UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on radiation leak threat, LVM3, GSaaS and more (Week 116)

QUESTION 1

With reference to the LVM3, consider the following statements:

1. It is a single-stage vehicle with one solid strap-on motor and one liquid core stage.

2. It is a heavy lift launch vehicle of ISRO which can only lift upto 500 kg spacecraft, with a launching capability to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) cost-effectively.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— ISRO’s recent call to private enterprises to build India’s heaviest rocket is a long-awaited move towards increasing private sector participation in the country’s space effort. It would also help India get a foothold in the international space sector, which is quickly expanding due to rising demand for satellite launches.

— LVM3 has three stages: two solid strap-on motors (S200), one liquid core stage (L110), and a high-thrust cryogenic upper stage (C25). Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The S200 solid motor is one of the world’s largest solid boosters, containing 204 tonnes of solid propellant. The liquid L110 stage employs a dual liquid engine configuration with 115 tonnes of liquid propellant, and the C25 Cryogenic upper stage employs the wholly indigenous high thrust cryogenic engine (CE20) with a fuel loading of 28 tonnes.

— LVM3 is ISRO’s latest heavy-lift launch vehicle, designed to send 4000 kg spacecraft to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) in a cost-effective manner. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.isro.gov.in)

QUESTION 2

Consider the following statements about neutron stars:

1. They are superdense astrophysical objects formed at the beginning of a massive star’s life in a supernova explosion.

2. They constantly gain energy by emitting gravitational waves until they eventually collide and merge.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Neutron stars are superdense astrophysical objects formed at the end of a massive star’s life in a supernova explosion. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— Sometimes, neutron stars orbit each other in binary systems.

— These systems constantly lose energy by emitting gravitational waves until they eventually collide and merge. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Researchers may now examine the physical characteristics of the universe’s most severe states because of these mergers. For instance, heavy metals like gold are formed under the circumstances of these high-energy collisions.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Consider the following statements:

1. It rotates backwards, from east to west.

2. It is the largest of Pluto’s five moons.

3. The moon’s orbit around Pluto takes around 6.4 Earth days.

4. The same surfaces of this moon and Pluto always face each other, a phenomenon called mutual tidal locking.

The above mentioned statements refer to:

(a) Herse

(b) Nix

(c) Charon

(d) Hydra

Explanation

— Charon is the largest of Pluto’s five moons. Charon is the largest known satellite in terms of its parent planet, measuring half the size of Pluto.

— Charon and Pluto’s surfaces are always facing one other, which is known as mutual tidal locking.

— Charon orbits Pluto every 6.4 Earth days. Charon is so large in comparison to Pluto that the two are sometimes considered a double dwarf planet system.

— Charon does not rise or set, but instead hovers over the same point on Pluto’s surface, with the same side always facing Pluto. It rotates backwards, from east to west.

— Charon was found in June 1978 by James Christy and Robert Harrington at the United States Naval Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, roughly six miles from the Lowell Observatory, which discovered Pluto.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: science.nasa.gov)

QUESTION 4

Which of the following is/ are considered a ground station as a service (GSaaS)?

1. Satellite control

2. Telemetry and tracking

3. Space data reception

4. Space situational awareness

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

— According to a consultation document published by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the national agency responsible for regulating and marketing the private space industry, it is exploring opportunities for private operators to enter ground segments.

— Ground stations are essentially ground-based antennas that help in communicating with the satellites.

— According to the document, the ground station as a service (GSaaS) sector, which provides pay-per-use services such as satellite control, telemetry and tracking, space data reception, and space situational awareness, is expected to rise 30% by 2033, from $0.14 billion to $2.5 billion.

— This is consistent with the government’s objective of increasing India’s participation in the global commercial space market from 2% to 8% by 2033.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

The Vera C Rubin Observatory was recently in the news. It is located in:

(a) India

(b) Russia

(c) Chile

(d) Canada

Explanation

— The Vera C Rubin Observatory in Chile has unveiled its first spectacular photographs, demonstrating the strength of its 3,200-megapixel digital camera, which is the largest ever created. The photos, captured during testing in April after the telescope’s construction was completed, hint at a new era of sky surveys.

— One spectacular image depicts the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulae in a star-forming area of the Milky Way. The image, made up of 678 monochrome exposures taken with four different filters, exhibits rich, vibrant detail after just over seven hours of observation.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 6

Which of the following is not a NASA Mission?

(a) Europa Clipper

(b) JUICE Mission

(c) Lucy Mission

(d) Artemis II

Explanation

According to esa.int, “ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice, will make detailed observations of the giant gas planet and its three large ocean-bearing moons – Ganymede, Callisto and Europa – with a suite of remote sensing, geophysical and in situ instruments. The mission will characterise these moons as both planetary objects and possible habitats, explore Jupiter’s complex environment in depth, and study the wider Jupiter system as an archetype for gas giants across the Universe.”

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 7

Consider the following statements regarding nuclear devices and chain reactions:

1. The release of energy in a nuclear device results from the completion of a chain reaction in fissile material.

2. A chain reaction in fissile material can be initiated accidentally under high stress, such as during a missile or bomb strike.

3. The initiation of a nuclear chain reaction requires very precise conditions and processes.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

How nuclear weapons are different from other bombs

—A nuclear bomb is very different from the traditional explosives and chemicals used in warfare. Traditional bombs use a variety of chemicals that are generally designed to explode on impact, like when they are dropped. These chemical explosives can go off in other circumstances as well, like when they are exposed to heat or friction. These are explosive in themselves, and can get triggered and cause damage even when they are not used in the way they are designed to. Specifically, stored chemical explosives can lead to blasts when these are struck by other weapons.

—Nuclear weapons, or nuclear material, do not behave like that. A nuclear bomb causes damage not by exploding the way traditional bombs do, but by releasing very high amounts of energy in a very short span of time. This large amount of energy sets off a series of processes that cause widespread damage.

—Nuclear weapons are designed to detonate mid-air, not on impact like traditional explosives. They release a massive amount of energy in a few milliseconds, which heats up the surrounding air to millions of degrees Celsius, leading to the formation of what are known as blast waves, an expanding bubble of extremely hot air. Most of the damage is caused by these blast waves.

—A nuclear explosion also releases electromagnetic radiations of different kinds, and these also cause a lot of destruction.

—The release of energy from a nuclear device is the result of completion of the chain reaction in the fissile material. The initiation of the chain reaction requires a very precise set of processes to be followed and very precise conditions. These precise conditions cannot be met accidentally, or when the fissile material is under some kind of stress, like when it is struck by a missile or a bomb.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 8

The theme for National Science Day 2025 was:

(a) Living in Space

(b) Global Science for Global Wellbeing

(c) Indigenous Technologies for VIKSIT BHARAT

(d) Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for VIKSIT BHARAT

Explanation

— The theme for this year’s National Science Day was “Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for VIKSIT BHARAT.”

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 115)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 116)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 115)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 115)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 115)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 115)

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