General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - September 2018

Sep 2018

Aug 31, 2026

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launches from Florida

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The mission marks a major advance in astronomy, enabling wide-field infrared observations to study dark energy, exoplanets, and the structure of the universe. Kennedy Space Center has hosted historic missions including Apollo and Space Shuttle programs, and the Roman telescope benefits from this legacy of complex, high-profile launches. Operators emphasised precision instrumentation, extended mission life, and collaboration with international partners to maximize scientific return.

Roman Space Telescope launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Rides on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
Aims to study dark energy, exoplanets, and cosmic structure.
Space Center’s historic role in U.S. and global space missions.
Emphasis on international collaboration and advanced instruments.

Aug 30, 2026

Gujarat launches India's first state-level Sports Genomics Programme

Gujarat launched India's first state-level Sports Genomics Programme under the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre in Gandhinagar. The programme focuses on studying genetic factors associated with athletic performance and the risk of sports-related injuries. It aims to analyse nearly 10,000 athlete samples over five years, with the broader objective of using genomic research to better understand sporting potential and injury susceptibility. The project will help tailor training programs and preventive care for athletes, potentially reducing dropout rates and extending careers. The programme forms part of Gujarat's broader initiative to upgrade sports science and biomedical research, attracting collaboration with national institutions and industry partners. The program began this year as part of the state's health and education reforms.

Program: Sports Genomics under Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre
Scope: study genetic factors in performance and injuries
Sample size: ~10,000 athletes over 5 years
Goal: tailor training and preventive care using genomics
Impact: potential to extend athletes’ careers

Aug 29, 2026

Gnani Artha AI Stack Launched at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched ‘Gnani Artha’, a sovereign AI stack developed by GNANI AI, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi in August 2026. The stack comprises Evon 3.3, a large language model, and Plexus, a platform designed to connect artificial intelligence capabilities with real‑world work and institutions. The launch highlights India’s push for domestically built AI technologies and digital sovereignty. Gnani Artha is described as scalable and enterprise‑grade, intended for government and industry use cases, including data governance and public services. The event underscores ongoing efforts to reduce dependence on foreign AI infrastructure while fostering local innovation and collaboration across academia, industry, and government.

Gnani Artha announced by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan.
Suite includes Evon 3.3 LLM and Plexus platform.
Aims to advance sovereign, locally built AI technologies.
Intended for government, industry, and public service applications.
Part of India’s broader digital sovereignty and innovation push.

Aug 27, 2026

Hindalco commissions India's first Superfine PPT ATH plant in Belagavi

Hindalco Industries has commissioned India's first Superfine Precipitated Aluminium Trihydrate PPT ATH plant at its Belagavi facility in Karnataka. The new plant strengthens the country's specialty alumina sector and is expected to meet rising demand for flame-retardant materials used in halogen-free cables, wires, plastics and other industrial applications. The facility showcases India’s growing capabilities in high-value aluminium-based products and may spur related investments. As production scales, benefits could include improved supply chains, potential job creation, and expanded export opportunities for specialty materials.

India's first Superfine PPT ATH plant commissioned
Location: Belagavi, Karnataka
Supports demand for flame-retardant materials
Used in halogen-free cables, wires and plastics
Demonstrates growth of India's specialty alumina sector
Potential for supply-chain improvements and exports

Aug 26, 2026

CSIR-NAL develops indigenous micro gas turbine engines

CSIR National Aerospace Laboratories announced indigenous micro and small gas turbine engines NJ-05, NJ-50, and NJ-100 for defence use. The engines are designed for tactical unmanned aerial vehicles, drone interceptors, and compact missile platforms. Officials say the engines improve portability, performance, and reliability, reducing import dependency and strengthening domestic propulsion. The program supports Make in India and rapid development of lightweight powerplants for unmanned systems. Engineers highlighted testing, heat management and lifecycle maintenance, plus planned collaborations with defence researchers and industry partners to speed integration into platforms.

NJ-05, NJ-50, NJ-100 micro gas turbine engines announced
Engines designed for UAVs, interceptors and compact missiles
Aims to reduce import dependency and boost domestic propulsion
Supports Make in India and defence self-reliance

Tiangong Ultra robot beats Usain Bolt pace in test sprint

Tiangong Ultra, a humanoid robot from China, demonstrated a sprint that exceeded Usain Bolt’s famous 100-metre world record. In a controlled test, the robot completed the distance at a pace that surprised observers, highlighting rapid progress in robotics and AI-led mobility. Engineers noted improvements in leg design, balance, and sensors, enabling fast running with stability. The event underscored advances in autonomous movement and machine performance. Experts caution that comparing a robot with a human runner has limits due to different physics and purposes, and that future work will explore endurance and precision tasks beyond simple speed.

Tiangong Ultra demonstrates high-speed humanoid running
Test pace surpasses the 9.58-second 100 m record set by Bolt
Advances in robotics, sensors and balance highlighted
Caution against direct human–robot comparisons
Future tests to examine endurance and precision tasks

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