UPSC Prelims 2014 Q68: Science & Technology – Space Technology & Astronomy
Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? Spacecraft : Purpose
1. Cassini - Huygens : Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth
2. Messenger : Mapping and investigating the Mercury
3. Voyager 1 and 2 : Exploring the outer solar system
Select the correct answer
using the code given below.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Spacecraft and their purpose
| Pair | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cassini-Huygens : Orbiting the Venus | Incorrect | It studied Saturn; the Huygens probe landed on the moon Titan in 2005 |
| 2. Messenger : Mapping and investigating the Mercury | Correct | NASA's probe orbited Mercury from 2011 to 2015 |
| 3. Voyager 1 and 2 : Exploring the outer solar system | Correct | Launched in 1977; visited Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune |
More on these missions:
| Mission | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cassini-Huygens | NASA, ESA and Italy; 1997 to 2017 |
| Voyager 1 | First human-made object in interstellar space (2012) |
| Voyager 2 | The only craft to visit Uranus and Neptune |
Venus missions include Magellan, Venus Express and Akatsuki.
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Cassini-Huygens went to Saturn, not Venus.
- (b) CORRECT. Messenger - Mercury and Voyager - outer solar system are correctly matched.
- (c) Incorrect. Pair 1 is wrong; Cassini-Huygens studied Saturn.
- (d) Incorrect. Pair 1 is wrongly matched.
Key point
Cassini-Huygens: Saturn and Titan. Messenger: Mercury. Voyager 1 and 2 (1977): outer planets and interstellar space.
Remember
Cassini = Saturn; Messenger = Mercury; Voyager = outer planets.
Common mistakes
- Sending Cassini to Venus instead of Saturn.
- Forgetting that Huygens landed on Titan.
- Confusing Messenger (Mercury) with Mariner or Magellan.
Exam tip
Messenger = Mercury (the messenger god). Cassini = Saturn's rings (the Cassini gap).
Sources
- NASA — Cassini-Huygens, MESSENGER and Voyager mission pages
- European Space Agency — Huygens probe: landing on Titan