UPSC Prelims 2004 Q118: Current Affairs – Indian Government Schemes & Initiatives
INSAT - 3E, India’s communication satellite, was launched in 2003 from
- (a) French Guiana
- (b) Seychelles
- (c) Mauritius
- (d) Mauritania
Answer: (a) French Guiana
Explanation
Launch site of INSAT-3E
| Launch site | Link |
|---|---|
| French Guiana | Yes — Kourou, by Ariane-5, 28 September 2003 |
| Seychelles | No |
| Mauritius | No |
| Mauritania | No |
INSAT-3E was launched from Kourou in French Guiana by an Ariane-5 rocket of Arianespace in September 2003, while the heavier INSAT satellites of that period were not yet flown on the Indian GSLV.
Answer: (a) French Guiana.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. INSAT-3E was launched from French Guiana.
- (b) Incorrect. Seychelles has only a tracking station.
- (c) Incorrect. Mauritius has a tracking station, not a launch site.
- (d) Incorrect. Mauritania has no launch site.
Key point
INSAT-3A and 3E flew on Ariane from Kourou; GSAT-1 and 2 flew on GSLV from Sriharikota.
Remember
INSAT-3E was launched by Ariane from French Guiana.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Sriharikota-like Indian ocean sites.
- Confusing Mauritius with Mauritania.
- Forgetting that heavy INSATs used Ariane.
Exam tip
Kourou: ESA spaceport near the equator in French Guiana.
Sources
- ISRO — INSAT-3E mission
- Arianespace — Flight 162: Ariane 5 launch of INSAT-3E (28 September 2003), Kourou, French Guiana