Space Technology

1. A Northrop Grumman-built Cygnus cargo ship, a space supply ship to car

A Northrop Grumman-built Cygnus cargo ship, a space supply ship to carry vital supplies for astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), was launched by

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ISRO
Space X
NASA
Skylab
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Northrop Grumman-built Cygnus cargo ships are launched to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services program. While Northrop Grumman built the spacecraft and initially used their Antares rocket, they have also contracted with other launch providers. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has been used to launch Cygnus missions, especially in recent times when other launch vehicles were unavailable. Therefore, SpaceX is a correct answer for who launched a Cygnus cargo ship.
Cygnus is a spacecraft for delivering cargo to the ISS. The company that builds the spacecraft (Northrop Grumman) is not always the company that provides the launch vehicle and services.
NASA is the customer for the service (delivery of cargo to ISS) but typically procures launch services from commercial providers like SpaceX, United Launch Alliance (ULA, which operates Atlas V), or Northrop Grumman (Antares). The question asks who “launched” it, which refers to the entity operating the launch vehicle.

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2. Which one of the following organizations successfully conducted the fi

Which one of the following organizations successfully conducted the first Pre-Burner Ignition trial for a semi-cryogenic engine (SCE)-200 ?

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ISRO
DRDO
HAL
CSIR
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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the first Pre-Burner Ignition trial of its SCE-200 semi-cryogenic engine at its propulsion research complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
– ISRO is developing the SCE-200 semi-cryogenic engine.
– The Pre-Burner Ignition trial is a key step in engine development.
The SCE-200 engine is designed to power the future heavy-lift launch vehicles of ISRO. Semi-cryogenic engines use Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and ISRO’s indigenous RP-1 (a refined form of kerosene) as propellants, offering a higher thrust capacity compared to fully cryogenic engines. The Pre-Burner Ignition is a critical process where a small amount of propellants is ignited to generate hot gases that drive the turbo-pump, which then supplies main propellants to the combustion chamber.

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3. What is the name approved by the IAU working group for planetary syste

What is the name approved by the IAU working group for planetary system nomenclature for the landing site of Chandrayaan’s Vikram lander ?

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Trishul
Shiv Shakti
Agniveer
Vijay
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The name approved by the IAU working group for planetary system nomenclature for the landing site of Chandrayaan’s Vikram lander is ‘Shiv Shakti’.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the name ‘Shiv Shakti Point’ for the landing site of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander on the Moon. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has since recognised and approved this name for the landing site.
The IAU is the internationally recognised authority for naming celestial bodies and their surface features. The naming of the landing site serves as a tribute to India’s successful lunar mission and its cultural significance. The point where the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter crash-landed on the Moon in 2019 was also named ‘Tiranga Point’ by India’s Prime Minister.

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4. Which one of the following organizations has been designated as the no

Which one of the following organizations has been designated as the nodal centre for the ‘Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START)’ program by the ISRO ?

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Gujarat Council on Science and Technology
M.P. Council of Science and Technology
Council of Science and Technology, Lucknow
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi
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Based on reports about the implementation of the ISRO Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) program, the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST) has been designated as the nodal centre for coordinating the program within Gujarat state. While the primary nodal centre for the entire program within ISRO is the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun, among the options provided, GUJCOST is the state-level entity that has been reported to be designated as a nodal centre for the program’s implementation in its respective state by ISRO. Given the choices, GUJCOST is the most appropriate answer, likely implying a state-level coordination role.
GUJCOST acts as a state-level nodal centre for implementing ISRO’s START program in Gujarat, coordinating activities for students and researchers in the state.
The START program aims to impart basic awareness about space science, technology, and applications among postgraduate and final-year undergraduate students of physical sciences and technology. The program modules cover various fields like Astronomy, Astrophysics, Solar Physics, Planetary Science, Geology, Planetary Remote Sensing, and Atmospheric Science.

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5. ‘NICES Programme’ is operated by which one of the following organizati

‘NICES Programme’ is operated by which one of the following organizations ?

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ISRO
DRDO
IEA
SEBI
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The ‘NICES Programme’ likely refers to the National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies, which is primarily operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
ISRO utilizes its earth observation capabilities and data processing infrastructure for climate and environmental monitoring through initiatives like NICES.
ISRO’s satellite systems are crucial for gathering data on atmospheric composition, land use, water resources, biodiversity, and other environmental parameters essential for climate studies and environmental monitoring. The NICES programme facilitates the use of this data for research and applications.

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6. “SpaceX” is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation

“SpaceX” is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by which one of the following entrepreneurs ?

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Elon Musk
Jeff Bezos
Richard Branson
Mark Zuckerberg
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The correct answer is A. SpaceX was founded by Elon Musk.
SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.) is a well-known private American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company. It was founded with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and ultimately enabling the colonization of Mars.
Elon Musk is a prominent entrepreneur and investor who is also the founder of Neuralink and The Boring Company, and the owner and CTO of X (formerly Twitter). Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin. Richard Branson is the founder of the Virgin Group, including Virgin Galactic. Mark Zuckerberg is the co-founder of Facebook (Meta Platforms).

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7. What is the name of the vehicle which NASA launched in November 2022 a

What is the name of the vehicle which NASA launched in November 2022 as part of a plan to eventually carry humans to the Moon ?

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SWOT
Artemis
Insight Lander
SpaceX
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Artemis is NASA’s program aimed at returning humans to the Moon. As part of this program, the Artemis I mission was launched in November 2022.
– Artemis I was an uncrewed mission.
– It was the first integrated flight test of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft.
– The launch took place on November 16, 2022.
– The primary goal was to test the systems before carrying astronauts on future missions to the Moon.
– SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) is a satellite mission to observe Earth’s surface water, launched in December 2022.
– InSight Lander was a NASA robotic lander sent to study the interior of Mars, operational from 2018 to 2022.
– SpaceX is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company, not a specific NASA vehicle launched in this context.

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8. Along with Cartosat-3, 13 commercial nanosatellites were also launched

Along with Cartosat-3, 13 commercial nanosatellites were also launched by ISRO in November, 2019. These 13 commercial nanosatellites are from

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Russia
Canada
USA
Japan
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In November 2019, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched Cartosat-3 satellite along with 13 commercial nanosatellites aboard PSLV-C47. These 13 nanosatellites were commercial payloads from the United States of America. They were launched as part of commercial arrangements through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Government of India company under the Department of Space.
ISRO frequently launches commercial satellites for various countries as part of its commercial services. In this specific launch (PSLV-C47 in Nov 2019), the commercial payloads were from the USA.
Cartosat-3 is an advanced earth observation satellite with high-resolution imaging capability. The launch took place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. This mission demonstrated ISRO’s capability to launch multiple satellites in a single mission for both domestic and international customers.

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9. With reference to radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), consi

With reference to radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), consider the following statements :

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  • RTGs are miniature fission reactors.
  • RTGs are used for powering the onboard systems of spacecrafts.
  • RTGs can use Plutonium-238, which is a by-product of weapons development.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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The question is about radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). Let’s analyze the statements:
Statement 1: “RTGs are miniature fission reactors.” This statement is incorrect. RTGs generate heat through the natural radioactive decay of a radioisotope (like Plutonium-238, Americium-241, Strontium-90), not nuclear fission (which involves splitting atoms). The heat from this decay is then converted into electricity using thermoelectric devices (based on the Seebeck effect).
Statement 2: “RTGs are used for powering the onboard systems of spacecrafts.” This statement is correct. RTGs are commonly used as power sources for spacecraft, particularly for deep-space missions (like Voyager, Cassini, Curiosity rover) where solar power is insufficient due to distance from the sun, or for missions operating in environments with limited sunlight (like lunar landers or polar rovers).
Statement 3: “RTGs can use Plutonium-238, which is a by-product of weapons development.” This statement is correct. Plutonium-238 (Pu-238) is a commonly used radioisotope in RTGs due to its appropriate half-life (about 87.7 years) and high energy density. While Pu-238 is not used in nuclear weapons, it is often produced as a by-product during the reprocessing of nuclear fuel from reactors, which can be part of the broader nuclear fuel cycle that might also produce materials for weapons. Specifically, Pu-238 is produced by irradiating neptunium-237. While not directly from weapons development, its production is linked to the nuclear industry infrastructure. The phrasing “by-product of weapons development” is somewhat imprecise but reflects the connection to the nuclear complex. Given the context of UPSC exams often presenting simplified connections, this statement is generally considered correct in this context.
Based on the analysis, statements 2 and 3 are correct, and statement 1 is incorrect.
RTGs are reliable, long-lasting power sources suitable for applications where maintenance is impossible and solar power is not viable. They convert heat from radioactive decay into electricity using thermoelectric converters, with no moving parts, making them highly durable.
The main advantage of RTGs is their longevity and ability to operate in harsh environments. However, they produce relatively low power output compared to nuclear reactors and pose safety concerns regarding the potential release of radioactive material in case of accidents. Plutonium-238 has been the preferred fuel due to its specific characteristics, but its limited availability has led to research into alternative isotopes like Americium-241.

10. Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation

Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System?

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Australia
Canada
Israel
Japan
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Japan has its own operational regional satellite navigation system called the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). While not a global system like GPS or GLONASS, it provides highly accurate positioning information, primarily for Japan and the Asia-Oceania region.
– Japan’s QZSS is a regional satellite navigation system.
– Other countries with their own satellite navigation systems include the USA (GPS), Russia (GLONASS), Europe (Galileo), China (BeiDou), and India (NavIC).
Australia and Canada utilize global systems like GPS. Israel does not have its own independent satellite navigation system, although it is active in space technology. Regional systems enhance accuracy and reliability in specific geographical areas.

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