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-7 Mission —its objectives, timelines, key technologies, and strategic implications.

ISRO GSAT-7 Mission Overview

GSAT-7, classified as a Communication (Military), was intended to serve specific technical and operational functions.ISRO positioned GSAT-7 in Geostationary Orbit to meet its operational goals.

• Ariane-5 VA215 served as the launch platform for GSAT-7.
• The vehicle was launched from Kourou, French Guiana.
• The main aim of GSAT-7 centered on the need to Provide communication services for Indian Navy.
• Supporting long-term development, GSAT-7 worked toward Network-centric warfare capabilities in addition to its main objective.
• At this point, the mission remains Operational.

Get Free Materials for UPSC Preparation by Testbook!

Timeline & Milestones of ISRO GSAT-7 Mission

• The mission timeline of GSAT-7 began with its launch on August 30, 2013.

Checkout: Daily UPSC Current Affairs for your upcoming exam and get thorough with detailed Insights, Trends and Latest Developments for UPSC CSE Exam

ISRO GSAT-7 Mission Technical Specifications

Key subsystems and architecture of GSAT-7 were built around 2650 kg lift-off mass, I-2K bus.The choice of Geosynchronous Orbit, 74° East longitude aligned with the mission’s overall strategy for scientific observation and technical validation.

• To support telemetry, tracking, and command operations, INSAT-4F used UHF, C-band, Ku-band.
• ISRO employed Naval communication payloads to carry out the mission’s objectives in Geostationary Orbit.

Download UPSC Previous Year Question Paper PDFs for UPSC Prelims & Mains!

GSAT-7 Launch Information

• The scheduled launch date for GSAT-7 was August 30, 2013.
• GSAT-7 was launched aboard the Ariane-5 VA215.
• Kourou, French Guiana hosted the missions launch activities.

Who are the Stakeholders & Collaborators?

ISRO, Indian Navy were involved in various phases of the mission.The mission involved commercial support from Arianespace (Launch).

• The mission involved international contributions from Launch by European company, especially in context of Ariane-5 VA215 or payload planning.
• The communication and storage protocols for data collected during INSAT-4F are aligned with Classified.

Outputs, Applications & Impact of ISRO GSAT-7 Mission

GSAT-7, launched from Kourou, French Guiana, accomplished First dedicated military communication satellite for Navy.Among its contributions, GSAT-7 delivered information on Secure communication for naval operations.

• GSAT-7 holds strategic value as it aligns with national goals such as Secure communication for Indian Navy, maritime surveillance.
• Planned missions including GSAT-7R (replacement), other dedicated military satellites are anticipated to carry forward the objectives and advancements initiated during INSAT-4F.

ISRO GSAT-7 Space Mission Risks, Failures & Mitigation

UPSC Relevance of ISRO GSAT-7 Space Mission

• Regular updates from sources like PIB, ISRO press releases, and current affairs magazines help aspirants stay updated on mission statuses for accurate UPSC Prelims preparation.
• ISRO missions are highly relevant to UPSC Mains, particularly in GS Paper III, where candidates must understand the role of space technology in development, disaster management, communication, and governance.
• Real-life stories of scientists, mission delays, and persistent problem-solving offer examples of ethical leadership and perseverance under constraints.
• 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.

Enroll in our UPSC Civil Services Exam (Prelims) 2026 Mock Test Series for targeted practice, realistic exam simulation, and strategic insights.

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. Given his noteworthy accomplishments, particularly with the Chandrayaan-1 mission, Annadurai's association with SS Innovations is seen as a significant development for the company.

Q2. Consider the following about Astrosat:
1. It is India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory.
2. Recently it has successfully detected its 600th Gamma-ray Burst (GRB), an event named GRB 231122B.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is option 3. Astrosat is indeed India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, and it has successfully detected its 600th Gamma-ray Burst (GRB), an event named GRB 231122B.

Q3. 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. He received the Kalam Award from Madhya Pradesh for his exceptional achievement in space technology.

Q4. 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. He is not among the four astronaut-designates selected for India's Gaganyaan mission.

Q5. 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.

Q6. Which among the following institutions recently tested CE-20 Cryogenic Engine?
1. PRL (Physics Research Laboratory)
2. HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited)
3. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization)
4. DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization)
Answer: 3
Solution: The correct answer is ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization). ISRO has accomplished a major milestone in the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine that powers the cryogenic stage of the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle for Gaganyaan missions.

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, and it will use aero-braking to reduce the orbiter's altitude for conducting scientific experiments. However, it will not attempt to land on the surface of Venus.

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 (EOS-3) was developed by ISRO to provide real-time images of the country's landmass and monitor natural disasters.

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 that will provide high-resolution images in all weather conditions.

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, using AlSi10Mg alloy.