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-4C Mission —its objectives, timelines, key technologies, and strategic implications.

ISRO INSAT-4C Mission Overview

The Indian space program included INSAT-4C space mission as part of its ongoing focus on Communication applications.The operational profile of INSAT-4C was tailored for Geostationary Orbit (intended).

• ISRO selected the GSLV-F02 to carry the INSAT-4C mission.
• The launch took place at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• The key mission goal of INSAT-4C was to Provide DTH, VSAT services.
• The mission is currently in the stage of Launch Failure.

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Timeline & Milestones of ISRO INSAT-4C Mission

• INSAT-4C was successfully launched on July 10, 2006 by ISRO.
• July 10, 2006 was set as the end-of-life marker for the mission’s primary phase.

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ISRO INSAT-4C Mission Technical Specifications

INSAT-4C adopted a design featuring 2168 kg lift-off mass, I-2K bus, launched successfully via GSLV-F02.

• The mission made use of Ku-band, which are standard for applications in Communication operations.
• INSAT-4C made use of key technologies such as Communication satellite technology.

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INSAT-4C Launch Information

• On July 10, 2006, INSAT-4C was sent into its designated orbit.
• The GSLV-F02 was used to deploy INSAT-4C into space.
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota served as the location for the mission’s liftoff.

Who are the Stakeholders & Collaborators?

ISRO were involved in various phases of the mission.

Outputs, Applications & Impact of ISRO INSAT-4C Mission

• The planning of INSAT-4C involved efforts to manage Debris fell into Bay of Bengal.
• ISRO has noted that INSAT-4C contributes to public services including DTH, communication services (intended).
• One of the key policy-aligned outcomes of INSAT-4C is Communication infrastructure enhancement (intended).
• ISRO is expected to build upon the foundation laid by INSAT-4C through future initiatives such as INSAT-4CR (replacement), aiming to strengthen capabilities in this domain.

ISRO INSAT-4C Space Mission Risks, Failures & Mitigation

GSLV launch vehicle failure affected the early or post-launch phases of INSAT-4C.

• Mission performance assessments showed that Launch vehicle veered off course and disintegrated occurred.
• Operational challenges during INSAT-4C underlined Identified issues with GSLV strap-on motor.

UPSC Relevance of ISRO INSAT-4C Space Mission

• Questions related to recent satellite launches, their functions, and associated orbits often form part of the current affairs-heavy UPSC Prelims syllabus, making ISRO missions a recurring theme.
• 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.
• UPSC Essays focused on resilience, long-term vision, or Indias journey in science and technology can be powerfully anchored in examples like Chandrayaan-2’s setback and the recovery through Chandrayaan-3.
• Anthropology or Sociology students can reference ISRO’s outreach programs and applications for tribal development, education, and telemedicine.

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. Which project is associated with ISRO earned Mylswamy Annadurai, who has joined the Board of Directors at SS Innovations?
1. Mangalyaan-1 Mission
2. Gaganyaan Mission
3. Chandrayaan-1 Mission
4. AstroSat Mission
Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is Chandrayaan-1 Mission. Mylswamy Annadurai, an esteemed scientist known for his contributions to ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 mission, has joined the Board of Directors at SS Innovations. His expertise spans new-age technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and sophisticated engineering projects, all of which are expected to immensely benefit SS Innovations.

Q2. Who received Kalam Award from Madhya Pradesh?
1. Vivaan Gupta
2. Manohar Sharma
3. Ajay Rawat
4. K. Mohammad
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is Vivaan Gupta. Vivaan Gupta received the Kalam Award from Madhya Pradesh for creating Chandrayaan Mission's GSLV Mk III rocket and ISRO Model Rover in the shortest time. He set a world record by solving the maximum number of questions in 1 minute and 23 seconds.

Q3. Who is not in the four astronaut-designates selected for India's Gaganyaan mission as revealed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Feb 2024?
1. P Balakrishnan Nair
2. Ajit Krishnan
3. Angad Pratap
4. Rajneesh Kumar
Answer: 4
Solution: The correct answer is Rajneesh Kumar. Rajneesh Kumar is not in the four astronaut-designates selected for India's Gaganyaan mission as revealed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Feb 2024. The selected astronauts underwent a year-long training course in Russia's Zvyozdny Gorodok city and are now familiarizing themselves with the mission's intricacies at ISRO.

Q4. When was Chandrayaan-1 launched?
1. 22 October 2018
2. 22 October 2006
3. 22 October 2008
4. 22 October 2010
Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is 22 October 2008. ISRO launched the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft in 2008, which was India's first mission to the moon. It was uniquely equipped to confirm the presence of solid ice on the moon and findings indicated the presence of hematite at the lunar poles.

Q5. What is the name of the Reusable Launch Vehicle that the Indian Space Research Organisation successfully landed at the Aeronautical Test Range in Karnataka's Challakere?
1. Warbird
2. Saraswati
3. Vimaan
4. Pushpak
Answer: 4
Solution: The correct answer is Pushpak. ISRO successfully carried out the landing mission of its Reusable Launch Vehicle named Pushpak at Karnataka's Challakere. The mission is part of ISRO's efforts to develop essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle, enabling low-cost access to space.

Q6. Which team received the Vigyan Team Award for their contribution to India's space program?
1. Team Mangalyaan
2. Team Gaganyaan
3. Team Chandrayaan-2
4. Team Chandrayaan-3
Answer: 4
Solution: The correct answer is Team Chandrayaan-3. Team Chandrayaan-3 was recognized with the Vigyan Team Award for their exceptional contribution to India's space program, particularly noted for the successful moon landing mission.

Q7. Consider the following statements about India's upcoming Venus Orbiter Mission:
1. It will be India's first interplanetary mission after the Mars Orbiter Mission launched in 2013.
2. The mission aims to land on the surface of Venus to conduct experiments.
3. The mission will use aero-braking to lower the orbiter's altitude for conducting scientific experiments.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, and 3
Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is option 3. The Venus Orbiter Mission will be India's second interplanetary mission after the Mars Orbiter Mission. The mission is designed to study Venus from orbit and will not attempt to land on its surface. The mission will indeed use aero-braking to reduce the orbiter's altitude for conducting scientific experiments.

Q8. When was the Indian Satellite Earth Observation Satellite-3 (EOS-3) which is a remote sensing satellite, launched?
1. 28th February, 2021
2. 3rd March, 2021
3. 12th August, 2021
4. 11th December, 2020
Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is 12th August, 2021. The Earth Observation Satellite-3 was launched on 12th August, 2021. It aims to provide near real-time imaging of large areas at frequent intervals, which is crucial for disaster management and monitoring agricultural activities.

Q9. Which statement is correct about the RISAT-2BRI?
1. This is the 60th flight of PSLV
2. PSLV successfully launched RISAT-2BR1 along with commercial satellites of 6 other countries
3. The satellite was injected in the orbit on the republic day
4. Satellite will provide services in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Disaster Management
Answer: 4
Solution: The correct answer is Satellite will provide services in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Disaster Management. RISAT-2BR1 is a radar imaging earth observation satellite developed by ISRO, providing high-resolution images in all weather conditions crucial for applications in agriculture, forestry, and disaster management.

Q10. The term AlSi10Mg, recently seen in the news, refers to:
1. A lightweight, heat-resistant aluminium alloy used in aerospace and space robotics
2. A new propulsion fuel blend for reusable launch vehicles
3. An experimental high-speed communication satellite developed by ISRO
4. A lithium-based energy storage material used in electric spacecraft systems
Answer: 1
Solution: The correct answer is A lightweight, heat-resistant aluminium alloy used in aerospace and space robotics. ISRO recently finalized the skull design for Vyomitra, a female half-humanoid to be launched on its uncrewed Gaganyaan mission in 2025. The skull was built using AlSi10Mg alloy.