NASA’s Artemis Program: The first moonbound rocket and spacecraft of NASA’s Artemis program are expected to do a “wet dress rehearsal” on the launch pad in February. Artemis– Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of Moon’s Interaction with the Sun. It is NASA’s next mission to the Moon. Objective: To measure what happens when the Sun’s […]
What Is Space Debris?
What Is Space Debris? Russia blew up one of its old satellites in November in a missile test that sparked international anger because of the space debris it scattered around the Earth’s orbit. Recently, a Chinese satellite (Tsinghua Science Satellite) had a near collision with one of the many chunks of debris left by the […]
VIKAS Engine: Important Points
High Thrust VIKAS Engine: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently conducted a successful qualification test of its High Thrust VIKAS Engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Tamil Nadu’s Mahendragiri. The Vikas engine will power the ambitious Gaganyaan mission into space. About the Vikas engine: It is a family of liquid fuelled rocket […]
19ṭh Tranche of Electoral Bonds
Electoral Bonds: The 19ṭh tranche of electoral bonds, which have been pitched as an alternative to cash donations, were on sale, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in five States. In the past, the Supreme Court has raised the possibility of misuse of money received by political parties through electoral bonds. This may defeat the […]
Deputation Of All India Services Officer
Deputation Of All India Services Officer: The Centre has proposed amendments to the IAS (Cadre) Rules in order to exercise greater control in central deputation of IAS officials, which has often been at the centre of tussles between the Centre and the states. Central deputation in the Indian Administrative Service is covered under Rule-6 (1) […]
New Circuit House At Somnath
New Circuit House At Somnath: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Circuit House at Somnath on 21st January, 2022. Somnath Temple is visited by lakhs of devotees from India and abroad every year. The need for the new Circuit House was felt as the existing government facility was located far off from the […]
Enhanced BrahMos Fired off Odisha Coast
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile: BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with enhanced capability, successfully test-fired off Odisha coast. BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with increased indigenous content and improved performance, was successfully test-fired from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on January 20, 2022. The launch was conducted by Brahmos Aerospace in close coordination with […]
Rural Area Development Plan Formulation And Implementation (RADPFI) Guidelines
Rural Area Development Plan Formulation And Implementation (RADPFI) Guidelines: Union Minister Shri Giriraj Singh releases revised Rural Area Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (RADPFI) Guidelines prepared by Ministry of Panchayati Raj. This new Guideline (2021) is Focused on: Typology of villages to prepare the spatial development plan (population, agro-climatic zones, Hill areas, disaster occurrence, urban-peri-urban […]
Oil Prices Up: Brent Crude
Brent Crude: Oil prices are at their highest levels since 2014 — Brent crude hit $88.3 per barrel, up 27% since December 1, when it was trading at $69.5. The spike has been driven primarily by fears of supply side disruptions. The attack by Yemen’s Houthis on fuel trucks in Abu Dhabi, in which three […]
What is a Justice Clock?
Justice Clock: Supreme Court e-Committee chairperson and SC judge Justice DY Chandrachud inaugurated two digital services for Gujarat High court — a ‘Justice Clock’, and electronic payment of court fee. An LED display of 7 feet by 10 feet, placed at a height of 17 feet from the ground, has been erected at a busy […]
