UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2022

Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the "Fractional Orbital Bombardment System" often talked about in media?

  1. A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.
  2. A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.
  3. A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
  4. A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.

Answer

Correct Answer

A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

Explanation

A Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) places a warhead into a partial low-earth orbit, which then deorbits and strikes a target on Earth, allowing flexible trajectories that can evade missile defence systems.

Topics: fractional orbital bombardment system, missile technology, orbital weapons, science and technology