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.

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YESPYQ · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: Neither 1 nor 2. AstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed to study celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands. The payloads cover the energy bands of Ultraviolet (Near and Far), limited optical and X-ray regime (0.3 keV to 100keV). The ability to simultaneously observe multiple celestial objects at multiple wavelengths with a single satellite is one of the special aspects of the AstroSat project. Statement 1 is incorrect: India has joined the exclusive club of nations with its own space observatory with the successful launch of ASTROSAT, joining the US, Japan, Russia, and Europe. ASTROSAT, India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, will aid in the knowledge of the cosmos. Statement 2 is incorrect: AstroSat with a lift-off mass of 1515 kg was launched into a 650 km orbit inclined at an angle of 6 deg to the equator by PSLV-C30 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. 111

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