SSC CGL (Prelims) General: Space Technology questions with solutions

Q1. Assertion (A): PSLV is ISRO's reliable mainstay launch vehicle. Reason (R): PSLV's flexibility allows multi-payload launches to multiple orbits with excellent reliability.

1. Both A and R are true, and R explains A
2. Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R explains A

PSLV has been one of ISRO's most dependable launch vehicles and is widely used for satellite launches. Its capability to carry multiple payloads and inject them into different orbits makes it a flexible and reliable workhorse, so the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Q2. Examine the statements about the Chandrayaan-3 mission: 1. It successfully landed near the Moon’s south pole. 2. It carried an orbiter along with the lander and rover.

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: Only 1

Chandrayaan-3 made India the first country to land near the Moon’s south polar region, so statement 1 is correct. However, Chandrayaan-3 consisted of a lander and rover only; it did not carry an orbiter, so statement 2 is incorrect.

Q3. Which technological achievement was demonstrated in ISRO’s reusable launch vehicle landing experiment?

1. Deep-space docking
2. Autonomous precision landing
3. Nuclear propulsion
4. Underwater recovery

Answer: Autonomous precision landing

ISRO’s reusable launch vehicle landing experiment demonstrated the ability to guide a vehicle back and land accurately on its own. This is known as autonomous precision landing.

Q4. Navigation satellites under India’s NavIC system are primarily placed in:

1. Polar orbit
2. Low Earth Orbit
3. Geostationary/Geosynchronous orbit
4. Sun-synchronous orbit

Answer: Geostationary/Geosynchronous orbit

NavIC is India’s regional navigation satellite system, and its satellites are placed in geostationary/geosynchronous orbits. This helps provide continuous coverage over the Indian region. Hence, the correct option is the geostationary/geosynchronous orbit.

Q5. Consider the following statements about the Hubble Space Telescope (HST): 1. It operates mainly in the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared wavelengths. 2. It is placed in a geostationary orbit above the Earth. 3. It has contributed to measuring the rate of expansion of the Universe. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 1 and 3
3. Only 2 and 3
4. All 1, 2 and 3

Answer: Only 1 and 3

Hubble observes mainly in visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared wavelengths, so statement 1 is correct. It is in low Earth orbit, not geostationary orbit, so statement 2 is incorrect. It has helped estimate the expansion rate of the Universe, so statement 3 is correct.

Q6. India’s first lunar mission was:

1. Chandrayaan - 1
2. Mangalyaan
3. Gaganyaan
4. Aditya - L1

Answer: Chandrayaan - 1

Chandrayaan-1 was India’s first lunar mission, launched by ISRO in 2008. Mangalyaan was a Mars mission, while Gaganyaan and Aditya-L1 are different space missions.

Q7. Chandrayaan-2 orbiter operates mainly in:

1. Low Earth orbit
2. Lunar polar orbit
3. Geostationary orbit
4. Transfer orbit

Answer: Lunar polar orbit

Chandrayaan-2 orbiter was inserted into a lunar polar orbit to study the Moon from a near-polar trajectory. This orbit helps in mapping and remote sensing of the lunar surface. It is not a terrestrial orbit like LEO or geostationary orbit.

Q8. Which ISRO mission achieved the first soft landing near the lunar south pole?

1. Chandrayaan - 1
2. Chandrayaan - 2
3. Chandrayaan - 3
4. Aditya - L1

Answer: Chandrayaan - 3

Chandrayaan-3 achieved India’s first successful soft landing on the Moon, near the lunar south pole. Chandrayaan-2 attempted a landing but did not succeed, while Chandrayaan-1 was an orbiter and Aditya-L1 is a solar mission.

Q9. Why is ISRO's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) programme important?

1. Tracks energy usage in orbit
2. Monitors space debris and protects Indian space assets
3. Observes black holes in the deep sky
4. Provides satellite TV services across Asia

Answer: Monitors space debris and protects Indian space assets

ISRO's SSA programme is designed to monitor objects in orbit, especially space debris, and assess collision risks. This helps protect Indian satellites and other space assets from damage.

Q10. The Chandrayaan-3 lander, Vikram, used which advanced technology for hazard detection and avoidance during landing?

1. Lander Hazard Detection and Avoidance Camera and Processing Algorithm
2. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
3. Laser Doppler Imaging and AI-assisted navigation
4. Laser Doppler Velocimeter

Answer: Lander Hazard Detection and Avoidance Camera and Processing Algorithm

Vikram used a hazard detection and avoidance system consisting of a camera and processing algorithm to identify obstacles and safe landing areas during descent. This helped ensure a controlled soft landing.