UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Global space norms find a firm footing in India’s new re-entry rules

Q1. Under IN-SPACe's guidelines on the planned re-entry of space objects, an operator that decides to undertake a controlled re-entry only after the space object has already been launched must apply for authorisation at least how many months before the planned re-entry?

  • A. Two months before the planned re-entry
  • B. Three months before the planned re-entry
  • C. Six months before the planned re-entry
  • D. Twelve months before the planned re-entry

Q2. With reference to IN-SPACe's guidelines on the planned re-entry of space objects, consider the following statements: 1. An Indian entity must obtain IN-SPACe authorisation for a planned re-entry even when the re-entry is to take place outside Indian territory. 2. Space objects that are expected to burn up, melt or otherwise be destroyed during atmospheric re-entry require a separate re-entry authorisation from IN-SPACe. 3. A non-Indian entity may undertake a planned re-entry within Indian territory only through an entity incorporated in India, which bears responsibility for compliance with Indian laws and national security requirements. 4. Since the Government of India assumes third-party liability for such re-entries, operators are exempted from carrying insurance cover. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. An Indian entity must obtain IN-SPACe authorisation for a planned re-entry even when the re-entry is to take place outside Indian territory.
  2. Space objects that are expected to burn up, melt or otherwise be destroyed during atmospheric re-entry require a separate re-entry authorisation from IN-SPACe.
  3. A non-Indian entity may undertake a planned re-entry within Indian territory only through an entity incorporated in India, which bears responsibility for compliance with Indian laws and national security requirements.
  4. Since the Government of India assumes third-party liability for such re-entries, operators are exempted from carrying insurance cover.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q3. Consider the following pairs relating to India's private orbital launch and its space regulator: 1. IN-SPACe — headquartered at Bopal in Ahmedabad, Gujarat 2. Skyroot Aerospace — the Hyderabad-based company that built Vikram-1 3. RAMAN-I — the solid motor that powers the first stage of Vikram-1 4. Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota — the site from which Vikram-1 lifted off Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. IN-SPACe — headquartered at Bopal in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
  2. Skyroot Aerospace — the Hyderabad-based company that built Vikram-1
  3. RAMAN-I — the solid motor that powers the first stage of Vikram-1
  4. Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota — the site from which Vikram-1 lifted off
  • A. 1, 3 and 4
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q4. Before a planned re-entry is executed, IN-SPACe issues an advisory note to the authorised operator. This advisory note is primarily meant to enable which one of the following?

  • A. Coordination of orbital slots and radio frequencies with the International Telecommunication Union
  • B. Issue of Notices to Air Missions and maritime danger-zone notifications for the impact area
  • C. Transfer of third-party liability for the re-entry from the operator to the Government of India
  • D. Exemption from amending the authorisation when the re-entry trajectory is subsequently changed

Q5. Which one of the following was the first privately built Indian launch vehicle to place satellites into orbit?

  • A. Vikram-S, the sub-orbital demonstrator flown from Sriharikota in November 2022
  • B. Agnibaan SOrTeD, flown by Agnikul Cosmos from a private launchpad at Sriharikota
  • C. SSLV-D3, the small satellite launch vehicle that carried EOS-08 in August 2024
  • D. Vikram-1, flown from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in July 2026

Q6. Authorisation for the planned re-entry of a space object by an Indian entity is granted by which one of the following?

  • A. NewSpace India Limited, the commercial arm of the Department of Space
  • B. Antrix Corporation Limited, the marketing arm of ISRO
  • C. IN-SPACe, an autonomous agency under the Department of Space
  • D. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation

Q7. The requirement that an Indian entity obtain IN-SPACe authorisation for the planned re-entry of a space object, with or without recovery, was first laid down in which one of the following?

  • A. The Indian Space Policy, 2023
  • B. The Debris-Free Space Missions initiative announced in April 2024
  • C. The Space Activities Bill, 2017
  • D. The Satellite Communications Norms, Guidelines and Procedures, 2024

Q8. Consider the following statements comparing Skyroot Aerospace's launch vehicles: 1. Vikram-S, flown in November 2022, was a sub-orbital test flight, whereas Vikram-1 achieved orbital insertion. 2. Vikram-1 is designed to carry payloads of up to about 350 kg, while Vikram-2 is designed for about 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit. 3. The maiden mission of Vikram-1 placed its satellites in a geostationary transfer orbit, unlike the low Earth orbit targeted by Vikram-S. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Vikram-S, flown in November 2022, was a sub-orbital test flight, whereas Vikram-1 achieved orbital insertion.
  2. Vikram-1 is designed to carry payloads of up to about 350 kg, while Vikram-2 is designed for about 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit.
  3. The maiden mission of Vikram-1 placed its satellites in a geostationary transfer orbit, unlike the low Earth orbit targeted by Vikram-S.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3