UPSC Prelims 2025Question 83Science & Technology

Consider the following space missions:
I. Axiom-4
II. SpaDeX
III. Gaganyaan
How many of the space missions given above encourage and support microgravity research?

Options

(a)Only one
(b)All the three
(c)Only two
(d)None

Correct answer: c

Decision rule

Any crewed or ISS-bound mission supports microgravity research by definition; judge orbital technology demonstrators separately on whether they carry experiment payloads.

Explanation

Correct Answer:

(c) All the three

Explanation of the Correct Answer

All three missions mentioned—Axiom-4, SpaDeX, and Gaganyaan—encourage and support microgravity research, though they differ in scope and focus.

Statement-wise Analysis

I. Axiom-4

Correct
Axiom-4 is a commercial spaceflight mission organized by Axiom Space, involving private astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The ISS provides a unique environment for microgravity research in various scientific and technological fields.

II. SpaDeX

Correct
SpaDeX (Space Debris Experiment) is an Indian space mission launched by ISRO that involves deploying small satellites or payloads in low Earth orbit.
It supports microgravity experiments and technology demonstration in space.

III. Gaganyaan

Correct
India’s first human spaceflight mission by ISRO aims to send Indian astronauts into space.
Gaganyaan will support scientific experiments including microgravity research during the mission.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

(a) Only one – Incorrect: All three support microgravity research.
(b) Only two – Incorrect: All three are involved.
(c) All the three – Correct
(d) None – Incorrect: All support microgravity research.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Table: Space Missions and Microgravity Research

Mission	Type	Microgravity Research	Additional Notes
Axiom-4	Commercial ISS mission	Conducts scientific experiments in microgravity	Private astronauts; commercial spaceflight.
SpaDeX	ISRO technology mission	Supports microgravity experiments in orbit	Small payloads and satellite deployments.
Gaganyaan	Human spaceflight	Planned microgravity experiments during flight	India’s first crewed mission.

Related Concepts or Facts

Concept	Explanation
Microgravity	Condition in space where gravity is much weaker, enabling unique scientific experiments.
International Space Station (ISS)	Primary platform for microgravity research involving international partners.
Commercial Spaceflight	Growing sector involving private companies and astronauts conducting space research.
ISRO Human Spaceflight	Gaganyaan is India’s mission to develop human spaceflight capabilities.

Current Relevance

Microgravity research is essential for advancements in medicine, materials science, fluid dynamics, and biology.
Missions like these contribute to global knowledge and foster commercial and scientific space exploration.

Table: Related Concepts and Terms – Space Missions and Microgravity Research

Concept / Term	Explanation / Relevance
Microgravity	Condition in orbit where gravity is greatly reduced, enabling unique scientific experiments that cannot be performed on Earth.
Axiom-4 Mission	A commercial spaceflight mission organized by Axiom Space to the International Space Station (ISS); supports scientific experiments in microgravity.
SpaDeX (Space Debris Experiment)	ISRO mission involving deployment of small satellites/payloads in low Earth orbit; supports microgravity and technology experiments.
Gaganyaan Mission	India’s first human spaceflight mission planned by ISRO; will conduct microgravity experiments during crewed flight.
International Space Station (ISS)	Orbiting laboratory where astronauts conduct extensive microgravity research; platform for missions like Axiom-4.
Human Spaceflight	Space missions involving astronauts, enabling microgravity research on human physiology and other scientific domains.
Commercial Spaceflight	Space missions organized by private companies, expanding opportunities for microgravity research beyond government programs.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)	The orbital region where many microgravity experiments are conducted, including ISS and satellite missions.
Space Technology Demonstration	Missions like SpaDeX test new technologies and enable scientific research in space conditions.

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Consider the following space missions:I. Axiom-4II. SpaDeXIII. GaganyaanHow many of the space missions given above encourage and support microgravity research?