UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — How will Gaganyaan astronauts return safely to earth?

Q1. The Crew Module Propulsion System (CMPS) of Gaganyaan, which provides three-axis control to the crew module during re-entry from 170 km down to 7 km, was designed and developed by which one of the following ISRO centres?

  • A. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC)
  • B. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
  • C. U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC)
  • D. Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR)

Q2. During the Gaganyaan crew module's atmospheric re-entry, which one of the following is the primary mechanism that dissipates the bulk of its orbital kinetic energy?

  • A. Aerobraking through atmospheric drag
  • B. Deployment of the drogue parachutes
  • C. Firing of retro-braking motors
  • D. Reaction-control thruster manoeuvres

Q3. With reference to the parachute-based deceleration system of the Gaganyaan crew module, consider the following statements: 1. The system comprises a total of ten parachutes of four types. 2. Two apex cover separation parachutes are the first to be deployed. 3. The two drogue parachutes are deployed only after the three main parachutes. 4. Three pilot parachutes are used to extract the three main parachutes. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The system comprises a total of ten parachutes of four types.
  2. Two apex cover separation parachutes are the first to be deployed.
  3. The two drogue parachutes are deployed only after the three main parachutes.
  4. Three pilot parachutes are used to extract the three main parachutes.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. In the context of Gaganyaan crew-recovery preparations, the 'Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF)' at Kochi is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. An Indian Navy facility where naval divers and crew are trained to recover the crew module under varied simulated sea conditions
  • B. A dry-dock where the crew module's ablative heat shield is tested for water ingress
  • C. An offshore platform from which integrated parachute air-drop tests are conducted
  • D. A desalination plant that supplies water to the Sriharikota launch complex

Q5. The Gaganyaan crew module is planned to splash down in the sea approximately how far from the coast of Sriharikota?

  • A. About 10 km
  • B. About 40 km
  • C. About 150 km
  • D. About 400 km

Q6. Under the revised scope of the Gaganyaan Programme approved in 2024, the total number of missions was enhanced to how many?

  • A. Eight
  • B. Three
  • C. Five
  • D. Ten

Q7. The Gaganyaan Programme is implemented by ISRO under which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Space
  • B. Ministry of Defence
  • C. Department of Science and Technology
  • D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Q8. With reference to the Gaganyaan TV-D1 mission, consider the following statements: 1. It was an uncrewed test that demonstrated the Crew Escape System through an in-flight abort. 2. The abort and crew module separation were demonstrated at a Mach number of about 1.2. 3. Unlike the planned crewed Gaganyaan flight, TV-D1 first placed the crew module into low-earth orbit before recovery. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It was an uncrewed test that demonstrated the Crew Escape System through an in-flight abort.
  2. The abort and crew module separation were demonstrated at a Mach number of about 1.2.
  3. Unlike the planned crewed Gaganyaan flight, TV-D1 first placed the crew module into low-earth orbit before recovery.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. In the context of Gaganyaan's return to Earth, the term 'splashdown' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. The touchdown of the crew module in the sea, where water naturally absorbs the impact energy, followed by recovery by the Indian Navy
  • B. The controlled touchdown of the crew module on land using retro-braking motors
  • C. The jettisoning of the service module just before atmospheric re-entry begins
  • D. The deployment of the drogue parachutes at about 12 km altitude

Q10. The recovery of the Gaganyaan crew module after its sea splashdown is led by which one of the following agencies?

  • A. Indian Navy
  • B. Indian Coast Guard
  • C. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
  • D. Indian Air Force

Q11. With reference to the revised Gaganyaan scope and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), consider the following statements: 1. The revised Gaganyaan scope added four precursor missions for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. 2. The first module of the BAS is targeted for launch in the 2028 timeframe. 3. The BAS is planned to consist of only two modules when fully operational by 2035. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The revised Gaganyaan scope added four precursor missions for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
  2. The first module of the BAS is targeted for launch in the 2028 timeframe.
  3. The BAS is planned to consist of only two modules when fully operational by 2035.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3