Science and Technology Current Affairs

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launched India’s first home-produced Reference Fuel in New Delhi on October 26, 2023. It’s used for developing engines and assessing their performance.

1. The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) developed these higher-specification reference fuels to replace imports and ensure a reliable supply at a lower cost.
2. Indian Oil’s Paradip and Panipat refineries will produce the reference fuel.
3. These fuels are used for calibration and testing of vehicles by automobile manufacturers and testing agencies like the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) and the Automotive Research Association of India.
4. India’s self-reliance strategy aims to end the country’s reliance on imports in the energy sector.
5. This marks the first time India has ventured into the production of reference gasoline and diesel fuels, reducing import dependency.
6. The move is a significant step toward achieving India’s goal of energy self-reliance, reducing the carbon footprint, and having a cost advantage by ending imports.

MCQs on Reference Fuel

Q.: What is the primary purpose of Reference Fuel?

a) Fuel for vehicles
b) Fuel for household use
c) Developing engines and assessing their performance
d) An alternative to conventional fuels

Ans : c) Developing engines and assessing their performance

Q.: Which organization developed the Reference Fuel to replace imports?

a) Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
b) Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)
c) Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)
d) International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT)

Ans : b) Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)

The Education Ministry informed, that National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has developed ten special modules about Chandrayaan-3. These modules provide a comprehensive overview of various aspects of the mission, including scientific, technological, cultural, and social aspects.

1. The Ministry emphasizes the importance of going beyond traditional textbooks to equip teachers and students with knowledge that instills pride in India’s accomplishments.
2. The aim is to make the nation’s achievements more accessible and captivating for the educational community.
3. The content in these modules is interactive and engaging, featuring graphics, photographs, illustrations, activities, and challenging questions.
4. These modules are designed for students from grades 1 to 12.

Note : All UPSC and SSC aspirants must note that inclusion of Chandrayaan-3 topic in NCERT indicate that questions about this moon mission will be asked in every upcoming competitive exams.

Q.: Which organization has meticulously crafted ten special modules about Chandrayaan-3 for students spanning from grades 1 to 12?

A. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
B. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
C. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
D. Ministry of Education, India

Answer: C. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) conducted a successful test of the crew escape system for the Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission, on October 21, 2023.

1. The test involved a liquid-propelled single-stage Test Vehicle (TV-D1) launching from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, carrying the Crew Escape System, a homegrown safety system for Indian astronauts.
2. The test validated various motors, including low-altitude motors, high-altitude motors, and jettisoning motors, which are crucial for safely ejecting astronauts from the vehicle in case of an emergency.
3. ISRO Chairman S Somnath declared the mission successful, confirming that the objectives were achieved.
4. The launch was initially halted due to an anomaly, but the issue was corrected, and the spacecraft lifted off at 10 AM.
5. Nine minutes after liftoff, the mission crew module successfully splashed down in the Bay of Bengal, approximately ten kilometers away from Sriharikota.
6. The Indian Navy was on standby at the designated location for the recovery of the module.
7. Naval divers retrieved the module, and it was taken to a Naval ship.

MCQs

Q.: What organization conducted the successful test of the crew escape system for India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan?

a. NASA
b. ISRO
c. ESA
d. Roscosmos

Ans : b. ISRO

Q.: Where did the mission crew module splash down after the test?

a. Indian Ocean
b. Arabian Sea
c. Bay of Bengal
d. Andaman Sea

Ans : c. Bay of Bengal

GITEX Global 2023, largest technology and startup show in the world, took place from October 16th to October 20th at Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Harbour. The event spanned 41 halls across two venues and attracted over 6,000 exhibitors and 180,000 tech executives from more than 100 countries.

GITEX Global 2023 Theme

The event’s theme was “The Year to Imagine AI in Everything,” focusing on various aspects of artificial intelligence and technology.

Event Activities:

• GITEX Global 2023 offered a wide range of activities, including paid and unpaid conferences, technical workshops, seminars, certified training sessions, and more, spread across 20 conference tracks.
• The event also featured the world’s largest startup show at Dubai Harbour, which is the region’s largest superyacht hub.
• A significant component of the event was GITEX Cyber Valley, a cybersecurity showcase.

Highlights:

• Notable highlights of GITEX Global 2023 included the presence of over 1,800 startups from over 100 countries, more than 900 investors managing $1 trillion in investments, and over 3,500 AI enterprises and startups.
• The event featured over 500 hours of AI debates and discussions, offering insights into the impact of Generative AI, Machine Learning, NLP, AIG, neural networks, robotics, and more.

India Participation :

Indian companies were prominently featured at GITEX 2023, showcasing their leadership in Robotic Process Automation (RPA) innovation.

MCQs on GITEX Global 2023

Q.: Where did GITEX Global 2023, the world’s largest technology and startup show take place?

a) Dubai International Airport
b) Dubai Mall
c) Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Harbour
d) Dubai Marina

Ans : c) Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Harbour

Q.: What was the theme of GITEX Global 2023?

a) “The Year of Space Exploration”
b) “The Year of Sustainability”
c) “The Year to Imagine AI in Everything”
d) “The Year of Global Trade”

Ans : c) “The Year to Imagine AI in Everything”

Gaganyaan Test Vehicle Space flight (TV-D1) is scheduled for launch on October 21, 2023. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will use this test to evaluate the efficacy of the Crew Escape System, a crucial component of the “Gaganyaan” mission.

1. The “Gaganyaan” mission aims to send both unmanned and manned missions to outer space by 2024.
2. The test is to be conducted at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, and the Crew Module will be responsible for carrying astronauts during the Gaganyaan mission.
3. Success in this test will pave the way for the first unmanned “Gaganyaan” mission and, eventually, a manned mission in low Earth orbit.
4. Prior to the ultimate manned “Gaganyaan” mission, a test flight is planned for next year, which will carry “Vyommitra,” a female robot astronaut.

MCQ

Q.: Who is “Vyommitra” in the context of the Gaganyaan mission?

A. The mission commander
B. The official spokesperson for ISRO
C. A female robot astronaut
D. A famous Indian astronaut

Ans : C. A female robot astronaut

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has initiated preparations for the Flight Test Vehicle Abort Mission 1 (TV-D1) as part of the Gaganyaan mission. ISRO has announced on 6 October 2023, that unmanned flight tests for the Gaganyaan mission will begin soon.

1. The focus of the test includes assessing the effectiveness of the Crew Escape System, a crucial component of the Gaganyaan mission.
2. The Gaganyaan mission aims to achieve unmanned and manned missions to outer space by the year 2024.
3. The test is scheduled to be conducted at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
4. The Crew Module will be responsible for carrying astronauts during the Gaganyaan mission into outer space.
5. The test involves launching a crew module into outer space, retrieving it, and recovering it after it touches down in the Bay of Bengal.
6. The Indian Navy personnel have initiated mock operations to practice the recovery of the crew module.
7. The success of this test is critical as it paves the way for the first unmanned Gaganyaan mission and, subsequently, a manned mission to low Earth orbit.
8. During the Gaganyaan mission, the Crew Module with three astronauts will be placed in a circular orbit approximately 400 kilometers above the Earth for a duration of three days before safely returning to Earth.
9. Four selected astronauts are currently undergoing crew training at the Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru.
10. The heavy-lift launcher HLVM3 rocket will be utilized for the Gaganyaan mission.

Q.: What is the primary objective of the Gaganyaan mission?

a) To mine asteroids for valuable resources
b) To send robotic missions to Mars
c) To establish India’s capability for crewed spaceflight
d) To study the Earth’s magnetic field

Answer: c) To establish India’s capability for crewed spaceflight

Q.: How many astronauts are planned to be placed in the Crew Module during the Gaganyaan mission?

a) Two
b) Three
c) Four
d) Five

Ans : b) Three