UPSC Prelims 2016 Q47: Science & Technology – Defence Technology
What is 'Greased Lightning - 10 (GL - 10)', recently in the news?
- (a) Electric plane tested by NASA
- (b) Solar - powered two - seater aircraft designed by Japan
- (c) Space observatory launched by China
- (d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO
Answer: (a) Electric plane tested by NASA
Explanation
Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)
GL-10 is a battery-powered unmanned aircraft built by NASA's Langley Research Center.
It was flight-tested in 2015.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engines | Ten electric motors: eight on the wings and two on the tail |
| Special ability | Takes off vertically like a helicopter, then flies forward like a plane |
| Type | Remotely piloted prototype with a wingspan of about 3 metres |
| Possible uses | Small package delivery, mapping, surveillance |
The options checked:
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| (a) Electric plane tested by NASA | Correct |
| (b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan | Incorrect |
| (c) Space observatory launched by China | Incorrect |
| (d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO | Incorrect; ISRO's project is the RLV-TD |
Answer: (a) Electric plane tested by NASA.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. GL-10 is a ten-engine electric plane tested by NASA.
- (b) Incorrect. It is not a solar-powered two-seater aircraft from Japan.
- (c) Incorrect. It is an aircraft, not a space observatory launched by China.
- (d) Incorrect. ISRO's reusable rocket project is the RLV-TD, not GL-10.
Key point
Greased Lightning-10: NASA's ten-motor electric unmanned aircraft (2015) that takes off vertically and flies like a plane.
Remember
GL-10 = NASA's ten-engine electric aircraft.
Common mistakes
- Reading 'Lightning' as a weather or space project.
- Confusing it with ISRO's Reusable Launch Vehicle test of 2016.
- Thinking it is solar powered; it runs on batteries.
Exam tip
The '10' stands for ten electric engines.
Sources
- NASA Langley Research Center — Ten-Engine Electric Plane Completes Successful Flight Test (2015)
- NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate — Electric propulsion research