General Awareness ยท Physics

Space Exploration and Astronomy

3,952 Questions

Review significant milestones in space exploration, including artificial satellites, reusable space shuttles, and historic lunar landings. This topic also covers astronomical phenomena and telescopic observations. Such scientific general knowledge is commonly tested in SSC, railways, and banking examinations.

Space shuttle missionsArtificial satellitesLunar and planetary landingsSpace telescopes and observatories

Space Exploration and Astronomy Questions

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian spacecraft that was sent to study a comet?

  1. Chandrayaan-1

  2. Mangalyaan

  3. Astrosat

  4. Saral
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Astrosat is an Indian spacecraft that was launched in 2015 to study various astronomical objects, including comets. It carries a suite of instruments that allow scientists to observe comets in multiple wavelengths, providing valuable information about their composition and structure.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian cometary mission that is currently under development?

  1. Chandrayaan-3

  2. Mangalyaan-2

  3. Astrosat-2

  4. Comet Interceptor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Comet Interceptor is an Indian cometary mission that is currently under development. It aims to intercept and study a pristine comet that has not been significantly altered by solar radiation. The mission is expected to provide valuable insights into the composition and structure of comets.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian instrument that was used to study the composition of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko?

  1. COSIMA

  2. ROSINA

  3. VIRTIS

  4. MIRO
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

COSIMA (COmetary Secondary Ion Mass Analyzer) is an Indian instrument that was part of the Rosetta mission to Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. COSIMA analyzed the composition of cometary dust particles and provided valuable insights into the chemical makeup of the comet.

Multiple choice

Which female astronaut was the first to walk in space?

  1. Valentina Tereshkova

  2. Svetlana Savitskaya

  3. Sally Ride

  4. Kathryn Sullivan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Kathryn Sullivan became the first American woman to walk in space during the STS-41G mission in 1984.

Multiple choice

Which female astronaut was the first to command a Space Shuttle mission?

  1. Eileen Collins

  2. Judith Resnik

  3. Sally Ride

  4. Svetlana Savitskaya
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Eileen Collins became the first female astronaut to command a Space Shuttle mission in 1995 during the STS-63 flight.

Multiple choice

Which country was the first to launch an artificial satellite into orbit?

  1. United States

  2. Soviet Union

  3. China

  4. India
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Soviet Union was the first country to launch an artificial satellite into orbit, with the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957. This event marked the beginning of the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States.

Multiple choice

Which country has the largest number of satellites in orbit?

  1. United States

  2. China

  3. Russia

  4. India
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The United States has the largest number of satellites in orbit, with over 2,000 active satellites. China is a close second, with over 1,000 active satellites.

Multiple choice

What is the legal status of space debris?

  1. It is considered to be the property of the country that launched it.

  2. It is considered to be the property of the country that it falls on.

  3. It is considered to be the property of the international community.

  4. It is not subject to any legal regime.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Space debris is not subject to any specific legal regime. However, there are a number of international guidelines and recommendations that address the issue of space debris, such as the United Nations Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the international space station that is currently in orbit?

  1. International Space Station (ISS)

  2. Tiangong Space Station

  3. Mir Space Station

  4. Skylab Space Station
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The International Space Station (ISS) is the only international space station that is currently in orbit. It is a joint project of the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and the European Space Agency.

Multiple choice

Which country was the first to send a human being into space?

  1. United States

  2. Soviet Union

  3. China

  4. India
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Soviet Union was the first country to send a human being into space, with the launch of Yuri Gagarin in 1961.

Multiple choice

Which country has the most astronauts in space?

  1. United States

  2. Russia

  3. China

  4. India
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The United States has the most astronauts in space, with over 300 astronauts having flown into space. Russia is a close second, with over 200 astronauts having flown into space.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first private company to launch a rocket into orbit?

  1. SpaceX

  2. Blue Origin

  3. Virgin Galactic

  4. Rocket Lab
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

SpaceX was the first private company to launch a rocket into orbit, with the launch of the Falcon 1 rocket in 2008.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first private company to send a human being into space?

  1. SpaceX

  2. Blue Origin

  3. Virgin Galactic

  4. Rocket Lab
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Blue Origin was the first private company to send a human being into space, with the launch of Jeff Bezos in 2021.

Multiple choice

Which international space agency is responsible for the development and operation of the European Space Station?

  1. NASA

  2. ESA

  3. JAXA

  4. CNSA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The European Space Agency (ESA) is a cooperative organization of European countries that conducts space exploration and research.

Multiple choice

Which international space agency is responsible for the development and operation of the International Space Station (ISS)?

  1. NASA

  2. ESA

  3. JAXA

  4. CNSA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the primary space agency of the United States and a major partner in the International Space Station program.