1. NASA awards 425 million to Boeing Company for agency's sustainable flight demonstrator project
Tags: Science and Technology International News
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has awarded $425 million to The Boeing Company for a sustainable flight demonstrator project.
An overview of the news
Boeing will work with NASA to validate technologies aimed at 'building, testing and flying a full-scale demonstrator aircraft and reducing emissions'.
Over seven years, NASA will invest $425 million, while Boeing and its partners will contribute the remainder of the agreement, estimated to cost $725 million.
The Transonic Truss-Braced Wing Demonstrator Single-Aisle is an aeroplane that aims to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30 percent.
The goal of the project is to produce and test a full-scale demonstrator that will help build future fuel-efficient commercial airliners.
The United States has set a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from the US aviation sector by 2050.
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
2. Technology for Air Quality Monitoring System launched by MeitY
Tags: Environment Science and Technology
The Secretary, MeitY, Alkesh Kumar Sharma has launched the Technology for Air Quality Monitoring System (AI-AQMS v1.0) developed under MeitY supported projects on 17 January in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Kolkata has developed an outdoor air quality monitoring station in collaboration with TeXMIN, ISM, Dhanbad.
It has been developed under the 'National Program on Electronics and ICT Applications in Agriculture and Environment (AgriEnIcs)'.
It will monitor environmental pollutants which include parameters like PM 1.0, PM 2.5, PM 10.0, SO2, NO2, CO, O2, ambient temperature, relative humidity etc. for continuous air quality analysis of the environment.
The transfer of technology (ToT) was done at MeitY, New Delhi in which a ToT agreement has been signed between Senior Director & Centre Head, C-DAC, Kolkata and Dr. Deepa Taneja, CEO, J.M.EnviroLab Private Limited.
3. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope discovers new exoplanet named LHS 475b
Tags: Science and Technology
Recently, a new exoplanet named LHS 475b has been discovered by the James Webb Space Telescope of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
LHS 475b
It is roughly the same size as Earth, with a diameter of 99% that of Earth.
It is a celestial, rocky planet located approximately 41 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Octane.
It differs from Earth in two respects, first that it completes one orbit in only two days and secondly it is hundreds of degrees hotter than Earth.
It is closer to Earth than any other planet in our solar system.
It orbits very close to a red dwarf star and completes a complete orbit in just two days.
Exoplanet:
Exoplanets are planets that orbit other stars and are away from our solar system. The first confirmation of the detection of an exoplanet was in the year 1992.
According to NASA, more than 5,000 exoplanets have been discovered so far.
Scientists believe that there are more planets than stars because at least one planet orbits each star.
Exoplanets come in different sizes. They can be large and gaseous like Jupiter and small and rocky like Earth. There is also variation in their temperature, which can range from extremely hot (Boiling Hot) to extremely cold (Freezing Cold).
4. Entire country to be covered by doppler weather radar network by 2025
Tags: Science and Technology National News
Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh on 15 January informed that by 2025, the entire country will be covered by Doppler weather radar network so that extreme weather events can be predicted more accurately.
An overview of the news
The accuracy of the meteorological department's forecast regarding severe weather has improved by about 40 per cent in the last eight to nine years.
In this sequence, by 2025, there will be a Doppler radar network across the country. The number of Doppler radars in the country has increased from 15 in 2013 to 37 in 2023.
India will set up 25 more radars in the next two to three years, taking the number to 62.
Speaking on the occasion of the 148th Foundation Day of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minister said with the improvement in forecasting, the disaster-related death rate has come down to single digit.
IMD commissioned four Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir. This will strengthen the weather monitoring capabilities in the Western Himalayan region.
These were installed at Surkanda Devi in Uttarakhand, Jot and Murari Devi in Himachal and Banihal Top in Jammu and Kashmir.
What is Doppler Weather Radar?
It is a special type of radar that uses the Doppler effect to generate velocity data about objects at a distance.
It is designed to improve accuracy in long range weather forecasting and monitoring using a parabolic dish antenna and a foam sandwich spherical radome.
What is Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging)?
It is a device that uses electromagnetic waves in the microwave region to detect the location, height, intensity, and speed of moving and non-moving objects.
What is the Doppler effect?
It refers to the change in wave frequency during the relative motion between a wave source and its observer.
It was discovered by Johann Doppler, who described it as a process of increasing or decreasing the luminosity of stars depending on the relative motion of the star.
5. Dr Jitendra Singh launches “Geospatial Hackathon”
Tags: Science and Technology National News
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on 14th January launched “Geospatial Hackathon” to promote Innovation and Start-Ups in India’s Geospatial ecosystem.
An overview of the news
The hackathon will promote innovation and startups in the geospatial ecosystem of India.
The objective of this hackathon is not only to foster partnerships between the public and private geospatial sectors, but also to strengthen the geospatial start-up ecosystem of our country.
The "Geospatial Hackathon" will end on March 10, 2023 and will have two sets of challenges - Research Challenge and Startup Challenge.
There will be 4 winners to be found for the best solution to the geospatial select problem statements.
The minister invited the youth of the country to participate and contribute in building the country's geospatial economy.
Half of India's population is below 40 years of age and very ambitious.
The Indian start-up economy has crossed a major milestone as India's 100th start-up joins the unicorn club in 2022.
6. EU Inaugurates First Mainland Satellite Launch Port
Tags: Science and Technology International News
European officials and Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf inaugurated the EU's first mainland orbital launch complex on 13 January during a visit to Sweden by members of the European Commission, which is the 27-nation bloc's executive arm.
An overview of the news
The European Union is looking to boost its ability to launch small satellites into space with a new launchpad in arctic Sweden.
The new facility inaugurated at the Esrange Space Center near the city of Kiruna will complement the EU's current launching capabilities in French Guiana.
The tiny satellites are vital for tracking natural disasters in real time and helping to guarantee global security in light of Russia's war in Ukraine.
The total number of satellites could reach 100,000 by 2040 as compared to the current 5,000 operational satellites.
European Union (EU)
It is an international organisation made up of European countries, which was formed in 1993.
It is a group of 27 countries that act as a cohesive economic and political bloc.
19 of these countries use the euro as their official currency.
Its goal is to promote peace and the well-being of all citizens of the EU.
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
7. Startup firm IG Drones develops India's first 5G-enabled drone
Tags: Science and Technology National News
Tech startup firm IG Drones has developed India's first 5G-enabled drone capable of vertical take-off and landing.
An overview of the news
This drone has been named Skyhawk.
It can be used in other areas apart from defence and medical applications.
The Skyhawk can fly for about five hours with a payload of 10 kg, as this drone is also equipped with capabilities like artificial intelligence and thermal imaging.
Due to the facility of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), it does not require any special runway or track for take-off or landing, so it can be operated in any area.
The drone is IP67 rated and can be controlled through a combination of NavIC + GPS navigational satellites.
This drone can travel 100 km in 12 to 15 minutes at its maximum speed.
About IG Drones
IG Drones is an India-based tech company providing drone survey, mapping and inspection services.
It was established at Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology in Sambalpur, Odisha.
Its headquarter is located in New Delhi.
8. India to send three person to 6,000 metre below sea level under Samudrayaan Mission
Tags: Science and Technology National News
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India will send three men six thousand metres below sea level to search for mineral resources under the Samudrayaan mission.
An overview of the news
Earth Sciences Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, a vehicle named MATSYA 6000 will carry three people and this mission is expected to be realized in the next three years.
The vehicle is being designed and developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai.
It can bear 12 hours under normal operation and 96 hours under emergency for human safety.
PM Narendra Modi mentioned the Deep Ocean Mission in his Independence Day address for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.
About Samudrayaan Mission
It is a part of the Deep Ocean Mission.
It was announced by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) with ISRO's Gaganyaan mission.
It aims to develop a self-propelled manned submersible to carry 3 humans to a depth of 6000 meters in the ocean with scientific sensors and equipment for deep sea exploration.
Under this mission, a manned submersible vehicle named MATSYA 6000 will be sent for deep underwater studies.
What is the Deep Ocean Mission?
It was approved by the Ministry of Earth Sciences in June 2021.
It aims to explore deep sea marine resources, develop deep sea technology for sustainable utilization of ocean resources and support the blue economy initiatives of the Government of India.
The cost of the mission is about Rs 4,077 crore over a period of five years and will be implemented in phases.
9. CMPDIL Invents New Dust Control Technology
Tags: Environment Science and Technology
In order to minimize and control the fugitive dust in mining areas, Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), Ranchi has invented a “System and Method for Controlling Generation and Movement of Fugitive Dust ''.
An overview of the news
CMPDIL, Ranchi is a consultancy subsidiary of Coal India Limited.
It has obtained a patent for the invention in December, 2022 (Patent No. 416055).
This system can be used in mines, thermal power plants, railway sidings, ports, construction sites where coal or other mineral/fugitive material is stored under open sky.
About invention
The invention relates to the synchronized application of windbreak (WB) and vertical greenery system (VGS) for reducing generation and dispersion of fugitive dust.
WB and VGS are positioned in the upwind and downwind directions with respect to the blown dust source, respectively.
WB reduces the speed of the oncoming wind towards the source and hence, reduces the intensity of the ambient air to pick up dust while it blows over the source.
The VGS acts as a filter and reduces the amount of residual dust moving towards the receptors in the downward direction along with the air.
Therefore, there is a significant reduction in the dust concentration in the ambient air at various receptors located in the down-wind direction.
What is Fugitive Dust?
Fugitive dust is a form of particulate matter that contributes to air pollution.
It refers to the dust particles which like to run in the air without a directed place.
It is produced from various sources that come in contact with the air.
10. Successful training launch of Prithvi-2 at Chandipur, Odisha
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
Prithvi-2 was successfully trained on 10 January 2023 from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur off the Odisha coast.
An overview of the news
Prithvi-II is an indigenously developed surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of approximately 250-350 km. and it can carry one ton payload.
The Prithvi-II class is a single-stage liquid-fueled missile with a payload of 500–1000 kg. has warhead mounting capability.
The missile system is capable of hitting targets with a very high degree of accuracy.
The state-of-the-art missile uses an advanced inertial guidance system with an efficient trajectory to hit its target.
It was initially developed for the Indian Air Force as the primary user and was later inducted into the Indian Army as well.
While the missile was first inducted into India's Strategic Forces Command in 2003, it was the first missile developed under the IGMDP.
Five missiles developed under IGMDP
The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are:
Prithvi: Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
Agni: Surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile i.e. Agni (1,2,3,4,5).
Trishul: Short-range surface-to-air missile.
Nag: Third generation anti-tank missile.
Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile.
