UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 98
With reference to 'Astrosat', the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space.
- 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.
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D
Explanation: AstroSat, launched in September 2015, weighed approximately 1,500 kg and flew in a low-Earth orbit near 650 km. Other countries beyond the USA/Russia also launched space telescopes.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Incorrect - Japan, Europe and others had launched astronomical space observatories before AstroSat.
Statement/Item 2: Incorrect - AstroSat was about 1,500 kg in a roughly 650-km orbit, not 2,000 kg at 1,650 km.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 1.
B: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 2.
C: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/items 1, 2.
D: Correct - none of the listed statements/items is true.