11. With reference to the SPHEREx telescope, consider the following statements:
- ISRO’s SPHEREx will study the universe’s origins and detect water and organic molecules in the Milky Way.
- Designed for a two-year mission, it will survey the sky in optical and near-infrared light to map the universe and study its origins.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:- ISRO’s SPHEREx will study the universe’s origins and detect water and organic molecules in the Milky Way. Incorrect: NASA’s SPHEREx space telescope is set to launch, aiming to explore the origins of the universe and search for water and organic molecules in the Milky Way.
- Designed for a two-year mission, it will survey the sky in optical and near-infrared light to map the universe and study its origins. Correct: The Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) is a space telescope designed to survey the sky in optical and near-infrared light. With a planned duration of two years, the mission aims to map the universe and explore its origins.
12. What is the name of the aerospace-quality semiconductor chip jointly developed by IIT-Madras and ISRO?
[A] IRIS
[B] PRITHVI
[C] SARYU
[D] VIKRAM
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [IRIS]
Notes:
IIT-Madras and ISRO developed and successfully booted the SHAKTI-based semiconductor chip, IRIS (Indigenous RISCV Controller for Space Applications). SHAKTI systems use RISC-V (reduced instruction set computer five), an open-source Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), for custom processor design. The project is backed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT under the Digital India RISC-V (DIRV) initiative. The goal is to promote indigenous microprocessor-based products with top security and transparency. IRIS is a significant step toward India’s self-reliance in semiconductor technology, especially for space applications.
13. The ISRO has developed FEAST (Finite Element Analysis of Structures) software at which institute?
[A] IIT Kanpur
[B] IIT Bombay
[C] IIT Hyderabad
[D] IIT Roorkee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIT Hyderabad]
Notes:
ISRO unveiled the latest version of Finite Element Analysis of Structures (FEAST) software at the 8th National Finite Element Developers’ Meeting at IIT-Hyderabad. More than 250 industry leaders, academicians, and researchers attended to promote indigenous structural analysis software. FEAST, developed by ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), analyzes structures under various loads in aerospace, automobile, civil, and mechanical fields.
14. With reference to Axiom-4 Mission, consider the following statements:
- Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a joint initiative of NASA, ESA, and ISRO to the International Space Station (ISS).
- It will take astronauts to the International Space Station for 14 days.
- The SpaceX Crew Dragon is used to transport astronauts to the ISS.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a joint initiative of NASA, ESA, and ISRO to the International Space Station (ISS). This is correct. The mission is designed for a two-week stay at the ISS.
- It will take astronauts to the International Space Station for 14 days: This is correct. The 14-day mission will focus on scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and educational outreach aboard the ISS.
- The SpaceX Crew Dragon is used for transporting astronauts to the ISS: This is correct. The Crew Dragon spacecraft is specifically designed for such missions.
15. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the NVS-02 satellite using GSLV-F15 from which place?
[A] Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram
[B] Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota
[C] Dr Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha
[D] National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota]
Notes:
ISRO successfully launched the navigation satellite NVS-02 on January 29 aboard GSLV-F15 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota. This was ISRO’s historic 100th launch, marking a major milestone. GSLV-F15 used an indigenous cryogenic stage to place the satellite in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). This was the 17th flight of the GSLV series and the 11th using ISRO’s cryogenic engine. NVS-02 will replace IRNSS-1E and enhance India’s navigation capabilities.
16. What is the primary purpose of the NVS-02 satellite developed by ISRO?
[A] To provide weather forecasting services
[B] To improve India’s navigation system, NavIC
[C] To monitor Earth’s climate
[D] To enhance communication services
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [To improve India’s navigation system, NavIC]
Notes:
ISRO launched the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket carrying the NVS-02 satellite for the NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) navigation system. NVS-02 is the second of five second-generation satellites to replace older ones in India’s navigation constellation. It weighs 2,250 kg, has a 3 kW power capacity, and includes navigation payloads in L1, L5, S, and C bands. The satellite features a Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard for precise timekeeping and has a 12-year lifespan.
17. Which space centre is home to the ISRO’s new Third Launch Pad?
[A] Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram
[B] Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahemadabad
[C] ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri
[D] Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved a Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. TLP will support ISRO’s Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) and human spaceflight missions. It will serve as a backup for the Second Launch Pad (SLP) and support LVM3 vehicles with advanced stages. The project costs ₹3984.86 crore and is expected to be completed in four years. TLP will boost launch frequencies, enabling India’s space goals, including the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and crewed lunar landing by 2040. It enhances India’s capacity for heavier and advanced launch vehicles.
18. In the light of India’s recent achievements in space technology, consider the following statements:
- Isro’s SpaDeX project successfully demonstrated a petal-based docking system aligned with international standards.
- India is the 3rd country to achieve satellite docking in space.
- The United States and China have already achieved docking technology.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Isro’s SpaDeX project successfully demonstrated a petal-based docking system aligned with international standards: This is correct. The docking system follows the International Docking System Standard (IDSS).
- India is the 3rd country to achieve satellite docking in space: This is incorrect. The US, Russia, and China have previously mastered satellite docking. Spacecraft docking is a crucial capability for future missions, including the Bharatiya Antriksha Station.
- The United States and China have already achieved docking technology: This is correct. These two with Russia are the only nations with successful docking capabilities.
19. What is the name of the ISRO mission that successfully germinated lobia seeds in space?
[A] Plant Growth Module (PGM)
[B] Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS)
[C] Space Farming Initiative (SFI)
[D] Agricultural Research in Space (ARS)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS)]
Notes:
The ISRO mission that successfully germinated lobia seeds (also known as cowpea seeds) in space is called the “CROPS” experiment, which stands for “Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies”. The seeds sprouted on the fourth day, with leaves visible by the fifth day, marking a major milestone in space research. The experiment aims to develop sustainable food sources for long-term space missions and test plant growth in microgravity and controlled environments. Success supports astronauts by enabling food growth, oxygen generation, and CO₂ recycling in space. It highlights India’s capability in managing complex life-support systems and contributes to global space farming initiatives.
20. Consider the following pairs:
| NISAR | Joint mission by NASA and ISRO |
| VIPER | European Space Agency |
| SOHO | China |
| Hera Mission | NASA |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] Only three pairs
[D] All Four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only one pair]
Notes:- NISAR: It is indeed a joint mission by NASA and ISRO, focusing on Earth observation. So, this pair is correct.
- VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover), is a robot the size of a golf cart that NASA will use to explore the moon’s south pole in late 2024. This robotic mission is designed to search for volatiles, which are molecules that easily vaporize, like water and carbon dioxide, at lunar temperatures.
- Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is a mission by ESA/NASA to study the Sun’s internal structure, outer atmosphere, and the solar wind.
- The European Space Agency’s Hera mission aims to revisit the Didymos-Dimorphos asteroid system, which was previously explored by NASA’s DART mission in 2022. However, DART’s visit was not just observational; it deliberately collided with one of the asteroids to test a planetary defense technique known as “kinetic impact.” The impact was so powerful that it altered the orbit of Dimorphos.
Thus, only two pairs are correct.
