📖 Chapter 9 of 12 · Mysterious Space- Basic 2 · Class 7
Chapter 8: India in Space: Our Journey and Our Future
How did India's journey begin?
India's space journey began small, many years ago, with scientists carrying rocket parts on bicycles. In 1975 India launched its first satellite, Aryabhata. Step by step, ISRO learned to build bigger rockets and cleverer spacecraft, until India became one of the leading space nations in the world.
What has India achieved, and what is next?
In 2014, India's Mangalyaan reached Mars — and India became the first country to succeed on its very first try. In 2023, Chandrayaan-3 landed near the Moon's south pole. Next, the Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts to space, and India plans its own space station. The journey is far from over — and today's children may carry it forward.
Story Time — From Bicycles to Mars
Dev · Bengaluru
Dev, who dreamed of working at ISRO, visited a space museum in Bengaluru with his mother. Before a grand photograph, she stopped and smiled. It showed men long ago carrying part of a rocket on an ordinary bicycle. “That,” she said, “is how our space journey began.”
“On a bicycle?” Dev laughed in disbelief. “Yes,” his mother said. “We had very little money and very simple tools. But we had clever, determined scientists. In 1975 we launched our first satellite, Aryabhata, and we kept learning, year after year.”
They walked past model after model — bigger rockets, better satellites — until they reached a shining model of Mangalyaan, the spacecraft that went to Mars. “In 2014, this reached the planet Mars,” his mother said, “and India became the first country in the world to succeed on its very first attempt. Scientists everywhere were amazed.”
“From a bicycle to Mars,” Dev said slowly, looking from the old photograph to the Mars spacecraft. “In one lifetime?” “In less than fifty years,” his mother said. “And it is not finished. We have landed on the Moon, and soon Gaganyaan will carry Indian astronauts to space. One day, we may build our own space station.”
Dev looked at the long line of models stretching from the bicycle to Mars, and understood that he was standing inside an unfinished story. “Then there is still room,” he said quietly, “for me to add something.” His mother put her hand on his shoulder. “There is always room,” she said, “for a curious mind.”
Story Time — The Whole Class Wants to Be Scientists
Fatima · Lucknow
On the anniversary of India's Moon landing, Fatima's teacher asked the class a simple question: “Who here would like to work in space one day — as a scientist, an engineer, or an astronaut?” To her delight, nearly every hand in the room shot up.
“Then listen well,” the teacher said warmly. “The people who built Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan were once children, sitting in classrooms just like this one, in towns and villages all across India. They were good at asking questions and never gave up.”
“But I am not the best in maths,” one boy admitted. “That is all right,” the teacher said. “Space needs many kinds of people — those who build, those who write, those who plan, those who dream. What it needs most is curiosity and hard work. Those you can begin practising today.”
Fatima thought about the small Indian spacecraft resting on the Moon, and the one circling Mars, and the astronauts who would fly on Gaganyaan. “All of it,” she realised, “began with children who wondered.” She sat up a little straighter at her desk.
“Our journey in space is still being written,” the teacher said, looking around the room. “And some of the people who will write its next chapters are sitting in this very class.” Fatima decided, then and there, that she would be one of them.
Solved Examples
Think first, then read the answer.
1. When and what was India's first satellite?
Show answer
Answer: India's first satellite was Aryabhata, launched in 1975.
2. What did Mangalyaan achieve in 2014?
Show answer
Answer: It reached Mars, and India became the first country to succeed on its very first attempt.
3. What did Chandrayaan-3 do in 2023?
Show answer
Answer: It landed near the Moon's south pole.
4. What is the Gaganyaan mission for?
Show answer
Answer: It aims to send Indian astronauts into space.
5. Who built India's spacecraft?
Show answer
Answer: Indian scientists and engineers at ISRO — many of whom were once curious schoolchildren.
Check Your Understanding
A. Fill in the blanks
- India's first satellite was _______.
- Mangalyaan reached the planet _______.
- India's human spaceflight mission is called _______.
B. Write True or False
- India reached Mars on its first attempt. ( ___ )
- India's space journey began with huge budgets and easy tools. ( ___ )
- Chandrayaan-3 landed near the Moon's south pole. ( ___ )
C. Answer in one word
- Which planet did Mangalyaan reach?
- In which year was Aryabhata launched?
D. Think and answer
- What does the bicycle photograph teach us about beginnings?
- Why does space need many kinds of people, not only mathematicians?
- What part of India's space journey would you like to help write?
Check your understanding
Tap an answer to see if it is correct. This is just for fun — nothing is saved.
1. What was India's first satellite?
- Aryabhata
- Mangalyaan
- Chandrayaan
Show answer
A. Aryabhata
2. Which planet did Mangalyaan reach in 2014?
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Venus
Show answer
A. Mars
3. What does space exploration most need from people?
- Only mathematicians
- Curiosity and hard work
- Expensive tools
Show answer
B. Curiosity and hard work