"Space Technology & Defence" — Practice

Question 1

A satellite in geostationary orbit:
(a) appears stationary relative to a fixed point on Earth's surface, since its orbital period matches Earth's rotation (b) passes over different points at the same local time each day (c) orbits at a much lower altitude than LEO satellites (d) is used exclusively for Earth observation imaging

Accepted Answer

(a) appears stationary relative to a fixed point on Earth's surface, since its orbital period matches Earth's rotation.

This is used chiefly for communication and weather satellites (like the INSAT series), distinct from sun-synchronous orbits used for consistent-lighting Earth observation.

Question 2

A satellite in Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) is characterised by:
(a) passing over any given point on Earth at the same local solar time each pass (b) remaining fixed over one single point on Earth (c) orbiting only around the Sun, not Earth (d) having the highest possible altitude of any orbit type

Accepted Answer

(a) passing over any given point on Earth at the same local solar time each pass.

This ensures consistent lighting conditions valuable for Earth observation and remote sensing, distinct from a geostationary satellite's fixed position.

Question 3

ISRO's PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is primarily designed for launching satellites into:
(a) polar/sun-synchronous orbits (b) geostationary transfer orbit exclusively (c) low lunar orbit only (d) no specific orbit type

Accepted Answer

(a) polar/sun-synchronous orbits.

This is ISRO's reliable, versatile workhorse rocket, distinct from GSLV, which is designed for heavier payloads into geostationary transfer orbit.

Question 4

The GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) uses which type of engine to reach geostationary transfer orbit?
(a) a cryogenic engine using super-cooled liquid hydrogen/oxygen (b) a solid-fuel engine only (c) a nuclear-powered engine (d) an ion propulsion engine

Accepted Answer

(a) a cryogenic engine using super-cooled liquid hydrogen/oxygen.

This technology was developed indigenously by ISRO after initial reliance on and restrictions around foreign cryogenic technology.

Question 5

Chandrayaan-3 (2023) achieved a globally notable soft landing near the Moon's:
(a) South Pole region (b) equatorial region (c) North Pole region (d) far side, facing away from Earth

Accepted Answer

(a) South Pole region.

This region is scientifically significant due to potential water-ice deposits, and no other country's mission had successfully soft-landed near it before Chandrayaan-3.

Question 6

India's Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) is notable for being:
(a) the first mission by any country to reach Mars orbit on its very first attempt (b) the first-ever mission to Mars by any country (c) a crewed mission to Mars (d) a mission that failed to reach Mars orbit

Accepted Answer

(a) the first mission by any country to reach Mars orbit on its very first attempt.

This 2013-2014 mission was also one of the most cost-effective interplanetary missions ever undertaken globally.

Question 7

Aditya-L1, India's first dedicated solar mission, is positioned at:
(a) the L1 Lagrange point, between Earth and the Sun (b) a low Earth orbit around India (c) the Moon's surface (d) Mars orbit

Accepted Answer

(a) the L1 Lagrange point, between Earth and the Sun.

This gravitationally stable point allows continuous, uninterrupted observation of the Sun without Earth/Moon eclipses blocking the view.

Question 8

NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is best described as:
(a) a regional satellite navigation system covering India and a surrounding region (b) a global navigation system covering the entire world (c) a communication satellite network only (d) a weather-monitoring satellite system

Accepted Answer

(a) a regional satellite navigation system covering India and a surrounding region.

Unlike GPS, a global system, NavIC was developed specifically for India's strategic autonomy in navigation.

Question 9

A ballistic missile with a range beyond approximately 5,500 km is classified as:
(a) an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) (b) a Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM) (c) a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) (d) a cruise missile

Accepted Answer

(a) an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).

The range ladder ascends: SRBM (up to ~1,000 km) < MRBM (~1,000-3,000 km) < IRBM (~3,000-5,500 km) < ICBM (beyond ~5,500 km).

Question 10

BrahMos, jointly developed by India and Russia, is classified as a:
(a) supersonic cruise missile (b) intercontinental ballistic missile (c) short-range ballistic missile (d) anti-satellite weapon

Accepted Answer

(a) supersonic cruise missile.

Unlike the ballistic Agni and Prithvi series, BrahMos is powered and guided throughout its entire flight, a fundamentally different classification from ballistic missiles.

Question 11

The fundamental distinction between a ballistic missile and a cruise missile is that a ballistic missile:
(a) is powered only during an initial boost phase, then follows a largely unpowered trajectory (b) is powered and guided throughout its entire flight (c) always flies at low altitude within the atmosphere (d) cannot carry any payload

Accepted Answer

(a) is powered only during an initial boost phase, then follows a largely unpowered trajectory.

A cruise missile, by contrast, is powered and guided throughout its entire flight, typically at lower altitudes.

Question 12

India's Agni missile series is a family of:
(a) medium-to-intercontinental range ballistic missiles (b) supersonic cruise missiles (c) short-range tactical missiles exclusively (d) anti-tank guided missiles

Accepted Answer

(a) medium-to-intercontinental range ballistic missiles.

The Prithvi series covers shorter-range tactical/battlefield missiles, distinct from the longer-range Agni series.

Question 13

Gaganyaan is ISRO's programme for:
(a) India's indigenous human spaceflight, sending Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit (b) a robotic Mars sample-return mission (c) a solar observation mission (d) a lunar sample-return mission

Accepted Answer

(a) India's indigenous human spaceflight, sending Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit.

This programme uses the GSLV Mk III launch vehicle, ISRO's most powerful, for its test missions.

Question 14

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is India's primary agency responsible for:
(a) developing missile systems and a wide range of other defence technologies (b) conducting civilian space launches exclusively (c) regulating international arms trade (d) managing India's nuclear power plants

Accepted Answer

(a) developing missile systems and a wide range of other defence technologies.

This includes radar systems, electronic warfare technology, and India's missile programmes like Agni and Prithvi.

Question 15

Navigation satellites such as GPS and India's NavIC typically operate in which orbit?
(a) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) (b) Geostationary Orbit (GEO) only (c) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) only (d) Sun-Synchronous Orbit only

Accepted Answer

(a) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).

MEO's intermediate altitude and orbital period make it well-suited for navigation satellite constellations, distinct from LEO (Earth observation) and GEO (communication/weather).

Practice — "Space Technology & Defence"

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