With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the foll

With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements :

1. PSLV’s launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
3. GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3″ option3=”1 and 2″ option4=”3 only” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2018

Statement 1 is correct: PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is commonly used for launching satellites into polar or Sun-synchronous orbits suitable for Earth observation, remote sensing, and resource monitoring. GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) is designed to place heavier satellites, such as communication satellites, into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), which is then circularized into Geostationary Orbit (GSO).

PSLV and GSLV are India’s primary satellite launch vehicles developed by ISRO. They are designed for different types of orbits and payload capacities. PSLV for LEO/SSO (lighter payloads, remote sensing), GSLV for GTO/GSO (heavier payloads, communication).

Statement 2 is incorrect: Satellites that appear permanently fixed from a particular location on Earth are in Geostationary Orbit (GSO). PSLV typically launches satellites into Low Earth Orbits (LEO) or Sun-Synchronous Orbits (SSO), where they orbit the Earth and are not fixed in the sky relative to an observer. Statement 3 is incorrect: GSLV Mk III (now LVM3) is a three-stage launch vehicle, not four. It uses solid boosters in the first stage, a liquid stage in the second, and a cryogenic stage in the third.

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