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ISRO successfully launches next generation weather satellite INSAT-3DS from Sriharikota

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched GSLV F14 on 17 Feb 2024 from the second launch pad at the Sathish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

  • The weather satellite, INSAT 3DS, was injected into the destined path approximately 20 minutes after the lift-off.
  • All three stages, including the cryogenic stage, performed normally as expected.
  • The 51-meter-tall rocket carried INSAT 3DS and took off with a majestic roar witnessed by thousands of onlookers at the visitors gallery and scientists at the control centre.
  • Mr. Somanath, Chairman ISRO, confirmed the success of the mission, stating that INSAT 3DS is a next-generation satellite with deployed solar panels.
  • Mission Director, Tomy Joseph, highlighted the successful lift-off of GSLV and mentioned a 50-kilogram payload increase for INSAT 3DS.
  • INSAT 3DS is tracked by control centres at Brunei and Port Blair.

Q: What is the purpose of satellite INSAT-3DS?

A) Communication
B) Earth observation
C) Meteorological observations
D) Space exploration

Answer: C) Meteorological observations

Q: Which rocket was used to launch INSAT 3DS?

A) PSLV
B) GSLV Mk III
C) GSLV Mk II
D) GSLV-F14

Answer: D) GSLV-F14

Cochin International Airport and BPCL Collaborate for World’s First Green Hydrogen Plant at Airport Premises

Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) in Kerala has signed an MOU with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) to establish a green hydrogen plant on its premises, producing 1000 KW of power.

  • This project is recognized as the world’s first Green Hydrogen plant in an airport.
  • BPCL will be responsible for setting up the integrated Green Hydrogen plant and fueling station at Kochi airport, while CIAL will contribute land, water, and green energy resources.
  • The project aims to be completed early next year, with the initial output used for powering vehicles within the airport.
  • The MOU signing took place in Thiruvananthapuram, in the presence of State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is also the Chairman of CIAL.
  • Cochin International Airport is known for its commitment to green energy and is the world’s first airport to be fully powered by solar energy.
  • The airport currently has a cumulative installed capacity of 50 MW, generating two lakh units of power per day through big solar power plants and a hydel station.

Q: What makes the proposed project at Kochi airport unique globally?

a) Largest hydrogen plant in an airport
b) First Green Hydrogen plant in an airport
c) Most powerful hydrogen plant in an airport
d) First solar-powered airport

Ans : b) First Green Hydrogen plant in an airport

Vyommitra: Woman Robot Astronaut Prepares for Liftoff

Woman Robot Astronaut “Vyommitra” will fly into Space ahead of ISRO’s “Gaganyaan” mission, in the third quarter of this year.

Vyommitra, named for “space friend,” isn’t just a robot; she’s India’s stepping stone to human spaceflight. This female robot astronaut will fly solo in 2024, testing tech for the “Gaganyaan” mission, India’s first human spaceflight in 2025.

Vyommitra’s Mission:

  • Monitor & Alert: She’ll keep tabs on the spacecraft’s environment, alerting scientists of any issues.
  • Basic Tasks: Operating panels and responding to simple questions showcase human-robot collaboration potential.
  • Paving the Way: By testing life support, communication, and the spacecraft itself, Vyommitra ensures a smooth journey for future astronauts.

Significance:

  • Testing Ground: Gathers crucial data before humans fly, ensuring their safety and mission success.
  • Tech Validation: Validates technologies vital for human spaceflight, paving the path for advancements.
  • Inspiration for All: This mission ignites passion for science, technology, and space exploration in young minds.

Q: What is the name of the woman robot astronaut that will fly into space ahead of ISRO’s “Gaganyaan” mission?

a. Vyomnaut
b. Gaganyaatri
c. Vyommitra
d. Astronautila

Ans : c. Vyommitra

Q: What specific functions will Vyommitra perform to ensure a smooth journey for future astronauts?

a. Operating panels and responding to simple questions
b. Testing life support and communication systems
c. Piloting the spacecraft
d. Conducting scientific experiments

Ans : b. Testing life support and communication systems

NASA Postponed Artemis Moon Missions, which aims to send humans to the moon.

  • NASA has postponed its plans for the Artemis program, which aims to send humans to the moon.
  • The Artemis III mission, intended to land four astronauts near the lunar south pole, will be delayed until September 2026.
  • Artemis II, a 10-day mission to send a crew around the moon to test life support systems, will also be pushed back to September 2025.
  • NASA cited development challenges associated with the program as the reason for the delays.
  • The Artemis III mission aims to have astronauts walking on the lunar surface for the first time in half a century.
  • The postponement was announced shortly after a Pittsburgh company abandoned its attempt to land a spacecraft on the moon due to a mission-ending fuel leak.
  • The Astrobotic Technology’s Peregrine lander, launched as part of NASA’s commercial lunar program, was supposed to serve as a scout for astronauts.

Q: What is the primary goal of NASA’s Artemis program?

a. Sending humans to Mars
b. Sending humans back to the moon
c. Exploring asteroids
d. Establishing a space station on Mars

Ans : b. Sending humans to the moon

ISRO’s Aditya-L1 successfully placed in a halo orbit around L1 point  

  • ISRO successfully placed the Aditya L1 satellite into its final orbit around the Lagrangian point on January 6, 2024.
  • The Halo orbit around the L1 point is considered a challenging task, and ISRO used a meticulous approach, employing the motor and thrusters from the Ground Command Centre, located approximately 1.5 million km away.
  • The propulsion system of Aditya L1 includes a 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor, eight 22 Newton thrusters, and four 10 Newton thrusters, which were intermittently fired to position the spacecraft at the L1 point.
  • Aditya L1 is India’s first solar mission designed to observe and study the Sun’s Corona, exploring its extreme heat and its impact on Earth.
  • The Lagrangian Point (L1) is where gravitational forces between the Earth and the Sun achieve equilibrium, allowing observation of the Sun without the hindrance of an eclipse.
  • Aditya L1, launched from Sriharikota, underwent four Earth-bound maneuvers and a Trans Lagrangian Point Insertion maneuver as part of its mission.

Q: What is the Lagrangian Point (L1) ?

a. A point where two spacecraft collide
b. A point where gravitational forces reach equilibrium between Earth and the Moon
c. A point where gravitational forces reach equilibrium between Earth and the Sun
d. A point in space where there is no gravitational force

Ans : c. A point where gravitational forces reach equilibrium between Earth and the Sun

ISRO launched XPOSAT aboard PSLV-C58 from Sriharikota

  • ISRO launched X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) on January 1, 2024, aboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C58 from Sriharikota.
  • This marks India’s first dedicated scientific effort to study the polarization of cosmic X-rays from celestial sources.
  • PSLV-C58 also launched ten other scientific payloads along with XPoSat.
  • The launch involved PSLV-DL, placing XPoSat and other payloads in orbit at an altitude of about 650 km.
  • Objectives include measuring polarization of X-rays in a specific energy band, conducting long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources, and measuring X-ray emissions from cosmic sources in specific payloads.
  • After orbiting XPoSat at 650 km, the rocket’s fourth stage will be lowered to 350 km through two restarts, creating a 9.6-degree orbit.
  • The leftover propellant in the PS4 will be disposed of through main engines, contributing to the safety of PS4 stage in planned atmosphere re-entry experiments in the future.

Q: What is the primary objective of the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) launched by ISRO?

a. Studying atmospheric conditions
b. Analyzing polarisation of cosmic X-rays
c. Monitoring space debris
d. Examining lunar surface features

Ans : b. Analyzing polarisation of cosmic X-rays

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