Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Various space missions mentioned
Mains level: NA
Why in the News?
Since Chandrayaan 3’s successful moon landing on August 23, 2023 and its declaration of National Space Day, ISRO has remained highly active with several key missions, despite a quieter phase at Sriharikota.
Key Missions and Milestones:
|
Details |
Date |
| Chandrayaan 3 |
- Successful Moon landing by Vikram lander.
- August 23 declared as India’s National Space Day.
|
August 23, 2023 |
| Aditya L1 |
- Solar science mission to study the Sun.
- Reached Earth-Sun L1 point on January 6, 2024.
- Studied solar storm in May 2024.
|
Launched: September 2, 2023
L1 Orbit: January 6, 2024 |
| Gaganyaan TV-D1 |
- First abort mission for Gaganyaan program.
- Tested Crew Escape System (CES); crew module recovered by INS Shakthi.
|
October 21, 2023 |
| XPoSat |
- X-ray Polarimeter Satellite to study radiation polarization.
- Second such space observatory after NASA’s IPEX.
|
Launched: January 1, 2024 |
| INSAT-3DS |
- Meteorological satellite launched to support GSLV credibility for NISAR mission.
- Enhances weather forecasting capabilities.
|
Launched: February 17, 2024 |
| RLV-TD (Pushpak) |
- Reusable Launch Vehicle tests (LEX-02 and LEX-03) conducted.
- Simulated landing conditions for future Orbital Return Flight.
|
LEX-02: March 22, 2024
LEX-03: June 7, 2024 |
| SSLV |
- Final development flight of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
- Successfully placed EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat in orbit.
|
August 16, 2024 |
| ISRO Roadmaps |
- 25-year roadmap until 2047.
- Plans for crewed lunar missions, sample-return missions, and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035.
|
Announced: December 2023 |
| Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) |
-
- New 3-stage launch vehicle under development to replace GSLV.
- Powered by semi-cryogenic, liquid, and cryogenic engines.
- Project report submitted to Union Cabinet.
|
Project report submitted: February 2024 |
| NSIL Missions |
- Agreement with SpaceX for GSAT-20/GSAT-N2 launch.
- SSLV launch service agreement with an Australian company.
|
2024 |
| Private Space Missions |
- Agnikul Cosmos launched SoRTeD-01, first semi-cryogenic engine vehicle from Indian soil.
- Skyroot and Dhruva Space progressing with tests and launches.
|
2024 |
| IN-SPACe Initiatives |
- Released ‘Norms, Guidelines, and Procedures for Authorisation of Space Activities’.
- Granted first satellite broadband license to Eutelsat
- OneWeb and first ground station service license to Dhruva Space.
- 100 % Direct FDI policy.
|
2024 |
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