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71 questions from UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper 1 on Space Technology & Astronomy (Science & Technology). Spanning from 1995 to 2025. Practice with show/hide answers and detailed explanations.
71
Questions
28
Years
34
Easy
37
Moderate
Based on 71 questions across 28 years, UPSC has consistently tested aspirants' understanding of Space Technology & Astronomy within the broader Science & Technology syllabus. The questions range from factual recall to application-based analysis.
Recent trends show UPSC moving towards statement-based questions that combine multiple aspects of Space Technology & Astronomy. Aspirants should focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing isolated facts.
Q: निम्नलिखित अंतरिक्ष मिशनों पर विचार कीजिए : I. एक्सिओम-4 II. स्पेसएक्स III. गगनयान उपयुक्त अंतरिक्ष मिशनों में से कितने सूक्ष्म गुरुत्व (माइक्रोग्रैविटी) विषयक अनुसंधान को प्रोत्साहित और सक्षम करते हैं?
Q: GPS-युक्त स्वदेशी ऑग्मेन्टेड नेविगेशन (GAGAN) के संदर्भ में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए : I. यह अतिरिक्त सतह आधारित और विमानमार्गीय दिशा-निर्देशन के लिए सुविधा प्रदान करता है। II. इससे अधिक एकरूपता और उच्च गुणवत्ता का वायु यातायात प्रबंधन संभव होगा। III. इसके केवल स्थिति निर्धारण में ही प्रयोग मिलेगा, अन्य प्रयोजनों में नहीं। नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिए।
Q: Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Giant stars live much longer than dwarf stars. Statement-II: Compared to dwarf stars, giant stars have a greater rate of nuclear reactions. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Q: Consider the following pairs: Objects in space — Description 1. Cepheids : Giant clouds of dust and gas in space 2. Nebulae : Stars which brighten and dim periodically 3. Pulsars : Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Q: Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System?
Q: If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ? 1. GPS and navigation systems could fail. 2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions. 3. Power grids could be damaged. 4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth. 5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet. 6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed. 7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Q: Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?
Q: “The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to
Q: For the measurement/estimation of which of the following are satellite images/remote sensing data used? 1. Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of a specific location 2. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of a specific location 3. Land surface temperatures of a specific location Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Q: Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant 'blackholes' billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?
Q: GPS तकनीक का उपयोग निम्नलिखित में से किन क्षेत्रों में हो सकता है? 1. मोबाइल फोन प्रचालन 2. बैंकिंग प्रचालन 3. पॉवर ग्रिड का नियंत्रण नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिए:
Q: With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements: 1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits. 2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders. 3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: भारत के उपग्रह प्रक्षेपित करने वाले वाहनों के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए : 1. PSLV से वे उपग्रह प्रक्षेपित किए जाते हैं जो पृथ्वी के संसाधनों के मानचित्रण में उपयोगी हैं, जबकि GSLV को मुख्यतः संचार उपग्रहों को प्रक्षेपित करने के लिए अभिकल्पित किया गया है। 2. PSLV द्वारा प्रक्षेपित उपग्रह आकाश में एक ही स्थिति में स्थिर रूप में दिखते प्रतीत होते हैं जैसा कि पृथ्वी के एक विशेष स्थान से देखा जाता है। 3. GSLV Mk III, एक चार-स्तरीय वाला प्रक्षेपण वाहन है, जिसमें प्रथम एवं तृतीय चरणों में ठोस रॉकेट मोटरों का तथा द्वितीय एवं चतुर्थ चरणों में तरल रॉकेट इंजनों का प्रयोग होता है। उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन-से सही हैं ?
Q: The terms 'Event Horizon', 'Singularity', 'String Theory' and 'Standard Model' are sometimes seen in the news in the context of
Q: What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project?
Q: With reference to ‘Astrosat’, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space. 2. Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q: Consider the following statements: The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO 1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission 2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA 3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of
Q: निम्नलिखित में से किन कार्यकलापों में भारतीय दूर संवेदी (IRS) उपग्रह का प्रयोग किया जाता है? 1. फसल की उपज का आकलन 2. भू-जल (ग्राउंडवाटर) संभावनाओं का स्थान-निर्धारण 3. खनिज का अन्वेषण 4. दूरसंचार 5. रास्तागत अध्ययन नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिए।
Q: Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? Spacecraft : Purpose 1. Cassini-Huygens : Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth 2. Messenger : Mapping and investigating the Mercury 3. Voyager 1 and 2 : Exploring the outer solar system Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q: Which of the following is/are cited by the scientists as evidence/evidences for the continued expansion of universe? 1. Detection of microwaves in space 2. Observation of redshift phenomenon in space 3. Movement of asteroids in space 4. Occurrence of supernova explosions in space
Q: Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth?
Q: Satellites used for telecommunication relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. A satellite is said to be in such an orbit when: 1. The orbit is geosynchronous. 2. The orbit is circular. 3. The orbit lies in the plane of the Earth’s equator. 4. The orbit is at an altitude of 22,236 km. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Q: An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down. This is so because the attraction of Earth
Q: What is the difference between asteroids and comets? 1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material. 2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury. 3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements: The satellite Oceansat-2 launched by India helps in 1. estimating the water vapour content in the atmosphere. 2. predicting the onset of monsoons. 3. monitoring the pollution of coastal waters. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: In the context of space technology, what is “Bhuvan”, recently in the news?
Q: Who of the following scientists proved that the stars with mass less than 1·44 times the mass of the Sun end up as White Dwarfs when they die ?
Q: India has recently landed its Moon Impact Probe on the Moon. Among the following countries, which one landed such probe on the Moon earlier ?
Q: Selene-1, the lunar orbiter mission belongs to which one of the following?
Q: ISRO successfully conducted a rocket test using cryogenic engines in the year 2007. Where is the test-stand used for the purpose, located?
Q: In order of their distances from the Sun, which of the following planets lie between Mars and Uranus?
Q: Which one of the following is a spacecraft?
Q: What is the purpose of the US Space Agency's Themis Mission, which was recently in the news?
Q: Consider the following statements in respect of a jet engine and a rocket: 1. A jet engine uses the surrounding air for its oxygen supply and so is unsuitable for motion in space. 2. A rocket carries its own supply of oxygen in the gas form, and fuel. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Consider the following statements: 1. In the year 2006, India successfully tested a full-fledged cryogenic stage in rocketry. 2. After USA, Russia and China, India is the only country to have acquired the capability for use of cryogenic stage in rocketry. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: NASA’s Deep Impact space mission was employed to take detailed pictures of which comet nucleus?
Q: Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
Q: What is the Galileo project which has been in news recently?
Q: Assertion (A): To orbit around the Sun, the planet Mars takes lesser time than the time taken by the Earth. Reason (R): The diameter of the planet Mars is less than that of the Earth.
Q: What is the approximate mean velocity with which the Earth moves round the Sun in its orbit?
Q: Consider the following statements in respect of India's advanced satellite INSAT–4A : 1. INSAT–4A was launched in December, 2005 from New Mexico. 2. The European commercial launch service provider Arianespace was associated with the launch of INSAT–4A. 3. Tata-Sky—a digital cable service provider is associated with DTH television broadcasting services from INSAT-4A. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Q: Assertion (A): Existence of human life on Venus is highly improbable. Reason (R): Venus has extremely high level of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere.
Q: Consider the following statements: 1. India launched its first full-fledged meteorological satellite (METSAT) in September 2002. 2. For the first time, the space vehicle PSLV-C4 carried a payload of more than 1000 kg into a geosynchronous orbit. Which of these statements is/are correct?
Q: Among the following which planet takes maximum time for one revolution around the Sun?
Q: In the year 2001, NASA launched a spacecraft to Mars named
Q: The world's highest ground-based telescopic observatory is located in
Q: Assume that the moon takes exactly 30 days to complete the cycle and also assume that it rises in the East exactly at 6.48 p.m. on the first day. On the fourth day, at what time will it rise?
Q: With reference to Indian satellites and their launchers, consider the following statements: 1. All the INSAT-series of satellites were launched abroad 2. PSLVs were used to launch IRS-series of satellites 3. India used the indigenously built cryogenic engines for the first time for powering the third stage of GSLV 4. GSAT, launched in the year 2001, has payloads to demonstrate digital broadcasts and internet services Which of these statements are correct?
Q: Assertion (A): Artificial satellites are always launched from the earth in the eastward direction. Reason (R): The earth rotates from west to east and so the satellite attains the escape velocity.
Q: Who amongst the following was the Chairman of ISRO when INSAT-3B was launched?
Q: The location of the space organisation units have been marked in the given map as 1, 2, 3 and 4. Match these units with the list given and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists: A. ISRO B. IIRS C. NRSA D. SAC
Q: Who is the scientist in whose honour the “Chandra” X-ray telescope has been named?
Q: A ‘black hole’ is a body in space which does not allow any radiation to come out. This property is due to its
Q: The damage to the Spektr Module of the Russian Space Station Mir was due to
Q: Which of the following statements are true about the Indian-born woman astronaut Kalpana Chawla? I. She was born in Karnal. II. She flew on board the shuttle flight STS-87. III. She was trained at the Kennedy Space Centre. IV. She did a space-walk to retrieve the Spartan Satellite. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Q: The satellites of which one of the following countries have helped in the preparation of a detailed and complete map of Antarctica?
Q: Consider the following statements regarding asteroids: I. Asteroids are rocky debris of varying sizes orbiting the Sun. II. Most of the asteroids are small but some have diameter as large as 1000 km. III. The orbit of asteroids lies between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn. Of these statements:
Q: Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists: List I (Special Characteristic) I. Farthest planet from the Sun II. Largest planet of the solar system III. Planet second from the Sun in the solar system IV. Planet nearest to the Sun List II (Name of Planet) A) Mercury B) Venus C) Jupiter D) Pluto E) Saturn
Q: One Astronomical Unit is the average distance between
Q: The tail of a comet is directed away from the sun because
Q: Which one of the following stars is nearest to the earth?
Q: Which one of the following conditions is most relevant for the presence of life on Mars?
Q: The planet Mercury is revolving in an elliptical orbit around the sun as shown in the given figure. The kinetic energy of Mercury is greatest at the point labelled
Q: Which one of the following satellites is to be launched from India in 1996?
Q: Consider the following statements: A person in a spaceship located half-way between the earth and the sun will notice that the I. Sky is jet black. II. Stars do not twinkle. III. Temperature outside the spaceship is much higher than that on the surface of the earth. Of these statements
Q: ‘Diamond Ring’ is a phenomenon observed
Q: A meteor is
Q: In the field of space technology, India has demonstrated during 1994 her capability to
Q: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 hit the planet
Q: 114. Cryogenic engines find applications in
UPSC has asked 71 questions on Space Technology & Astronomy in GS Paper 1 Prelims between 1995 and 2025. This sub-topic falls under Science & Technology.
Questions on Space Technology & Astronomy have appeared in UPSC Prelims in the following years: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995. The topic has appeared in 28 out of 31 years.
Among 71 questions on Space Technology & Astronomy: 34 are easy, 37 are moderate, and 0 are difficult. Most questions test conceptual understanding of the topic.
