What is the purpose of 'evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)' project ?
- A.To detect neutrinos
- B.To detect gravitational waves
- C.To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system
- D.To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, To detect gravitational waves. eLISA is a planned space observatory of the European Space Agency that will use laser interferometry between spacecraft to catch gravitational waves. It will fly three spacecraft in a triangle with arms millions of kilometres long and measure, with lasers, tiny changes in the distance between free-floating test masses as a gravitational wave passes. Gravitational waves are ripples in space-time predicted by Einstein in 1916 and first detected directly by the ground-based LIGO detectors in 2015. A space detector can sense low-frequency waves, such as those from merging supermassive black holes, which ground detectors miss; the mission is now simply called LISA. Option A is wrong because neutrinos are caught by large underground or under-ice detectors, such as IceCube and the proposed India-based Neutrino Observatory. Option C is wrong because eLISA is a science mission with no military purpose. Option D is wrong because solar flares and space weather are studied by solar missions such as Aditya-L1. Exam tip: LIGO (ground) and LISA (space) detect gravitational waves; LIGO-India is coming up in Hingoli, Maharashtra.
Practice Questions
View allWhich one of the following is India's first indigenously designed and developed long-range subsonic cruise missile which can be deployed from multiple platforms?
- A.Astra
- B.Akash
- C.Nirbhay
- D.Shankhnaad
Show answer
Nirbhay is the long-range subsonic cruise missile designed and developed in India by the DRDO. Nirbhay was developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment in Bengaluru.
Read the full explanation →"Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge" (MANAK), a scheme under the flagship programme, Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE), caters to :
- A.The college students studying in the undergraduate programme in the age group of 19 - 25 years.
- B.The research scholars in recognized research laboratories of national importance.
- C.The college teachers of the country.
- D.The school children studying in classes 6 - 10 in the age group of 10 - 15 years.
Show answer
INSPIRE-MANAK is the school-level part of INSPIRE. INSPIRE is run by the Department of Science and Technology to draw young talent into science.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements is not correct?
- A.BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile made by India and Russian Federation.
- B.The name BrahMos came from two rivers, Brahmaputra of India and Moskva of Russia.
- C.Indian military scientists were capable of integrating BrahMos cruise missile with Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter.
- D.Defence Research and Development Organization is the manufacturer of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter.
Show answer
The Sukhoi-30 MKI is not made by DRDO; it was designed by Russia's Sukhoi bureau and is built in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at Nashik.
Read the full explanation →'Tejas' is the name of which one of the following?
- A.Main battle tank
- B.Nuclear submarine
- C.Light combat aircraft
- D.Aircraft carrier
Show answer
Tejas is India's indigenous single-engine light combat aircraft built for the Indian Air Force. The Light Combat Aircraft programme was started in the 1980s to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is an indigenous assault rifle developed by DRDO?
- A.Heckler
- B.T91
- C.Tikka
- D.Ugram
Show answer
Ugram is a 7.62 mm assault rifle designed in India by DRDO for the armed forces and police. Ugram was developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, a DRDO laboratory, together with a private Hyderabad firm, Dvipa Armour India, and it was unveiled in January 2024.
Read the full explanation →