ISRO Launched Sounding Rocket RH 560 on 12th March:
On March 12, 2021, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched RH-560, a sounding rocket. The rocket will be launched to investigate "vertical shifts" in neutral wind and plasma dynamics.
Highlights:
♦ The Satish Dhawan Space Center`s Sriharikota Range (SHAR) launched the RH-560 rocket (SDSC). The sounding rocket is a one-stage or two-stage solid propellant rocket, according to ISRO. These rockets are used to perform space research and probe the upper atmosphere. ISRO started launching locally built sounding rockets in 1965.
♦ ISRO recently announced that on March 28, 2021, it will launch an Earth observation satellite that will provide near real-time border pictures. Natural disasters would be able to be monitored more quickly as a result of this.
♦ The GISAT-1 satellite will be launched by the Sriharikota spaceport`s "GSLV-F10 rocket." The spacecraft will be launched into a geosynchronous orbit by the rocket, and then into a geostationary orbit by an airborne propulsion system. The orbit is about 36,000 kilometres above the equator of the earth.
Amazonia-1:
♦ The space agency and the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C51) launched the primary satellite of Brazil, Amazonia-1, as well as 18 passenger spacecraft, from the Sriharikota Spaceport in February 2021. During the covid-19 pandemic in 2021, this is ISRO`s first satellite. This is also New Space India Limited`s first commercial mission (NSIL), which was carried out with the help of Spaceflight Inc. of the United States of America (USA).
Linking Of OTPRMS Certificates With Digilocker:
The OTPRMS certificate will be connected to DigiLocker, and registration fees will be waived entirely, according to the Union Education Minister.
Highlights:
♦ To ensure worry-free access, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has agreed to connect the Online Teacher Pupil Registration Management System (OTPRMS) Certificate with DigiLocker.
♦ The provided certificate will be moved to DigiLocker, which can be found on the National Council for Teacher Education`s website.
♦ The registration fee of Rs. 200/- for obtaining an NCTE-issued OTPRMS certificate has been waived.
♦ All stakeholders in India will be able to receive digital authorization as a result, simplifying industry.
###Largest Floating Solar Farms Being Built In Singapore:
Singapore is constructing the world`s biggest floating solar farm. The country has resorted to constructing energy plants near entire reservoirs and along the coast.
Highlights:
♦ Given that this floating solar farm is one of the world`s smallest countries, it is also one of India`s largest per capita carbon dioxide emitters, so it is currently being built. As a result, it is constructing floating solar farms in order to respond to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sembcorp Industries was in charge of the construction.
♦ Singapore faces a renewable energy problem because it lacks rivers for hydroelectric power generation.
♦ The turbine cannot be powered solely by wind. As a result, the authorities attempted to reform this idea by establishing floating solar farms. As a result, this tropical nation switched to solar power.
♦ The country has planned to develop energy plants along its coast and reservoirs because its land area is limited, about half the size of Los Angeles.
♦ Growing sea levels are a threat to the island nation as a result of climate change. As a result, the nation acknowledges the importance of reducing pollution.
♦ As a result, the Singapore government has announced a number of "green plans," including efforts to increase charging stations to promote the use of electric cars, minimise waste sent to landfills, and plant more trees.
♦ In addition, by 2025, the country intends to quadruple its use of solar energy to 2% of total electricity demand, with a goal of reaching 3% by 2030.
###Aligning A Missile Deal With Destination Manila:
An "implementation agreement" for the "arrangement for procurement of defence materials and equipment" was signed by India and the Philippines. The agreement provides the groundwork for government-to-government sales of defence systems. The Philippines is looking to buy Indian BrahMos cruise missiles.
About BrahMos:
♦ BrahMos cruise missiles are developed by BrahMos Aerospace Limited, an Indian-Russian joint venture.
♦ This is the world`s first operational supersonic cruise missile.
♦ BrahMos cruise missiles have a range of at least 290 kilometres and can fly at Mach 2.8 (nearly three times the speed of sound) (the new version can reach 400 kilometers).
♦ Because of its high altitude, air defence systems using surface-to-air missiles would have a hard time intercepting BrahMos, while modern fighter jets will be easier to attack and even neutralise.
♦ In the next version, attempts are being made to improve the missile`s speed and range. The objective is to achieve supersonic speed (at or above Mach 5) and a range of 1,500 kilometres.
Scientists Have Discovered Artificial Photosynthesis:
Artificial Photosynthesis (AP) provides carbon capture and conversion options.
Highlights:
♦ Scientists have found a way to capture excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by mimicking nature`s own process of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, i.e. photosynthesis.
♦ Artificial Photosynthesis (AP) captures carbon dioxide and converts it to carbon monoxide, which can be used as a fuel in internal combustion engines.
♦ In Artificial Photosynthesis, scientists use a simpler nanostructure to mimic the fundamental process of natural photosynthesis. However, there are numerous challenges to overcome in order to successfully implement Artificial Photosynthesis.
♦ An integrated catalytic system based on a metal organic framework (MOF-808), which includes a photosensitizer, was designed and manufactured by a team of scientists from JNCASR (a molecule that absorbs light and transfers electrons from incident light to another molecule nearby). The molecule can reduce carbon dioxide by utilising solar energy and catalytic centres.
♦ The established catalyst has a high selectivity for CO2 to CO reduction when exposed to visible light, exceeding 99 percent.
♦ The catalyst oxidizes water to produce oxygen (O2).
♦ When analysing the photocatalytic module`s CO2 reduction amount in an aqueous medium without any additives, it demonstrates excellent CO generation performance.
♦ The integrated catalytic module can be reused for several catalytic cycles without losing its activity because it is heterogeneous.