Space and Space Technology: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
3 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 1–3 of 3 questions
UPSC 2011Science and Technology · Space and Space Technology
Q1. An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down. This is so because the attraction of Earth_______
Explanation
Artificial satellites are launched into orbit for a variety of purposes, including communications, navigation, Earth imaging, weather observation, and scientific study. In satellites, humans typically experience a sense of weightlessness because the net force acting on our body is practically zero. This is due to the satellite’s centrifugal force, which cancels out the size of the earth’s gravitational pull. On the other hand, the earth’s gravitational pull is required for the satellite to continuously change its direction, giving acceleration for the satellite’s direction-changing process.
UPSC 2011Science and Technology · Space and Space Technology
Q2. Which is the difference between asteroids and comets? 1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material. 2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury. 3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Asteroids are primarily composed of rock and metal and are remnants from the early solar system. In contrast, Comets are made of ice, dust, and rocky material and originate from the Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Asteroids are predominantly located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Comets originate from distant regions of the solar system: short-period comets come from the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune, and long-period comets originate from the distant Oort Cloud. They are not typically found between Venus and Mercury.
Statement 3 is correct: As comets approach the Sun, the heat causes their icy components to sublimate, forming a glowing coma and often a visible tail that points away from the Sun due to solar wind. Asteroids, being rocky and lacking volatile materials, do not exhibit such features.
UPSC 2011Science and Technology · Space and Space Technology
Q3. Satellites used for telecommunication relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. A satellite is said to be in such an orbit when: 1. The orbit is geosynchronous. 2. The orbit is circular. 3. The orbit lies in the plane of the Earth’s equator. 4. The orbit is at an altitude of 22,236 km. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Geostationary Orbit is a type of geosynchronous orbit. The earth rotates in the same direction that satellites do. It lasts for roughly 24 hours and holds its place in relation to the earth.
Statement 2 is correct: The orbit must be nearly circular, ensuring that the satellite’s distance from Earth remains constant throughout its revolution. An elliptical orbit would cause the satellite to move closer and farther from Earth, disrupting its stationary position.
Statement 3 is correct: A Geostationary Orbit (GEO) is a special case of a Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) where the satellite orbits exactly in the Earth’s equatorial plane (0° inclination). This ensures that the satellite appears fixed over a specific point on Earth.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Geostationary orbit is at an altitude of around 35,786 km.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2011
(d) Provides the necessary acceleration for its motion
2
2011
(b) 1 and 3 only
3
2011
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Space and Space Technology?
This page covers 3 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.
