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Q68 (IAS/2014) Science & Technology › Space & Defence Technology › Space exploration missions Official Key

Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? 1. Cassini-Huygens: Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth 2. Messenger: Mapping and investigating the Mercury 3. Voyager 1 and 2: Exploring the outer solar system Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Explanation

The correct answer is option B (2 and 3 only).

**Statement 1 is incorrect**: The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft performed four gravity-assist flybys of Venus (April 1998 and June 1999), Earth (August 1999), and Jupiter (December 2000)[1]. These were flybys, not orbits, and it ultimately plunged into Saturn's atmosphere, sending its last scientific data to Earth[2]. The mission was designed to study Saturn, not Venus.

**Statement 2 is correct**: Images obtained by MESSENGER spacecraft in 2004 have revealed evidence for pyroclastic flows and water ice at Mercury's poles[3], confirming its role in mapping and investigating Mercury.

**Statement 3 is correct**: Voyager 1 passed the heliopause in 2012 to enter interstellar space and explored Jupiter, Saturn, and Saturn's largest moon, Titan[4]. Both Voyager spacecraft were indeed designed to explore the outer solar system.

Sources
  1. [2] https://docs.un.org/en/A/AC.105/1154
  2. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > Mercury > p. 27
  3. [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > 2.8. Distant Artificial Objects Exploring the Solar System > p. 40
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? 1. Cassini-Huygens: Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth 2. Mess…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 3.3/10

This is a classic 'Destination Swap' trap. The examiner tests if you know the *primary* target of flagship missions. Cassini is synonymous with Saturn; linking it to Venus (despite flybys) is a fundamental error designed to catch those who only vaguely recognize names.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Did the Cassini–Huygens spacecraft orbit Venus and transmit data to Earth?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"**The 12,300-pound Cassini-Huygens spacecraft performed four gravity-assist flybys**. These maneuvers were: Venus (April 1998), Venus (June 1999), Earth (August 1999), and Jupiter (December 2000)."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly lists the Venus encounters as gravity-assist flybys (April 1998 and June 1999).
  • Describes flybys of Venus rather than stating the spacecraft entered orbit around Venus, which refutes the 'orbit Venus' part of the statement.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"It plunged into Saturn’s atmosphere, which destroyed it, and sent its last scientific data to Earth by means of its large 4-metre diameter antenna, built in Italy."
Why this source?
  • States Cassini sent its last scientific data to Earth using its large antenna.
  • Confirms that the spacecraft transmitted scientific data back to Earth (supporting the 'transmit data to Earth' part).

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > 2.8. Distant Artificial Objects Exploring the Solar System > p. 39
Strength: 5/5
“Voyagers continue communicating with the Deep Space Network to receive routine commands & return data.• The NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) is a worldwide network of U.S. spacecraft communication facilities, located in the California, Madrid, and Canberra, that supports NASA's interplanetary spacecraft missions. • Space probe: Pioneer 10; Launch year: 1972; Significant event: Flew past Saturn in 1979; Objective: Study the asteroid belt, the environment around Jupiter; Current sta tus: Contact lost in 2003; Distance from the Sun in AU: ~ 120 AU • Space probe: Pioneer 11; Launch year: 1973; Significant event: Flew past Saturn in 1979; Objective: and Saturn, solar wind and cosmic rays.; Current sta tus: Contact lost in 1995; Distance from the Sun in AU: ~ 90 AU • Space probe: Voyager 2; Launch year: Aug 1977; Significant event: Passed the heliopause in December 2018 to enter in terstellar space (second; Objective: Explore all Jovian planets.”
Why relevant

Describes the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) as the worldwide system that supports interplanetary spacecraft to receive commands and return data.

How to extend

A student can use this rule to check whether Cassini–Huygens was an interplanetary spacecraft that would have used the DSN to transmit data if it flew by or orbited Venus.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Keeping Time with the Skies > 11.4 Why Do We Launch Artificial Satellites in Space? > p. 185
Strength: 4/5
“The Moon is Earth's natural satellite, orbiting our planet. Besides the Moon, man-made satellites sent by various countries also orbit the Earth. These artificial satellites appear as tiny specks moving in the night sky. Most orbit about 800 km above Earth's surface and take roughly 100 minutes to complete one orbit. When I look at the night sky in early evening, I see some moving stars. What are they? Is their motion also periodic? These satellites help us in many ways like communication, navigation, weather monitoring, disaster management, and scientific research. The Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) has launched many satellites that support these activities.”
Why relevant

Explains that artificial (including interplanetary) satellites orbit bodies and help in communication and scientific research by returning data to Earth.

How to extend

One can extend this to ask whether Cassini–Huygens functioned as such a satellite/probe around other planets and therefore would have been expected to send data back if it orbited Venus.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Space Venture to Mars > p. 771
Strength: 3/5
“Amidst all the negative aspects that occupied the political discussion, it was heartening to watch the success of Indian space scientists. In November 2013, the first interplanetary mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), officially called the Mars Orbiter Mission and popularly known as Mangalyaan, was launched. [On September 24, 2014, India's space agency became the fourth agency to have launched a spacecraft that was successful in reaching Mars orbit, after the Russian, American, and the European space agencies. What is more, India became the first country to have succeeded in reaching Mars in its very first attempt, and at a remarkably low cost.]”
Why relevant

Gives an example of an interplanetary mission (India's Mars Orbiter) that successfully reached planetary orbit, illustrating that space agencies do place probes into orbit around other planets.

How to extend

A student could compare mission types and profiles (e.g., flyby vs. orbital insertion) to judge whether Cassini–Huygens had a profile consistent with orbiting a planet like Venus.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 5: Earths Magnetic Field (Geomagnetic Field) > Venus > p. 69
Strength: 3/5
“• Venus lacks a magnetic field. Its ionosphere separates the atmosphere from outer space and the solar wind.• Despite the absence of a magnetic field, Venus's atmosphere is one of the densest among the terrestrial planets.”
Why relevant

Describes Venus's ionosphere and lack of magnetic field and emphasizes its dense atmosphere—factors that affect spacecraft operations near Venus.

How to extend

A student could use these environmental constraints to assess whether a spacecraft like Cassini–Huygens would have attempted to enter orbit or would more likely perform flybys and how that affects chances of transmitting data from Venus vicinity.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion > p. 21
Strength: 2/5
“• 1. The orbit of a planet is an ellipse with the Sun at one of the two foci.• 2. A line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time.• 3. The square of the orbital period of a planet is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit. Temp in | Rotation | Revolution | tance in | Rank | (gm/cm3 ) | gravity ֯C | AU | (m/s2 Mercury | +427 | 58 days | 87 days | 0.4 | 4,878 | 0.38 | 8 | 0 | 5.4 | 3.7 | 0.38 Venus | +480 | 243 days | 224 days | 0.7 | 12,104 | 0.95 | 6 | 0 | 5.2 | 8.9 | 0.9”
Why relevant

States general orbital mechanics (Kepler's laws) and lists planetary orbital properties, giving a framework for understanding what 'orbiting a planet' entails.

How to extend

A student could apply basic orbital mechanics and mission trajectory analysis (using known distances/periods) to evaluate whether Cassini–Huygens could have been placed into or captured into orbit around Venus.

Statement 2
Did the MESSENGER spacecraft map and investigate the planet Mercury?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > Mercury > p. 27
Presence: 5/5
“However, Mercury is massive (has more mass) than Ganymede & Titan.• Images obtained by MESSENGER spacecraft in 2004 have revealed evidence for pyroclastic flows (vulcanicity) and water ice at Mercury's poles.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states images were obtained by the MESSENGER spacecraft in 2004.
  • Attributes scientific findings from those images (pyroclastic flows and polar water ice), indicating investigation of Mercury's surface.
Statement 3
Did Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 explore the outer solar system?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > 2.8. Distant Artificial Objects Exploring the Solar System > p. 40
Presence: 5/5
“• Sep 1977 | Passed the heliopause in 2012 to enter interstellar space (first artificial object to leave the solar system). | Explore Jupiter, Saturn, and Saturn's largest moon, Titan. | Active | ~ 155 AU (as of Jan 2022) New Horizons | 2006 | Flew past Pluto in 2015. It is currently travelling through Kuiper belt. | To perform a study of Pluto, and more other Kuiper belt objects. | Active | ~ 53 AU (as of Jan 2022) • 2011 | Entered a polar orbit of Jupiter in 2016 | Study Jupiter's composition, gravitational field, magnetic field, etc. | Active | —”
Why this source?
  • Specifically notes a 1977 launch and states the craft explored Jupiter and Saturn (and Titan), i.e., outer-planet targets.
  • Mentions Voyager passing the heliopause and leaving the solar system, indicating travel beyond the planetary region into interstellar space.
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > 2.8. Distant Artificial Objects Exploring the Solar System > p. 39
Presence: 4/5
“Extended mission of both the Voyagers is to study the; Current sta tus: Active; Distance from the Sun in AU: ~ 129 AU (as of Jan”
Why this source?
  • Identifies both Voyagers and their ongoing/extended mission status to study distant regions; gives current distances from the Sun (showing they are far beyond inner solar system).
  • Implicates both spacecraft in long-range exploration consistent with outer solar system operations.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC rarely asks about obscure technical specs of foreign missions. They ask about the 'Headline Destination'. If a mission is a 'Flagship' (like Voyager or Cassini), its destination is static GK. Always check if the destination in the option matches the mission's fame.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Cassini is the definitive Saturn mission in every standard Science & Tech compilation. Confusing it with Venus is a fatal error.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Space Technology > Major Interplanetary Missions (NASA/ESA/ISRO).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Big Ticket' Probes: 1. Juno → Jupiter (Polar Orbit). 2. New Horizons → Pluto/Kuiper Belt. 3. Dawn → Vesta & Ceres. 4. Rosetta → Comet 67P. 5. OSIRIS-REx → Asteroid Bennu. 6. Parker Solar Probe → Sun's Corona. 7. Dragonfly (Future) → Titan.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not memorize launch dates. Focus on the 'Mission Identity': Name + Target Body + Unique Feat (e.g., 'First to orbit Mercury'). If a probe is famous for the Outer Solar System, any Inner Solar System option is likely a trap.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Venus's atmosphere and greenhouse effect
💡 The insight

Multiple references describe Venus's thick CO2 atmosphere and how it causes extreme surface temperatures via the greenhouse effect.

High-yield for UPSC geography and environment: questions frequently ask about planetary atmospheres, greenhouse processes, and comparative planetology. Links to climate change, radiative balance, and comparative study of Earth and other terrestrial planets. Prepare by consolidating textbook descriptions (composition, pressure, temperature) and practicing comparative phrasing.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > Venus > p. 28
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Table 13.2: Planets in our solar system > p. 214
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > Venus > p. 27
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Cassini–Huygens spacecraft orbit Venus and transmit data to Earth?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Venus's lack of global magnetic field and ionospheric interaction
💡 The insight

One reference states Venus lacks a magnetic field and that its ionosphere separates the atmosphere from space.

Useful for questions on planetary magnetism, atmospheric retention, and solar wind interaction. Connects to space weather and implications for habitability and spacecraft operations. Study by comparing planetary magnetic properties and consequences for atmospheres and instrumentation.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 5: Earths Magnetic Field (Geomagnetic Field) > Venus > p. 69
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Cassini–Huygens spacecraft orbit Venus and transmit data to Earth?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Deep Space Network & interplanetary probe communications
💡 The insight

A reference describes NASA's Deep Space Network and lists distant probes that continue communicating with Earth.

Relevant for questions on space mission logistics, ground infrastructure, and data transmission from probes. Helps answer questions on how interplanetary missions maintain contact and the global ground-station architecture. Learn by mapping major ground facilities (DSN), mission examples, and basic communication constraints (distance, latency).

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > 2.8. Distant Artificial Objects Exploring the Solar System > p. 39
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Cassini–Huygens spacecraft orbit Venus and transmit data to Earth?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Spacecraft imaging yields planetary discoveries
💡 The insight

Reference [1] shows MESSENGER used imaging to detect geological features and polar ice on Mercury.

High-yield for UPSC Science & Technology and Geography — knowing how missions produce evidence (e.g., imaging leading to geological/ice discoveries) helps answer questions on mission outcomes and planetary science. Connects to questions on remote sensing and interpretation of planetary data; prepare by summarising key mission findings and instruments rather than memorising dates.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > Mercury > p. 27
🔗 Anchor: "Did the MESSENGER spacecraft map and investigate the planet Mercury?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Mercury as an inner (terrestrial) planet
💡 The insight

References identify Mercury among the inner terrestrial planets, providing context for why surface-mapping missions like MESSENGER are important.

Frequently tested in geography and basic astronomy topics — classification of planets explains their composition and exploration priorities. Links to topics on planetary formation, atmospheres, and habitability; study by comparing inner vs outer planet traits and typical mission objectives.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > 2.4. Planets > p. 25
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 2: The Earth's Crust > The Solar System > p. 2
🔗 Anchor: "Did the MESSENGER spacecraft map and investigate the planet Mercury?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Role of robotic probes and ground networks in solar-system exploration
💡 The insight

Reference [8] describes interplanetary probes and the Deep Space Network, providing the operational context for missions such as MESSENGER cited in [1].

Useful for questions on space infrastructure, mission logistics, and examples of probes; helps frame answers about how data (like MESSENGER images) are obtained and returned. Learn key probe names, objectives and support systems (DSN) for concise, evidence-based answers.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > 2.8. Distant Artificial Objects Exploring the Solar System > p. 39
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > Mercury > p. 27
🔗 Anchor: "Did the MESSENGER spacecraft map and investigate the planet Mercury?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Voyager missions and outer-planet flybys
💡 The insight

The references state the Voyagers explored Jupiter and Saturn (and Titan), directly linking the missions to outer solar system exploration.

High-yield for spacecraft and planetary exploration questions: knowing mission objectives and primary targets helps answer queries on human-made exploration of the outer solar system and milestone achievements. Connects to topics on space missions, interplanetary exploration history, and comparative planetology. Prepare by memorising major missions, launch years, and key flyby targets.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > 2.8. Distant Artificial Objects Exploring the Solar System > p. 40
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > 2.8. Distant Artificial Objects Exploring the Solar System > p. 39
🔗 Anchor: "Did Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 explore the outer solar system?"
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Huygens' part of Cassini specifically landed on Titan (Saturn's moon), making it the first landing in the outer solar system. A future question might trap you by saying 'Cassini landed on Saturn' (False, it orbited; Huygens landed on Titan).

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Primary Mandate' Rule. Cassini used Venus for gravity assists, but its *mandate* was Saturn. In UPSC, if a statement describes a 'transit stop' as the 'mission objective', it is False. 'Orbiting' implies a permanent station. If you know Cassini = Saturn, Statement 1 is eliminated, leaving only Option B.

🔗 Mains Connection

Space Diplomacy & Global Commons. Connect these scientific missions to the 'Outer Space Treaty' (1967). How does the data from Voyager (Golden Record) represent humanity's 'Soft Power', compared to modern 'Hard Power' missions like ASAT tests or lunar mining rights (Artemis Accords)?

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