Space – Medium Level – GK Questions

Discovered in 2003, Canis Major Dwarf (~25,000 ly from Galactic Center) is closer than Sagittarius Dwarf (~50,000 ly), though its status as distinct galaxy is debated.

Launched Sept 2, 2023, Aditya-L1 entered halo orbit around L1 on Jan 6, 2024 (~126 days later), completing complex trajectory maneuvers.

At 1.5 Schwarzschild radii, photons can theoretically orbit a non-rotating black hole, forming the boundary visible in EHT images as the bright ring.

NGLV (Soorya) will use clustered semi-cryogenic engines in core and boosters for higher thrust and density, targeting reusable heavy-lift capabilities post-2030.

Tianwen ('Questions to Heaven') is China's planetary exploration program; Tianwen-1 successfully orbited, landed, and deployed Zhurong rover on Mars in 2021.

NVS (Navigation with Indian Constellation Second Generation) satellites feature L1 band compatibility and improved atomic clocks, enhancing NavIC service continuity.

Despite proximity to the Sun, Mercury's zero axial tilt keeps polar craters in permanent shadow, allowing water ice to persist, confirmed by MESSENGER mission.

Type Ia supernovae occur when carbon-oxygen white dwarfs accrete mass to ~1.4 solar masses, triggering uniform explosions useful for measuring cosmic distances.

IDSN's primary 32-meter steerable parabolic antenna enables communication with deep space missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan at distances beyond GEO.

Skylab operated from 1973-1979, hosting three crews and conducting solar/astronomical research before re-entering Earth's atmosphere in 1979.

Tundra orbits (inclination 63.4°, period 24 hours) dwell over high-latitude regions, used for communications where GEO coverage is poor, similar to Molniya but longer dwell time.

The Hubble Constant (H₀ ≈ 70 km/s/Mpc) quantifies the current expansion rate of the universe, relating galaxy recession velocity to distance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the landing point (69.37°S, 32.35°E) as 'Shiv Shakti Point' in August 2023, symbolizing determination and spirituality.

Haumea rotates every ~4 hours, causing extreme flattening into a triaxial ellipsoid. It also has a ring system and two moons.

GSLV Mk II employs four L40 liquid strap-ons using Vikas engines burning UDMH/N2O4, augmenting core stage thrust during initial ascent.

Proton is a Russian expendable launch vehicle derived from Soviet ICBM technology, historically used for ISS modules and commercial satellites.

Due to weight constraints, GSAT-N1 (4,700 kg) was launched via Falcon Heavy in November 2024, marking increased reliance on commercial launchers for heavy Indian satellites.

Wolf-Rayet stars (>20 solar masses) exhibit broad emission lines from intense winds ejecting outer layers, preceding supernova or gamma-ray burst events.

Vyommitra, a female humanoid robot, will fly on uncrewed Gaganyaan missions to simulate human presence, testing life support systems and microgravity responses.

Fragmented comet SL9 impacted Jupiter in July 1994, creating visible scars larger than Earth, providing insights into planetary impacts and Jupiter's atmosphere.