1. India's first solar roof cycling track 'Healthway' inaugurated in Hyderabad
Tags: Science and Technology
India's first solar rooftop cycling track 'Healthway' inaugurated in Hyderabad, paving the way for sustainable urban mobility.
An Overview of the News
The program was presided over by State Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister K Tarakrama Rao.
The cycling track is named "Healthway" and is a pioneer project in India.
This is the second program of its kind globally, showcasing innovation in sustainable infrastructure.
Location and features of the cycling track:
The track is located along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) between the main carriageway and the service road.
Its total length is 23 kilometers and it consists of two sections: a pink line of 8.5 kilometers and a blue line of 14.5 kilometers.
The track is three lanes wide, measuring 4.5 metres, with one meter of green space on each side.
Facilities and Services Available:
The cycling track is designed as a hub for cyclists and visitors.
It provides amenities like adequate parking space, surveillance cameras, food courts, drinking water, first aid facilities and toilets.
Additionally, there will be bicycle repair shops, bicycle docking stations, rental services and more to enhance the visitor experience.
Solar Energy Generation and Environmental Benefits:
A total of 16,000 solar panels have been installed along the track.
These solar panels generate 16 megawatts (MW) of power, which is used to illuminate the track at night and provide protection to cyclists from sun, rain and adverse weather conditions.
This initiative is in line with sustainability goals and promotes eco-friendly transportation options.
2. Iran's IRGC successfully launches Nour 3 Military Imaging Satellite into Orbit
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) successfully launched its third military imaging satellite, Nour 3, from Iran's Shahroud Spaceport.
An Overview of the News
The satellite was sent into orbit using a three-stage cassette carrier, which was developed by the IRGC.
In Persian,"nour" (or "noor") translates to "light", while "Qased" means "messenger".
Noor 3 was placed in low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 450 km (280 mi) above the Earth's surface.
The primary purpose of the Nour-3 satellite is to collect data and images for intelligence purposes by the IRGC.
Previous versions of the Noor satellite include:
Nour 1 - It was the first military reconnaissance satellite launched by Iran in April 2020. It orbited at an altitude of 425 km (265 mi) above the Earth.
Nour 2 - It launched in March 2022, and operated in a low orbit at an altitude of 500 km (310 mi).
Other satellites of Iran
In August 2022, Iran's high-resolution, remote-sensing Khayyam satellite was launched using Russia's Soyuz-2.1B rocket. The launch took place from the Russian-controlled Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
About Iran
President - Ibrahim Raisi
Capital - Tehran
Currency - Iranian Rial
3. Union Minister Hardeep S Puri flags off India's first green hydrogen fuel cell bus
Tags: Science and Technology
On September 25, 2023, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated India's first green hydrogen fuel cell bus on the 'Kartavya Path' in Delhi.
An Overview of the News
India's ambition is to become a global hub of hydrogen production and export.
Benefits of hydrogen-powered buses
Environmental benefits of fuel cell buses: Zero harmful emissions and quick charging.
The higher energy density of hydrogen than conventional fuels.
Collaboration between Indian Oil and Tata Motors for indigenous fuel cell technology and infrastructure.
Green Hydrogen Mission and Sustainability Goals
The Green Hydrogen Mission aims to establish a green hydrogen ecosystem in India.
Hydrogen has the potential to transform India's energy landscape and reduce carbon emissions.
IndianOil's commitment to sustainable solutions and the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
4. 1,000-year-old alien corpse unveiled in Mexican Congress
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Jaime Maussan, a leading UFO expert, recently revealed in the Mexican Congress two alleged "non-human" bodies believed to be 1,000 years old.
An Overview of the News
These bodies were reportedly found in a mine in Cuzco, Peru.
Researchers claim that the genetic structure of these dead bodies is 30 percent different from that of humans.
Carbon dating by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) confirmed their age to be over 1,000 years.
Unusual Features:
The bodies were human-like in shape but displayed distinctive features such as three-fingered hands and feet.
They had retractable necks and long skulls that resembled bird-like features.
The bones of these creatures were strong, light, and lacked teeth.
Implantation and Embryo:
Eggs with embryos were found in one of these bodies.
Implants made of the metals cadmium and osmium were discovered.
Previous claims by Maussan:
In 2015, Jaime Maussan presented another alleged "alien" body, found near the Nazca Lines in Peru, famous for its giant and mysterious geoglyphs.
5. New genus and species Igai Semkhu of titanosaurian dinosaur discovered in Egypt
Tags: Science and Technology
Paleontologists led by Eric Gorscak of Midwestern University recently discovered Igai Semkhu, a new genus and titanosaurian dinosaur species in Egypt.
An Overview of the News
This dinosaur species, Igai Semkhu, lived during the Campanian era of the Late Cretaceous era, about 75 million years ago.
Igai Semkhu belongs to the titanosaurian group, a diverse category of herbivorous dinosaurs that are known for their large body size, extended neck, and wide stance.
The titanosaurian group includes a wide range of species, from the largest terrestrial vertebrates ever known, to 'dwarf' species no larger than elephants.
Igai Semkhu is one of the most informative dinosaurs yet recovered from the latest Cretaceous of Afro-Arabia.
Cretaceous-era:
This is the third and last period of the Mesozoic era.
This is often called the "Age of the Dinosaurs".
Extending from about 145 million years ago to about 66 million years ago.
It is one of the most extended geological eras in Earth's history.
Mass Destruction:
The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction event marks the end of the Cretaceous era.
This end occurred approximately 66 million years ago.
This resulted in the extinction of approximately 75% of Earth's species, including non-avian dinosaurs.
6. India launches 'Hello UPI' and 'Bharat BillPay Connect' for voice-activated conversational payments.
Tags: Science and Technology
- National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched two conversational payments initiatives: 'Hello UPI' and 'Bharat BillPay Connect.'
An Overview of the News
These initiatives were unveiled at the Global Fintech Fest with the goal of increasing user convenience and accessibility in digital transactions.
'Hello UPI':-
'Hello UPI' enables users to make payments through interactive interactions using their smartphones.
It simplifies various payment tasks, including splitting restaurant bills, sending money to friends, and settling utility bills.
Multilingual Access:
NPCI's 'Hello UPI' supports voice-enabled UPI payments in both Hindi and English.
There are plans to expand language support to include other regional languages, ensuring inclusivity for a wider user base.
Collaborative Development:
NPCI collaborated with the Bhashini Program at IIT Madras and AI4India to jointly develop a payment language model in Hindi and English.
This collaboration promotes the advancement of indigenous technology and contributes to the success of these interactive payment initiatives.
Bharat BillPay Connect:-
Streamlining Bill Payments: BillPay Connect aims to streamline the bill payment process by enabling users to easily pay their bills using natural interactions with popular voice assistants like Alexa.
Accessibility for all users: This initiative is designed to cater to a wide range of users with different levels of technical proficiency. Whether individuals have access to a feature phone, smartphone, or merchant soundbox, digital bill payment has become accessible to all.
- Instant Voice Confirmation: Users can easily retrieve and settle their bills through voice commands on smart home devices and receive instant voice confirmation. Additionally, this facility extends to bill payments made at physical collection centers through Payment Soundbox devices.
7. India's first solar city inaugurated in Madhya Pradesh's Sanchi
Tags: Science and Technology State News
Madhya Pradesh (MP) Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated Sanchi in Raisen district as India's first solar city.
An Overview of the News
The initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of developing a solar city in every state by 2070.
About Sanchi Solar City:
Sanchi Solar City has two solar plants - a 3 MW solar plant at Nagauri and a5 MW solar plant at Gulgaon, which cater to the city's power and agricultural needs.
Currently, an 8 MW grid-connected solar plant is under construction within Sanchi city.
Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) acted as the nodal agency for this solar city project.
MPUVNL launched an 'Energy Literacy Campaign' to educate the people of Sanchi about energy-saving practices.
Sanchi Solar City is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 13,747 tonnes, which is equivalent to the effect of planting more than 2 lakh adult trees.
The project is expected to save over Rs 7 crore annually in energy-related expenses for both the government and citizens.
Initiatives under the Sanchi Solar City Project:
Electric vehicle charging stations have been set up across the city to promote the adoption of electric vehicles.
Public establishments have been fitted with rooftop solar systems to harness solar energy.
Individual rooftop owners have also installed solar systems on their premises, thereby reducing their dependence on grid electricity.
National Renewable Energy Target:
India has set a target of generating 40% of its total installed electricity generation capacity from renewable sources by 2030.
About Sanchi:
Sanchi is famous for its Buddhist Stupa, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Great Stupa of Sanchi was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC.
Important Point:- In October 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Modhera village in Gujarat as India's first 24x7 solar-powered village.
About Madhya Pradesh
It is the second largest state of India by area after Rajasthan.
Forests occupy 25.14 percent of its area.
Governor - Mangubhai Patel
Chief Minister - Shivraj Singh Chauhan
Capital - Bhopal
8. India unveils the world's first AI-powered anti-drone system – Indrajal by Grene Robotics
Tags: Science and Technology
Hyderabad-based robotics company Grene Robotics developed Indrajal, an innovative autonomous anti-drone system powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
An Overview of the News
The Indrajal system is the first of its kind in India and is designed to protect critical facilities such as nuclear installations and oil rigs, as well as large areas, potentially entire cities, from various drone threats.
Key Features of Indrajal - Autonomous Drone Defense Dome:
This revolutionary system named "Indrajal" got global recognition.
It offers an impressive coverage range of up to 4,000 square km per unit, providing comprehensive protection against a variety of drones.
Indrajal uses cutting-edge technology and is a significant advancement in drone defense technology.
Importance of "Made in India" Indrajal:
Indrajal has been completely developed in India, showcasing the country's capabilities in technology and defense.
This is a result of Indian talent and resources, highlighting the country's growing strength in the region.
Modular Design with AI Integration:
Indrajal has a modular design similar to Lego blocks, consisting of 12 different layers of technology, all powered by artificial intelligence.
It provides 360-degree protection with real-time capabilities to detect, identify, classify, track, and neutralize threats.
Systems can respond to threats in a very short time frame, with threat lifetimes ranging from 30 seconds to a few minutes.
Unique Positioning as a Wide-Area Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS):
Indrajal is the world's only wide-area counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS).
It offers an integrated security solution that effectively addresses mobile threats, which traditional static defense systems struggle to combat.
9. ISRO's Aditya L1 Solar Mission Successfully Completes Second Earth Orbit Maneuver
Tags: Science and Technology
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced the successful completion of the second Earth orbit-raising maneuver for the Aditya L1 solar mission.
An Overview of the News
ISRO's Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) carried out the operation.
As a result of this maneuver, the Aditya L1 spacecraft moved from its previous orbit, which was 282 by 40,225 km around the Earth, to a new orbit of 245 by 22,459 km around the Earth.
The Aditya L1 mission will undergo a total of four Earth-orbital maneuvers before being placed in a transfer orbit towards its destination, the Lagrange point L1. The process is expected to take 125 days.
The third Earth-bound maneuver is scheduled for 2:30 a.m. on September 10.
The primary objective of the Aditya L1 mission is to provide valuable information about the solar corona and to make in-situ observations of the solar wind at the L1 point, which is located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.
The mission was successfully launched on 2 September using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C57.
Objectives and scope of Aditya L1 mission
The primary objective of the Aditya L1 mission is to conduct a comprehensive study of the solar wind and the Sun's atmosphere.
The satellite carries seven different payloads to observe different layers of the Sun, including the photosphere, chromosphere, and outermost corona.
The mission aims to enhance our understanding of several solar phenomena, such as coronal heating, coronal mass ejection (CME), pre-flare and flare activities, as well as the dynamics of solar weather.
Additionally, the mission will contribute to the investigation of particle and field propagation within the interplanetary medium.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO):
It was established on 15 August 1969.
It is the national space agency of India. It launched its space rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Headquarters - Bengaluru
Chairman - S Somnath
10. PM announces full capacity operation of India's largest domestically built 700 MW nuclear power plant at Kakrapar
Tags: Science and Technology
On August 31, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the commencement of full-capacity operations at India's largest domestically built 700 MW nuclear power plant located at Kakrapar in Gujarat.
An Overview of the News
The nuclear facility at Kakrapar is the largest nuclear facility of its kind to be built entirely within India.
Initially, the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) started commercial operations on 30 June but was operating at 90% capacity.
It reached its maximum operational capacity on 31 August.
Nuclear power development in Kakrapar and all over India:-
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is responsible for the construction of two 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) at Kakrapar in Gujarat.
Kakrapar also has two power plants of 220 MW each.
NPCIL currently operates 23 commercial nuclear power reactors.
Future plans and projects:-
KAPP Unit 4 had achieved 97.56% progress as of July while commissioning activities were in progress.
NPCIL has plans to build 16 more PHWRs of 700 MW each across the country and has secured financial and administrative approvals for these projects.
Other 700 MW nuclear power plant projects are in progress at Rawatbhata, Rajasthan (RAPS 7 & 8), and Gorakhpur, Haryana (GHAVP 1 & 2).
The government has approved the construction of 10 indigenously developed PHWRs in fleet mode at four locations: Gorakhpur (Haryana), Chutka (Madhya Pradesh), Mahi Banswara (Rajasthan), and Kaiga (Karnataka).
