General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - December 2018

Dec 2018

Aug 17, 2024

UK Military Satellite Launches to Boost Space Power

The UK military launched its first ever dedicated Earth-imaging satellite.
Called Tyche, the washing machine-sized spacecraft has sufficient resolution to identify battlefield troop positions and vehicles.
It is a demonstrator that should be followed by a network of satellites this decade using a variety of sensors.
Some of these future spacecrafts will be able to see through cloud and even eavesdrop on radio transmissions.
Tyche's ride to orbit was booked on a SpaceX Falcon rocket flying out of California.

Aug 16, 2024

Centre Launches New AI-Based Surveillance System to Manage Pests

The Union Government launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) that will help farmers to connect with agriculture scientists and experts on controlling pests using their phone.
The aim of NPSS is to reduce the dependence of farmers on pesticide retailers and inculcate a scientific approach among them towards pest management. NPSS will analyse the latest data on pests using AI tools to help farmers and experts in pest control and management.

ISRO Successfully Places Earth Observation Satellite into Orbit

ISRO successfully placed an Earth observation and SR-O DEMOSAT satellites into intended orbit. The space agency launched its third and final developmental flight, Small Satellite Launch Vehicle-D3, carrying Earth Observation Satellite EOS-08.
The rocket lifted off majestically from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, situated about 135 km east of Chennai.
The objectives of the SSLV-D3-EOS-08 mission include designing and developing a microsatellite and creating payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus.
Built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, EOS-08 carries three payloads--Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R) and SiC UV Dosimeter.

Aug 14, 2024

China EV firm Claims World's Fastest-charging Battery

Chinese car maker Zeekr said that its new electric vehicle (EV) batteries charge faster than any of its rivals, including industry leader Tesla.
The firm's upgraded batteries can be charged from 10% to 80% capacity in 10 and a half minutes using its ultra-fast charging stations.
In comparison, Elon Musk's Tesla said a 15 minute charge allows its Model 3 to cover 175 miles (282km), a little under half the car's full range.

Union Cabinet Approves Road Connecting Proposed Vadhvan Port to NH48

A 32-km long road connecting the proposed Vadhvan Port in Maharashtra's Palghar district to the national highway 48 was approved by the Union cabinet, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) said.
The JNPA is developing the Vadhvan Port.
The National Highways Authority of India's Land Acquisition Committee (NHAI-LAC) approved road connectivity for Vadhvan Port from NH-48 of about 32 km and authorised the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to make relevant decisions.
JNPA chairman Unmesh Sharad Wagh, said, "The construction of the road is a critical activity necessary to initiate the work at Vadhvan Port. It is essential for transporting quarry material from the sites to the port, as local roads are too narrow for such heavy transportation. The declaration by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to designate this road as a National Highway will expedite the process significantly." Once the notification is issued by the NHAI, land acquisition will commence immediately.

Aug 13, 2024

Wipro Expands Partnership with Google Cloud to Adopt AI Tech Gemini

Wipro announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with Google Cloud to scale its adoption of Google Cloud AI.
Wipro will train its workforce with generative AI-powered tools using Vertex AI and Gemini models for developer productivity and better cloud migration.
"Using Vertex AI and Gemini models, Wipro, in its project execution for clients, is equipping its workforce with generative AI-powered tools to enhance developer productivity, accelerate cloud migrations, and deliver innovative GenAI solutions," the company said.

US Scientists Find Reservoir of Liquid Water on Mars

An immense reservoir of liquid water may reside deep under the surface of Mars within fractured igneous rocks, holding enough to fill an ocean that would cover the entire surface of Earth's planetary neighbor.
That is the conclusion of scientists based on seismic data obtained by NASA's robotic InSight lander during a mission that helped decipher the interior of Mars. The water, located about 7.2 to 12.4 miles (11.5 to 20 km) below the Martian surface, potentially offers conditions favorable to sustain microbial life, either in the past or now, the researchers said.

Aug 12, 2024

MEA and NSIL Sign MoU for Launch of Nepalese Munal Satellite

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the launch of Nepal's Munal satellite. The MoU was formalised, with Anurag Srivastava, Joint Secretary (North) from MEA, and Arunachalam A, Director from NSIL, representing their respective organisations.
The Munal satellite, an indigenous project developed by the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), aims to create a vegetation density database of Earth's surface. This initiative marks a significant milestone in space collaboration between Nepal and India.

IIT Indore Develops E-Shoes for Live Location Tracking

IIT Indore created advanced shoes incorporating Tribo-Electric Nanogenerator (TENG) technology, which generates electricity from human motion and integrates GPS for real-time location tracking. These shoes, delivered to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), aim to enhance the safety and efficiency of armed forces personnel and have applications in various other fields.
The shoes are powered by TENG technology, which converts kinetic energy from each step into electrical energy. This energy is stored in a device within the shoe's sole, enabling it to power small electronic devices. Additionally, the shoes are equipped with GPS and RFID technologies for precise live location tracking.
Military: The shoes are designed to improve safety and coordination among soldiers by providing real-time location data and power for essential devices.
Sports: They offer the ability to analyse athletes' movements, potentially enhancing performance.
Other Uses: Beyond the military and sports, these shoes can be beneficial for monitoring senior citizens with Alzheimer's, tracking school children, and managing factory worker attendance.

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