2002 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies

Question 8: Science and Technology

In the year 2001, NASA launched a spacecraft to Mars named

aMars Climate Orbiter
bMars Global Surveyor
cMars Odyssey
dMars Polar Lander

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Mars Odyssey was launched by NASA in April 2001 and began orbiting Mars late that year, mapping the surface and looking for water ice. The distractors belong to other years: Mars Global Surveyor was launched in 1996, and Mars Climate Orbiter (1998) and Mars Polar Lander (1999) were both lost on arrival in 1999. Remember: the 2001 mission is Odyssey, named after the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Mars Climate Orbiter was launched in 1998 and lost in 1999.
  • (b) Mars Global Surveyor was launched in 1996.
  • (c) Right: Mars Odyssey was launched in April 2001.
  • (d) Mars Polar Lander was launched in 1999 and lost on landing.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.