Latest news with #missions
Hans India
5 days ago
- Science
- Hans India
VIT-AP organises meet on computational science
Amaravati: Firstinternational conference on Computational Science and Mathematical Modelling has been organised by the Department of Mathematics at VIT-AP University in collaboration with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. PK Sinha, Director of Computational & Fluid Dynamics at the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad who was the chief guest, highlighted the critical role of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in the design and development of state-of-the-art missile systems and technologies required for the deterrence and defence of the country. He explained that CFDs enable engineers to analyse and optimise aerodynamic performance, structural integrity and overall system effectiveness through advanced high performance computer simulations. The insights into aerodynamic parameters such as lift, drag, stability and the response of the missile control surfaces are essential for trajectory accuracy and target precision. Additionally, CFD is instrumental in evaluating thermal loads and structural stresses, thereby informing design refinements that improve performance and safety. Academic leader of University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Prof Fortune Massamba, joined the event virtually as guest of honour. Vice-Chancellor of VIT-AP Prof SV Kota Reddy emphasised the contribution of mathematical modelling and CFDs in numerous real-life applications and utilities. He also presented VIT-AP's dedicated efforts for promoting industry partnership and plans on academic and research fronts to contribute to the national missions on Quantum Technologies and Green Hydrogen in line with AP Government's Swarnandhra vision 2047. Dean of School of Advanced Sciences Prof S Srinivas extended a warm welcome to all attendees of the conference, setting a gracious tone for the event and wished for vibrant knowledge sharing sessions and new collaborations until 19 July 2025. Conference convener, Dr Prashanth Maroju elaborated on the vision and objectives of ICSMM-2025. Dr Sukanta Nayak proposed a vote of thanks for the inaugural ceremony.
Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on re-entry of a spacecraft, microgravity and more (Week 119)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Science and Technology to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Which of the following critical materials are essential in electric motors, braking systems, smartphones and missile technology? 1. Samarium 2. Gadolinium 3. Terbium 4. Dysprosium Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Explanation — China's prohibitions on the export of rare earth metals and related magnets are harming the domestic car and white goods industries. — China controls more than 90% of the global processing capacity for magnets, which are utilised in a variety of industries such as vehicles, home appliances, and clean energy. — Critical materials include samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium and lutetium, which are essential in electric motors, braking systems, smartphones and missile technology. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. With reference to microgravity, consider the following statements: 1. Astronauts experience space sickness in their initial days in microgravity. 2. Living in microgravity teaches the brain not to listen to the outer ear. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — Astronauts experience space sickness in their initial days in microgravity because the brain gets confused with the gravity and acceleration information it receives from the inner ear — the information that is essential for maintaining balance on Earth. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — Living in microgravity teaches the brain to not listen to the inner ear, which becomes a challenge when they return to Earth as they face difficulty in standing up and walking. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — Shukla and his crewmates, who spent only 18 days on the ISS, are likely to experience far fewer severe symptoms. The severity of symptoms is greater in individuals on long-duration missions. — Astronauts require reconditioning after returning to Earth in order to cope with the symptoms they experience. They are also more likely to get injuries after spending time in space. Astronauts have difficulty balancing and focussing their eyes, and they may feel difficulties while standing up. Their spine may be impacted, and they may have mobility issues. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. With reference to the re-entry of a spacecraft, consider the following statements: 1. When a spacecraft re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, it experiences acceleration due to friction. 2. The spacecraft travels vertically to Earth at 90 degree angle. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — When a spacecraft re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, it experiences deceleration due to friction. But additional measures are required to slow it to safe speeds. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. — One such method is to employ parachutes. Spacecraft often deploy two drag (or drogue) parachutes first, which stabilise the vehicle during re-entry and lower speed. These parachutes are deployed by the Dragon spacecraft at an altitude of around 18,000. — At approximately 6,500 feet, the drogue parachutes are removed, and the four main parachutes are released, further slowing the ship. — The spaceship does not fly vertically to Earth, but rather descends at an angle. From re-entry to touchdown, it travels 5,000-7,000 kilometres. During this period, its speed drops to around 25-30 km/h, which is safe for a splashdown in the ocean. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. Which of the following countries has proposed to use copyright law to protect against deepfakes? (a) Australia (b) China (c) Denmark (d) Norway Explanation — Denmark has proposed extending copyright protections to persons' face characteristics, appearance, and voice in an innovative effort to combat the rise of deepfake content, which is increasingly pervasive on the Internet. — The proposed amendment to Denmark's copyright law will effectively make it illegal to share deepfake content of another person without their consent, allowing individuals to have such forgeries removed from online platforms and seek compensation for their publication, similar to how copyright laws have traditionally protected creative works. — Deepfakes are a form of synthetic media which depict believable and realistic videos, pictures, or audio of events that never happened — they show real people doing or saying things that they never did or said. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. With reference to the GLP-1, consider the following statements: 1. It is both an incretin hormone and a neurotransmitter. 2. It is secreted from the small intestine and from the hindbrain after we eat a meal. 3. It travels to the pancreas, where it helps to regulate our blood sugar by increasing insulin and decreasing glucagon. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — GLP-1 is both an incretin hormone and a neurotransmitter. In physiology, it is secreted from the small intestine and from the hindbrain after we eat a meal. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct. — It travels to the pancreas, where it helps to regulate our blood sugar by increasing insulin and decreasing glucagon. This is what we call the incretin effect. This effect is blood glucose-dependent, meaning it is only if the blood glucose is elevated that it has an effect here. Hence, statement 3 is correct. — GLP-1 also impacts centres in the brain associated with control of hunger and satiety, to effectively tell us that we have had enough to eat and need to stop eating. — There are receptors that GLP-1 binds to in many organs in the body, and GLP-1 also has beneficial effects in many of these organs, such as the kidney, liver, and cardiovascular system. GLP-1's effects in the pancreas and brain are the important ones to help control blood glucose and body weight. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. What was the 'Tunguska explosion' of 1908? (a) First nuclear test to be failed (b) A fatal experiment involving toxic Polonium (c) An asteroid impact event (d) Collision between stars causing a supernova Explanation — The asteroid that likely wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago was about 10 km wide. It struck with the energy of 10 billion Hiroshima bombs, creating a crater over 150 km across and changing Earth's climate in a matter of hours. While such events are rare, smaller impacts—like the Tunguska explosion in Siberia (1908), which flattened over 2,000 square kilometers of forest—are far more frequent. — According to 'On June 30, 1908, an asteroid plunged into Earth's atmosphere and exploded in the skies over Siberia. Local eyewitnesses in the sparsely populated region reported seeing a fireball and hearing a large explosion. They also reported massive forest fires, and trees blown over for miles.' Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. Consider the following statements: I. Landing in the ocean is the preferred way to bring back astronauts from space. II. The low viscosity and high density of water provides a much greater cushion not ensuring a completely smooth landing but it absorbs enough shock from the impact to avoid damage to the spacecraft's structure, payload, or the crew inside. Which one of the following is correct? (a) Both I and II are correct, and II explains I (b) Both I and II are correct, but II does not explain I (c) I is correct, but II is incorrect (d) I is incorrect, but II is correct Explanation — The spacecraft carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his three colleagues on the Axiom-4 mission splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday after a 20-hour journey from the International Space Station. — Landing in the ocean is the preferred way to bring back astronauts from space, though some spacecraft also make a landing on a runway like an aircraft. But the latter has special requirements, needs more sophisticated systems, and is usually costlier. — It is safer to land a spacecraft in water even when it is travelling at 25-30 km per hour — the speed of the Axiom-4 spacecraft at the time of splashdown. The low viscosity and high density of water provides a much greater cushion. While it does not ensure a completely smooth landing, it absorbs enough shock from the impact to avoid damage to the spacecraft's structure, payload, or the crew inside. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. What was the goal of NASA's DART Mission? (a)Demonstrated technologies required for LISA (b)Demonstrated the use of galactic pulsars as navigational beacons (c) Studied the health of Earth's climate and ocean (d) Demonstrated asteroid deflection with a kinetic impactor Explanation — If we discover an object on a collision course, our best defense is time. The more lead time we have, the smaller the nudge needed to shift an asteroid's path away from Earth. — In 2022, NASA tested one such idea with the DART mission (Double Asteroid Redirection Test). The spacecraft crashed into a small asteroid moonlet, changing its orbit—a real-world demonstration that we can, in principle, deflect asteroids. — According to 'DART was the first-ever mission dedicated to investigating and demonstrating one method of asteroid deflection by changing an asteroid's motion in space through kinetic impact.' Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 117) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 119) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 118) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 118) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 118) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 118) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'LIVE with Manas'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Special Ops 2' release date: Fans can't wait any longer, here's where and when to watch Kay Kay Menon's thrilling series
Kay Kay Menon is back with a thrilling and chilling new season of the fan-favourite series, ' Special Ops 2 .' Directed by Neeraj Pandey and Shivam Nair , the anticipated episodes will usher in the challenging missions of RAW officer Himmat Singh . 'Special Ops 2' to be released on July 18 Previously, the date circled on the calendar was July 11, but after a week of delay, the new season is set to be aired on July 18. According to the behind-the-scenes clip shared by the squad of Special Ops and the streamer, the caption read, 'This time the stakes are higher, Himmat Singh and his squad are stepping into yet another challenging mission. Here's your exclusive glimpse from behind the scenes. #HotstarSpecials #SpecialOps2, streaming from July 18, only on #JioHotstar' Along with Kay Kay Menon, the actors who would be wearing the gears to fight the prowling danger of cyberterrorism include Meher Vij, Vinay Pathak, Muzammil Ibrahim, Karan Tacker and Saiyami Kher, along with Prakash Raj, Gautami Kapoor, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Parmeet Sethi, and Kali Prasad Mukherjee. The eager fans commented... The eager fans quickly commented on the release, and a few even desired to watch a film about the missions on the silver screen. One user expressed, 'We need a film Called Special Ops in and as kay kay Menon directed by Neeraj Pandey..... We want this on big screen ❤️not on ott Sir , missing baby wala thing really' Another user said, Wait for best 2025 series in india 😍😍' A third fan demanded, 'No more waiting , ab episodes drop kr doooooooooooooo' Previously, Kay Kay Menon announced that the episodes would be getting postponed to July 18, and claimed that all the episodes would be released altogether, along with the caption stating, 'We understand you're on the edge of your seat, but thoda aur intezar and it's going to be worth all the wait!'
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
How much did ISRO spend to send Shubhanshu Shukla to the ISS on historic 18-day Axiom-4 mission
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla , an Indian Air Force officer and ISRO astronaut, has made a triumphant return to Earth, concluding a groundbreaking mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This 18-day journey, as part of the Axiom-4 mission , makes him the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian in history to travel to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Shukla's flight marks a new era for India's human spaceflight ambitions and sets the stage for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission in 2027. Shubhanshu Shukla returns safely to Earth on July 15 and the rehabilitation program Shubhasnhu Shukla, alongside commander Peggy Whitson (USA), and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), splashed down safely off the coast of California at 3:03 PM IST on July 15, 2025, as reported. Recovery teams swiftly retrieved the crew, bringing a successful close to India's first commercial astronaut collaboration with Axiom Space and ISRO. After extended exposure to microgravity, Shubhanshu Shukla is now undergoing a structured 7-day rehabilitation program, supervised by ISRO and Axiom Space flight surgeons. This reconditioning process is critical for regaining balance, strength, and cardiovascular health, and includes musculoskeletal tests and psychological debriefs to ensure full recovery. Immediate medical checks were conducted on the recovery ship, and continuous health tracking will follow as Shukla transitions back to daily life. What does the Axiom-4 mission cost for Shubhanshu Shukla As BBC reported, the Indian government's investment for Axiom-4 was approximately Rs 550 crore (about $59 million). This covered comprehensive astronaut training, launch services, ISS access, and safe return logistics. Though substantial, this expense is viewed as a strategic investment, providing India invaluable hands-on experience and paving the way for the nation's independent crewed missions. Shubhanshu Shukla's scientific contributions During his ISS stay, Shukla completed seven major experiments designed by Indian scientific institutions under ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre: Tardigrade survivability: Studying the robustness of Indian tardigrades in microgravity. Muscle development (Myogenesis): Examining muscle loss and tissue regeneration. Seed germination: Cultivating 'moong' and 'methi' seeds to assess space farming potential. Cyanobacteria research: Testing space-driven photosynthesis and oxygen generation for closed-loop life support. Microalgae growth: Evaluating prospects for food and fuel in future missions. Cognitive performance: Measuring cognitive load and adaptation to space environments. Material science: Analysing how microgravity affects new materials. These experiments provide vital data for India's long-duration astronaut missions and broader scientific knowledge for all spacefaring nations. Also Read | NASA warns building-sized asteroid 2022 YS5 set for close Earth flyby on July 17; here's why scientists are on aler
Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Sierra Space Awarded Contract by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
LOUISVILLE, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and defense tech prime that is building a platform in space to benefit and protect life on Earth ®, announced today it has been awarded a contract by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to deliver key components for spacecraft docking on the International Space Station (ISS). This includes a Passive Common Berthing Mechanism (PCBM), connection hatch, lighting system, and pressure sensor technology to enable spacecraft to dock at the ISS. The components will ultimately be used by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for space station missions to the ISS. 'By working with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to support JAXA's future missions to the ISS, we're underscoring our commitment to scientific advancement and the growth of the low-Earth orbit economy,' said Dr. Tom Marshburn, Chief Astronaut and VP of Human Factors Engineering at Sierra Space. 'This contract reinforces Sierra Space's reputation for delivering mission-critical, flight-proven systems that our partners can rely on. We're committed to a diverse and reliable Space Tech product portfolio that helps shape the future of space infrastructure.' The PCBM is a critical component that enables secure and reliable docking of pressurized vehicles to the ISS. As one of the industry's trusted suppliers of this flight-proven hardware, Sierra Space's PCBM provides precise alignment and environmental sealing between the ISS and visiting spacecraft. The fully passive assembly, complementing the active system mounted on the ISS, features minimal moving parts, making it a highly dependable choice for international space missions. Sierra Space will also build the hatch system to round out the entry and exit connection. This award further strengthens Sierra Space's position as an industry leader in space infrastructure. The company remains committed to advancing the frontiers of space technology through the development, integration, and testing of Space Tech programs including the creation of environmental systems, subsystems, rocket engines, and propulsion technologies. About Sierra Space Sierra Space is a leading commercial space company and emerging defense tech prime, that is building an end-to-end business and technology platform in space to benefit and protect life on Earth. With more than 30 years and 500 missions of space flight heritage, the company is reinventing both space transportation with Dream Chaser ®, the world's only commercial spaceplane, and the future of space destinations with the company's expandable space station technology. Using commercial business models, the company is also delivering orbital services to commercial, DoD and national security organizations, expanding production capacity to meet the needs of constellation programs. In addition, Sierra Space builds a host of systems and subsystems across solar power, mechanics and motion control, environmental control, life support, propulsion and thermal control, offering myriad space-as-a-service solutions for the new space economy.
