ISRO Missions — Set 7

Correct Answer: A. Thiruvananthapuram

• **Thiruvananthapuram** = The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO is primarily located in Thiruvananthapuram, serving as the lead center for liquid propulsion systems. • **Valiamala and Mahendragiri** — These are the two primary facilities where LPSC conducts its operations, developing liquid propellants and engines for rockets like PSLV and GSLV. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bengaluru]: Houses the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) for satellite building, not LPSC; [Ahmedabad]: Home to the Space Applications Centre (SAC), not LPSC; [Hyderabad]: Not a primary location for ISRO's LPSC activities.

Correct Answer: A. INSAT-1B

• **INSAT-1B** = This was the first Indian satellite used for direct TV broadcasting to rural areas, revolutionizing television and telecommunications in the country. • **1983** — This was the launch year of INSAT-1B, which enabled the 'SITE' experiment to reach remote villages and was vital for improving weather forecasting. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [INSAT-2A]: A later generation INSAT satellite, not the first for direct TV broadcasting to rural areas; [Rohini]: A series of experimental satellites primarily for testing launch vehicles, not direct TV broadcasting; [Aryabhata]: India's first satellite, launched in 1975, focused on space science, not TV broadcasting.

Correct Answer: B. Andhra Pradesh

• **Andhra Pradesh** = The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR) is located on Sriharikota island in this state, serving as ISRO's primary rocket launch site. • **Sriharikota island** — This specific location on the east coast of Andhra Pradesh is ideal for launching satellites into eastern orbits efficiently. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Tamil Nadu]: Borders Andhra Pradesh but does not house ISRO's primary launch site; [Odisha]: Located on the east coast but not the site of SDSC SHAR; [Karnataka]: Houses ISRO's satellite building center (URSC) in Bengaluru, but not the rocket launch center.

Correct Answer: B. Soviet Union

• **Soviet Union** = India's first experimental satellite, Aryabhata, was launched from a Soviet Kapustin Yar launch site as India did not have its own rocket capability at that time. • **1975** — This was the year Aryabhata was launched, marking a crucial test of India's ability to build sophisticated spacecraft. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [USA]: While India has collaborated with the USA, Aryabhata was not launched from there; [France]: India has utilized French launch services in the past, but not for its first satellite, Aryabhata; [India]: India did not possess its own launch vehicle capable of deploying Aryabhata in 1975.

Correct Answer: B. Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle

• **Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle** = GSLV is an ISRO launch vehicle designed to place heavy communication satellites into geosynchronous orbits. • **Cryogenic engine** — This advanced engine, used in GSLV's third stage, provides high efficiency and significant thrust essential for heavy-lift missions to higher orbits. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Geographical Satellite Launch Vehicle]: Incorrect full form; 'Geosynchronous' refers to the specific orbit type for which it's designed; [Global Space Launch Vehicle]: Incorrect full form; 'Geosynchronous' precisely defines its primary mission profile; [General Satellite Launch Vehicle]: Incorrect full form; 'Geosynchronous' is the accurate term highlighting its specialized purpose.

Correct Answer: A. S. Somanath

• **S. Somanath** = He is the current chairman of ISRO and led the organization during the historic and successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing mission. • **Aditya-L1** — This is another landmark mission successfully conducted under his leadership, showcasing his expertise in rocket engineering and launch vehicles. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [K. Sivan]: Predecessor to S. Somanath; served as chairman during the Chandrayaan-2 mission; [G. Madhavan Nair]: Former ISRO chairman, known for Chandrayaan-1 and other significant missions; [K. Kasturirangan]: Former ISRO chairman, known for his contributions to the INSAT and IRS series of satellites.

Correct Answer: B. GPS

• **GPS** = NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is India's own independent regional satellite navigation system, serving as an indigenous alternative to the American Global Positioning System. • **Regional navigation services** — NavIC provides precise positioning services specifically over India and a region extending up to 1,500 km around its borders, for both civilian and strategic defense purposes. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Internet]: NavIC is for navigation, not global data networking or communication; [Nuclear Energy]: This relates to power generation, not satellite-based navigation technology; [Fiber Optics]: This is a communication medium involving light signals, not a satellite-based positioning system.

Correct Answer: B. UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC)

• **UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC)** = This center, located in Bengaluru, is the primary hub within ISRO responsible for designing, developing, and building all of India's major satellites. • **Bengaluru** — This city is home to URSC, where satellites for communication, remote sensing, navigation, and scientific missions are developed. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [VSSC]: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, primarily deals with rocket and launch vehicle development; [LPSC]: Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, specializes in liquid and cryogenic propulsion systems; [SDSC]: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India's primary spaceport for rocket launches.

Correct Answer: A. NASA

• **NASA** = The NISAR mission (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a significant joint collaboration between ISRO and this US space agency. • **Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)** — This advanced technology is at the core of NISAR, enabling it to provide extremely detailed radar imagery for monitoring Earth's ecosystems, climate change, and natural hazards. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [JAXA]: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency; not involved in the NISAR mission; [ESA]: European Space Agency; not involved in the NISAR mission; [CNSA]: China National Space Administration; not involved in the NISAR mission.

Correct Answer: B. Uses very low-temperature fuel

• **Uses very low-temperature fuel** = A cryogenic stage in ISRO's missions refers to a rocket stage that utilizes propellants like liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen at extremely cold temperatures. • **Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen** — These specific propellants are used in cryogenic stages, requiring specialized handling and providing high thrust essential for heavy-lift missions to higher orbits. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Uses solid fuel]: Solid fuel is used in solid propellant rocket motors, which are distinct from cryogenic engines; [Highest speed stage]: While efficient, this is not the definition; it describes the fuel type and operating temperature, not necessarily the absolute highest speed; [First stage of rocket]: Cryogenic stages are typically upper stages (like in GSLV) due to their high efficiency and complex technology, not usually the first stage.