India’s Space Programmes: Mangalyaan (Mars vehicle)

Choose and write the correct option. 

Which of the following astronauts travelled through space shuttle ‘Discovery’ first time?

Read the following paragraphs and write the answers.

Next to the moon, the astronomical object nearest to the earth is Mars. Many nations sent spacecrafts to Mars. Mars mission is difficult and almost half the missions were unsuccessful. However, ISRO’s performance in this mission is remarkable and we all must be proud of it. The spacecraft ‘Mangalyaan’ made by ISRO using minimum expenses was launched in November, 2013 and was placed into orbit around Mars in September, 2014. It obtained very useful information about the surface of Mars and the atmosphere around it.

1. Next to the moon, which is the nearest celestial object to the earth?
2. When did Mangalyaan placed into orbit around Mars by ISRO?
3. What important information did ISRO's Mangalyaan obtain?
4. Explain that critical velocity does not depend on the mass of the satellite.