UG-CLAT CURRENT AFFAIRS AND GK QUIZ 9

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could jettison NASA’s plan to extend the operating life of the (I) — and could even spell its more imminent demise. Russian space agency (II)said Tuesday that it has authority to operate for only two more years and “the issue of extending the agreement in the current conditions causes our skepticism.”

Backing out of the partnership could be catastrophic for NASA and its other international partners, which are heavily dependent on Moscow for key sections of the orbiting laboratory and to carry out resupply, power generation and even boost the station’s altitude to prevent it from crashing to Earth. Current and former NASA and administration officials and experts said the remaining partners — including the European, Japanese and Canadian space agencies — could keep it going without Russia. But it might not be worth the cost and effort.

“We’d have to invest a bunch of additional money to make that happen,” said Brian Weeden, a space researcher at the Secure World Foundation. “Publicly, NASA is sounding hopeful that the cooperation, which dates back more than two decades, can withstand the latest blow in the relationship with Moscow.

Meanwhile, two NASA astronauts are wrapping up training with Roscosmos, three Russian cosmonauts are training with NASA, and up to five NASA astronauts are scheduled to begin training in Russia this month. Russia’s only female cosmonaut is also set to travel this year aboard (III), the first commercial space capsule to ferry astronauts.

Meanwhile in low-earth orbit, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei is scheduled to return on March 30 aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule, breaking the American record for the longest duration spaceflight mission, at (IV). The Biden administration announced in December that it wants to extend the project until 2030 when a series of private space stations should come online. But it also acknowledged that it needed to get buy-in from its international partners.

(V) is also building a cargo vehicle known as the HTV-X. But it has yet to be tested.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could jettison NASA’s plan to extend the operating life of the (I) — and could even spell its more imminent demise. Russian space agency (II)said Tuesday that it has authority to operate for only two more years and “the issue of extending the agreement in the current conditions causes our skepticism.”

Backing out of the partnership could be catastrophic for NASA and its other international partners, which are heavily dependent on Moscow for key sections of the orbiting laboratory and to carry out resupply, power generation and even boost the station’s altitude to prevent it from crashing to Earth. Current and former NASA and administration officials and experts said the remaining partners — including the European, Japanese and Canadian space agencies — could keep it going without Russia. But it might not be worth the cost and effort.

“We’d have to invest a bunch of additional money to make that happen,” said Brian Weeden, a space researcher at the Secure World Foundation. “Publicly, NASA is sounding hopeful that the cooperation, which dates back more than two decades, can withstand the latest blow in the relationship with Moscow.

Meanwhile, two NASA astronauts are wrapping up training with Roscosmos, three Russian cosmonauts are training with NASA, and up to five NASA astronauts are scheduled to begin training in Russia this month. Russia’s only female cosmonaut is also set to travel this year aboard (III), the first commercial space capsule to ferry astronauts.

Meanwhile in low-earth orbit, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei is scheduled to return on March 30 aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule, breaking the American record for the longest duration spaceflight mission, at (IV). The Biden administration announced in December that it wants to extend the project until 2030 when a series of private space stations should come online. But it also acknowledged that it needed to get buy-in from its international partners.

(V) is also building a cargo vehicle known as the HTV-X. But it has yet to be tested.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could jettison NASA’s plan to extend the operating life of the (I) — and could even spell its more imminent demise. Russian space agency (II)said Tuesday that it has authority to operate for only two more years and “the issue of extending the agreement in the current conditions causes our skepticism.”

Backing out of the partnership could be catastrophic for NASA and its other international partners, which are heavily dependent on Moscow for key sections of the orbiting laboratory and to carry out resupply, power generation and even boost the station’s altitude to prevent it from crashing to Earth. Current and former NASA and administration officials and experts said the remaining partners — including the European, Japanese and Canadian space agencies — could keep it going without Russia. But it might not be worth the cost and effort.

“We’d have to invest a bunch of additional money to make that happen,” said Brian Weeden, a space researcher at the Secure World Foundation. “Publicly, NASA is sounding hopeful that the cooperation, which dates back more than two decades, can withstand the latest blow in the relationship with Moscow.

Meanwhile, two NASA astronauts are wrapping up training with Roscosmos, three Russian cosmonauts are training with NASA, and up to five NASA astronauts are scheduled to begin training in Russia this month. Russia’s only female cosmonaut is also set to travel this year aboard (III), the first commercial space capsule to ferry astronauts.

Meanwhile in low-earth orbit, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei is scheduled to return on March 30 aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule, breaking the American record for the longest duration spaceflight mission, at (IV). The Biden administration announced in December that it wants to extend the project until 2030 when a series of private space stations should come online. But it also acknowledged that it needed to get buy-in from its international partners.

(V) is also building a cargo vehicle known as the HTV-X. But it has yet to be tested.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could jettison NASA’s plan to extend the operating life of the (I) — and could even spell its more imminent demise. Russian space agency (II)said Tuesday that it has authority to operate for only two more years and “the issue of extending the agreement in the current conditions causes our skepticism.”

Backing out of the partnership could be catastrophic for NASA and its other international partners, which are heavily dependent on Moscow for key sections of the orbiting laboratory and to carry out resupply, power generation and even boost the station’s altitude to prevent it from crashing to Earth. Current and former NASA and administration officials and experts said the remaining partners — including the European, Japanese and Canadian space agencies — could keep it going without Russia. But it might not be worth the cost and effort.

“We’d have to invest a bunch of additional money to make that happen,” said Brian Weeden, a space researcher at the Secure World Foundation. “Publicly, NASA is sounding hopeful that the cooperation, which dates back more than two decades, can withstand the latest blow in the relationship with Moscow.

Meanwhile, two NASA astronauts are wrapping up training with Roscosmos, three Russian cosmonauts are training with NASA, and up to five NASA astronauts are scheduled to begin training in Russia this month. Russia’s only female cosmonaut is also set to travel this year aboard (III), the first commercial space capsule to ferry astronauts.

Meanwhile in low-earth orbit, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei is scheduled to return on March 30 aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule, breaking the American record for the longest duration spaceflight mission, at (IV). The Biden administration announced in December that it wants to extend the project until 2030 when a series of private space stations should come online. But it also acknowledged that it needed to get buy-in from its international partners.

(V) is also building a cargo vehicle known as the HTV-X. But it has yet to be tested.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could jettison NASA’s plan to extend the operating life of the (I) — and could even spell its more imminent demise. Russian space agency (II)said Tuesday that it has authority to operate for only two more years and “the issue of extending the agreement in the current conditions causes our skepticism.”

Backing out of the partnership could be catastrophic for NASA and its other international partners, which are heavily dependent on Moscow for key sections of the orbiting laboratory and to carry out resupply, power generation and even boost the station’s altitude to prevent it from crashing to Earth. Current and former NASA and administration officials and experts said the remaining partners — including the European, Japanese and Canadian space agencies — could keep it going without Russia. But it might not be worth the cost and effort.

“We’d have to invest a bunch of additional money to make that happen,” said Brian Weeden, a space researcher at the Secure World Foundation. “Publicly, NASA is sounding hopeful that the cooperation, which dates back more than two decades, can withstand the latest blow in the relationship with Moscow.

Meanwhile, two NASA astronauts are wrapping up training with Roscosmos, three Russian cosmonauts are training with NASA, and up to five NASA astronauts are scheduled to begin training in Russia this month. Russia’s only female cosmonaut is also set to travel this year aboard (III), the first commercial space capsule to ferry astronauts.

Meanwhile in low-earth orbit, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei is scheduled to return on March 30 aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule, breaking the American record for the longest duration spaceflight mission, at (IV). The Biden administration announced in December that it wants to extend the project until 2030 when a series of private space stations should come online. But it also acknowledged that it needed to get buy-in from its international partners.

(V) is also building a cargo vehicle known as the HTV-X. But it has yet to be tested.

Two units of Marine Elite Force will be set up in (I) to combat marine wildlife crimes, including smuggling, prevention and poaching of marine animals, particularly in the Gulf of Mannar biosphere and (II).

Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, has passed an order sanctioning ₹1.09 crore for establishing the units.

Each unit will have five marine watchers to be engaged on a contract basis. They will be moving around in two deep water boats. For intelligence collection and data sharing, these units will interact with other stakeholders like customs, coast guard and naval officers apart from marine police and fisheries officials.

The primary objective is to strengthen the protection and sustainable management of marine area and watch out for disasters affecting marine and coastal wildlife.

The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay occupy nearly a 675 kilometre-long coastline. The Gulf of Mannar is home to significant ecosystems like coral reefs, rocky shores, sandy beaches, mudflats, estuaries, mangroves, seaweed stretches and seagrass beds. It is also home to endangered corals, crustaceans, molluscs, apart from seasonally migrating marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, porpoises and marine turtles. These two areas are considered biologists paradise with over 4,223 species of flora and fauna documented over several decades.

The marine resources are constantly exploited for economic reasons and the protected species are also hunted illegally as they fetch huge prices in domestic and international illegal wildlife markets. Marine turtles, sea cucumbers, sea horses, sharks and rays, pipe fishes, dugongs, dolphins and sea shells face extraordinary hunting pressure, Ms. Sahu said, explaining the reason behind setting up the Marine Elite Force.

DPR for Dugong Conservation Reserve

In another order, Ms. Sahu sanctioned funds to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for declaration of Dugong Conservation Reserve (III), the first in the country. Chief Wildlife Warden Shekhar Kumar Niraj has submitted a concept note towards establishment of the reserve and said the Union Government’s concurrence needs to be obtained for the notification.

The DPR will be prepared by engaging a reputed institution based on clearances obtained from the Department of Fisheries, Chief Naval Hydrographer and other departments connected with marine activities.

Collectors of Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts had held talks with fishing village communities and in both the districts, the communities have accepted the proposal to set up the conservation reserve.

Two units of Marine Elite Force will be set up in (I) to combat marine wildlife crimes, including smuggling, prevention and poaching of marine animals, particularly in the Gulf of Mannar biosphere and (II).

Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, has passed an order sanctioning ₹1.09 crore for establishing the units.

Each unit will have five marine watchers to be engaged on a contract basis. They will be moving around in two deep water boats. For intelligence collection and data sharing, these units will interact with other stakeholders like customs, coast guard and naval officers apart from marine police and fisheries officials.

The primary objective is to strengthen the protection and sustainable management of marine area and watch out for disasters affecting marine and coastal wildlife.

The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay occupy nearly a 675 kilometre-long coastline. The Gulf of Mannar is home to significant ecosystems like coral reefs, rocky shores, sandy beaches, mudflats, estuaries, mangroves, seaweed stretches and seagrass beds. It is also home to endangered corals, crustaceans, molluscs, apart from seasonally migrating marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, porpoises and marine turtles. These two areas are considered biologists paradise with over 4,223 species of flora and fauna documented over several decades.

The marine resources are constantly exploited for economic reasons and the protected species are also hunted illegally as they fetch huge prices in domestic and international illegal wildlife markets. Marine turtles, sea cucumbers, sea horses, sharks and rays, pipe fishes, dugongs, dolphins and sea shells face extraordinary hunting pressure, Ms. Sahu said, explaining the reason behind setting up the Marine Elite Force.

DPR for Dugong Conservation Reserve

In another order, Ms. Sahu sanctioned funds to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for declaration of Dugong Conservation Reserve (III), the first in the country. Chief Wildlife Warden Shekhar Kumar Niraj has submitted a concept note towards establishment of the reserve and said the Union Government’s concurrence needs to be obtained for the notification.

The DPR will be prepared by engaging a reputed institution based on clearances obtained from the Department of Fisheries, Chief Naval Hydrographer and other departments connected with marine activities.

Collectors of Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts had held talks with fishing village communities and in both the districts, the communities have accepted the proposal to set up the conservation reserve.

Two units of Marine Elite Force will be set up in (I) to combat marine wildlife crimes, including smuggling, prevention and poaching of marine animals, particularly in the Gulf of Mannar biosphere and (II).

Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, has passed an order sanctioning ₹1.09 crore for establishing the units.

Each unit will have five marine watchers to be engaged on a contract basis. They will be moving around in two deep water boats. For intelligence collection and data sharing, these units will interact with other stakeholders like customs, coast guard and naval officers apart from marine police and fisheries officials.

The primary objective is to strengthen the protection and sustainable management of marine area and watch out for disasters affecting marine and coastal wildlife.

The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay occupy nearly a 675 kilometre-long coastline. The Gulf of Mannar is home to significant ecosystems like coral reefs, rocky shores, sandy beaches, mudflats, estuaries, mangroves, seaweed stretches and seagrass beds. It is also home to endangered corals, crustaceans, molluscs, apart from seasonally migrating marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, porpoises and marine turtles. These two areas are considered biologists paradise with over 4,223 species of flora and fauna documented over several decades.

The marine resources are constantly exploited for economic reasons and the protected species are also hunted illegally as they fetch huge prices in domestic and international illegal wildlife markets. Marine turtles, sea cucumbers, sea horses, sharks and rays, pipe fishes, dugongs, dolphins and sea shells face extraordinary hunting pressure, Ms. Sahu said, explaining the reason behind setting up the Marine Elite Force.

DPR for Dugong Conservation Reserve

In another order, Ms. Sahu sanctioned funds to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for declaration of Dugong Conservation Reserve (III), the first in the country. Chief Wildlife Warden Shekhar Kumar Niraj has submitted a concept note towards establishment of the reserve and said the Union Government’s concurrence needs to be obtained for the notification.

The DPR will be prepared by engaging a reputed institution based on clearances obtained from the Department of Fisheries, Chief Naval Hydrographer and other departments connected with marine activities.

Collectors of Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts had held talks with fishing village communities and in both the districts, the communities have accepted the proposal to set up the conservation reserve.

Two units of Marine Elite Force will be set up in (I) to combat marine wildlife crimes, including smuggling, prevention and poaching of marine animals, particularly in the Gulf of Mannar biosphere and (II).

Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, has passed an order sanctioning ₹1.09 crore for establishing the units.

Each unit will have five marine watchers to be engaged on a contract basis. They will be moving around in two deep water boats. For intelligence collection and data sharing, these units will interact with other stakeholders like customs, coast guard and naval officers apart from marine police and fisheries officials.

The primary objective is to strengthen the protection and sustainable management of marine area and watch out for disasters affecting marine and coastal wildlife.

The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay occupy nearly a 675 kilometre-long coastline. The Gulf of Mannar is home to significant ecosystems like coral reefs, rocky shores, sandy beaches, mudflats, estuaries, mangroves, seaweed stretches and seagrass beds. It is also home to endangered corals, crustaceans, molluscs, apart from seasonally migrating marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, porpoises and marine turtles. These two areas are considered biologists paradise with over 4,223 species of flora and fauna documented over several decades.

The marine resources are constantly exploited for economic reasons and the protected species are also hunted illegally as they fetch huge prices in domestic and international illegal wildlife markets. Marine turtles, sea cucumbers, sea horses, sharks and rays, pipe fishes, dugongs, dolphins and sea shells face extraordinary hunting pressure, Ms. Sahu said, explaining the reason behind setting up the Marine Elite Force.

DPR for Dugong Conservation Reserve

In another order, Ms. Sahu sanctioned funds to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for declaration of Dugong Conservation Reserve (III), the first in the country. Chief Wildlife Warden Shekhar Kumar Niraj has submitted a concept note towards establishment of the reserve and said the Union Government’s concurrence needs to be obtained for the notification.

The DPR will be prepared by engaging a reputed institution based on clearances obtained from the Department of Fisheries, Chief Naval Hydrographer and other departments connected with marine activities.

Collectors of Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts had held talks with fishing village communities and in both the districts, the communities have accepted the proposal to set up the conservation reserve.

Two units of Marine Elite Force will be set up in (I) to combat marine wildlife crimes, including smuggling, prevention and poaching of marine animals, particularly in the Gulf of Mannar biosphere and (II).

Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, has passed an order sanctioning ₹1.09 crore for establishing the units.

Each unit will have five marine watchers to be engaged on a contract basis. They will be moving around in two deep water boats. For intelligence collection and data sharing, these units will interact with other stakeholders like customs, coast guard and naval officers apart from marine police and fisheries officials.

The primary objective is to strengthen the protection and sustainable management of marine area and watch out for disasters affecting marine and coastal wildlife.

The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay occupy nearly a 675 kilometre-long coastline. The Gulf of Mannar is home to significant ecosystems like coral reefs, rocky shores, sandy beaches, mudflats, estuaries, mangroves, seaweed stretches and seagrass beds. It is also home to endangered corals, crustaceans, molluscs, apart from seasonally migrating marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, porpoises and marine turtles. These two areas are considered biologists paradise with over 4,223 species of flora and fauna documented over several decades.

The marine resources are constantly exploited for economic reasons and the protected species are also hunted illegally as they fetch huge prices in domestic and international illegal wildlife markets. Marine turtles, sea cucumbers, sea horses, sharks and rays, pipe fishes, dugongs, dolphins and sea shells face extraordinary hunting pressure, Ms. Sahu said, explaining the reason behind setting up the Marine Elite Force.

DPR for Dugong Conservation Reserve

In another order, Ms. Sahu sanctioned funds to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for declaration of Dugong Conservation Reserve (III), the first in the country. Chief Wildlife Warden Shekhar Kumar Niraj has submitted a concept note towards establishment of the reserve and said the Union Government’s concurrence needs to be obtained for the notification.

The DPR will be prepared by engaging a reputed institution based on clearances obtained from the Department of Fisheries, Chief Naval Hydrographer and other departments connected with marine activities.

Collectors of Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts had held talks with fishing village communities and in both the districts, the communities have accepted the proposal to set up the conservation reserve.