| Mission (Country/Agency) | Target, Launch, Status | Key Points (Point-wise) |
|---|---|---|
| Chandrayaan-1 (India – ISRO) | Target: MoonLaunch: October 2008Status: Successful | • Objective: Mapping the lunar surface and searching for water molecules.• First Indian mission to the Moon.• Technology: Lunar Orbiter carrying multiple international payloads.• Payloads included Moon Impact Probe (MIP), Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC), Moon Mineralogy Mapper (NASA).• Discovered evidence of water molecules on the lunar surface, a landmark achievement. |
| Chandrayaan-2 (India – ISRO) | Target: Moon (South Polar Region)Launch: July 2019Status: Partially SuccessfulFAILED: Vikram lander lost communication during soft landing due to failure in final descent guidance and control. Orbiter remains operational. | • Objective: Soft landing, rover exploration and lunar orbital observations.• Technology: Orbiter + Vikram Lander + Pragyan Rover.• Payload: CHACE-2 on orbiter studied lunar exosphere.• First direct observation of Sun (CME) affecting the lunar exosphere through CHACE-2 (reported in 2025).• Orbiter continues scientific observations with seven payloads. |
| Chandrayaan-3 (India – ISRO) | Target: Moon South PoleLaunch: July 2023Status: Successful | • Objective: Demonstrate safe soft landing and rover mobility near the lunar south pole.• Technology: Vikram Lander + Pragyan Rover with improved landing system.• Rover: Pragyan conducted in-situ elemental analysis on the lunar surface.• India became the first country to achieve a soft landing near the Moon's south pole.• Strengthened India's capability for future lunar exploration. |
| Chandrayaan-4 (India – ISRO) | Target: Moon (Sample Return Mission)Launch: Planned (Future)Status: Under Development | • Objective: India's first Lunar Sample Return Mission.• Technology: Requires in-space docking (SpaDeX technology) and multiple spacecraft architecture.• Will collect lunar samples and return them safely to Earth.• Dependent on docking capability demonstrated through SpaDeX.• Major stepping stone toward advanced lunar exploration. |
| Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX (India–Japan : ISRO + JAXA) | Target: Lunar South Pole (Permanently Shadowed Region)Government Approval: March 2025Status: Under Development | • Objective: Study lunar water ice and volatile materials near Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs).• Technology: Joint ISRO–JAXA mission, ISRO Lander + JAXA Rover, in-situ drilling and subsurface analysis.• Rover will drill below the lunar surface to analyse water content directly.• Scientific payloads from ISRO, JAXA, ESA and NASA; planned launch on JAXA's H3-24L rocket from Tanegashima Space Center.• PM Narendra Modi highlighted LUPEX during the India–Japan Summit (29 August 2025) as a symbol of India–Japan space cooperation and human progress in space exploration. |
| Mission (Country/Agency) | Target, Launch, Status | Key Points (Point-wise) |
|---|---|---|
| Gaganyaan (India – ISRO) | Target: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)Human Mission Target: 2027Status: Under Development | • Objective: Send 3 Indian astronauts into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for up to 3 days and safely recover them.• Technology: Human-Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-III (HLMV-III/LVM3), Crew Escape System, Crew Module, Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS), Parachute Recovery System.• Three uncrewed missions planned before the crewed mission to validate all systems.• Multi-agency programme involving ISRO, DRDO, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.• PM Narendra Modi announced the vision of an Indian astronaut landing on the Moon by 2040, making Gaganyaan the foundation of India's human space programme. |
| TV-D2 (India – ISRO) | Target: Crew Escape System ValidationLaunch: Planned (Before G1)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Validate the Crew Escape System under flight conditions.• Technology: Abort Demonstration System to rapidly separate the crew module during emergencies.• Tests launch abort capability and astronaut safety mechanisms.• Provides critical validation before uncrewed orbital flights.• Essential milestone for human-rating India's launch vehicle. |
| Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) (India – ISRO) | Target: Crew Recovery SystemCompleted: 2025Status: Successful | • Objective: Validate safe splashdown and astronaut recovery after re-entry.• Technology: Two Drogue Parachutes + Pilot Chutes + Three Main Parachutes for controlled descent.• Conducted jointly by ISRO, DRDO, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.• Demonstrated end-to-end parachute deployment sequence.• Major milestone in validating India's human space recovery capability. |
| G1 Uncrewed Mission (India – ISRO) | Target: Low Earth OrbitLaunch: Planned (First Uncrewed Flight)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Validate all spacecraft systems before sending astronauts.• Technology: Complete Gaganyaan spacecraft operating without a human crew.• Will carry Vyommitra to simulate astronaut operations.• Tests avionics, environmental systems and orbital performance.• One of the most important qualification missions before the crewed flight. |
| Vyommitra (India – ISRO) | Mission ComponentStatus: Ready for Uncrewed Missions | • Objective: Simulate human presence during Gaganyaan test flights.• Technology: Half-Humanoid Robot capable of interacting with spacecraft systems.• Performs experiments and monitors cabin environment.• Assesses life-support and crew interface systems.• Reduces mission risk before astronauts are flown. |
| 65-ft Gaganyaan Launch Vehicle Model (India) | Location: B.M. Birla Science Centre, HyderabadUnveiled: October 2025 | • Objective: Promote public awareness and STEM education.• Technology Display: One-third scale model of HLMV-III.• Demonstrates engineering behind India's first human spaceflight mission.• Encourages students to pursue careers in space science.• Educational outreach initiative supporting the Gaganyaan programme. |
| Axiom-4 Mission (International / ISRO Support) | Target: International Space Station (ISS)Status: Mission Supported | • Objective: Commercial human mission to the ISS.• Technology: Falcon-9 Human Spaceflight System.• ISRO provided technical support by helping resolve a LOX leakage issue before launch (as mentioned in the input).• Demonstrates India's growing role in international human spaceflight.• Strengthens global confidence in ISRO's technical expertise. |
| Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) (India – ISRO) | Target: Indian Space StationTimeline: Future ProgrammeStatus: Planned | • Objective: Establish India's own modular space station in Earth orbit.• Technology: Space Docking, Modular Assembly, Human Spaceflight Infrastructure.• Depends on technologies demonstrated by SpaDeX and Gaganyaan.• Will support long-duration human missions and scientific research.• Key milestone in India's long-term space exploration roadmap. |
| Mission (Country/Agency) | Target, Launch, Status | Key Points (Point-wise) |
|---|---|---|
| EOS-09 / PSLV-C61 (India – ISRO) | Target: Earth ObservationLaunch: May 2025Status: FAILEDReason: Technical anomaly in the Third Stage (PS3) Solid Rocket Motor prevented orbit insertion. | • Objective: High-resolution Earth observation for agriculture, disaster management, surveillance and national security.• Technology: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) enabling all-weather, day-night imaging.• Payload: EOS-09 (≈1700 kg) carrying SAR.• Planned orbit: Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) (~597 km).• Mission designed as a debris-free mission, supporting ISRO's space sustainability initiative. |
| EOS-N1 / PSLV-C62 (India – ISRO) | Target: Earth ObservationLaunch: January 2026 (Planned)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Strategic Earth imaging and remote sensing applications.• Technology: Earth Observation Imaging Satellite for surveillance and mapping.• Will also carry payloads from Indian start-ups and academic institutions.• Launch from First Launch Pad (FLP), SDSC Sriharikota.• First PSLV mission after the PSLV-C61 setback. |
| NISAR (India–USA : ISRO–NASA) | Target: Earth ObservationLaunch: July 2025Status: Successful | • Objective: Global monitoring of climate change, natural disasters, forests, glaciers, agriculture and land deformation.• Technology: Dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (L-band + S-band SAR)—first mission of its kind.• Joint mission between ISRO and NASA.• Provides near real-time disaster and environmental data.• One of the world's most advanced Earth observation radar satellites. |
| OceanSat-3A (India – ISRO) | Target: Ocean ObservationLaunch: Planned (PSLV-C63)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Ocean monitoring, fisheries, weather and climate applications.• Technology: Advanced Ocean Colour & Ocean Observation Sensors.• Supports marine resource management and coastal monitoring.• Successor in India's OceanSat programme.• Planned launch through PSLV-C63. |
| CMS-02 (India – ISRO) | Target: CommunicationLaunch: Planned (LVM3-M5)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Expand India's communication satellite capacity.• Technology: Communication Satellite Payload.• Planned launch using LVM3-M5.• Supports strategic and civilian communication infrastructure.• Part of ISRO's 2025–26 launch calendar. |
| GSAT-1A (India – ISRO) | Target: CommunicationLaunch: Planned (GSLV-F18)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: National communication services.• Technology: Advanced Communication Payloads.• Launch vehicle: GSLV-F18.• Strengthens India's satellite communication network.• Supports telecom, broadcasting and strategic communications. |
| CMS-03 / GSAT-7R (India – ISRO) | Target: Defence CommunicationLaunch: November 2025Status: Successful | • Objective: Secure communication for the Indian Navy across the Indian Ocean Region.• Technology: Heaviest communication satellite launched by an Indian rocket (LVM3).• Payload: Multiband Naval Communication System.• Supports ships, submarines, aircraft and Maritime Operations Centres.• Demonstrated Cryogenic Stage Re-ignition capability for future complex missions. |
| BlueBird Block-2 (USA – AST SpaceMobile / ISRO Launch) | Target: Direct-to-Mobile CommunicationLaunch: December 2025 (LVM3-M6)Status: Successful | • Objective: Provide direct cellular broadband connectivity to ordinary smartphones without satellite phones.• Technology: Largest Commercial Phased Array Antenna (223 m²) deployed in Low Earth Orbit.• Payload: BlueBird Block-2 Communication Satellite.• Commercial launch under NSIL–AST SpaceMobile agreement.• Demonstrates ISRO's capability to launch very heavy commercial LEO satellites. |
| NVS-03 (India – ISRO) | Target: NavigationLaunch: Planned (GSLV-F17)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Strengthen India's independent navigation system.• Technology: Next-generation Navigation Satellite for positioning services.• Supports strategic and civilian navigation.• Planned launch aboard GSLV-F17.• Part of ISRO's future navigation satellite constellation. |
| Mission (Country/Agency) | Target, Launch, Status | Key Points (Point-wise) |
|---|---|---|
| PSLV-C58 / XPoSat + POEM-3 (India – ISRO) | Launch: January 2024Status: Successful | • Objective: Launch XPoSat and demonstrate POEM-3 as an orbital experimental platform.• Technology: PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-3) – reuses the spent PS4 stage with 3-axis stabilization.• Payload: 10 experimental payloads from ISRO and IN-SPACe.• Demonstrated cost-effective in-orbit technology testing.• Strengthened participation of startups and research institutions. |
| PSLV-C59 / PROBA-3 (India – ISRO + ESA) | Launch: December 2024Status: Successful | • Objective: Launch ESA's PROBA-3 satellites to study the Sun's corona.• Technology: Precision Formation Flying creating an artificial solar eclipse in orbit.• Payload: Two PROBA-3 spacecraft (CSC & OSC).• Satellites maintain millimetre-level precision during flight.• Reinforced ISRO's reputation as a reliable international launch provider. |
| SpaDeX / PSLV-C60 (India – ISRO) | Launch: December 2024Status: Successful (Docking Demonstrated) | • Objective: Demonstrate rendezvous, docking and undocking of two satellites in Low Earth Orbit.• Technology: Bharatiya Docking System (BDS), Inter-Satellite Communication, GNSS-based Relative Orbit Determination, Autonomous Docking Algorithms.• Payload: SDX-01 (Chaser) and SDX-02 (Target) (~220 kg each).• India became the 4th country after USA, Russia and China to master satellite docking technology.• Critical for Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4 sample return and Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). |
| POEM-4 (PSLV-C60) (India – ISRO) | Launch: December 2024Status: Successful | • Objective: Convert the spent PS4 stage into an orbital laboratory for scientific experiments.• Technology: Reusable Orbital Experimental Platform with power, navigation and telemetry support.• Payload: 24 experiments, including 10 Non-Government Entity (NGE) payloads.• Hosted university, startup and ISRO experiments in microgravity.• Reduced cost of in-orbit experimentation for academia and private industry. |
| PSLV-C60 – Technology Demonstration Payloads (India – ISRO) | Launch: December 2024Status: Successful | • Objective: Demonstrate advanced technologies for future missions.• Technology: Robotic Debris Capture Arm, Astrobiology Experiments, Space Agriculture, Microgravity Research.• Payloads included CROPS, RV-SAT1, APEMS, robotic manipulator and student experiments.• India's first astrobiology payloads flown into space.• Supports future long-duration human missions. |
| PSLV-C61 / EOS-09 (India – ISRO) | Launch: May 2025Status: FAILEDReason: Third-stage (PS3) solid rocket motor anomaly. | • Objective: Deploy EOS-09 into Sun-Synchronous Orbit.• Technology: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Earth Observation Satellite.• First two stages performed normally.• Third-stage anomaly prevented orbital insertion.• Led to detailed review before subsequent PSLV missions. |
| SpaDeX-2 (India – ISRO) | Launch: Planned (2025–26)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Demonstrate satellite docking in an elliptical orbit.• Technology: Elliptical Orbit Docking, advanced sensors, autonomous navigation and AI-assisted orbital calculations.• Builds on SpaDeX success in circular orbit.• Required for fuel-efficient lunar transfer missions and Chandrayaan-4.• Supports assembly of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. |
| PSLV-N1 – First Privately Realised PSLV (India) | Launch: Planned (2025–26)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Demonstrate India's first privately manufactured PSLV mission.• Technology: Electric Propulsion, Quantum Communication, Indigenous Atomic Clock, 30+ Technology Demonstrations.• Payload: Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS-1).• Built by an Industry Consortium (HAL–L&T) under ISRO guidance.• Major milestone in India's space sector reforms and privatization. |
| Mission (Country/Agency) | Target, Launch, Status | Key Points (Point-wise) |
|---|---|---|
| XPoSat / PSLV-C58 (India – ISRO) | Target: X-ray AstronomyLaunch: January 2024Status: Successful | • Objective: Study the polarisation and spectroscopy of X-rays emitted by black holes, neutron stars, pulsars and other cosmic sources.• Technology: India's First Dedicated X-ray Polarimetry Satellite.• Payloads: POLIX (Raman Research Institute) & XSPECT (URSC).• POLIX measures X-ray polarisation (8–30 keV); XSPECT performs spectroscopy (0.8–15 keV).• Strengthens India's capability in high-energy astrophysics and complements global space observatories. |
| PROBA-3 (ESA – Launched by ISRO) | Target: Sun's CoronaLaunch: December 2024Status: Successful | • Objective: Observe the solar corona for extended durations by creating an artificial solar eclipse in space.• Technology: Precision Formation Flying with millimetre-level accuracy (first mission of its kind).• Payload: Two satellites – Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and Occulter Spacecraft (OSC).• Satellites fly 150 m apart, blocking sunlight for nearly 6 hours per orbit.• Selected PSLV due to high reliability, precision and cost-effectiveness. |
| CHACE-2 Observation (India – Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter) | Target: Lunar ExosphereObservation: May 2024 (Reported in 2025)Status: Successful Scientific Observation | • Objective: Study the lunar exosphere and its interaction with solar activity.• Technology: CHACE-2 (Chandra's Atmospheric Composition Explorer-2) onboard the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter.• First Direct Observation of the impact of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on the Moon's exosphere.• Confirmed that solar eruptions temporarily increase neutral particles around the Moon.• Important for planning future lunar habitats and astronaut safety. |
| Aditya-L1 (India – ISRO) (Referenced in Input) | Target: Sun (L1 Point)Status: Operational | • Objective: Study the Sun's atmosphere, solar wind and space weather.• Technology: India's First Dedicated Solar Observatory positioned at the Lagrange Point (L1).• As per the input, 13 terabits of solar data have already been supplied to scientists.• Helps improve prediction of solar storms and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).• Supports both scientific research and satellite safety. |
| Mission (Country/Agency) | Target, Launch, Status | Key Points (Point-wise) |
|---|---|---|
| HTV-X1 Cargo Mission (Japan – JAXA) | Target: International Space Station (ISS)Launch: October 2025Status: Successful | • Objective: Deliver supplies, scientific equipment and return waste from the ISS.• Technology: HTV-X1, successor to Kounotori (HTV) with power supply during flight, 6-month ISS attachment and 3-month independent orbital operation.• Payload: Cargo, scientific experiments and biological samples.• Launched aboard H3 Rocket, Japan's new flagship launch vehicle.• Supports future Artemis Programme and Lunar Gateway logistics. |
| ISSA-J1 (Japan – Astroscale Japan / ISRO Launch) | Target: Space Situational Awareness (SSA)Launch: Planned – Spring 2027Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Detect, inspect and monitor space debris in Low Earth Orbit.• Technology: Rendezvous, Proximity Operations (RPO) and In-situ Space Situational Awareness (SSA).• Payload: ISSA-J1 inspection satellite.• First time a Japanese company procured an entire PSLV for a dedicated commercial launch.• Strengthens India–Japan space cooperation and India's commercial launch market. |
| Dhruva Space – HORUS Hosted Payload Mission (India–France) | Target: Satellite Navigation & Attitude DeterminationLaunch: Planned – 2026Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Demonstrate advanced satellite orientation and navigation technology.• Technology: HORUS Star Tracker integrated on P-30 Nano Satellite Platform.• Payload: HORUS Star Tracker developed by Sodern (Airbus Defence & Space).• Builds upon subsystems validated in LEAP-TD (PSLV-C58 POEM).• Enhances India–France cooperation and private space capability. |
| PSLV-C60 – Rudra Green Propulsion (India – Bellatrix Aerospace) | Launch: January 2025Status: Successful | • Objective: Demonstrate India's indigenous Green Propulsion System in orbit.• Technology: Green Monopropellant Propulsion replacing toxic hydrazine (first indigenous high-performance green propulsion demonstration).• Payload: Rudra Propulsion System on POEM-4.• Achieved successful firing with precise orbital control.• Positions Bellatrix as a global propulsion technology provider. |
| RVSat-1 (India – RV College of Engineering) | Launch: January 2025Status: Successful | • Objective: Study behaviour of gut bacteria in microgravity.• Technology: India's First Student-led Microbiology Experiment in Space.• Payload: Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron with prebiotic studies.• Supports astronaut health research for Gaganyaan and deep-space missions.• Demonstrates growing role of academic institutions in space research. |
| POEM-4 Student & Startup Payloads (India) | Launch: December 2024Status: Successful | • Objective: Provide low-cost orbital testing platform for startups and universities.• Technology: Reusable Orbital Experimental Platform (POEM-4).• Payloads included RV-SAT1, CROPS, APEMS, Robotic Debris Capture System and several startup experiments.• Facilitated through IN-SPACe.• Strengthened India's commercial and innovation ecosystem. |
| Dror-1 Communication Satellite (Israel – IAI / SpaceX) | Target: Communication ServicesLaunch: July 2025Status: Successful | • Objective: Provide next-generation national communication services for Israel.• Technology: Digital Communication Payload with "Smartphone in Space" architecture.• Payload: Dror-1 (4.5-ton satellite) with Israel's largest communication antennas.• Launched aboard Falcon-9; booster completed its 13th flight.• Designed for approximately 15 years of operational service. |
| BlueBird Block-2 (USA – AST SpaceMobile / ISRO Launch) | Target: Direct-to-Mobile BroadbandLaunch: December 2025Status: Successful | • Objective: Deliver 4G/5G connectivity directly to ordinary smartphones.• Technology: 223 m² Phased Array Antenna (Largest Commercial LEO Communication Antenna).• Payload: BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite.• Commercial launch by LVM3-M6 under NSIL–AST SpaceMobile agreement.• Strengthens ISRO's position in the global commercial launch market. |
| Mission / Launch Vehicle (Country/Agency) | Target, Launch, Status | Key Points (Point-wise) |
|---|---|---|
| PSLV (India – ISRO) | First Launch: September 1993 (PSLV-D1)Status: Operational | • Objective: Launch Earth Observation, Navigation, Scientific and Interplanetary Missions into Polar & Sun-Synchronous Orbits (SSO).• Technology: Four-stage launch vehicle (Solid–Liquid–Solid–Liquid) with multiple configurations (Core Alone, DL, QL, XL).• Successfully launched Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, SpaDeX, XPoSat, Proba-3 and numerous foreign satellites.• Workhorse Launch Vehicle of ISRO with 60+ successful launches (as per input).• Commercial launches handled through NSIL. |
| PSLV-C58 (India – ISRO) | Launch: January 2024Status: Successful | • Objective: Launch XPoSat and demonstrate POEM-3.• Technology: Reusable PS4 Stage (POEM-3) with 3-axis stabilization.• Payload: XPoSat + 10 experimental payloads.• Demonstrated orbital experimentation using spent rocket stage.• Supported ISRO and startup technology validation. |
| PSLV-C59 (India – ISRO) | Launch: December 2024Status: Successful | • Objective: Launch ESA's PROBA-3 mission.• Technology: PSLV-XL Configuration for precise orbital injection.• Payload: Two PROBA-3 satellites.• Enabled precision formation-flying mission.• Strengthened India–Europe commercial launch cooperation. |
| PSLV-C60 (India – ISRO) | Launch: December 2024Status: Successful | • Objective: Launch SpaDeX and POEM-4 experiments.• Technology: Bharatiya Docking System (BDS) and POEM-4 Orbital Platform.• Payloads: SDX-01, SDX-02 + 24 POEM payloads.• Enabled India's first successful satellite docking mission.• Critical for Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4 and BAS. |
| PSLV-C61 (India – ISRO) | Launch: May 2025Status: FAILEDReason: Third-stage (PS3) Solid Rocket Motor anomaly | • Objective: Launch EOS-09 Earth Observation Satellite.• Technology: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload mission.• First and second stages functioned normally.• Third-stage anomaly prevented orbital insertion.• Triggered detailed technical review before future PSLV launches. |
| PSLV-N1 (India – ISRO + Industry Consortium) | Launch: Planned (2025–26)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: First industry-manufactured PSLV.• Technology: Electric Propulsion, Quantum Communication, Indigenous Atomic Clock, 30+ Technology Demonstrations.• Payload: Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS-1).• Built by HAL–L&T Consortium under ISRO guidance.• Major milestone in India's space sector reforms. |
| PSLV-C62 (India – ISRO) | Launch: January 2026 (Planned)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Launch EOS-N1 Earth Observation Satellite.• Technology: Advanced Earth observation platform.• Carries startup and academic payloads.• First PSLV mission after the PSLV-C61 failure.• Launch from First Launch Pad (FLP), SDSC. |
| GSLV (India – ISRO) | Status: Operational | • Objective: Launch heavy communication and navigation satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).• Technology: Cryogenic Upper Stage.• Used for missions including NVS-03, GSAT series (as per input roadmap).• Higher payload capacity than PSLV for GTO missions.• Supports strategic communication infrastructure. |
| LVM3 / HLMV-III (India – ISRO) | Status: Operational | • Objective: Launch heavy satellites, Gaganyaan, commercial payloads and lunar missions.• Technology: Heavy-Lift Three-Stage Launch Vehicle with cryogenic upper stage.• Successfully launched Chandrayaan-3, CMS-03, BlueBird Block-2 (as referenced in input).• Human-rated version powers Gaganyaan.• India's most powerful operational launch vehicle. |
| NGLV (India – ISRO) | Status: Under Development | • Objective: Replace PSLV/GSLV for future heavy-lift missions.• Technology: Reusable LOX–Methane Engines, heavy-lift architecture with 11 methane engines.• Designed for human missions, lunar missions and Bharatiya Antariksh Station.• Supports larger payloads with improved efficiency.• Will be operated from the Third Launch Pad at SDSC. |
| H3 Rocket (Japan – JAXA) | Operational: 2025 onwards | • Objective: Japan's next-generation launch vehicle.• Technology: Liquid Hydrogen–Liquid Oxygen Cryogenic Propulsion.• Launches HTV-X1 and planned LUPEX (Chandrayaan-5) mission.• Replaced the H-IIA rocket.• Improves Japan's commercial launch competitiveness. |
| Falcon 9 (USA – SpaceX) | Operational | • Objective: Commercial satellite, cargo and crew launches.• Technology: Reusable First Stage Booster.• Launched Dror-1 satellite (as per input).• Also supports Axiom human space missions.• Global benchmark in reusable launch systems. |
| Mission (Country/Agency) | Target, Launch, Status | Key Points (Point-wise) |
|---|---|---|
| Discoverer-13 (USA) | Target: Earth OrbitLaunch: August 1960Status: Successful | • Objective: Demonstrate orbital capsule recovery and re-entry technology.• Technology: First successful recovery of a human-made object from orbit.• Payload: Recovery capsule carrying the American flag.• Later declassified as part of the CORONA reconnaissance programme.• Foundation for modern sample-return missions and reusable spacecraft. |
| Discoverer-14 (USA) | Target: Earth OrbitLaunch: August 1960Status: Successful | • Objective: Conduct photographic reconnaissance during the Cold War.• Technology: Film-return reconnaissance satellite.• Payload: High-resolution reconnaissance camera.• Returned exposed film safely to Earth.• Marked the beginning of space-based strategic intelligence (IMINT). |
| CORONA Programme (USA) | Duration: 1959–1972Status: Completed | • Objective: Strategic photographic reconnaissance of the Soviet Union and China.• Technology: Film-return spy satellites before the digital imaging era.• Enabled global imagery intelligence (IMINT).• Replaced risky U-2 reconnaissance flights.• Declassified in 1995. |
| International Space Station (ISS) (Referenced in Input) | Target: Low Earth OrbitStatus: Operational | • Objective: Conduct long-duration microgravity research and international cooperation.• Technology: Modular permanently crewed space station.• Receives cargo through HTV-X1 and commercial spacecraft.• Supports biology, medicine, material science and technology demonstrations.• Serves as a testbed for future Moon and Mars missions. |
| HTV-X1 Logistics Mission (Japan – JAXA) | Target: ISSLaunch: October 2025Status: Successful | • Objective: Deliver cargo and scientific equipment to the ISS.• Technology: Next-generation cargo spacecraft with extended orbital capability.• Payload: Scientific equipment, biological samples and ISS supplies.• Can remain attached to ISS for up to 6 months.• Supports future Lunar Gateway logistics under the Artemis programme. |
| Bharatiya Antariksh Station (India – ISRO) | Target: Low Earth OrbitTimeline: Future ProgrammeStatus: Planned | • Objective: Establish India's first modular space station.• Technology: Modular orbital assembly using satellite docking technology.• Depends on SpaDeX, Gaganyaan and future docking missions.• Will support long-duration human missions and scientific research.• Key component of India's long-term space roadmap. |
| Robotic Debris Capture Demonstration (India – ISRO) | Mission: POEM-4 (PSLV-C60)Launch: December 2024Status: Successful | • Objective: Demonstrate capture of space debris in orbit.• Technology: Robotic Manipulator, Visual Servoing and Motion Prediction Algorithms.• Payload: Robotic arm with tethered debris target.• Supports future Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions.• Improves sustainability of Earth's orbital environment. |
| ISSA-J1 (Japan – Astroscale / ISRO Launch) | Target: Space Debris MonitoringLaunch: Spring 2027 (Planned)Status: Upcoming | • Objective: Inspect and monitor large debris objects in orbit.• Technology: Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Rendezvous & Proximity Operations (RPO).• Payload: ISSA-J1 inspection satellite.• Supports collision avoidance and safe space operations.• First dedicated PSLV launch procured by a Japanese private company. |
| Mission / Country | Year / Status | Key Firsts / Record (Max 5 Points) |
|---|---|---|
| Discoverer-13 (USA) | 1960Successful | • First human-made object recovered from orbit.• Technology: Orbital recovery capsule.• Part of CORONA Programme.• Basis of modern sample-return missions.• Precursor to reusable spacecraft. |
| Chandrayaan-1 (India) | 2008Successful | • First Indian Moon Mission.• First evidence of water molecules on Moon.• Technology: Moon Impact Probe (MIP).• International payloads including NASA instruments.• Established India as a lunar exploration nation. |
| Chandrayaan-2 (India) | 2019Partially Successful | • Orbiter continues to function.• CHACE-2 later recorded first direct observation of CME impact on lunar exosphere.• Vikram lander failed during landing.• Technology validated for future missions.• Foundation for Chandrayaan-3. |
| Chandrayaan-3 (India) | 2023Successful | • First country to soft-land near the Lunar South Pole.• Technology: Vikram Lander & Pragyan Rover.• Demonstrated indigenous precision landing.• Boosted India's lunar programme.• Enabled future sample-return plans. |
| XPoSat (India) | 2024Successful | • India's First X-ray Polarimetry Mission.• Payloads: POLIX & XSPECT.• Studies black holes and neutron stars.• High-energy astrophysics mission.• Complements global X-ray observatories. |
| PROBA-3 (ESA / ISRO Launch) | 2024Successful | • World's First Precision Formation Flying Solar Mission.• Creates an Artificial Solar Eclipse.• Two satellites fly with millimetre accuracy.• Studies solar corona.• PSLV selected for high precision. |
| SpaDeX (India) | 2024–25Successful | • India became the 4th nation to master satellite docking.• Technology: Bharatiya Docking System (BDS).• Required for BAS & Chandrayaan-4.• Enabled orbital power transfer.• Supports future human missions. |
| POEM-4 (India) | 2024Successful | • Largest orbital experimental platform used by ISRO.• 24 payloads, including 10 private payloads.• First robotic debris capture experiment.• First Indian astrobiology payloads.• Encouraged startups and universities. |
| RVSat-1 (India) | 2025Successful | • India's First Student-led Space Microbiology Experiment.• Studies gut bacteria in microgravity.• Supports astronaut health.• Payload on POEM-4.• Academic space research milestone. |
| Rudra Propulsion (India) | 2025Successful | • India's First High-Performance Green Propulsion Demonstration.• Uses Green Monopropellant.• Alternative to Hydrazine.• Developed by Bellatrix Aerospace.• Supports sustainable propulsion. |
| NISAR (India–USA) | 2025Successful | • World's First Dual-Frequency (L & S Band) SAR Mission.• Joint NASA–ISRO mission.• Climate and disaster monitoring.• Advanced Earth observation.• Near real-time data generation. |
| CMS-03 (India) | 2025Successful | • Heaviest Communication Satellite launched by an Indian rocket.• LVM3 mission.• Supports Indian Navy.• Demonstrated Cryogenic Stage Re-ignition.• Strategic communication capability. |
| BlueBird Block-2 (USA / ISRO Launch) | 2025Successful | • Largest Commercial Phased Array Antenna in LEO.• Direct smartphone connectivity.• Commercial LVM3 launch.• Global broadband coverage.• Major commercial launch milestone. |
| Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX (India–Japan) | Upcoming | • First India–Japan Lunar Exploration Mission.• Technology: ISRO Lander + JAXA Rover.• Lunar drilling for water ice.• South Pole exploration.• PM Narendra Modi highlighted the mission during the India–Japan Summit. |
| Gaganyaan (India) | 2027 (Planned) | • India's First Human Spaceflight Mission.• Three-member crew.• Human-rated LVM3.• Vyommitra onboard uncrewed mission.• Foundation for future Moon missions. |
| Technology / Capability | Mission(s) | Key UPSC Point |
|---|---|---|
| Human Spaceflight | Gaganyaan | India's first crewed space mission |
| Human-rated Launch Vehicle | Gaganyaan (HLMV/LVM3) | Human certification of launch vehicle |
| Satellite Docking | SpaDeX, SpaDeX-2 | India became 4th nation with docking capability |
| Docking in Elliptical Orbit | SpaDeX-2 | First Indian demonstration planned for elliptical-orbit docking |
| Power Transfer Between Satellites | SpaDeX | Demonstrated after docking |
| Composite Spacecraft Control | SpaDeX | Docked satellites operated as one spacecraft |
| Sample Return Technology | Chandrayaan-4 | Lunar sample return mission |
| Lunar Water Exploration | Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) | Water ice exploration in Permanently Shadowed Regions |
| Lunar Drilling | Chandrayaan-5 | JAXA rover will drill beneath lunar surface |
| Autonomous Rover Navigation | Chandrayaan-5 | Rover searches for water autonomously |
| Soft Landing Technology | Chandrayaan-3 | First landing near Moon's south pole |
| Orbital Experimental Platform | POEM-3, POEM-4 | Reuse of PSLV fourth stage |
| Space Debris Capture | POEM-4 | First Indian robotic debris capture experiment |
| Satellite Servicing | SpaDeX, ISSA-J1 | Rendezvous and inspection technologies |
| Space Situational Awareness (SSA) | ISSA-J1 | Space debris monitoring and collision avoidance |
| Formation Flying | PROBA-3 | Millimetre-level precision between satellites |
| Artificial Solar Eclipse | PROBA-3 | Long-duration solar corona observation |
| X-ray Polarimetry | XPoSat | India's first dedicated X-ray polarization mission |
| X-ray Spectroscopy | XPoSat | XSPECT payload |
| Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) | EOS-09, NISAR | All-weather day-night Earth observation |
| Dual-frequency SAR | NISAR | World's first L & S Band SAR mission |
| Earth Observation | EOS-09, EOS-N1, OceanSat-3A | Mapping, agriculture, disaster management |
| Ocean Observation | OceanSat-3A | Marine monitoring |
| Navigation Satellites | NVS-03 | Navigation services |
| Communication Satellites | CMS-03, GSAT-1A | Strategic communication |
| Direct-to-Mobile Satellite Internet | BlueBird Block-2 | Smartphone connectivity from space |
| Green Propulsion | Rudra | Green monopropellant replacing hydrazine |
| Electric Propulsion | PSLV-N1 / TDS-1 | Future deep-space propulsion |
| Quantum Communication | PSLV-N1 | Secure next-generation communication |
| Atomic Clock | PSLV-N1 | Indigenous timing technology |
| Star Tracker | HORUS (Dhruva Space) | Satellite attitude determination |
| Microgravity Biology | RVSat-1 | Gut microbiome research |
| Space Agriculture | CROPS, APEMS | Plant growth in microgravity |
| Astrobiology | RV-SAT1 | India's first student astrobiology payload |
| Cryogenic Stage Re-ignition | CMS-03 | Enables complex multi-orbit missions |
| Heavy Lift Capability | LVM3 | Human missions and heavy satellites |
| Reusable Orbital Infrastructure | POEM | Cost-effective experimentation platform |
| Private Rocket Manufacturing | First Private PSLV | HAL–L&T consortium under ISRO |
| Commercial Launch Services | NSIL Missions | International satellite launches |
| Launch Vehicle Commercialisation | PSLV-C59, C60, C62, LVM3-M6 | Global launch market expansion |
| Moon South Pole Exploration | Chandrayaan-3, Chandrayaan-5 | Strategic lunar exploration |
| Space Sustainability | EOS-09, ISSA-J1 | Debris mitigation and orbital safety |
| Mission (Country/Agency) | Target Year / Launch (Status) | Key Points (Max 5 Points) |
|---|---|---|
| Chandrayaan-2 (India – ISRO) | Launched: July 2019 • Orbiter Successful • Vikram Lander Failed (Reason: Loss of communication during soft landing) | • Objective: Study lunar surface, exosphere & south polar region.• Payload: CHACE-2 observed Sun's (CME) effect on the lunar exosphere for the first time (reported 2025).• Rover: Pragyan (did not operate due to lander failure).• Technology: Orbiter remote sensing, lunar atmospheric studies.• Foundation for later Chandrayaan missions. |
| Chandrayaan-3 (India – ISRO) | Launched: July 2023 • Successful | • Objective: Demonstrate soft landing and rover operations near the Moon's south pole.• Rover: Pragyan.• Technology: Precision autonomous landing & rover mobility.• India became the first country to soft-land near the lunar south pole.• Strengthened India's lunar exploration capability. |
| Chandrayaan-4 (India – ISRO) | Target: 2027 (Preparation phase) | • Objective: India's first Lunar Sample Return Mission.• Technology: Sample collection, docking & return technology (enabled by SpaDeX).• Payload: Lunar sample return system.• Critical step before future human lunar missions.• Mentioned repeatedly in ISRO's roadmap after SpaDeX success. |
| Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX (India–Japan : ISRO + JAXA) | Approved: March 2025 • Planned Launch: On JAXA H3-24L • Mission Ongoing | • Objective: Search for water ice & lunar volatiles in Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSR).• Technology: Autonomous heavy rover + drilling + in-situ water analysis.• Rover: JAXA Rover (~350 kg); Lander: ISRO.• Scientific payloads from ISRO, JAXA, NASA & ESA.• PM Narendra Modi highlighted the mission during the India–Japan Summit (2025) as a symbol of bilateral cooperation. |
| Mission (Country / Agency) | Target Year / Launch (Status) | Key Points (Max 5 Points) |
|---|---|---|
| Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM / Mangalyaan) – India (ISRO) | Launched: November 2013 • Mars Orbit Insertion: September 2014 • Successful | • Objective: Study the Martian surface, atmosphere, morphology and mineral composition; demonstrate interplanetary mission capability.• Payloads: Mars Colour Camera (MCC), Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM), Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS), Lyman-Alpha Photometer (LAP), MENCA (Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser).• Technology: India became the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit and the first country to do so on its maiden attempt.• Launch Vehicle: PSLV-XL (C25).• Established ISRO as a major interplanetary space agency. |
| Mars Orbiter Mission-2 (Mangalyaan-2) – India (ISRO) (Planned) | Under Planning (Launch year not finalised) | • Objective: Expand scientific exploration of Mars beyond the first orbiter mission.• Technology (Expected): Advanced remote sensing, improved scientific payloads and long-duration orbital operations.• Planned to build upon experience gained from MOM.• May include more sophisticated atmospheric and surface studies.• Represents India's continued Mars exploration roadmap. |
| Mission (Country / Agency) | Target Year / Launch (Status) | Key Points (Max 5 Points) |
|---|---|---|
| Aditya-L1 (India – ISRO) | Launched: September 2023 • Operational (2024–Present) | • Objective: Study the Sun's corona, chromosphere, photosphere, solar wind and space weather from the Lagrange Point L1.• Payloads: VELC, SUIT, SoLEXS, HEL1OS, ASPEX, PAPA, Magnetometer.• Technology: India's first dedicated solar observatory at L1, enabling continuous solar observation without Earth's eclipses.• According to your input, the mission has already delivered 13 terabits of solar data to the scientific community.• Supports space weather forecasting and satellite protection. |
| PROBA-3 (Europe – ESA) | Launched: December 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Study the Sun's corona by creating an artificial solar eclipse in space.• Technology: First precision formation-flying mission using two satellites flying 150 m apart with millimetre accuracy.• Payloads: Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) & Occulter Spacecraft (OSC).• Launched aboard ISRO PSLV-XL (PSLV-C59) from Sriharikota.• Demonstrates India's reliability for high-precision international launches. |
| Mission (Country / Agency) | Target Year / Launch (Status) | Key Points (Max 5 Points) |
|---|---|---|
| XPoSat (India – ISRO) | Launched: January 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Study X-ray polarisation and high-energy cosmic sources (black holes, neutron stars, pulsars).• Payloads: POLIX (Raman Research Institute) & XSPECT (URSC).• Technology: India's first dedicated X-ray Polarimetry Mission.• POEM-3 carried 10 experimental payloads after satellite deployment.• Strengthened India's space astronomy capability. |
| EOS-09 / PSLV-C61 (India – ISRO) | Launch: May 2025 • ❌ FAILED (Reason: Third-stage solid rocket motor anomaly) | • Objective: Earth observation for agriculture, disaster management, surveillance and strategic applications.• Payload: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite.• Technology: All-weather, day-night radar imaging from Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO).• Planned as a debris-free mission for space sustainability.• ISRO's 101st mission. |
| EOS-N1 / PSLV-C62 (India – ISRO) | Target Launch: January 2026 • Planned | • Objective: Strategic Earth Observation imaging mission.• Payload: EOS-N1 imaging satellite.• Technology: Earth observation for mapping, surveillance and disaster response.• Also carries startup & academic payloads.• First ISRO launch of 2026; follows PSLV-C61 failure. |
| OceanSat-3A (India – ISRO) | Planned: 2025–26 (PSLV-C63) | • Objective: Observe oceans, weather, fisheries and marine ecosystems.• Technology: Advanced ocean colour and environmental monitoring sensors.• Supports fisheries, cyclone forecasting and climate studies.• Strengthens India's ocean observation network.• Part of ISRO's 2025–26 launch roadmap. |
| NISAR (India–USA : ISRO + NASA) | Launch: July 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Monitor Earth's land surface, glaciers, forests, agriculture, earthquakes and disasters.• Technology: World's first dual-frequency SAR (L-band + S-band) mission.• Payloads jointly developed by NASA & ISRO.• Provides near real-time climate and disaster data.• Major milestone in India–USA space cooperation. |
| Mission (Country / Agency) | Target Year / Launch (Status) | Key Points (Max 5 Points) |
|---|---|---|
| Gaganyaan (India – ISRO) | Target Human Flight: 2027 • Preparation Ongoing | • Objective: Send a 3-member Indian crew to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for about 3 days and ensure safe recovery.• Technology: India's first Human Spaceflight Mission, Human-Rated LVM3 (HLMV-III), Crew Escape System, Crew Module, Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS).• Payload/Crew: Vyommitra (half-humanoid robot) in uncrewed missions.• Three uncrewed validation missions (G1, G2, G3) planned before the crewed flight.• India's flagship human space programme. |
| Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) – Gaganyaan | Completed: 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Validate safe astronaut recovery after re-entry.• Technology: Parachute-based Crew Recovery System.• Tested 2 drogue parachutes, pilot chutes and 3 main parachutes.• Jointly conducted by ISRO, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, DRDO and Indian Coast Guard.• Critical milestone for crew safety certification. |
| TV-D2 (Test Vehicle Demonstration-2) | Planned | • Objective: Validate Crew Escape System under flight conditions.• Technology: Emergency abort capability for astronaut safety.• Supports certification before G1 mission.• One of the major qualification missions before human flight.• Improves reliability of Gaganyaan. |
| G1 Uncrewed Mission (India – ISRO) | Planned: 2025–26 | • Objective: First complete uncrewed Gaganyaan mission.• Technology: End-to-end validation of crew module, life-support and recovery systems.• Payload: Vyommitra humanoid robot.• Tests orbital operations before astronauts fly.• Major precursor to the crewed mission. |
| Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) – India (ISRO) | Target: 2035 | • Objective: Establish India's own modular space station in Low Earth Orbit.• Technology: Space docking, modular assembly and long-duration human habitation.• Enabled by SpaDeX docking technology.• Supports long-duration scientific experiments and future lunar missions.• Forms part of India's long-term human spaceflight roadmap. |
| HTV-X1 (Japan – JAXA) | Launched: October 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).• Technology: Next-generation cargo spacecraft with longer docking duration and independent orbital operations after ISS departure.• Payload: Cargo, biological samples and scientific equipment.• Launched by H3 Rocket from Tanegashima Space Center.• Successor to the HTV (Kounotori) cargo spacecraft. |
| Mission (Country / Agency) | Target Year / Launch (Status) | Key Points (Max 5 Points) |
|---|---|---|
| PSLV-C58 / POEM-3 / XPoSat (India – ISRO) | Launched: January 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Conduct technology demonstration experiments after XPoSat deployment.• Technology: POEM-3 (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module) converted the spent PS4 stage into an orbital laboratory with 3-axis stabilization.• Payloads: 10 experimental payloads from ISRO & IN-SPACe.• Demonstrated reusability of the PSLV fourth stage.• Enabled low-cost in-orbit technology testing. |
| SpaDeX (India – ISRO) | Launched: December 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Demonstrate rendezvous, docking and undocking of two satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).• Technology: India's first in-space docking mission using the Bharatiya Docking System (BDS).• Payload: SDX-01 (Chaser) & SDX-02 (Target) (~220 kg each).• Also demonstrated power transfer and composite spacecraft control.• Made India the 4th country to master satellite docking. |
| PSLV-C60 / POEM-4 (India – ISRO) | Launched: December 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Use the PSLV fourth stage as an orbital laboratory for scientific and technology experiments.• Technology: 24 hosted payloads, including 10 from Non-Government Entities (NGEs) through IN-SPACe.• Payloads: RVSat-1, APEMS, CROPS, robotic debris capture system and others.• Demonstrated public–private collaboration in orbital research.• Expanded India's space innovation ecosystem. |
| Rudra Green Propulsion Demonstration (Bellatrix Aerospace – India) | Tested: January 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Demonstrate an indigenous green propulsion system in orbit.• Technology: Green Monopropellant Propulsion, replacing toxic hydrazine.• Payload: Rudra propulsion system onboard POEM-4.• Achieved successful in-orbit firing and precise attitude control.• Major milestone for India's private space propulsion capability. |
| RVSat-1 (RV College of Engineering – India) | Launched: December 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Study the behaviour of gut bacteria in microgravity.• Technology: India's first student-led microbiology/space biology experiment in orbit.• Payload studied Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron with prebiotics.• Supports astronaut health research for long-duration missions.• Hosted on POEM-4. |
| CROPS & APEMS (India) | Launched: December 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Study plant growth in microgravity for future space agriculture.• Technology: Space agriculture and orbital plant biology.• Payloads examined Spinacia oleracea (spinach) callus growth.• Supports sustainable life-support systems for human spaceflight.• Hosted on POEM-4. |
| SpaDeX-2 (India – ISRO) | Planned: 2025–26 | • Objective: Demonstrate docking in an elliptical orbit.• Technology: India's first elliptical-orbit docking, requiring dynamic real-time navigation and autonomous guidance.• Builds on SpaDeX success in circular orbit.• Essential for Chandrayaan-4, Bharatiya Antariksh Station and deep-space missions.• Features improved indigenous sensors and AI-assisted docking algorithms. |
| Mission / Launch Vehicle (Country / Agency) | Target Year / Launch (Status) | Key Points (Max 5 Points) |
|---|---|---|
| PSLV-C58 / XPoSat (India – ISRO) | Launched: January 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Launch India's first X-ray Polarimetry satellite.• Technology: POEM-3 reused the spent PS4 stage as an orbital platform.• Payload: XPoSat + 10 experimental payloads.• Demonstrated dual-use launch capability (satellite + orbital lab).• Reinforced PSLV's versatility. |
| PSLV-C59 / PROBA-3 (India–ESA) | Launched: December 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Launch ESA's PROBA-3 solar mission.• Technology: Precision deployment of two formation-flying spacecraft.• Payload: Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) & Occulter Spacecraft (OSC).• Strengthened India's commercial launch reputation.• Demonstrated PSLV-XL reliability for international missions. |
| PSLV-C60 / SpaDeX (India – ISRO) | Launched: December 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Launch SpaDeX and 24 POEM-4 payloads.• Technology: Satellite docking demonstration and orbital experimentation.• Payloads included SDX-01, SDX-02 and multiple scientific experiments.• Enabled India's first in-space docking mission.• Major milestone for future human spaceflight. |
| PSLV-C61 / EOS-09 (India – ISRO) | Launch: May 2025 • ❌ FAILED (Reason: Third-stage solid rocket motor anomaly) | • Objective: Launch Earth Observation Satellite EOS-09.• Technology: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Earth observation.• Planned debris-free mission.• Failure occurred after successful first and second stage operations.• ISRO initiated detailed failure analysis. |
| First Privately Manufactured PSLV (PSLV-N1) – India | Target: 2025–26 | • Objective: First PSLV manufactured by HAL–L&T Consortium under ISRO guidance.• Technology: Privatisation of launch vehicle manufacturing.• Payload: Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS-1) with electric propulsion, quantum payloads and indigenous atomic clock.• Marks a major Atmanirbhar Bharat milestone.• Opens industry-led rocket production. |
| PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 (India – ISRO) | Target Launch: January 2026 | • Objective: Launch strategic Earth Observation satellite.• Technology: Imaging satellite plus startup & academic payloads.• First PSLV mission after C61 failure.• First ISRO launch of 2026.• Demonstrates continuity of launch programme. |
| LVM3-M6 (India – ISRO / NSIL) | Launch: December 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Launch BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite.• Technology: Heavy-lift launch for Direct-to-Mobile broadband satellite.• Payload: BlueBird Block-2 (AST SpaceMobile).• Largest commercial communication satellite launched into LEO by ISRO.• Major commercial mission under NSIL. |
| CMS-03 / GSAT-7R (India – ISRO) | Launch: November 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Launch India's heaviest indigenous communication satellite for the Indian Navy.• Technology: Cryogenic stage re-ignition, heavy-lift capability using LVM3.• Payload: CMS-03 (GSAT-7R).• Demonstrated strategic autonomy in heavy satellite launches.• Supports maritime communication. |
| H3 Rocket / HTV-X1 (Japan – JAXA) | Launch: October 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Deliver cargo to the ISS.• Technology: Japan's next-generation H3 launch vehicle replacing H-IIA.• Payload: HTV-X1 cargo spacecraft.• Enhances Japan's commercial launch competitiveness.• Supports ISS logistics. |
| H3-24L / Chandrayaan-5 (Japan – JAXA) | Planned | • Objective: Launch Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX.• Technology: Heavy launch vehicle for lunar exploration.• Payload: ISRO lander + JAXA rover.• Launch from Tanegashima Space Center.• Demonstrates India–Japan cooperation. |
| Falcon 9 (USA – SpaceX) | Multiple 2025 Missions • Successful | • Objective: Launch communication satellites including Dror-1 and support commercial missions.• Technology: Reusable first-stage booster.• Payloads: Dror-1 and other commercial satellites.• Booster successfully landed after launch.• Global benchmark for reusable launch systems. |
| NGLV (India – ISRO) | Under Development | • Objective: Replace PSLV and GSLV for future heavy-lift missions.• Technology: LOX–Methane engines, modular architecture and reusable design concepts.• Designed for Gaganyaan, lunar missions and Bharatiya Antariksh Station.• Around 93 m tall with ~1000-tonne lift-off mass.• Represents India's next-generation launch capability. |
| Mission (Country / Agency) | Target Year / Launch (Status) | Key Points (Max 5 Points) |
|---|---|---|
| PSLV-C59 / PROBA-3 (India–Europe : ISRO + ESA) | Launched: December 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Study the Sun's corona through prolonged artificial solar eclipses.• Technology: World's first precision formation-flying coronagraph mission using two satellites (150 m apart).• Payloads: Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) & Occulter Spacecraft (OSC).• Launched by ISRO's PSLV-XL from Sriharikota.• Strengthened India–EU commercial launch cooperation. |
| NISAR (India–USA : ISRO + NASA) | Launched: July 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Global monitoring of land deformation, forests, glaciers, agriculture and disasters.• Technology: World's first dual-frequency SAR mission (L-band + S-band).• Payloads jointly developed by NASA & ISRO.• Provides near real-time climate and disaster information.• One of the largest India–USA space collaborations. |
| Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX (India–Japan : ISRO + JAXA) | Approved: 2025 • Planned | • Objective: Search for lunar water ice and polar volatiles in Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs).• Technology: Heavy autonomous rover + drilling + in-situ water analysis.• ISRO: Lander • JAXA: Rover • Scientific payloads from ISRO, JAXA, NASA & ESA.• PM Narendra Modi highlighted the mission during the India–Japan Summit (2025).• Symbol of advanced India–Japan strategic cooperation. |
| ISSA-J1 (Japan – Astroscale Japan + NSIL) | Planned Launch: 2027 | • Objective: Improve Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and inspect orbital debris.• Technology: Rendezvous, proximity operations and debris inspection.• Payload: ISSA-J1 satellite.• First dedicated Japanese commercial satellite launched on an Indian PSLV.• Major India–Japan commercial launch partnership. |
| HTV-X1 (Japan – JAXA) | Launched: October 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Deliver cargo and scientific supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).• Technology: Next-generation ISS cargo spacecraft with extended orbital operations.• Payload: Scientific equipment, biological samples and logistics cargo.• Launched by H3 rocket.• Successor to the HTV (Kounotori) spacecraft. |
| BlueBird Block-2 (USA – AST SpaceMobile / NSIL) | Launched: December 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Provide Direct-to-Smartphone satellite broadband globally.• Technology: Largest commercial phased-array communication satellite in Low Earth Orbit.• Payload: BlueBird Block-2.• Launched by ISRO LVM3-M6 under a commercial agreement through NSIL.• Demonstrated India's heavy commercial launch capability. |
| Dror-1 (Israel – IAI) | Launched: July 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Strengthen Israel's communication infrastructure.• Technology: Digital communication payload ("Smartphone in Space") with agile communications.• Payload: Dror-1 communication satellite.• Launched by SpaceX Falcon 9.• Replaces the AMOS satellite series. |
| HORUS Hosted Payload Mission (India–France) | Planned: 2026 | • Objective: Demonstrate the HORUS Star Tracker in orbit.• Technology: High-precision star tracker for satellite attitude determination.• Payload: HORUS developed by Sodern (France) hosted on Dhruva Space P-30 platform.• Enhances India–France space technology cooperation.• Supports autonomous satellite navigation. |
| Mission / Organisation (Country) | Target Year / Status | Key Points (Max 5 Points) |
|---|---|---|
| PSLV-C58 / POEM-3 (India – ISRO + IN-SPACe) | January 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Open orbital experimentation to startups and academia.• Technology: POEM-3 orbital platform using the spent PSLV fourth stage.• Hosted 10 experimental payloads.• IN-SPACe facilitated participation of non-government entities.• Reduced cost of access to space technology validation. |
| PSLV-C60 / POEM-4 (India – ISRO + IN-SPACe) | December 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Demonstrate India's expanding private space ecosystem.• Technology: 24 hosted payloads, including 10 from Non-Government Entities (NGEs).• Payloads from startups, universities and research institutions.• Enabled in-orbit technology qualification without building independent satellites.• Strengthened public-private collaboration. |
| Bellatrix Aerospace – Rudra Propulsion (India) | January 2025 • Successful | • Objective: Demonstrate indigenous green propulsion in orbit.• Technology: Green Monopropellant replacing toxic hydrazine.• Payload: Rudra High Performance Green Propulsion System.• Achieved successful orbital firing onboard POEM-4.• Major milestone for Indian private propulsion technology. |
| RVSat-1 (RV College of Engineering, India) | December 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Study gut microbiome behaviour in microgravity.• Technology: India's first student-led microbiology experiment in orbit.• Payload studied Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron.• Supports astronaut health research.• Hosted aboard POEM-4. |
| APEMS & CROPS (India) | December 2024 • Successful | • Objective: Study plant growth in microgravity.• Technology: Space agriculture and orbital plant biology.• Payload investigated Spinacia oleracea (spinach) callus growth.• Important for long-duration human missions.• Hosted on POEM-4. |
| Dhruva Space – HORUS Hosted Mission (India–France) | 2026 • Planned | • Objective: Validate HORUS Star Tracker in orbit.• Technology: High-precision star tracker for satellite attitude determination.• Payload hosted on Dhruva's P-30 nanosatellite platform.• Collaboration with Sodern (France).• Demonstrates global integration of Indian private space companies. |
| First Privately Manufactured PSLV (HAL–L&T Consortium) | 2025–26 • Planned | • Objective: Manufacture PSLV outside ISRO.• Technology: First industry-built PSLV under ISRO supervision.• Payload: Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS-1).• Includes Electric Propulsion, Quantum Payload, Indigenous Atomic Clock.• Landmark under Atmanirbhar Bharat and space sector reforms. |
| NSIL Commercial Missions (India) | 2024–26 • Ongoing | • Objective: Commercialize ISRO launch services globally.• Technology: Commercial launch contracts and technology transfer.• Missions include PROBA-3, BlueBird Block-2, ISSA-J1, OneWeb launches.• Enhances India's share in the global launch market.• Commercial arm of ISRO. |
| IN-SPACe (India) | Operational | • Objective: Promote private participation in India's space sector.• Technology: Regulatory approval, launch access and orbital testing support.• Facilitated 10 NGE payloads on POEM-4.• Supports startups, MSMEs and universities.• Key institution under India's space reforms. |
| Mission (Country / Agency) | Space Object Associated | Benefit / Purpose of Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Discoverer-13 (USA) | Earth Orbit | First human-made object recovered from orbit; foundation for capsule recovery and sample-return missions. |
| PSLV-C58 / XPoSat (India – ISRO) | X-ray sources (Black Holes, Neutron Stars, Pulsars) | India's first X-ray polarimetry mission; studies polarization and spectroscopy of cosmic X-rays. |
| Proba-3 (ESA) / PSLV-C59 (India Launch) | Sun (Corona) | Artificial solar eclipse using formation flying to study the solar corona continuously. |
| SpaDeX / PSLV-C60 (India) | Low Earth Orbit | Demonstrates indigenous satellite docking technology for future space stations and lunar missions. |
| POEM-4 Experiments (India) | Low Earth Orbit | Provides low-cost orbital platform for start-ups, universities and technology demonstrations. |
| PSLV-C60 Green Propulsion (India) | Low Earth Orbit | Demonstrates indigenous green propulsion and microbiology experiments in space. |
| PSLV-C61 / EOS-09 (India) | Earth Observation | Intended for all-weather Earth observation using Synthetic Aperture Radar (mission failed). |
| EOS-09 Mission (India) | Earth | Disaster monitoring, agriculture, surveillance, mapping through SAR imaging. |
| NISAR (NASA–ISRO) | Earth | Global monitoring of forests, glaciers, earthquakes, disasters and climate change. |
| Chandrayaan-4 (India) | Moon | India's first Lunar Sample Return Mission; enables lunar sample collection and return. |
| Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX (India–Japan) | Moon (South Pole) | Search and analyse lunar water ice and volatile resources for future human missions. |
| SpaDeX-2 (India) | Earth Orbit | Demonstrates docking in elliptical orbit for complex deep-space missions. |
| Dhruva Space Hosted Payload (India–France) | Earth Orbit | Demonstrates hosted payloads and advanced star tracker technology. |
| Gaganyaan G1 & Test Missions (India) | Low Earth Orbit | Validates systems before India's first human spaceflight. |
| CMS-03 / GSAT-7R (India) | Earth Orbit | Secure naval communication and maritime surveillance. |
| LVM3-M6 / BlueBird Block-2 (India–USA) | Low Earth Orbit | Direct satellite-to-mobile broadband communication worldwide. |
| HTV-X1 (Japan) | International Space Station (ISS) | Cargo resupply, biological experiments and ISS logistics. |
| Dror-1 (Israel) | Geostationary Orbit | National communication satellite with digital payload. |
| ISSA-J1 (Japan, launched by India) | Earth Orbit | Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and orbital debris inspection. |
| PSLV-N1 / TDS-1 (India) | Earth Orbit | Demonstrates electric propulsion, quantum communication and indigenous technologies. |
| PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 (India) | Earth | Strategic Earth observation and imaging satellite. |
| LVM3-M5 (India) | Communication Orbit | Launch of CMS-02 communication satellite. |
| GSLV-F17 (India) | Navigation | Launch of NVS-03 navigation satellite. |
| PSLV-C63 / Oceansat-3A (India) | Ocean | Ocean observation, fisheries, climate and weather studies. |
| GSLV-F18 (India) | Communication | Launch of GSAT-1A communication satellite. |
| SSLV Missions (India) | Low Earth Orbit | Affordable small satellite launches and commercial missions. |