Q161. Which statement correctly describes "Vyommitra" in the context of the Gaganyaan mission?
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 161–170 of 195 questions
Q162. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The four astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan mission were selected from the Indian Air Force test pilot pool.
Statement II: They received their initial generic spaceflight training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: The four astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan mission were selected from the Indian Air Force test pilot pool.
Statement II: They received their initial generic spaceflight training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The individuals selected to be the first astronauts are highly experienced pilots from the air force. Because the country is developing its own training facilities, the initial phase of their preparation took place at a world-famous center in Russia. This provided them with the basic skills and knowledge needed for spaceflight. Following this international training, they have continued their specialized preparation domestically, focusing on the specific systems and procedures of the national mission. This combination ensures they are fully prepared.
Q163. The conceptual necessity of the Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) conducted by ISRO was primarily to validate:
Explanation
A critical part of any manned mission is the ability to save the crew if the rocket fails during launch. To test this, a special flight was conducted using a simplified vehicle to see how the escape system works when the forces on the craft are at their highest. The successful test proved that the system could quickly and safely pull the capsule away from a malfunctioning rocket and deploy parachutes for a safe landing, providing essential safety for the future mission.
Q164. Which of the following statements about the Gaganyaan mission is incorrect?
Explanation
The systems required to keep humans alive in space, including providing air and managing temperature, are being developed indigenously. While there may be some international cooperation, the goal is to build these critical life-support technologies domestically. The mission is planned for a crew of up to three people and will involve a water landing after the LVM3 rocket is upgraded for safety. Suggestions that the entire life support system is just surplus equipment from another agency are completely false.
Q165. What is the name of the recovery agency that is jointly working with ISRO for the post-splashdown recovery of the Gaganyaan crew module?
Explanation
Because the crew module is designed to land in the ocean at the end of its mission, a specialized force is needed to find and retrieve it. This service branch has the necessary ships and aircraft to reach the splashdown site quickly and safely bring the astronauts and their capsule back to land. They have been working closely with the space agency to develop and test the procedures for a smooth and efficient recovery, ensuring the final phase of the mission is successful.
Q166. Which of the following individuals is the odd one out as they were NOT announced as an astronaut-designate for the Gaganyaan mission?
Explanation
While this individual was the first citizen of the country to travel into space many years ago on a Soviet mission, he is not part of the current group selected for the upcoming domestic program. The four pilots recently announced are the ones who will lead the first indigenous human spaceflight. The veteran astronaut serves as an inspiration and advisor to the new team, but he is not one of the active designates for the planned orbital mission, making him the exception.
Q167. Consider the following statements regarding the INSAT system:
I. It stands for Indian National Satellite System.
II. It is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in the Asia-Pacific region.
III. It only provides services for military communications.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It stands for Indian National Satellite System.
II. It is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in the Asia-Pacific region.
III. It only provides services for military communications.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The national satellite system is a major network that provides a wide range of communication services across the region. It is one of the largest and most successful of its kind, supporting everything from television broadcasting to weather forecasting. While it is used for some military tasks, it also provides essential services for civilians, such as rural education and disaster management. Statements describing its full name and its significant scale are correct, while claims that it is exclusively for military use are false.
Q168. The following question consists of two statements, Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option.
Assertion (A): ISRO shifted its naming convention for communication satellites from the INSAT series to the GSAT series.
Reason (R): The GSAT (Geosynchronous Satellite) series represents a newer generation of indigenous satellites specifically dedicated to expanding telecommunication and broadcasting capabilities.
Assertion (A): ISRO shifted its naming convention for communication satellites from the INSAT series to the GSAT series.
Reason (R): The GSAT (Geosynchronous Satellite) series represents a newer generation of indigenous satellites specifically dedicated to expanding telecommunication and broadcasting capabilities.
Explanation
Over time, the space agency began using a new name for its communication satellites to better reflect their technology and purpose. These newer models are designed for high-altitude orbits and provide much more capacity for digital services like the internet and advanced broadcasting. This shift in naming represents the transition to a more sophisticated generation of indigenous spacecraft. Both the change in convention and the reason for it are accurate parts of the history of the country’s growing satellite communication capabilities.
Q169. The INSAT series of satellites are typically placed in which type of orbit?
Explanation
To provide continuous service to the entire country, these communication satellites are placed in a very high orbit where they appear to stay in the same position in the sky. This allows ground antennas to remain pointed at them without needing to move. This specific high-altitude path is ideal for television broadcasting and telecommunications, as it covers a vast area 24 hours a day. It is the standard location for most of the nation’s strategic and commercial communication satellite networks and systems.
Q170. Which major socio-economic sector did the INSAT system revolutionize in India during the 1980s and 90s?
Explanation
The introduction of a domestic satellite system completely changed how people received information across the country. It allowed for the nationwide expansion of television services and modernized the telephone network, especially in remote areas. This technological revolution made it possible to provide education and news to millions of people simultaneously, playing a fundamental role in national development. The success of this system proved the value of investing in space technology for the direct socio-economic benefit of the general public.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 161 | (c) A half-humanoid robot to simulate functions in test flights. |
| 162 | (c) Both statements are correct. |
| 163 | (d) Crew Escape System performance under high dynamic pressure. |
| 164 | (a) The ECLSS is entirely imported from NASA’s surplus inventory. |
| 165 | (c) Indian Navy |
| 166 | (a) Rakesh Sharma |
| 167 | (a) I and II only |
| 168 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 169 | (c) Geostationary Orbit |
| 170 | (d) TV broadcasting and telecommunications. |
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.