NASA to Launch India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to Space Station
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to make history as the first Indian in space in 40 years.
Shukla was named the 'prime' astronaut for the groundbreaking ISRO-NASA mission 'Axiom Mission-4.
To date, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma remains the sole Indian to have ventured into space, accomplishing this feat during an Indo-Soviet mission in 1984.
ISRO said that Shukla along with Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nairwere was selected for the Axiom-4 mission, a collaboration between India and the United States.
While Shukla is the primary astronaut, Nair serves as the backup, ready to step in if necessary. The mission underscores India's growing capabilities in space exploration, building on the legacy of Rakesh Sharma, the only Indian to have been in space till now.
Shukla and Nair are among four Indian Air Force officers shortlisted for India's first manned space mission, Gaganyaan, tentatively set for next year.
Aug 02, 2024
Earth's Endangered Species Might Be Sent to the Moon in 'Noah's Ark' To Avoid Extinction
In an effort to save endangered species from possible catastrophic occurrences on Earth, scientists announced an ambitious plan to store their DNA on the moon. In the unlikely event that these species go extinct on Earth, the imagined lunar "Noah's Ark" would serve as a backup for their preservation.
The idea is to build a biorepository-a dedicated space on the moon-to house frozen biological materials. Live tissue samples from a variety of animal species would be stored in this facility, acting as a backup in the event that these species became extinct.
The north or south poles of the moon, where craters cast a constant shadow and the temperature stays extremely freezing at about -200 degree Celsius, would be the perfect place for this biorepository.
Aug 01, 2024
Thales, Garuda Join Hands to Build Secure Drone Operations in India
Aerospace industry leaders Thales and Garuda Aerospace announced a collaboration to promote the development of the drone ecosystem in India.
As part of the agreement, Thales will provide expertise in the field of unmanned traffic management (UTM) solutions, UAV detection and system integration, while Garuda will bring its skills in the manufacture and use of UAVs, as well as its expertise in the Indian market.
Established in 2015, Garuda Aerospace has a vast fleet of over 2,500 drones and 4,000 pilots across 400 districts.
This collaboration aims to foster innovation and advance the development of technological solutions that can enable safe and secure drone operations and help the growth of drone-based applications in the country.
SEBI Launches AI Chatbot 'SEVA' for Investors
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced 'SEVA,' an AI-powered chatbot designed to assist investors with a range of functions. This initiative aims to enhance investor experience and accessibility to crucial market information.
SEVA provides investors with essential details about the securities market, including the latest master circulars.
The chatbot offers guidance on the grievance redressal process, helping users navigate their concerns and complaints.
SEVA includes speech-to-text and text-to-speech functionalities, catering to users with varying accessibility needs. Additionally, it supports follow-up questions to refine responses and improve user engagement.