Science & Technology MCQs - 2026-09-27

The primary scientific goal of LIGO-India, along with the US LIGO observatories, is to detect gravitational waves. These ripples in spacetime are generated by cataclysmic cosmic events like the merger of black holes and neutron stars, providing a new way to observe the universe.

The LIGO-India observatory is being established in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra. This location was chosen for its seismic stability and low population density.

LIGO-India is a major project in collaboration with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in the United States. It aims to establish a third LIGO detector in India, complementing the two existing detectors in the US.

Semi-cryogenic engines, particularly those using Kerosene and LOX, offer a good balance between performance and cost. They generally provide higher efficiency and are less expensive to operate and manufacture compared to pure cryogenic engines (like LH2/LOX) and offer better performance than hypergolic engines.

The semi-cryogenic engine technology is being developed specifically for ISRO's Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). This new generation of launch vehicles aims to enhance India's capabilities in launching heavier payloads and potentially reduce launch costs.

ISRO's semi-cryogenic engine test for the NGLV utilizes a combination of Kerosene (specifically, a refined grade often referred to as 'Refined Petrol' or RP-1) as the fuel and Liquid Oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer. This is a significant step towards developing more efficient and cost-effective launch vehicles.