📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I | Q.83 | Classroom Explanation
(Science & Technology | Space Technology | Human Spaceflight)

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📌 Question

Q.83)
Consider the following space missions:

I. Axiom-4
II. SpaDeX
III. Gaganyaan

How many of the space missions given above encourage and support micro-gravity research?

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

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✅ Correct Answer: (c) All the three

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This is a conceptual + current affairs blended question, testing whether the candidate understands what constitutes micro-gravity research, not merely “human missions”.

Let us decode mission-wise, with high-value UPSC additions.

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🔍 Mission-wise Breakdown (High-Yield)

🚀 I. Axiom-4 — ✅ Correct

What it is

• Axiom-4 is a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) operated by Axiom Space (USA).
• India has shortlisted astronaut-designates for this mission.

Micro-gravity relevance

• ISS is a dedicated micro-gravity laboratory.
• Axiom-4 supports:
  • 🧬 Space medicine & human physiology
  • 🧪 Materials science
  • 🧫 Biological & pharmaceutical experiments
  • 🧠 Neuro-vestibular studies

📌 UPSC Angle

• Private missions ≠ tourism only
• Axiom missions are research-intensive, ISS-based science platforms.

👉 Statement I is correct.

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🛰️ II. SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) — ✅ Correct

What it is

• ISRO’s technology demonstration mission to validate:
  • Autonomous rendezvous
  • Docking & undocking
  • In-orbit operations

Micro-gravity relevance

• Docking operations only occur in sustained micro-gravity
• Enables:
  • 🛰️ Space station assembly
  • 🧪 On-orbit experiments
  • 🚀 Future crewed missions & laboratories

📌 High-Value Insight

• SpaDeX is a foundational mission for:
  • Bharatiya Antariksh Station (India’s future space station)
  • Long-duration micro-gravity research

👉 Statement II is correct.

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👨‍🚀 III. Gaganyaan — ✅ Correct

What it is

• India’s first human spaceflight programme
• Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) mission (~400 km)

Micro-gravity relevance

• Humans in orbit = continuous micro-gravity exposure
• Research focus includes:
  • ❤️ Cardiovascular adaptation
  • 🦴 Bone density loss
  • 🧠 Neuro-vestibular effects
  • 🧬 Space biology & medicine
  • 🧑‍🚀 Life-support system validation

📌 UPSC Favorite Line

“Human spaceflight without micro-gravity research is impossible.”

👉 Statement III is correct.

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🧠 One-Line Memory Hook (Prelims Gold)

“ISS science, docking tech, human survival — all need micro-gravity.”

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📍 GS Mapping

Emerging Space Ecosystems

GS Paper III

Space Technology

Human Spaceflight

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