1. ISRO releases images of Earth captured by its EOS-06 satellite
Tags: Science and Technology
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently released images of Earth captured by the EOS-06 satellite.
An overview of the news
The images are a mosaic generated by ISRO's National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC).
The images have been captured by the Ocean Color Monitor (OCM) payload on board EOS-06 by NRSC.
About EOS-06 satellite
Earth Observation satellite (EOS-6) is the third-generation satellite in the Oceansat series.
It provides continued services of Oceansat-2 with enhanced payload capability.
It was launched by ISRO onboard the PSLV-C54 along with eight Nano-satellites on 26 November, 2022.
It provides continued services of Oceansat-2 with enhanced payload capability and carries four payloads OCM-, Sea Surface Temperature Monitor, Ku-Band Scatterometer, and ARGOS.
Objectives of the Mission
Ensuring data continuity of ocean color and wind vector data to maintain operational applications.
To improve the applications, adjusting the number of bands in the optical region for some additional datasets such as sea surface temperature and fluorescence.
Develop related algorithms and data products.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
ISRO was set up on 15 August 1969.
Chairman of ISRO: S Somnath
Headquarters of ISRO : Bengaluru, Karnataka
Space Station from where ISRO launches rockets :
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
2. India's first quantum computing based telecom network link activated
Tags: Science and Technology National News
The first quantum computing-based telecom network link has been activated in India and is located between Sanchar Bhawan and National Informatics Center (NIC) office at CGO Complex in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
Telecom Network Link provides quantum secure communications, making it highly resistant to hacking attempts and cyber threats.
Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnav inaugurated a small exhibition of quantum computing firms, inviting them to run pilot projects for communication networks and the Indian Railways.
Using quantum computing, the telecommunications sector will benefit from faster and more secure communications, which can lead to improved network reliability and better user experiences.
About Quantum Computing
It uses qubits instead of classical bits to perform calculations, enabling it to perform calculations much faster than classical computers.
Quantum computers use quantum-mechanical phenomena such as superposition and complexity to perform calculations.
Potential applications of quantum computing include such revolutionary fields as cryptography, chemistry and materials science.
Challenges facing quantum computing include the issue of qubit decoherence and the high cost of building and maintaining quantum computers.
3. NASA to send 4 humans to live on Mars from June 2023
Tags: Science and Technology
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is training four people to live on Mars in June 2023.
An overview of the news
These four 'Martians' will be part of NASA's human exploration mission to Mars.
These four people will be a part of NASA's Human Exploration Journey to Mars.
In addition, NASA is sending a satellite, the InSight lander, a robotic helicopter and related systems to Mars, which will conduct comprehensive investigations of Mars.
NASA is working on a plan for three such trips to Mars.
The US space agency is planning three such missions to better understand Mars.
Living space on Mars
The 3D-printed habitat has private crew quarters, a kitchen and dedicated areas for medical, recreation, fitness, work and crop development activities, a technical work area and two bathrooms.
Crew members will perform a variety of mission activities, including simulated spacewalks, robotic operations, habitat maintenance, personal hygiene, exercise and crop growth.
About NASA
NASA was formed under the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 19, 1948, in place of its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Headquarters- Washington D.C.
Administrator - Bill Nelson
4. For the first time in the country, the decision on bail in the case of 'murder' with the help of ChatGPT
Tags: Science and Technology National News
For the first time in the country, the Punjab and Haryana High Court used Artificial Intelligence based ChatGPT (ChatGPT) during the hearing of the bail plea in the murder case on March 27.
An overview of the news
Justice Anoop Chitkara used ChatGPT to assess the worldwide outlook on bail in a murder case.
He asked AI tool ChatGPT 'What is the jurisprudence on bail when the assailants brutally attack?'
ChatGPT then offered a comprehensive three-paragraph reply on bail jurisprudence in such cases.
Thereafter, the court refused the bail and dismissed the petition.
However, the court clarified that any reference to ChatGPT and any comment made was not an expression of opinion on the merits of the case.
The court also asked the trial court not to take into account the observations relating to the response of ChatGPT.
The Court noted that the petitioner had a criminal history of two cases of attempt to murder.
What is ChatGPT?
It is a natural language processing tool powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that allows chatbots to do much more than just have human-like conversations.
This language model can answer questions and assist with tasks such as writing emails, essays and code.
ChatGPT was created by OpenAI, an AI and research company.
The company launched ChatGPT on 30 November 2022.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
It is a broad branch of computer science that deals with the creation of smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
5. IIT Madras researchers develop pocket-friendly device to detect adulteration in milk
Tags: Science and Technology
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Researchers have developed a three-dimensional (3D) paper-based portable device that can detect adulteration in milk within 30 seconds.
An overview of the news
This new technology can be used at home and only one milliliter of liquid sample is required to test for adulteration.
The device can detect various commonly used adulterant agents such as detergent, soap, hydrogen peroxide, urea, starch, salt, and sodium-hydrogen-carbonate.
The traditional methods to test the purity of milk which are expensive and time consuming, this new technology is cost effective.
This new technology can also be used to test other liquids such as water, fresh juices and milkshakes.
Only one milliliter sample of any liquid will be sufficient to test for adulteration.
About Device
The 3D paper-based microfluidic device has a top and bottom cover, and a middle layer with a sandwich structure.
It helps in transporting dense liquids at a uniform speed.
A reagent is applied to its paper and left to dry.
After drying the paper is applied to the device and both the covers are sealed with double sided tape.
Whatman filter paper grade 4 is used in this design, allowing for greater liquid flow and reagent storage.
6. ICAR discovers new fish species in Cuddalore, names it after Tamil Nadu
Tags: Science and Technology
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) scientists have discovered a moray eel fish of the genus Gymnothorax off the Cuddalore coast.
An overview of the news
Scientists have named it after the "Tamil Nadu brown moray eel" of Tamil Nadu whose common name is "Gymnothorax tamilnaduensis".
Researchers from ICAR - National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) conducted an exploration along the coastal waters at Parangipettai and Mudasalodai fish landing centers in Cuddalore district.
The team found a new species of fish after extensive morphological analysis, skeletal radiography and testing by advanced molecular markers.
The scientists concluded that the species found was a moray eel, a typical species of the genus Gymnothorax.
With this, new found fish species of Gymnothorax the number has increased to 29, hitherto Indian waters had 28 species of Gymnothorax.
This new species is found in the Bay of Bengal, south-east coast of India.
The holotype of this new species is registered at the National Fish Museum and Repository, ICAR-NBFGR, Lucknow.
The name of the fish species is registered in the Zoobank, the online registration system for the international commission on Zoolgical Nomenclature (ICZN).
About Indian Council of Agricultural Research
It is an autonomous body formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Established - 1929
The Union Minister of Agriculture serves as its president. Presently its president is Narendra Singh Tomar.
ICAR is the largest network of agricultural research and education institutes in the world.
7. ISRO launches heaviest rocket LMV-3
Tags: Science and Technology National News
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 26 March successfully launched India’s largest Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) rocket/OneWeb India-2 Mission with 36 satellites onboard from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
An overview of the news
The LVM-III will deploy 36 satellites of the UK-based Network Access Associated Ltd (OneWeb) to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The OneWeb Group Company has inked a contract with ISRO's commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd to launch 72 satellites into LEO.
The first satellite deployment collaboration between the two organisations took place in October 2022 with ISRO launching 36 satellites of OneWeb.
In the second mission on 26 March, the remaining 36 satellites, each weighing approximately 5805 kg, were placed into a circular low Earth orbit of 450 km by the LVM3 M3 launch vehicle.
LVM3 had five consecutive successful missions including the Chandrayaan 2 mission.
About OneWeb
OneWeb is a global communication network powered from space, enabling connectivity for governments and businesses.
Bharti Enterprises is a major investor in OneWeb group.
After the SSLV-D2/EOS07 mission in February, the OneWeb India-2 Mission is ISRO’s second successful launch this year.
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.
Headquarter: Bengaluru
Chairman: S Somnath
8. NASA-ISRO to jointly build NISAR Earth Science Satellite
Tags: Science and Technology
In a significant event in the field of Earth Sciences, NASA and ISRO have come together to build a satellite named NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar).
Mission Objectives of the Satellite
Design, Develop and launch a Dual Frequency (L and S band) Radar Imaging Satellite.
Explore newer applications areas using L & S Band microwave data, especially in surface deformation studies, terrestrial biomass structure, and natural resource mapping.
monitoring and studies related to dynamics of ice-sheets, glaciers, forests, oil slick etc.
About NISAR satellite
It is jointly developed by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) under a partnership agreement signed in 2014.
It is a 2,800 kg satellite that includes L-band and S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments, making it a dual frequency imaging radar satellite.
NASA provided L-band radar, GPS, a high-capacity solid-state recorder, and a payload data subsystem to store the data.
ISRO has provided the S-band radar, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launch system and the spacecraft.
It will map the entire globe in 12 days.
9. Asia's largest 4-meter telescope inaugurated in Uttarakhand
Tags: Science and Technology National News
Asia's largest 4-meter International Liquid Mirror Telescope was launched in Devasthal in Uttarakhand on 21 March.
An overview of the news
The telescope was officially inaugurated by Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh.
It has been established at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) located in Nainital, Uttarakhand.
The observatory will explore the deep sky, collecting an assortment of objects ranging from asteroids to supernovae and space debris.
About the International Liquid Mirror Telescope
It consists of a 4-metre-diameter rotating mirror made of a thin layer of liquid mercury to collect light.
It mainly consists of three components.
The first bowl contains a reflective liquid metal (mercury).
The second air pressure driven motor on which the liquid mirror rests.
Third is a system to run the motor. The surface of liquid mirror binoculars naturally takes on a parabolic shape as it rotates, which is ideal for focusing light.
A thin transparent film of micellar liquid protects the mercury from wind abrasion, which can create ripples on the surface of the mercury.
The reflected light passes through a sophisticated multi lens optical corrector which produces clear images over a wide field of view.
Why was the telescope made?
It is designed to survey the night sky and detect variable and transient objects such as supernovae, space debris and gravitational lenses.
Through its data, the telescope can analyze objects in the sky using machine learning and artificial intelligence.
10. ISRO to launch OneWeb India-2 mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota
Tags: Science and Technology National News
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch OneWeb India-2 mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on March 26.
An overview of the news
Under a commercial agreement with NewSpace India Ltd, will launch 72 satellites of UK-based Network Access Associates Ltd and place them in low Earth orbit.
NewSpace is the commercial wing of ISRO.
The first set of 36 satellites was launched on 23 October 2022 by an LVM3 M2 launch vehicle.
In the second mission on March 26, the remaining 36 satellites, each weighing approximately 5805 kg, will be placed in a 450 km circular low earth orbit by the LVM3 M3 launch vehicle.
LVM3 had five consecutive successful missions including the Chandrayaan 2 mission.
Satellites provide space-based broadband internet services to all corners of the globe.
After launch, Access Associates Ltd will have more than 600 satellites in space offering internet from space services to various countries.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
It was established on 15 August 1969.
It is the national space agencyof India. It launches its space rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Headquarter: Bengaluru
Chairman: S Somnath
