1. Ukrainian mathematician becomes second woman to win Fields Medal
Tags: Science and Technology International News
On July 5, a jury of the International Mathematical Union awarded the prestigious Fields Medal to four mathematicians, including Ukraine's Marya Vyazovska.
Marya Vyazovska
Wiazowska is the head of number theory at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne.
Wiazowska is the second woman to win the award in its 80-year history.
She is known to be an expert in solving spherical packing problems.
She was awarded the prize for solving a version of a centuries-old mathematical problem where she proved the densest packing of equal regions in eight dimensions.
Wiazowska was born in 1984 in Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet Union, and has been a professor at the cole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland since 2017.
The other three winners are -
James Maynard - number theorist at the University of Oxford, UK
June Huh - specialist in combinatorics at Princeton University in New Jersey
Hugo Duminil Copin - studies statistical physics at the Institute of Advanced Scientific Studies (IHES) near Paris.
35-year-old James Maynard was presented this award for his contribution to "analytical number theory".
June Huh, 39, was awarded the prize for "changing" the field of geometric combinatorics.
Duminil-Coppin was awarded for solving "long-standing problems in the probabilistic theory of phase transitions".
First women winner
The first woman to win the prize was Mariam Mirzakhani in 2014, an Iranian-born mathematician who died of cancer three years later in 2017.
Indian-origin winners
Two of the winners are of Indian origin.
Akshay Venkatesh of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton – was awarded the award in 2018.
Manjul Bhargava of the Department of Mathematics at Princeton University was honored in 2014.
About Fields Medal
Fields Medal is often described as the Nobel Prize in mathematics.
This highest honours in mathematics is conventionally awarded to people aged under 40.
The medal, along with $15,000 Canadian dollars ($11,600), is awarded every four years to between two to four candidates for “outstanding mathematical achievement”.
Of the 60 mathematicians who won the Fields Medal earlier this year, 59 were men.
The prizes are normally announced at the opening of the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM).
This year’s congress was scheduled to begin on 6 July in St. Petersburg, Russia, but the plan was scrapped following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The award ceremony was held in Helsinki and the Congress concluded as a virtual event.
International Mathematical Union
It is an international non-governmental and non-profit scientific organization.
Its purpose is to promote international cooperation in mathematics.
It is a member of the International Science Council (ISC).
founded - in 1920 and has existed in its current form since 1951
Location - Berlin, Germany
President - Carlos E. Kenig
2. "Hermit" - A new spyware
Tags: Science and Technology
Lookout, a cloud-based security company, recently discovered a new spyware called "Hermit".
Important facts
Hermit spyware is capable of affecting Android and iOS devices.
As TechCrunch reports, security researchers from Lookout have reported that national governments have used the Android version of Hermit spyware in "targeted attacks" in Kazakhstan and Italy.
Hermit spyware
Hermit is a commercial spyware and has been used by governments in northern Syria, Kazakhstan and Italy.
It was first detected in Kazakhstan in April 2022, when the government violently suppressed protests against its policies.
It was also deployed in Syria's north-eastern Kurdish region and by Italian authorities for anti-corruption investigations.
How does Hermit work?
According to the report, the Hermit Android app is distributed via text message.
The message seems to be coming from a legitimate source.
The malware can impersonate telecommunications companies and other apps developed by manufacturers such as Oppo and Samsung.
Malware Effects on Android and iOS Devices
The Hermit Android malware is modular because it allows spyware to download additional components that are required for the malware to run.
Like other spyware, Hermit malware also uses various modules to record audio as well as collect call logs, messages, photos, emails.
It can redirect phone calls and reveal the exact location of the device.
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that is installed on a computer and collects information about users in the non-knowledge of them.
The presence of spyware is usually hidden from users.
Spyware is secretly installed on users' personal computers.
Spyware collects a variety of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and the sites that are visited.
3. DRDO carries out maiden flight of unmanned combat aircraft
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully carried out the maiden flight of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator from the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka on July 1.
The aircraft performed a complete flight, including take-off, way point navigation and touchdown.
The flight was conducted in a fully autonomous mode.
It is designed and developed by the Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a premier research laboratory under the DRDO.
The unmanned fighter aircraft is powered by a small, turbofan engine.
The vehicle's airframe, as well as its undercarriage, flight control and avionics systems, were indigenously developed.
The program is associated with the development of India's fifth generation stealth fighter Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft or AMCA.
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
4. ISRO launched three Singaporean satellites
Tags: Science and Technology
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 30 June successfully launched three Singaporean satellites in a commercial mission of the New Space India Limited.
It was launched in precise orbit through the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module or ‘POEM’.
This was the second launch of the year by ISRO, which put the Indian earth observation satellite into orbit in February.
What are the three Singaporean satellites?
DS-EO, a Singaporean Earth Observation Satellite
NeuSAR, Singapore’s first small commercial satellite carrying a SAR (Search and Rescue) payload
SCOOB-I satellite from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
What is POEM?
It is a platform that will help perform in-orbit experiments using the final or discarded, stage of ISRO’s workhorse rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
The PSLV is a four-stage rocket where the first three stages fall back into the ocean, and the final stage (PS4) — after launching the satellite into orbit — ends up as space junk.
In PSLV-C53 mission, the final stage will be utilised as a “stabilised platform” to perform experiments.
POEM is carrying six payloads, including two from Indian space startup Digantara and Dhruv Space.
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
5. NASA launched its capstone spacecraft
Tags: Science and Technology
The US space agency NASA launched its capstone spacecraft from New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula.
This microwave oven-sized spacecraft is 25 kg.
The spacecraft will orbit the Moon for six months and test the stability of the orbit before using NASA's Lunar Gateway.
It has been launched from the electron booster rocket of the American company Rocket Lab.
The Lunar Gateway will be launched in 2024 and will serve as a staging area to land humans on the Moon for the first time in 50 years.
The Lunar Gateway will be a space station revolving around the Moon.
The capstone will orbit the moon in the shape of a halo. That is, it will not rotate completely round considering the moon as the centre.
It will orbit 1600 km closest to the moon and 70,000 km farthest. It will make one round of the moon in seven days.
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
6. Russia to give Iskander-M missile system to Belarus
Tags: Science and Technology
Russia has announced the transfer of the "Iskander-M missile system" to Belarus.
Iskander-M missile system
This missile system can use ballistic or cruise missiles in its nuclear and conventional versions.
The Iskander-M missile system is codenamed as "SS-26 Stone" by NATO.
Russia uses the term Iskander-M to define the transporter-erector launch system as well as the short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) it fired.
The system can be used to fire ground-launched cruise missiles (GLCMs) such as the SSC-7 and SSC-8.
It was first successfully launched in 1996.
The Iskander-M missile has a range of 500 km.
It is capable of carrying a payload of up to 700 kg.
The Iskander system was incorporated by Russia in 2006.
It was developed in the late 1980s after the "Oka" SRBM (Short Range Ballistic Missile) or OTR-23 was banned in accordance with the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty.
About Belarus -
Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe.
Capital - Minsk
President- Alexander Lukashenko
Prime Minister- Roman Golovchenko
Currency- Belarusian ruble
7. Iran launches solid fueled rocket ‘Zuljanah’ into space
Tags: Science and Technology
Iran has launched a solid fuel rocket named 'Zuljana' into space.
It is a 25.5 metre tall rocket, capable of carrying a satellite of 220 kg.
This satellite carrier is designed to reach low Earth orbit.
This will help collect data in low-Earth orbit and encourage Iran's space industry.
The rocket uses solid fuel in the first two stages while in the third stage it uses liquid fuel.
Iranian experts first tested the Zuljana satellite carrier rocket in 2012, a powerful engine powered by solid fuel.
Zuljana is named after the horse of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
About Iran
Iran is a country located in the southwest section of Jambudweep (Asia). It was known as Persia (Persia) till 1935.
Iran was declared an Islamic republic in 1979.
Iran's economy is mainly dependent on oil and natural gas exports.
Iran is the largest country in the world in terms of natural gas reserves.
Capital- Tehran
President - Ibrahim Raisi
Currency - Iranian Rial
8. VL-SRSAM: Successful Launch of Short Range Surface to Air Missile
Tags: Science and Technology
Recently Vertical Launched Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) was successfully flight tested from an Indian Naval Ship at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.
The test was conducted jointly by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy.
About VL-SRSAM -
The VL-SRSAM has been jointly designed and developed by three units of the Defence Research and Development Organisation for deployment on warships of the Indian Navy.
The missile has the capability to neutralise various airborne threats at close range including sea-skimming targets.
Sea skimming is a technique used by many anti-ship missiles and some fighter or strike aircraft to evade radar and infrared detection.
The missile is designed to strike high-speed air targets at a range of 40 to 50 km and an altitude of about 15 km.
Its design is based on the Astra missile, which is an air-to-air missile beyond visual range.
Features
Cruciform Wings: They are four small wings arranged like a cross on four sides and provide a stable aerodynamic position to the projectile.
Thrust vectoring: It is the ability to change the direction of thrust, angular velocity and position of the missile with its engine.
Thrust is the force that moves the aircraft through the air.
Canistered System: It controls the environment inside, thus making it easier to transport and store, and to make the weapon durable.
9. Successful launch of Indian communication satellite GSAT-24 from French Guiana
Tags: Science and Technology
On 23 June, India launched its GSAT-24 satellite from Kourou in French Guiana in South America.
The GSAT-24 satellite was launched by the French company Arianespace on the Ariane 5 space launch vehicle.
This satellite is built by ISRO for NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
GSAT-24 is a 24-KU band communication satellite. Its weight is 4180 kg.
This satellite will provide pan India coverage to meet the needs of DTH application.
Why was GSAT-24 launched on a French rocket?
The GSAT-24 satellite was launched on board the French rocket Ariane 5, as India currently does not have a space-launch rocket that can lift a satellite weighing more than 4 tonnes into geostationary orbit.
India's most powerful rocket GSLV MK3 is capable of lifting a maximum of 4 tonnes into geostationary orbit.
GSAT-24
GSAT-24 is a 24-Ku band communication satellite
The weight of this satellite is 4180 kg.
About NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) -
NSIL is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
It was established on March 6, 2019.
It works under the administrative control of the Department of Space (DoS).
This organisation seeks to increase the participation of industries in the Indian space programmes.
10. IOC unveils indoor solar cook top Surya Nutan
Tags: Science and Technology
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has unveiled its patented indigenous solar cook top, "Surya Nutan".
It is a patented product designed and developed by IndianOil's R&D Centre, Faridabad.
Surya Nutan will help drastically reduce India's CO2 emissions and protect our citizens from the uncertainty of high international fossil fuel prices.
The product was showcased at the residence of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri.
About Surya Nutan -
Surya Nutan is an indoor solar cooking system installed at one location, rechargeable and always connected to the kitchen.
Surya Nutan operates in hybrid mode, which means it can run on both solar and auxiliary power sources simultaneously. The solar cook top's insulation design minimises radiative and conductive heat loss.
Surya Nutan's insulation design minimises radiation and conductive heat loss.
Surya Nutan is available in three different models: Surya Nutan's premium model (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner) can cook a complete meal for a family of four.
Surya Nutan is a modular system and can be designed in different sizes as per the requirement.
The starting cost of the product is Rs 12,000 for the base model and Rs 23,000 for the top model. However, costs are expected to come down significantly with economies of scale.
Presently, pilot projects are being conducted at around 60 locations like Leh (Ladakh) to explore various operational and commercial aspects related to its application.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
About Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) -
Indian Oil Corporation Limited is the largest integrated oil refining and marketing public sector company of the Government of India.
Indian Oil has been accorded Maharatna status by the government.
Establishment- 1959
Headquarters- New Delhi, India
President- Shrikant Madhav Vaidya
