UPSC Prelims 2022 · Question 34 of 98

UPSC Prelims 2022 question on Fractional Orbital Bombardment System

Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the "Fractional Orbital Bombardment System" often talked about in media?

  1. A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.
  2. A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.
  3. A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
  4. A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.
Show answer

Answer: C. A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

Verdict

Correct answer: Option (c).

Analysis

Recently (in October 2021), China was suspected to have tested a Fractional Orbital Bombardment System.

A Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) is a warhead delivery system that uses a low earth orbit towards its target destination. Just before reaching the target, it deorbits through a retrograde engine burn.

The flight path of the warhead from the system does not reveal the target location till the payload hits the destination.

A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth — this best describes FOBS.

More questions on Defence Technology

All 14 questions on Defence Technology →

← Full 2022 question paper · All Science and Technology questions