UPSC Prelims 2016·GS1·science-and-technology·space

With reference to 'Astrosat', the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space. 2. Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Dalvoy logo
Reviewed by Dalvoy
UPSC Civil Services preparation
Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A1 only
  2. B2 only
  3. CBoth 1 and 2
  4. DNeither 1 nor 2Correct

Explanation

Let's analyze the statements regarding 'Astrosat': 1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space. This statement is incorrect. Besides the USA and Russia (and their respective space agencies, NASA and Roscosmos), several other countries and space agencies, such as the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan (JAXA), and China (CNSA), have launched or contributed to space-based astronomical observatories. India's Astrosat is indeed a significant achievement, but it is not unique to only these three nations. 2. Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth. This statement is incorrect. Astrosat's mass is approximately 1513 kg. More significantly, it was placed into an orbit at about 650 km above the Earth's surface, not 1650 km. The orbital altitude mentioned is substantially higher than its actual orbit. Since both statements are factually incorrect, the correct answer is 'Neither 1 nor 2'.
science-and-technology: With reference to 'Astrosat', the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are c

Related questions

More UPSC Prelims practice from the same subject and topic.