2008 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies

Question 87: Science and Technology

Which one of the following is a spacecraft?

aApophis
bCassini
cSpitzer
dTechSar

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Cassini is a spacecraft: the NASA, European and Italian space agencies' probe sent to Saturn, which entered orbit in 2004 and studied the planet, its rings and moons. Apophis is an asteroid that will pass close to Earth in 2029. Spitzer is NASA's infrared space telescope, and TecSAR is an Israeli radar imaging satellite launched on an Indian PSLV in 2008.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Apophis is an asteroid.
  • (b) Cassini is the Saturn probe.
  • (c) Spitzer is a space telescope.
  • (d) TecSAR is a radar imaging satellite.

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.