AMIGOS IAS Daily Current Affairs (23^rd August 2024)

Recent developments in Indian Space Missions

GS 3: Science and Technology: Space

About the news

• India’s space program has experienced significant advancements over the past year. Following the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 lander on the moon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared August 23 as India’s National Space Day.

Major Achievements and Milestones

• Spacecraft and Satellite Missions:
• Chandrayaan-3:
• Aditya-L1: Launched on January 6, 2024, to study solar radiation from the earth-Sun Lagrange point (L1).
• X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat): Launched on January 1, 2024, equipped with XSPECT and POLIX instruments for studying radiation polarization from celestial objects.
• INSAT-3DS: Launched on February 17, 2024, aboard a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for meteorological purposes. This mission was crucial for validating the GSLV’s capabilities before the upcoming NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, scheduled for early 2025.
• Gaganyaan TV-D1 mission: On October 21, 2023, ISRO’s Gaganyaan TV-D1 mission part of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, successfully demonstrated the Crew Escape System (CES) using a modified L-40 Vikas engine, demonstrating safe crew module separation and recovery by INS Shakthi after splashdown.
• Development and Testing:
• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV): Completed its third development flight on August 16, 2024, successfully placing EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat satellites into orbit. With two consecutive successful flights, the SSLV’s development is now complete.
• Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV-TD): Conducted landing experiments LEX-02 and LEX-03 on March 22 and June 7, 2024, at the Aeronautical Testing Range in Challakere, Karnataka. These tests simulated space landing conditions and were key in advancing ISRO’s reusable launch vehicle technology.
• Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV): Development underway with a project report submitted in February 2024 to support future space missions. This vehicle is designed to deliver heavier payloads and will feature a semi-cryogenic engine, a liquid engine, and a cryogenic engine.
• Meanwhile, ISRO is enhancing the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) rocket’s capabilities with a new semi-cryogenic engine, successfully testing its pre-burner ignition earlier this year.
• Upcoming and Future Goals:
• Gaganyaan Mission: Planned crewed flight expected in late 2024.
• Long-term Roadmap: ISRO’s 25-year plan includes a crewed lunar mission and an Indian space station by 2035.
• Commercial and Private Sector Developments:
• New Space India Ltd. (NSIL):
• Took over operational and commercial responsibilities from ISRO, including satellite data management.
• The company has secured a launch agreement with SpaceX for the GSAT-20/GSAT-N2 satellite, anticipated in August 2024.
• Additionally, NSIL has issued a request for qualification for LVM-3 production and established a dedicated launch service agreement with an Australian private space company for SSLV launches.
• Private Sector Successes: Agnikul Cosmos’s SoRTeD-01 launch on March 21, 2024, Sky root Aerospace’s advancements, and Dhruva Space’s and Bellatrix Aerospace’s PSLV-C58 experiments.
• Regulatory Updates and Policy Changes:
• IN-SPACe: on May 3, 2024, issued ‘Norms, Guidelines, and Procedures for Authorisation of Space Activities’ and granted the first satellite broadband license to Eutelsat One Web and the first ground station license to Dhruva Space.
• FDI Policy: Amended on February 21, 2024, allowing 100% FDI in space segments, with exceptions for satellite manufacturing (74%) and launch infrastructure (49%).

Additional Information:

National Space Day: August 23

• Inaugural Celebration: India celebrates its first National Space Day, marking the successful landing of the Vikram Lander from the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
• Government Recognition: August 23 is officially designated as National Space Day, highlighting India’s growing capabilities in space and the importance of space science for national development.
• Chandrayaan-3 Mission Overview:
• Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• The Vikram Lander achieved a soft landing on the Moon, making India the fourth country to land a rover and the first to do so in the southern polar region.
• Theme for National Space Day 2024: “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga” emphasizes the societal impact of space exploration and the benefits of space technology.
• Celebrations and Public Engagement:
• Held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• Events are streamed live on ISRO’s website and YouTube channel to inspire careers in in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
• Impact and Future Commitment: National Space Day celebrates India’s space achievements, promotes awareness, and underscores India’s commitment to advancing space science and fostering international collaboration.

IIA finds a novel way to explore the sun’s secrets by studying solar magnetic fields

GS 3: Science and Technology: Solar Magnetic fields

About the news

• Astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have developed a novel approach to uncovering the sun’s secrets by studying the magnetic fields in different layers of the solar atmosphere.
• Utilizing data from the Kodaikanal Tower Tunnel Telescope, they have gained new insights into how magnetic fields connect various atmospheric layers of the sun.

What is Solar Atmosphere?

• The solar atmosphere consists of interconnected layers, with magnetic fields playing a crucial role in transferring energy and mass between them. This process is essential for understanding phenomena such as coronal heating and solar wind.
• To probe these mechanisms, accurate measurements of magnetic fields at various heights in the solar atmosphere are critical.
• The IIA astronomers focused on an active sunspot region with complex features using simultaneous observations in the Hydrogen-alpha and Calcium II 8662 Å lines.
• Data from these spectral lines, particularly the Hydrogen-alpha line at 6562.8 Å, provided insights into the magnetic field’s structure at different atmospheric heights. The observations were conducted with the Tunnel Telescope at the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, operated by IIA.
• The telescope’s setup includes a primary mirror (M1) that tracks the Sun, a secondary mirror (M2) that directs sunlight downward, and a tertiary mirror (M3) that aligns the beam horizontally, allowing for detailed examination of solar magnetic fields.
• This study provides a more nuanced understanding of the Sun’s magnetic field, paving the way for future studies and observations to elucidate the complexities of solar magnetic phenomena further.

Additional Information:

Solar activity that affects space weather includes:

• Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs): These are massive expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.
• Solar Flares: Intense bursts of radiation resulting from the sudden release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots.
• Solar Wind: A continuous flow of protons and electrons, in a plasma state, that streams outward from the Sun.
• High-Speed Solar Wind: A more intense form of solar wind, originating from coronal holes on the Sun’s surface.

India, Poland formulate action plan, upgrade ties to strategic partnership

GS 2: International Relations: India-Poland

About the news

• India and Poland have elevated their bilateral relations to a “strategic partnership” and agreed on a five-year action plan, covering 2024 to 2028, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
• This action plan will guide collaboration across various fields, including political dialogue, security, trade, climate, energy, and technology.
• Key areas of focus in the plan include enhancing political and security cooperation, advancing trade and investment, and developing sectors such as food processing, urban infrastructure, and renewable energy.
• Modi highlighted opportunities for Polish companies in India’s mega food parks and urban development projects, and invited them to participate in India’s “Make in India” initiative.
• Additionally, a new youth exchange program, named the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, will bring 20 Polish youths to India annually.
• Both countries will also work on a social security agreement and collaborate on space exploration and commercial space ecosystems.

Additional Information:

India-Poland Diplomatic Relations

• Establishment: Diplomatic relations between India and Poland began in 1954, with India opening its embassy in Warsaw in 1957 and Polish Embassy in New Delhi in 1954.
• Shared Ideologies: Both countries opposed colonialism, imperialism, and racism, which initially shaped their bilateral relations.
• Historical Relations: The historical bond between the two countries includes the Maharaja of Jamnagar providing refuge to Polish women and children during World War II, and the joint Polish-Indian effort in 1944 to capture Monte Cassino, aiding the Allies’ advance to Rome.
• Communist Era: During Poland’s Communist period (1944-1989), the relationship was close and cordial, featuring regular high-level visits, planned trade, and economic interactions facilitated by state trading organizations and rupee clearing arrangements.
• Post-Communist Period: The relationship remained strong after Poland transitioned to democracy in 1989.
• 21st Century: In the current century, the relationship has continued to thrive, especially after Poland joined the European Union in 2004, establishing itself as a significant economic partner for India in Central Europe.
• Economic & Commercial Relations
• Trade: Poland is India’s largest trade partner in Central Europe, with bilateral trade witnessed an increase of 192% i.e. from US$1.95 billion in 2013 to US$5.72 billion in 2023.
• Investment: Indian investments in Poland exceed USD 3 billion, while Polish investments in India total around USD 685 million.
• Sectoral Collaboration: Significant partnerships exist in agriculture, IT, textiles, mining, and pharmaceuticals, highlighting strong economic ties and mutual opportunities.
• Cultural and Educational Relations:
• Indology and Celebrations: Poland has a long tradition of Indology, including early Sanskrit translations and commemorations of Indian figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
• Yoga Promotion: The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated in 21 Polish cities in 2015, with around 11,000 participants.
• Tourism and Travel: Poland’s scenic beauty and historical charm are attracting more Indian tourists, while Polish travellers are exploring India’s cultural landmarks, with the Polish Tourism Organization promoting travel packages to Rajasthan, Kerala, and Goa, thus enhancing tourism, cultural exchange, and economic growth.

NDMA to monitor 189 high-risk glacial lakes to prevent disasters

GS 1&3: Geography/Disaster Management: GLOFs

About the news

• In response to recent disasters caused by overflowing glacial lakes in the Himalayas, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has identified 189 “high-risk” glacial lakes for targeted mitigation efforts.
• The National Glacial Lake Outburst Floods Risk Mitigation Programme, approved on July 25, outlines several proposed actions, including forming teams to investigate these lakes, implementing lake-lowering measures to prevent overflow, and reducing potential damage to downstream areas.
• The urgency of these measures became evident after South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim overflowed last October, resulting in the death of at least 40 people and significant damage to the Chungthang dam.
• India has nearly 7,500 glacial lakes in the Himalayas, with around 902 monitored via satellite as reported in October 2023. However, comprehensive assessments require challenging site visits, which are feasible only from July to September.
• This week, the Arunachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority dispatched teams to six high-risk glacial lakes in Tawang and Dibang Valley for detailed studies. The programme also includes installing automated weather and water level monitoring stations and establishing early warning systems to enhance preparedness and response capabilities.
• To date, 15 expeditions have been carried out across various regions, including Sikkim, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Additional Information:

What are Glacial lakes?

• Glacial lakes are water bodies formed in depressions carved by glaciers, found in areas with past or present glaciation, and can vary widely in size and depth.
• ISRO classifies glacial lakes into four main categories based on their formation: moraine-dammed, ice-dammed, erosion-based, and others.
• Glacial lakes contain sediments such as organic muds, glacial clays, silty clays, and sands, varying according to their formation process and timing.
• However, they also pose significant risks, specifically of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
• GLOFs are sudden, massive floods caused by the abrupt release of water and sediment from lakes obstructed by natural barriers like moraines or glacier ice, characterized by their extreme volumes, discharges, and sediment transport rates.

Causes of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs):

• Dam Formation: Glacial lakes form in depressions created by glacier activity, like rocks, sediment, and ice. Rising global temperatures have accelerated glacier melting, increasing GLOF events.
• Triggering Events: GLOFs are triggered by falling ice or rocks, earthquakes, or heavy rainfall that weaken or break the natural dams.
• Global Temperatures: Increasing global temperatures weaken ice or sediment barriers, raising the likelihood of GLOFs.
• A 2021 study titled ‘Locked Houses, Fallow Lands: Climate Change and Migration in Uttarakhand, India’, predicts that the hill’s annual average maximum temperature may increase by 1.6-1.9 degrees Celsius by 2050.
• Infrastructure Development: Rapid infrastructure development in vulnerable areas has heightened the risk of GLOFs by increasing exposure to potential hazards.

Mitigation Measures by Government:

• The Indian government has launched a ₹150 crore National Glacial Lake Outburst Floods Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP) to manage risks from glacial lakes in the Himalayan region. The NGRMP action plan, to be reviewed in a high-level inter-departmental meeting, includes four key components:
• Component 1: Hazard and Risk Assessment – 15% of the budget will be allocated to creating and updating a glacial lake inventory, focusing on hazard, vulnerability, and risk assessment.
• Component 2: Monitoring and Early Warning System – 35% of the budget will fund remote sensing, advanced seismometers, water level sensors, cameras, and warning systems using smartphones and sirens to monitor and alert downstream areas.
• Component 3: Mitigation Measures – 40% of the budget will be dedicated to site-specific interventions, such as reinforcing moraine dams, siphoning lake waters, controlled blasting, and creating artificial drainage channels.
• Component 4: Awareness and Capacity Building – This component will focus on raising awareness, developing contingency plans, and promoting research and development on glacial recession and GLOFs.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):

• Established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, NDMA is India’s top statutory body responsible for disaster management.
• The Prime Minister serves as the Chairperson, and the authority includes nine other members, with one designated as Vice-Chairperson.
• While the primary responsibility for managing disasters lies with the State Government, the National Policy on Disaster Management creates a supportive framework for disaster management at the Centre, state, and district levels.

Portal for Online Monitoring of Projects – Thermal (PROMPT)

GS 3: Economy

Why is it in the news?

• Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal Khattar has launched the Portal for Online Monitoring of Projects – Thermal (PROMPT) in New Delhi.
• This new platform is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of thermal power project management by providing real-time tracking and analysis capabilities.

More about the news

• Shri Khattar emphasized the critical role of electricity in driving economic activities and underscored the importance of timely completion of power projects to meet increasing demand.
• The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has been actively overseeing the progress of power projects through site visits and stakeholder meetings.
• To advance this monitoring process, NTPC has collaborated to develop the PROMPT portal.

About the PROMPT Portal:

• This digital tool allows project managers and stakeholders to identify and address potential delays and issues promptly, ensuring more effective project management.
• The portal was developed with the assistance of NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation).
• Key features of PROMPT portal include:
• Real-Time Tracking and Analysis: The portal provides a centralized platform for monitoring all aspects of project execution, enabling swift identification and resolution of potential issues.
• Transparency and Accountability: By digitizing the monitoring process, the portal enhances transparency in project management, minimizes delays and cost overruns, and boosts overall project efficiency.
• Resource Optimization: The portal supports predictable resource availability, aiding in meeting the country’s electricity demand at a reasonable price, ultimately benefiting consumers.
• Thus, Ministry of Power remains committed to adopting innovative digital solutions that enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of India’s power sector, ensuring reliable and affordable electricity for all.

Additional Information:

About Central Electricity Authority:

• The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Power that advises the government on policy matters and formulates plans for the development of the electricity system.
• Established by the Electricity Supply Act of 1948 and now governed by the Electricity Act of 2003, the CEA plays a vital role in India’s power sector.
• The CEA is responsible for planning and managing electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.
• Its primary mandate is to advise the government on ensuring a reliable and efficient power supply throughout the country.

Mission Rhumi 2024

GS 3: Science and Technology: Space

Why is it in the news?

• India is set to launch its first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI 1, on August 24. Developed by Tamil Nadu-based Space Zone India, this rocket will be launched from Thiruvidandhai in Chennai using a mobile launcher.

More about the news

• RHUMI 1 will carry three Cube Satellites and 50 PICO Satellites to a suborbital trajectory. The launch, scheduled for 7 am, is a collaborative effort between Space Zone India and the Martin Group, emphasizing flexibility and reusability.
• The RHUMI series, including RHUMI-1, RHUMI-2, and RHUMI-3, is designed to reach altitudes from 1 km to 500 km.
• This mission marks the third collaboration between Space Zone India and the Martin Group, following previous student satellite initiatives in 2023 and 2021.
• These satellites will be collecting data for research purpose on Global warming and Climate change.
• RHUMI Rocket is equipped with a generic-fuel-based hybrid motor and electrically triggered parachute deployer, RHUMI is 100% pyrotechnic-free and 0% TNT.
• The 2023 mission involved over 2,500 students designing and building a satellite launch vehicle with 150 Pico satellites, while the 2021 challenge saw the successful launch of 100 FEMTO satellites developed by 1,200 students.
• Key features of RHUMI-1 include an adjustable launch angle from 0 to 120 degrees for precise trajectory control and an eco-friendly CO2-based descent mechanism for safe component recovery.
• The rocket’s applications extend to agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management.
• The Cube Satellites will monitor atmospheric conditions like cosmic and UV radiation and air quality, while the Pico Satellites will analyze factors such as vibration, accelerometer data, altitude, ozone levels, toxic content, and molecular bonding.
• Moreover, the hybrid propulsion system combines solid fuel with liquid oxidizer for environmental safety.

JNCASR and Hindustan Zinc Collaborate to Advance Zn-Ion Battery Technology

GS 3: Science and Technology: Zinc-ion Batteries

About the news

• On August 21, 2024, the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance and commercialize zinc-ion battery technologies.
• This partnership aims to develop new zinc materials that could enable low-cost, large-scale energy storage solutions.
• Zinc-ion batteries are seen as a promising alternative to expensive lithium-ion batteries due to their lower cost and the abundance of zinc. Recent advancements have improved their performance and stability, but challenges remain, such as zinc’s instability in water-based solutions.
• The collaboration will address these issues by innovating zinc alloys and electrolytes to improve battery performance and safety.
• This initiative supports the Sustainable Development Goals of affordable, clean energy (SDG7) and climate action (SDG13), contributing to global energy transition and climate change mitigation.

Chandrayaan 3: the first findings

GS 3: Science and Technology: Space

Why is it in the news?

• Almost a year after Chandrayaan 3’s landing on the Moon, scientists from India have released new findings from one of the rover module’s scientific instruments.
• These findings, published in the journal Nature, support the hypothesis that the Moon’s surface was once covered by a magma ocean shortly after its formation.
• The data, collected by the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), provide the first analysis of the topsoil in the Moon’s southern latitudes and offer new insights into the elemental composition of the lunar surface, helping to advance our understanding of the Moon’s evolution.

More about the news

• The APXS has revealed three significant findings: the terrain around the landing site is relatively uniform; the Moon’s crust appears to have formed layer by layer, supporting the lunar magma ocean (LMO) hypothesis; and the topsoil near the lunar south pole contains an unexpected concentration of minerals associated with the lower crust.
• This evidence supports the idea that the upper crust formed from lighter minerals that floated to the surface, while heavier minerals sank to the lower crust as the magma ocean cooled.
• Additionally, the APXS data suggest some mixing of the lunar crust’s lower levels, potentially caused by the impact that formed the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin, the Moon’s largest and oldest basin.
• The SPA basin, created 4.2-4.3 billion years ago, may have excavated magnesium-rich material from deeper layers, which was then distributed to the surface. The Chandrayaan 3 landing site is located near the basin’s rim, providing crucial context for these findings.
• These results are particularly noteworthy because Chandrayaan 3’s landing site near the Moon’s south pole marks the first time in lunar exploration that such in situ measurements have been conducted at the poles.
• This is a significant departure from previous missions, which focused on equatorial and mid-latitude regions. The uniformity of the lunar topsoil, as observed from 23 different locations within a 50-meter radius of the landing site, contrasts with Earth’s varied surface due to tectonic activity.
• The findings from this mission are expected to play a key role in understanding the Moon’s origin and evolution. The uniform surface of the landing site also provides a valuable calibration point for remote sensing operations and will aid in planning future missions.
• Moreover, future missions could explore source-crater pairing of lunar meteorites, which are ejected from the Moon’s surface and eventually land on Earth.

How does APXS work

Additional Information:

About Chandrayaan-3 Programme:

• The Chandrayaan-3 mission, India’s third lunar mission and its second attempt at a soft moon landing, was launched using the LVM3 rocket system.
• It is a three-stage launch vehicle with two solid strap stages and one core liquid stage.
• Objectives include:
• To showcase a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface.
• To demonstrate the Rover’s ability to navigate and explore the Moon.
• To perform in-situ scientific experiments on the lunar surface.
• Components: Chandrayaan-3 comprises three components: a Propulsion Module, a Lander Module, and a Rover Module.
• The Propulsion Module will deliver the lander and rover to a 100 km lunar orbit and carries the Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload to study Earth’s spectral and polarimetric data from the moon.
• The Lander Module (Vikram) carries scientific instruments to study the lunar surface and atmosphere, including RAMBHA for measuring plasma density fluctuations, ChaSTE for assessing thermal properties of the Moon’s polar regions, ILSA for detecting seismic activity and revealing the crust-mantle configuration, and LRA for studying lunar system dynamics through laser ranging.
• The Rover Module (Pragyan) features the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) to analyze soil and rock composition and the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to study elemental composition for lunar geology insights.