General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - October 2018

Oct 2018

Sep 01, 2023

UAE's G42 Launches Jais, An Open-source Arabic Language AI Model

A group of engineers, researchers and a Silicon Valley-based chip company have collaborated to release advanced Arabic language software that can power generative AI applications.
The new large language model called 'Jais' contains 13 billion parameters made from a big batch of data combining Arabic and English, a portion of which is from computer code. The group, which included academics and engineers embarked, on the project in part because they said there are few large language models that are bilingual.
The new language model was created with the help of supercomputers produced by the Silicon Valley-based Cerebras Systems, which designs dinner plate-sized chips that compete with Nvidia's powerful AI hardware. Nvidia's chips are in short supply, which has driven companies around the world to seek alternatives.
Named after the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates, Jais is a collaboration between Cerebras, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi-based tech conglomerate G42 called Inception, which focuses on AI.

Aug 31, 2023

Chandrayaan-3 rover Confirms the Presence of Sulphur in Lunar Surface

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that the Pragyan rover's Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope confirmed the presence of sulphur in the lunar surface near the south pole, through the first-ever in-situ measurements. Pragyan is a lunar rover that forms part of Chandrayaan-3, the lunar mission developed by ISRO.

ISRO-developed Device for Fishers' Safety Successfully Tested

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone by successfully testing its innovative device named 'Nabhmitra'. This device, developed at ISRO's Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad, aims to enhance the safety of fishermen during their sea expeditions. The successful testing took place at Neendakara, where the device was installed on a fishing vessel, and its capabilities were assessed in the presence of both scientists and officials from the Fisheries department.
Nabhmitra operates on the basis of advanced satellite communication technology, allowing seamless two-way messaging between fishing boats and maritime authorities stationed at sea. This breakthrough technology greatly improves the communication channels and safety measures available to fishermen during their voyages.

Aug 29, 2023

NASA, SpaceX Sends Four Astronauts from Four Countries to ISS

Four astronauts from four countries, including the US, Denmark, Japan, and Russia, launched aboard a SpaceX rocket towards the International Space Station (ISS) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This was the first US take-off in which all the astronauts atop the spacecraft belonged to a different country, until now, NASA had always included two or three of its own on its SpaceX flights.
Known as Crew-7, the mission includes NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov.

Aug 28, 2023

PM Names Chandrayaan Landing Point Shiv Shakti Point

Prime Minister Narendra Modi named the landing site of Chandrayaan-3's moon lander 'Shiv shakti Point.'
This significant declaration was made during the Prime Minister's visit to the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network Mission Control Complex in Bengaluru. The naming of this lunar landing site holds not only scientific but also spiritual and inspirational significance.
The name 'Shiv Shakti Point' represents a harmonious amalgamation of spirituality and scientific prowess. Just as the convergence of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti signifies the cosmic balance in Hindu mythology, the naming of the lunar landing site as Shiv Shakti Point embodies the unity of human endeavour and the awe-inspiring wonders of the cosmos.
The Prime Minister stated that the naming of the lunar landing site as Shiv shakti Point is intended to inspire upcoming generations to channel the power of science for the betterment of humanity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced that the crash-landed site of Chandrayaan-2 on the lunar surface, where the Indian tricolor was imprinted, would be known as 'Tiranga Point.' This designation is a tribute to the resilience and indomitable spirit of the Indian space program, signifying the nation's perseverance in the face of challenges.

Japan's Moon Mission Launch Suspended for Third Time Due to Bad Weather

Japan delayed the launch of a rocket carrying a lunar lander 'Moon Spinner' less than 30 minutes before its scheduled take off as bad weather continued to plague the mission.
The H2-A, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's most reliable heavy payload rocket, was originally set to launch carrying an advanced imaging satellite and a lightweight lander slated to reach the moon as early as January.

Aug 24, 2023

India Scripts History with Chandrayaan-3 Lunar Touchdown

India scripted history by becoming the first country in the world to reach the uncharted territory of the Moon. The Indian Space Research Organisation's spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 touched down on the lunar South Pole, making India the first country to land on the Moon's unexplored surface. With this monumental moment, India also became the fourth country to master the technology of soft-landing on the Moon after the United States, China and the erstwhile Soviet Union.
One of the key functionaries in the Chandrayaan-3 mission is ISRO chief S. Somanath. Somnath guided the Chandrayaan-3 team, which had P .Veeramuthuvel as Project Director, K. Kalpana as Associate Project Director, and M. Srikanth as Mission Operations Director.
The lunar South Pole is of particular interest as the permanently shadowed polar craters may contain water. The frozen water in the rocks could be transformed by future explorers into air and rocket fuel.
The lander is named Vikram, after the father of India's space program, Vikram Sarabhai. The rover is named Pragyan, which means 'wisdom' in Sanskrit.

China Launches Gaofen Earth-observation Satellite

China sent a new Earth observation satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The satellite, Gaofen-12 04, was launched by a Long March-4C carrier rocket and entered the planned orbit successfully.
It will be used in a variety of fields, including land surveys, urban planning, road network design, crop yield estimation and disaster relief.
The launch marked the 484th flight mission of the Long March series carrier rockets.

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