Artemis Program

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Awareness in space.   Context: The first moonbound rocket and spacecraft of NASA’s Artemis program are expected to do a “wet dress rehearsal” on the launch pad in February.   What is Artemis? Artemis– Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of Moon’s Interaction with the Sun. It is NASA’s next mission to …

Space debris:

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Awareness in space.   Context: Russia blew up one of its old satellites in November in a missile test that sparked international anger because of the space debris it scattered around the Earth’s orbit. Recently, a Chinese satellite (Tsinghua Science Satellite) had a near collision with one of the many …

ISRO test fires high-thrust Vikas engine:

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Awareness in space.   Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently conducted a successful qualification test of its High Thrust VIKAS Engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Tamil Nadu’s Mahendragiri. The Vikas engine will power the ambitious Gaganyaan mission into space.   About the Vikas engine: It …