With reference to Astrosat, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space. 2. Astrosat is a 2000

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Q: 62 (IAS/2016)
With reference to Astrosat, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space.
2. Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

question_subject: 

Current Affairs

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,73,99,30,36,33,73

keywords: 

{'astrosat': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'astronomical observatory': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'orbit': [0, 0, 1, 1], 'similar observatory': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'kg satellite': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'india': [8, 1, 7, 13], 'space': [4, 1, 7, 12], 'russia': [0, 0, 1, 1]}

The first statement is incorrect because apart from USA and Russia, several other countries like the European Union and Japan have launched similar astronomical observatories into space. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that India is the only other country to have done so.

The second statement is also incorrect. Although Astrosat is indeed a satellite launched by India for astronomical observations, its weight and height above Earth`s surface are wrongly stated. The satellite weighs about 1500 kg, not 2000 kg. Also, it was placed in a near Earth orbit at a height of about 650 km, not 1650 km.

So, option 1 is wrong because other countries have also launched similar satellites and option 2 is wrong because the specifics about the Astrosat`s weight and orbit height are incorrect. Hence, the correct answer among the given options is: option 4 - Neither 1 nor 2.