International Space Olympiad

International Space Olympiad (ISO)

The Olympiad Examination Council conducts the International Space Olympiad (ISO) to ignite curiosity and promote knowledge about space science, space geography and astronomy among students from Grade 5 to Grade 10. This unique Olympiad is designed for young learners who are fascinated by the universe and eager to explore the mysteries of space through scientific thinking and discovery.

The International Space Olympiad covers a wide range of topics including the solar system, stars and galaxies, space exploration, satellites, rockets, astrophysics, and recent developments in space technology. The questions are crafted to assess students’ understanding of concepts, logical reasoning, and ability to apply scientific knowledge to real-world space challenges. Each level of the Olympiad is tailored to match the student’s grade, ensuring appropriate difficulty and engagement.

Participating in the International Space Olympiad not only strengthens students' knowledge of space science but also encourages critical thinking, innovation, and a passion for exploration. It serves as a foundation for future studies or careers in astronomy, astrophysics, aerospace engineering, and space research.

Top performers receive scholarship, certificates, medals, and international recognition.The Olympiad Examination Council is committed to nurturing scientific talent and curiosity. Through the International Space Olympiad, it aims to inspire the next generation of space scientists, engineers, and explorers.

Eligibility: Grade V to Grade X

Examination Pattern
The question paper consists of two parts:
  • Part‑1: Space Science
  • Part‑2: Space Geography
Duration: 60 minutes
Marking Scheme
Part Questions Marks Total
Space Science 25 2 50
Space Geography 25 2 50
Total 50 100
SYLLABUS

Space Science
Our Earth and Our Solar System
The Universe, Stars and Their Types, Planet, The Solar System, Other Heavenly Bodies of the Solar System, Gravity, Space Launch Technology, Concept of Space Missions

Space Science
Motions of the EarthRotation and Revolution, Sunset and sunrise, A year, Moon and Its Phases

Substances, Objects and Energy
Matter (Substance), States of Matter, Energy, Source of Energy, Electrical Energy, Fossil Fuels

Water
Water: Our Lifeline, Water Pollution and Its Causes, Disposal of Waste Water, Purification of Water, Drought (Famine), Water Management (Conservation of Water)

Space Geography
Space Science
Our Solar SystemThe Universe, Stars and Their Types, Planet, The Solar System, Other Heavenly Bodies of the Solar System ( Satellites, Asteroids, Dwarf planets, Comet, A meteor), Gravity, Space Launch Technology, Space Missions.

Space Science
Earth Our Mother PlanetSun’s Family – Earth and Others Members, Shape and Size of the Earth, Earth’s Satelite: Moon – Features, Phases, Eclipses: Lunar and Solar, Earth’s Inclination, Movements of the Earth: Rotation, Revolution – Their Effects, Geographic Co-ordinates: Meaning and Uses, Longitude and Time: Local and Standard Times, Time Zones International Date Line (IDL), Sunset and sunrise, A yearThe Earth and Its Living World

Space Science
The Earth and its Living World, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Sources of Water, Atmosphere and Its Layers

Space Science
Globe, Maps, Geographical Symbols – Map ReadingGlobe: Meaning,
Maps: Meaning, Types, Essential, Components, and Uses,
Geographical Symbols: Meaning, Colours and Lines (Contour) used to show Physical Features,
Map Reading: Identifying Location, Direction and Distance of Places on Latitudes and Longitudes

Space Science
World – Major Landforms and ClimateMajor Landforms: Mountains, Plateau, Plains, Deserts, Islands – Meaning, Types and Importance, Major Climate Regions of the World: Meaning, Types and Importance

Space Science

Natural Resources – Air, Water and Land
Natural Resources, Atmosphere and Its Layers, Air Around Us, Composition and Components of Air, Importance of Air, Water: Our Lifeline, Availability of Water, Composition of Water, Importance of Water

Motion and Types of Motion
Motion and Rest, Types of Motion, Speed

Force and Types of Force
Force, Types of force, Contact Force, Non-Contact Force, Muscular force, Mechanical force, Gravitational force, Magnetic force, Frictional force. Electrostatic force, Combined Forces

Sound
Sound, Production of Sound, Sound Produced by Humans, Human Ear, Propagation of Sound,
Sound Need a Medium to Travel, Environmental Issues, Noise Pollution

Light and the Formation of Shadows
Light, Luminous and Non-luminous Bodies, Sources of Light, the propagation of light,
Reflection of Light, Mirrors, Plane Mirror, A Pinhole Camera, Important Terms Related to Light, Formation of Shadow, Dispersion of Light Through Prism and Formation of Spectrum

Fun with Magnets
Magnet, Magnetic and Non-magnetic Materials, Discovery of Magnets, Magnetic Properties of Materials, Laws of Magnetism, Characteristics of a magnet, Electromagnet

The Universe
The Universe, Galaxy and Its Types, Stars and Their Types, The Solar System, Other Heavenly Bodies of the Solar System

Space Geography

The Earth and the Graticule
Introduction to the Earth and the Graticule , Angular Distance, Concept of Latitudes, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, Important lines of latitude: Torrid Zone, Temperate Zone and Frigid Zone., The Graticule
Globe and Maps
Introduction to Comparing a Globe and a Map

Weather and Climate
Introduction Weather and Climate, Weather related / Climatic factors, Changes in Weather, Climate, Elements of Weather, Temperature, Atmospheric pressure, Humidity, Precipitation (rain, dew, hail, snow), Winds, Cloud (different types)

Our Solar System
The Universe, Stars and Their Types, Planet, The Solar System, Other Heavenly Bodies of
the Solar System ( Satellites, Asteroids, Dwarf planets, Comet, A meteor), Gravity, Space Launch Technology, Space Missions.

Earth Our Mother Planet
Sun’s Family – Earth and Others Members, Shape and Size of the Earth, Earth’s Satelite: Moon – Features, Phases, Eclipses: Lunar and Solar, Earth’s Inclination, Movements of the Earth: Rotation, Revolution – Their Effects, Geographic Co-ordinates: Meaning and Uses,
Longitude and Time: Local and Standard Times, Time Zones International Date Line (IDL), Sunset and sunrise, A year

The Earth and Its Living World
The Earth and its Living World, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Sources of Water, Atmosphere and Its Layers

Space Science

Properties of Natural Resources
Air Around Us, Properties of Air, Properties of Water, Importance of Water, Anomalous Behavior of Water,
Properties of Soil, Types of Soil, Structure of Soil, Uses of Soil

Motion, Force and Work
Motion and Rest, Distance and Displacement, Speed and Velocity, Types of Speed, Types of Velocity, Acceleration and Retardation, Force and Accleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Force, displacement and work

Static Electricity
Static Electricity, Electric Charge, Transfer of Charges, Frictional Electricity, Electroscope, Atmospheric Electric Charge

Heat
Heat and Its Unit, Transfer of Heat, Conduction, Convection, Radiation

Effects of Light
Effects of Light, Scattering of Light, Formation of Shadow

Sound: Production of Sound
Sound, Sound and Music, Oscillator, Oscillation and Oscillatory Motion, Properties of Sounds

Properties of a Magnetic Field
Properties of a Magnetic Field Magnet, Laws of Magnetism, Earth’s Magnetism, Magnetic Field, Properties of magnetic lines of force

In the World of Stars
In the World of Stars The Universe, Ga laxy and Its Types, Stars and Their Types, Sky Watching

Natural Resources
Natural Resources Natural Resources, Mineral Resources, Classification of Minerals, Ores, Fuel

Space Geography

How Seasons Occur
Introduction to How Seasons Occur

The Sun, the Moon and the Earth
The Moon’s Motions, Solar Eclipse, Lunar Eclipse

Tides
Introduction of Tides, Centrifugal and Gravitational Force, Types of Tides, Tides based on the Sun, Moon, and Earth Positions, Effects of Tides, Waves, Structure of the Waves

Air Pressure
Atmospheric Pressure, Altitude of the Region and Air Pressure, Air temperature and air pressure, Pressure Belts on the Earth’s Surface, Isobars, Example of Isobars

Winds
Wind: The Movement of Air, Wind type, Cyclones, Anticyclones

Our Solar System
The Universe, Stars and Their Types, Planet, The Solar System, Other Heavenly Bodies of the
Solar System (Satellites, Asteroids, Dwarf planets, Comet, A meteor), Gravity, Space Launch
Technology, Space Missions.

Earth Our Mother Planet
Sun’s Family – Earth and Others Members, Shape and Size of the Earth, Earth’s Satelite: Moon –
Features, Phases, Eclipses: Lunar and Solar, Earth’s Inclination, Movements of the Earth: Rotation,
Revolution – Their Effects, Geographic Co-ordinates: Meaning and Uses, Longitude and Time:
Local and Standard Times, Time Zones International Date Line (IDL), Sunset and sunrise, A year

The Earth and Its Living World The Earth and its Living World, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Sources of Water, Atmosphere and Its Layers

Space Science

Force and Pressure
Force, Types of Force: Contact Force, Non-Contact Force, Balanced and Unbalanced Forces, Inertia and Mass, Types of Inertia, Thrust and Pressure

Current Electricity and Magnetism
Atoms: Building Blocks of Matter, Electric Current, Potential and Potential Difference, Electric cell, Electric Circuit, Battery, Effects of Electric Current, Electromagnet

Measurement and Effects of Heat
Heat and Its Unit, Sources of Heat, The Temperature and a Thermometer, Heat and Temperature, Thermometer and Its Types, Calorimetry and Calorimeter, Effects of Heat, Expansion of Substances

Sound
Sound, Production of Sound, Characteristics of a Sound Wave, Sound and Music

Reflection of Light
Reflection of Light, Terms Used in Reflection of Light, Law of Reflection of Light, Types of Reflection

Reflection of Light
Galaxy and Its Types, Stars and Their Types, The Sun, Birth of Stars, Evolution of Stars, Stability of Stars

Space Geography

Local Time and Standard Time
Introduction to Local Time and Standard Time, Rotation and the Relative Location of the Sun, Day Time and Night Time, Local Time, Standard Time, Indian Standard Time, Universal Standard Time

Interior of the Earth
Interior of the Earth, The Composition of the Earth’s Interior, Mantle, Core

Humidity and Clouds
Introduction to Humidity and Clouds, Heat and change of physical state, Type of Humidity, Clouds, Type of Clouds

Ocean
Structure of Ocean Floor, The Relief of Ocean Floor, Continental Shelf, Continental Slope, Mountain Ranges And Plateaus, Marine Deeps And Marine Trenches, Marine Deposition, Ocean Currents, Effects of Ocean Surface Currents on Human Life

Our Solar System
The Universe, Stars and Their Types, Planet, The Solar System, Other Heavenly Bodies of the Solar System ( Satellites, Asteroids, Dwarf planets, Comet, A meteor), Gravity, Space Launch Technology, Space Missions.

Earth Our Mother Planet
Sun’s Family – Earth and Others Members, Shape and Size of the Earth, Earth’s Satelite: Moon – Features, Phases, Eclipses: Lunar and Solar, Earth’s Inclination, Movements of the Earth: Rotation, Revolution – Their Effects, Geographic Co-ordinates: Meaning and Uses, Longitude and Time: Local and Standard Times, Time Zones International Date Line (IDL), Sunset and sunrise, A year

The Earth and Its Living World
The Earth and its Living World, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Sources of Water, Atmosphere and Its Layers

Space Science

Laws of Motion
Motion and Rest, Distance and Displacement, Speed and Velocity, Effect of Speed and Direction on Velocity, Uniform and Non-uniform Motion, Acceleration and Retardation, Types of Acceleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion

Work and Energy
Concept of Work, Positive, Negative and Zero Work, Energy, Transformation of Energy, Power

Current Electricity
Electricity, Potential and Potential Difference, Electric Current, Electric Circuit, Conductors and Insulators, System of Resistors

Reflection of Light
Introduction to Light, Mirrors, Type of Mirrors, Image Formation by Concave Mirror, Image Formation by Convex Mirror, Divergence and Convergence of Light, Sign Convention, Mirror Equation/Formula

Study of Sound
Sound, Characteristics of a Sound Wave, Speed of Sound (Velocity of Sound), Speed of Sound in Different Media, Properties of Sounds, Reflection of Sound, Human Ear, Sonography, SONAR

Observing Space : Telescopes
Introduction to Observation of Space, Different Forms of Light, Telescope, Types of Telescope

Life Cycle of Stars
Galaxy and Its Types, Stars and Their Types, The Sun, Birth of Stars, Evolution of Stars, Stability of Stars
Space Science

Distributional Maps
Distributional Maps, Geographical Field Visit

Endogenetic Movements
Endogenetic Processes, Slow Movements, Earthquake, Volcano

Exogenetic Processes
Exogenetic Processes, Weathering, Types of Weathering, Mass Movements (Mass Wasting), Erosion

Precipitation
Precipitation, Rainfall and It's Types, World Distribution of Rainfall, Rain Gauge , Fog, Dew, and Frost, Effects of Precipitation, Acid Rain

Our Solar System
The Universe, Stars and Their Types, Planet, The Solar System, Other Heavenly Bodies of the Solar System ( Satellites, Asteroids, Dwarf planets, Comet, A meteor), Gravity, Space Launch Technology, Space Missions.

Earth Our Mother Planet
Sun’s Family – Earth and Others Members, Shape and Size of the Earth, Earth’s Satelite: Moon – Features, Phases, Eclipses: Lunar and Solar, Earth’s Inclination, Movements of the Earth: Rotation, Revolution – Their Effects, Geographic Co-ordinates: Meaning and Uses, Longitude and Time: Local and Standard Times, Time Zones International Date Line (IDL), Sunset and sunrise, A year

The Earth and Its Living World
The Earth and its Living World, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Sources of Water, Atmosphere and Its Layers

Space Science

Gravitation
This chapter focuses on the universal law of gravitation and its applications, the motion of objects under the influence of gravitational force, and related concepts like free fall and mass-weight relationships.

Effects of Electric Current
Here, students explore electric current, its effects, Ohm’s law, resistance, the heating effect of electric current, and practical applications in daily life.

Heat
This chapter deals with the transfer of heat, temperature scales, specific heat, and the study of different methods of heat transmission: conduction, convection, and radiation.

Refraction of Light
Students learn about the refraction of light, laws of refraction, refractive index, lenses, and the formation of images by lenses, including applications in optical instruments.

Metallurgy
This chapter provides an understanding of the extraction of metals, refining of metals, corrosion, and the properties and uses of different metals.

Space Missions
This chapter introduces students to various space missions, satellites, artificial satellites, and India's achievements in space exploration.

Observing Space: Telescopes
Introduction to Observation of Space, Different Forms of Light, Telescope, Types of Telescope

Life Cycle of Stars
Galaxy and Its Types, Stars and Their Types, The Sun, Birth of Stars, Evolution of Stars, Stability of Stars

Space Geography

Field Visit
Field Visit, Importance of field visit, Preparations for Field Visits

Distributional Maps
Distributional Maps, Geographical Field Visit

Local Time and Standard Time
Introduction to Local Time and Standard Time, Rotation and the Relative Location of the Sun, Day Time and Night Time, Local Time, Standard Time, Indian Standard Time, Universal Standard Time

Interior of the Earth
Interior of the Earth, The Composition of the Earth’s Interior, Mantle, Core

Ocean
Structure of Ocean Floor, The Relief of Ocean Floor, Continental Shelf, Continental Slope, Mountain Ranges And Plateaus, Marine Deeps And Marine Trenches, Marine Deposition, Ocean Currents, Effects of Ocean Surface Currents on Human Life

Our Solar System
The Universe, Stars and Their Types, Planet, The Solar System, Other Heavenly Bodies of the Solar System ( Satellites, Asteroids, Dwarf planets, Comet, A meteor), Gravity, Space Launch Technology, Space Missions.

Earth Our Mother Planet
Sun’s Family – Earth and Others Members, Shape and Size of the Earth, Earth’s Satelite: Moon – Features, Phases, Eclipses: Lunar and Solar, Earth’s Inclination, Movements of the Earth: Rotation, Revolution – Their Effects, Geographic Co-ordinates: Meaning and Uses, Longitude and Time: Local and Standard Times, Time Zones International Date Line (IDL), Sunset and sunrise, A year

The Earth and Its Living World
The Earth and its Living World, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Sources of Water, Atmosphere and Its Layers