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

1. A

   1 only

   Statement 1 claims that besides the USA and Russia, only India has launched a similar space observatory. Other agencies (ESA, Japan, and NASA–ESA partnerships such as Hubble) have flown astronomical satellites. 1 only is therefore false.

2. B

   2 only

   Statement 2 says Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite in a 1650 km orbit. Astrosat is about 1,500 kg class in a roughly 650 km near-equatorial orbit, not 1650 km. 2 only is wrong.

3. C

   Both 1 and 2

   Both statements fail on uniqueness and on mass/orbit figures, so both is not the key.

4. D

   Neither 1 nor 2

   Neither statement is correct: India is not the only country besides the USA and Russia with a space observatory, and the 2000 kg / 1650 km description does not match Astrosat. (d) is the official key.

Summary. Official key is (d) neither 1 nor 2. Astrosat (2015) is India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, a genuine ISRO milestone, but it is not unique in the world after only two other countries. Mass and altitude in statement 2 are inflated relative to the actual PSLV-launched spacecraft in low Earth orbit. Pride in a first national observatory should not be stretched into false global or orbital claims.