UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Loose connection made satellite miss orbit: panel

Q1. In the Failure Analysis Committee report on the NVS-02 satellite (released in February 2026), how many independent connector paths to the pyro valves on the Liquid Apogee Motor's oxidiser line were found to have suffered contact disengagement?

  • A. One (only the primary)
  • B. Two (primary and redundant)
  • C. Three (primary, redundant and back-up igniter)
  • D. Four (two on oxidiser and two on fuel line)

Q2. With reference to NVS-02 (launched in January 2025) as compared to the first-generation IRNSS satellites, consider the following statements: 1. NVS-02 was launched by a GSLV with an indigenous cryogenic upper stage, whereas first-generation IRNSS satellites were launched by the PSLV. 2. Unlike first-generation IRNSS satellites, NVS-02 carries a navigation payload in the L1 band in addition to L5 and S bands. 3. NVS-02 uses only imported rubidium atomic clocks, abandoning the indigenous atomic clock developed for the NVS series. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. NVS-02 was launched by a GSLV with an indigenous cryogenic upper stage, whereas first-generation IRNSS satellites were launched by the PSLV.
  2. Unlike first-generation IRNSS satellites, NVS-02 carries a navigation payload in the L1 band in addition to L5 and S bands.
  3. NVS-02 uses only imported rubidium atomic clocks, abandoning the indigenous atomic clock developed for the NVS series.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The Failure Analysis Committee whose February 2026 report attributed the NVS-02 orbit-raising failure to a loose electrical contact in the pyro-valve connector was chaired by:

  • A. K. Sivan, former Chairman, ISRO
  • B. A.S. Kiran Kumar, former Chairman, ISRO
  • C. S. Somanath, Chairman, ISRO
  • D. V. Narayanan, Director, LPSC

Q4. The GSLV-F15 mission that carried NVS-02 on 29 January 2025 is most notable for being which one of the following?

  • A. The first operational flight of the GSLV with an indigenous cryogenic stage
  • B. The 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
  • C. The maiden flight of the GSLV Mk-III (LVM3)
  • D. The first Indian launch to a geostationary transfer orbit

Q5. With reference to the NVS-02 satellite and the findings of ISRO's Failure Analysis Committee (2026), consider the following statements: 1. NVS-02 is the second satellite of India's second-generation NavIC (NVS) series. 2. The committee traced the orbit-raising failure to a loose electrical contact in the connector feeding the pyro valves on the oxidiser line. 3. The satellite is currently stranded in a Sun-synchronous polar orbit. 4. The pyro valves whose firing was inhibited belonged to the Liquid Apogee Motor used for orbit raising. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. NVS-02 is the second satellite of India's second-generation NavIC (NVS) series.
  2. The committee traced the orbit-raising failure to a loose electrical contact in the connector feeding the pyro valves on the oxidiser line.
  3. The satellite is currently stranded in a Sun-synchronous polar orbit.
  4. The pyro valves whose firing was inhibited belonged to the Liquid Apogee Motor used for orbit raising.
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4