Science & Technology MCQs - 2026-10-10

The proposed site for LIGO-India is located in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra, near the city of Pune. This location was chosen for its seismic stability and low population density.

The primary objective of LIGO-India, like its US counterparts, is to detect gravitational waves – ripples in spacetime predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity – originating from cataclysmic cosmic events such as the merger of black holes and neutron stars.

LIGO-India is a major scientific project undertaken by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in India, in collaboration with the LIGO Laboratory in the United States.

Semi-cryogenic engines, particularly those using Kerosene and LOX, offer a balance of higher efficiency and potentially lower propellant costs compared to pure cryogenic engines (like LH2/LOX) or hypergolic engines, making them attractive for future launch vehicle designs.

The semi-cryogenic engine is being developed specifically for ISRO's Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) program, which aims to enhance India's launch capabilities for heavier payloads and future space missions.

ISRO's semi-cryogenic engine test for the NGLV utilizes a combination of Kerosene (a refined form of RP-1) and Liquid Oxygen (LOX) as propellants. This is a significant step towards developing more powerful and efficient launch vehicles.