General Knowledge MCQs
Topic Notes: General Knowledge
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
81
Who was the world’s first space tourist?
Answer:
Dennis Tito, an American businessman, became the first space tourist on April 28, 2001, traveling to the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. His self-funded trip, costing approximately $20 million, opened the door for private space travel.
82
Who was the first American to travel into space?
Answer:
Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 5, 1961, aboard the Mercury-Redstone 3 mission, Freedom 7. His 15-minute suborbital flight was a critical step for NASA, boosting U.S. morale during the space race with the Soviet Union.
83
Who was the first person to perform a spacewalk?
Answer:
Alexei Leonov, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first person to perform a spacewalk on March 18, 1965, during the Voskhod 2 mission. His 12-minute extravehicular activity was a groundbreaking achievement, though it faced challenges, including difficulties re-entering the spacecraft.
84
Which was the first satellite launched by Pakistan?
Answer:
Badr-1, launched on July 16, 1990, was Pakistan’s first satellite, developed with Chinese assistance. It was an experimental communication satellite, marking Pakistan’s entry into space technology and paving the way for further advancements in its space program.
85
What was the first satellite launched by Israel?
Answer:
Ofek 1, launched on September 19, 1988, was Israel’s first satellite, making it one of the few nations with indigenous satellite launch capabilities. The satellite’s success demonstrated Israel’s technological prowess and contributed to its national security and scientific objectives.
86
Which was the first satellite launched by India?
Answer:
Aryabhatta, launched on April 19, 1975, was India’s first satellite, named after the ancient Indian astronomer. Launched with Soviet assistance, it conducted experiments in X-ray astronomy and solar physics, marking a significant step in India’s space program.
87
What was the first satellite launched by China?
Answer:
Dong Fang Hong I, launched on April 24, 1970, was China’s first satellite. It orbited Earth while broadcasting the song 'The East is Red,' symbolizing China’s entry into the space age and its growing technological capabilities during a period of global competition.
88
Which was the first satellite launched by the United Kingdom?
Answer:
Ariel 1, launched on April 26, 1962, was the United Kingdom’s first satellite and the world’s first international satellite, developed in collaboration with NASA. It studied the ionosphere, contributing valuable data to space science and establishing the UK as a space-faring nation.
89
What was the first satellite launched by the United States?
Answer:
Explorer 1, launched on January 31, 1958, was the United States’ first satellite. It carried instruments that discovered the Van Allen radiation belts, contributing significantly to scientific understanding of Earth’s magnetosphere and marking a key moment in the space race.
90
Which was the first satellite launched into space?
Answer:
Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, was the world’s first artificial satellite. Its successful orbit marked the beginning of the space age, intensifying the Cold War space race and prompting advancements in global space technology.