ISRO to Launch ESA’s Proba-3 Mission

GS 3: Science and Technology: Space science

Why is it in the news?

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission from Sriharikota on December 4 using its PSLV rocket. This mission will study the Sun’s corona, the outermost and hottest part of the Sun’s atmosphere.
• Proba-3 will showcase the first-ever “precision formation flying,” where two satellites will fly together in a fixed configuration. It is the latest in ESA’s Proba series, following Proba-1 (2001) and Proba-2 (2009), both of which were also developed with contributions from scientists across Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Switzerland.

Key Features of Proba-3

• Proba-3, developed at a cost of 200 million euros, has a mission life of two years. It will be launched into a highly elliptical orbit (600 x 60,530 km) with an orbital period of 19.7 hours.
• The mission includes two satellites that will launch together, separate in space, and fly in tandem. These satellites will form a solar coronagraph, an instrument designed to block the Sun’s bright light, enabling detailed observation of its surroundings and atmosphere.

Scientific Goals of Proba-3

• The Sun’s corona, with temperatures reaching up to 2 million degrees Fahrenheit, is challenging to study due to its intense heat and brightness.
• Understanding the corona is critical because it is the origin of solar phenomena like storms and winds, which affect space weather and can disrupt satellite communications, navigation systems, and power grids on Earth.

To achieve its objectives, Proba-3 carries three scientific instruments:

• ASPIICS (Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun): A coronagraph that studies the Sun’s outer and inner corona, typically visible during solar eclipses. Its 1.4-meter occulting disk blocks sunlight to focus on the corona.
• DARA (Digital Absolute Radiometer): An instrument that continuously measures the Sun’s total energy output or solar irradiance.
• 3DEES (3D Energetic Electron Spectrometer): A device that measures electron fluxes in Earth’s radiation belts to provide space weather data.

Unique Characteristics of Proba-3

• The mission features two satellites — the 200 kg Occulter Spacecraft and the 340 kg Coronagraph Spacecraft — that will simulate a solar eclipse in space. One satellite will cast a shadow on the other, enabling continuous observation of the corona.
• Unlike natural eclipses, which last about 10 minutes and occur 1.5 times a year on average, Proba-3 will provide six hours of observation, equivalent to 50 such events annually.
• The satellites will maintain a precise alignment, with the Occulter casting a shadow on the Coronagraph from 150 meters away. This autonomous formation will allow scientists to block the Sun’s blinding light and study lesser-known features of the corona.

Benefits for India

• Proba-3, a technology demonstration mission, showcases ESA’s confidence in ISRO’s reliable and cost-effective space launch capabilities.
• It also offers significant opportunities for India. Indian solar physicists, some of whom contributed to the mission’s scientific objectives, are likely to gain exclusive access to its data.
• India plans to host a meeting with the ESA Proba-3 team post-launch to explore collaborative research using data from both Proba-3 and India’s Aditya L1 mission (launched in 2023).
• Such collaborations could help Indian scientists make significant advancements in solar research and further strengthen India’s position in space science.

Chinese Balloon Spotted Over Taiwan

GS 3: Science and Technology: High-Altitude Balloons

Why is it in the news?

• Taiwan reported spotting a Chinese high-altitude balloon, 111 km north of Keelung port, within its air defense identification zone.
• The incident is the first of its kind since April and comes amid increasing pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory rather than recognizing it as an independent nation.

High-Altitude Balloons and Their Uses

• Balloons have been utilized for over 200 years, initially for scientific purposes but now also for tourism, surveillance, and disaster relief. Modern high-altitude balloons can reach 40–50 km above ground, carrying payloads of several thousand kilograms.
• Made of thin polyethylene sheets and filled with helium, these balloons can stay airborne for a few hours to several months. Advanced materials are used for durability in long-duration flights.
• Balloons typically carry a gondola, which holds instruments or passengers. In unmanned flights, the gondola is attached to a parachute for a safe descent after use.
• When the mission is complete, a device in the gondola triggers the balloon’s rupture, allowing both the gondola and balloon to descend predictably.

Scientific Applications

• Balloons are extensively used in scientific research, particularly in weather studies to measure air temperature, pressure, wind, and aerosols. Before satellites, balloons provided similar observational capabilities. They remain relevant due to their cost-effectiveness, ability to target specific areas, and recoverable instruments.
• High-altitude balloons offer clear observation zones, far above aircraft flight paths but below satellite orbits, making them useful for astrophysics and space research.
• NASA operates a dedicated balloon program with 4–5 annual launches, and universities worldwide conduct balloon-based experiments, two of which have earned Nobel Prizes for Physics (1936 and 2006).

Surveillance Potential

• Though satellites, drones, and spy planes dominate espionage, balloons have advantages for surveillance. They can hover over areas for extended periods, carry heavy payloads of spying instruments, and often evade detection due to their slow movements being mistaken for birds on radar.
• Recent incidents have prompted the U.S. to recalibrate radars to identify slow-moving objects more accurately.
• Balloons generally lack advanced navigation systems, relying on wind currents, but innovations like solar panels may enable onboard propulsion. Such advancements raise concerns about their strategic use for espionage.

Ballooning in India

• India has been using scientific balloons since 1948, when Homi Bhabha launched one for cosmic ray research.
• The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) began balloon fabrication in the 1950s, followed by the establishment of the TIFR Balloon Facility in Hyderabad in 1969, India’s largest balloon facility today.
• Over 500 balloon flights have been launched from this facility, supporting ISRO and weather research institutions like the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune.
• Other institutions, including the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bengaluru and Osmania University in Hyderabad, as well as private educational bodies, also operate balloon programs.

MACE Telescope: A Leap in Cosmic Gamma Ray Studies

GS 3: Science and Technology: Understanding Gamma Rays

Why is it in the news?

• The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) telescope, inaugurated on October 4 in Hanle, Ladakh, is a state-of-the-art gamma-ray observatory. Located 4.3 km above sea level, it is the highest imaging Cherenkov telescope globally.
• With a 21-meter-wide dish, the largest in Asia and second-largest in the world, MACE aims to study cosmic gamma rays with energies exceeding 20 billion eV.
• This groundbreaking facility was developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Electronics Corporation of India Ltd., and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.

Understanding Gamma Rays and Cherenkov Radiation

• Gamma rays, the highest-energy form of light, have wavelengths far shorter than visible light and can cause significant harm to living cells. They are produced by high-energy cosmic phenomena such as pulsars, supernovae, and black holes.
• While gamma rays are blocked by Earth’s atmosphere, ground-based telescopes can detect them indirectly by capturing Cherenkov radiation.
• This faint blue light is emitted when high-energy gamma rays interact with atmospheric molecules, producing a shower of particles that travel faster than light in air. The MACE telescope uses Cherenkov radiation to study these cosmic gamma rays.

MACE’s Design and Technology

• MACE is an imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope (IACT), which collects Cherenkov radiation using a large light collector made of 356 honeycomb-structured mirror panels. This design provides a stable and efficient reflective surface.
• Each mirror segment focuses Cherenkov radiation into a high-resolution camera consisting of 1,088 photomultiplier tubes that amplify the faint signals. These tubes, along with other electronic components, allow real-time data analysis.
• The telescope’s 180-tonne weight is mounted on a movable base that enables both vertical and horizontal adjustments, allowing MACE to observe any part of the sky.

Key Objectives: Studying High-Energy Gamma Rays and Dark Matter

• MACE’s primary objective is to study gamma rays with energies above 20 billion eV, focusing on astrophysical objects such as black holes, pulsars, and gamma-ray bursts.
• Additionally, one of MACE’s crucial goals is to explore dark matter. Dark matter makes up over 85% of the universe’s mass, yet its composition remains unknown.
• One hypothesis suggests dark matter is made up of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), which could emit high-energy gamma rays when they collide and annihilate. MACE will help identify these gamma rays, offering insights into dark matter and testing the WIMP hypothesis.

India’s Contribution to Gamma-Ray Astronomy

• India has been involved in gamma-ray astronomy for over five decades, and the MACE telescope marks a significant step forward in this field. The telescope’s advanced capabilities will contribute to answering fundamental questions in high-energy astrophysics and particle physics.
• Many of MACE’s subsystems were designed and constructed in India, showcasing the country’s growing expertise in space research and technology.

MACE’s Role in Future Astrophysical Research

• With its cutting-edge technology, MACE is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of the universe. By detecting high-energy gamma rays, it will shed light on phenomena such as the nature of dark matter, black holes, and other high-energy cosmic events.
• MACE’s research could potentially verify the existence of WIMPs or challenge current dark matter models, making it an essential tool for future breakthroughs in both astrophysics and particle physics.

The Portuguese Conquered Goa Over 500 Years Ago: The Key moments of the Story

GS 1: Culture and History: European Colonial Power in India

Why is it in the news?

• On November 25, the Portuguese conquered Goa, becoming the first Europeans to establish territory in India. They would retain control over Goa for the next 400 years, remaining the last European colonial power to leave India in 1961.

Why Did the Portuguese Come to Goa?

• Portugal’s first direct contact with India occurred in May 1498 when explorer Vasco da Gama reached Calicut, now Kozhikode, in Kerala. Da Gama’s journey was a long and difficult one; he sailed from Portugal, rounded Africa via the Cape of Good Hope, and eventually arrived on the Malabar coast.
• This historic voyage, alongside the discovery of the lucrative trade route, fuelled Portugal’s determination to establish military posts across the Indian Ocean. The pursuit of wealth, combined with rivalry against Muslim powers controlling the region’s trade routes, drove their ambitions in the East.
• Six years after Da Gama’s arrival, the Portuguese State of India was established, with Francisco de Almeida as the first viceroy stationed in Fort Manuel, present-day Kochi. Portugal also acquired the island of Bom Bahia (now Bombay, or Mumbai), which they held until it was ceded to England in 1661 as part of a marriage dowry to Charles II.

How Did Alfonso de Albuquerque Conquer Goa?

• Alfonso de Albuquerque, succeeding Almeida as the Portuguese viceroy, was initially tasked by King Manuel to conquer the ports of Hormuz, Aden, and Malacca. However, Albuquerque soon realized the strategic importance of Goa, which was under the Sultan of Bijapur, as a permanent base for controlling vital maritime trade routes in the East.
• His decision to attack Goa also came with the advice of Timoji (or Timmayya), whose motivations and identity are subjects of debate. What is clear, however, is that Timmayya and his forces joined Albuquerque in his campaign.
• Albuquerque’s first attempt to conquer Goa, in February-March 1510, seemed promising due to the unpopularity of the Sultan’s rule among Goa’s Hindu population, who supported the Portuguese. However, the Sultan’s forces soon pushed Albuquerque out.
• After enduring a harsh monsoon while stranded at the Mandovi River, Albuquerque and his forces, bolstered by reinforcements from Portugal, launched a renewed attack in November and successfully retook the city.

Who Was Timmayya?

• Timmayya (or Timoji) is often described in historical accounts as a Malabari pirate, though some sources argue that he was of aristocratic descent. According to BS Shastri’s article in the Proceedings of the Indian History Congress (1978), Timmayya was a man of high status, the admiral of the Vijayanagara fleet, and married to a princess from Gersoppa, in present-day Karnataka.
• The Portuguese regarded him as a corsair due to his attacks on merchant ships sailing to Goa and other enemy ports, actions that were sanctioned by the Vijayanagara Empire.
• While some historians suggest that Albuquerque’s decision to conquer Goa was primarily due to Timmayya’s advice, others believe the Portuguese commander had already been planning the attack, with Timmayya’s input helping to determine the timing.
• Timmayya’s motivations for supporting the Portuguese stemmed from the Vijayanagara Empire’s interest in Goa, which it had lost to the Bahmanis in 1472. Timmayya was under imperial orders to weaken Goa by disrupting its commerce.
• Additionally, it is believed that Hindus in Goa had reached out to Timmayya to help free the region from Muslim rule. Realizing he could not accomplish this alone, Timmayya sought the Portuguese’s assistance. However, after the conquest, Timmayya’s hopes of controlling Goa were dashed.
• Albuquerque appointed him to a minor position and focused on settling Goa by encouraging Portuguese men to marry local women and establish lives there.

The 75th Anniversary of India’s Constitution: A Call for Reflection

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Constitution Day

Why is it in the news?

• This month (November 2024) marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. The Union government has announced plans to commemorate this milestone with a special joint sitting of Parliament.
• Amid various political speeches, one speech continues to stand out— B.R. Ambedkar’s address on November 25, 1949, where he pointed out that the success of the Constitution hinges on the people and political parties tasked with implementing it.
• Ambedkar acknowledged that even the best Constitution could turn bad if misapplied, while a bad Constitution could turn out well if it was applied by a good lot. This observation holds true today as we reflect on the Constitution’s legacy.

An Analysis

Ambedkar’s Warning on Equality and Fraternity

• Ambedkar’s speech also highlighted two critical lacunae in Indian society—equality and fraternity. He noted that India was entering a life of contradictions, where politics would advocate equality, but social and economic life would perpetuate inequality.
• He recognized that while political equality, through the principle of one man, one vote, would be established, social and economic equality was a distant goal. Ambedkar argued that true democracy required not only political equality but also social and economic equity, which had to be paired with fraternity.
• He emphasized that fraternity, the sense of brotherhood among all Indians, was indispensable for ensuring that liberty and equality could thrive. Without fraternity, liberty would lead to the dominance of a few, and equality would be undermined.

The State of Equality and Fraternity After 75 Years

• Seventy-five years later, progress on equality can be observed, particularly with the abolition of untouchability and the introduction of affirmative action policies, such as reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• However, the task of achieving social and economic equality remains incomplete. The demand for a caste census and further affirmative action indicates that despite advances, inequality persists. The political system is still grappling with ensuring that these policies are inclusive and equitable.
• Fraternity, as envisioned by Ambedkar, remains a work in progress. Although the country has witnessed an increasing sense of national unity, particularly during moments of national crises or celebrations, the political mobilization based on caste, creed, and region continues to fragment Indian society.
• Despite this, the sense of nationhood that Dr. Ambedkar feared was absent has now taken root, as evidenced by widespread support for the Indian cricket team or collective mourning after national tragedies like the Kargil war or the Galwan conflict.

The Debate on Caste Reservations and Fraternity

• The entrenchment of caste reservations has been both a boon for equality and a challenge for fraternity. While reservations have provided opportunities for marginalized groups, they have also perpetuated caste-based identities, potentially undermining Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of the annihilation of caste.
• Sociologist Dipankar Gupta argues that the extension of reservations to OBCs has transformed caste into a political tool, thus entrenching it further in society, rather than moving toward a society where caste distinctions are eliminated.

Reflections on Progress and Setbacks

• Despite the progress made in some areas, concerns remain about the state of Indian democracy. While the Constitution has survived for 75 years, the institutions it created are under strain.
• The weakening of parliamentary authority, pressures on the judiciary, and the erosion of democratic norms have led to concerns about India’s democratic health. The V-Dem Institute has even labelled India an “electoral autocracy.” This challenges the vision of a vibrant democracy envisioned by Dr. Ambedkar.
• As he rightly said in his final speech, “By independence, we have lost the excuse of blaming the British for anything going wrong.” Seventy-five years later, the responsibility lies with us, and we must ensure that the Constitution continues to guide us toward fulfilling its ideals.

A Call for Responsibility and Renewal

• In conclusion, as we mark the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution, it is crucial to reflect on its achievements and challenges. While the Constitution has been a living document, its full potential has yet to be realized.
• Ambedkar’s warnings about the importance of equality, fraternity, and the active role of its custodians are more relevant than ever. As we move forward, let us renew our commitment to the principles of the Constitution and strive to reduce the things we need to blame ourselves for. Let the Constitution continue to show us the way.