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Science & TechnologyEasyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GK

Which one of the following planets was explored by Cassini Mission launched by NASA, which ended in September 2017?

  1. A.Sun
  2. B.Neptune
  3. C.Saturn
  4. D.Jupiter

Correct answer

C. Saturn

Explanation

The correct answer is C, Saturn. The Cassini-Huygens mission was a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. Launched in October 1997, it reached Saturn in 2004 and studied the planet, its rings and its moons for thirteen years. Its Huygens probe landed on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, in January 2005, the first landing in the outer solar system, and Cassini found plumes of water ice shooting from the moon Enceladus. Running low on fuel, Cassini was deliberately plunged into Saturn's atmosphere on 15 September 2017, ending its Grand Finale, so that it could not contaminate moons that might support life. Option A is wrong because the Sun is a star, not a planet; NASA's Parker Solar Probe studies it. Option B is wrong because Neptune has been visited only by Voyager 2, in 1989. Option D is wrong because Jupiter was explored by Galileo and Juno; Cassini only flew past it on the way. Exam tip: Cassini, Saturn; Huygens, Titan; Juno, Jupiter; Voyager 2, the only visitor to Uranus and Neptune.

Practice Questions

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Q1.Science & TechnologyAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2025, GATEasy

Ethereum, Tether, Solana and Cardano are all forms of

  1. A.Crypto currency
  2. B.Artificial Intelligence(AI) Startups
  3. C.Humanoid Robots
  4. D.Medical apps
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Crypto currency

Ethereum, Tether, Solana and Cardano are all cryptocurrencies, digital assets recorded on blockchains rather than issued by a central bank.

Q2.Science & TechnologyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2022, GKMedium

Chronologically arrange the following Indian-origin astronauts on the basis of their flying into space starting with the first: 1. Sunita Williams 2. Rakesh Sharma 3. Sirisha Bandla 4. Kalpana Chawla Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A.4-3-2-1
  2. B.2-4-1-3
  3. C.2-1-4-3
  4. D.1-4-3-2
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2-4-1-3

Rakesh Sharma flew in 1984, Kalpana Chawla in 1997, Sunita Williams in 2006 and Sirisha Bandla in 2021. Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian citizen in space on 3 April 1984, aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11, and told Indira Gandhi that India looked 'saare jahan se achha'.

Q4.Science & TechnologyAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2026, GATMedium

With reference to defence cooperation between India and Russia, which of the following statements is/are correct?

I. BrahMos Cruise Missile system is jointly developed by India's DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya (NPOM).

II. The production site of the Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) joint venture is in Korwa, Madhya Pradesh under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

Select the answer using the code given below.

  1. A.I only
  2. B.II only
  3. C.Both I and II
  4. D.Neither I nor II
Show answer
Correct answer: A. I only

BrahMos is indeed a joint DRDO-NPOM missile, but the IRRPL factory at Korwa is in Uttar Pradesh, not Madhya Pradesh.

Q5.Science & TechnologyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2021, GKMedium

What is the range capability of Agni-P Ballistic Missile?

  1. A.1,000 - 2,000 km
  2. B.2,000 - 3,000 km
  3. C.3,000 - 4,000 km
  4. D.4,000 - 5,000 km
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1,000 - 2,000 km

Agni-P, or Agni Prime, is a new-generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile of the Agni family developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with a range capability of 1,000 to 2,000 km.