UPSC Prelims 2016 Question:

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.

Explanation:

• ASTROSAT is India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory.  It will observe the universe in the optical, Ultraviolet, low and high energy X-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. India’s observatory will be the fourth in space, after the Hubble space telescope (USA), Spektr R (Russia) and Suzaku (Japan). So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  
• AstroSat with a lift-off mass of 1515 kg was launched on September 28, 2015 into a 650 km orbit inclined at an angle of 6 degree to the equator by PSLV-C30 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. So, statement 2 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Science & Technology | Space and Related Developments