2024

Context ∙ Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) succeed the incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lamps of previous centuries as the world’s light-source of choice. Light-emitting diodes (LED) ∙ A diode is an electronic component which has two points of contact, or terminals, called anode and cathode. A diode’s primary purpose is to allow current to flow in only […]

Context ∙ The Odysseus lunar lander, has become the first US-made spacecraft to touch down on the moon in 50 years. About ∙ Spacecraft Odysseus built and flown by Texas-based company Intuitive Machines landed near the south pole of the moon. ∙ It is also the first commercial spacecraft to make a touchdown on the

Context ∙ Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have developed a synthetic human antibody that can neutralize a potent neurotoxin produced by the Elapidae family of snakes. About ∙ Snake Bites cause thousands of deaths every year, especially in India and sub-Saharan Africa.  ∙ The Elapidae family of snakes are highly

Context: ∙ Recently, ISRO informed that the Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) payload onboard the Aditya-L1 has been operational and performing nominally.  About the Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya-L1 (PAPA) ∙ It is one of seven scientific payloads aboard the 1,480-kg Aditya-L1 (India’s first mission to study the Sun), the solar probe of the

Context:  ∙ In a first, an international team of physicists from the Anti-hydrogen Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy (AEgIS) collaboration has achieved a breakthrough by demonstrating the laser cooling of Positronium. About ∙ Physicists representing the Antihydrogen Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy (AEgIS) collaboration announced this scientific achievement. ∙ AEgIS is a collaboration of physicists from 19

Recently, ISRO has successfully completed the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine, which represents a major boost to India’s attempt to launch humans into space under the Gaganyaan mission. About the Gaganyaan Mission: ∙ India’s first human spaceflight program, aims to send astronauts into a low earth orbit. ∙ A critical aspect of this

Context ∙ Recently, the Union Government approved 100% FDI in the Space sector. India and Space Sector ∙ The Indian Space Economy is estimated at around $8.4 billion (around 2-3% of global space economy). ∙ India has privatised space launches and is targeting a five-fold increase in its share of the global launch market. ∙

Context ∙ India is planning to invite private companies to invest approximately $26 billion in its nuclear energy sector. About ∙ The government plans to build 11,000 megawatts (MW) of new nuclear power generation capacity by 2040. ∙ Under the funding plan, the private companies will make the investments in the nuclear plants, acquire land,

Context  ∙ A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket recently lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, carrying the private “Odysseus” moon lander.  About ∙ If Odysseus completes its journey and soft lands on the Moon, it will make it the first privately-led mission to do so.  ∙ Israel’s Beresheet attempted in 2019, Japan’s