1. India’s First National Space Day: August 23, 2024
Tags: Science and Technology Important Days
August 23, 2024 is celebrated as the first National Space Day, marking the historic achievement of the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 mission on the Moon, which took place on this day in 2023.
An Overview of the News
India became the fourth nation to land a rover on the moon and the first to reach the moon’s southern polar region.
2024 Theme and Celebrations
Theme: “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga” - emphasizing the impact of space exploration on daily life.
Events: Celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with live streaming on ISRO’s website and YouTube to engage a national audience.
Mission Background
Chandrayaan-3 Mission: Launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Lander and Rover: The Vikram Lander carried the Pragyaan Rover, which landed near the moon’s southern pole.
National Space Day Declaration
Prime Minister’s Announcement: Narendra Modi declared August 23 as National Space Day to honor this significant achievement.
Government Commitment: Reflects India’s dedication to advancing space science and technology.
2. ISRO Successfully Launches Earth Observation Satellite EOS-08
Tags: Science and Technology
ISRO successfully launched the latest Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-08, using the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
An Overview of the News
India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D3) successfully launched, carrying the Earth Observation Satellite-08 (EOS-08), which weighs 175.5 kg.
Along with EOS-08, the SSLV-D3 also deployed a small satellite named SR-0, developed by the Chennai-based start-up Space Rickshaw.
Rocket Specifications: The SSLV, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has a carrying capacity of 500 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It is designed to meet the growing demand for smaller satellites.
Mission Objectives: The mission aims to complete the SSLV Development Project and support operational missions by Indian industry and NewSpace India Ltd.
About ISRO
Established on August 15, 1969
National space agency of India
Launches space rockets from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Headquarters located in Bengaluru.
Current Chairman: S Somnath
3. DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous GAURAV Glide Bomb from Su-30 MK-I
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
DRDO conducted a successful maiden flight test of the Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), named GAURAV.
An Overview of the News
The test was carried out from an Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF) off the coast of Odisha.
Key Features of GAURAV
GAURAV is a1,000 kg class air-launched glide bomb capable of striking targets at long distances.
The bomb uses a hybrid navigation system, combining INS and GPS data, to steer towards the target with high accuracy.
Indigenous Development
GAURAV was designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad.
The project involved collaboration with Adani Defence and Bharat Forge, serving as Development cum Production Partners.
Accurate Target Hit and Data Collection
The glide bomb hit its target with pinpoint accuracy during the test.
Complete flight data was captured using Telemetry and Electro Optical tracking systems along the coastline.
About DRDO
It serves as the Research and Development (R&D) arm of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Founded:- 1958
Chairman:- Dr. Samir Venkatpati Kamat
HQ:- New Delhi, Delhi
4. New Plant Species 'Ceropegia Shivarayina' Discovered at Vishalgarh Fort
Tags: Science and Technology
A new flowering plant species named Ceropegia Shivarayina has been discovered at Vishalgarh Fort in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.
An Overview of the News
The species belongs to the Kandil Pushpa class, genus Ceropegia, and family Apocynaceae.
The plant is similar to Ceropegia lawii Hooker f., but differs in its climbing habit, hairy peduncles, and obovate corolla cage with reflexed corolla lobes.
Significance of the Name:
The species is named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire.
This is the first time a plant species has been named in honor of Shivaji Maharaj.
Research Team:
The research team includes Akshay Jangam, Ratan More, and Nilesh Pawar from the Department of Botany, New College, Kolhapur; Sharad Kamble from Chandwad in Nashik; and S. R. Yadav from Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Akshay Jangam and Ratan More have been studying the flora of Vishalgarh Fort for the past six years.
Background of the Discovery:
In 2013, Jangam and More discovered a different plant of the Ceropegia class at the fort.
Sharad Kamble, an expert in Ceropegia species, suggested the possibility of the newly found plant being a new species.
S. R. Yadav, who has previously discovered six new species of Ceropegia, confirmed that this is indeed a new species.
Kandil Pushpa Overview:
Ceropegia species, also known as Kandil Pushpa, are vine-like plants found in the Western Ghats (Sahyadri).
These rare species are known for their lantern-like flowers and potato-like tubers in the ground.
So far, six new species have been discovered within this class.
Maharashtra Context:
Chief Minister: Eknath Sambhaji Shinde
Governor: C. P. Radhakrishnan
Wildlife Sanctuaries: Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
Tiger Reserves: Melghat Tiger Reserve, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
5. Ax-4 Mission to Include Indian, Polish, and Hungarian Astronauts
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Axiom Space is collaborating with India’s ISRO, Poland, and Hungary, supported by ESA, to send three national astronauts on Ax-4.
An Overview of the News
The crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański (ESA/Poland), and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
The crew is pending approval from the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP), which involves NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency.
Mission Goals:
Ax-4 aims to advance scientific research, technology demonstrations, and space commercialization.
The mission emphasizes international cooperation by sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities with global partners.
Significance of the Mission:
Ax-4 will be Axiom Space’s second mission including an ESA astronaut and will see a Polish astronaut in space for the first time in over 40 years.
The mission continues Axiom Space’s tradition of involving diverse nationalities, following previous missions with the first Saudi female astronaut, first Turkish astronaut, and first ESA astronaut on a commercial flight.
Launch Details:
The mission will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from Florida.
The crew is expected to spend up to 14 days on the International Space Station.
Agreements:
Axiom Space signed a memorandum of understanding with Hungary in July 2022 and a spaceflight framework agreement in September 2023 for Hungary’s astronaut program.
In July 2024, Axiom Space signed a spaceflight framework agreement with ISRO, marking a significant step towards a joint ISRO-NASA mission on the ISS.
6. Scientists Discover Six New Bent-Toed Gecko Species in Northeastern India
Tags: Science and Technology
Researchers have discovered six new species of bent-toed geckos in Northeastern India.
An Overview of the News
This Conducted by scientists from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), and the Natural History Museum London (NHM).
New Species Locations:
Two species from Arunachal Pradesh (AR)
Two species from Nagaland
One species from Manipur
One species from Mizoram
Bent-Toed Geckos:
Distributed across Peninsular India, Sri Lanka, the Himalayan foothills, Northeast India, Southeast Asia, and the Solomon Islands.
Significant diversity with approximately 346 species identified.
Highlights of New Species Descriptions
Arunachal Pradesh:
Namdapha Bent-Toed Gecko: Found in Namdapha and Kamlang Tiger Reserves; inhabits lowland evergreen forests.
Siang Valley Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered in the Siang River valley, known for its unique biodiversity.
Mizoram:
Ngengpui Bent-Toed Gecko: Located in Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary; characterized by tropical semi-evergreen to moist evergreen vegetation.
Manipur:
Manipur Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered near Lamdan Kabui village; found on shrubs along the road connecting Leimatak and Charoikhullen.
Nagaland:
Kiphire Bent-Toed Gecko: Found in regenerating jhum land at elevations between 740m and 1,300m above sea level.
Barail Hill Bent-Toed Gecko: Discovered in a reserved forest at similar elevations.
Research and Implications
Survey Duration and Locations:
Surveys conducted from 2018 to 2022 across 22 locations in Northeast India.
New Lineages:
Morphological and scientific tests revealed six previously undescribed lineages.
Species Diversity:
Higher species diversity south of the Brahmaputra River compared to the Himalayan foothills.
Each Northeastern state now has its own endemic bent-toed gecko species.
Biodiversity Significance:
Findings highlight the rich biodiversity and importance of exploring lesser-known areas.
Protected areas and abandoned jhum lands are crucial for documenting undocumented species.
7. MoHFW Launches U-WIN Portal for Digital Vaccine Tracking
Tags: Science and Technology
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched the U-WIN online vaccine management portal.
An Overview of the News
The objective of this portal is to create an electronic registry of routine immunization for pregnant women and children up to 6 years of age under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
UIP Details:
UIP is a major global public health initiative offering free vaccinations to pregnant women and children.
The U-WIN portal is modeled after the Co-WIN system used for COVID-19 vaccine management.
It will be integrated with the existing eVIN platform for inventory management.
Features of U-WIN Portal:
Covers 12 Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) under UIP:
Nationally: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, severe childhood Tuberculosis, Rotavirus Diarrhea, Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Pneumonia (Hemophilus Influenza Type B and Pneumococcal Pneumonia).
Sub-nationally: Japanese Encephalitis (JE) (only in endemic districts).
Provides age-appropriate immunization as per the National Immunization Schedule (NIS).
Contains 5 main modules:
Registration and scheduling (for beneficiaries).
Administrator module and session planning (for program managers).
Vaccinator module (for vaccinators).
Delivery point module (for healthcare workers at the delivery point).
Mobiliser module (for frontline workers).
Target Audience:
Aims to reach 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants (0-1 years) annually.
Provides 11 vaccines against 12 VPDs through over 1.2 crore vaccination sessions across the country.
Related Recent News:
MoHFW plans to launch the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX) portal to streamline health insurance claims.
NHCX, developed by the National Health Authority (NHA), is part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
MoHFW Leadership:
Union Minister: J.P. Nadda (Rajya Sabha - Gujarat).
Ministers of State: Anupriya Patel (Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh), Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav (Independent Charge - Bulthana, Maharashtra).
8. IN-SPACE Authorizes Azista BST to Establish Satellite Tracking Facility in Hyderabad
Tags: Science and Technology
On 26th July 2024, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACE) granted authorization to Azista BST Aerospace Private Limited to set up a ground station in Hyderabad, Telangana.
An Overview of the News
The facility will support Azista BST’s own satellites and offer Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) for Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) operations.
It will also handle data reception from remote sensing satellites for both Indian and international customers.
Operational Details
The ground station will operate in the Ultra High-Frequency (UHF) band ranging from 300 MegaHertz (MHz) to 3 GigaHertz (GHz).
This frequency band is utilized for satellite communications, including data relay, telemetry, and satellite control.
Applications and Support
The facility will support various applications such as weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, scientific research, and military operations.
Joint Venture Background
Azista BST Aerospace is a joint venture between Azista Industries and Berlin Space Technologies, based in Hyderabad, Telangana.
9. CWC Wins 'Water Department of the Year' at Global Water Tech Summit
Tags: Science and Technology
Central Water Commission (CWC) received the GEEF Global WaterTech Award for 'Water Department of the Year' at the Global Water Tech Summit 2024.
An Overview of the News
The award was presented by the Global Energy and Environment Foundation (GEEF) in New Delhi.
Award Categories
Focus Areas: Recognizes achievements in water, wastewater, and desalination sectors.
Criteria: Awards emphasize innovation, technology, conservation, and sustainable development.
CWC’s Contributions
Hydro-meteorological data collection
Flood forecasting
Reservoir storage monitoring
Water quality monitoring
Coastal area management
Appraisal and monitoring of water resources projects
Resolving inter-state water issues
New Initiatives
Enhanced Collaboration:
Interaction with State/UT Water Resources/Irrigation/Jal Shakti Departments to improve synergy.
Capacity Building:
Development in Urban Hydrology and Extended Hydrological Prediction (EHP).
Public Engagement:
Launch of the mobile app ‘Floodwatch India’ for flood information dissemination.
10. Department of Atomic Energy Launches 'One DAE One Subscription
Tags: Science and Technology
The inaugural ceremony for ‘One DAE One Subscription’ (ODOS) took place at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.
An Overview of the News
ODOS is an initiative by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) designed to consolidate access to research papers and scientific journals across all DAE units under a single umbrella.
Consortium agreements have been signed with M/s. Wiley India Private Limited and M/s. Springer Nature Group to provide extensive access to their journals and support for open access publishing.
The agreements include perpetual rights to journals for 2024, access to historical archives, and coverage of Article Processing Charges (APC) for publishing in open access journals.
ODOS Agreements:
Agreement with M/s Wiley India Private Limited:
Provides access to 1,353 Wiley journals, including archives from 1997.
Covers the entire DAE community, expanding from 166 unique journals for 12 units.
Perpetual rights granted for all 2024 journals.
Includes Article Processing Charges (APC) for publishing more articles in open access journals.
Agreement with M/s. Springer Nature Group:
Grants access to 2,686 Springer Nature titles, including 553 Fully Open Access (FOA) journals.
Expands access from 1,752 unique journals for 14 units.
Perpetual rights for all 2024 journals.
Archives accessible from 1997 for Springer titles and from 2012 for Nature titles.
Enables DAE to publish 281 articles in Springer Hybrid journals as open access without APC.
Dr. A.K. Mohanty: Secretary of DAE and Chairman of AEC.
A.K. Nayak: Head of NCPW, DAE.
Dr. Sudeep Gupta: Director of TMC.
