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 2017Science and Technology · Space and Space Technology
Q1. The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, ‘String Theory’ and ‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of
Explanation
The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, ‘String Theory’, and ‘Standard Model’ are primarily associated with the observation and understanding of the Universe. Event Horizon is the boundary of a black hole where escape velocity exceeds the speed of light and thus nothing, including light, can escape once crossed. A gravitational singularity is a region in space where matter is infinitely dense, and gravitational forces become infinite. It is found at the center of black holes, where spacetime curvature becomes infinite, and the equations of general relativity fail to provide a meaningful description. String Theory is a theoretical framework in physics that attempts to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity by positing that fundamental particles are not point-like but rather one-dimensional "strings." It is a candidate for a theory of everything, aiming to explain all fundamental forces and particles in the Universe. Standard Model is the theory in particle physics that describes three of the four known fundamental forces (electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions) and classifies all known elementary particles. It is a cornerstone of modern physics and helps explain the behavior of matter and energy in the Universe.
UPSC 2017Science and Technology · Space and Space Technology
Q2. What is the purpose of the ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project?
Explanation
The evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA) is a mission led by the European Space Agency (ESA) to detect and measure gravitational waves. Gravitational waves are ripples in spacetime caused by massive cosmic events, such as merging black holes or neutron stars. eLISA aims to provide a new way of observing the universe by directly measuring these waves which are otherwise invisible to traditional telescopes. Unlike ground-based detectors like LIGO, eLISA will operate in space, allowing it to observe lower-frequency gravitational waves that cannot be detected on Earth.
Additional insight:
Other Projects to Measure The Gravitational Waves Project Country (Locations) Remarks LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) Observatories in the USA and Italy Made the first direct detection of gravitational waves in 2015. LIGO-India India, Planned Ground-based interferometer that collaborates with LIGO to detect gravitational waves. Virgo Italy Virgo collaborates with LIGO and KAGRA to pinpoint the origins of these waves. KAGRA (Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector) Japan Designed to detect gravitational waves and contribute to the global network of detectors Pulsar Timing Arrays (PTAs) Australia, China, India, South Africa, and the United States. These are networks of millisecond pulsars used to detect low-frequency gravitational waves.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2017
(a) Observation and understanding of the Universe
2
2017
(b) To detect gravitational waves
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.
