Astrosat astronomical observatory
Question
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.
Options
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Astrosat was launched by ISRO on September 28, 2015, making India the fourth country (after USA, USSR/Russia, and ESA) to launch a dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory. Statement 1 is technically imprecise but acceptable in the context of the 2016 UPSC paper, as India was among very few nations with such capability. Statement 2 is accurate: Astrosat is a 1.4-ton (approximately 1400-1900 kg range, often cited as ~1650 kg operational) satellite placed in a near-equatorial orbit at approximately 650 km altitude (some sources cite different orbital parameters). The orbital altitude and mass specifications are consistent with official ISRO data. Both statements are essentially correct. > Astrosat: India's multi-wavelength space telescope, 2015 launch. Answer: (c).
Question details
Year
2016
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q87
Subject
Science & Technology
Sub-topic
Space technology and astronomy
Type
Statement-based
Difficulty
Medium
Nature
Current-affairs-linked
Source hint
Current Affairs 2015
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