Q1. Consider the following statements:
1. India launched its first full-fledged meteorological satellite (METSAT) in September, 2002
2. For the first time, the space vehicle PSLV C-4 carried a payload of more than 1000 kg into a geosynchronous orbit
Which of these statements is/are correct?
1. India launched its first full-fledged meteorological satellite (METSAT) in September, 2002
2. For the first time, the space vehicle PSLV C-4 carried a payload of more than 1000 kg into a geosynchronous orbit
Which of these statements is/are correct?
Explanation
METSAT (renamed as Kalpana - 1) was the first in the series of exclusive meteorological satellites built by ISRO.
Statement 1 is correct: India successfully launched its first full-fledged meteorological satellite, METSAT using the PSLV-C4 rocket. It was India’s first dedicated meteorological satellite, designed to monitor weather conditions and cyclone development in the Indian Ocean region.
Statement 2 is correct: PSLV-C4 carried METSAT (1,060 kg) into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), marking the first time PSLV carried a payload exceeding 1000 kg into GTO. This demonstrated ISRO’s ability to deploy heavier payloads into higher orbits, advancing India’s space technology capabilities.