Current Affairs search results for tag: science-and-technology
By admin: Oct. 10, 2023

1. Amazon's Project Kuiper launches prototypes for global Internet access

Tags: Science and Technology

Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN.O) successfully launched its first two prototype satellites, KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2, into low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 500 kilometers (311 miles) as part of the "Protoflight" mission of Project Kuiper.

An Overview of the News

  • The launch was performed using a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States.

About Project Kuiper:

  • Project Kuiper is a satellite system composed of satellites operating in LEO at altitudes between 590 and 630 kilometers (about 367 to 391 miles).

  • Its primary objective is to provide fast and affordable internet access to over 10 million underserved communities globally.

  • The project plans to deploy 3,236 satellites, spaced carefully to minimize overlap.

Launch Agreements and Partnerships:

  • Amazon has partnered with three commercial space companies - Arianespace, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance - to facilitate satellite launches.

  • These companies will launch 83 rockets to deploy the Kuiper satellites.

  • The project represents the largest commercial procurement of space launch services in history.

Important Points:

  • Project Kuiper faces competition from SpaceX's Starlink project, which shares the same goal of providing global Internet coverage through a satellite constellation.

  • Amazon.com, Inc. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States, it is led by Chairman and CEO Andy Jassy and was founded in 1994.

  • The project's launch agreements include 38 launches on ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket, 18 launches on Arianespace's Ariane 6 rocket, and 12 launches on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, with an option for 15 additional launches.

By admin: Oct. 2, 2023

2. 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.

By admin: Sept. 30, 2023

3. 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

By admin: Sept. 26, 2023

4. 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.

By admin: Sept. 23, 2023

5. 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.

By admin: Sept. 10, 2023

6. 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.

By admin: Sept. 9, 2023

7. 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.

By admin: Sept. 8, 2023

8. 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

By admin: Sept. 5, 2023

9. 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.

By admin: Sept. 5, 2023

10. 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