India's Satellite Launch Vehicles
Question
With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 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 vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
Options
1 only
2 and 3
1 and 2
3 only
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct. PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is designed for launching Earth observation and resource monitoring satellites into polar orbits, while GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) is designed to launch communication satellites into geostationary orbits. Statement 2 is incorrect. Satellites launched by PSLV are placed in polar sun-synchronous orbits, not geostationary orbits, so they do not appear fixed in the sky. Only geostationary satellites (launched by GSLV) appear permanently fixed in the same position. Statement 3 is incorrect. GSLV Mk III is a three-staged launch vehicle, not four-staged. It uses solid rocket boosters, a liquid core stage, and a cryogenic upper stage. Therefore, only statement 1 is correct. > PSLV = polar/Earth monitoring; GSLV = geostationary/communication. Answer: (a).
Question details
Year
2018
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q95
Subject
Science & Technology
Sub-topic
Space Technology and Satellites
Type
Statement-based
Difficulty
Hard
Nature
Static
Source hint
NCERT Science, ISRO Programs
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