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 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• MESSENGER (NASA, 2011–15) orbited and mapped Mercury (pair 2 correct); Voyager 1 and 2 (1977) explored Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune and have now entered interstellar space (pair 3 correct).
• Cassini–Huygens (NASA–ESA, 2004–17) orbited Saturn and landed the Huygens probe on Titan — not Venus (pair 1 wrong).
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Cassini orbited Saturn, not Venus.
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- Pair 1 is wrong; pair 2 is correct.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Pair 1 is wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.