UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies

Question 18: Science and Technology

Selene-1, the lunar orbiter mission belongs to which one of the following?

aChina

bEuropean Union

cJapan

dUSA

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Selene-1, nicknamed Kaguya, is Japan's lunar orbiter, launched by the Japanese space agency JAXA in September 2007. It mapped the Moon's surface, gravity and magnetic field to study its origin and evolution. Remember the lunar missions of 2007-08: Japan's Selene-1 (Kaguya), China's Chang'e-1 and India's Chandrayaan-1. SELENE stands for Selenological and Engineering Explorer.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) China's lunar orbiter of the period was Chang'e-1.
(b) The European Space Agency's lunar probe was SMART-1, not Selene-1.
(c) Selene-1 (Kaguya) is a Japanese mission.
(d) Selene-1 is not American; US lunar orbiters had other names, such as Lunar Prospector.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.