Space – Medium Level – GK Questions

Answer: APPLE

APPLE (Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment) was India's first experimental geostationary communication satellite, launched in 1981 aboard an Ariane rocket. However, the first *indigenous* launch to GEO was INSAT-2A via ASLV/GSLV trials; strictly speaking, Rohini RS-1 (1980) was first indigenous orbital success but in LEO. For GEO specifically via Indian vehicle, later missions achieved this. Note: APPLE was foreign-launched; Rohini was LEO. This question tests nuanced understanding.

Answer: Kerosene (RP-1)

ISRO's Semi-Cryogenic Engine uses refined kerosene (RP-1) as fuel and LOX as oxidizer. It offers higher thrust and density compared to cryogenic engines, intended for future heavy-lift vehicles like NGLV.

Answer: False

In stellar classification, blue stars are the hottest (surface temperatures > 30,000 K), while red stars are the coolest (surface temperatures < 3,500 K). Color indicates temperature via Wien's displacement law.

Answer: Communication loss due to hard landing

During the final descent phase on September 7, 2019, Vikram deviated from its intended trajectory and experienced a hard landing, resulting in loss of communication. The orbiter, however, continues to function successfully.

Answer: Venus

Venus takes about 243 Earth days to complete one rotation on its axis, making it the slowest rotating planet. Its day is longer than its year (225 Earth days).

Answer: C25

LVM3-C25 (formerly GSLV Mk III-D1) was the first successful developmental flight in 2017, launching the GSAT-19 satellite. It later launched Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3.

Answer: True

Saturn's rings are composed predominantly of water ice particles, ranging in size from tiny grains to large boulders, along with some rocky material and dust.

Answer: Kalpana Chawla

Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian-born woman to go to space (1997). Sunita Williams is also of Indian origin but Kalpana Chawla was the first.

Answer: Both INSAT and GSAT

Both INSAT and GSAT series satellites have transponders dedicated to tele-education and tele-medicine services, connecting remote areas to urban centers.

Answer: Hyderabad

NRSC is located in Hyderabad. It is responsible for remote sensing satellite data acquisition, processing, and dissemination.

Answer: True

A supernova is a powerful and luminous stellar explosion that occurs during the last evolutionary stages of a massive star or when a white dwarf is triggered into runaway nuclear fusion.

Answer: Io

Io is the most volcanically active body in the Solar System. Its volcanic activity is driven by tidal heating from Jupiter's gravity.

Answer: Infrared

JWST is optimized for infrared astronomy, allowing it to peer through dust clouds and observe the earliest galaxies formed after the Big Bang.

Answer: SSLV

SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle) is designed for launching small satellites (up to 500 kg) to LEO. It offers low cost and low turn-around time.

Answer: Neptune

Neptune had a large storm system known as the Great Dark Spot, observed by Voyager 2 in 1989. Unlike Jupiter's spot, Neptune's dark spots appear and disappear over time.

Answer: Salyut 1

Salyut 1 was the first space station launched into low Earth orbit by the Soviet Union on April 19, 1971.

Answer: True

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. This alignment can only happen during a full moon.

Answer: 7

The NavIC constellation consists of 7 satellites: 3 in geostationary orbit and 4 in inclined geosynchronous orbit.

Answer: Mahendragiri

LPSC has a major facility in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, where liquid and cryogenic stages are tested and integrated.

Answer: True

Mercury has a very thin exosphere rather than a true atmosphere. It is too small and hot to retain a significant atmosphere, leading to extreme temperature fluctuations.