Three New ‘Exotic’ Sub-Atomic Particles
Context: The Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) experiment, which is looking at the distinctions between matter and antimatter by researching a type of particle known as the “beauty quark,” or “b quark,” has discovered three previously unseen particles. Relevance: GS Paper3: Science and Technology (Recent developments and their applications and effects in everyday life, Achievements of Indians […]
LHC: New Answers to Old Fundamental Questions
Context: The world’s most powerful particle collider, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), will begin smashing protons into each other at unprecedented levels of energy beginning July 5. Scientists will record and analyse the data, which are expected to throw up evidence of “new physics” — or physics beyond the Standard Model of Particle Physics, which explains how […]
Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator
Focus: GS III- Indigenization Of Technology Why in News? The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out the maiden test flight of a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), an autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, Karnataka. About the Indigenous Drone A tiny turbofan engine powers the unmanned aerial […]
India’s Largest Floating Solar Power Project
Context: Recently, the final 20 MW of the 100 MW Ramagundam floating solar PV project’s commercial operation date was recently announced. With this, the 100 MW Ramagundam floating solar PV project in Telangana is declared operational from 1st July 2022. It is the largest project of its kind in India. Relevance: GS III- Renewable energy, Infrastructure Dimensions of the Article: […]
Nitrate Absorption in Plants
Context: Researchers led by those from the National Centre of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru (NCBS-TIFR), have found a new pathway that regulates nitrate absorption in plants. Relevance: GS III- Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: About gene MADS27 About Nitrogen importance in plants: Nitrate overuse Regulatory switches Three-pronged effect About […]
ABHYAS: High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target
Context: Recently, India successfully tested the indigenously-designed Abhyas – a High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) – in Odisha. The trial was carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha’s Chandipur. Relevance: GS III- Defence Technology Dimensions of the Article: About ABHYAS Features of ABHYAS Uses of ABHYAS […]
ISRO’s ‘POEM’ Platform
Context: Besides placing three Singaporean satellites in precise orbit, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also achieved the feat of successfully launching the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module or ‘POEM’. Relevance: GS III- Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: What is POEM? How will ISRO keep POEM ‘alive and stable’ in orbit? Has ISRO repurposed […]
Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2022
Focus: GS III- Defence Technology Why in News? The RIMPAC-22 exercise will be held in and close to the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California from 29th June to 4th August, 27 countries are participating in the current edition of the multi-dimensional exercise. About RIMPAC-22 It’s one of the biggest multilateral naval exercises held every two years, and […]
CAPSTONE, NASA’s New Satellite
Context: Recently, NASA launched CAPSTONE, a microwave oven-sized CubeSat weighing just 55 pounds (25 kg). Relevance: GS III- Science and Technology About CAPSTONE: CAPSTONE, short for Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, is designed to test a unique, elliptical lunar orbit. As a pathfinder for Gateway, CAPSTONE aims to help reduce risk for […]
India’s New VPN Rules
Context: Recently, Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) passed a rule mandating VPN (virtual private network) providers to record and keep their customers’ logs for 180 days. Relevance: GS III- Science and Technology, Cyber Security Dimensions of the Article: What is a VPN? Why do people use VPN? Why is anonymity or privacy so important for […]