Q80. Which Indian solar mission began regular science observations using the SUIT instrument and released initial data sets in early 2025?
[SSC GD Constable, 04 May 2026 (Shift 2)]
A. AstroSat-2
B. Aditya-L1
C. Chandrayaan-3
D. XPoSat
Answer: B. Aditya-L1
Explanation: Aditya-L1 carries the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT), which observes the solar photosphere and chromosphere in near-ultraviolet wavelengths. From a halo orbit around Sun–Earth L1, the observatory can watch the Sun continuously and support studies of solar activity.
Q79. What was significant about the Chandrayaan-2 mission despite the unsuccessful landing of its lander?
[SSC GD Constable, 04 May 2026 (Shift 2)]
A. It studied Venus
B. Its orbiter continued transmitting scientific data
C. It carried astronauts
D. It was India’s first Mars mission
Answer: B. Its orbiter continued transmitting scientific data
Explanation: Chandrayaan-2, launched in July 2019, carried an orbiter, Vikram lander and Pragyan rover. Although Vikram did not achieve a soft landing, its orbiter functioned independently and continued making valuable observations of the lunar surface and exosphere.
Q78. Which mission made India the first country to reach Mars orbit successfully on its maiden attempt?
[SSC GD Constable, 06 May 2026 (Shift 2)]
A. Chandrayaan-1
B. Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission)
C. Chandrayaan-2
D. Aditya-L1
Answer: B. Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission)
Explanation: India’s Mars Orbiter Mission, nicknamed Mangalyaan, launched on PSLV-C25 on 5 November 2013 and entered Martian orbit on 24 September 2014. It demonstrated interplanetary navigation, autonomous spacecraft management and cost-effective mission design on the first attempt.
Q77. Which Indian satellite helped monitor cyclones including Phailin and Hudhud?
[SSC GD Constable, 05 May 2026 (Shift 2)]
A. INSAT-3D
B. Cartosat-1
C. GSAT-7
D. RISAT-2
Answer: A. INSAT-3D
Explanation: INSAT-3D is an Indian meteorological satellite carrying an imager and an atmospheric sounder. Its frequent cloud images and temperature–humidity measurements helped forecasters track major Bay of Bengal cyclones, supporting warnings and disaster preparedness.
Q76. If a satellite takes about 90 minutes to complete an orbit, which force principally keeps it moving around Earth?
[SSC GD Constable, 05 May 2026 (Shift 2)]
A. Earth’s gravitational force
B. Its centrifugal force
C. Earth’s magnetic force
D. Electromagnetic radiation
Answer: A. Earth’s gravitational force
Explanation: Earth’s gravity provides the centripetal acceleration required for an orbiting satellite to keep changing direction. Without gravity it would travel approximately along a straight tangent. A 90-minute orbital period is typical of low Earth orbit.
Q75. Which discoveries have been made using AstroSat:
I. ultraviolet emission from distant galaxies;
II. X-ray polarisation associated with celestial remnants?
[SSC GD Constable, 18 May 2026 (Shift 2)]
A. I only
B. II only
C. Both I and II
D. Neither I nor II
Answer: C. Both I and II
Explanation: AstroSat, launched in 2015, is India’s first dedicated multiwavelength space observatory. Its ultraviolet and X-ray instruments investigate distant galaxies and high-energy astronomical sources. The mission substantially expanded India’s observational astronomy capabilities beyond Earth-orbiting application satellites.
Q74. Which is India’s first space-based mission dedicated to studying the Sun?
[UPSSSC Lekhpal Mains, 21 May 2026]
A. Aditya-L1
B. NavIC
C. HysIS
D. GAGAN
E. None of the above
Answer: A. Aditya-L1
Explanation: Aditya-L1 launched on PSLV-C57 on 2 September 2023. It operates around the Sun–Earth L1 point, roughly 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, with instruments examining the solar corona, photosphere, chromosphere, plasma and magnetic fields.
Q73. Which Indian scientist received the Vikram Sarabhai Medal in 2024?
[RRB Group D, 03 February 2026 (Shift 1)]
A. Anil Bhardwaj
B. Govindarajan Padmanabhan
C. Umesh Varshney
D. Prahlad Chandra Agrawal
Answer: A. Anil Bhardwaj
Explanation: Planetary scientist Anil Bhardwaj received the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal in 2024 for important contributions to space science. The honour recognises outstanding research by scientists from developing countries and commemorates India’s pioneering space-programme leader.
Q72. Which Indian space mission renewed scientific interest in the presence of water on the Moon?
[SSC MTS 2025 paper, held 18 February 2026 (Shift 3)]
A. Chandrayaan-1
B. Chandrayaan-2
C. Chandrayaan-3
D. Aditya-L1
Answer: A. Chandrayaan-1
Explanation: Chandrayaan-1 was launched in October 2008. NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper aboard the Indian spacecraft detected spectral signatures of water and hydroxyl on the lunar surface, transforming scientific understanding of the Moon’s composition and potential volatile resources.
Q71. India observes National Space Day on 23 August to commemorate which event?
[SSC MTS 2025 paper, held 11 February 2026 (Shift 3)]
A. The successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander
B. The founding of ISRO
C. The launch of Aryabhata
D. The launch of Mangalyaan
Answer: A. The successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander
Explanation: On 23 August 2023, the Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-3 successfully touched down in the lunar south polar region. The Government of India designated 23 August as National Space Day to recognise this milestone and encourage space-science awareness.