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Space & ISRO

IBPS PO · General Awareness

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Core Concept

Read this first — the foundation of the topic

→Core Concept

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is India's national space agency established in 1969. It conducts satellite launches, space missions, and develops space technology for national development. Space questions cover satellites, rockets, missions, and basic space science

→Launch Vehicles

PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) 2

→Satellites

Communication, weather, navigation, and remote sensing satellites 3

→Space Centers

Thumba (Kerala), Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Bengaluru (Karnataka) 4

→Major Missions

Chandrayaan (Moon), Mangalyaan (Mars), Gaganyaan (Human spaceflight)

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Exam Patterns

What examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

📋Common patterns include

1

Apply 3-6-24 rule

2

12 hours falls between 6-12 hours range

3

This is Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Answer: MEO satellite, commonly used for navigation systems like GPS Worked Example 2: ISRO Mission Timeline Question: Which came first - Chandrayaan-1 or Mangalyaan?

1

Recall mission years using mnemonic 'Chan-Man' (2008-2013)

2

Chandrayaan-1 launched in 2008

3

Mangalyaan launched in 2013

4

Time gap = 5 years Answer: Chandrayaan-1 came 5 years before Mangalyaan Exam Shortcut - ISRO Success Mnemonic: Use 'CHAMP' for major ISRO achievements: C - Chandrayaan (Moon mission, 2008) H - Heavy satellites (GSLV capability) A - Aryabhatta (First Indian satellite, 1975) M - Mangalyaan (Mars mission, 2013) P - PSLV (Workhorse rocket) Launch Vehicle Memory Trick: PSLV = Polar = Lighter satellites (up to 1750 kg to Sun-synchronous orbit) GSLV = Geosynchronous = Heavier satellites (up to 5000 kg to GTO) Space Center Location Trick: Thumb-a (Kerala) = Where it all began (first rocket launch) Srihari-kota = Satellite launching (both start with 'S') Bengal-uru = Brain center (ISRO headquarters) Common Mistake #1: Students confuse PSLV and GSLV capabilities

💡Remember

PSLV is the 'workhorse' for lighter satellites and polar orbits. GSLV handles heavy communication satellites for geostationary orbits. Many students pick GSLV for all satellite launches - this is wrong. PSLV has higher success rate and launches most satellites

💡Critical Exam Tips

Focus on recent missions (last 5 years) - high probability questions 2. Remember exact years for Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Gaganyaan 3. Know the difference between rockets (PSLV/GSLV) and satellites (INSAT/IRS series) 4. Practice satellite orbit classification using the 3-6-24 rule International Space Facts: NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), CNSA (China) are major space agencies.

International Space Station orbits Earth every 90 minutes. Moon is 384,400 km from Earth. Mars mission window opens every 26 months due to orbital mechanics.

🔑 Key Points

ISRO established in 1969, headquarters in Bengaluru
PSLV for polar orbits, GSLV for geostationary orbits - don't confuse
Satellite orbit formula: LEO<3hrs, MEO 6-12hrs, GEO=24hrs exactly
Chandrayaan-1 (2008), Mangalyaan (2013), Gaganyaan (upcoming human mission)
Aryabhatta was India's first satellite launched in 1975
Thumba (Kerala) - first rocket launch center in India
Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) - main satellite launch center
PSLV success rate over 95%, called India's workhorse rocket
Mars mission windows occur every 26 months due to orbital alignment
International Space Station completes orbit in 90 minutes

📌 Exam Facts

ISRO was established on 15 August 1969
Aryabhatta, India's first satellite, was launched on 19 April 1975
Chandrayaan-1 was launched on 22 October 2008
Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) was launched on 5 November 2013
PSLV first successful flight was on 15 October 1994
Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station is located in Kerala
Satish Dhawan Space Centre is located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
Gaganyaan is India's first crewed spaceflight program planned for 2024-25

🚀 60-Second Revision

Remember: ISRO founded 1969, first satellite Aryabhatta 1975
Formula: LEO<3hrs, MEO 6-12hrs, GEO=24hrs for satellite classification
Trap: Don't confuse PSLV (polar, lighter) with GSLV (geostationary, heavier)
Key years: Chandrayaan 2008, Mangalyaan 2013, Gaganyaan upcoming
Locations: Thumba (first launch), Sriharikota (main center), Bengaluru (HQ)
Remember: Mars windows every 26 months, ISS orbits in 90 minutes
Focus: Recent missions get more questions than historical facts

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