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 GSAT-16 Communication Satellite Mission —its objectives, timelines, key technologies, and strategic implications.

ISRO GSAT-16 Communication Satellite Mission Overview

Among ISRO’s various projects, GSAT-16 Communication Satellite mission represents a targeted effort within the domain of Communication.The GSAT-16 Communication Satellite mission was designed to operate in Earth.

• For this mission, GSAT-16 Communication Satellite was placed into orbit using Ariane 5 VA-221.
• Kourou, French Guiana hosted the missions launch activities.
• GSAT-16 Communication Satellite focused primarily on fulfilling the objective of Continuity of communication services.
• Alongside its primary function, GSAT-16 Communication Satellite was expected to Augment INSAT/GSAT system capacity.
• Official sources have listed the mission status as Operational.

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Timeline & Milestones of ISRO GSAT-16 Communication Satellite Mission

• GSAT-16 Communication Satellite was launched on December 7, 2014.
• ISRO has estimated the primary service duration for GSAT-16 to last until Around 2026 (12 year life).

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ISRO GSAT-16 Communication Satellite Mission Technical Specifications

To accommodate its scientific payloads and orbit profile, the spacecraft was configured with I-3K bus, 31816 kg launch mass.The orbital path—Geostationary Orbit (GSO)—was selected based on compatibility with the mission’s launch platform and onboard systems.

• ISRO selected C-band, Ext C-band, Ku-band transponders for GSAT-16 Communication Satellite based on their suitability for deployment in Earth.
• Depending on the altitude and operational coverage of GSAT-16 Communication Satellite, the mission employed C-band, Extended C-band, Ku-band to ensure seamless communication flow.
• The design and execution of GSAT-16 Communication Satellite incorporated features like Communication satellite technology.

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GSAT-16 Communication Satellite Launch Information

• GSAT-16 Communication Satellite was successfully launched on December 7, 2014 by ISRO.
• Ariane 5 VA-221 served as the launch platform for GSAT-16 Communication Satellite.
• The spacecraft was sent into orbit from Kourou, French Guiana.

Who are the Stakeholders & Collaborators?

The mission involved contributions from ISRO.Mission documentation lists Arianespace as commercial collaborators.

Outputs, Applications & Impact of ISRO GSAT-16 Communication Satellite Mission

GSAT-16 Communication Satellite, launched from Kourou, French Guiana, accomplished Largest number of transponders for ISRO satellite then.The mission supported both research and practical applications through its data, including Communication and broadcast services.

• ₹800 crore (approved) was utilized for the overall implementation of GSAT-16 Communication Satellite, including launch from Kourou, French Guiana.
• Television broadcasting, VSAT services, internet services, disaster communication reflects the broader civilian value of GSAT-16 Communication Satellite.
• The mission was conceptualized in line with broader policy directions, including Augmented national communication capacity, service continuity.
• The strategic vision behind GSAT-16 Communication Satellite includes future missions like Continued launches of GSAT series satellites, designed to extend the platform’s capabilities and applications.

ISRO GSAT-16 Communication Satellite Space Mission Risks, Failures & Mitigation

UPSC Relevance of ISRO GSAT-16 Communication Satellite Space Mission

• ISRO missions are frequently asked in the UPSC Prelims examination, especially under the Science and Technology section, where candidates are expected to know key facts like launch dates, objectives, and agencies involved.
• Space missions contribute to economic and social development, and their applications in resource mapping, weather data, and rural connectivity are valid points in UPSC Mains writing.
• Essays discussing India’s transformation or global leadership in science benefit from factual, yet inspirational, references to space milestones.
• Environmental Science and Geography papers can benefit from examples of ISRO’s contributions to disaster management, glacier mapping, and crop estimation.

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. How many Singaporean satellites were launched by ISRO's PSLV-C56 rocket in the DS-SAR mission?
1. 5
2. 6
3. 7
4. 8
Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is 7.

Q2. Which of the following country has become first country to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon's south pole?
1. India
2. Russia
3. China
4. US
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is India.

Q3. What is the name of the satellite to be launched by the SSLV under the commercial mission named Space MAITRI?
1. Janus
2. Artemis
3. Sirius
4. Optimus
Answer: 4
Solution: The correct answer is Optimus.
Key Points: Optimus is the satellite scheduled for launch by SSLV. The launch is part of the first dedicated commercial mission of SSLV. Optimus is designed and built by Australia-based Space Machines Company. It weighs 450 kilograms, making it the largest Australian-designed and built spacecraft to date.

Q4. Which Group Captain of the Indian Air Force is set to become the first Indian astronaut to pilot the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station in 2025?
1. Ajit Krishnan
2. Shubhanshu Shukla
3. Anant Agrahari
4. Angad Prathap
Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is Shubhanshu Shukla.
Key Points: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station in 2025, marking India's first human presence aboard the ISS.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Aditya-L1 mission:
1. Aditya-L1 is India's first mission to study the Sun and is placed at the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 1.
2. The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph aboard Aditya-L1 was developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, to observe coronal mass ejections.
3. The Aditya-L1 mission aims to study the Moon's surface and understand lunar geology.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
1. 1 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 2 and 3 only
Answer: 2
Solution: The correct answer is 3 only. Statement 1 is correct, Statement 2 is correct, and Statement 3 is incorrect.

Q6. The experiment will involve two spacecraft flying in precise formation to produce artificial solar eclipses for studying the Sun's corona. The experiment in question refers to:
1. Voyager-2
2. New Horizons
3. LISA Pathfinder
4. PROBA-3
Answer: 4
Solution: The correct answer is PROBA-3.

Q7. What is the name of the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission, a collaboration with Japan's JAXA which was approved by India's National Space Commission in October 2024?
1. Lupex
2. Mopex
3. SpaceX
4. Moonet
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is Lupex.

Q8. What is the name (acronym) of the software developed by ISRO, through its Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, a Computational Fluid Dynamics tool aimed at facilitating aerodynamic design and analysis for aerospace vehicles?
1. PraVaHa
2. PraNaMa
3. PraYoGa
4. PraViNa
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is PraVaHa.

Q9. Which of the following is the South Asia satellite launched by India for the benefit of SAARC countries except Pakistan?
1. GSAT-7
2. GSAT-8
3. GSAT-9
4. GSAT-9A
Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is GSAT-9.

Q10. Which cosmodrome launched Aryabhatta, the first Indian satellite?
1. American
2. German
3. Soviet
4. French
Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is Soviet.