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India.com
37 minutes ago
- India.com
Pakistan to send first astronaut to space in 2026; project is handled by..., what is SUPARCO and who was Nobel Prize-winning Abdus Salam?
(Representational image: New Delhi: Just a few weeks back, Group Captain and Test Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force (IAF) became the second Indian to go to space. The first Indian to travel to space was Rakesh Sharma, also from the IAF, who made India proud in April 1984. Shubhanshu Shukla was the mission pilot for Axiom Mission 4 and the first ISRO astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS). Now, it seems like the 'not so friendly' neighbourhood Pakistan wants to emulate the feat, as the news of the country's preparation to blast off one of its citizens to the Chinese space station in 2026. No prizes for guessing that! What is Pakistan's space programme, and what is SUPARCO? Going back to India, it has its space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which was set up in 1962 by the Government of India, and since then, it has achieved numerous milestones. As for Pakistan, its space agency SUPARCO (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission), was started in 1961, which means even before India. The China National Space Administration (CNSA), the space agency of China, was established in 1993. Given the fact that Pakistan has lagged by a very long distance. Pakistan's SUPARCO launched its first rocket, 'Rahbar-1', in 1962, which was a big achievement at that time. In 1990, it launched its first satellite, 'Badar-1', with the help of China. That was the last significant programme undertaken by Islamabad. A big credit for the establishment and success of SUPARCO goes to Nobel Prize-winning scientist Abdus Salam. Who was Abdus Salam? Mohammad Abdus Salam was a Pakistani theoretical physicist who was awarded the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contribution to the electroweak unification theory. He was the first Pakistani and the first scientist from an Islamic country to receive a Nobel Prize. Salam was the scientific advisor to the Ministry of Science and Technology in Pakistan from 1960 to 1974. He played a major and influential role in the development of the country's science infrastructure. Salam contributed to numerous developments in theoretical and particle physics in Pakistan. Abdus Salam was the founding director of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and was responsible for the establishment of the Theoretical Physics Group (TPG). He is viewed as the 'scientific father' of this program. What kind of problems is SUPARCO facing? For any programme of such a big magnitude, it is a given that it will require loads of funding, which SUPARCO did not receive from the Pakistani government. This hurt the space agency as well as its space programme. How serious it is about Space Science can be gauged from the fact that the annual budget of SUPARCO is only $36 million, which is peanuts. What is even more surprising is that for the last 11 years, retired army officers and generals have been running the agency, which should have been under the patronage of space scientists and professionals from related fields. There are fewer space-related courses in education, due to which skilled people are not being prepared. Space research in Pakistan suffered due to the focus on the nuclear programme and dependence on China. Pakistan launched three satellites in recent years, but all with Chinese help. The same is the story with the first Pakistani astronaut in 2026, who is also scheduled to be dependent on China's space station. Two Pakistani astronauts will undergo trained in China.
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Indian researchers decode venomous sting of black scorpion
New Delhi, August 5 (UNI) Indian scientists have identified the complex composition of the venom of the black scorpion (Heterometrus bengalensis), a species native found in the forests across Eastern and Southern India. The study offers new insights into its toxic effects. Scorpion envenomation is a significant health concern worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, due to its associated morbidity and mortality. Despite its prevalence, limited research has been conducted on the biochemical properties and toxicological mechanisms of scorpion venom, leading to gaps in understanding and treatment. In their study the scientists from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati— an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) — undertook the first comprehensive profiling of the venom of the slither black scorpion. Led by Prof. Ashis K Mukherjee, Director of IASST, and research scholar Susmita Nath, the study identified 25 distinct toxins across eight protein families in the venom. Through spectrometry and biochemical analyses, the researchers characterised these components and evaluated their pharmacological impact in Swiss albino mice. The venom was observed to induce systemic toxicity, evident from elevated liver enzymes, organ damage and a marked proinflammatory immune response. These findings indicate that the venom triggers significant physiological distress, potentially resulting in shock or severe allergic reactions. The study has been published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 'This study addresses a critical gap in venom research on lesser-known scorpion species and lays a foundation for future investigations aimed at improving clinical management of scorpion envenomation,' said the researchers. UNI AJ SSP
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
NASA monitors asteroid 2025 OT7 as it approaches Earth on August 5: Size, speed and flyby distance revealed
Earth is frequently visited by objects from deep space, ranging from tiny meteorites to massive asteroids that capture global attention. One such celestial traveler, asteroid 2025 OT7, is now at the center of interest as it prepares for a close approach to Earth on August 5, 2025. Its remarkable size, high velocity, and unique orbital path have made it a key subject for astronomers and sky watchers worldwide. Events like these emphasise the importance of continuously tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs) to understand their behaviour better, refine monitoring technology, and strengthen planetary defense strategies . The upcoming flyby of asteroid 2025 OT7 serves as a reminder of how dynamic our solar system truly is and why vigilance in space observation is essential. NASA tracks 170 feet asteroid 2025 OT7 to close flyby on August 5: Speed and distance Asteroid 2025 OT7 is estimated to be about 170 feet (52 meters) wide, roughly comparable to the height of a 16-story building. It is traveling at an impressive speed of 48,431 miles per hour (77,955 km/h), covering vast distances in space within seconds. During its closest approach, the asteroid will pass at a distance of 2.7 million miles (4.3 million kilometers) from Earth. Although this may seem like an extremely safe distance, astronomers categorise such flybys as relatively close because OT7 belongs to the Aten group of asteroids, which often cross Earth's orbital path. These types of asteroids are constantly monitored due to their dynamic orbits and potential to shift over time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Things You Should Stop Wearing After 40 Undo NASA has strict criteria for classifying an asteroid as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). For an object to fall under this category, it must have a diameter of more than 85 meters (279 feet) and pass within 7.4 million kilometers (4.6 million miles) of Earth. While asteroid 2025 OT7 is passing within the monitoring zone, it does not meet the size threshold. This means there is no immediate danger and its orbit is well understood, with no risk of collision during this flyby. Importance of monitoring space rocks Even when an asteroid does not pose a direct threat, it remains crucial to track and study its movement. Small gravitational shifts or interactions with other celestial bodies could potentially alter an asteroid's trajectory over time. That is why space agencies like NASA, ESA, JAXA, and ISRO keep a constant watch on near-Earth objects like 2025 OT7. India, under the guidance of ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, has shown keen interest in asteroid research and exploration. Plans are already in motion to study larger asteroids such as Apophis, which will pass extremely close to Earth in 2029. ISRO also aims to collaborate internationally on future asteroid landing missions, further enhancing planetary defense efforts. What makes asteroid 2025 OT7 significant The flyby of asteroid 2025 OT7 is significant, not because of danger, but because it serves as a reminder of the constant activity within our solar system. Close approaches like this demonstrate Earth's vulnerability to celestial events and reinforce why global monitoring systems are so important. They also present opportunities to test and refine advanced tracking technologies and engage the public in space science. For astronomers and researchers, this flyby offers valuable observational data that can be used to improve our understanding of asteroid compositions, movements, and long-term trajectories. For the general public, it sparks interest in space exploration and emphasizes the need for planetary defense strategies. Planetary defense progress with NASA DART and global missions In recent years, planetary defense has moved from science fiction to reality. NASA's DART mission, which successfully altered the orbit of asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, proved that humans have the capability to influence the path of small celestial bodies. This breakthrough has inspired similar efforts worldwide. The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing its Hera mission to further study the effects of DART's impact, while ISRO and other agencies are exploring their own asteroid observation and mitigation programs. Together, these efforts create a global network designed to ensure early detection and potential deflection of hazardous space objects. Also Read | NASA astronaut recalls awe-inspiring view of Mumbai and Delhi's night lights from space: 'India looks magical'
