1. Cabinet approves the establishment of “Third Launch Pad”
Tags: Science and Technology
Why in the news?
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi todayapproved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Key points:
The Third Launch Pad project envisages the establishment of the launch infrastructure at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh for the Next Generation Launch Vehicles of ISRO and also to support as standby launch pad for the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota.
This will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions.
The TLP is designed to have configuration that is as universal and adaptable as possible that can support not only NGLV but also the LVM3 vehicles with Semicryogenic stage as well as scaled up configurations of NGLV.
It will be realized with maximum industry participation fully utilizing ISRO’s experience in establishing the earlier launch pads and maximally sharing the existing launch complex facilities.
TLP is targeted to be established within a duration of 48 months or 4 years.
The total fund requirement is Rs. 3984.86 Crore and includes the establishment of the Launch Pad and the associated facilities.
The Project will boost the Indian Space ecosystem by enabling higher launch frequencies and the national capacity to undertake human spaceflight & space exploration missions.
Background:
As on today, Indian Space Transportation Systems are completely reliant on two launch pads viz. First Launch Pad (FLP) & Second Launch Pad (SLP). FLP was realized 30 years ago for PSLV and continues to provide launch support for PSLV & SSLV.
SLP was established primarily for GSLV & LVM3 and also functions as standby for PSLV. SLP has been operational for almost 20 years and has enhanced the launch capacity towards enabling some commercial missions of PSLV/LVM3 along with the national missions including the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
SLP is also getting ready to launch the human rated LVM3 for the Gaganyaan missions.
2. SpaDeX mission
Tags: Science and Technology
Why in the news?
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO),successfully executed the SpaDeX docking experiment making India the fourth country after the USA, Russia and China this historic feat.
Important points:
The two satellites SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) which were launched by the PSLV C60 on December 30, 2024, successfully docked .
The SpaDeX mission is an important project by ISRO which is designed to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for spacecraft rendezvous, docking and undocking using two small satellites.
3. V. Narayanan assumes charge as new ISRO chief.
Tags: Science and Technology
Why in the news?
- V. Narayanan assumes charge as new ISRO chief, succeeding S. Somanath.
Key points:
- V. Narayanan appointed as ISRO Chairman, leading India’s space missions with groundbreaking contributions and innovative propulsion systems.
- V. Narayanan has assumed charge as the chairman of ISRO, replacing S. Somanath.
4. Launch of Indian Genomic Data Set & IBDC Portals
Tags: Science and Technology
Why in the news?
- Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, announced that India is no longer dependent on foreign genomic data at the Genome India Data Conclave, held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi,
Important points:
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the ‘Framework for Exchange of Data Protocols (FeED)’ and the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) Portals, making 10,000 whole genome samples accessibleto researchers across India and the globe.
“India has developed its own genomic data set, a monumental achievement that will fuel future medical and scientific breakthroughs.
The entire collection of 10,000 whole genome samples, archived at IBDC, is now made available for research purposes not only within India but globally.
The Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) will facilitate seamless access to valuable genetic information, enabling researchers to explore genetic variations and design more accurate genomic tools.
The data will serve as a foundation for cutting-edge research and will catalyze innovations in areas such as mRNA-based vaccines, protein manufacturing, and genetic disorder treatments.
The Minister highlighted the impressive growth of India’s bioeconomy, which has surged from $10. India now ranks 12th globally in biotech and 3rd in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Minister also pointed out that India is the largest vaccine producer in the world and the third-largest startup ecosystem.
The ‘GenomeIndia’ project is poised to make India a global hub for genomic research, positioning the country at the forefront of the next scientific and medical revolution.
5. Union Minister for Coal & Mines inaugurates ‘5G Use Case Test Lab’
Tags: Science and Technology
Why in the news?
Union Minister for Coal and Mines,Shri G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the ‘5G Use Case Test Lab’ today at the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) in Ranchi.
Key points:
This cutting-edge facility, aimed at advancing the coal sector’s Digital Transformation and technological landscape.
The 5G Use Case Test Lab serves as a testbed for the development, testing and adaptation of various 5G-based applications, tailored to meet the needs of the coal industry.
Minister also unveiled ‘Replica of CMPDI services’ sculpture made from scrap material from CMPDI like Delivery Hose pipe, NQ Drilling Rod, Core box etc.
This Replica sculpture showcases CMPDI’s commitment to sustainable practices through intricate depictions of its core services i.e Geomatics, Exploration, Planning & Design and Environmental monitoring.
5G Use Case Lab:
The 5G Use Case Lab established by CMPDI is a lab-scale representation of an Industry 5G Private Network, specifically designed to support the coal mining industry.
This lab will serve as a testing and development hub for integrating 5G Radio and Core technologies with 5G-enabled devices, as well as with Edge/Cloud Enterprise IT/OT applications and equipment.
Purpose and Key objectives of 5G Test Lab:
To outline the requirements and different Innovative Use Cases/applications in Coal Mining industry associated with test lab.
Testing & Development of 5G Use Cases such as Voice, video, and data communication applications; Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors for Vehicle Management and other applications over 5G Network.
Create a Scalable and Replicable Model to replicate a real-world Industry 5G Private Network setup, consisting of 5G Radio and Core systems that are compatible with Edge/Cloud IT/OT applications.
6. Nascent galaxy discovered in formation at the end of the longest tidal tail of NGC 3785 galaxy
Tags: Science and Technology
Why in the news?
About 430 million light years from Earth, in the Leo constellation,a new ultra-diffuse galaxy has been discovered to be under formation at the end of the tidal tail, a long, thin stream of stars and interstellar gas, of galaxy NGC 3785.
Key points:
The NGC 3785 galaxy is known to possess the longest tidal tail discovered so far.
The tail extends from the galaxy and is formed due to gravitational forces ("tidal forces") when two galaxies interact closely, essentially pulling material away from each other during a close encounter or merger process.
This discovery highlights the fascinating process of galaxy interaction and how it can create new, faint, and diffuse structures.
"The tidal tail offers a glimpse into how galaxies like ultra-diffuse ones, with very low surface brightness, come into being."
The new discovery promises to advance our understanding of low surface brightness features, which are often missed by traditional surveys due to their faintness.
7. India's first Hyperloop train test track completed by IIT Madras.
Tags: Science and Technology
India's first Hyperloop train test track completed by IIT Madras.
Why in the news?
- IIT Madras has successfully completed India's first Hyperloop train test track, marking a significant milestone in futuristic transportation. This groundbreaking achievement brings the vision of vacuum-based train travel closer to reality.
Key points:
- In a major leap forward for transportation technology, IIT Madras has completed a 410-meter Hyperloop test track, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey toward futuristic transport systems.
- "Bharat’s first Hyperloop test track (410 meters) completed. Team Railways, IIT-Madras’ Avishkar Hyperloop team, and TuTr (an incubated startup).
COLLABORATION :
- The project is being led byIIT Madras’s Avishkar Hyperloop team in partnership with TuTr, a startup incubated at the institute.
- The Hyperloop concept, originally popularised by Elon Musk in 2012, is now gaining traction worldwide, and this development takes India closer to adopting cutting-edge transportation technology.
- The Avishkar Hyperloop team comprises 76 undergraduates and postgraduate students from IIT Madras.
Features:
- Hyperloop trains are designed to reachspeeds of up to 1,100 km/h, with an operational speed of around 360 km/h.
- The system operates within a vacuum-sealed, frictionless environment, offering faster travel and higher energy efficiency.
MUMBAI-PUNE HYPERLOOP PROJECT:
- The first full-scale Hyperloop project in India is planned for the Mumbai-Pune corridor.
- This ambitious system aims to cut travel time between the two cities to just 25 minutes, though it is still in the early stages of development.
WHAT IS HYPERLOOK TECHNOLOGY?
- Hyperloop is ahigh-speed transportation system in which pods, functioning as pressurised vehicles, travel at incredible speeds through low-pressure tubes.
- Each pod, capable of carrying 24-28 passengers, will travel directly between destinations without stops, making it a highly efficient and promising solution for point-to-point travel.
- India's Hyperloop initiative marks a significant step toward adopting next-generation transportation systems, promising faster connectivity and groundbreaking technology.
8. Marburg Virus.
Tags: Science and Technology
Marburg Virus.
Why in the news?
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning for theMarburg virus, a kin to the Ebola virus, along with Mpox and Oropouche fever, that it is spreading in 17 countries.
About Marburg Virus:
- “The Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a rare animal-borne disease that can cause fatal outbreaks with high mortality rates.
- Earlier outbreaks were reported due to laboratory work with African green monkeys from Uganda.”
- According toWHO, the average fatality rate is around 50%.
- This virusoriginated by spending time in mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus fruit bat colonies.
- Once a human is infected, transmissions can occur via bodily fluids, such as urine, saliva, faeces, vomit, breastmilk, amniotic fluid or semen.
- It can also be passed on via objects that are contaminated with body fluids from an infected individual.
9. Nafithromycin: Country’s First Indigenous Antibiotic
Tags: Science and Technology
Nafithromycin: Country’s First Indigenous Antibiotic
Why in the news?
- After three decades of research and hard work, India has led the way with the creation ofNafithromycin, the country’s first indigenous Macrolide antibiotic.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) ?
- Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines.
- As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death.
- While AMR is a natural process driven by genetic changes in pathogens over time, its spread is significantly accelerated by human activities, particularly the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs in humans, animals, and plants.
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a major global health issue, with around 6 lakh lives lost in India each year due to resistant infections.
About Nafithromycin:
- Nafithromycin was officially launched on November 20, 2024, by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.
- Developed by Wockhardt with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Nafithromycin, marketed as "Miqnaf," targets Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP) caused by drug-resistant bacteria, which disproportionately affects vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
Important points:
- This groundbreaking antibiotic is ten times more effective than current treatments like azithromycin and offers a three-day treatment regimen, significantly shortening the recovery time while improving patient outcomes.
- Nafithromycin is designed to treat both typical and atypical drug-resistant bacteria, making it a crucial tool in addressing the global health crisis of AMR (Anti-microbial Resistance).
- It boasts superior safety, minimal side effects, and no significant drug interactions.
- Nafithromycin’s development marks a historic milestone as the first new antibiotic in its class to be introduced globally in over 30 years.
- The drug, which has undergone extensive clinical trials across the U.S., Europe, and India, has been developed with an investment of Rs.500 crores and is now awaiting final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
- This innovation exemplifies the power of public-private collaboration and underscores India’s growing capabilities in biotechnology.
Significance:
- Nafithromycin’s successful introduction represents a major leap in the fight against AMR, offering hope for treating multidrug-resistant infections and saving lives worldwide.
- This remarkable achievement marks a pivotal moment in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in pharmaceutical innovation.
10. Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users' Conference (AOMSUC-14)
Tags: Science and Technology
Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users' Conference (AOMSUC-14)
Why in the news?
- The 14th Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users' Conference (AOMSUC-14) is being held fromDecember 4-6, 2024, in New Delhi, India.
Key points:
- The conference is hosted by theIndia Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences,and will feature high-quality oral and poster presentations, panel discussions, and a training workshop focused on applying current satellite data for meteorological and climatological applications.
- There will be about150 participants from different countries,including national participants.
The Conference Aims To:
- Promote The Importance Of Satellite Observations.
- Advanced Satellite Remote Sensing Science.
About AOMSUC:
- The first AOMSUC was held in Beijing, China, in 2010. Since then, the conference has been hosted annually in various locations across Asia-Oceania.
- The AOMSUC has become a premier event for meteorologists, earth scientists, satellite operators, and students from across the region and the globe.
- The14thAsia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users Conference Promises To Be a valuable event for all those interested in the use ofsatellites for weather,climate,and environmental applications.
- The AOMSUC will be preceded by atwo-day international training workshopon the 2nd and 3rd of December IME,New Delhi. Therewillbe70 trainees from different countries,including India.
