1. Virgin Galactic completes first manned mission to space
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Virgin Galactic, founded by Richard Branson, successfully completed its first manned mission to the edge of space on June 29, marking a significant milestone for the company after two decades of dedicated efforts.
An overview of the news
The mission had a research-oriented focus and featured two Italian Air Force personnel, Colonel Walter Villadei and Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Landolfi, who were funded by Virgin Galactic.
Pantaleone Carlucci, an engineer affiliated with Italy's National Research Council, and Colin Bennett, a Virgin Galactic astronaut instructor, were also part of the group.
The mission aimed to assess the flight's comfort and functionality, providing valuable feedback to enhance Virgin Galactic's rocket-powered spaceplane, VSS Unity.
The journey began at Virgin Galactic's spaceport in New Mexico, where the passengers boarded VSS Unity attached beneath the wing of the twin-fuselage mothership, VMS Eve.
VMS Eve accelerated down the runway and ascended to an altitude exceeding 40,000 feet before releasing VSS Unity.
VSS Unity ignited its rocket engine and ascended directly upward, reaching an altitude of more than 80 kilometers, which is recognized as the edge of outer space by the United States government.
During its ascent, VSS Unity achieved supersonic speeds and experienced moments of weightlessness at the peak of its flight.
After reaching the designated altitude, VSS Unity glided back to the spaceport, entering freefall and landing on a runway.
About Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic is a space venture established by British entrepreneur Richard Branson.
The company aims to provide commercial space travel experiences to customers.
Virgin Galactic has been in operation for over two decades, with the goal of making space accessible for non-astronauts.
The company's spacecraft, VSS Unity, is a rocket-powered spaceplane designed to carry passengers to the edge of space.
Unlike traditional space missions, Virgin Galactic's focus is on providing a unique and thrilling experience rather than conducting scientific research.
2. India and US sign Artemis Accord to take Space cooperation to new heights
Tags: International Relations Science and Technology
During his state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the Artemis agreement with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), highlighting the growing importance of India's role as a global space power.
An overview of the news
The agreement establishes the foundation for cooperation in space exploration and underlines India's commitment to peaceful space activities.
Joint Mission to the International Space Station (ISS)
In addition to the Artemis agreement, NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) have agreed to launch a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024.
This collaborative effort will enable both countries to advance their space research and exploration efforts.
What is the Artemis Agreement?
The Artemis Agreement outlines principles for international cooperation in space exploration, particularly relating to the use of the Moon, Mars, comets and asteroids for peaceful purposes.
As non-binding multilateral arrangements, these agreements allow governments, including the United States and other participating nations, to contribute to NASA's Artemis program.
Significance of the Artemis Program
NASA's Artemis program aims to advance scientific discoveries and expand human exploration of the lunar surface.
By studying the Moon, researchers hope to make breakthroughs that could lead to advances in various fields such as technology, medicine and our understanding of the universe.
The program focuses on sending astronauts to Mars and exploring other planets and celestial bodies.
Establishment of the Artemis Accord
In 2020, NASA established the Artemis Agreement in collaboration with the US State Department.
These agreements serve as agreements between the United States and the seven other founding member states, reinforcing commitment to international space treaties and agreements.
These agreements promote best practices, including the transparent sharing of scientific data with the public.
Guiding principle of Accord
The purpose of the Artemis Agreement is to create a framework for peaceful and cooperative space exploration.
These principles facilitate progress while ensuring ethical and responsible practices in space.
Since many countries and private companies are actively engaged in lunar missions and operations, agreements establish shared principles governing civilian exploration and use of outer space.
Key principles include conducting all activities in space peacefully and with full transparency, sharing research findings, registering space objects, and releasing scientific data.
Nations Participating in the Artemis Accord
The agreement was signed in October 2020 by the directors of the national space agencies of the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
Ukraine joined the agreement a month later. Subsequently, in 2021 the agreement was extended to South Korea, New Zealand, Brazil, Poland, Isle of Man and Mexico.
In 2022, Israel, Romania, Bahrain, Singapore, Colombia, France, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Nigeria and the Czech Republic also become signatories.
Spain, Ecuador and now India have also joined it, taking the total number of participating countries to 28.
3. India joins Artemis agreement
Tags: Science and Technology
India joins NASA's Artemis agreement for collaborative lunar exploration.
An Overview of the News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the agreement during his state visit to the United States.
The focus is on returning humans to the Moon and expanding space exploration to Mars and beyond.
The Artemis agreements are based on the 1967 United Nations Outer Space Treaty.
It is a non-binding multilateral arrangement between the US government and the participating countries.
The US-led initiative aims to land humans on the Moon by 2025.
As of June 22, 2023, 26 countries and one territory have signed the agreement.
About NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
It is a government agency of the United States of America.
This agency is responsible for science and technology related to air and space.
The Space Age began in 1957 with the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik.
NASA was established in 1958 to consolidate and coordinate American efforts in space exploration and technology development.
Founder - Dwight D. Eisenhower
Headquarters - Washington, D.C., United States
4. For the first time, US regulators approved the sale of chicken made from animal cells
Tags: Science and Technology International News
The US regulators on 21st June have granted approval for the sale of chicken made from animal cells, making it the first time such products will be available to consumers.
An overview of the news
Two California-based companies, Upside Foods and Good Meat, have received the green light from the Department of Agriculture to offer "cell-cultured" meat, which is produced in laboratories rather than derived from slaughtered animals.
Benefits of Cultivated Meat
The approval of lab-grown meat marks a new era in meat production aimed at addressing concerns related to animal welfare and environmental impact.
This has the potential to significantly reduce animal harm and environmental degradation.
Federal Inspections and Safety
Both Upside Foods and Good Meat have obtained the approvals for federal inspections required to sell meat and poultry in the US.
Prior to this, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had declared the products from these companies as safe for consumption.
Joinn Biologics, a manufacturing company associated with Good Meat, has also been cleared to produce the cultured meat products.
Process of Lab grown meat
Cultivated meat is grown in steel tanks using cells derived from living animals, fertilized eggs, or stored cell banks.
Upside Foods produces large sheets of meat that are then shaped into chicken cutlets and sausages.
Good Meat, which already sells cultivated meat in Singapore, creates various products such as cutlets, nuggets, shredded meat, and satays from chicken cells.
The production of cultured meat begins with the selection of cells from live animals or commercially available cell lines.
These cells are combined with a nutrient-rich mixture in a cultivator, where they grow rapidly.
5. Integrated Simulator Complex 'Dhruv' inaugurated by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh
Tags: Science and Technology
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Integrated Simulator Complex (ISC) 'Dhruv' at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi on June 21, 2023.
An Overview of the News
ISC 'DHRUV' hosts state-of-the-art indigenously built simulators.
Simulators greatly enhance practical training in the Indian Navy.
The simulators provide real-time experience on navigation, fleet operations and naval tactics.
Simulators will be used for training personnel from friendly countries.
Visiting Simulators
Raksha Mantri visited the Multi-Station Handling Simulator (MSSHS), Air Direction and Helicopter Control Simulator (ADHCS) and Astronavigation Dome, envisaged at the Integrated Simulator Complex.
Ship handling simulators manufactured by ARI Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, exported to 18 countries.
The Astronavigation Dome developed by Infovision Technologies Pvt Ltd is the first of its kind in the Indian Navy.
ADHCS, developed by the Institute for Systems Studies and Analysis, provides real-time operational environment scenarios.
Significance and Export Potential
These simulators are indicative of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.
The simulator has great potential for defence exports.
Other indigenously developed simulators in the complex include Combat Management System and Maritime Domain Awareness Lab.
6. ‘Agni Prime’ ballistic missile successfully flight-tested by DRDO
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
New Generation Ballistic Missile ‘Agni Prime’ was successfully flight-tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on June 7, 2023.
An overview of the news
DRDO's successful test flight of 'Agni Prime' missile marks a significant achievement.
This was the first pre-induction night launch by the users after three successful developmental trials of the missile, validating the accuracy and reliability of the system.
Range instrumentation such as radar, telemetry and electro optical tracking systems were deployed at various locations including two down-range vessels at the terminal point to capture flight data covering the entire trajectory of the vehicle.
About 'Agni Prime' Missile
The missile is a two-stage canisterised missile.
It is the latest and sixth variant of the Agni series missiles, developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).
The missile is equipped with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles, enabling it to deliver warheads to separate locations. It has a range of 1,000 - 2,000 km.
The missile has a diameter of 1.2 m and a height of 10.5 m.
It has a payload capacity of up to 1.5 tonnes for carrying warheads.
The missile is capable of performing high maneuvers while homing in on its targets.
After a series of user-associated launches, these missiles will be officially inducted into the armed forces.
7. Indian Navy undertakes first combat firing of Varunastra torpedo
Tags: Defence Science and Technology National News
The Indian Navy and the country's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) undertook the first ‘combat' test-firing of the Varunastra heavyweight torpedo on 5 June.
An overview of the news
It will enhance the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the indigenous Navy and give it a formidable force.
The torpedo was fired from a submarine and successfully hit the target at a distance of 40 km.
The test was conducted in the Arabian Sea in the presence of senior officials from the Indian Navy and the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
About Varunastra torpedo
It has been designed and developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory at Visakhapatnam under the Defense Research and Development Organisation.
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is responsible for the production of the Varunastra missile system.
This would become the mainstay of anti-submarine torpedoes for all Navy warships.
It will replace the old torpedoes on all naval ships that can fire heavy-weight torpedoes.
Features of the Varunastra
It is seven to eight meters long, weighs 1,500 kg and has a diameter of 533 mm.
When fired it can travel at 40 knots, or 74 kmph.
The operational range is 40 km and it can carry a warhead weighing 250 kg.
Varunastra was inducted by Indian Navy in 2016
It can be fired from all Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships capable of firing heavy-weight torpedoes in an intense countermeasures environment.
Benefits of the Varunastra Torpedo
It is a powerful and sophisticated weapon that will significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to detect, track, and engage enemy submarines.
It is the first indigenously developed heavyweight torpedo that is capable of meeting the Navy’s operational requirements.
This will reduce the Navy’s dependence on foreign weapons systems.
It is a cost-effective weapon that will save the Navy money in the long run.
8. What is train ‘Kavach’ and why is it trending after the Odisha train accident?
Tags: National Science and Technology
The Odisha triple-train accident, which resulted in 290 deaths and 1,175 injuries, brought into focus the Kavach initiative that aims to make the Indian Railways safer.
An overview of the news
The Kavach system has not yet started on the Odisha route.
Railways confirmed that no 'Kavach' system has been installed in the trains to prevent them from colliding with each other.
The government is being severely criticized for neglecting railway safety.
Coverage of Kavach
To prevent incidents of accidents, the government announced in 2022 that it would launch a new avatar of Kavach on a trial basis, initially covering a distance of 2,000 kilometers and then expanding the coverage further.
Only 1,455 km of railway routes under South Central Railway have been brought under Kavach by January 2023.
The government plans to expand it from 4,000 to 5,000 km in FY24.
For reference, Indian Railways has a total route coverage of around 1.03 lakh km.
A little over 1% of the route of the Indian Railways is protected by Kavach as of now.
What is Kavach?
Kavach is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
It was developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), an Indian Railways department, way back in 2002.
The Kavach system is designed to prevent collisions of trains – a leading cause of railway accidents in India.
It is a set of electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices installed in locomotives, in the signalling system as well as the tracks.
They communicate with each other using ultra high radio frequency to control the brakes of the trains and also alert the drivers.
While there have been 58 railway accidents in the last 10 years, the Odisha accident is the deadliest.
This protection system is aimed at avoiding accidents arising out of driver-related or technical errors, as well as aid drivers (loco pilots) in running the trains safely even in inclement weather conditions.
It activates the train braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per the speed restrictions.
9. South Korea launches first commercial-grade satellite
Tags: Science and Technology International News
South Korea to launch its first commercial-grade satellite on May 25, 2023.
An Overview of the News
The commercial-grade satellite was launched by the Naro Space Center in Gohang, South Korea, using a Launch Nuri rocket.
The main satellite, called "Next Generation Small Satellite 2", was accompanied by seven cube-shaped satellites.
The main satellite objectives include verifying imaging radar technology and observing cosmic radiation in near-Earth orbit.
South Korea's Science Minister Lee confirmed the successful launch of all seven secondary satellites from the rocket.
South Korea plans to launchthree more Nuri rockets by 2027.
In the past year, South Korea became the 10th country to send a satellite into space using its technology, with a "performance verification satellite" launched via a Nuri rocket.
South Korea
It is an East Asian nation located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
It shares a heavily militarised border with North Korea.
President - Yoon Suk Yeol
Capital -Seoul
Prime minister -Han Duck-soo
10. South Korea offers KSS-III batch-II submarine to India
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Recently South Korea has made an exclusive offer to provide its advanced KSS-III Batch-II submarines to India.
An overview of the news
The proposal comes at a time when Germany is about to complete India's submarine acquisition programme, Project 75I.
About KSS-III Batch-II submarine
The KSS-III is the largest submarine to ever be built by South Korea, is being developed in two phases, Batch-I and Batch-II.
It is part of the Korean Attack Submarine program and represents a significant advancement in the country's naval capabilities.
The KSS-III Batch-II submarine is an advanced version of its predecessor submarine in terms of combat management system, firepower and sonar capabilities.
It is jointly developed by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).
The KSS-III submarine is a series of diesel-electric attack submarines.
Features of KSS-III batch-II submarine
It is equipped with advanced technologies and facilities to enhance operational effectiveness.
The submarine has a length of approximately 84 m (275 ft) and a submerged displacement of approximately 3,000 tonnes.
The KSS-III Batch-II submarine utilizes a combination of air-independent propulsion (AIP) system and diesel-electric propulsion.
The submarine is capable of reaching speeds of over 20 knots (37 kilometers per hour)while submerged.
The submarine is equipped with a range of armaments and sensors to fulfill its mission requirements.
It includes torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare,anti-ship missiles for surface engagement, and land-attack capabilities.
The submarine also features advanced sensor systems, such as sonar and radar, to detect and track underwater and surface targets.
The KSS-III Batch-II submarine has a crew capacity of around 50 personnel.
Export Potential
South Korea aims to promote the KSS-III Batch-II submarine for potential export to other countries.
The advanced features, operational capabilities, and competitive pricing make it an attractive option for nations seeking to modernize their naval forces.
