Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution
Ready to check the official UPSC Answer Key?
Click any option above to test yourself under exam conditions, or reveal the explanation directly.
Correct Answer: Option (D) — Neither 1 nor 2
Concept & Option Breakdown
Standard Reference VerifiedStatement 1 is incorrect: Prior to India launching AstroSat in 2015, the US (NASA), Russia (Roscosmos), Japan (JAXA), and the European Space Agency (ESA) had already launched space observatories.
Statement 2 is incorrect: AstroSat had a lift-off mass of approximately 1,515 kg and was inserted into a 650 km circular near-equatorial low-Earth orbit (inclined at 6 degrees), not at 1,650 km.
Be cautious of extreme exclusive claims ('only country other than USA and Russia') and hyper-precise orbital/weight numerical figures, which are frequently altered in UPSC questions.
Practice Full-Length & Sectional Prelims Mocks on this Interface
50 simulated tests in the APT Prelims Test Series (₹1,493) or 1-on-1 Mentorship with Avinash Sir.