Question 1

Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant 'black holes' billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?

Accepted Answer

Scientists recently witnessed the coming together of massive black holes located billions of light-years away from our planet. This observation holds great importance as it led to the detection of gravitational waves, a key scientific breakthrough.

Question 2

With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: 1. PSLVs 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 l vehicle with the first and third stages l using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct.?

Accepted Answer

India's space agency, ISRO, has developed the PSLV for launching satellites into polar orbits and the GSLV for launching geosynchronous satellites into geostationary orbits. Geostationary satellites orbit the Earth in 24 hours, appearing fixed from any point on Earth due to the Earth's rotation. Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect. The GSLV is a three-stage launch vehicle, with the first two stages similar to the PSLV in using both solid and liquid fuel, while the third stage is a cryogenic stage. Therefore, statement 3 is incorrect. By process of elimination, the correct statement is 1 only, leading to the answer (a).

Question 3

Which one of the following satellites is to be launched from India in 1996?

Accepted Answer

IRS-P3, a satellite launched by ISRO in 1996, was an experimental mission for observing the Earth. Its main goals were to analyze and interpret data collected by its two instruments - the Wide Field sensor and the Modular Optoelectric Sensor, which were created in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center.

Question 4

What is 'Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)', recently in the news?

Accepted Answer

The 'Greased Lightning-10' (GL-10) is a 28 kg aircraft with 10 engines that can perform vertical take-offs and landings like a helicopter, while also flying efficiently like a traditional aircraft. It is a prototype drone plane powered by batteries and designed by NASA.

Question 5

Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant 'blackholes' billions of light-years away from the earth. What is the significance of this observation?

Accepted Answer

The LIGO and VIRGO detectors captured gravitational waves originating from the merging of black holes, which occurred billions of light-years away from Earth.

Space Technology — UPSC Previous Year Questions

Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant 'black holes' billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?

Year-wise Distribution

Sample Questions

Space Technology — UPSC Previous Year Questions

Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant 'black holes' billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?

Year-wise Distribution

Sample Questions