India's first experimental telecommunication satellite APPLE was put into orbit from a launch site located in which country?

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on the early history of India's space programme, specifically on the launch of the experimental telecommunication satellite known as APPLE. At the time India did not yet have fully developed capability to launch heavy communication satellites into geosynchronous orbit using its own launch vehicles, so it relied on foreign launch services. The question asks from which country the launch site was located where APPLE was placed into orbit, which is a commonly tested static space science fact in competitive examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The satellite in question is APPLE, an early experimental telecommunication satellite of India.
• The task is to identify the country that hosted the launch site for placing APPLE into orbit.
• Options list USA, Russia, French Guiana and Mexico.
• We assume knowledge of early launches carried out using foreign rockets.

Concept / Approach:
APPLE was launched by the European Space Agency on an Ariane rocket. Ariane launches at that time took place from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, which is located in French Guiana on the north eastern coast of South America. French Guiana is an overseas territory of France but is treated as a separate geographical country location for such questions. Therefore, the correct approach is to recall that Ariane launch sites are in French Guiana and match that with the list of options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify APPLE as an Indian experimental telecommunication satellite launched using a foreign launcher.Step 2: Recall that the launcher was an Ariane rocket operated by the European Space Agency.Step 3: Remember that Ariane launch vehicles take off from the Guiana Space Centre located in Kourou.Step 4: Note that Kourou is in French Guiana, which lies in South America.Step 5: Select French Guiana as the correct answer from the options provided.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, one can recall common general knowledge statements that mention Ariane launches taking place from the European spaceport in French Guiana. Many exam oriented space science summaries specifically state that APPLE was launched from Kourou in French Guiana using an Ariane vehicle. As USA and Russia are more commonly associated with their own satellite programmes, a reference to Ariane points directly toward the European launch site in French Guiana, confirming the choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
USA operates well known launch sites such as Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg, but APPLE was not launched from any of these. Russia has Baikonur and other cosmodromes, yet again they were not used for APPLE. Mexico does not host a major international orbital launch complex linked to Ariane or to this Indian mission. Therefore none of these locations match the specific historical fact that APPLE was launched from French Guiana using an Ariane rocket.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to assume that early Indian satellites were launched only from Russia because many of the first satellites such as Aryabhatta used Soviet launchers. This can lead candidates to automatically mark Russia. Others may pick USA simply because of its dominance in space exploration. Recognising the role of the European Space Agency and the Ariane programme, and remembering that their spaceport is in French Guiana, prevents this confusion.

Final Answer:
APPLE, India's first experimental telecommunication satellite, was launched into orbit from a site located in French Guiana.