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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - August 2024

Aug 2024

May 05, 2026

Astronomers identify 27 candidate circumbinary planets orbiting two stars

Astronomers have identified 27 candidate circumbinary planets that may orbit two stars, a configuration often called ‘Tatooine‑like’ planets. The first confirmed circumbinary planet, Kepler‑16b, was announced in 2011. Binary star systems are common in the Milky Way, and circumbinary planets form far from their host stars. Detecting such planets uses methods including the transit method, radial velocity, direct imaging, and gravitational microlensing. Circumbinary planets add to our understanding of planetary systems beyond the solar system and help scientists study planet formation in complex stellar environments.

27 candidate circumbinary planets identified.
Kepler‑16b was the first confirmed circumbinary planet in 2011.
Circumbinary planets orbit two stars; binary systems are common.
Detection methods include transit, radial velocity, imaging, microlensing.
Expands knowledge of planet formation around two stars.

Paranal solar ESPRESSO Telescope achieves first light

The Paranal solar ESPRESSO Telescope (PoET) achieved first light at the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert. PoET, a daytime solar observatory, uses a 60-centimetre main mirror and a smaller telescope to capture light from the full solar disc. It operates with ESO’s ESPRESSO high-resolution spectrograph and is managed remotely from the Centre for Astrophysics of the University of Porto, Portugal. PoET’s observations aim to study solar variations that could mask exoplanets, contributing to solar physics and exoplanet research. The project demonstrates international collaboration in daytime astronomy and precision spectroscopy.

PoET achieved first light at Paranal Observatory (Atacama Desert, Chile)
60 cm main mirror plus a secondary telescope for full-disc solar observations
Uses ESO’s ESPRESSO high-resolution spectrograph
Remote operation from University of Porto, Portugal
Aids study of how solar variations affect exoplanet detection

May 04, 2026

South Korea launches CAS500-2 Earth‑observation satellite

South Korea launched its domestically developed Compact Advanced Satellite 500-2 (CAS500-2) on 3 May 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The launch occurred at 3:59 p.m. Korea time, aligning with midnight local time in California. The mission, overseen by the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), followed a nearly four‑year delay after plans to use a Russian Soyuz rocket were altered by the Russia‑Ukraine conflict. CAS500-2 separated into a 498‑kilometre sun‑synchronous orbit about an hour after launch and first contacted a ground station in Svalbard, Norway. The satellite is built by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and leads private‑sector involvement in Korean space activity.

Launch date/time: 3 May 2026 at 3:59 p.m. Korea time.
Orbit: 498 km, sun‑synchronous.
Built by Korea Aerospace Industries (private sector leadership).
Launch site: Vandenberg AFB, California; vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9.
Must-know last 48 hours: India‑related space developments also reported on 3 May 2026.

GalaxEye launches Mission Drishti, world’s first OptoSAR satellite

GalaxEye, a Bengaluru‑based space‑tech startup founded by IIT Madras alumni, launched Mission Drishti on 3 May 2026 from SpaceX Falcon 9 at Vandenberg, California, at 12:30 IST. The 190‑kilogram satellite is described as the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, combining Electro‑Optical (EO) sensors with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for all‑weather, day‑and‑night imaging. Mission Drishti is India’s largest privately developed Earth‑observation satellite and aims to support data collection across land, water, atmosphere, and built environments. Development involved GalaxEye’s collaboration with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) for global imagery distribution.

Mission Drishti launched on 3 May 2026 from Vandenberg, weighing 190 kg.
First OptoSAR satellite; combines EO and SAR for all‑weather imaging.
Private Indian space initiative; world's first in its class for India.
NSIL partners for global distribution of imagery.
Must-know last 48 hours: Drishti launch marks a milestone for private space sector in India.

May 03, 2026

Visakhapatnam to host India’s AI ambitions with Google Cloud hub

Visakhapatnam will host a major Google Cloud-powered AI hub as part of India’s push into advanced technology. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a project with an estimated investment of $15 billion, featuring a 1 gigawatt hyperscale AI data centre. The Andhra Pradesh government will allocate nearly 600 acres across Turluvada, Rambilli, and Adavivaram for the facility, which is being developed with Google Cloud, Adani ConneX, and Airtel Nxtra. The project underscores India’s rapid progress in electronics manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and space technology, while reinforcing the Semiconductor Mission’s role in building a robust domestic tech ecosystem.

Google Cloud AI Hub announced for Visakhapatnam; $15 billion investment.
1 GW hyperscale AI data centre planned; 600 acres allocated.
Partnerships with Google Cloud, Adani ConneX, Airtel Nxtra.
Supports India’s AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, and space tech goals.

May 02, 2026

Karnataka Launches Space Tech Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru

Karnataka launched the CoE SpaceTech Foundation, the state’s first Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru. Established by the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) in collaboration with the Satcom Industry Association of India (SIA‑India), the initiative seeks to accelerate space tech research, industry training, and startup incubation. It aims to build a space‑tech ecosystem connecting government, industry, and academia, with applications across agriculture, climate monitoring, disaster management, and healthcare. Partnerships with leading institutions are planned to amplify research output, knowledge exchange, and private sector collaboration to advance India’s space sector.

Karnataka launches CoE SpaceTech Foundation in Bengaluru.
Joint effort by KITS and SIA‑India; state-led initiative.

May 01, 2026

NISAR detects rapid subsidence in Mexico City from space

The NISAR mission, a joint NASA‑ISRO Earth observation project launched in July 2025, has detected rapid land subsidence in Mexico City. Data show sinking rates exceeding 2 centimetres per month in some districts, driven mainly by groundwater extraction. NISAR carries a dual‑frequency radar system and one of the largest antennas in space, enabling high‑resolution mapping under cloud cover. The observations help explain infrastructure and housing risks on an ancient lakebed and guide water‑management planning. The findings underscore the value of space surveillance for megacities and long‑term urban resilience.

NISAR launched July 2025
Subsidence in Mexico City >2 cm/month
Cause: groundwater extraction on ancient lakebed
Dual‑frequency SAR; large space antenna
Implications for infrastructure and water management
Demonstrates space‑based monitoring utility

HF radar to boost Karaikal coastal monitoring

India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology will enhance coastal surveillance in Karaikal, Puducherry, by installing a high‑frequency radar system. Two shortlisted sites are Kilinjalmedu and Akkempettai. The HF radar will monitor surface currents, waves, wind pressure, and temperature gradients up to 200 kilometres offshore and detect weather events within 80–100 kilometres. It will integrate with an existing radar in Cuddalore, improving data resolution for scientific and operational use. The project expands India’s coastal observation network and supports early warning systems for cyclones and other extreme events.

HF radar installation planned for Karaikal
Sites: Kilinjalmedu, Akkempettai
Measures currents, waves, wind, temperature up to 200 km
Detection radius 80–100 km for weather events
Integration with Cuddalore radar
Enhances coastal monitoring and early warnings

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