With reference to ‘Astrosat’, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space. 2. Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

The answer is D, because neither statement is correct. Astrosat, launched on 28 September 2015 by PSLV-C30 from Sriharikota, is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory. It observes in UV, optical and X-ray bands at the same time, since these wavelengths are absorbed by the atmosphere and must be studied from space.

Statement 1 is wrong. The word 'only' is the problem. Many countries have flown similar space observatories, including the USA (Hubble, Chandra), Europe (XMM-Newton of ESA), Japan (Suzaku) and China (Insight-HXMT, launched in 2017, after the exam year). Russia has also flown X-ray missions.

Statement 2 is wrong on both numbers. Astrosat weighs about 1515 kg, not 2000 kg, and its orbit is about 650 km above the Earth, not 1650 km.

Core concept: space-based astronomy and why multi-wavelength observation matters. Mains angle: India's space science programme and what it shows about ISRO's indigenous capability.

Trap: Aspirants pick A because the claim sounds like a national achievement. The word 'only' is the giveaway, and the numbers should be checked against a fact, not guessed.