1. Indian army launches “him- drone-a-thon”
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
Indian Army in collaboration with Drone Federation of India has launched 'Him Drone-a-thon' program on 8 Aug 22.
What is the 'Him Drone-a-thon’ programme?
It is a pan-India continuous interaction between all stakeholders including industry, academia, software developers and drone product manufacturers.
It will be conducted in different phases with quantitative parameters (like height, weight, range, stability etc.), which will be progressively enhanced based on the demonstrated abilities.
The wide range of activities planned under this include interactions and ideas among users, development agencies, academicians etc., seeking industry feedback, visits to operational locations by development agencies.
Development in the following categories are included under this programme
Logistics/ Load carrying Drone in High Altitude Areas
Autonomous Surveillance/ Search & Rescue Drone
Micro/ Nano Drones for Fighting in Built Up Areas
What is a drone?
Drones are also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft.
A drone is a flying robot that can be controlled remotely or can fly independently using software-controlled flight technology in its embedded systems.
It works in conjunction with onboard sensors and a global positioning system (GPS).
Drones first came to the market in the 1990 and were developed by the military.
Drones can be used for surveillance, situational analysis, crime control, VVIP security, disaster management, etc.
It offers benefits to almost every sector of the economy, including national defence, agriculture, law enforcement, and mapping, among others.
The Central Government has approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme of Drones and Drone Components.
2. ISRO's first SSLV mission fails, satellites placed in wrong orbit
Tags: Science and Technology
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 7 August placed its first Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) satellites in the wrong orbit.
Important facts
After this the earth observation satellite and AzadiSat satellite are “no longer usable”.
SSLV has placed the satellites on an elliptical orbit instead of a circular one.
When satellites are placed in such an orbit, they cannot stay there for long and come down.
SSLV-D1 placed the satellites into 356 km x 76 km elliptical orbit instead of 356 km circular orbit.
The space agency said a committee would analyze why it failed and ISRO would soon be back with SSLV-D2.
SSLV had suffered 'data loss' in its terminal phase, after performing "as expected" in all phases.
EOS-02
Earth observation satellite EOS-02 and co-passenger student satellite AzadiSat are important payloads for SSLV.
EOS-02 is an experimental optical remote sensing satellite and has high spatial resolution.
It aims to realize and fly an experimental imaging satellite with a short turnaround time and demonstrate launch-on-demand capability.
EOS-02 belongs to the family of microsatellite series of spacecraft.
AzaadiSAT
It is a 8U CubeSat weighing around 8 kilograms.
It carries 75 different types of payloads each weighing around 50 grams.
The Guidance for manufacturing these payloads was provided to girl students from rural areas of India.
The payload has been integrated by the student team of 'Space Kidz India'.
The ground system developed by 'Space Kids India' will be used to receive data from this satellite.
What is SSLV?
The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is 34 metres long, which is about 10 metres less than PSLV.
Its vehicle diameter is two metres as compared to PSLV's 2.8 metres.
Objectives of SSLV
To provide inputs on thermal anomalies for ancillary applications in the fields of geo-environmental studies, forestry, hydrology, agriculture, soil and coastal studies etc.
To create greater synergy between the government space sector and private Indian industries and institutions.
3. Nallathambi Kalaiseelvi became the first woman Director General of CSIR
Tags: Science and Technology Person in news
Senior electrochemical scientist Nallathamby Kalaiselvi has become the first woman director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Important facts
She will succeed Shekhar Mande, who retired in April.
After Mande's retirement, Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, the Department of Biotechnology, was given additional charge of CSIR.
Known for her work in the field of Li-ion batteries, Kalaiseelvi is the Director of CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu.
She will also take over as the Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Kalaiseelvi begins her job at CSIR and built a good reputation at the institute and became the first woman to head CSIR-CECRI in February 2019.
Kalaiselvi's research work for more than 25 years has focused primarily on the development of electrochemical power systems, especially electrodes.
She is currently working on the development of sodium-ion/lithium-sulphur batteries and supercapacitors.
Hailing from the town of Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu, Kalaiseelvi did her schooling in Tamil medium.
What are Lithium Ion Batteries?
It is also called as Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery.
These are commonly used for portable electronics and electric vehicles and are growing in popularity for military and aerospace applications.
It is also used in handy consumer electronics goods such as mobile phones, laptops, cameras and many other portable consumer gadgets apart from industrial applications and aerospace.
China dominates the Li-ion battery market.
The majority of current domestic demand is met by imported batteries from China, South Korea and Taiwan.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
It is the largest research and development organisation in India in the field of science and technology.
It has a dynamic network of 37 national laboratories, 39 outreach centres, 3 innovation complexes and 5 units.
It is ranked 37th out of 1587 government institutions around the world.
The Chairman (ex-officio) of CSIR is the Prime Minister and the Union Minister of Science and Technology is the Vice President (ex-officio).
It is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Established - September 1942
Located - New Delhi
4. ISRO to launch its smallest rocket to unfurl Tricolour in Space
Tags: Science and Technology
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its smallest commercial rocket on 7 August to unfurl Tricolour in space.
Important facts
The launch will be done from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.
It will drive India’s dreams of breaking into the lucrative and booming small satellite launch market.
On August 15, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the tricolor would be unfurled in space during India's 75th year of independence.
To mark the celebration of the country's 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', the SSLV will carry a co-passenger satellite named 'Azadisat', which will carry 75 payloads built by 750 young girl students from 75 rural government schools across India.
The project was conceptualized especially for the 75th Independence Day celebrations to encourage scientific temper and to create opportunities for young girls to choose space research as their career.
5. DRDO successfully test-fires indigenously developed laser-guided Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
India on 4 August successfully test fired the indigenously developed laser-guided anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra.
Important facts
The ATGM was test-fired from Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjuna by DRDO and Indian Army in collaboration with Armored Corps Center and School (ACC&S) at KK Range.
The missiles struck with precision and successfully destroyed targets at two different ranges.
The telemetry system has recorded satisfactory flight performance of the missiles.
The ATGM has been developed with multi-platform launch capability and is currently undergoing technical trials with the 120 mm rifled gun of MBT Arjun.
This indigenous anti-tank guided missile is fitted with a Tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) weapon, which is capable of destroying armoured vehicles with state-of-the-art Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA).
Earlier in June, the DRDO and the Indian Army successfully test-fired an indigenously built tank destroyer missile at the KK range in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
It is a premier defence research and development agency under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
It aims to make India self-reliant in critical defence technology and systems.
It was set up in 1958.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Chairman - G. Satheesh Reddy
6. Hellfire R9X missile used to kill Ayman al-Zawahiri
Tags: Science and Technology
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) used its ‘secret weapon’ — the Hellfire R9X missile to kill Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri on the balcony of a safehouse in Kabul.
What is the Hellfire R9X missile?
It is basically a modified version of the renowned Hellfire missile which was an anti-tank weapon developed in the 1980s.
It was modified several times to specifically target individuals after the 9/11 attacks.
It is an American-origin missile developed to target individuals and cause minimal collateral damage.
This missile has no warhead, it deploys razor-sharp blades in the final phase of the attack.
It also helps it break through thicker steel sheets and lowers the target by using the kinetic energy of its propulsion.
The blades eject from the missile and hit the intended target without causing massive damage to the surroundings.
Why was the Hellfire R9X missile developed?
The main reason for the development of the Hellfire R9X missile was to reduce civilian casualties.
The missile was also developed to eliminate doubts about the structural robustness of a building such as the mud and thatched huts that terrorists commonly use as a hideout.
In January 2019, this missile was used to kill Jamal al-Badawi while Ahmed Hassan Abu Khair al-Masri was killed in February 2017.
7. China launches 2nd space station module
Tags: Science and Technology International News
China launched the second of three modules needed to complete its new space station on July 24 as part of the latest step in the ambitious space program.
Important facts
According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the giant Long March-5B Y3 carrier rocket, Wentian, was successfully launched from the Wenchang spacecraft launch site off the coast of the southern island province of Hainan.
The new module will serve as a backup to the core module, Tianhe, and as a powerful scientific experiment platform in the space station currently being built by China.
In the coming weeks, the Wentian will be transformed by a robotic device from a forward docking port to a lateral port, where it will remain and be ready for long-term operation.
The construction of China's Tiangong space station is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
This will complete the construction of Tiangong, the space station taking shape in China's space.
With the establishment of this space station, China will be the third country in the world to have its own space station.
Tianhe module
It was launched in April 2021, and the Mengtian module is set to be launched in October this year.
About 18 meters (60 ft) long and weighing 22 tons (48,500 lb), the new module has three sleeping areas and space for scientific experiments.
It will combine with Tiangong's already dispatched modules to shape the space station.
Tiangong Space Station
This is a Chinese space station being built in low Earth orbit between 340 and 450 kilometres above the earth.
It is part of China's manned space program and is the country's first long-term space station.
8. ISRO inaugurates Human Space Flight Expo in Bengaluru
Tags: Science and Technology
Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO Chairman S Somanath inaugurated the Human Space Flight Expo in Bengaluru to commemorate the Amrit Festival of Independence.
Important facts
ISRO is soon launching its first unmanned mission Gaganyaan and the exhibit showcases the Crew Module, GSLV Mark III Manned-Rated Launch Vehicle and Crew Escape System.
The expo is being organised in association with Planetarium and Bangalore Association for Science Education (BASE).
The expo includes a number of exhibitions including scaled models of various Indian satellites and launch vehicles as well as scaled models of the proposed India space station.
The expo also includes an interactive model of Gaganyaan, the first Indian crewed spacecraft, to be launched soon.
About ISRO
It is India's leading space exploration agency, headquartered in Bangalore.
ISRO was formed in the year 1969 with a view to develop and exploit space technology while pursuing planetary exploration and space science research.
The first Indian satellite Aryabhata was built by ISRO which was launched on 19 April 1975 with the help of the Soviet Union.
Upcoming Missions
Gaganyaan Mission: India's first space mission, Gaganyaan, will be launched in the year 2023.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission: Chandrayaan-3 is likely to be launched during the third quarter of 2022.
9. Discovery of a new ozone hole over the tropics
Tags: Science and Technology
According to a recent study, a new ozone hole has been detected in tropical regions from 30 degree south latitude to 30 degree north latitude.
Facts from the study
The tropical ozone hole is about seven times larger than that of the Antarctic.
The tropical ozone hole is visible in all seasons, while the ozone hole over the Antarctic is visible only in spring.
Scientists estimate that it is so large that it can affect 50 percent of the world's population.
According to scientists, this hole has been present in the tropical region since 1980.
Like the Antarctic ozone hole, ozone values in the centre of this tropical ozone hole have been found to be 80 percent below normal.
This has the potential to cause skin cancer, cataracts and other negative effects on the health ecosystem in tropical regions.
Ozone layer
It is a special form of oxygen that has the chemical formula O3.
Most of the ozone lies 10 to 40 km above the Earth's surface. Lives at high levels in the atmosphere between This region is called the stratosphere and contains about 90% of the total ozone found in the atmosphere.
Classification
Good Ozone
Ozone occurs naturally in Earth's upper atmosphere (stratosphere) where it forms a protective layer. This layer protects us from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
This ozone is slowly being destroyed due to man-made chemicals called ozone depleting substances (ODS). Ozone depleting substances include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halons, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform.
Bad Ozone
Ozone is formed in Earth's lower atmosphere (troposphere) near ground level when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react chemically in the presence of sunlight.
Surface level ozone is a harmful air pollutant.
Initiatives taken to protect the ozone layer
Vienna Convention
The 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was an international agreement in which the members of the United Nations recognized the fundamental importance of preventing the depletion of the ozone layer of the stratosphere.
India became a party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer on 18 March 1991.
Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental agreement to protect the Earth's ozone layer by eliminating the use of ozone-depleting substances.
Adopted on September 15, 1987, this protocol is the only United Nations treaty to date that has been ratified by all 197 member states of the United Nations by every country on earth.
India became a party to the Montreal Protocol on 19 June 1992 on substances that damage the ozone layer.
10. Agnikul Cosmos opens India’s first private rocket engine factory in Chennai
Tags: Science and Technology
Space tech startup Agnikul Cosmos on 13 July inaugurated India's first-ever facility to manufacture 3D-printed rocket engines in Chennai.
Important facts
Space tech startup Agnikul Cosmos on 13 July inaugurated India's first-ever facility to manufacture 3D-printed rocket engines in Chennai.
It was inaugurated by N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and S. Somanath, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
On this occasion Pawan Goenka, chairman of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) was also present.
The facility will house world-class machinery, including a 400 mm x 400 mm x 400 mm metal 3D-printer from EOS, and several other machines that will enable end-to-end manufacturing of rocket engines under one roof.
Agnikul had entered into an agreement with EOS in 2021 as the 3D printing partner for the engines.
Rocket Agnibaan
It is building India’s first private small satellite launch vehicle whose name is Agnibaan, a rocket that enables plug-and-play configuration and is capable of carrying up to 100 kg of payload to low Earth orbits.
This on-demand rocket can be completely customized to the needs of the customer at an affordable cost.
Agnibaan will be launched in 2022.
Agnikul Cosmos
Agnikul Cosmos is a group of enthusiasts, rocket scientists, engineers, programmers etc.
It was founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin SPM and S R Chakravarthy (from IIT Madras).
Agnikul became the first Indian company to sign agreement with ISRO in December 2020.
