SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AFFAIRS MARCH 2015

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AFFAIRS MARCH 2015

• NASA’s rover completes its 11-year Mars marathon
  Nasa's Opportunity Mars rover has become the first human-made vehicle to complete a marathon on another planet - a feat accomplished in a record time of no less than 11 years.
  
  Opportunity passed the 26-mile (42-kilometer) mark Tuesday after approximately 11 years and two months traveling the Martian terrain, where it surpassed scientists' original expectations for a mission lasting just several months. The solar-powered robot, which landed on Mars' Eagle Crater in January 2004, completed the marathon in the course of a 153-foot (46.5-meter) drive.
  
  During its mission, Opportunity and its twin rover, Spirit - now defunct - have discovered wet environmental conditions on ancient Mars, some of which are mild enough to have been favorable for life. Opportunity was given the long-term task of exploring the rim of the Endeavour Crater after its lifespan far exceeded scientists' expectations.
  
• Norway declared climate action plan
  Norway on 27th March jointed the race of rich nations including Switzerland and European Union (EU) countries in submitting their respective 'climate action plans' well in time. Norway submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the UNFCCC promising to cut at least 40% of its greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030 compared to 1990 level.
  
  Norway's INDC is at par with the EU's promise but less than that of Switzerland that promised to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030 from its 1990 level. Switzerland was, in fact, the first country that had submitted its climate action plan to the UN body.
  
  Norway, however, promised that the country will consider taking a commitment "beyond an emission reduction of 40% compared to 1990 levels" if it can contribute to a global and ambitious climate agreement in Paris..
  
  The country also noted that the solution with the EU means that the 40% emission reduction will be implemented in Europe, without the use of international market mechanisms outside of the EU and Norway.
  
  The EU had in its INDCs, submitted in the March 2015 pledged that this group of 28 countries would work to reduce domestic emission of greenhouse gases by 40% from their 1990 level by the year 2030.
  
  Besides, the EU had also committed for a regular review and strengthening of its mitigation commitments consistent with a long-term goal to curb emissions.
  
  Under the INDCs, all countries are expected to submit their 'nationally determined contribution' in terms of their mitigation (emission cut) and adaptation goals well in advance ahead of the Paris climate talks, scheduled for December, where a new climate deal is expected to be signed.
  
• AWACS develop responsibility to DRDO
  Indigenous technology is going to play key role in Defence technology, as the Defence Research Development Organization will soon develop indigenous Airborne Warning and Congrol Systems. The decision was taken in the Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on 28th March
  The council allocated Rs. 5,113 crore for two systems based on the A-330 aircraft, which will be procured from Airbus. Eventually, six systems will be built for use by the Air Force. In all, the DAC cleared deals estimated at Rs.7,400 crore.
  
  The DAC cleared the procurement of 30 weapon-locating radars from Bharat Electronics Limited for Rs.1,605 crore, Defence Ministry officials said. Each system is mounted on two high mobility vehicles.
  
  The Navy is set to acquire Harpoon anti-ship missiles for its HDW submarines with the DAC approving certain deviations in the offset requirements for the 22 Harpoon missiles worth Rs.913 crore. The deal was approved last year in a government-to-government deal with the U.S. for around $ 200 million.
  
• Another feather in ISRO’s cap
  The Indian Space Research Organization (Isro) on 28th March successfully launched India’s fourth navigation satellite. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), in its twenty-ninth flight (PSLV-C27), carried IRNSS-1D. This was launched from Sriharikota space port. 
  • The expected mission life is ten years. PSLV-C27 used ‘XL’ version of PSLV. This is the eighth time ‘XL’ configuration is being flown.
  • So far, three regional navigational satellites were placed in orbit as part of a constellation of seven satellites to provide accurate position information service to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of 1,500 km. The entire constellation is planned to be completed this year.
  • Two more navigation satellites are expected to be launched this year, and the seventh and the last one of the system is expected to be launched in early 2016.
  • Three satellites launched earlier have all been integrated with the ground stations and are working well. The first satellite IRNSS-1A was launched in July 2013, the second IRNSS-1B in April 2014 and the third on October 16, 2014.
  • Once all the seven starts operational, India can replace the US GPS with Indian system and India need not to depend on other platforms.
  • The full system comprises nine satellites, including seven in orbit and two on the ground as stand-by — the navigation services could be made operational with four satellites.
  • Each satellite costs around Rs 150 crore and the PSLV-XL version rocket costs around Rs 130 crore. The seven rockets would involve an outlay of around Rs 910 crore.
  • IRNSS-1D has been launched into a sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub GTO) with a 284-km perigee (nearest point to Earth) and 20,650-km apogee (farthest point of Earth) with an inclination of 19.2 deg with respect to the equatorial plane.
  • After injection into this preliminary orbit, the two solar panels of IRNSS-1D are automatically deployed in quick succession and the Master Control Facility at Hassan, Karnataka, takes control of the satellite and performs the initial orbit raising manoeuvres.
  • IRNSS will make Indian Armed Forces self-reliant. While advanced nations like US and Russia are having GPS and GLONASS, countries like China, European Union and Japan are trying to have their own full-fledged or partial constellations.
  
  
• Russia & US agree to build new space station after ISS, work on joint Mars project
  In a landmark decision, Russian space agency Roscosmos and its US counterpart NASA have agreed to build a new space station after the current International Space Station (ISS) expires. The operation of the ISS was prolonged until 2024. The talks were held at Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
  
• Astra test fired successfully
  Astra, India’s first indigenous beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile integrated by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft was successfully launched on 19th March from Chandipur, Odisha.
  
• India's first IRIS recognition technology launched
  Surat-headquartered Biomatiques Identification Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (Biomatiques) on 19th March launched India’s first indigenous Iris recognition technology through their range of Iris scanning products
  
  Biomatiques is the first Indian company to receive the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) for their Iris scanners from the STQC Directorate, Department of Electronics and Information Technology (Deity) under the Union Ministry of of Communications and Information Technology
  
  The Iris technology, the company statement claimed, is the most trusted form of identity authentication and as affordable as fingerprint technology.
  
  Iris recognition method is an automated form of biometric identification that uses mathematical pattern-recognition techniques on video images of one or both of the irises of an individual's eyes, whose complex random patterns are unique, stable, and can be seen from some distance.
  
  An iris-recognition algorithm, can identify up to 250 identification points including rings, furrows and freckles within the iris. Some of these Iris scanners can capture the Iris image from a distance of two metres and authenticate the Iris.
  
• Eco-restoration project for Kinnerasani Sanctuary in Telangana announced
  Wildlife Management of Palvancha on 18 March 2014 announced eco-restoration project for Kinnerasani Sanctuary in Telangana. The project will be implemented in 716 hectares of land under the Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary limits in Kothagudem Mandal with an estimated cost of 60 lakh rupees.
  
  The objective of the project is to reverse the damage caused to ecology due to human intervention and restore the degraded ecosystem in the sanctuary. In order to restore the ecology of Kinnerasani Sanctuary, a total of 26 deer had been shifted from three different deer parks to the eco-restoration project site and are being released into the wild in a phased manner in strict adherence to the safety precautions and rules in force.
  
  Also, a plan is on the anvil to shift a few more deer from Kinnerasani Deer Park to the project site at Chintonichelka in view of the excess population of deer in the park beyond its stipulated capacity.
  
• Researchers from Australia unveiled world's first 3D printed jet engine
  Australian researchers on 26 February 2015 unveiled the world's first 3D-printed jet engine. This is the first of its kind 3D printed engine. It was developed by a team of researchers from Monash Center for Additive Manufacturing of Monash University in partnership with Amaero Engineering, the private company set up by Monash University to commercialize the product. According to Amaero, these printed engines will flight tested within the next 12 months and will be certified for commercial use within the next two to three years .
  
• Solar flight lands in Ahmadabad with a call for clean energy
  Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), the world’s first solar flight circumventing the globe without a drop of fuel, landed Ahmadabad on 10th March
  
  The Swiss aircraft touched down at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. This is the airplane’s second stop. Solar Impulse 2 began its journey from Abu Dhabi on 9th March and made a stopover at the Muscat International Airport in Oman. It will be stationed here for two days for the pilots to hold meetings with government officials, stakeholders and civil society members. The Aditya Birla Group is the India host for Solar Impulse 2.
  
  Mr. Piccard and Andre Boschberg, co-pilots and co-founders of the experimental aircraft, are taking turns to fly the single-seater, 2,300-kg aircraft in a journey around the world, spread over 25 flight days of five months and covering 35,000 km. The Oman-Ahmedabad trip was piloted by Mr. Piccard, one of the first balloonists to circle the earth. The initiative is aimed at spreading the importance of renewable energy and clean technologies.
  
  Solar Impulse 2 took the two promoters 12 years to develop and carry out feasibility tests. The aircraft will head next for Varanasi, where it will make a pit stop. It is expected to land in Varanasi on the night of March 15 before leaving for Mandalay in Myanmar. 
• ISRO study on Sunderbans
  The Indian Sunderbans has lost 3.71 per cent of its mangrove and other forest cover, while losing 9,990 hectares of its landmass to erosion in one decade, according to a satellite analysis conducted by the Indian Space Research Organization.
  
  As much as 1,607 hectares of the eroded area had vegetation, says the study comparing satellite data from February of 2003 and 2014. During the 10 years, 216 hectares of landmass had been added, of which 121 hectares has green vegetation.
  
  The Eastern Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal, which is hearing a case of environmental violations in the Sunderbans, directed holding the study.
  
  The study shows that about 95.14 per cent of the green cover has not undergone gone any change, while fresh vegetation has come up in 1.1 per cent of the entire area.
  
  The satellite mapping, which has not gone into the details of the reason for loss of green cover, says the depletion may be due to natural and anthropogenic (human intervention) processes. The 9,600-sq.km Indian Sunderbans is highly susceptible to coastal erosion and coastal land dynamics. A recent World Bank report pointed out that the carrying capacity of the landmass had exceeded with the population density of over 1,000 a sq.km.
  
• Rota virus Vaccine Developed in India
  Rotavac, a Rota virus vaccine was launched on 9th March. This was developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech. Billed as one of the first novel vaccines to be developed completely in the developing world, it is expected to help in significant reduction in infant deaths due to Rotavirus diarrhoea in India and other parts of the world.
  
  The biotech company invested over Rs.400 crore towards product development, and another Rs.100 crore towards manufacturing facilities.
  
  The facility in Genome Valley in Hyderabad has an installed manufacturing capacity of 300 million doses per year. It has taken 300 scientists and 15 years for successful for completion of the project, a partnership among the department of biotechnology, Bharat Biotech and several Indian and international organizations.
  
  Foreign companies currently sell Rotavirus vaccines in India at Rs.1,100 per dose while Bharat Biotech proposed to sell Rotavac for Rs.63 per dose to the government of India and other low income countries. Rotavirus diarrhea causes annually over 450,000 deaths worldwide, including 110,000 deaths in India.
  
• Rhino numbers rise in West Bengal
  West Bengal is now home to the second highest population of the one-horned rhinoceros in the country after Assam, with the number growing to 250 in the State. A State Forest Department survey in January has revealed that the Jaldapara National Park in the State has nearly 200 of these endangered animals and the Gorumara National Park, 50. Jaldapara now has the second highest population of them after the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, which has over 2,000. Jaldapara recorded 186 in the previous survey in 2013 and Gorumara 46 in 2014, V.K. Sood, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), North Bengal.
  
• IEA report on global CO2 emissions from energy sector
  Global emissions of carbon dioxide in the energy sector stalled in 2014, breaking steady rises over the past four decades except in years with an economic downturn, the International Energy Agency said on 13th March. Emissions of carbon dioxide were flat at 32.3 billion tonnes in 2014 from 2013, according to the IEA.
  
  The Paris-based IEA, which advises governments of developed nations, said the halt in emissions growth was linked to greener patterns of energy consumption in China, the top carbon emitter ahead of the United States, and in developed nations.
  
  A summit in Paris is due to agree a deal to limit global emissions, blamed by a U.N. panel of climate scientists for causing more heatwaves, floods and rising sea levels. The IEA said that carbon emissions had been flat or fallen only three times since it started collecting data 40 years ago, previously always linked to economic slumps – in the early 1980s, 1992 and 2009. In 2014, however, the global economy expanded by 3 percent.
  
• North Korea test fired missiles
  North Korea on 2nd March fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea. North Korea regularly conducts such test firings of missiles, rockets and artillery. It launched two missiles from North Korea’s west coast flew about 500 kilometers (310miles) before landing in waters off the east coast. During the 2013 drills, tension rose amid North Korean rhetoric that included vows of nuclear strikes on Washington and Seoul.
  
  North Korea last year conducted an unusually large number of missile and other weapons tests, drawing protests from South Korea. The North still proposed a set of measures that it said would lower tensions, but South Korea rebuffed them, saying the North must first take steps toward nuclear disarmament.
  
  1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. About 28,500 American soldiers are deployed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea.
  
• World’s first fully-electric Comm satellites launched
  US-based Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the world's first all-electric communications satellites into orbit. Blasted off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in California on March 1, the rocket carried two satellites, built by Boeing, for French satellite provider Eutelsat and Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS). The satellites will rely entirely on energy-efficient electric ion engines to maintain their orbit for up to two decades.
  
  The satellites are outfitted with all-electric engines rather than conventional rocket thrusters to reach and maintain orbit. This reduces the weight of the satellites to the point where both could be launched at once. The downside is that it will take the satellites months to reach geostationary orbit. SpaceX is scheduled to launch at least two more Falcon 9 rockets this year.
  
  The next launch is scheduled for March 21 when a Falcon 9 will deliver a communications satellite into orbit for Thales Alenia Space and the government of Turkmenistan.
  
• Mars ocean was bigger than the Arctic: NASA
   Mars once had a body of water bigger than Earth's Arctic Ocean and vast enough to cover the entire surface of the planet, NASA scientists said in a study released
  
  The new research, providing estimates on the quantity of water on the Red Planet, is based upon detailed observations of two slightly different forms of water in Mars' atmosphere, and was published in the journal Science. The study said that the Red Planet was once covered in a liquid layer 450 feet (137 meters) deep, occupying almost half of Mars' northern hemisphere. In some regions, water depths were greater than a mile (1.6 kilometers), NASA scientists said. The study also showed that the vast majority of Martian water — 87 per cent — has been lost to space.
  
  The new estimate is based on detailed observations of two slightly different forms of water in Mars' atmosphere. One is the familiar H2O, made with two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen. The other is HDO, a naturally occurring variation in which one hydrogen is replaced by a heavier form, called deuterium. By comparing the ratio of HDO to H2O, scientists were able to measure the enrichment and determine how much water has escaped into space.
  
  NASA said its researchers were especially interested in regions near the north and south poles, because the polar ice caps are the planet's largest known reservoir of water.