India's first inter-planetary mission to Mars was successfully launched in which year?
- (a)2013
- (b)2012
- (c)2016
- (d)2015
Correct — A, 2013. India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), nicknamed Mangalyaan, was ISRO's first interplanetary mission. It launched on 5 November 2013 from Sriharikota and entered Mars orbit on 24 September 2014, making India the first country to succeed in reaching Mars on its very first attempt.
- (b)2012 — MOM had not yet launched in 2012 — it was still being cleared and prepared that year; the actual launch came in November 2013.
- (c)2016 — By 2016, MOM had already been launched (2013) and had already entered Mars orbit (2014) — its extended mission was underway, not its launch.
- (d)2015 — Also after MOM's actual 2013 launch and 2014 Mars-orbit insertion — not the correct year for either milestone.
The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) was ISRO's first mission beyond Earth orbit — an interplanetary probe sent to study Mars. It marked two firsts for India: the first interplanetary mission, and (on reaching Mars) the first nation to succeed in a Mars mission on its maiden attempt.
Exams frequently swap MOM's launch year (2013) with its Mars-orbit-insertion year (2014) as a distractor — always check whether the question asks 'launched' or 'reached/entered orbit'.
- Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) launched on 5 November 2013 from Sriharikota.
- Entered Mars orbit on 24 September 2014.
- India's first interplanetary mission, and the first nation to reach Mars orbit on its maiden attempt.
- Confusing MOM's launch year (2013) with its Mars-orbit-insertion year (2014).
- Assuming India was the 'second' country to reach Mars — it was the fourth space agency overall, but the first to succeed on a maiden attempt.
MPPSC and UPSC both test exact years and 'firsts' for landmark ISRO missions — pin the launch year separately from the orbit-insertion year.
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 statements 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
UPSC 2016 tested facts about India's Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) itself — the same mission whose 2013 launch year MPPSC asks about here.
- practice — not a real PYQ
In which year did India's Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) enter Mars orbit?
- (a)2013
- (b)2014
- (c)2015
- (d)2016
Answer(b) 2014 — it launched in 2013 but entered Mars orbit on 24 September 2014.
- practice — not a real PYQ
India's Mars Orbiter Mission made ISRO which space agency in the world to successfully reach Mars orbit?
- (a)Second
- (b)Third
- (c)Fourth
- (d)Fifth
Answer(c) Fourth — after the Soviet, US, and European space agencies, and the first in Asia.