Lunar Trailblazer Satellite

Source:  HT Context: NASA launched the Lunar Trailblazer satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to map and analyze water distribution on the Moon. About Lunar Trailblazer: What is Lunar Trailblazer? A small satellite (orbiter) designed to map water on the Moon’s surface. Part of NASA’s Small, Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEX) program. Launched …

Technology Adoption Fund (TAF)

Source:  TOI Context:  IN-SPACe, India’s space regulator, launched the Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) to accelerate the growth of space startups and MSMEs by providing financial support for the commercialization of early-stage space technologies. About Technology Adoption Fund (TAF): What is TAF? A financial initiative by IN-SPACe to support the transition of early-stage space technologies into …

Vertical Planetary Mixer

Source: BT Context: ISRO successfully developed a 10-tonne vertical planetary mixer, the largest solid propellant mixing equipment globally, in collaboration with CMTI, Bengaluru. About Vertical Planetary Mixer: What is a Vertical Planetary Mixer? A high-capacity mixing system designed for processing solid propellants used in rocket motors. Ensures precise blending of hazardous and sensitive ingredients, crucial …

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 September 2024

  UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27 September 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles   InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. …

First Mission to Venus

Source: Indian Express Context:  The Union Cabinet last week approved India’s first mission to Venus that ISRO aims to launch in March 2028. This is the country’s second interplanetary mission after the Mars Orbiter Mission launched in 2013. Features and Roadmap: India’s first mission to Venus, planned by ISRO, will launch in March 2028. The …

Artificial meteor showers could soon be a reality: Report

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: Indian Express  Context: According to a report, Tokyo-based ALE is set to launch the satellite in 2025 and it hopes to give people all over the world “the opportunity to view the world’s first live human-made meteor shower.” The project is called Sky Canvas and it is designed to collect atmospheric data …

SNAP-10A

Facts for Prelims (FFP)  Source: The Hindu  Context: Launched on April 3, 1965, SNAP-10A was the world’s first operational nuclear reactor in space. While it still remains in orbit, it was operational for just 43 days.    About nuclear reactors: A class of devices that contain and control sustained nuclear chain reactions, these systems are …

Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) at HAL

GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology, and issues relating to intellectual property rights.   Source: Indian Express Context: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) in Bengaluru. The ICMF is dedicated to Rocket Manufacturing and its assembly for ISRO. The …

GSLV-F10 launch and EOS-03 satellite:

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Awareness in space.   Context: The GSLV-F10/EOS-03 mission, which lifted off from Sriharikota on August 12 last year failed due to ‘deviation in the performance’ of the cryogenic upper stage (CUS) of the launch vehicle, a national-level Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) constituted in the aftermath has found. GSLV-F10 was ISRO’s …

EOS-04 launch, ISRO’s first of 2022:

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Awareness in space.   Context: Isro has successfully launched earth observation satellite EOS-04, two other satellites (INSPIREsat-1 and INS-2TD) onboard PSLV recently. It was launched from the first launch pad at the country’s only spaceport in Sriharikota – Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Andhra Pradesh.   Significance: This is ISRO’s first …

Discuss the aim of Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) and how it plans to achieve its aim.

Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. 5. Discuss the aim of Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) and how it plans to achieve its aim. (250 words) Difficulty level: Difficult Reference: Indian Express Why the question: NASA will launch the agency’s first planetary …

Inspiration4: SpaceX’s first all-civilian space mission

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Awareness in space.   Context: Entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX recently announced that ‘Inspiration4’, its first all-civilian, non-governmental spaceflight, is on track for launch on September 15. The Crew Dragon spacecraft is set to be launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida in the US. It will take a group …

GSLV-F10 launch and EOS-03 satellite:

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Awareness in space.   Context: The launch of earth observation satellite EOS-03 onboard GSLV-F10 was unsuccessful recently because of an anomaly in the rocket’s cryogenic upper stage. GSLV-F10 was ISRO’s eighth flight with indigenous cryo, 14th GSLV flight and 79th launch from Sriharikota.   What is EOS-03? EOS-3 was the first …

Insights Daily Current Events, January 15, 2014

ARCHIVES January 15, 2014 NATIONAL & SOCIAL ISSUES Forest STs to get additional 50 days wage employment under MGNREGA . The Union Ministry of Rural Development decided to provide an additional wage employment of 50 days beyond the stipulated 100 days under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, MGNREGA for Scheduled Tribe (ST) households …