Science and Technology (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

21. The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilo metres long, with lasers shining between the craft." The experiment in question refers to : [2020-1]

Correct Answer: (d) Evolved LISA
Solution:The experiment described in the given statement refers to the Evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (ELISA), also known as NGO (Next Generation Observatory) or LISA Pathfinder. It is a space-based gravitational wave observatory, which aims to detect and study gravitational waves. The experiment involves three spacecraft flying in a triangular formation, with lasers passing between them to measure the distortion of space-time caused by gravitational waves. This experiment is expected to be more sensitive than the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), which detected gravitational waves in 2015.

22. Consider the following pairs: [2023-1]

1. Cepheids : Giant clouds of dust and gas in sapce

2. Nebulae : Stars which brighten and dim periodically

3. Pulsars : Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: (a) Only one
Solution:The correct answer is (a). St 1 is wrong. Cepheid variable stars are just stars which are visible to us from the earth that are many times larger than the sun itself.

St 2 is wrong. Nebulae: A nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space.

St 3 right. Pulsars are neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse. The collapse of the star's core creates a very strong magnetic field, which causes the neutron star to emit beams of radiation.

A nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space. Some nebulae (more than one nebula) come from the gas and dust thrown out by the explosion of a dying star, such as a supernova. Other nebulae are regions where new stars are beginning to form. For this reason, some nebulae are called "star nurseries."

23. Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System? [2023-1]

Correct Answer: (d) Japan
Solution:Japan has its own satellite navigation system called the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). It is a four-satellite regional time transfer system and a satellite navigation system. It is designed to enhance the Global Positioning System (GPS) in the Asia-Oceania region.

Australia, Canada, and Israel do not have their own Satellite Navigation Systems.

24. Consider the following statements: [2007]

1. In November, 2006, DRDO successfully conducted the interception test using Prithvi-II missile.

2. Pithivier-II is a surface-to-surface missile and can be deployed to guard the metros against air attacks.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:Prithvi Air Defence((PAD) missile was tested in November 2006, followed by AAD in December 2007. With the test of the PAD missile, India became the fourth country to have successfully developed an Anti-ballistic missile system, after United States, Russia, and Israel. On 6 March 2009, India again successfully tested its missile defence shield, during which an incoming "enemy" missile was intercepted at an altitude of 75 km. Prithvi is a tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by DRDO of India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). lt is also a single-stage liquid-fuelled missile having a maximum warhead mounting capability of 500 kg, but with an extended range of 250 km (160 mi).

25. What is the Galileo Project which has been in news recently? [2007]

Correct Answer: (d) A multi-satellite navigation project being developed by the European Union
Solution:Galileo is the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that is currently being created by the European Union (EU) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
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  • Galileo is Europe's own global navigation satellite system, which provides highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning under civilian control.
  • Galileo, which is currently providing Initial Services, is compatible with GPS and Glonass, the US and Russian global satellite navigation systems. Galileo can deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the metre range by including dual frequencies as standard.
  • On October 21, 2011, Europe launched its first two operational Galileo satellites.
  • The Galileo constellation will consist of 30 satellites in total, with control centres in Europe and a network of sensor stations and uplink stations installed around the world.
  • Galileo is a flagship programme of the European Union Space Programme, managed and funded by the EU.
  • Since its inception, ESA has led the design and development of space and ground systems, as well as launch procurement.
  • EUSPA (the European Union Space Agency) serves as Galileo's service provider, overseeing market and application needs and closing the loop with users.

26. From which one of the following did India buy the Barak anti-missile defence systems? [2008]

Correct Answer: (a) Israel
Solution:Barak is an Israeli surface-to-air missile (SAM) designed to be used as a ship-borne point-defense missile system against aircraft, anti-ship missiles, and UAVs. India and Israel jointly developed and produced it.
SAMs are essential in modern warfare for defense against airborne threats. Missiles designed to intercept aerial targets. Safeguard critical assets and personnel on the ground. SAMs are advanced weapons systems. They use guidance and propulsion technology. They neutralize incoming aerial threats and maintain air superiority. These missiles can engage targets at different altitudes and ranges. These missiles are versatile and adaptable.
Surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) are missiles that are launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles. They are a type of anti-aircraft weapon used by armed forces to protect against aerial threats. SAMs intercept and destroy bombers, fighter jets, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

27. In the context of the Indian defence, what is 'Dhruv"? [2008]

Correct Answer: (c) Advanced light helicopter
Solution:Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has developed the Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH), a light (5.5t class) multirole and multimission helicopter for army, air force, navy, coastguard and civil operations for both utility and attack roles by day and night.
About ALH Dhruv
  • Advanced Light Helicopter or ALH-DHRUV is an indigenously developed utility aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with a twin-engine. It has a multi-role, multi-mission dimension to it.
  • Even though its development started in 1984, and was initially designed with Germany’s assistance, Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB), the helicopter was first flown in 1992 but entered service after certification in 2002.
  • According to HAL, the aircraft is “type–certified” for military operations by the Centre for Military Airworthiness Certification and civil operations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV.
  • HAL has bagged orders for 73 ALH in 2017 from the Indian Army, Coast Guard, and Navy for ALH Mk-III & Mk-IV variants. It has also been supplied to the Nepal Army, the Mauritius Police, and the Maldives.

28. In the context of Indian defence, consider the following statements: [2009]

1. The Shourya missile flies with a speed of more than 8 Mach.

2. The range of Shourya missile is more than 1600 km.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:The missile flew at 7.5 Mach, that is 7.5 times the speed of sound and covered its full range of 700 km in 500 seconds. These ballistic missiles belong to the K missile family codenamed after late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam which are launched from Arihant class of nuclear submarines.

The K family of missiles are primarily Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs).

These have been indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

29. Consider the following statements: [2009]

1. INS Sindhu Ghosh is an aircraft carrier.

2. INS Virat is a submarine.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:INS Sindhughosh ($55) is the lead ship of her class of diesel-electric submarines of the Indian Navy. INS Viraat is a Centaur-class aircraft carrier in service with the Indian Navy.
INS Vikrant (R11)
• It was India’s First Aircraft Carrier purchased from the U.K.
• It was active during the Goa Liberation Operation in 1961 and played a crucial role in the 1971 war.
INS Viraat
• It was India’s second Aircraft Carrier, purchased from the U.K. It was commissioned in India in 1987.
• The British Royal Navy originally commissioned it as HMS Hermes.

30. With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2014-1]

1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.

2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only

3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (a) I only
Solution:

Agni IV is a surface-to-surface missile. It is fuelled by solid propellant. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 4000 km away.
• Agni-V is the fourth brilliant result of DRDO work in the Agni series of missiles, previously known as Agni II prime. Agni-V was first tested in 2011, from Wheeler Island off the coast of the eastern state of Odisha.
• Agni-4 is an intermediate-range ballistic missile
• Payload: 1,000 kg
• Range: Up to 4,000 km.
• It is a surface-to-surface missile.
• It is a mobile, two-stage solid-fuel system.
• Equipped with state-of-the-art Avionics, the 5th generation onboard computer, and distributed architecture.
• It has the most recent features to correct and guide itself during in-flight disturbances.
• It has a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 100 meters.
• CEP is a measure of a weapon system’s accuracy.
• The most accurate Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) supported by a highly reliable redundant Micro Navigation System (MINGS), ensures the vehicle reaches the target within two digit accuracy.