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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - October 2021

Oct 2021

Aug 12, 2026

Amgen Announces Centre in Genome Valley, Hyderabad

US biotechnology major Amgen announced a new Science and Innovation Centre at Genome Valley in Hyderabad, Telangana. The centre is expected to become operational in 2027 and will expand the company’s research and development presence in India. It will focus on areas such as discovery chemistry, precision medicine, drug metabolism and digital technologies. The initiative is expected to further strengthen Hyderabad’s position as a major global life-sciences hub. The project aligns with India's aim to grow its biotech ecosystem through foreign investment, academia collaboration, and transfer of advanced capabilities to the Genome Valley region.

Amgen to set up a new centre at Genome Valley, Hyderabad.
Centre operational in 2027; expands India R&D footprint.
Focus areas: discovery chemistry, precision medicine, metabolism, digital tech.
Aims to bolster Hyderabad as a life-sciences hub.
Demonstrates global biotech investment in India.

Aug 10, 2026

HAL Airport Bengaluru adopts satellite-guided helicopter approach

Bengaluru's HAL Airport became the first Indian airport to implement a satellite-guided helicopter approach in August 2026. The system uses satellite navigation data to guide helicopter arrivals and departures with higher precision, supporting safer landings under marginal visibility and challenging wind conditions. Aviation authorities say the technology will improve flight safety, reduce separation minima and standardise procedures across helicopter operations in busy airspace. Officials emphasise the initiative as part of a broader push to modernise India's air navigation infrastructure and enhance resilience of regional transport links, particularly in densely populated cities. The project includes training for air traffic controllers and flight crews on the new procedures.

First in India to use satellite-guided helicopter approach
Location: HAL Airport, Bengaluru
Improves precision, safety in low visibility
Aims to standardise helicopter procedures nationwide
Includes controller and crew training

PM Modi inaugurates Param Pragya AI supercomputing facility at IIT Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Param Pragya, an AI-powered supercomputing facility, at IIT Delhi during August 2026. The inauguration occurred at the institute's 57th Convocation ceremony. Param Pragya is intended to strengthen advanced research, artificial intelligence, scientific computing and complex simulations across sectors such as healthcare, climate, and defence technology. Officials describe the center as a cornerstone of India's growing high-performance computing ecosystem, with capacity to run large-scale models and data analytics. The project aligns with government plans to expand domestic AI capabilities, foster industry-academia collaboration, and position India as a regional hub for innovation in data science.

Inaugurated at IIT Delhi during 57th Convocation
AI-powered supercomputing facility named Param Pragya
Aims to boost AI research, computing and simulations
Part of expanding India's HPC ecosystem
Supports industry-academia collaboration

Astrobase unveils EVEREST: India's first privately developed high-thrust FFSC rocket engine

Astrobase Space Technologies, a Bengaluru-based company, unveiled its EVEREST rocket engine in August 2026. The engine is classified as an 800 kN (80-tonne) thrust unit and marks India's first privately developed high-thrust Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) engine. Using liquid oxygen and methane as propellants, EVEREST is designed for multiple-use operations, with an emphasis on reusability for future launch vehicles. The developers say the FFSC cycle improves efficiency and reduces cost per launch, potentially strengthening India's private space-launch capabilities. Officials say testing programs are planned to validate performance across mission profiles, with industry partners eyeing collaboration on future commercial and strategic missions.

Thrust: 800 kN (80-tonne class) FFSC engine EVEREST
Propellants: liquid oxygen and methane
Developed by India’s private sector (Bengaluru)
Multi-use design for reusable launch vehicles
Upcoming testing and industry collaboration

Aug 09, 2026

IIT Guwahati develops 'E-Eye' portable device for rapid toxin detection

Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have developed 'E-Eye,' a portable optical sensing device for rapid detection of toxic substances. The technology can identify contaminants such as heavy metals and other toxicants in environmental, biological and food samples. Its point-of-care design enables quick testing without the need for conventional laboratory infrastructure, making it suitable for fieldwork in remote areas and on-site monitoring. The device uses a compact optical sensor and data-processing module to deliver results in minutes, potentially reducing sampling time and laboratory load. Developers hope E-Eye will strengthen real-time monitoring of water and food safety, enabling earlier interventions and improved public health decisions for communities.

E-Eye detects heavy metals and other toxins in multiple sample types
Portable, point-of-care design eliminates need for full lab setup
Produces results within minutes using a compact sensor and processor
Aims to improve real-time water and food safety monitoring

Aug 07, 2026

Anil Menon completes maiden ISS spacewalk

Anil Menon, Indian-origin NASA astronaut, completed his maiden spacewalk outside the International Space Station on 7 August 2026. The expedition, conducted in the U.S. segment of the ISS, lasted nearly six hours and involved maintenance and upgrades to the station's power channels and orbital infrastructure. Menon coordinated with mission control, assessed thermal protection and life-support systems, and assisted in docking hardware checks for future visiting spacecraft. The activity marked a notable milestone for Indian-origin astronauts in human spaceflight and showcased ongoing collaboration between NASA and international partners. Space agency officials highlighted safety protocols, meticulous planning, and real-time problem solving during the EVA.

Maiden spacewalk completed on 7 August 2026 outside the ISS.
Duration was approximately six hours.
Work focused on power channels and orbital infrastructure.
Menon coordinated with NASA mission control during EVA.
Highlights India’s growing role in human spaceflight and international cooperation.

Aug 06, 2026

China harvests first rice crop grown in space aboard Tiangong Space Station

China harvested the first rice crop grown in space aboard the Tiangong Space Station, marking a milestone in space agriculture. The experiment studied plant growth and food production in microgravity, with researchers monitoring germination, yield, and stress responses. The successful harvest signals progress in developing sustainable food systems for long‑duration space missions and supports future deep space exploration. Space agencies see space farming as part of long‑term life support architectures for astronauts. The achievement also contributes to international interest in crop science and closed‑loop bio‑regenerative systems. China's next steps include expanding experiments with staple crops and refining cultivation methods for future extra‑planetary colonies.

Event: first space-grown rice harvest on Tiangong Space Station.
Purpose: study plant growth in microgravity for space missions.
Implication: advances in space agriculture and life-support systems.
Future work: expand crops and cultivation methods for space use.

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