Microtheme: Space ProgramsXIntl —
10 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2025] Consider the following space missions:
   I. Axiom-4
   II. SpaDeX
   III. Gaganyaan
   How many of the space missions given above encourage and support microgravity research?
   • (a) Only one
   • (b) Only two
   • (c) All the three
   • (d) None
   Correct Answer: (B) Only two
2. [2023] Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System?
   • (a) (a)Australia
   • (b) (b)Canada
   • (c) (c)Israel
   • (d) (d)Japan
   Correct Answer: (D) (d)Japan
3. [2020] “The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an
   equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining
   between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to
   • (a) Voyager-2
   • (b) New Horizons
   • (c) LISA Pathfinder
   • (d) Evolved LISA
   Correct Answer: (D) Evolved LISA
4. [2016] What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news?
   • (a) Electric plane tested by NASA
   • (b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan
   • (c) Space observatory launched by China
   • (d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO
   Correct Answer: (A) Electric plane tested by NASA
5. [2014] Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched ?
   Spacecraft Purpose
   1. Cassini-Huygens : Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth.
   2. Messenger : Mapping and investigating.
   3. Voyager 1 and 2 : Exploring the outer solar system.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3 only
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
6. [2008] Selene-1, the lunar orbiter mission, belongs to which one of the following?
   • (a) China
   • (b) European Union
   • (c) Japan
   • (d) USA
   Correct Answer: (C) Japan
7. [2008] Which one of the following is a spacecraft?
   • (a) Apophis
   • (b) Cassini
   • (c) Spitzer
   • (d) TechSar
   Correct Answer: (B) Cassini
8. [2008] What is the purpose of the US Space Agency’s Themis Mission, which was recently in the news?
   • (a) To study the possibility of life on Mars
   • (b) To study the satellites of Saturn
   • (c) To study the colorful display of high latitude skies
   • (d) To build a space laboratory to study stellar explosions
   Correct Answer: (C) To study the colorful display of high latitude skies
9. [2008] ISRO successfully conducted a rocket test using cryogenic engines in the year 2007. Where is the test-stand used for the purpose, located?
   • (a) Balasore
   • (b) Thiruvananthapuram
   • (c) Mahendragiri
   • (d) Karwar
   Correct Answer: (C) Mahendragiri
10. [2007] What is the Galileo Project which has been in news recently?
    • (a) An inter-country missile shield developed by the USA
    • (b) A project by India with assistance from Canada
    • (c) An environmental protection project by Japan
    • (d) A multi-satellite navigation project by the European Union
    Correct Answer: (D) A multi-satellite navigation project by the European Union