1. What is train ‘Kavach’ and why is it trending after the Odisha train accident?
Tags: National Science and Technology
The Odisha triple-train accident, which resulted in 290 deaths and 1,175 injuries, brought into focus the Kavach initiative that aims to make the Indian Railways safer.
An overview of the news
The Kavach system has not yet started on the Odisha route.
Railways confirmed that no 'Kavach' system has been installed in the trains to prevent them from colliding with each other.
The government is being severely criticized for neglecting railway safety.
Coverage of Kavach
To prevent incidents of accidents, the government announced in 2022 that it would launch a new avatar of Kavach on a trial basis, initially covering a distance of 2,000 kilometers and then expanding the coverage further.
Only 1,455 km of railway routes under South Central Railway have been brought under Kavach by January 2023.
The government plans to expand it from 4,000 to 5,000 km in FY24.
For reference, Indian Railways has a total route coverage of around 1.03 lakh km.
A little over 1% of the route of the Indian Railways is protected by Kavach as of now.
What is Kavach?
Kavach is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
It was developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), an Indian Railways department, way back in 2002.
The Kavach system is designed to prevent collisions of trains – a leading cause of railway accidents in India.
It is a set of electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices installed in locomotives, in the signalling system as well as the tracks.
They communicate with each other using ultra high radio frequency to control the brakes of the trains and also alert the drivers.
While there have been 58 railway accidents in the last 10 years, the Odisha accident is the deadliest.
This protection system is aimed at avoiding accidents arising out of driver-related or technical errors, as well as aid drivers (loco pilots) in running the trains safely even in inclement weather conditions.
It activates the train braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per the speed restrictions.
2. South Korea launches first commercial-grade satellite
Tags: Science and Technology International News
South Korea to launch its first commercial-grade satellite on May 25, 2023.
An Overview of the News
The commercial-grade satellite was launched by the Naro Space Center in Gohang, South Korea, using a Launch Nuri rocket.
The main satellite, called "Next Generation Small Satellite 2", was accompanied by seven cube-shaped satellites.
The main satellite objectives include verifying imaging radar technology and observing cosmic radiation in near-Earth orbit.
South Korea's Science Minister Lee confirmed the successful launch of all seven secondary satellites from the rocket.
South Korea plans to launchthree more Nuri rockets by 2027.
In the past year, South Korea became the 10th country to send a satellite into space using its technology, with a "performance verification satellite" launched via a Nuri rocket.
South Korea
It is an East Asian nation located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
It shares a heavily militarised border with North Korea.
President - Yoon Suk Yeol
Capital -Seoul
Prime minister -Han Duck-soo
3. South Korea offers KSS-III batch-II submarine to India
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Recently South Korea has made an exclusive offer to provide its advanced KSS-III Batch-II submarines to India.
An overview of the news
The proposal comes at a time when Germany is about to complete India's submarine acquisition programme, Project 75I.
About KSS-III Batch-II submarine
The KSS-III is the largest submarine to ever be built by South Korea, is being developed in two phases, Batch-I and Batch-II.
It is part of the Korean Attack Submarine program and represents a significant advancement in the country's naval capabilities.
The KSS-III Batch-II submarine is an advanced version of its predecessor submarine in terms of combat management system, firepower and sonar capabilities.
It is jointly developed by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).
The KSS-III submarine is a series of diesel-electric attack submarines.
Features of KSS-III batch-II submarine
It is equipped with advanced technologies and facilities to enhance operational effectiveness.
The submarine has a length of approximately 84 m (275 ft) and a submerged displacement of approximately 3,000 tonnes.
The KSS-III Batch-II submarine utilizes a combination of air-independent propulsion (AIP) system and diesel-electric propulsion.
The submarine is capable of reaching speeds of over 20 knots (37 kilometers per hour)while submerged.
The submarine is equipped with a range of armaments and sensors to fulfill its mission requirements.
It includes torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare,anti-ship missiles for surface engagement, and land-attack capabilities.
The submarine also features advanced sensor systems, such as sonar and radar, to detect and track underwater and surface targets.
The KSS-III Batch-II submarine has a crew capacity of around 50 personnel.
Export Potential
South Korea aims to promote the KSS-III Batch-II submarine for potential export to other countries.
The advanced features, operational capabilities, and competitive pricing make it an attractive option for nations seeking to modernize their naval forces.
4. China launches 3 astronauts to Tiangong space station
Tags: Science and Technology International News
In China, three astronauts, including a civilian, were launched to the Tiangong Space Station on Shenzhou-16 on 30 May.
An overview of the news
The civilian, Professor Gui Haichao of Beihang University, was the first to be placed in orbit in space.
This is the first mission for Shenzhou-16 Tiangong since it entered the application and development phase.
Tiangong is the crown jewel of China's space program, which has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon. The launch was a complete success and the astronauts are in good condition.
The Shenzhou-16 crew was launched aboard a Long March 2F rocket at 9:31 a.m. local time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
China's first manned space mission in 2003 made it the third country after the Soviet Union and the United States to send a man into space from its own resources.
5. XPoSat
Tags: Science and Technology
The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) mission is a collaborative effort between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru.
An Overview of the News
XPoSat aims to develop and launch the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) later this year.
XPoSat aims to study the polarisation of X-rays emitted by celestial sources.
The study of X-ray polarisation can provide valuable insight into the nature and behaviour of astrophysical sources such as neutron stars, black holes and active galactic nuclei.
XPoSat is India's first and world's second polarimetry mission.
NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), the only other major mission of its kind, is slated to launch in 2021.
About ISRO
It is the national space agency of India. It launches its space rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Establishment - 15 August 1969
Founder - Vikram Sarabhai
Headquarters - Bengaluru
Chairman - S Somnath
6. ISRO to launch Chandrayaan-3 in July this year
Tags: Science and Technology National News
ISRO Chairman S Somnath has announced that Chandrayaan-3, the successor of Chandrayaan-2, will be launched in July this year.
An Overview of the News
The announcement was made after the successful launch of second generation navigation satellite NSV-01 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.
The primary objective of Chandrayaan-3 is to demonstrate India's end-to-end capabilities in lunar exploration and its ability to safely land on and orbit the Moon.
The mission will consist of an indigenous lander module, a propulsion module and a rover.
Both the lander and the rover will be equipped with scientific payloads, which will enable them to conduct experiments and collect valuable data on the lunar surface.
Important Points
Chandrayaan-1:
It was the first Indian lunar probe launched by ISRO.
It was part of the Chandrayaan program and was launched in October 2008 and the mission lasted till August 2009.
Chandrayaan-1 consisted of a Lunar Orbiter and an Impactor.
The Lunar Orbiter conducted scientific research and collected data about the Moon.
The objective of the mission was to make a detailed map of the Moon's surface and study its composition.
Chandrayaan-1 had advanced instruments to test the presence of water ice and minerals.
The spacecraft carried both Indian and international scientific payloads.
Chandrayaan-1 made important discoveries including evidence of water molecules on the lunar surface.
Chandrayaan-2:
India's second lunar exploration mission developed by ISRO.
Components: Lunar Orbiter, Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover.
Scientific Objective: Study the composition of the lunar surface and find lunar water.
Launch: July 22, 2019, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
Landing Site: Intended for the south polar region of the Moon at a latitude of 70°S.
Planned Landing Date: September 6, 2019
Landing Result: The lander crashed due to a software glitch.
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
7. ISRO to launch navigation satellite, NVS-1
Tags: Science and Technology
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will launch its next-generation navigation satellite, NVS-1, from Sriharikota on 29 May.
An Overview of the News
- The spacecraft is part of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) series.
- NVS-1 weighs approximately 2,232 kg and will be launched by a GSLV F12 rocket from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
- NVS-1 is the first of the second generation satellites envisaged for the NavIC series.
- The NVS series of satellites aims to maintain and enhance the NavIC system with advanced features.
- NavIC provides two services: Standard Positioning Service for civilian users and Restricted Service for strategic users.
- After this mission, India will join three other countries of the world with its navigation system.
- The satellite will carry an indigenously developed rubidium atomic clock for accurate GPS location timing.
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
8. India's AI supercomputer 'AIRAWAT' ranked 75th in Global Supercomputing list
Tags: INDEX Science and Technology
The AI Supercomputer ‘AIRAWAT’, installed at C-DAC, Pune has been ranked 75th in the top 500 Global Supercomputing List.
An overview of the news
The announcement was made during the 61st edition of the International Supercomputing Conference (ISC 2023) held in Germany.
The establishment of 'AIRAWAT' at C-DAC Pune is part of the National Program on AI initiated by the Government of India.
About supercomputer AIRAWAT
AIRAWAT is the name for an in-house cloud platform for big data.
The proposed AIRAWAT system is a 100+ petaflop AI-focused supercomputer.
There are parallels drawn to Japan’s AI Bridging Cloud Interface supercomputer in the NITI Aayog report.
This system is a 130 petaflop computer focused on providing compute for AI, ML and big data tasks.
What are supercomputers?
A supercomputer can perform high-level processing at a faster rate than a normal computer.
They work together to perform complex operations that are not possible with normal computing systems.
Fast speed and fast memory are the characteristics of supercomputers.
The performance of a supercomputer is generally evaluated in petaflops.
National Supercomputing Mission
The National Supercomputing Mission was launched In 2015.
The aim of the mission was to enhance the research capacities in the country to form a Supercomputing grid.
It supports the government's vision of 'Digital India' and 'Make in India' initiatives.
The mission is being jointly operated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
It is implemented by Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and IISc, Bengaluru.
Some important facts about supercomputer
China has the maximum number of supercomputers followed by the US, Japan, France, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom..
India’s first supercomputer - PARAM 8000
first supercomputer assembled indigenously - PARAM Shivay, installed in IIT (BHU)
PARAM Shakti, PARAM Brahma, PARAM Yukti, PARAM Sanganak are some name of india's supercomputers.
India's PARAM-Siddhi AI, has been ranked 63rd in the Top 500 list of most powerful supercomputers in the world.
9. New species of flying lizard found in Mizoram
Tags: Science and Technology State News
Mizoram's flying lizard species has been officially named as Gecko mizoramensis.
An Overview of the News
The research for this discovery was done through a collaborative effort between Mizoram University and the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Tübingen, Germany.
The study detailing the findings of the research on the gliding gecko species was published in a renowned German journal on herpetology.
Specimens of Gecko mizoramensis were collected from different places of Mizoram.
Collection sites include the Wildlife Sanctuary in Kolasib District, Dampa Tiger Reserve, and Lawngtlai District.
Mizoram:
It is a state located in Northeast India.
The name "Mizoram" is a combination of two words: "Mizo" and "Ram."
"Mizo" refers to the self-described name of the original inhabitants of Mizoram.
Establishment - 20 February 1987
Capital - Aizawl
Chief Minister - Zoramthanga
Official flower - Renanthera imschootiana
Official Animal - Sumatran Serow
Official Tree - Ceylon Ironwood
10. Union Government approves signing of Project Cooperation Agreement between DHR and WHO on Assistive Technology
Tags: National Science and Technology National News
The Union Government approved the signing of a Project Collaboration Agreement between the Department of Health Research (DHR) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Assistive Technology.
An Overview of the News
The agreement aims to draw global attention to access to assistive technology, promote research and innovation, and develop training programs.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) was approved during the meeting.
The MoU focuses on promoting and strengthening cooperation in competition law and policy through information exchange, sharing of best practices and capacity building initiatives.
The objective of the MoU is to develop and strengthen the relationship between the CCI and the ECA and to facilitate learning and cooperation in the enforcement of competition law.
The Union Cabinet approved the signing of an MoU between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Chartered Accountants of Maldives.
The objective of the MoU is to establish mutual cooperation for the advancement of accounting knowledge, professional and intellectual development, and development of the accounting profession in Maldives and India.
World Health Organization (WHO):
It is a specialised agency of the United Nations that focuses on global public health.
The headquarters of WHO is in Geneva, Switzerland.
It operates through six regional offices and 150 field offices around the world.
It was established on April 7, 1948 with the aim of addressing international health issues.
Department of Health Research (DHR):
It was created in September 2007 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Its creation was notified through an amendment to the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.
It was formally launched on 5 October 2007.
DHR functions as a separate department within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Its primary objective is to take modern health technologies to the masses through research and innovation.
