Explanation

• The first artificial satellite in the world was Sputnik 1
• Launch Date: October 4, 1957
• Country: Soviet Union (USSR)
• Size: 58 centimeters (22.8 inches) in diameter
• Weight: 83.6 kilograms (183.9 pounds)
• Mission Life: Transmitted radio beeps for 3 weeks before batteries died; burned up in the atmosphere on January 4, 1958.

Last updated 07-09-2026 by NA

Explanation

The following nine countries are declared nuclear powers: 

1. USA
2. Russia
3. UK
4. France
5. China
6. India
7. Pakistan
8. Israel
9. North Korea

Nuclear weapons first developed in 1945 (USA).

Nuclear powers are divided into:

1. Official (NPT recognized): USA, Russia, UK, France, China
2. Non-NPT / de facto: India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea

Last verified on 06-08-2026

Explanation

• Chandrayaan-3 is India's lunar mission.
• It was successfully landed on the Moon on 23 August 2023.
• It was launched on 14 July 2023
• It was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• India became the first country to achieve a soft landing near the Moon's south pole.
• Space Agency: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Lander & Rover: Vikram (Lander) and Pragyan (Rover)
• "Chandrayaan" is a Sanskrit word meaning "Mooncraft."

Last verified on 12-07-2026

Explanation

 Apart from the 5 officially recognized nuclear-weapon states under the NPT, some other countries are also known to possess nuclear weapons:

5 recognized by NPT: USA, Russia, China, UK, France

4 outside NPT recognition/with disputed status: India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel

Total countries believed to have nuclear weapons: about 9.

other information

India – Conducted nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998.

Pakistan – Conducted nuclear tests in 1998.

North Korea – Conducted nuclear tests starting in 2006.

Israel – Widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, but it has never officially confirmed this.

Explanation

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is an American anti-ballistic missile defense system.

It was designed to intercept and destroy short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

****