1. NASA postpones launch of Artemis 1 mission to Moon due to malfunctioning core stage engine
Tags: Science and Technology International News
NASA has postponed the launch of the Artemis 1 mission to the Moon on August 29 due to a faulty core stage engine.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The launch was postponed due to fuel leakage and engine problems.
- After many years of hard work, the US space agency was going to send its mission to the Moon.
- The mission is important because in view of its success, humans have to be sent to the moon in the future.
- Once launched, Artemis 1 will test the Orion spacecraft, which will orbit the Moon and one day take human crew members there.
- The cost of Artemis 1 is estimated at $4 billion.
What is Artemis 1?
- It is named after the mythical twin sister of Apollo, Artemis.
- This spacecraft is the world's most powerful rocket, capable of carrying more payloads into deep space than any other vehicle.
- The first flight of the new Space Launch System (SLS), Artemis 1 is a heavy-lift vehicle.
- Artemis 1 is an uncrewed mission.
- It will have three test dummies – Helga, Zohar and Moonikin Campos – equipped with sensors to measure vibrations, cosmic radiation and other conditions.
- During the six-week long mission, Artemis 1 and the capsule will cover a distance of about 65,000 km to the Moon.
Why was the launch postponed?
- The launch was postponed due to a fault in the RS-25 engine, which had to be mixed with liquid hydrogen and oxygen to condition it before launch.
- One of its engines was not bleeding as expected.
- The launch was postponed because the launch team was unable to resolve these issues.
- A crack was also visible on the side of the inner tank.
About Artemis 1 mission :
- For the first time in 50 years since the end of the Apollo program, the launch of Artemis 1 is an ambitious US mission to return astronauts to the surface of the Moon.
- The Artemis 1 launch will also be the first flight of NASA's 21st century moon-exploration program.
- With Artemis 1 on the surface of the Moon, NASA aims to demonstrate new technologies, business approaches and capabilities that are essential for future explorations, including Mars.
- The launch aims to further aid in the study of the Moon, its origin and history.
ISRO’s Moon Exploration Mission :
- Chandrayaan 1
- Chandrayaan-2
- The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) recently announced India's third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3, which will consist of a lander and a rover.
2. First convocation of National Forensic Science University
Tags: National National News
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah attended the first convocation of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar on 28 August.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- More than one thousand students were awarded master's degrees during the ceremony.
He also laid the foundation stone of the new southern campus of the university.
He also inaugurated the Training and Skill Development Centre, an International Guest House at NFSU and three Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security, DNA Forensics and Investigative and Forensic Psychology.
The three Centres of Excellence that have been set up will strengthen the students as well as the judicial system.
These three centres will become major centres of research and development as well as teaching, training and consultancy and India will be the centre of the world in forensic science research.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
National Forensic Science University, Gandhinagar :
The Gandhinagar campus is the first campus of the National Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
It has the status of Institute of National Importance, the first and only university in the world dedicated to forensic science.
Gandhinagar Campus has the following Centres-
Center for International Relations Cyber Defence Center (CDC)
Cyber Defence Centre (CDC)
Center of Excellence for Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS)
Ballistics Research & Testing Centre
International Centre for Humanitarian Forensics (ICHF)
Centre for Futuristic Defence Studies
Forensic Innovation Centre
Buddha Psychological Centre
3. Supertech's 40-storey Twin Tower in Noida demolished due to violation of construction laws
Tags: National National News
After a nine-year-long legal battle, the Supertech Twin Towers of Noida Sector-93 were turned into rubble on August 28.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- It is part of the Emerald Court project of Supertech Ltd. Several violations were found regarding the construction of the tower and hence they were demolished.
It is the tallest structure in India which is about 100 meters taller than Qutub Minar, comprises about 850 flats and is located in Sector 93A near the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway.
Why were Noida’s Supertech twin towers demolished ?
In November 2004, the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida) allotted a plot of land to Supertech in Sector 93A for the construction of a housing society, known as Emerald Court.
The building construction plan was approved in 2005 under the New Okhla Industrial Development Area Building Regulations and Directions, 1986.
The building plan allowed builders to construct a total of 14 towers with ten floors each within a height of 37 meters.
Following revised regulations in December 2006, a new and revised plan was approved, which now includes the construction of two additional floors for the towers and a shopping complex.
The authorities had now approved 16 towers and a shopping complex.
As of 2009, 14 towers had been built.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Court's Order :
In 2014, the Allahabad High Court ruled that the towers were illegal and ordered its demolition.
Challenging this order, Noida Authority and Supertech approached the Supreme Court.
On August 31, 2021, the apex court upheld the judgement of the Allahabad High Court and ordered the demolition of the buildings.
The Supreme Court found the construction of the twin towers to be a violation of the minimum distance requirement.
The court observed that the towers were constructed without complying with the building rules and fire safety norms.
4. Africa adopt PEN-PLUS strategy against non-communicable diseases
Tags: International News
Recently Africa has adopted a new strategy called the Pen-Plus strategy to promote access to diagnosis, treatment and care of serious non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Pen-plus strategy :
It is a regional strategy to address serious non-communicable diseases in first-level referral health facilities.
The strategy aims to bridge the gap in access to care for patients with chronic and severe NCDs.
It urges countries to establish standardised programs to combat chronic and serious non-communicable diseases to ensure that essential medicines, technologies and diagnostics are available and accessible in district hospitals.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Non-Communicable Diseases :
Non-communicable diseases are medical conditions or diseases that are not spread by infectious agents.
Non-communicable diseases are also known as chronic diseases because they are long-lasting and result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.
NCDs include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma etc.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), these cause 71% of deaths globally.
The proportion of mortality due to NCDs in the African region ranges between 27-88%.
Status of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in India :
About 58 million people in India die from NCDs every year (WHO report, 2015) or in other words 1 in 4 Indians are at risk of dying from NCDs before they reach the age of 70.
Further it has been found that the duration of 'Disability-adjusted Life Years' (DALYs) due to NCDs has increased by 30% in the year 1990 to 55% in the year 2016 and the proportion of deaths due to it has also increased .
NCDs (for all types of deaths) increased from 37% in 1990 to 61% in 2016.
5. Anang Tal lake declared monument of national importance
Tags: National National News
A gazette notification has been issued to declare Anang Tal, located near Qutub Minar in Mehrauli, National Capital Territory of Delhi, as a national monument.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Thousand years ago by Raja Anang Pal Tomar, the founder of Delhi, the mini lake was constructed, which is known as Anang Tal.
Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal had issued instructions to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to renovate this pool as well as declare it a national monument.
Anang Tal :
This lake is located in Mehrauli, Delhi, which was built by Tomar King Anangpal II in 1060 AD.
The millennium old Anang Tal marks the early days of Delhi.
Anang Tal has a strong connection with Rajasthan as Maharaja Anangpal is known as the maternal grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, whose fort Rai Pithora, is included in the list of ASI.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Anangpal II :
Anangpal II, popularly known as Anangpal Tomar, belonged to the Tomar dynasty.
The Tomar dynasty is one of the early mediaeval minor dynasties of northern India.
He was the founder of Dhillika Puri, which eventually came to be known as Delhi.
Evidence of the early history of Delhi is inscribed on the iron pillar of the Masjid Quwwat-ul-Islam adjacent to the Qutub Minar.
The study of several inscriptions and coins suggests that Anangpal Tomar was the ruler of Delhi and Haryana between the 8th-12th centuries.
He got the city built on the ruins and under his supervision got the construction of AnangTal Baoli and Lal Kot.
6. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel wins UNESCO Peace Prize 2022
Tags: Awards National News
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been awarded the 2022 UNESCO Peace Prize for her efforts to welcome refugees.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- All jurors, including jury chairman and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege, have been impressed by Merkel's courageous decision to welcome more than 1.2 million refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea in 2015.
Additionally, the jury awarded an honorable mention to Julian Lusanz for his commitment to women victims of sexual violence.
Angela Merkel :
Angela Merkel was born on 17 July 1954 in Hamburg, West Germany.
In the 2005 national elections, Merkel became the first female chancellor of Germany, and is one of the leading figures in the European Union.
She became the Chancellor of Germany for the fourth and last time on 14 March 2014.
Before joining politics, she was working as a research scientist.
About UNESCO Peace Prize :
Officially it is called the Felix Houphouet-Bougain-UNESCO Peace Prize.
The honour is named after the former President of Ivory Coast.
UNESCO's Felix Houphouet-Bogen Peace Prize was created in 1989 to honour living individuals and active public or private bodies or institutions that have made significant contributions to peace.
The award was established by a resolution supported by 120 countries
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
About UNESCO :
Establishment of UNESCO - 16 November 1945
UNESCO Headquarters - Paris, France
UNESCO members - 193 countries
UNESCO chief - Audrey Azoulay
7. Government notifies Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022
Tags: National National News
Recently the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India has published Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 on 24th August, 2022 to ensure environmentally sound management of waste batteries.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The new rules will replace the Battery (Management and Operation) Rules, 2001.
The notification of these rules is a transformative step towards implementation of the announcement made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on Independence Day on 15th August, 2021, to give a serious boost to the circular or circular economy.
These regulations cover all types of batteries such as electric vehicle batteries, portable batteries, automotive batteries and industrial batteries.
These rules encourage the establishment of new industries and entrepreneurship in the collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries.
These rules will make it possible to set up a centralised online portal for exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers/renewers to meet the obligations of the producers.
Mandating a minimum percentage of removal of useful material from waste or waste batteries under these rules will bring new technologies and investments into the recycling and renewables industry and create new business opportunities.
8. For the first time, India votes against Russia in UNSC during procedural vote on Ukraine
Tags: International News
India for the first time on August 24 voted against Russia during a “procedural vote” at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Ukraine.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The UNSC held a meeting to take stock of the six-month-old Russia-Ukraine conflict on the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's independence.
A procedural vote was requested regarding the participation of the Ukrainian President in the meeting held by video tele-conference.
The 15-member UNSC invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address a meeting through a video tele-conference.
This is the first time India has voted against Russia on the Ukraine-Russia issue since Russian military action began in February.
So far, India has not participated in the UN Security Council on Ukraine due to the displeasure of the Western powers led by the United States.
Western countries, including the US, have imposed major economic and other sanctions on Russia after the attack on Ukraine.
India has so far not criticised Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.
India has repeatedly called on Russia and Ukraine to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue.
India has also expressed its support for all diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the two countries.
About UNSC :
It was established in 1945 by the United Nations Charter.
It is one of the six major organs of the United Nations.
The other 5 organs of the United Nations are - the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat.
It has five permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, collectively known as the P5.
India is currently a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term, which expires in December.
Any one of them can veto a resolution.
Headquarters - New York
9. Argentina shows interest in Made in India 'Tejas' fighter aircraft
Tags: Defence International News
Argentina has shown interest to buy Tejas fighter aircraft manufactured in India under Make in India.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged Argentina's interest in Tejas fighter aircraft and highlighted the importance of the proposal to enhance strategic cooperation of bilateral ties.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Argentina Minister of Foreign Affairs Santiago Cafiero jointly presided over a Joint Commission Meeting in Buenos Aires.
During the meeting, both sides underlined the importance of bilateral relations in defence, nuclear energy, space, pharma, science and technology, yoga, climate change and economic cooperation.
Australia, Egypt, the United States, Indonesia and the Philippines are also interested in Tejas jets.
TEJAS fighter aircraft :
It is an 'Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft'.
It has been jointly developed by 'Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)' and 'Hindustan Aeronautics Limited' (HAL).
It is the smallest-lightweight single-engine 'Multirole Tactical Fighter Aircraft'.
It has been designed with an aim to reduce India's dependence on Russia's MiG-21 fighter jets and move towards self-reliance in the field of national security.
It is designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface weapons.
It is capable of refueling in the sky during the journey and has a maximum payload capacity of 4000 kg.
It can achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and has a range of 3,000 km.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Types of tejas :
Tejas Trainer
LCA Navy
LCA Tejas Navy MK2
LCA Tejas Mk-1A
Argentina :
President - Alberto Fernández
Capital - Buenos Aires
Currency - Argentine peso
Official Language -Spanish
location - South America continent
10. Arth Ganga Model
Tags: Government Schemes National News
The Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga mentioned the Arth Ganga model during his virtual keynote address to the Stockholm World Water Week 2022 on 26 August.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
About Arth Ganga Model :
PM Modi first introduced the concept of Arth Ganga Model during the first National Ganga Council meeting in Kanpur in 2019.
During the meeting he urged for a shift from Namami Gange (cleaning of Ganga) to the model of Arth Ganga.
Arth Ganga focuses on the sustainable development of the Ganga and its surrounding areas, by focusing on economic activities related to the river.
The Arth Ganga model seeks to use economics to connect people to the river.
The scheme seeks to contribute at least 3% of the GDP from the Ganga basin.
Features of Arth Ganga Model :
Zero Budget Natural Farming - This includes chemical free farming on 10 km on either side of the river and promotion of use of cow dung as manure through Govardhan Yojana.
Monetization and Reuse of Sludge & Wastewater - It envisages reuse of treated water for irrigation, industries and revenue generation for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Creation of livelihood opportunities - For example- ‘Ghat Mein Haat’, promotion of local products, Ayurveda, medicinal plants, capacity building of volunteers like Ganga Praharis.
Increase public participation - To enhance synergy among the stakeholders associated with the river.
Promotion of cultural heritage and tourism - To promote cultural heritage and tourism in and around the Ganga through conduct of boat tours, adventure sports and yoga activities.
Improved water governance - To promote institutional building by empowering local administration for better water administration.
