching satellites for communication, navigation, Earth observation, and scientific research. ISRO also conducts space exploration missions, including interplanetary missions like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Gaganyaan.

Question: What are some key international space missions?

Answer: International space missions include:

  • NASA’s Artemis Program: Aimed at returning humans to the Moon and eventually sending astronauts to Mars.
  • Mars Perseverance Rover: NASA’s rover that landed on Mars to search for signs of ancient life, collect samples, and test new technology.
  • James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): An international collaboration between NASA, ESA, and CSA to explore deep space, study distant galaxies, and analyze exoplanets.

Question: How do international collaborations impact space exploration?

Answer: International collaborations in space missions allow countries to pool resources, share expertise, and reduce costs. Notable collaborations include the International Space Station (ISS), where space agencies like NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, and JAXA work together to conduct research. Such collaborations also facilitate the exchange of scientific data, foster innovation, and build diplomatic relations through space diplomacy.

MCQs

  1. Which of the following is a recent space mission by India?

A) Chandrayaan-2

B) Mars Perseverance Rover

C) James Webb Space Telescope

D) Apollo 11

Answer: (A) See the Explanation

Chandrayaan-2 is a recent Indian mission to explore the Moon, launched by ISRO.

  1. What is the primary objective of NASA’s Artemis program?

A) Study of Mars

B) Send humans to the Moon

C) Establish a space station in orbit

D) Explore asteroids

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon, with the goal of landing the first woman and the next man on the lunar surface.

  1. Which country launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan)?

A) United States

B) Russia

C) China

D) India

Answer: (D) See the Explanation

India launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2013, successfully reaching Mars orbit.

  1. Which space mission is known for exploring the outer solar system?

A) Chandrayaan-1

B) Voyager 1

C) Hubble Space Telescope

D) Gaganyaan

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

Voyager 1 is a NASA mission that continues to explore the outer solar system and beyond.

  1. What is the goal of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)?

A) Study Earth's weather

B) Explore deep space and distant galaxies

C) Examine the Moon's surface

D) Launch astronauts to Mars

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

The James Webb Space Telescope is designed to study the universe's formation, distant galaxies, and exoplanets.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Analyze the impact of space missions on global scientific and technological advancement.

Answer: Space missions have led to groundbreaking scientific and technological advancements. From satellite technology that aids in communication and weather forecasting to space exploration missions like Mars rovers and the Hubble Space Telescope, space missions have expanded our understanding of the universe. These missions also drive technological innovation, with many technologies developed for space exploration later finding applications in industries like healthcare, transportation, and materials science. Space missions, particularly international collaborations, foster global cooperation, sharing of knowledge, and the advancement of collective scientific goals.

Q2. Discuss the role of India’s space agency, ISRO, in global space exploration.

Answer: ISRO has established itself as a key player in global space exploration through its cost-effective and innovative space missions. It has achieved significant milestones such as the successful Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), which made India the first Asian country to reach Mars orbit. ISRO’s satellite launches and interplanetary exploration missions like Chandrayaan-2 contribute to global scientific research, while its collaboration with other space agencies fosters international partnerships. ISRO also plays a crucial role in providing low-cost satellite services to developing countries, enhancing India’s position as a leader in space technology.

Q3. Evaluate the benefits and challenges of international space collaborations.

Answer: International space collaborations, such as those seen in the International Space Station (ISS) and the Artemis program, offer numerous benefits, including pooling resources, sharing technical expertise, and reducing the overall cost of missions. These partnerships foster scientific innovation and create opportunities for peaceful cooperation in space exploration. However, challenges include political differences, the complexity of managing multinational teams, and discrepancies in priorities and objectives among partner countries. Despite these challenges, international collaborations enhance global access to space, promote knowledge exchange, and strengthen diplomatic relations.

Previous Year Questions on Recent National and International Space Missions

1. UPSC CSE 2023

Question: "Examine the contributions of India’s space missions to global space exploration."

Answer: India’s space missions, led by ISRO, have made significant contributions to global space exploration, particularly through cost-effective satellite launches, Mars exploration with Mangalyaan, and lunar missions like Chandrayaan-2. ISRO’s missions have expanded our understanding of space and provided invaluable data to the global scientific community. Additionally, India’s collaborative efforts in international space projects demonstrate its growing leadership in space technology.

2. UPSC CSE 2022

Question: "Discuss the importance of international space cooperation in achieving sustainable space exploration."

Answer: International space cooperation is critical for achieving sustainable space exploration as it allows countries to share costs, expertise, and resources. Initiatives like the ISS and the Artemis program have demonstrated how countries can work together to explore space in a cost-effective and peaceful manner. International cooperation also helps address global challenges such as space debris management, satellite communication, and the potential militarization of space, ensuring that space remains a shared resource for all of humanity.

Other Relevant Links
Indian Polity Notes Indian Economy Notes
Art and Culture Notes Governance Notes
Ancient India History Notes Medieval India History Notes
Modern India History Notes Geography Notes
Science And Technology Notes Environment And Ecology Notes
Post Independence Notes Society Notes
Internal Security Notes Ethics Notes
Disaster Management Notes World History
International Relations Social Justice Notes
CSAT Notes Government Scheme Notes

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