Space and Space Technology: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Space and Space Technology (Science and Technology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2002Science and Technology · Space and Space Technology
Q1. With reference to Indian satellites and their launchers, consider the following statements: 1. All the INSAT series of satellites were launched abroad. 2. PSLVs were used to launch IRS-series of satellites. 3. India used the indigenously built cryogenic engines for the first time for powering the third stage of GSLV. 4. GSAT, launched in the year 2001, has payloads to demonstrate digital broadcasts and internet services. Which of these statements are correct?
Explanation
INSAT or the Indian National Satellite System is a series of multipurpose Geostationary satellites launched by ISRO to satisfy the telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and search and rescue needs of India.
Statement 1 is correct: The INSAT-series of satellites were launched from foreign stations like Kourou in French Guiana or Kennedy Space Center in the USA.
Statement 2 is correct: The PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) was used to launch many of the IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) satellites, which are used for Earth observation.
Statement 3 is correct: India’s first cryogenic engine was used for the third stage of the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) for the first time in the launch of GSLV-D3 in 2010.
Statement 4 is correct: GSAT-1, India’s first geostationary communication satellite, was launched in 2001, and its payloads were designed to provide digital broadcast and communication services, including internet services.
UPSC 2002Science and Technology · Space and Space Technology
Q2. Assertion (A): Artificial satellites are always launched from the earth in the eastward direction. Reason (R): The earth rotates from west to east and so the satellite attains the escape velocity.
Explanation
A satellite is an object in space that orbits or circles around a bigger object. There are two kinds of satellites: natural (such as the moon orbiting the Earth) or artificial (such as the International Space Station orbiting the Earth). Almost every planet having at least one moon. Assertion (A) is true: Satellites are launched in the eastward direction to take advantage of the Earth’s rotational velocity, which gives the rocket an initial boost in speed. This helps the rocket reach the required escape velocity more efficiently. Reason (R) is false: While the Earth’s rotation does provide a velocity boost but it does not directly help the satellite attain escape velocity (the speed needed to break free from Earth’s gravity, approximately 11.2 km/s). Instead, the Earth’s rotation helps the satellite achieve orbital velocity (the speed needed to stay in orbit, approximately 7.8 km/s for low Earth orbit).
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2002
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
2
2002
(c) A is true but R is false
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Space and Space Technology?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Space and Space Technology (Science and Technology), asked from 2002 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Space and Space Technology?
Questions on Space and Space Technology (Science and Technology) are available for 21 years, from 2002 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
