ISRO Missions — Set 5

Correct Answer: D. Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle

• **Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle** = This is the full form of 'ASLV', an early launch vehicle of ISRO. • **SLV-3** — ASLV was designed to augment the payload capacity of this earlier launch vehicle. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Advanced Satellite Launch Vehicle: Incorrect full form for ASLV; Auto Satellite Launch Vehicle: Incorrect full form for ASLV; Aero Satellite Launch Vehicle: Incorrect full form for ASLV.

Correct Answer: A. GSAT-6

• **GSAT-6** = This Indian satellite was the first to provide mobile satellite services in the country. • **2015** — GSAT-6, a high-power S-band communication satellite, was launched in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: INSAT-3C: Provided various communication services but not specifically highlighted for first mobile satellite services; GSAT-2: An experimental communication satellite, not specifically for first mobile satellite services; IRS-1A: An early remote sensing satellite, not for communication services.

Correct Answer: D. Weather forecasting

• **Weather forecasting** = The 'SCATSAT-1' satellite was launched by ISRO primarily for this purpose. • **Wind vector data** — SCATSAT-1 provides high-quality data of this type, crucial for weather prediction. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Ocean monitoring: While related, the primary output (wind data) is for weather forecasting; Disaster management: Supported by weather forecasting data, but not the direct primary purpose; Tele-medicine: A communication application, unrelated to SCATSAT-1's function.

Correct Answer: C. RLV-TD

• **RLV-TD** = This ISRO rocket carries a small reusable launch vehicle prototype called 'Pushpak'. • **Space plane** — RLV-TD is a series of experiments to develop this type of vehicle. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: PSLV: A workhorse expendable launch vehicle, not designed for reusable prototypes like Pushpak; LVM3: India's heaviest operational expendable launch vehicle, not for reusable prototypes; GSLV: A family of expendable launch vehicles, not designed for reusable prototypes.

Correct Answer: D. 8,000 kg

• **8,000 kg** = This is the maximum payload capacity of the LVM3 rocket to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). • **4,000 kg** — LVM3 can lift this much payload to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 4,000 kg: This is its capacity to GTO, not LEO; 2,000 kg: This is less than its actual LEO capacity; 10,000 kg: This exceeds its current LEO capacity.

Correct Answer: B. Tamil Nadu

• **Tamil Nadu** = The second launch port of ISRO is being established in Kulasekharapatnam, Tamil Nadu. • **Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV)** — This new launch port is primarily designed for launching smaller satellites, offering a strategic advantage for southward launches over the Indian Ocean. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Kerala]: The existing Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station is for sounding rockets, not orbital launches; [Odisha]: No major orbital launch facilities are planned or present here; [Gujarat]: Gujarat does not host any ISRO orbital launch facilities.

Correct Answer: B. High-resolution mapping

• **Cartosat** = The 'Cartosat' series of satellites are Earth observation satellites used for cartographic applications, providing high-resolution imagery. • **High-resolution panchromatic and multispectral imagery** — This data is crucial for urban planning, land use monitoring, and resource management. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Broadcasting]: Communication satellites like INSAT/GSAT handle broadcasting; [Weather monitoring]: Satellites like INSAT-3DR are used for weather observation; [Scientific research]: While some research is involved, the primary function of Cartosat is mapping.

Correct Answer: B. LVM3-M4

• **LVM3-M4** = This powerful rocket successfully launched the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft from Sriharikota on July 14, 2023. • **LVM3** — The reliability and heavy-lift capability of LVM3 were crucial for the success of the complex Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, carrying the integrated module. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [PSLV-XL]: PSLV was used for Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan but not Chandrayaan-3; [GSLV-F10]: This variant was used for the EOS-03 mission which failed to achieve orbit; [SSLV-D2]: SSLV is for smaller satellites and does not have the capacity for a mission like Chandrayaan-3.

Correct Answer: A. Antrix Corporation

• **Antrix Corporation** = This is the older commercial arm of ISRO, primarily responsible for marketing space products and services internationally. • **NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)** — NSIL was formed in **2019** to undertake end-to-end commercial space activities, complementing Antrix's role. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)]: While also a commercial arm with a broader mandate, Antrix is the established entity for international customer launches; [IN-SPACe]: This is an autonomous body to enable private sector participation, not ISRO's direct commercial arm; [Not specified]: The commercial arm is indeed specified.

Correct Answer: A. Chandrayaan-1

• **Chandrayaan-1** = This was India's first lunar probe mission, launched in 2008, which successfully carried and deployed the Moon Impact Probe (MIP). • **Moon Impact Probe (MIP)** — The MIP symbolically marked India's first physical presence on the lunar surface, specifically near the South Pole, capturing valuable data during its descent. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Chandrayaan-2]: This mission included a lander and rover (Vikram and Pragyan) but not a distinct impact probe; [Chandrayaan-3]: This mission successfully landed Vikram and Pragyan, building on Chandrayaan-2's objectives; [Mars Orbiter]: This mission was focused on studying Mars, not the Moon.