Space Technology & Astronomy UPSC PYQ — ISRO, Missions & Satellites

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Giant stars live much longer than dwarf stars. Statement-II: Compared to dwarf stars, giant stars have a greater rate of nuclear reactions. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. A Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. B Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. C Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
4. D Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Consider the following pairs : Objects in space — Description 1. Cepheids : Giant clouds of dust and gas in space 2. Nebulae : Stars which brighten and dim periodically 3. Pulsars : Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. A Only one
2. B Only two
3. C All three
4. D None

Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System?

1. A Australia
2. B Canada
3. C Israel
4. D Japan

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:

1. A 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
2. B 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
3. C 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
4. D 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?

1. A Distances among stellar bodies do not change.
2. B Gravity of stellar bodies does not change.
3. C Light always travels in straight line.
4. D Speed of light is always same.

“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

1. A Voyager-2
2. B New Horizons
3. C LISA Pathfinder
4. D Evolved LISA

For the measurement/estimation of which of the following are satellite images/remote sensing data used? 1. Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of a specific location 2. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of a specific location 3. Land surface temperatures of a specific location Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. A 1 only
2. B 2 and 3 only
3. C 3 only
4. D 1, 2 and 3

Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant 'blackholes' billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?

1. A 'Higgs boson particles' were detected.
2. B 'Gravitational waves' were detected.
3. C Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through 'wormhole' was confirmed.
4. D It enabled the scientists to understand 'singularity'.

With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements: 1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits. 2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders. 3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A 1 only
2. B 1 and 2 only
3. C 2 and 3 only
4. D None

With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: 1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. 2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth. 3. GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A 1 only
2. B 2 and 3
3. C 1 and 2
4. D 3 only

The terms 'Event Horizon', 'Singularity', 'String Theory' and 'Standard Model' are sometimes seen in the news in the context of

1. A Observation and understanding of the Universe
2. B Study of the solar and the lunar eclipses
3. C Placing satellites in the orbit of the Earth
4. D Origin and evolution of living organisms on the Earth

What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project?

1. A To detect neutrinos
2. B To detect gravitational waves
3. C To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system
4. D To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems

With reference to ‘Astrosat’, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space. 2. Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. A 1 only
2. B 2 only
3. C Both 1 and 2
4. D Neither 1 nor 2

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?

1. A 1 only
2. B 2 and 3 only
3. C 1 and 3 only
4. D 1, 2 and 3

The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of

1. A the limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth
2. B regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available
3. C search for the Earth-like planets in outer space
4. D search for meteorites containing precious metals

In which of the following activities are Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites used? 1. Assessment of crop productivity 2. Locating groundwater resources 3. Mineral exploration 4. Telecommunications 5. Traffic studies

1. A 1, 2 and 3 only
2. B 4 and 5 only
3. C 1 and 2 only
4. D 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? Spacecraft : Purpose 1. Cassini-Huygens : Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth 2. Messenger : Mapping and investigating the Mercury 3. Voyager 1 and 2 : Exploring the outer solar system Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. A 1 only
2. B 2 and 3 only
3. C 1 and 3 only
4. D 1, 2 and 3

Which of the following is/are cited by the scientists as evidence/evidences for the continued expansion of universe? 1. Detection of microwaves in space 2. Observation of redshift phenomenon in space 3. Movement of asteroids in space 4. Occurrence of supernova explosions in space

1. A 1 and 2
2. B 2 only
3. C 1, 3 and 4
4. D None of the above can be cited as evidence

Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth ?

1. A The Earth's magnetic field diverts them towards its poles
2. B Ozone layer around the Earth reflects them back to outer space
3. C Moisture in the upper layers of atmosphere prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth
4. D None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct

Satellites used for telecommunication relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. A satellite is said to be in such an orbit when: 1. The orbit is geosynchronous. 2. The orbit is circular. 3. The orbit lies in the plane of the Earth’s equator. 4. The orbit is at an altitude of 22,236 km. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. A 1, 2 and 3 only
2. B 1, 3 and 4 only
3. C 2 and 4 only
4. D 1, 2, 3 and 4

An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down. This is so because the attraction of Earth

1. A does not exist at such distance
2. B is neutralized by the attraction of the moon
3. C provides the necessary speed for its steady motion
4. D provides the necessary acceleration for its motion

What is the difference between asteroids and comets? 1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material. 2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury. 3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A 1 and 2 only
2. B 1 and 3 only
3. C 3 only
4. D 1, 2 and 3

Consider the following statements: The satellite Oceansat-2 launched by India helps in 1. Estimating the water vapour content in the atmosphere. 2. Predicting the onset of monsoons. 3. Monitoring the pollution of coastal waters. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A 1 and 2 only
2. B 2 only
3. C 1 and 3 only
4. D 1, 2 and 3

In the context of space technology, what is “Bhuvan”, recently in the news?

1. A A mini satellite launched by ISRO for promoting the distance education in India
2. B The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayaan-II
3. C A geoportal of ISRO with 3-D imaging capabilities of India
4. D A space telescope developed by India

Who of the following scientists proved that the stars with mass less than 1·44 times the mass of the Sun end up as White Dwarfs when they die ?

1. A Edwin Hubble
2. B S. Chandrashekhar
3. C Stephen Hawking
4. D Steven Weinberg

India has recently landed its Moon Impact Probe on the Moon. Among the following countries, which one landed such probe on the Moon earlier ?

1. A Australia
2. B Canada
3. C China
4. D Japan

Selene-1, the lunar orbiter mission belongs to which one of the following?

1. A China
2. B European Union
3. C Japan
4. D USA

ISRO successfully conducted a rocket test using cryogenic engines in the year 2007. Where is the test-stand used for the purpose, located?

1. A Balasore
2. B Thiruvananthapuram
3. C Mahendragiri
4. D Karwar

In order of their distances from the Sun, which of the following planets lie between Mars and Uranus?

1. A Earth and Jupiter
2. B Jupiter and Saturn
3. C Saturn and Earth
4. D Saturn and Neptune

Which one of the following is a spacecraft?

1. A Apophis
2. B Cassini
3. C Spitzer
4. D TechSar

What is the purpose of the US Space Agency's Themis Mission, which was recently in the news?

1. A To study the possibility of life on Mars
2. B To study the satellites of Saturn
3. C To study the colourful display of high latitude skies
4. D To build a space laboratory to study the stellar explosions

Consider the following statements in respect of a jet engine and a rocket: 1. A jet engine uses the surrounding air for its oxygen supply and so is unsuitable for motion in space. 2. A rocket carries its own supply of oxygen in the gas form, and fuel. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A 1 only
2. B 2 only
3. C Both 1 and 2
4. D Neither 1 nor 2

Consider the following statements: 1. In the year 2006, India successfully tested a full-fledged cryogenic stage in rocketry. 2. After USA, Russia and China, India is the only country to have acquired the capability for use of cryogenic stage in rocketry. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A 1 only
2. B 2 only
3. C Both 1 and 2
4. D Neither 1 nor 2

NASA’s Deep Impact space mission was employed to take detailed pictures of which comet nucleus?

1. A Halley’s comet
2. B Hale-Bopp
3. C Hyakutake
4. D Temple 1

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

1. A Cosmic Background : Satellite Programme Explorer (COBE)
2. B Falcon : Under-sea cable system
3. C Discovery : Space shuttle
4. D Atlantis : Space station

What is the Galileo project which has been in news recently?

1. A An inter-country programme of missile shield developed by the United States of America
2. B A project developed by India with assistance from Canada
3. C An environmental protection project being developed by Japan
4. D A multi-satellite navigation project being developed by the European Union

Assertion (A): To orbit around the Sun, the planet Mars takes lesser time than the time taken by the Earth. Reason (R): The diameter of the planet Mars is less than that of the Earth.

1. A Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. B Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
3. C A is true but R is false
4. D A is false but R is true

What is the approximate mean velocity with which the Earth moves round the Sun in its orbit?

1. A 20 km/s
2. B 30 km/s
3. C 40 km/s
4. D 50 km/s

Consider the following statements in respect of India's advanced satellite INSAT–4A : 1. INSAT–4A was launched in December, 2005 from New Mexico. 2. The European commercial launch service provider Arianespace was associated with the launch of INSAT–4A. 3. Tata-Sky—a digital cable service provider is associated with DTH television broadcasting services from INSAT-4A. Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. A 1, 2 and 3
2. B 1 and 2, only
3. C 2 and 3, only
4. D 1 and 3, only

Assertion (A): Existence of human life on Venus is highly improbable. Reason (R): Venus has extremely high level of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere.

1. A Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. B Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
3. C A is true but R is false
4. D A is false but R is true

Consider the following statements: 1. India launched its first full-fledged meteorological satellite (METSAT) in September 2002. 2. For the first time, the space vehicle PSLV-C4 carried a payload of more than 1000 kg into a geosynchronous orbit. Which of these statements is/are correct?

1. A Only 1
2. B Only 2
3. C Both 1 and 2
4. D Neither 1 nor 2

Among the following which planet takes maximum time for one revolution around the Sun?

1. A Earth
2. B Jupiter
3. C Mars
4. D Venus

In the year 2001, NASA launched a spacecraft to Mars named

1. A Mars Climate Orbiter
2. B Mars Global Surveyor
3. C Mars Odyssey
4. D Mars Polar Lander

The world's highest ground-based telescopic observatory is located in

1. A Colombia
2. B India
3. C Nepal
4. D Switzerland

Assume that the moon takes exactly 30 days to complete the cycle and also assume that it rises in the East exactly at 6.48 p.m. on the first day. On the fourth day, at what time will it rise?

1. A 8.24 p.m.
2. B 9.12 p.m.
3. C 10.00 p.m.
4. D 11.48 p.m.

With reference to Indian satellites and their launchers, consider the following statements: 1. All the INSAT-series of satellites were launched abroad 2. PSLVs were used to launch IRS-series of satellites 3. India used the indigenously built cryogenic engines for the first time for powering the third stage of GSLV 4. GSAT, launched in the year 2001, has payloads to demonstrate digital broadcasts and internet services Which of these statements are correct?

1. A 1, 2, 3 and 4
2. B 2, 3 and 4
3. C 1, 2 and 4
4. D 1 and 3

Assertion (A): Artificial satellites are always launched from the earth in the eastward direction. Reason (R): The earth rotates from west to east and so the satellite attains the escape velocity.

1. A Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. B Both A and R are individually true but R is not a correct explanation of A
3. C A is true but R is false
4. D A is false but R is true

Who amongst the following was the Chairman of ISRO when INSAT-3B was launched?

1. A Anil Kakodar
2. B Abdul Kalam
3. C K. Kasturirangan
4. D U. R. Rao

Who is the scientist in whose honour the “Chandra” X-ray telescope has been named?

1. A Chandrasekhar Venkat Raman
2. B Jagdish Chandra Bose
3. C Prafulla Chandra Roy
4. D Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar

A ‘black hole’ is a body in space which does not allow any radiation to come out. This property is due to its

1. A very small size
2. B very large size
3. C very high density
4. D very low density

The damage to the Spektr Module of the Russian Space Station Mir was due to

1. A collision with a Soyuz cargo ship
2. B faulty material design of the Spektr Module
3. C explosion inside the space station
4. D collision with an asteroid

Which of the following statements are true about the Indian-born woman astronaut Kalpana Chawla? I. She was born in Karnal. II. She flew on board the shuttle flight STS-87. III. She was trained at the Kennedy Space Centre. IV. She did a space-walk to retrieve the Spartan Satellite. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. A I and II
2. B II and III
3. C I, II and III
4. D I, II and IV

The satellites of which one of the following countries have helped in the preparation of a detailed and complete map of Antarctica?

1. A Canada
2. B France
3. C Russia
4. D USA

Consider the following statements regarding asteroids: I. Asteroids are rocky debris of varying sizes orbiting the Sun. II. Most of the asteroids are small but some have diameter as large as 1000 km. III. The orbit of asteroids lies between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn. Of these statements:

1. A I, II and III are correct
2. B II and III are correct
3. C I and II are correct
4. D I and III are correct

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists: List I (Special Characteristic) I. Farthest planet from the Sun II. Largest planet of the solar system III. Planet second from the Sun in the solar system IV. Planet nearest to the Sun List II (Name of Planet) A) Mercury B) Venus C) Jupiter D) Pluto E) Saturn

1. A I-B, II-C, III-E, IV-A
2. B I-C, II-E, III-A, IV-B
3. C I-D, II-A, III-B, IV-C
4. D I-D, II-C, III-B, IV-A

One Astronomical Unit is the average distance between

1. A Earth and the Sun
2. B Earth and the Moon
3. C Jupiter and the Sun
4. D Pluto and the Sun

The tail of a comet is directed away from the sun because

1. A as the comet rotates around the sun, the lighter mass of the comet is pushed away due to the centrifugal force alone
2. B as the comet rotates, the lighter mass of the comet is attracted by some star situated in the direction of its tail
3. C the radiation emitted by the sun exerts a radial pressure on the comet throwing its tail away from the sun
4. D the tail of the comet always exists in the same orientation

Which one of the following stars is nearest to the earth?

1. A Polaris
2. B Alpha Centauri
3. C Sun
4. D Sirius

Which one of the following conditions is most relevant for the presence of life on Mars?

1. A Atmospheric composition
2. B Thermal conditions
3. C Occurrence of ice caps and frozen water
4. D Occurrence of ozone

Which one of the following satellites is to be launched from India in 1996?

1. A IRS-P2
2. B IRS-P3
3. C IRS-EN
4. D IRS-ID

Consider the following statements: A person in a spaceship located half-way between the earth and the sun will notice that the I. Sky is jet black. II. Stars do not twinkle. III. Temperature outside the spaceship is much higher than that on the surface of the earth. Of these statements

1. A Only III is correct
2. B I and II are correct
3. C I and III are correct
4. D I, II and III are correct

‘Diamond Ring’ is a phenomenon observed

1. A at the start of a total solar eclipse
2. B at the end of a total solar eclipse
3. C only along the peripheral regions of the totality trail
4. D only in the central regions of the totality trail

A meteor is

1. A a rapidly moving star
2. B a piece of matter which has entered the earth’s atmosphere from outer space
3. C part of a constellation
4. D a comet without a tail

In the field of space technology, India has demonstrated during 1994 her capability to

1. A design advanced inter-continental ballistic missile warning systems
2. B build satellites
3. C build stealth missiles
4. D launch geo-stationary satellites

Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 hit the planet

1. A Pluto
2. B Mars
3. C Jupiter
4. D Saturn

Cryogenic engines find applications in

1. A sub-marine propulsion
2. B frost-free refrigerators
3. C rocket technology
4. D researches in superconductivity