With reference to 'Astrosat', the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1.Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space.
- 2.Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Answer: D. Statement 1 is wrong: other countries and agencies, such as Japan and the European Space Agency, have launched space observatories. Statement 2 is wrong: Astrosat weighs about 1,513 kg and orbits at about 650 km. So neither.
Watch for: Students accept the bold 'only country' claim and figures that look close.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because others besides USA and Russia have launched observatories.
- B. Wrong because Astrosat is about 1,513 kg at about 650 km.
- C. Wrong because both statements are false.
Source to check: ISRO, Astrosat mission page, launch 28 September 2015 (isro.gov.in)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.