Q1951. A key conceptual design change in the Chandrayaan-3 lander compared to Chandrayaan-2 was:
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Q1952. Which of the following components was NOT a part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission configuration?
Explanation
Unlike the previous mission, this one did not carry a full-featured science orbiter. Instead, it used a propulsion module to carry the lander and rover to the moon’s vicinity. Once the landing vehicle was released, the propulsion module stayed in orbit and carried a single scientific experiment. The focus of the mission was entirely on achieving a soft landing and conducting experiments on the surface, using the lander and rover as the primary platforms for scientific discovery and technological demonstration.
Q1953. Identify the correctly matched pair of the Chandrayaan mission elements:
Explanation
The vehicle designed to land softly on the lunar surface was named in honor of the father of the national space program. Meanwhile, the small six-wheeled vehicle that explored the surface was given a name meaning wisdom. Other terms were used for different parts of the mission or previous experiments. Correctly identifying these components is important for understanding the structure and history of the country’s successful efforts to explore the moon and achieve complex technological milestones in deep space.
Q1954. By definition, a Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) maneuver during the Chandrayaan missions refers to:
Explanation
When a spacecraft traveling from Earth reaches the moon, it is moving too fast to stay in orbit naturally. To be captured by the moon’s gravity, the spacecraft must fire its engines in a specific direction to slow down. This critical maneuver allows it to transition from a journey through deep space into a stable path around the moon. Success in this step is essential for any mission that intends to study the moon from orbit or land on its surface.
Q1955. What is the most appropriate overarching objective of ISRO’s Chandrayaan series?
Explanation
The primary aim of these missions is to develop and prove the advanced technologies needed for landing on other worlds and exploring their surfaces. This includes mastering the complexities of deep space navigation, soft landing, and operating robotic vehicles in extreme environments. While the scientific data collected is valuable, the long-term goal is to build a foundation for future exploration and showcase the nation’s maturity as a major spacefaring power capable of complex interplanetary missions and scientific discovery.
Q1956. Consider the following scientific payloads carried by the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander:
I. RAMBHA-LP
II. ChaSTE
III. ILSA
IV. SHAPE
Which of the above statement(s) is/are payloads situated on the lander itself?
I. RAMBHA-LP
II. ChaSTE
III. ILSA
IV. SHAPE
Which of the above statement(s) is/are payloads situated on the lander itself?
Explanation
The landing vehicle carried several specialized instruments to study the lunar environment. These included tools to measure the thermal properties of the soil, the plasma density near the surface, and any seismic activity or moonquakes. These experiments were designed to provide a better understanding of the moon’s characteristics near its south pole. While other payloads were part of the overall mission, they were located on different components like the propulsion module or the mobile rover that explored the area.
Q1957. Match the Chandrayaan-3 payloads in List I with their functions in List II:
| Payload | Function |
|---|---|
| A. ChaSTE | i. Measures lunar seismic activity |
| B. ILSA | ii. Derives elemental composition of lunar soil |
| C. APXS (on Rover) | iii. Measures near-surface plasma density |
| D. RAMBHA | iv. Measures thermal properties of the lunar surface |
Explanation
Different instruments were assigned specific scientific tasks during the mission. One measured the temperature and heat conduction of the lunar soil, while another was designed to detect vibrations or seismic events. The mobile rover used its equipment to identify the chemical elements present in the rocks and dirt. Finally, an instrument on the lander studied the thin layer of gas and plasma near the surface. Together, these tools provided a comprehensive picture of the environment at the landing site.
Q1958. On which date did the Chandrayaan-3 lander successfully touch down near the lunar south pole?
Explanation
This specific day marked a historic achievement as the country successfully landed a spacecraft near the moon’s southern pole. The perfect touchdown followed a complex series of maneuvers and was watched by millions around the world. It made the nation the first to reach this challenging and scientifically important region of the moon. This event was a major victory for the space agency and is now celebrated as a significant milestone in the country’s scientific and technological history and progress.
Q1959. The Indian government officially named the landing site of Chandrayaan-3 as:
Explanation
Following the successful touchdown of the mission, the specific location where the vehicle landed was given an official name. This title was chosen to represent the combined strength and effort that led to the achievement. It has since become a permanent part of lunar geography, recognized in national and international records. Naming such landmarks is a tradition in space exploration to commemorate historic achievements and provide a lasting legacy for the teams of scientists and engineers involved.
Q1960. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The lunar south pole is a region of high scientific interest because of permanently shadowed craters that may contain water ice.
Statement II: India is the fourth country to land on the Moon, but the first to land near the lunar south pole.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: The lunar south pole is a region of high scientific interest because of permanently shadowed craters that may contain water ice.
Statement II: India is the fourth country to land on the Moon, but the first to land near the lunar south pole.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The region near the moon’s south pole is highly valued by scientists because it contains craters that are always in shadow and may hold frozen water. Studying this area is essential for future long-term missions. By landing there, the country became the first to reach this specific part of the moon, although it was the fourth nation overall to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface. This feat demonstrated exceptional technical precision and advanced capability in deep space exploration.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1951 | (a) Central engine removal and strengthening of landing legs. |
| 1952 | (c) Dedicated lunar orbiter payload module. |
| 1953 | (a) Lunar Lander : Vikram |
| 1954 | (d) Engine firing to allow capture by the Moon’s gravity. |
| 1955 | (b) To demonstrate tech capabilities for planetary exploration and lunar study. |
| 1956 | (a) I, II, and III only |
| 1957 | (a) A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii |
| 1958 | (b) August 23, 2023 |
| 1959 | (b) Shiv Shakti Point |
| 1960 | (c) Both statements are correct. |
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on RAS Prelims?
This page has 9654 practice MCQs on the RAS Prelims syllabus. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
How should I practise MCQs for RAS Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation. Practise one chapter at a time, note the facts you got wrong and revise them. Repeat the chapter after a few days.
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No. These are practice questions written for the RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the pattern the exam uses: factual questions, statement-based questions, match-the-list and assertion-reason.