Q121. Which statement correctly highlights the major technological milestone achieved in the GSLV Mk II development?
Defence and Space Technology in India: RAS Prelims MCQs
195 RAS Prelims MCQs on defence and space technology in India cover DRDO, the missile programme, nuclear policy and space missions. The founding year of DRDO, its motto, the five missiles of the IGMDP, Agni-V, the Nuclear Doctrine and the major ISRO missions are asked as facts, and each explanation connects the system to its purpose.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 121–130 of 195 questions
Q122. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The Vikas engine is a liquid-fueled rocket engine used in the second stage of PSLV and GSLV.
Statement II: The Vikas engine relies on liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as propellants.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: The Vikas engine is a liquid-fueled rocket engine used in the second stage of PSLV and GSLV.
Statement II: The Vikas engine relies on liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as propellants.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
This reliable liquid-fueled engine is a critical component of several major rockets used by the space agency. It provides the necessary power for the second stages of these vehicles. However, it does not use the extremely cold fuels typical of cryogenic engines. Instead, it relies on propellants that can be stored at normal temperatures. This engine has a long history of successful flights and remains a cornerstone of the country’s liquid propulsion technology and satellite launch capacity.
Q123. The design architecture of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) consists of:
Explanation
The design of this heavy launcher is built around a central liquid-fueled stage that is assisted by two massive solid rocket motors attached to its sides. For the final phase of its journey, it uses a sophisticated high-performance engine that runs on extremely cold liquid fuels. This three-stage configuration provides the immense thrust needed to carry heavy communication satellites or human-rated capsules into space. It represents the most powerful and advanced launch system currently in the national inventory.
Q124. Which of the following is a negative statement regarding the operational history of the PSLV?
Explanation
While this rocket eventually became legendary for its reliability and success, its initial test flight did not go as planned. In 1993, the first attempt to launch the vehicle ended in failure due to a technical error. However, the agency quickly identified the problem and fixed it, leading to an incredibly successful career. Since then, it has launched famous missions to the moon and Mars, proving itself as one of the most dependable rockets in the world.
Q125. The PSLV has earned its reputation primarily by placing earth observation and remote sensing satellites into which specific orbit?
Explanation
This rocket is primarily used to place Earth observation and remote sensing satellites into a specific high-latitude orbit. In this path, the satellite passes over the poles and stays in a constant position relative to the sun. This is ideal for imaging and monitoring the planet’s surface under consistent lighting conditions. The rocket’s precision in reaching this orbit has made it the global leader for such missions, serving both national needs and international commercial clients successfully for decades.
Q126. Identify the odd one out among the rocket engines/motors used by ISRO:
Explanation
This specific engine is a high-performance liquid-fueled motor developed by a private American aerospace company for its own line of rockets. It is not part of the technology used by the national space agency, which relies on its own indigenous designs like the Vikas and cryogenic motors. The other listed items are all well-known components used in the country’s various satellite launch vehicles, making the foreign-developed engine the clear exception in this group of propulsion systems.
Q127. Consider the following statements regarding the Chandrayaan-1 mission:
I. It was launched in 2008 using the PSLV-C11.
II. It included a Moon Impact Probe (MIP) that crash-landed near the lunar south pole.
III. It definitively discovered evidence of water molecules on the lunar surface.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It was launched in 2008 using the PSLV-C11.
II. It included a Moon Impact Probe (MIP) that crash-landed near the lunar south pole.
III. It definitively discovered evidence of water molecules on the lunar surface.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The first lunar mission was launched in 2008 and successfully placed a spacecraft in orbit around the moon. It included a specialized probe that intentionally impacted the surface to study its composition. A major scientific achievement of this mission was the definitive detection of water molecules on the lunar surface, changing our understanding of the moon. These results were verified by multiple instruments and international partners, marking a major milestone for the national space program and global lunar science.
Q128. The following question consists of two statements, Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option.
Assertion (A): The Chandrayaan-2 mission is often described as partially successful.
Reason (R): While the Vikram lander crashed during the final descent, the Orbiter was successfully placed in lunar orbit and continues to send valuable scientific data.
Assertion (A): The Chandrayaan-2 mission is often described as partially successful.
Reason (R): While the Vikram lander crashed during the final descent, the Orbiter was successfully placed in lunar orbit and continues to send valuable scientific data.
Explanation
This complex mission had multiple components, and while one part failed, others were highly successful. The attempt to land a vehicle on the surface did not go as planned, resulting in a crash. However, the orbiting spacecraft was placed perfectly in lunar orbit and has continued to provide high-resolution images and scientific data for many years. Because of this mix of outcomes, the mission is recognized for its significant contributions despite the loss of the landing vehicle.
Q129. The critical instrument on Chandrayaan-1 that helped discover water on the Moon, the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), was contributed by:
Explanation
This sophisticated instrument was one of the key payloads on the first lunar mission and was provided by the American space agency. It was specifically designed to map the minerals on the moon’s surface and was instrumental in the discovery of water molecules. This collaboration highlights the international nature of space exploration and how different countries can work together to achieve major scientific breakthroughs. The data from this instrument provided a new perspective on the history and geology of the moon.
Q130. Which launch vehicle was used to launch the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019?
Explanation
For this ambitious mission involving an orbiter, a lander, and a rover, the country’s most powerful rocket was required. This heavy-lift vehicle successfully carried the large and complex spacecraft through the initial stages of its journey to the moon. Its ability to place such a heavy payload into a precise transfer orbit was a demonstration of the growing maturity of the nation’s heavy launch technology. This rocket has since become the primary choice for deep space and manned missions.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 121 | (c) Development and successful flight of an indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage. |
| 122 | (a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 123 | (a) Two solid strap-on boosters, a core liquid stage, and a cryogenic upper stage. |
| 124 | (b) It failed its very first developmental flight in 1993. |
| 125 | (b) Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit |
| 126 | (a) Merlin |
| 127 | (d) I, II, and III |
| 128 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 129 | (c) NASA (USA) |
| 130 | (b) GSLV Mk III (LVM3) |
Key facts from Defence and Space Technology in India
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation was established in 1958; its motto is Balasya Mulam Vigyanam.
- The five core missiles of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme are Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag and Akash, remembered as PATNA.
- The IGMDP was reinforced by the limits of the Missile Technology Control Regime; Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is called the Missile Man of India.
- Agni-V is an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile; the Prithvi is a surface-to-surface battlefield missile.
- India formally adopted its Nuclear Doctrine in 2003.
- The Atmanirbhar Bharat reforms opened the space sector to private participation.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Defence and Space Technology in India?
This page has 195 practice MCQs on Defence and Space Technology in India (Science and Technology). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
When was DRDO established?
In 1958. It is the research and development wing of the Ministry of Defence, and its motto is Balasya Mulam Vigyanam, meaning the source of strength is science.
What does PATNA stand for?
The five core missile systems of the IGMDP: Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag and Akash. The programme was led by Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and launched in 1983.
What is the category of the Agni-V missile?
An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), with a range of more than 5,000 km. It can carry a payload of around 1,500 kg, and it can carry multiple warheads, which makes it a strategic weapon.