General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - November 2014

Nov 2014

Feb 21, 2024

Scientists Uncover Universe's Brightest Object

A team of astronomers in Australia identified an extraordinary celestial phenomenon. The most brilliant object ever detected in the universe. This massive quasar, energised by a colossal black hole, surpasses the brightness of our sun by an astonishing 500 trillion times.
The black hole central to this quasar is no ordinary one. With a mass 17 billion times that of our sun, it consumes the equivalent of the sun's material every day. This voracious consumption powers the quasar's remarkable luminosity, allowing it to be visible despite its light travelling an astonishing distance of 12 billion years to reach us.

Feb 19, 2024

ISRO Launches Meteorological Satellite INSAT-3DS

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched INSAT-3DS, a weather monitoring and disaster warning satellite.
The satellite was launched atop the GSLV-F14 rocket from Sriharikota. It will observe various atmospheric parameters and provide information related to the weather and the climate.
The INSAT-3DS satellite is a follow-on mission of the third generation meteorological satellite from geostationary orbit.
The GSLV or geosynchronous launch vehicle was termed the 'naughty boy' of Indian space due to its repeated failures in the past. Following successful launch, GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS Mission Director Tommy Joseph said that the GSLV had become a 'disciplined boy'.

NASA and JAXA Set to Launch World's First Wooden Satellite

NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) would launch the LignoSat probe - the world's first wooden satellite into space, in an attempt to make spaceflight operations sustainable.
The tiny satellite has been built by the scientists at Kyoto University in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry, a logging company. Scientists believe that the satellite's biodegradable nature may help preserve the Earth's environment.

Feb 17, 2024

Japan Successfully Launches Next-gen H3 Rocket

Japan's space agency successfully launch of its new flagship rocket, making it third time lucky for the H3 after years of delays and two previous failed attempts.
The H3 rocket, billed as flexible and cost-effective by space agency JAXA, "was put into orbit", after the rocket launched from the Tanegashima Space Centre in south-western Japan.
The next-generation H3 rocket has been mooted as a possible competitor to Space X's Falcon 9, and could one day be used to deliver cargo to bases on the Moon.
Developed jointly by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the H3 is the successor to the H-IIA launch system, which debuted in 2001.

Feb 16, 2024

Electronics & IT Ministry Hosts First Digital India Future Skills Summit in Guwahati

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the National Institute of Electronics and IT (NIELIT), hosted the Future Skills Summit in Guwahati. The event, inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, aimed to convene young Indians, thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers, educators, and technology enthusiasts to strategise on catalysing future-ready talent for India and the world.
The Summit placed a spotlight on the impact of rapid digitisation globally, underlining new opportunities for young Indians in cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Semiconductors, Robotics, and Cybersecurity. These advancements present significant prospects for the country's youth to thrive in a digitally-driven world.
The summit featured four panel discussions on pivotal themes: Semicon India, IndiaAI, Cyber Security & Emerging Technologies, and Digital India's Talent for the Global Workforce. Renowned experts and industry leaders engaged in these discussions, offering insights and strategies for building future skills that are indispensable in navigating the dynamic landscape of technology.

Feb 15, 2024

Dubai to Launch World's First Air Taxi Service

The Dubai Air Taxi Service is a planned aerial transportation network set to revolutionise urban mobility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Scheduled to commence operations in 2026, it will be the world's first city-wide air taxi service when launched.
In February 2024, Dubai entered agreements at the World Government Summit greenlighting the development of a city-wide eVTOL air taxi system. The accords marked a global first-of-its-kind commitment to launch such an extensive service and cemented Dubai's leading role spearheading transportation innovation worldwide.
The service is in line with Dubai's vision to pioneer sustainable and efficient transportation. By integrating aerial taxis into the urban landscape through vertiports situated across the city, the initiative promises to redefine mobility in modern metropolises.

Apple's iMessage, Microsoft's Bing Exempted from EU Tech Rules

Apple's iMessage and Microsoft's Bing search engine are exempted from new EU tech rules, EU antitrust regulators said on Tuesday, after accepting the companies' argument the services were not gateways to reach end-users.
The new Digital Markets Act takes effect in three weeks' time. Its requirements include obliging Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet's Google, Amazon, Meta Platforms and ByteDance to allow third-party apps or app stores on their platforms and making it easier for users to switch from default apps to rivals.
The companies are also prohibited from favouring their services. Following a five-month investigation, the European Commission found that iMessage, Bing, Edge and Microsoft Advertising "did not qualify as gatekeeper services," the EU executive said in a statement.
The Commission said Apple's App Store, iOS operating system and Safari browser will continue to be classified as gatekeepers as well as Microsoft's Linkedin social network and Windows operating system.
Apple to settle trade secrets lawsuit against chip startup Rivos. It said it had made "a thorough assessment of all arguments, taking into account input by relevant stakeholders".
Microsoft said Bing, Edge and Microsoft Advertising operate as challengers in the market. "We will continue to engage with the Commission and industry at large to ensure Microsoft's other designated platforms comply fully with the DMA," a spokesperson said.

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