BPSC CCE Prelims
Space Missions and Satellites Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Space Missions and Satellites with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for BPSC CCE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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What is the primary objective of the Lunar Trailblazer mission?
Detailed Explanation:
Lunar Trailblazer is a NASA small satellite mission launched in January 2024 to detect and map water (H₂O) and hydroxyl (OH) on the Moon's surface using high-resolution spectrometry.
The orbiter carries the High-resolution Volatiles and Minerals Moon Mapper (HVM³) imaging spectrometer and the Lunar Thermal Mapper to identify water distribution patterns, surface temperatures, and potential resource sites for future Artemis missions.
What is true of the GSEV-F15 mission by ISRO?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The GSLV-F15 mission successfully carried the NVS-02 satellite, which is the second-generation Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) satellite designed to enhance India's regional navigation system.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: This mission marked ISRO's 101st launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, representing a significant milestone in India's space program.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The mission was the 101st launch, not the 100th, from Sriharikota.
Since two statements (1 and 2) are correct, the answer is "More than one of the above".
The number of scientific payloads on Aditya L - 1 mission for systematic study of Sun is
Detailed Explanation:
Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission launched by ISRO on September 2, 2023, carries 7 scientific payloads positioned at the Lagrange Point L1 (approximately 1.5 million km from Earth).
These payloads study the Sun's photosphere, chromosphere, and corona across multiple wavelengths, including electromagnetic, particle, and magnetic field detectors for comprehensive solar observation.
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Who is the current Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)?
Detailed Explanation:
S. Somnath has been the Chairman of ISRO since 14 January 2022, succeeding K. Sivan.
He previously served as Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and led the development of GSLV Mk III and Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Note: Dr. V. Narayanan took over as ISRO Chairman on 13 January 2025, after the exam date of 4 January 2025.
Which country became the first to bring soil from the dark side of the moon in June 2024?
Detailed Explanation:
China's Chang'e-6 mission successfully returned approximately 2 kg of lunar samples from the far side of the Moon on June 25, 2024.
The lander touched down in the Apollo crater within the South Pole-Aitken Basin, making China the first nation to retrieve soil from the Moon's far side.
What is the name of the recently launched final module of China's Tiangong Space Station?
Detailed Explanation:
Mengtian (meaning 'Dreaming of Heavens') is the final and third module of China's Tiangong Space Station, launched in October 2022.
The other two modules are Tianhe (core module, launched April 2021) and Wentian (laboratory module, launched July 2022). Mengtian serves as a scientific laboratory module equipped with advanced research facilities for microgravity experiments.
What was the theme of World Space Week, 2022?
Detailed Explanation:
World Space Week 2022 was observed from 4–10 October 2022 with the theme "Space and Sustainability".
This theme highlighted the importance of achieving sustainability in space and using space-based technologies to support sustainable development on Earth, addressing issues like space debris and long-term space exploration.
Which of the following space agencies announced that it had successfully used steam to propel its EQUULEUS spacecraft?
Detailed Explanation:
JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) successfully demonstrated water propulsion technology on its EQUULEUS (EQUilibriUm Lunar-Earth point 6U Spacecraft) mission.
The spacecraft uses steam from heated water as a propellant, making it an innovative green propulsion system for small satellites and CubeSats, reducing reliance on traditional chemical fuels.
Which country launched its first satellite 'Arktika-M' to monitor the climate of the Arctic?
Detailed Explanation:
The question asks about the country that launched the Arktika-M satellite to monitor the Arctic climate. This is a current affairs question related to space technology and environmental monitoring.
- China: While China has an active space program and Arctic interests, it did not launch the Arktika-M satellite.
- Russia: In February 2021, Russia launched Arktika-M aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome to monitor the Arctic's climate and environment, using a highly elliptical orbit for continuous observation of northern latitudes.
- India: India's space missions focus on different areas; it has not launched Arctic monitoring satellites.
- Japan: Japan has earth observation satellites but did not launch Arktika-M.
- Therefore, Russia launched the Arktika-M satellite to monitor Arctic climate, making Option 2 the correct answer.
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