Satellite - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   Hohmann Transfer is related to

a. Organ transplant
b. Satellite Launch
c. Moving of Celestial Bodies in Universe
d. Movement of Planets in our Solar System
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Satellite Launch

Explanation:

  • A Hohmann Transfer is an orbital manoeuvre that transfers a satellite or spacecraft from one circular orbit to another. It was invented by a German scientist in 1925 and is the most fuel efficient way to get from one circular orbit to another circular orbit.
  • Because the Hohmann Transfer is the most fuel efficient way to move a spacecraft, it is a fairly slow process and is used mostly for transferring spacecraft shorter distances.
  • In orbital mechanics, the Hohmann transfer orbit is an elliptical orbit used to transfer between two circular orbits of different radii in the same plane.
  • The orbital manoeuvre to perform the Hohmann transfer, the satellite uses two engine impulses, one to move a spacecraft onto the transfer orbit and a second to move off it.


2)   Which of the following are Communication Satellites?

1) INSAT-3D
2) INSAT-4CR
3) GSAT-8


a. 1, 3
b. 1, 2
c. 2, 3
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 2, 3

Explanation:

  • 13 Communication Satellites namely, INSAT-3A, INSAT-3C, INSAT-4A, INSAT-4B, INSAT-4CR, GSAT-6, GSAT-7, GSAT-8, GSAT-10, GSAT-12, GSAT-14, GSAT-15 and GSAT-16.
  • 7 Navigational Satellites namely, IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F & 1G.
  • 2 Space science Satellites namely Mars Orbiter Mission & Astrosat.


3)   Which of the following are Earth Observation Satellites?

1) Resourcesat
2) GSAT
3) RISAT
4) SARAL


a. 1, 3, 4
b. 1, 2, 3
c. 1, 2, 4
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1, 3, 4

Explanation:

  • Currently there are 12 Earth Observation Satellites namely, Resourcesat-2, RISAT-1, RISAT-2, Cartosat-1, Cartosat-2, Cartosat-2A, Cartosat-2B, Oceansat-2, SARAL, Kalpana-1, Megha-Tropiques and INSAT-3D.


4)   Gaofen-4 is a Earth observation satellite launched by -

a. USA
b. European Union
c. Japan
d. China
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: China

Explanation:
- China successfully launched its “most sophisticated” observation satellite, Gaofen-4, as part of the country’s high-definition earth observation project.
- Gaofen-4 was launched aboard by a Long March-3B carrier rocket.
- Gaofen-4 is China’s first geosynchronous orbit HD optical imaging satellite and the world’s most sophisticated HD geosynchronous orbit remote sensing satellite
- Different from Gaofen-1 and Gaofen-2 in low orbits (600-700km) around the earth, Gaofen-4 is located at the orbit 36,000km away from the earth and moves synchronously with the earth.


5)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about GSAT-15?

1. It will provide more bandwidth for Direct-to-Home television and VSAT services.
2. It will be launched using GSLV-III.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
- GSAT-15 is an Indian communication satellite similar to GSAT-10 to augment the capacity of transponders to provided more bandwidth for Direct-to-Home television and VSAT services.
- The satellite will be the 10th one in the series of GSAT satellites.
- It is expected to launch on 10th Nov 2015 from Ariane 5 rocket along with ArabSat 6B satellite.
- Ariane 5 is a European heavy lift launch vehicle that is part of the Ariane rocket family, an expendable launch system used to deliver payloads into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) or low Earth orbit (LEO).


6)   With the launch of ARSAT2, which of the following Latin American countries became the first to build and administer its own domestic satellites?


a. Brazil
b. Venezuela
c. French Guiana
d. Argentina
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Argentina

Explanation:
- Argentina joins the United States, China, Russia, Japan, Israel, India and the European Union in the list of countries that have built and managed geostationary satellite programs autonomously after launch of a ARSAT1.
- This new Argentine telecommunications satellite will have coverage over much of the Americas, from the Falklands Islands to as far north as the United States.


7)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about Megha-Tropiques?

1. Megha-Tropiques is a satellite mission to study the water cycle in the tropical atmosphere in the context of climate change.
2. It was develped by ISRO in collaboration with French Center National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES)


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- Megha-Tropiques was successfully deployed into orbit by a PSLV rocket in October 2011.
- Megha-Tropiques complements other data in the current regional monsoon projects such as MAHASRI and the completed GAME project.
- Megha-Tropiques also seeks to describe the evolution of major tropical weather systems.


8)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about satellite launch by ISRO?

1. Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) will be launching nine nano/ micro satellites for United States during 2015-16 time frame.
2. These satellites will go as piggyback on GSLV's (GeoSynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle).


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
Antrix Corporation Ltd, the commercial arm of ISRO, has signed agreement to launch about nine nano/micro (US) satellites during 2015-2016 time frame. These satellites will go as piggyback on PSLV's (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)


9)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about Astrosat?

1. Astrosat is India's first dedicated astronomy satellite.
2. It is scheduled to launch on board the GSLV in October 2015.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
Astrosat is scheduled to launch on board the PSLV in October 2015.