1. Cabinet approves LIGO-India, gravitational-wave detector
Tags: Science and Technology National News
The Union Cabinet approved a project to build an advanced gravitational-wave detector in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 crore. The facility’s construction is expected to be completed by 2030.
An overview of the news
This mega-science project includes the construction, commissioning and joint scientific operation of a state-of-the-art, advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in India in collaboration with the NSF-funded LIGO Laboratory, USA.
About LIGO-India Project
It will be an advanced gravitational-wave observatory located in Maharashtra, India, as part of a worldwide network.
It is envisaged as a collaborative project between a consortium of Indian research institutions and the LIGO Laboratory in the United States of America as well as its international partners.
It will be built by the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Science Foundation, US, along with several national and international research and educational institutions.
It was given "in-principle" approval by the Union Cabinet in February 2016 with the objective of providing wider opportunities to Indian youth to pursue research careers in cutting-edge areas of science and technology.
Significance of LIGO-India
It will significantly enhance global capabilities in the field of gravitational-wave astronomy and astrophysics.
It will provide opportunities for Indian youth to pursue research careers in cutting-edge areas of science and technology.
It will lead to the development of cutting-edge technologies such as lasers, optics, vacuum, quantum metrology and control-system technologies.
2. DRDO and Indian Navy Conduct Successful Trial of BMD Interceptor
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully conducted a maiden flight trial of sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal on April 21.
An overview of the news
The objective of the test was to target and destroy the effect of an enemy ballistic missile threat.
The test could place the Indian Navy in an elite club of nations with BMD capabilities.
Earlier, DRDO had successfully demonstrated the capability of the surface-based BMD system and thus achieved the capability to neutralize incoming ballistic missile threats from the enemy.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
It is a premier defence research and development agency under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
It is working on several cutting-edge military technology areas, including aeronautics, armaments, combat vehicles, electronics, instrumentation, engineering systems, missiles, materials, naval systems, advanced computing, simulation, cyber, hypersonic technology, quantum computing and communications
DRDO's first project for the Indian military was in surface-to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo.
Since inception, DRDO has made several breakthroughs in developing key systems and critical technologies such as aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, EW systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, sonar systems, command and control systems and missile systems
It aims to make India self-reliant in critical defence technology and systems.
It was set up in 1958.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Chairman - Samir V Kamat
3. ISRO successfully launches PSLV-C55 mission
Tags: Science and Technology National News
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 22nd April successfully launched its PSLV-C55/TeLEOS-2 mission, sending two Singapore-made satellites into space.
An overview of the news
The launch vehicle lifted off at its scheduled launch time from Isro's Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota.
About Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C55 (PSLV-C55) mission
It is a ‘dedicated commercial’ mission undertaken by ISRO through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the space agency's commercial arm.
Of the two satellites, TeLEOS-2 is the primary one, and Lumelite-4, the ‘co-passenger.' These weight about 741 kg and 16 kg respectively.
TeLEOS-2 has been developed under a partnership between the Government of Singapore and Singapore Technologies Engineering Limited.
Once deployed and operational, it will meet the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies under the Government of Singapore.
On the other hand, LumiLite-4 has been jointly developed by the Institute for Infocomm Research and the National University of Singapore. It aims to enhance the maritime security of the state.
The mission also marks the 57th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The rocket will place the two satellites into an eastward inclincation orbit.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
It was established on 15 August 1969.
It is the national space agency of India. It launches its space rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Chairman: S Somnath
Founder - Vikram Sarabhai
4. SpaceX's Starship, the world's largest rocket, exploded during the first test flight
Tags: Science and Technology
SpaceX’s next-generation Starship, the world’s biggest rocket, exploded during its first test-flight to space near Brownsville, Texas.
About Starship
SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket – collectively referred to as Starship.
Super Heavy rocket is the first stage, or booster, of the Starship launch system.
It is powered by 33 Raptor engines using sub-cooled liquid methane (CH4) and liquid oxygen (LOX).
The Raptor engine is a reusable methane-oxygen staged-combustion engine that powers the Starship system.
Super Heavy is fully reusable and will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere to land back at the launch site.
It is a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
It is the world’s most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, capable of carrying up to 150 metric tons fully reusable.
Objectives
To establish a self-sustaining human settlement on Mars.
To make Starship reusable, reducing the cost of spaceflight.
To carry both astronauts and cargo to Earth’s orbit, the Moon, Mars, and maybe even beyond.
About SpaceX
It is a private spaceflight company that sends satellites and people to space, including NASA crews to the International Space Station (ISS).
The company sent its first two astronauts to the ISS on May 30, 2020, aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon.
As of mid-2022, it is the only commercial spaceflight company capable of sending astronauts into space.
SpaceX was founded by Alan Musk, a South African-born businessman and entrepreneur.
5. ISRO to launch Singapore's TeLEOS-2 satellite on April 22
Tags: Science and Technology
ISRO will launch Singapore's TeLEOS-2 satellite using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.
An Overview of the news
TeLEOS-1, Singapore's first commercial Earth observation satellite, was launched by ISRO in 2015 and since then, ISRO has launched nine satellites for Singapore.
TeLEOS-2 is an Earth observation satellite built by ST Engineering that will carry a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capable of providing 1-metre resolution data. The satellite will have a 500 GB onboard recorder and 800 Mbps downlink.
The satellite will provide valuable data to various sectors, including hotspot monitoring, haze management, aviation accidents, search and rescue operations, and enhance Singapore's earth observation capabilities and boost its economy, among others.
PSLV, the launch vehicle used for the mission, is the first Indian launch vehicle with liquid stages and is known as the 'workhorse of ISRO'. It has continuously delivered various satellites into low Earth orbits and can carry a payload of up to 1,750 kg into a Sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of 600 km.
ISRO has chosen to use the XL variant of the PSLV launcher for the upcoming C-55 mission. This version is a more powerful version of PSLV and is capable of handling heavier payloads. Its enhanced capabilities will enable TeLEOS-2 to be successfully placed in the desired orbit.
This will be ISRO's third launch of the year, with the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and LVM3 being used in the previous two launches. ISRO to launch three Singapore satellites in June 2022 in PSLV C-53 mission.
About Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
It was established on 15 August 1969.
It is the national space agency of India. It launched its space rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Headquarters - Bengaluru
Chairman - S. Somnath
Founder - Vikram Sarabhai
6. China launched Fengyun-3 satellite
Tags: Science and Technology International News
On 16th April 2023, China successfully launched the Fengyun-3 meteorological satellite using Chang Zheng-4B carrier rocket from Jiuquan Cosmodrome in Gansu Province.
An Overview of the News
The primary objective of the Fengyun-3 satellite is to monitor and provide information on severe weather conditions, especially heavy rainfall, which can cause natural disasters such as floods and landslides.
This was the 471st mission for the Chang Zheng rocket family.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
It is a state-owned organisation that serves as the primary contractor for China's space program.
CASC has several subsidiaries that specialise in the design, development and manufacture of a variety of space-related technology, including spacecraft, launch vehicles, missile systems and ground equipment.
The organisation is responsible for overseeing all aspects of China's space program, from research and development to mission planning and execution.
Establishment - 1 July 1999
Headquarters - Beijing, China
President - Zhang Zhongyang
About China
Government - Unitary Marxist-Leninist One Party Socialist Republic
President -Xi Jinping
Capital -Beijing
Official language - Standard Chinese
Currency - Renminbi
7. Kenya Launched Its First Operational Earth Observation Satellite "Taifa-1"
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Kenya launched its first operational Earth observation satellite "Taifa-1" on a rocket of Elon Musk's rocket company ‘SpaceX’ from Vandenberg Base in California on 15 April 2023.
An Overview of the News
The launch rocket carried 50 payloads from various countries, including Turkey, under SpaceX's 'rideshare programme'.
Taifa-1 was designed and developed by SayariLabs and EnduroSat and the satellite was built over two years at a cost of 50 million Kenyan shillings ($372,000).
The satellite's primary purpose is to collect agricultural and environmental data, including floods, droughts and wildfires, to help Kenya deal with disaster management and food insecurity.
Taifa-1
It is an optical camera that can take pictures in both multispectral and panchromatic modes.
The satellite can operate in and out of the visible light spectrum, allowing it to capture images even in low light conditions.
Taifa-1 is capable of capturing images in five different multispectral bands.
The Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) of Taifa-1 is 32 m for the multispectral band and 16 m for the panchromatic band.
About Kenya
Republic -12 December 1964
Capital -Nairobi
Official languages - Swahili, English
Currency - Kenyan shilling (Kesia)
Government -Unitary presidential republic
President - William Ruto
Deputy President - Rigathi Gachagua
Senate President - Amason Kingi
Assembly Speaker - Moses Wetangula
Chief Justice - Martha Koome
8. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches ‘YUVA PORTAL’
Tags: Science and Technology National News
Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr.Jitendra Singh launched the Youth Portal in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
It aims to connect and identify potential youth start-ups.
Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh also launched the One Week - One Laboratory programme.
The event emphasises the need for broad-based participation from stakeholders in the industry for startups to remain sustainable.
Each of the 37 CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) laboratories is dedicated to a different specialised area of work.
The One Week - One Lab program will provide an opportunity to CSIR laboratories to showcase their work.
About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, or CSIR, is an autonomous body established by the Government of India in September 1942.
Its primary goal is to promote scientific and industrial research in India.
Its research activities cover a wide range of fields, including aerospace, biotechnology, chemistry, earth science, electronics, engineering, information technology, materials science and physics.
It operates a network of laboratories and research institutes across India, which conduct cutting-edge research in their respective fields.
Establishment - 26 September 1942
Founder - Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar, Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar
President - Narendra Modi
Director General - Dr. N. Kalaiselvi
Parent Organization - Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India
Motto - CSIR-The Innovation Engine of India
9. New species of frog discovered in Meghalaya cave
Tags: Science and Technology State News
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently discovered a new species of frog, Amolops siju, in the South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.
An Overview of the News
Researchers found the frog inside a cave in Meghalaya and named it Amolops siju after the cave in which it was found.
Three new species of cascade frog (Amolops) were also found in Arunachal Pradesh.
About Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) was established in 1916 with the objective of survey, exploration and promotion of research on various aspects of animal life in India.
The primary objective of the ZSI is to study and document the biodiversity of India, including the classification, distribution and abundance of animal species.
ZSI is responsible for preparing national and regional animal databases, which serve as important tools for conservation planning and management.
Apart from its research activities, ZSI also plays an important role in providing taxonomic expertise and training to researchers, students and conservationists.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is the administrative ministry of the ZSI, and it redefined the objectives of the ZSI in December 1987 to focus on the conservation and management of biodiversity.
Formation - 1 July 1916
Objective - Animal Classification and Conservation
Headquarters - Kolkata
Place - West Bengal, India
Director - Dr. Dhriti Banerjee
Parent Organization - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
10. A new Uranium Isotope 'Uranium-241' discovered
Tags: Science and Technology
A team of nuclear physicists of Japan has discovered a previously unknown uranium isotope with atomic number 92 and mass 241.
An overview of the news
The study has been published in the journal Physical Review Letters and the new isotope has been named Uranium-241.
How was uranium-241 found?
To discover uranium-241, researchers accelerated uranium-238 nuclei into plutonium-198 nuclei using the KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS).
In a process called multinucleon transfer, two isotopes exchange protons and neutrons, resulting in nuclear fragments with different isotopes.
The researchers identified uranium-241 and measured the mass of its nuclei using time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
Theoretical calculations suggest that uranium-241 may have a half-life of 40 minutes.
Significance of the discovery
The technique used by the team will help to better understand the shape of large nuclei associated with heavier elements.
The method of discovery can be used for more information on other heavy isotopes.
About Uranium Element
Uranium is a naturally occurring chemical element with the symbol U and atomic number 92.
It is a heavy metal that is radioactive and is found in small amounts in rocks and soil around the world.
Uranium has many isotopes, which are atoms that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Uranium has three isotopes in its natural state, U-234, U-235 and U-238.
Other isotopes that are not found in natural uranium are U-232, U-233, U-236, and U-237.
