Key Highlights of Peregrine Mission One
Context: The United States initiated the Peregrine Mission One, its initial Moon landing endeavor in over five decades. However, the mission encountered a significant setback as the spacecraft developed a critical fuel leak shortly after launch. Led by private space entities Astrobotic Technology and United Launch Alliance, this collaborative mission reflects a growing reliance on […]
About Camptothecin
Context: Researchers from the Indian Institutes of Technology Madras and Mandi have successfully applied metabolic engineering techniques to boost the production of the anti-cancer drug camptothecin (CPT) in cells of the Nothapodytes nimmoniana plant. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: About Camptothecin: Key Facts about Nothapodytes nimmoniana: -Source: The Hindu
NSIL to Launch GSAT-20 Aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in 2024
Context: NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is gearing up to launch GSAT-20 (GSAT-N2) using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in 2024. Falcon 9, designed and built by SpaceX, is the world’s premier orbital class reusable two-stage rocket, ensuring secure and efficient transportation of payloads and individuals into Earth’s […]
The Factory of The Future Will be Data-Driven And AI-Optimised
Context: Harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI), astute manufacturers are experiencing substantial and quantifiable business advantages. Configured systems crafted by manufacturing AI experts can expedite deployment, integration, security, and management, ensuring solutions tailored for smart manufacturing use cases. Relevance: GS3- Science and Technology- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and […]
About The Photocatalysts
Context: Researchers at IISER Bhopal recently developed a new photocatalyst called UC-POP-Au, which absorbs the entire spectrum of light, making it a potent catalyst for chemical processes. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: Photocatalysts: Material Effectiveness: Categories of Photocatalysis: Applications: Valuable for: -Source: Times of India
Space Exploration Highlights in 2023 and Upcoming in 2024
Context: The year 2023 witnessed significant space missions, including NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample return from an asteroid and India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission. The momentum continues into 2024 with NASA’s upcoming missions under Artemis and Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiatives, focusing on lunar exploration. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: Upcoming Space Missions in […]
Drug War: On use of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance
Background: The adage “prevention is better than cure” holds valuable wisdom in medicine. However, blindly wielding this principle, particularly in the form of prophylactic antibiotic use, risks undermining the very purpose of treating patients – their recovery. This concern becomes even more dire when considering the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a phenomenon where pathogens evolve to […]
Square Kilometer Array Observatory
Context: Scientists in India will now also be part of the international mega-science project, the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO), that will function as the world’s largest radio telescope. India’s Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is amongst the world’s six large telescopes. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: Radio Telescopes: Detection […]
ISRO Launches X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XpoSat)
Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its inaugural X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XpoSat) to study X-ray polarization and investigate cosmic sources such as Black holes, Neutron stars, and Magnetars. The mission was propelled into Low Earth Orbit via the PSLV-C58 rocket. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: X-ray […]
What is eSoil?
Context: Researchers have developed a new electronic soil that was found to increase the growth of barley seedlings by 50 per cent in a new study. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: eSoil: Advancing Hydroponics with Bioelectronic Growth Substrate Key Features: Working Mechanism: Applications: Benefits: -Source: Indian Express