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
India Needs a National Space Law
In News Recently, experts stressed the urgent need for strong national space laws for India to support exploration, innovation, and commercialisation in space. India’s approach to space legislation India’s space legislation follows a deliberate, phased approach, focusing first on technical regulations to enable commercial space operations in compliance with Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty. This has led to key regulatory instruments such as the Catalogue of Indian Standards for Space Industr
Critical Role of the Space Programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047
In News The recent Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla journey to ISS marks Indias ascent as a major space power, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and embracing the philosophy of Vishwabandhu Bharat in the space sector. Challenges Rising competition from private global giants (SpaceX, Blue Origin, etc.). Space debris and orbital congestion issues.
New Type of Supernova Triggered by Black Hole-Star Interaction
Context Astronomers have recently observed a previously unknown type of supernova, in which a massive star exploded under the gravitational influence of a black hole companion. About the recent phenomenon A binary star system, about 700 million light-years away, initially composed of two massive stars, was observed. One of the stars reached the end of its life, going supernova and collapsing into a black hole.
India Launches NISAR Earth Observation Satellite
Context The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. NISAR Satellite NISAR is an Earth-observation satellite that stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar. It is Jointly developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation under a partnership agreement signed in 2014.
NASA-ISRO NISAR Satellite
Context The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the NISAR satellite from Sriharikota on July 30 onboard a GSLV Mk-II rocket. NISAR Satellite NISAR is an Earth-observation satellite that stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar. It is Jointly developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation under a partnership agreement signed in 2014.
3 Navigation Satellites to be Launched by 2026
Context ISRO will launch three more navigation satellites, NVS-03, NVS-04, and NVS-05, by 2026 to bolster the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). Significance The first batch launched in the previous decades has been successful in establishing the Personal Navigation Device (PND) services in the country. The NVS series is the second generation of these satellites that are progressively being deployed to further strengthen the PND ecosystem in the nation.
Black Hole Merger
In News Scientists have detected signals from the largest black hole merger ever observed, marking a breakthrough in the study of the universe’s most powerful cosmic collisions. About The event, named GW231123, was detected on November 23, 2023, by the global network of gravitational wave detectors, including LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA. The merger involved two black holes with masses of 100 and 140 times the mass of our Sun, creating a final black hole of 225 solar masses — making it one of the heav
Starlink Receives India's Final Regulatory Nod for Launch
Context Indias space regulator INSPACe has granted a licence to Elon Musk-run Starlink to offer space-based internet services in the country. About Starlink has been waiting since 2022 for licences to operate commercially in India. It would be the third company to receive Indias nod to enter the space after Eutelsats OneWeb and Reliance Jio.
Ham Radio Communication
In News Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla interacted with the students using a ham radio from the International Space Station (ISS). Ham Radio Ham Radio is popularly known as Amateur radio. It is a licensed radio service that relies on radio waves for establishing communication.
Indian Astronaut in Space After 41-Year Gap
Context Recently, an Indian Astronaut with three others from the USA, Hungry and Poland, soared into space aboard the Axiom-4 mission (NASA’s fourth all-private astronaut mission). How the Axiom-4 Mission Boosts India’s Future Space Programme? Critical Inputs for Gaganyaan: Axiom-4 involves scientific experiments, team coordination, and real-time problem-solving — skills essential for Gaganyaan, India’s first indigenous crewed mission.
Axiom-4 Mission to the International Space Station (ISS)
In News The launch of the Axiom-4 mission has been postponed again due to a technical issue with SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket. The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission It will spend 14 to 21 days on the ISS, conducting over 60 experiments in collaboration with 31 countries, covering fields like biomedical research, Earth observation, and materials science. Some experiments involve ISRO, offering India key insights for its upcoming Gaganyaan mission, now expected in 2027.
Tamil Nadu Adopted a Space Sector Policy
Context Tamil Nadu Cabinet approved the Space Industrial Policy, thereby following Karnataka and Gujarat in formulating a State-specific document. About Aim: To stimulate development and attract investments in the space sector. In 2023, the Union government came out with the Indian Space Policy 2023 to provide a framework to support the space ecosystem.
Magnetic Flip-Flop
Context Recent studies indicate that Earths magnetic field is weakening and shifting, raising concerns over possible magnetic excursions or even a full-scale polarity reversal. Cause of magnetic field reversal Short-term variations (milliseconds to days) are caused by solar activity and interaction with charged particles in space. Long-term changes, such as reversals and excursions, result from turbulent flows in the outer core, driven by heat released from the inner core and modulated by planet
Space technology (Mains Notes)
Introduction to Space Technology Space technology refers to the set of tools, equipment, satellites, space stations, rockets, and systems developed to explore, utilize, and observe outer space. It...
Sun's Subsurface Weather Tied to Its 11-Year Activity Cycle
Context A study led by astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have probed the dynamic “inner weather” of the Sun plasma currents just beneath its surface that pulse in step with its 11-year sunspot cycle. About The researchers have traced giant tides of plasma beneath the Sun’s surface at a region called near-surface shear layer (NSSL). The plasma currents shift with the Sun’s magnetic heartbeat and could have a far-reaching influence on space weather and Earth.
Negotiations for Starlink’s Entry into India
Context Starlink has begun discussions with key Indian players in the satellite communication , telecom, and broadband sectors, to accelerate the rollout of its services across India. What is Starlink? Starlink is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX, designed to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband access globally, particularly in underserved and remote areas.
A New Method to Estimate Helium Abundance in the Sun
Context A recent study by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has accurately estimated the abundance of helium in the Sun’s photosphere. Background Helium is the second most abundant element in the Sun after hydrogen, playing a vital role in its structure and energy dynamics. To accurately measure its abundance in the Sun’s photosphere has been a long-standing challenge due to the lack of helium spectral lines in the visible range.
ISRO Satellites Forecast Wheat Production: Use of Space Technology in Agriculture Sector
In News ISROs study using satellite data has estimated India’s total wheat production for the 2024-25 Rabi season at 122.724 million tonnes from eight major wheat-growing states. About the study It used the Comprehensive Remote Sensing Observation on Crop Progress (CROP) framework, which employs Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) datasets from EOS-04, EOS-06, and Resourcesat-2A to monitor wheat sowing and crop conditions in near real-time. CROP is a semi-automated, scalable framework, de
Intermediate-Mass Black Hole (IMBH)
In News Indian astronomers used the Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT) to detect and measure an elusive intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) in the faint galaxy NGC 4395. What Are Intermediate-Mass Black Holes (IMBHs)? They are missing links between stellar-mass and supermassive black holes.
Iron Inside The Sun is More Opaque Than Expected
Context Recent research suggests that solar models have long underestimated irons opacity and its impact on the Sun’s temperature profile. Why is Opacity? Opacity refers to a materials ability to absorb light; the higher the opacity, the more light it absorbs.