UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Science and Technology to check your progress.

Consider the following statements:

1. It is the largest of Pluto’s five moons.

2. The same surfaces of this moon and Pluto always face each other, a phenomenon called mutual tidal locking.

3. The moon’s orbit around Pluto takes around 6.4 Earth days.

4. It rotates backwards, from east to west.

The above mentioned statements refer to:

(a) Charon

(b) Hydra

(c) Herse

(d) Nix

Explanation

— Charon is the largest of Pluto’s five moons. Charon is the largest known satellite in terms of its parent planet, measuring half the size of Pluto.

— Charon and Pluto’s surfaces are always facing one other, which is known as mutual tidal locking.

— Charon orbits Pluto every 6.4 Earth days. Charon is so large in comparison to Pluto that the two are sometimes considered a double dwarf planet system.

— Charon does not rise or set, but instead hovers over the same point on Pluto’s surface, with the same side always facing Pluto. It rotates backwards, from east to west.

— Charon was found in June 1978 by James Christy and Robert Harrington at the United States Naval Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, roughly six miles from the Lowell Observatory, which discovered Pluto.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: science.nasa.gov)

Consider the following:

1. Satellite control

2. Telemetry and tracking

3. Space data reception

4. Space situational awareness

How many of the above are considered ground station as a service (GSaaS)?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— According to a consultation document published by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the national agency responsible for regulating and marketing the private space industry, it is exploring opportunities for private operators to enter ground segments.

— Ground stations are essentially ground-based antennas that help in communicating with the satellites.

— According to the document, the ground station as a service (GSaaS) sector, which provides pay-per-use services such as satellite control, telemetry and tracking, space data reception, and space situational awareness, is expected to rise 30% by 2033, from $0.14 billion to $2.5 billion.

— This is consistent with the government’s objective of increasing India’s participation in the global commercial space market from 2% to 8% by 2033.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Methanol poisoning can lead to:

1. Metabolic Acidosis

2. Partial or complete blindness

3. Central Nervous System Depression

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1 only

Explanation

— A series of deaths in Laos linked to poisoned alcohol has sparked global outrage and rekindled fears about methanol poisoning from alcoholic beverages. The Associated Press reported that six tourists died in Laos as a result of suspected methanol intoxication.

— Methanol poisoning is a dangerous and potentially fatal illness that occurs when methanol—a form of alcohol commonly employed in industrial applications—is consumed, breathed, or absorbed through the skin.

— While methanol is relatively harmless in its pure form, its toxic consequences manifest when the body converts it into damaging chemicals such as formaldehyde and formic acid. These metabolites can cause chaos in the nervous system, optic nerves, and other important organs.

— Methanol poisoning occurs when counterfeit or illicit alcohol, which frequently contains methanol, is consumed instead of ethanol, the type of alcohol found in beverages.

— Methanol poisoning can be lethal if not handled. Toxic byproducts cause issues such as:

(i) Metabolic Acidosis: A hazardous decrease in blood pH levels.

(ii) Optic Nerve Damage: Can lead to partial or full blindness.

(iii) Central Nervous System Depression: Can result in confusion, coma, or death.

— The severity of these consequences is determined by the amount of methanol consumed and the timing of medical intervention.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

With reference to the BharatGen, consider the following statements:

1. The initiative is aligned to make AI accessible to all citizens.

2. BharatGen will cater only to text and does not support speech.

3. This initiative focuses on developing processes for collecting and curating India-centric data, ensuring the country’s diverse languages.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

— BharatGen is a pioneering generative AI effort that aims to transform public service delivery and increase citizen involvement by establishing a set of basic models in language, speech, and computer vision. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— “BharatGen is a shining example of India’s commitment to developing indigenous technologies. It places India as a global leader in the field of Generative AI, similar to our achievements with UPI and other inventions that have altered numerous sectors’, stated Dr. Jitendra Singh at the inauguration.

— BharatGen will provide generative AI models and applications as a public utility, focussing on India’s socio-cultural and linguistic diversity. It aims to address India’s greater concerns, such as social fairness, cultural preservation, and linguistic variety, while also guaranteeing that generative AI reaches all sectors of society.

— BharatGen is committed to making AI available to all citizens, employing it not only for industrial and commercial goals, but also to meet national concerns such as cultural preservation and inclusive technological growth. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— BharatGen will support both text and speech, ensuring coverage of India’s unique linguistic environment. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— BharatGen connects with Atmanirbhar Bharat’s goal by developing foundational AI models exclusively for India. By developing AI technologies in India, BharatGen minimises dependency on foreign technology while strengthening the domestic AI ecosystem for startups, enterprises, and government agencies.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Source: dst.gov.in)

With reference to the LVM3, consider the following statements:

1. It is a two-stage vehicle with one solid strap-on motor and one liquid core stage.

2. It is a heavy lift launch vehicle of ISRO for achieving a 4000 kg spacecraft launching capability to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) cost-effectively.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— ISRO’s recent call to private enterprises to build India’s heaviest rocket is a long-awaited move towards increasing private sector participation in the country’s space effort. It would also help India get a foothold in the international space sector, which is quickly expanding due to rising demand for satellite launches.

— LVM3 has three stages: two solid strap-on motors (S200), one liquid core stage (L110), and a high-thrust cryogenic upper stage (C25). Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The S200 solid motor is one of the world’s largest solid boosters, containing 204 tonnes of solid propellant. The liquid L110 stage employs a dual liquid engine configuration with 115 tonnes of liquid propellant, and the C25 Cryogenic upper stage employs the wholly indigenous high thrust cryogenic engine (CE20) with a fuel loading of 28 tonnes.

— LVM3 is ISRO’s latest heavy-lift launch vehicle, designed to send 4000 kg spacecraft to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) in a cost-effective manner. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.isro.gov.in)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 86)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 86)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 85)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 85)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 85)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 85)

Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.

Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.