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Generate QuizSpace – Medium Level – GK Questions
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Hall-effect thrusters are a type of electric propulsion used in satellites.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Hall thrusters ionize propellant (usually xenon) using electric fields, providing efficient low-thrust propulsion for station-keeping and orbit raising in modern satellites.
Dark energy is hypothesized to be responsible for which phenomenon?
- Galaxy rotation curves
- Accelerating expansion of the universe
- Cosmic microwave background
- Stellar nucleosynthesis
Answer: Accelerating expansion of the universe
Dark energy constitutes ~68% of the universe's energy content and drives the observed acceleration in cosmic expansion, opposing gravitational attraction.
The Artemis Accords are a set of principles for civil space exploration led by _______.
- UNOOSA
- NASA
- ESA
- Roscosmos
Answer: NASA
Initiated by NASA in 2020, the Artemis Accords establish norms for peaceful, transparent, and interoperable space exploration, signed by over 30 nations.
Which frequency band does NavIC use for messaging services in addition to positioning?
- L1
- L5
- S-band
- C-band
Answer: S-band
NavIC transmits navigation signals in L5 and S-bands; the S-band also supports messaging/alert dissemination for disaster management and maritime safety.
Which type of galaxy lacks distinct spiral arms or elliptical shape and appears irregular?
- Spiral
- Elliptical
- Lenticular
- Irregular
Answer: Irregular
Irregular galaxies have chaotic shapes without defined structure, often resulting from gravitational interactions or mergers with other galaxies.
The SUIT payload on Aditya-L1 observes the Sun in the _______ wavelength range.
- X-ray
- Ultraviolet
- Infrared
- Radio
Answer: Ultraviolet
SUIT (Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope) captures high-resolution images of the solar photosphere and chromosphere in near-ultraviolet wavelengths, studying magnetic structures.
The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975 marked the first joint space mission between the USA and USSR.
- True
- False
Answer: True
ASTP was the first international crewed spaceflight, symbolizing détente during the Cold War, with American and Soviet spacecraft docking in orbit.
Which stage of GSLV Mk III (LVM3) uses solid propellant?
- Core stage only
- Strap-on boosters only
- Upper stage only
- Both strap-ons and core
Answer: Strap-on boosters only
LVM3 uses two large S200 solid rocket boosters for initial thrust. The core L110 stage uses liquid UDMH/N2O4, and the C25 upper stage uses cryogenic LH2/LOX.
The Kuiper Belt is a region beyond Neptune populated primarily by which type of objects?
- Rocky asteroids
- Icy bodies and dwarf planets
- Gas giants
- Metallic meteoroids
Answer: Icy bodies and dwarf planets
The Kuiper Belt contains remnants from solar system formation, including icy bodies, comets, and dwarf planets like Pluto, Haumea, and Makemake.
The Semi-Cryogenic Engine test facility for ISRO is located at _______.
- Sriharikota
- Mahendragiri
- Valiamala
- Bengaluru
Answer: Mahendragiri
LPSC's test facility at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, conducts hot tests of semi-cryogenic and cryogenic engines, validating performance before flight integration.
Which gas did Mangalyaan's Methane Sensor attempt to detect in the Martian atmosphere?
- Oxygen
- Carbon Dioxide
- Methane
- Nitrogen
Answer: Methane
The Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM) aimed to measure atmospheric methane, a potential biosignature or indicator of geological activity, though results were inconclusive.
The first successful soft landing on Mars was achieved by NASA's _______ mission in 1976.
- Mariner 9
- Viking 1
- Pathfinder
- Curiosity
Answer: Viking 1
Viking 1 landed on Chryse Planitia on July 20, 1976, conducting the first biology experiments on Mars and returning panoramic images for six years.
Callisto, a moon of Jupiter, has the oldest and most heavily cratered surface in the solar system.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Callisto shows no signs of geological resurfacing, preserving impact craters dating back over 4 billion years, making it one of the most ancient surfaces known.
Which space agency operates the Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana?
- NASA
- ESA/CNES
- Roscosmos
- JAXA
Answer: ESA/CNES
The Guiana Space Centre in Kourou is operated by CNES (France) and used primarily by ESA for Ariane and Vega launches due to its proximity to the equator, enhancing payload capacity.
Which Indian satellite was the first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory?
- Chandrayaan-1
- AstroSat
- XPoSat
- Aditya-L1
Answer: AstroSat
Launched in 2015, AstroSat is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space telescope, observing simultaneously in UV, optical, and X-ray bands to study celestial sources.
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPAC) was established to promote _______ sector participation in space activities.
- Government only
- Private
- Military
- International only
Answer: Private
IN-SPAC, established in 2020, acts as an independent nodal agency to enable, authorize, and supervise private sector entities in space activities, fostering commercialization.
The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram plots stars based on their luminosity versus surface temperature.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The H-R diagram is a fundamental tool in stellar astrophysics, classifying stars into main sequence, giants, supergiants, and white dwarfs based on absolute magnitude/luminosity vs. spectral class/temperature.
Which planet has the most eccentric (elliptical) orbit among the eight major planets?
- Earth
- Mars
- Mercury
- Venus
Answer: Mercury
Mercury has the highest orbital eccentricity (0.2056) of all major planets, meaning its distance from the Sun varies significantly between perihelion and aphelion.
The National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL) conducting atmospheric studies is located in Gadanki, near _______.
- Chennai
- Tirupati
- Hyderabad
- Bengaluru
Answer: Tirupati
NARL is situated in Gadanki, Andhra Pradesh, near Tirupati. It operates the Indian MST Radar and conducts research on atmospheric dynamics and space weather.
Sunita Williams holds the record for the most cumulative time spent in space by any woman.
- True
- False
Answer: False
As of recent records, Peggy Whitson holds the record for most cumulative time in space by a woman (>675 days). Sunita Williams has significant time but not the record.