Science and Technology
Space Technology
Space Technology represents a pivotal domain within modern science and engineering, dedicated to the exploration, utilization, and understanding of outer space. It encompasses the intricate design, development, and
52 articles in this topic
Articles on Space Technology
‘Delays in Starship risk NASA’s moon landing plan’
Source: The Hindu(Page7) | Syllabus: GS3(Space )
Asteroid YR4: no longer a threat
Source: The Hindu(Page7) | Syllabus: GS3(Science and Tech)
Megamaser: cosmic light show
Source: The Hindu | Syllabus: GS3(Space)
How do astronauts return from space and survive re-entry?
Source: The Hindu(Page11) | Syllabus: GS3(Space))
Salar de Pajonales: Mars analogue
Source: The Hindu(Page7) | Syllabus: GS3(Space)
Strengthening India’s Astronomy Infrastructure
Context The Union Budget 2026–27 has allocated ₹13,416.20 crore to the Department of Space, signalling a renewed push towards deep-space exploration and astrophysics. Key announcements in the Budget Development of Advanced Telescope Infrastructure: The government has prioritised the construction of the 30-metre National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope (NLOT). The National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) near Pangong Lake in Ladakh has received funding support.
Space Spinoffs
Context Space exploration has generated powerful healthcare spinoffs forming an invisible backbone of modern diagnostics, medical devices, and healthcare delivery systems on Earth. What are Space Spinoffs? Space spinoffs are civilian applications of technologies originally developed for space missions.
Intellectual Property and Space Activities
In News Human space activity highlights a clash between territorial patent law and multinational, collaborative innovation beyond any nation’s sovereignty. Innovation in Space Human space habitation is becoming a practical reality, relying on continuous, collaborative technological innovation for survival, but this raises unresolved questions about who owns inventions created in space beyond national sovereignty.
ISRO’s PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 Mission Experienced an Anomaly During the Third Stage
In News ISRO’s first launch of the year, the PSLV-C62 mission failed to place its 16 satellites into the intended orbit, marking the second consecutive failure of the long-reliable PSLV rocket. PSLV Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It has also been called “the workhorse of ISRO” for consistently delivering various satellites into low earth orbits with a high success rate.
Year-ender 2025: India’s Space Programme in 2025
Context The Department of Space’s year-end review shows a year focused not just on launches, but on mastering complex capabilities needed for human spaceflight, future space stations and a competitive commercial ecosystem. Major Achievements POEM-4 itself completed 1,000 orbits, hosting 24 payloads from ISRO and private entities. The data, shared globally, offers insights into the Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere and corona, strengthening India’s profile in solar and space weather research.
Protecting Astronauts from Deadly Space Debris
Context The rapid expansion of satellite launches and commercial space activity has intensified the threat posed by Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD), raising serious concerns for astronaut safety and long-term sustainability of Earth’s orbits. What is Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD)? MMOD refers to the natural and human-made particles moving at very high speeds in Earth’s orbital environment that pose a collision risk to spacecraft and astronauts.
New Fight for Spectrum in Space
Context The rapid expansion of satellite megaconstellations, driven by soaring demand for high-speed connectivity, has intensified the global race for limited spectrum and orbital slots. What is Satellite Spectrum? Satellite spectrum refers to the radio frequencies used for satellite communications.
Aditya-L1 Joins Global Effort To Study the Solar Storm
Context India’s solar observatory Aditya-L1 along with six U.S. satellites, has revealed unusual behaviour of the May 2024 solar storm called “Gannon’s storm” triggered by a series of giant explosions on the Sun known as Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). What is a Solar Storm?
ISRO Tests Bootstrap Mode Start on CE20 Cryogenic Engine
In News ISRO has successfully demonstrated the bootstrap-mode start of its CE20 cryogenic engine at the Mahendragiri High-Altitude Test facility engine. Bootstrap-mode is a self-sustaining start-up sequence where the engine uses its own propellant flow and turbopump dynamics to initiate ignition. This will increase engine efficiency, restart capability, and reduce weight.
Aditya-L1 Mission Tracks Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)
In News Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and NASA have made the first-ever spectroscopic observations of a coronal mass ejection (CME) in the visible wavelength range, close to the Sun’s surface using the VELC payload on Aditya-L1. Aditya-L1 It is India’s first space-based solar observatory, designed to study the Sun from Lagrange Point 1, located about 1.5 million km from Earth This position allows uninterrupted observation of solar phenomena without eclipses or occultation.
ISRO’s LVM3 Rocket Launches GSAT-7R
Context The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Indian Navy’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-7R (CMS-03) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. About the GSAT-7R Satellite Gsat-7R an indigenously developed satellite, weighing approximately 4,400 kg, is India’s heaviest communication satellite to be launched from the country to date. It is designed to replace Gsat-7 (Rukmini), which was launched in 2013 and is primarily dedicated to the Indian N
Impact of a Coronal Mass Ejection on the Lunar Exosphere
Context The Chandrayaan-2 mission has made the first-ever observation of the effects of the Suns Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on the Moon using its onboard scientific instruments. About the observation The finding was made by Chandra’s Atmospheric Composition Explorer-2 (CHACE-2), a payload onboard Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter. CHACE-2 recorded a sharp rise in total pressure and molecular density in the Moon’s sunlit exosphere.
Analog Experiments: Attempt to Simulate Space on Earth
Context Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is conducting a series of analog experiments (Gyanex) to test human endurance, refine mission protocols, and validate technologies, as India prepares for its first human spaceflight mission under the Gaganyaan Programme. Strategic Purposes of These Experiments Human Readiness: Preparing astronauts for long-duration space travel Technology Validation: Testing equipment and protocols in realistic conditions Scientific Research: Understanding human
India Projects five-fold Growth in Space Economy to $44 Billion by 2033
Context Indias space sector is projected to surge from USD 8.4 billion in 2022 to USD 44 billion by 2033, aiming to capture 8% of the global market. India’s share in the Space Industry India’s space economy contributes 2-3% of the global space economy, and this is expected to rise to 8% by 2030 and further to 15% by the year 2047. With over 400 private space companies, India ranks fifth globally in the number of space companies.
National Space Day 2025
Context India is celebrating its second National Space Day on August 23, 2025 with the theme “Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities”. Challenges in India’s Space Sector Competition and Global Market Share: To achieve this ambitious goal of 8% of the global market share, Indian space companies must compete effectively on the international stage. Private Sector Participation: While the private sector has shown interest, there’s a need for more substantial investment and