Question 1

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), developed by ISRO, is primarily used for launching satellites into which type of orbit?

Accepted Answer

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is ISRO's workhorse launch vehicle designed primarily for launching satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits. It is a four-stage solid and liquid fuelled launch vehicle that has become one of the most reliable and frequently used launch vehicles globally. PSLV has successfully launched numerous Indian and international satellites.

Question 2

Which Indian space agency successfully deployed the Chandrayaan-3 mission that achieved a soft landing on the lunar south pole in August 2023?

Accepted Answer

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully executed the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved India's first soft landing on the Moon's south polar region on 23 August 2023. This made India the fourth nation to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first to land near the south pole. The mission consisted of a lander and rover module (the orbiter from Chandrayaan-2 was reused). Therefore, the answer is ISRO.

Question 3

What is the primary scientific objective of ISRO's Aditya-L1 mission launched in September 2023?

Accepted Answer

ISRO's Aditya-L1 mission, launched on 2 September 2023, is designed to study the Sun's corona, solar winds, and solar flares. The spacecraft is positioned at the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrange point (approximately 1.5 million km from Earth), which provides an unobstructed view of the Sun. The mission carries seven scientific instruments to observe solar phenomena and their impact on space weather and Earth's magnetosphere. Therefore, the answer is to study the Sun's corona and solar atmosphere.

Question 4

In which year did ISRO successfully launch the Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), making India the first nation to reach Mars on its maiden attempt?

Accepted Answer

ISRO launched the Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) on 5 November 2013, and it successfully entered Mars orbit on 24 September 2014. This made India the first nation to reach Mars on its maiden attempt and the first non-Western nation to reach Mars. The mission was a significant achievement in planetary exploration and demonstrated ISRO's capability in interplanetary missions. Therefore, the answer is 2013.

Question 5

Which of the following correctly describes the Lagrange Point L1 in the context of ISRO's Aditya-L1 mission?

Accepted Answer

The Sun-Earth L1 Lagrange point is a location in space approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth (towards the Sun) where the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth balance out. At this point, a spacecraft experiences equal gravitational pull from both bodies and can maintain a stable position relative to both. This makes L1 ideal for solar observation missions like Aditya-L1 because the spacecraft has an unobstructed view of the Sun without Earth's shadow interference. Therefore, the answer is that L1 is located approximately 1.5 million km from Earth towards the Sun where gravitational forces balance.

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)?

Accepted Answer

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is ISRO's workhorse launch vehicle designed primarily to launch Earth observation satellites and other payloads into polar and sun-synchronous orbits. The PSLV is a four-stage solid and liquid fueled launch vehicle that has become one of the most reliable launch systems globally. It has successfully launched numerous Indian satellites including the IRS series, Cartosat series, and has also been used for commercial launches. The PSLV can carry payloads of up to 1,600 kg to sun-synchronous orbits. Therefore, the answer is to launch Earth observation satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits.

Question 7

Which ISRO mission successfully demonstrated the soft landing of a spacecraft near the South Pole of the Moon in August 2023?

Accepted Answer

Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed near the lunar South Pole on August 23, 2023, making India the first country to achieve a soft landing near the Moon's South Pole and only the fourth country overall to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.

Question 8

Which Indian space agency successfully deployed the Chandrayaan-3 mission, achieving a soft landing on the lunar south pole region in August 2023?

Accepted Answer

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully landed Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon's south pole region on August 23, 2023, making India the fourth nation to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first to land near the south pole. This was a major achievement in India's lunar exploration programme.

Question 9

The Aditya-L1 mission, launched by ISRO in September 2023, is designed to study which celestial body?

Accepted Answer

Aditya-L1 is India's first dedicated solar mission, launched on September 2, 2023. It is positioned at the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1) to study the solar corona, solar wind, and solar flares. The mission aims to understand solar phenomena and their impact on Earth's space weather.

Question 10

The Gaganyaan programme, India's ambitious human spaceflight initiative, is being developed by which organisation?

Accepted Answer

Gaganyaan is ISRO's human spaceflight programme aimed at sending Indian astronauts to space. The programme is being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the goal of achieving crewed orbital spaceflight. The first crewed mission is planned for the mid-2020s.

Question 11

India's first dedicated weather satellite, Kalpana-1 (now INSAT-2D), was named after which Indian space scientist?

Accepted Answer

Kalpana-1, renamed INSAT-2D, was India's first dedicated meteorological satellite. It was named after Kalpana Chawla, the Indian-American astronaut who tragically lost her life in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003. The satellite was launched in September 2002 to honour her memory and contributions to space science.

Question 12

The Gaganyaan programme aims to send Indian astronauts to space. What is the target altitude for the crewed orbital mission under this programme?

Accepted Answer

The Gaganyaan programme's crewed orbital mission is designed to reach an altitude of approximately 400 kilometres in low Earth orbit (LEO). This altitude is consistent with the International Space Station's orbital height and is the standard altitude for human spaceflight missions. The uncrewed test flights (TV-D1 and TV-D2) have been conducted to validate the systems before the crewed mission. Therefore, the answer is C.

Question 13

Which Indian space mission successfully demonstrated India's anti-satellite (ASAT) capability by destroying a live satellite in orbit?

Accepted Answer

Mission Shakti, conducted on 27 March 2019, was India's first anti-satellite weapon test. A modified Agni missile successfully destroyed the Microsat-R satellite at an altitude of 300 km in low Earth orbit. This made India the fourth nation after the USA, Russia, and China to demonstrate ASAT capability. Therefore, the answer is B.

Question 14

The Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully soft-landed on the lunar surface in which region of the Moon?

Accepted Answer

Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed on the Moon on 23 August 2023 near the south polar region, specifically in the vicinity of the Manzinus C crater. This made India the fourth nation to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first to land near the lunar south pole. Therefore, the answer is C.

Question 15

What is the primary scientific objective of the Aditya-L1 mission launched by ISRO?

Accepted Answer

Aditya-L1, launched on 2 September 2023, is India's first dedicated solar mission. Its primary objective is to study the Sun's corona, solar winds, and solar flares. The spacecraft is positioned at the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point L1 (approximately 1.5 million km from Earth) to observe the Sun without obstruction from Earth's shadow. Therefore, the answer is A.

Question 16

The Gaganyaan program aims to send Indian astronauts to space by which year?

Accepted Answer

The Gaganyaan program, India's human spaceflight initiative, aims to send Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit (400 km altitude) by 2025. The program includes uncrewed test flights followed by crewed missions. The first crewed mission is targeted for 2025, though timelines in space programs often experience delays. Therefore, the answer is B.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a payload/instrument carried by the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter?

Accepted Answer

Chandrayaan-2 (launched 22 July 2019) carried eight scientific instruments on its orbiter, including the Orbiter High Resolution Camera (OHRC), Imaging Infrared Spectrometer (IIRS), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and others. However, the Rover Drill (which was part of the lander module, not the orbiter) is not an orbiter payload. The orbiter continues to function and transmit data. Therefore, the answer is D.

Question 18

Which Indian space mission successfully demonstrated India's anti-satellite (ASAT) capability by destroying a live satellite in low Earth orbit?

Accepted Answer

Mission Shakti, conducted on 27 March 2019, was India's first anti-satellite weapon test. It successfully destroyed the Microsat-R satellite at an altitude of 283 km using a kinetic kill vehicle launched from a modified Agni missile. This made India the fourth nation after the USA, Russia, and China to demonstrate ASAT capability. Therefore, the answer is B.

Question 19

The Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully soft-landed a lander and rover on the Moon in 2023. On which lunar region did it land?

Accepted Answer

Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed on the south polar region of the Moon on 23 August 2023, specifically near the Shackleton crater. This made India the fourth nation to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first to land near the lunar south pole. The south polar region is scientifically significant because it contains permanently shadowed craters with water ice deposits. Therefore, the answer is D.

Question 20

The Aditya-L1 mission, launched by ISRO in 2023, is designed to study the Sun from which Lagrange point?

Accepted Answer

Aditya-L1 was launched on 2 September 2023 and is positioned at the Sun-Earth L1 (Lagrange Point 1), located approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth towards the Sun. At this point, the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth balance, allowing the spacecraft to maintain a stable orbit relative to both bodies. This vantage point enables continuous observation of the Sun's corona and solar phenomena. Therefore, the answer is B.

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