Current Affairs: Science and Technology

Daily Current Affairs news in Hindi and English

1. India’s National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), in Ladakh. Read more
2. Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels reached a record high in 2024.
3. The First Wooden Satellite  LignoSat Launches for Space.
4. Amazon launches its first ‘Amazon Future Engineer Makerspace’ in Bengaluru. Read more
5. China’s spacecraft Chang’e-6 Finds Evidence Of Volcanic Activity On Moon’s Far Side. Read more
6. The World’s Most Powerful Rocket Starship, Completes Sixth Test. Read more

National Large Solar Telescope (NLST)

India is set to build a massive solar telescope, the National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), in Ladakh, specifically on the banks of Pangong Tso Lake in Merak at an altitude of 4,200 meters. This high-altitude, cold desert region is ideal for optical and infrared observations due to its clear skies and mild winds, which offer excellent visibility. The NLST will complement ISRO’s Aditya L-1 satellite, which is already providing solar data. The project is expected to cost over ₹150 crore and could be completed in a few years, pending approvals.

The telescope’s location near Pangong Tso is advantageous due to its calm atmosphere, which enhances observation clarity, and the continuous breeze that will help keep the instruments cool. The NLST will be India’s largest solar telescope and play a crucial role in studying solar phenomena, particularly solar storms and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), which can impact Earth’s space-based technologies. This research is vital for predicting geomagnetic storms that could disrupt communications and GPS signals.

India’s Principal Scientific Advisor, Ajay K. Sood, recently visited the site, noting its exceptional conditions for stargazing. The telescope project is part of India’s broader ambitions in solar astronomy, as outlined in the “Mega Science Vision – 2035” report.

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels reached a record high in 2024.

Fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are expected to reach 37.4 billion tonnes in 2024, up 0.8% from 2023, according to the 2024 Global Carbon Budget. According to the researchers, there is “no sign” that global emissions of fossil CO2 have peaked, despite the pressing need to reduce emissions in order to mitigate climate change.

Total CO2 emissions are expected to increase from 40.6 billion tonnes last year to 41.6 billion tonnes in 2024, with 4.2 billion tonnes expected to come from land-use change (such as deforestation). While land-use change CO2 emissions have generally decreased during the past ten years, fossil CO2 emissions have increased, bringing overall emissions to about the same level.

Emissions from land-use change and fossil fuels are expected to increase this year, with dry conditions intensifying emissions from fires caused by deforestation and forest degradation during the El Niño climate event in 2023–2024.

The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is still rising due to the current annual release of nearly 40 billion tonnes, which is causing severe global warming. In addition to 80 other institutions worldwide, the study team comprised the University of Exeter, the University of East Anglia (UEA), Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, the Alfred-Wegener Institute, and the CICERO Centre for International Climate study.

The First Wooden Satellite Launches for Space 

LignoSat, the first satellite with wood panels, was sent into orbit. The purpose of this little spacecraft is to investigate whether wood can be used as a sustainable building material for upcoming space missions. Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry collaborated to develop LignoSat, which was sent to the ISS in a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule.
LignoSat: What is it?
LignoSat is a small satellite that weighs 900 grams and area is only 10 cm square. Magnolia wood panels are used in its construction. Without the use of glue or screws, the design makes use of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Its distinctive composition is indicated by the name “LignoSat,” which comes from the Latin word for wood.

The mission’s objective
The goal of the expedition is to evaluate how durable wood is in the hostile environment of space. Every forty-five minutes, the temperature in space can fluctuate from -100 to 100 degrees Celsius. Additionally, LignoSat will evaluate how well wood protects semiconductors from space radiation.

Wood’s Benefits in Space
Wood may fare better in space than metals, according to researchers. Without oxygen and water, wood does not burn or degrade way it does on Earth. This feature might make wooden buildings in space conditions last longer. Within the next 50 years, the Kyoto University team hopes to build wooden houses and cultivate trees on the Moon and Mars.

Amazon Launches First ‘Amazon Future Engineer Makerspace’ in Bengaluru

On November 12, Amazon announced the launch of its first Amazon Future Engineer Makerspace in Bengaluru. The initiative aims to skill over 4,000 students by 2025, offering free learning programs targeted at underprivileged students from grades 5 to 12.

Key Highlights:

• Skill Development Focus: Students will be trained in innovative technological skills, including coding, robotics, and design thinking.
• Program Options:
  • Short beginner programs (3-4 hours) teach basic robotics and coding.
  • Advanced programs (6 hours over two days) cover robotics, programming, prototyping, and design.
• Pre-Booking and Group Sessions: Students can book online sessions accommodating up to 40 participants.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: The makerspace is equipped with 3D printers, lathes, power tools, electronics, and kits for international competitions.
• Expert Guidance: Amazon volunteers and expert mentors will help students develop coding, problem-solving, and design-thinking skills.

This initiative is part of Amazon’s effort to empower the next generation with future-ready technological skills.

Chang’e-6 Lunar Mission

Key Highlights:

1. First Far-Side Lunar Samples:
   • Chang’e-6 became the first mission to successfully collect samples from the Moon’s far side.
   • The samples reveal ancient volcanic activity and offer insights into the Moon’s geological history.
2. Significant Discoveries:
   • Collected samples include volcanic basalt fragments aged 4.2 billion and 2.8 billion years, indicating prolonged volcanic activity over 1.4 billion years.
   • Evidence suggests diverse magma sources shaped the Moon’s volcanic past.
3. Landing Site – South Pole-Aitken Basin:
   • Located at the Apollo Crater within the South Pole-Aitken Basin, an area with the Moon’s thinnest crust.
   • The region’s thin crust provides a unique opportunity to study volcanic evidence in detail.
4. Mission Timeline:
   • Launch: May 3, 2024, on Long March 5 rocket.
   • Lunar Orbit: Reached orbit on May 8, 2024.
   • Landing: June 1, 2024, at 22:23 UT.
   • Sample Return: June 25, 2024.
5. Spacecraft Details:
   • Total mass: ~8200 kg, with four modules (orbiter, return vehicle, lander, ascender).
   • Equipped with a robotic arm, drill, cameras, and instruments from France, Sweden, ESA, Italy, and Pakistan.
   • Power supplied by solar panels; communications via Queqiao-2 relay satellite.
6. Sample Collection & Return:
   • Collected ~2 kg of material, including surface and subsurface samples (up to 2 meters deep).
   • Samples were transported by the ascender to the orbiter, which returned them to Earth.
7. Scientific Contributions:
   • Detection of radon outgassing and analysis of negative ions on the lunar surface.
   • Deployment of a small rover for imaging the lander and conducting surface exploration.

Significance:

The Chang’e-6 mission represents a major leap in lunar exploration by providing critical data about the Moon’s less-studied far side and its ancient volcanic processes, offering new insights into the Moon’s formation and evolution.

official Souce: Nasa

Starship, the World’s Most Powerful Rocket, Completes Sixth Test

On November 20 at 3:30 AM, SpaceX launched its Starship rocket from Boca Chica, Texas. This was the sixth test of Starship, a system combining the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy rocket. The mission included successfully re-igniting the engines in space before performing a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean.

Key Highlights:

1. Unique Capabilities:
   • SpaceX is currently the only company with the capability to re-ignite engines in space, critical for future missions involving deorbit burns.
2. Data Collection:
   • During re-entry, Starship flew at a higher angle of attack, providing valuable data on flap control and the thermal protection system. This information will help refine future designs.
3. Performance Stats:
   • At an altitude of 50 km, Starship reached speeds of approximately 14,000 km/h, with temperatures soaring to 1,430°C.
   • During atmospheric re-entry, it hit speeds of 26,000 km/h, enduring similar extreme temperatures.
4. Technical Features:
   • Starship is equipped with six Raptor engines, while the Super Heavy booster has 33 Raptor engines.
5. Previous Test (October 13):
   • The Super Heavy booster was launched to an altitude of 96 km before returning to the launchpad, where it was caught by Mechazilla—a pair of robotic metal arms resembling chopsticks.

This successful test advances SpaceX’s efforts in developing reusable spacecraft for interplanetary missions, paving the way for innovations in space exploration.