UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2018

With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: 1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. 2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth. 3. GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3
  3. 1 and 2
  4. 3 only

Answer

Correct Answer

1 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: PSLV mainly puts satellites in sun-synchronous polar orbits, whereas geostationary satellites appear fixed. Statement 3 is wrong: GSLV Mk III is a three-stage vehicle with two solid strap-on boosters, a liquid core stage and a cryogenic upper stage.

Topics: launch vehicles, pslv and gslv, science and technology, space technology