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 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
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
▶ Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: B. 2 and 3 only
The Messenger spacecraft was specifically designed to orbit and study Mercury, mapping its surface and investigating its geology and magnetic field. The Voyager 1 and 2 probes were instrumental in exploring the outer solar system, venturing beyond the planets to study Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and continuing into interstellar space. The Cassini-Huygens mission orbited Saturn and its moons, not Venus, focusing on detailed studies of the ringed planet.
Source: UPSC gs1 2014