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After more than 15 days in space, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla — the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station — is set to return to Earth. If all goes according to plan, the Axiom-4 mission's Dragon spacecraft will undock from the ISS on Monday and splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast on Tuesday. Back home in Lucknow, his mother is counting the hours, offering prayers for his safe landing, and eagerly awaiting his return.#shubhanshushukla #axiom4 #iss #spaceflight #indianastronaut #nasa #spacex #dragoncapsule #axiommission #astronautreturn #lucknownews #indianairforce #spacejourney #issreturn #proudmoment
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Time of India
24 minutes ago
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Stalled by inertia: Why skill-based subjects remain out of reach for most students, ETEducation
By Praveen Prakash IAS (1994-2024) Advt Advt Every June, a familiar anxiety grips lakhs of Indian households. A teenager stares at a list of subjects, unsure what to pick. A parent, equally confused, tries to help. But neither has the tools to answer the real question: What am I good at and what will the world value five years from now?This decision, which can shape a student's entire academic and professional future, is often made in a vacuum of data, guidance, and to U-DISE+ data for 2023–24, over 2.8 crore students were enrolled in Classes 11 and 12 across boards in India. Yet, the subjects they studied remain disappointingly narrow in scope and alienated from the evolving realities of the professional Central Board of Secondary Education ( CBSE ) officially offers 80+ elective subjects for classes 11 and 12. However, a majority of students continue to choose from a narrow band of 10-15 conventional subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Commerce, History, is not preference; it's a function of access. Most schools, especially in rural areas and tier 2 and 3 cities cannot afford the teachers or infrastructure to offer newer, skill-based courses like Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Financial Management, Legal Studies, or Design. This trend continues in urban areas as well simply because schools are unable to hire full-time teachers for all the elective subjects, hampering students' access to new age subjects that could give them an edge in higher education and even further in their makes this more troubling is that boards already possess the diagnostic tools to guide students better. Through eight formative and four summative assessments across classes 9 and 10, schools gather comprehensive performance data that is broken down by sub-topic, cognitive skill, and interest this data sits we leverage this information, we could derive each student's natural aptitude and affinity for a subject. For example, a student consistently scoring high in statistics, data handling, and logical reasoning is likely to thrive in data science. Why not use this to recommend a subject in class 11, which is a professional or skill-based one and aligns with the student's potential?Top institutions globally are already paving the path. Universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT offer credit-eligible online courses through platforms like edX and other third party platforms, which students can pursue alongside school. Even in India, institutes like IIT Madras are offering fully online programs like their BS degree with over 30,000 students currently enrolled in the college students can earn full degrees online, and if lakhs of NEET and JEE aspirants can crack competitive exams through edtech platforms from villages, is it truly impossible for a Class 11 student to take one online elective, especially when that subject might define their career?We must do away with the mandate that schools hire full-time teachers for each elective subject. Instead, boards should launch white-labelled online platforms, a la CBSE-X, Rajasthan-X, Maharashtra-X and partner with vetted edtechs to deliver these electives online. Boards retain academic oversight, certification rights, and ensure content quality. Edtech partners provide platforms, digital pedagogy, and content delivery. This approach solves the three key problems of access, aptitude-based learning, and professional world is changing. Skill-based subjects like entrepreneurship, AI, legal studies, etc. are no longer luxuries. They are now pre-requisites for rewarding careers. By refusing to evolve, boards do a disservice to our brightest students by pushing them towards rigid and outdated academic cannot continue to be custodians of an obsolete system. This is not about technology vs tradition. It is about meeting our students where their future is headed.
Indian Express
35 minutes ago
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Shubhanshu Shukla returns to Earth: 10 key points for your UPSC prep
Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up on your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget on the significance of Shubhanshu Shukla's return from space. (Relevance: UPSC has asked questions on space missions, and considering the significance of the Axiom-4 mission, it becomes an important topic for your exam. Knowing the important facts related to Shubhanshu Shukl, only the second Indian to go the space, and the significance for India, will be helpful for your upcoming exams.) After spending 18 days on the International Space Station and orbiting around the Earth 288 times, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his three colleagues on the Axiom-4 mission splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday (15th July) after a 20-hour journey from the International Space Station. This mission not only strengthens India's foray into human spaceflight but also showcases its growing contribution to space research through a series of significant experiments led by Shukla aboard the International Space Station (ISS). During his time in space, Shukla conducted and completed all seven microgravity experiments and other scheduled scientific tasks. These included research on the Indian strain of Tardigrades, Myogenesis, Sprouting of methi and moong seeds, Cyanobacteria, Microalgae, Crop seeds, and the Voyager Display. 1. Study of space microalgae: Among the most crucial of Shukla's experiments was the study of space microalgae to examine their ability to generate food, oxygen, and biofuels. The resilience of microalgae in microgravity is considered key to sustaining human life during extended space missions. Additionally, through centrifugation of cyanobacteria, Shukla compared two strains to understand the impact of microgravity on their growth and biochemical activity. 2. Myogenesis study: Shukla conducted microscopic observations and sample collection for the Myogenesis study, aiming to understand muscle cell behaviour in space. The results are expected to benefit not just future Moon or Mars missions but also medical treatments for muscle-wasting diseases and age-related immobility on Earth. 3. Sprouting of methi and moong seeds: As part of the Sprouts project, he observed how methi and moong seeds germinate in space. subjected the sprouts to -80 degree Celsius temperatures to study the impact of microgravity on seed development. Upon return to Earth, he will cultivate the seeds, and multiple generations will be observed for any changes in genetics, microbial ecosystems, and nutritional profiles, aiming to identify plants with desirable traits for sustainable farming in space. 4. Studies on astronaut health and safety: Shukla and his crewmates participated in several collaborative studies to assess astronaut health and safety. These included measuring radiation exposure with the Rad Nano Dosimeter, studying mental and cardiac health during prolonged spaceflight, observing heat transfer and the human body's adaptability to microgravity and conducting neuromuscular electrical stimulation sessions to explore ways to combat muscle loss in space. 5. Muscle atrophy: He also investigated muscle atrophy using the Life Sciences Glovebox facility and contributed to sustainable space agriculture by irrigating crop seeds under microgravity conditions. 6. Research on the Indian strain of Tardigrades: Tardigrades, also known as 'water bears', are robust aquatic animals that have been around for roughly 600 million years, 400 million years before dinosaurs walked the planet. The study on the Indian strain of Tardigrades was part of Shukla's experiments. The primary objective of the experiment was to identify the genes that are responsible for making these animals resilient. 7. Study on cyanobacteria: Through centrifugation of cyanobacteria, Shukla compared two strains to understand the impact of microgravity on their growth and biochemical activity. The findings could support the development of sustainable systems for carbon and nitrogen recycling in space and highlight cyanobacteria's potential as a superfood for long-duration missions. 8. Voyager Display: This experiment focused on the interaction between humans and electronic displays in microgravity. The experiment also checked if using screens in space makes astronauts feel more stressed or tired. The experiment was designed by IISc, Bengaluru. 9. Seed resilience trials: It involved seed resilience trials, testing rice, cowpea, sesame, brinjal, and tomato seeds that have been exposed to microgravity. The objective is to assess the impact of space conditions on these seeds, to advance space agriculture, and develop climate-resilient plant varieties suitable for cultivation on Earth and beyond a microgravity environment. 10. About Axiom-4 mission: The mission was launched on 25th June, 2025, after much delay and anticipation. It carried four astronauts into space along with Shukla: Peggy Whitson from America as commander of the mission, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The crew travelled to the ISS on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft using the Falcon 9 rocket. The mission is operated and managed by Axiom Space, a private US space company When a spacecraft re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, it experiences deceleration due to friction. At this time, the speed comes down to about 25-30 km per hour, which is safe for a splashdown in the ocean. The low viscosity and high density of water provide a much greater cushion. The other reason is the availability of vast open spaces, which, in the case of landing on the ground, would require precise definition. Also, in the ocean, there is no danger of hitting something else, even if the spacecraft is dragged a bit off-course by air or water currents. Astronauts need reconditioning after coming back to Earth in order to deal with the symptoms they experience. The reconditioning process includes training the astronauts to start listening to their inner ear again, helping with motion control, and taking care of conditions they face when they are standing. It also deals with their perception of the movement of their own bodies, strength, and endurance. In addition, it looks at the astronauts performing skilled activities. According to NASA, "Microgravity is the condition in which people or objects appear to be weightless. The effects of microgravity can be seen when astronauts and objects float in space. Microgravity can be experienced in other ways, as well. 'Micro-' means 'very small,' so microgravity refers to the condition where gravity seems to be very small." It is not same as zero-gravity. 1. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked with the International Space Station (ISS), which involves an intricate procedure as ISS orbits Earth at an altitude of more than 400 km, and the procedure takes place while both the space station and the approaching vehicle are travelling at speeds of around 27,000 km/h. In January, India became the fourth country to successfully dock two satellites in space with the launch of the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) satellites. 2. The SpaDeX mission was lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on December 30 by PSLV-C60 and successfully placed two satellites in the desired lower earth orbit (below 2000 Km). Two small satellites, the SDX01 Chaser and SDX02 Target, injected in a 475-km circular orbit after the launch, have successfully demonstrated docking. 3. Docking is a process by which two fast-moving spacecraft are brought to the same orbit, brought closer to each other manually or autonomously, and finally joined together. This capability is necessary for carrying out missions that require heavy spacecraft that a single launch vehicle may not be capable of lifting off with. 4. This technology will be required for setting up the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. The first module is planned to be launched in 2028. It is supposed to have five modules, which are expected to be launched separately and brought together in space. 5. Docking capability will also be required for the next lunar mission, Chandrayaan-4, which aims to bring back samples from the Moon. This mission will see five key modules sent into orbit in two separate launches. Consider the following statements: 1. When a spacecraft re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, it experiences acceleration due to friction. 2. Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to go to the International Space Station (ISS). 3. Tardigrades are robust terrestrial animals that have been around for roughly 600 million years. Which of the following statements is/are incorrect? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3 (Source: Simpler, safer: Why spacecraft prefer splashdowns over landing on ground, Methi sprouting to microalgae: 7 experiments Shubhanshu Shukla conducted in space, Knowledge Nugget: Axiom-4 mission — What you must know for UPSC Exam, What's next for Shubhanshu Shukla, other astronauts on return from space mission, Knowledge nugget of the day: SpaDeX Mission) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Indian Express
37 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Are new planets being formed outside our solar system? Here's what astronomers have found
In the vast emptiness of space, some 1,370 light-years away, a faint glow pulses. Around a baby star called HOPS-315, astronomers have caught an extraordinary glimpse of a new world taking shape. For the first time, scientists say, we are witnessing the very beginning of rocky planet formation around a young, sun-like protostar. 'It's a direct glimpse of the hot region where rocky planets like Earth are born,' said Melissa McClure of Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands, as per AP, who led the international research team. 'For the first time, we can conclusively say that the first steps of planet formation are happening right now.' The findings, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, offer what McClure calls a 'snapshot of time zero,' a look at the earliest phase of planetary birth. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory's ALMA telescope in Chile worked together to study HOPS-315, a young yellow dwarf star still in its infancy at just 100,000 to 200,000 years old. Though it's destined to become a star like our sun, it's currently surrounded by a thick disk of gas and dust—the raw material for future planets. The researchers detected silicon monoxide gas and crystalline silicates, minerals believed to be the first solid substances to form in our own solar system more than 4.5 billion years ago. These materials were spotted in a region similar in distance to our asteroid belt, located between Mars and Jupiter. McClure noted that such hot mineral condensation had never been directly observed around other young stars before. 'So we didn't know if it was a universal feature of planet formation or a weird feature of our solar system,' she wrote in an email, as per AP. 'Our study shows that it could be a common process during the earliest stage of planet formation.' While previous studies have examined either younger gas disks or more mature ones where planets may already be forming, this is the first time astronomers have caught the transition phase, when the first solid particles begin to emerge. 'This is one of the things we've been waiting for,' said Fred Ciesla as per AP, a planetary scientist at the University of Chicago, who was not involved in the study. 'Astronomers have been thinking about how planetary systems form for a long period of time. There's a rich opportunity here.' It's too early to tell how many planets might eventually form around HOPS-315. But McClure said that with a gas disk as massive as the one our own solar system had in its early days, the star could potentially give rise to as many as eight planets over the next million years. Merel van 't Hoff, a co-author from Purdue University, said the team is eager to explore more systems like this. The goal is to find out just how common the path to Earth-like worlds really is. 'Are there Earth-like planets out there,' van 't Hoff asked as per AP, 'or are we so special that we might not expect it to occur very often?' (With inputs from AP)
