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ISRO INSAT-3A Mission: Objectives, Launch Date, Status, UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Jun 30, 2025
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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 INSAT-3A Mission —its objectives, timelines, key technologies, and strategic implications.

ISRO INSAT-3A Mission Overview

INSAT-3A was designed and executed with the primary aim of supporting advancements in Multipurpose: Communication, Meteorology, SAR.INSAT-3A was placed in Geostationary Orbit to perform its mission-specific functions.

  • ISRO selected the Ariane-5G to carry the INSAT-3A mission.
  • Liftoff occurred at Kourou, French Guiana, as per mission scheduling.
  • INSAT-3A focused primarily on fulfilling the objective of Telecommunication, TV, meteorological, search & rescue services.
  • As per ISRO documentation, the mission is Successful, Mission completed.

INSAT-3A Space Mission Overview for UPSC

Mission Name

INSAT-3A

Mission Abbreviation

INSAT-3A

Mission Type

Multipurpose: Communication, Meteorology, SAR

Target Celestial Body or Orbit

Geostationary Orbit

Primary Objective

Telecommunication, TV, meteorological, search & rescue services

Secondary Objectives

N/A

Mission Status

Successful, Mission completed

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Timeline & Milestones of ISRO INSAT-3A Mission
  • INSAT-3A was launched on 10/04/2003.
  • The primary mission objectives are expected to be completed by Around 2016 (12 years planned life).

Timeline & Milestones

Proposal Date

N/A

Critical Design Review (CDR) Date

N/A

Assembly Complete Date

N/A

Launch Date

10/04/2003

Landing / Flyby Date

N/A

End of Primary Mission Date

Around 2016 (12 years planned life)

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ISRO INSAT-3A Mission Technical Specifications

As a Multipurpose: Communication, Meteorology, SAR mission, INSAT-3A was built around a configuration involving Mass 2958 kg; Solar array power 31 kW.INSAT-3A was placed into Geostationary, 935° E longitude, chosen to suit its Multipurpose: Communication, Meteorology, SAR mission requirements.

  • The mission architecture included Transponders (C, Ku, S), VHRR, CCD, DRT, SAS&R that would support both operational needs and scientific data acquisition.
  • C-band, Extended C-band, Ku-band, S-band were utilized as the primary communication channels for INSAT-3A, ensuring connectivity in Geostationary Orbit.
  • The mission adopted Indigenous multipurpose satellite bus to meet its operational and scientific requirements.

Technical Specifications

Spacecraft Technical Specifications

Mass 2958 kg; Solar array power 31 kW

Scientific Payloads

Transponders (C, Ku, S), VHRR, CCD, DRT, SAS&R

Orbit Details

Geostationary, 935° E longitude

Communication Frequencies / Band

C-band, Extended C-band, Ku-band, S-band

Key Technologies Used

Indigenous multipurpose satellite bus

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INSAT-3A Launch Information
  • 10/04/2003 marked the official launch of the INSAT-3A mission.
  • Ariane-5G served as the launch platform for INSAT-3A.
  • The mission was initiated from Kourou, French Guiana.

Launch Information

Launch Vehicle

Ariane-5G

Launch Site

Kourou, French Guiana

Who are the Stakeholders & Collaborators?

According to official information, ISRO were associated with the mission.

  • The mission involved international contributions from Launch by Arianespace, especially in context of Ariane-5G or payload planning.

Stakeholders & Collaboration

Agencies Involved

ISRO

Commercial Partners

N/A

International Partners

Launch by Arianespace

Payload Contributions by Partners

N/A

Data Sharing Policy

N/A

Outputs, Applications & Impact of ISRO INSAT-3A Mission

INSAT-3A is recognized for achieving Enhanced INSAT system capabilities significantly.Among its contributions, INSAT-3A delivered information on Meteorological data, communication services.

  • Multipurpose: Communication, Meteorology, SAR missions like INSAT-3A contribute to awareness of Standard satellite decommissioning procedures.
  • Outputs from INSAT-3A are used in civilian domains, particularly in Communication, broadcasting, meteorology, search & rescue.
  • One of the key policy-aligned outcomes of INSAT-3A is Multipurpose satellite services.
  • Post-mission phases for INSAT-3A may involve scaling up efforts through advanced programs such as INSAT/GSAT series, ensuring sustained benefits and impact.

Outputs, Applications & Impact of INSAT-3A Mission

Data Outputs and Applications

Meteorological data, communication services

Major Achievements

Enhanced INSAT system capabilities significantly

Applications in Civilian Life

Communication, broadcasting, meteorology, search & rescue

Impact on Policy & Global Collaboration

N/A

Environmental Impact & Sustainability

Standard satellite decommissioning procedures

Strategic Significance & Policy Alignment

Multipurpose satellite services

Follow-up Missions or Extensions

INSAT/GSAT series

Cost Estimate

N/A

ISRO INSAT-3A Space Mission Risks, Failures & Mitigation


    Risks, Failures & Mitigation

    Challenges Faced

    N/A

    Risk Mitigation Measures

    N/A

    Failures or Anomalies

    N/A

    Corrective Actions Taken

    N/A

    Lessons Learned

    N/A

    UPSC Relevance of ISRO INSAT-3A Space Mission
    • The UPSC Prelims aspirants benefit from tracking ISRO developments, as topics like launch vehicles, mission objectives, and payload types are common in factual and concept-based questions.
    • Missions like RISAT, Cartosat, and Oceansat illustrate how space technology supports internal security, agriculture, coastal monitoring, and environmental protection, all of which are topics in General Studies papers.
    • ISRO’s space missions offer rich content for UPSC essays on themes like innovation, scientific temper, national self-reliance, or institutional excellence.
    • ISRO’s satellite missions are highly relevant to Geography optional, especially under topics like remote sensing, resource mapping, and environmental monitoring.

    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. Satish Dhawan Space Research Centre is located in which district of Andhra Pradesh?
    1. Nellore
    2. Tirupati
    3. NTR pale Nadu
    4. Prakasam
    Answer: Tirupati
    Solution: The correct answer is Tirupati. Satish Dhawan Space Centre SDSC formerly Sriharikota Range SHAR is the primary spaceport of the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO located in Sriharikota Andhra Pradesh. The Centre currently has two functioning launch pads used for launching Sounding rockets Polar satellites and Geosynchronous satellites. India's Lunar exploration probes Chandrayaan-1 Chandrayaan-2 Chandrayaan-3 Mars Orbiter Mission and solar research mission Aditya-L1 were also launched in SDSC. Originally called Sriharikota Range SHAR the centre was renamed on 5 September 2002 as a tribute to ISRO's former chairman Satish Dhawan with retaining its original acronym and is referred as SDSC-SHAR. It was previously in Nellore. But after district bifurcation it is in Tirupati.

    Q2. Consider the following statement about NISAR:
    1. It is a microwave remote sensing satellite for Earth observation
    2. It is a joint mission of India and USA
    3. Its full form is NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar
    4. It is targeted for launch onboard India’s GSLV
    Which of the statement given above is/are correct?
    1. Only statement 2 and 4
    2. Statement 2 and 3
    3. Only statement 1 3 4
    4. All are correct
    Answer: All are correct
    Solution: The correct answer is All are correct. NISAR is a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization ISRO. NISAR NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar is a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and ISRO. Hence statements 2 and 3 are correct. The mission aims to make global measurements of the causes and consequences of land surface changes using advanced radar imaging. NISAR was conceived in response to the National Academy of Science's 2007 survey of Earth observational priorities which identified gaining data and insight in three Earth science domains as a top priority. Hence statement 1 is correct. ISRO's science community showed great interest in the joint radar mission identifying complementary science and applications such as agricultural monitoring landslide studies Himalayan glacier studies and more. NISAR is targeted for launch onboard India’s GSLV. Hence statement 4 is correct. NISAR will be the first satellite mission to use two different radar frequencies L-band and S-band to measure changes in the Earth's surface less than a centimeter across. The mission is targeted to launch in 2024 with NASA providing the L-band synthetic aperture radar and ISRO providing the spacecraft bus S-band radar launch vehicle and associated launch services.

    Q3. Pragyan is associated with
    1. Missile Technology
    2. Space Research
    3. Oceanography
    4. Climate
    Answer: Space Research
    Solution: The correct answer is Space Research. Pragyan is the name given to the rover of India's Chandrayaan-2 mission which was associated with space research and specifically aimed at exploring the Moon. The mission was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO India's national space agency. The rover was designed to move across the lunar surface and conduct experiments to analyze the moon's soil and rock composition for signs of water and other elements. The mission's objectives were to broaden the understanding of the Moon contributing to lunar scientific studies and demonstrating the capabilities of India in space technology and exploration.

    Q4. The name of the organisations which are associated in the Chandrayan I mission are given below. Identify the wrong one:
    1. ISRO
    2. BARC
    3. NASA
    4. ONGC
    Answer: ONGC
    Solution: The correct answer is ONGC. ONGC Oil and Natural Gas Corporation is a public sector enterprise in India primarily engaged in exploration and production of oil and natural gas. It is not associated with space missions or the Chandrayaan I mission. ONGC focuses on the oil and energy sector with no involvement in space technology or lunar exploration. ISRO Indian Space Research Organisation is the premier space agency of India responsible for the development and launch of the Chandrayaan I mission. BARC Bhabha Atomic Research Centre contributed to the Chandrayaan I mission by developing scientific instruments. NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration collaborated with ISRO on the Chandrayaan I mission by providing instruments like the Moon Mineralogy Mapper M3 which helped in detecting water molecules on the moon’s surface.

    Q5. In which year was India's first interplanetary mission to planet Mars launched successfully?
    1. 2013
    2. 2012
    3. 2016
    4. 2015
    Answer: 2013
    Solution: The correct answer is 2013. India's First Interplanetary Mission to Mars The Mars Orbiter Mission MOM also called Mangalyaan was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO on November 5 2013. Hence option 1 is correct. Mission Objective The primary objective was to develop the technologies required for interplanetary missions. The secondary objective was to explore Mars' surface features morphology mineralogy and atmosphere. Significance Mangalyaan made India the first country to successfully reach Mars on its first attempt and the fourth space agency in the world to do so following NASA the Soviet space program and the European Space Agency.

    Q6. How many operational satellites does India have in Low Earth Orbit LEO as of December 2023?
    1. 10
    2. 22
    3. 30
    4. 50
    Answer: 22 operational satellites
    Solution: The correct answer is 22 operational satellites. India has 22 operational satellites in Low Earth Orbit LEO as of December 2023. Low Earth Orbit LEO is an orbit around Earth with an altitude between 160 kilometers and 2000 kilometers. These satellites serve various purposes including communication earth observation and scientific research. The Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO is responsible for the launch and maintenance of these satellites. LEO satellites are crucial for applications that require low latency and high bandwidth such as imaging and real-time data communication.

    Q7. The launch date of Indian Satellite Kalamsat - V2 is -
    1. 12 January 2018
    2. 24 January 2019
    3. 22 May 2019
    4. 22 July 2019
    Answer: 24 January 2019
    Solution: The correct answer is 24 January 2019. Kalamsat-V2 is a payload developed by students and was launched by ISRO. It was launched on 24 January 2019 aboard the PSLV-C44 mission. Kalamsat-V2 is named after former Indian President and scientist Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. The satellite was developed by students from Space Kidz India a Chennai-based organization. Kalamsat-V2 is the world's lightest satellite weighing just 1.26 kg.

    Q8. The first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray optical and ultraviolet spectral bands simultaneously is:
    1. Chandrayaan-2
    2. Gaganyaan
    3. Astrosat
    4. Cartosat
    Answer: Astrosat
    Solution: The correct answer is Astrosat. Astrosat is India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO. It was launched on 28 September 2015 by the PSLV-C30 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Astrosat is capable of observing celestial objects in X-ray ultraviolet UV and optical spectral bands simultaneously. The satellite has onboard five scientific instruments such as the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope UVIT and Large Area X-ray Proportional Counters LAXPC which allow it to perform multi-wavelength studies.

    Q9. When was India's first satellite launched?
    1. 21st May 1960
    2. 25th January 1950
    3. 13th July 1990
    4. 19th April 1975
    Answer: 19th April 1975
    Solution: The correct answer is 19th April 1975. India's first satellite Aryabhata was launched on 19th April 1975. The satellite was named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata. Aryabhata was launched into space using a Soviet rocket called Intercosmos as India did not have its own satellite launch vehicle at the time. This marked India's entry into the era of space exploration and laid the foundation for the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO as a global player in space technology.

    Q10. Aditya Mission refers to:
    1. India's anti diphtheria program
    2. India's Tourism Promotion Program
    3. Agricultural Extension Program for farmers
    4. India's solar exploration Program
    Answer: India's solar exploration Program
    Solution: The correct answer is India's solar exploration Program. Aditya-L1 Mission is India's first dedicated solar mission aimed at studying the Sun. The mission is being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO. The Aditya-L1 spacecraft will be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange Point 1 L1 which is approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. The mission aims to study the solar corona solar emissions solar wind and magnetic field among other aspects of the Sun. Aditya-L1 will carry seven payloads to observe and measure various properties of the Sun and its environment.

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