ISRO Successfully Launches 'Mangalyaan-2' Mars Orbiter Mission
ISRO has successfully placed the Mangalyaan-2 orbiter into the Martian orbit to study the planet's atmosphere and surface in detail.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- ISRO launches Mangalyaan-2 (MOM-2) using LVM3 rocket.
- Equipped with hyperspectral cameras and surface-mapping radar.
- Aims to study Martian mineralogy and atmospheric escape.
- Follows the success of the 2013 Mangalyaan-1 mission.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 4–8 | Basic science, space missions, ISRO launches, and defence technology are standard SSC GK topics. |
| Railway (RRB NTPC / Group D) | Very High | 6–10 | Science and Technology is one of the largest GK sections in Railway papers. |
| UPSC / State PCS | Medium | 5–8 | UPSC tests Science & Technology through governance: space policy, biotech regulations, cyber security. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- ISRO missions: satellite name, purpose, launch date, orbit type
- Defence acquisitions: system name, origin country, inducted into which force
- COVID/health research: vaccine names, institutes involved, approval status
- Technology achievements: first-ever milestones, world records, India-specific achievements
- Scientific organizations: HQ, head, purpose (CSIR, DRDO, BARC, ICAR)
Practice Questions
Q1. Which rocket was used by ISRO to launch Mangalyaan-2?
- PSLV-C25
- GSLV Mk II
- LVM3
- SSLV
Explanation: ISRO used the LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3) for the Mangalyaan-2 mission.
Q2. What is the primary scientific goal of Mangalyaan-2?
- Landing a rover on Mars
- Studying Martian atmosphere and mineralogy
- Sending humans to Mars
- Building a base on the Moon
Explanation: Mangalyaan-2 is an orbiter mission focused on studying the surface and atmosphere of Mars.
How to Prepare Science & Technology for Government Exams
For Railway exams, make flashcards for every major ISRO launch — name, payload, purpose, date. These repeat frequently.
For SSC, focus on defence acquisitions and their strategic significance rather than technical specs.
For UPSC, connect every scientific development to policy — climate targets, digital India, health policy.
Related Current Affairs
Test Your Knowledge on Today's Current Affairs
10 questions · 10 minutes · Based on today's GK updates. See how prepared you really are.
Start Daily Quiz