Current Affairs July 2023

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ‘s  PSLV-C56 rocket successfully launched the Singapore’s DS-SAR satellite and six co-passenger payloads from the first launch-pad of SDSC-SHAR in Sriharikota on 30 June 2023.

1. PSLV-C56 is a Dedicated Commercial Mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) for ST Engineering, Singapore. DS-SAR is a Radar Imaging Earth Observation satellite and the primary payload for the mission.
2. The mission also carried six co-passenger customer satellites from Singapore.
3. Among the co-passenger payloads, VELOX-AM is a microsatellite developed by Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, for technology demonstration of Additive Manufacturing (AM) payloads.
4. ARCADE is a 27U microsatellite designed and built by Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, in collaboration with the INSPIRE consortium. ARCADE carries an iodine-based solid propellant propulsion module for orbit maintenance.
5. The DS-SAR satellite is equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
6. The SAR payload enables DS-SAR to provide high-quality imagery regardless of weather conditions, offering all-weather day and night coverage with 1m-resolution imaging and full polarimetry.
7. PSLV-C56 is configured in its core-alone mode, similar to the previous C55 mission. All satellites were injected into a 535 km circular orbit with 5 degrees orbital inclination.
8. After injecting all the satellites, the upper stage of the rocket would be placed in a lower orbit of 300 km to ensure reduced orbital life and address space debris mitigation problems.
9. This was the 58th flight of PSLV and the 17th flight of PSLV in Core Alone configuration.
10. After the successful launch, ISRO Chairman S. Somnath congratulated the customers sponsored by the Government of Singapore for their mission on board PSLV.
11. Mission Director Biju SR mentioned that it is the 56th successful mission of PSLV, which successfully injected all seven customer satellites into their designated orbits.

Q.: What is the primary payload of ISRO’s PSLV-C56 rocket launched from Sriharikota on 30 June 2023?

A) DS-SAR satellite
B) VELOX-AM microsatellite
C) ARCADE microsatellite
D) ST Engineering payload

Answer: A) DS-SAR satellite

President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Geoscience Awards-2022 on 24 July in New Delhi, honoring individuals and teams for achievements in geosciences.

1. Twenty-two geoscientists, including two women, were awarded at the ceremony.
2. Geoscience includes the study of natural disasters like landslides, earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis, which are called Public Good Geosciences due to their value in protecting people.
3. Mining plays a vital role in India’s economy, and recent progressive changes in the sector have improved its capacity and productivity.
4. The President encouraged human-centric mining and appreciated Indian geoscientists for contributing to the efficient use of minerals.
5. There is a focus on minerals like Rare Earth Elements, Platinum Group of Elements, and Semiconducting Elements, while considering environmental protection.
6. Dr. Om Narain Bhargava received the National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement for his pioneering work in the Himalayas.
7. Dr. Amiya Kumar Samal was presented with the National Young Geoscientist Award for his significant contributions to understanding the lithospheric mantle below different Archean cratons of the Indian shield.

Q.: Who received the National Geoscience Award 2022 for Lifetime Achievement ?

A) Dr. Om Narain Bhargava
B) Dr. Amiya Kumar Samal
C) President Droupadi Murmu
D) Banaras Hindu University

Answer: A) Dr. Om Narain Bhargava

Semicon India 2023 will be held from 28 July to 30 July 2023 in Gandhinagar, Gujrat. It is being organized by India Semiconductor Mission.

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event.
2. The exhibition will showcase the manufacturing process of semiconductors and the progress made in this field.
3. The exhibition will be open to the public until 30th July.
4. Semicon India 2023 is a national-level event focusing on the latest semiconductor technology.
5. Leading companies in the semiconductor sector will participate in the event.
6. Students of engineering and other disciplines can learn about semiconductor manufacturing at the exhibition.
7. The event aims to celebrate India’s prowess in the semiconductor domain.
8. The goal is to make India a global hub for Semiconductor Design, Manufacturing, and Technology Development.

Q.: Where will the event “Semicon India 2023” take place from 28th to 30th July 2023?
A) New Delhi
B) Bengaluru
C) Hyderabad
D) Gandhinagar

Answer: D) Gandhinagar

Twitter has launched a new logo on 24 July 2023, replacing the iconic blue bird with an X as part of a broader rebranding effort.

1. Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk, along with the Chief Executive Officer Linda Yaccarino, unveiled the new logo for the platform.
2. The rebranding comes as the latest change since Elon Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022 for $43.2 billion.
3. Twitter is an online social media and networking service owned and operated by American company X Corp, which is the successor of Twitter, Inc.
4. The platform was originally created by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams in March 2006, and it was officially launched in July of the same year.

Q.: What is the recent change made by Twitter in its branding?
a) Changed its name to X Corp.
b) Replaced its blue bird logo with an X.
c) Introduced a new social media platform.
d) Acquired a competitor company.

Ans : b) Replaced its blue bird logo with an X.