With reference to Indias satellite launch vehicle, consider the following statements: 1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. 2. Satellites launched by PSLV

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Q: 80 (IAS/2018)
With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicle, consider the following statements:
1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
3. GSLV MK III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

question_subject: 

Science & Technology

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,76,51,76,18,15,18

keywords: 

{'gslv mk iii': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'satellite launch vehicle': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'gslvs': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'launch vehicle': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'satellites': [0, 1, 0, 0], 'pslvs': [0, 0, 1, 1], 'pslv': [0, 0, 1, 2], 'communication satellites': [0, 0, 0, 3], 'fourth stages': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'solid rocket motors': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'third stages': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'liquid rocket engines': [0, 0, 0, 1]}

Statement 1 is correct. The PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is used by India predominantly for launching Earth-observation or remote-sensing satellites, while the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) is used mainly for deploying communication satellites.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The satellites launched by PSLV are placed in polar orbits which are not geostationary, so they won`t appear to be in a fixed position in the sky from an observer on Earth. Only the satellites in the geostationary orbit appear to remain stationary from a specific location on Earth.

Statement 3 is also incorrect. GSLV Mk III, also called LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), is a three-staged vehicle, not four-staged. The first stage is a solid rocket, the second stage is liquid, and the third stage uses cryogenic propulsion.

So, the option 1 is the most appropriate answer as statement 1 is the only correct statement among those provided.