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GS Paper: GS3-17.Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

  • 3I/ATLAS: A Possible 7-Billion-Year-Old Interstellar Comet Discovered

    Why in the News?

    Astronomers discovered 3I/ATLAS, a 7-billion-year-old interstellar comet, using the NASA-funded ATLAS telescope in Chile. It is now nearing its closest approach to the Sun.

    About 3I/ATLAS:

    • Discovery: It was detected on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS telescope in Río Hurtado, Chile; confirmed interstellar due to its hyperbolic orbit and high speed (57–68 km/s).
    • Significance: It is likely the oldest comet ever observed, possibly 7.6–14 billion years old, older than our 4.5-billion-year-old solar system.
    • Nature: It appeared like an interstellar comet, showing signs of activity, including a coma (cloud of dust/ice) and likely a tail as it nears the Sun.
    • Composition: Rich in water ice and complex organic compounds; has a reddish hue indicating ancient, primordial material.
    • Size: Estimated nucleus diameter is 10–30 km, larger than previous interstellar objects like 1I/ʻOumuamua and 2I/Borisov.
    • Trajectory:
      • Closest to Earth: ~270 million km (no threat).
      • Closest to Sun: ~210 million km (Oct 29–30, 2025).
      • Will exit the solar system permanently after perihelion.
    • Scientific Importance:
      • It offers rare opportunity to study materials from another star system.
      • It can reveal clues about the formation of the Milky Way, other solar systems, and early star formation processes.

    Back2Basics: ATLAS Telescope

    • ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) is a NASA-funded early warning project for detecting small near-Earth objects (NEOs).
    • It is developed and operated by the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy.
    • As of 2025, ATLAS operates five telescopes in Hawaii, South Africa, Chile, and the Canary Islands.
    • Each telescope has a 0.5-meter Wright-Schmidt design, a 1-meter focal length, and a 110 MP CCD detector with a 7.4° field of view.
    • The system scans 20,000 square degrees of sky three times per night and provides 1–3 week warnings for asteroids 45–120 meters wide.
    • In addition to asteroids, ATLAS also discovers supernovae, comets, dwarf planets, and variable stars.

    What are Interstellar Objects?

    • Overview: Celestial bodies that originate outside the solar system and travel through it on open-ended (hyperbolic) orbits.
    • Key Characteristics:
      • Not gravitationally bound to the Sun.
      • Travel at very high speeds, often unaffected by solar gravity.
      • Do not return once they pass through the inner solar system.
    • Known Interstellar Visitors:
      1. 1I/ʻOumuamua (2017) – Asteroid-like, no coma or tail.
      2. 2I/Borisov (2019) – Active comet with typical cometary features.
    • 3I/ATLAS (2025) – Discussed above.
    • How are they Identified:
      • Hyperbolic trajectory confirmed via orbital calculations.
      • Speed at great distances exceeds gravitational escape velocity.
    • Scientific Value:
      • Provide direct clues about planetary formation beyond our solar system.
      • Can reveal chemical signatures from other star systems.
      • Allow us to study primordial matter from distant parts of the galaxy.
      • Act as natural probes from unknown regions of the Milky Way.

    How is 3I/ATLAS different from ordinary Comets?

    3I/ATLAS

    Ordinary Comets
    Origin Formed outside the Solar System; interstellar in nature Formed within the Solar System — Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud
    Orbital Type Hyperbolic (eccentricity ≈ 6); unbound from the Sun Elliptical or parabolic; bound by the Sun’s gravity
    Velocity Very high,~57 km/s (too fast to be captured by Sun) Moderate, typically 10–40 km/s within solar orbit
    Trajectory Enters and exits Solar System once; non-repeating Periodic or long-period; returns after fixed intervals
    Tail Direction Exhibited a rare sunward (anti-tail) due to CO₂-driven ice scattering Always points away from the Sun due to radiation pressure and solar wind
    Composition High CO₂/H₂O ratio, nickel-rich, iron-poor, chemically distinct Dominated by H₂O, CO, CO₂, silicates, and dust in solar proportions
    Activity Pattern Displays phase shift: anti-tail → normal tail as it nears the Sun Predictable increase in activity and sublimation near perihelion
    Spectral Signature Strong CO₂ emission lines; unusual metallic features Typical cometary spectra, OH, CN, C₂, CO, NH₂ bands
    Size of Nucleus Estimated 0.44–5.6 km in diameter Varies widely; many are a few kilometres across
    Scientific Significance Provides insight into exoplanetary system composition and interstellar chemistry Preserves a record of early Solar System formation and evolution
    Speculative Aspects Some hypotheses suggest a possible artificial or exotic origin (no evidence) Fully natural and well-understood in origin and dynamics
    [UPSC 2011] What is the difference between asteroids and comets?

    1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material. 2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and mercury. 3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only* (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

  • Governance, cybersecurity move to centrestage in AI conversations

    Introduction and Why in the News

    Artificial Intelligence, once hailed purely as an efficiency enhancer, is now at the centre of ethical, cybersecurity, and accountability debates. The AI@Work roundtable in Mumbai, moderated by industry and data leaders, highlighted that as organisations adopt AI to accelerate operations, they are simultaneously confronting unprecedented risks. These risks arise from data breaches and AI unpredictability to physical and digital intrusions. Globally, the scale of the threat is stark: over 36,000 AI-driven cyber incidents have been detected recently, revealing vulnerabilities that demand robust governance mechanisms. The focus is shifting from innovation for profit to AI for responsible, transparent, and accountable governance.

    How is AI reshaping governance and business operations?

    1. AI as a catalyst: AI is transforming industries, automating functions, and unlocking efficiency, especially in large corporations like HPCL.
    2. Governance shift: The emphasis is moving from using AI for automation to using it for secure, ethical, and explainable decision-making.
    3. Corporate accountability: Company Boards are now integrating AI risk management as part of business strategy and compliance mechanisms.

    What are the major cybersecurity challenges emerging from AI integration?

    1. Dual challenge: HPCL and similar enterprises face both digital intrusions and physical tampering, such as pipeline or fuel data manipulation.
    2. Data breaches and tampering: AI systems amplify vulnerabilities by collecting, analysing, and predicting based on sensitive data.
    3. AI unpredictability: As one executive noted, AI “can behave unpredictably”, even making errors like confusing CAPTCHA, reflecting how AI mimics but doesn’t fully understand human behaviour.
    4. Evolving threats: Traditional cybersecurity tools like SIEM systems are being replaced by AI-based predictive defence models.

    How are organisations building responsible AI frameworks?

    1. Ethical design: Companies are embedding AI hygiene protocols involving legal, ethical, and operational reviews.
    2. Cross-functional training: AI safety and compliance are being promoted through employee retraining and AI literacy initiatives.
    3. Accountability culture: “Who builds, who manages, and who owns AI” is now being formalised as part of corporate accountability structures.
    4. AI governance frameworks: Emphasis on explainability, transparency, and traceability of AI decisions.

    How is India’s corporate sector responding to data and cybersecurity concerns?

    1. AI-based monitoring: Firms like HPCL have set up ATOM – Autonomous Threat Operations Machines capable of detecting and neutralising threats within minutes.
    2. Prioritisation of data integrity: Secure perimeters, application firewalls, and endpoint safety are now standard.
    3. Rise of human-AI synergy: Human oversight remains essential even as AI automates responses.
    4. New compliance model: AI-driven auditing and data lineage tools enhance traceability and prevent tampering.

    Why is accountability and explainability central to future AI governance?

    1. Ownership and transparency: AI accountability now spans design to deployment stages.
    2. Explainability: Organisations must show how AI works, not just that it works, to maintain compliance.
    3. Ethical responsibility: AI ethics involves documenting data sources, audit trails, and decisions for regulatory and consumer trust.
    4. Broader awareness: Employees and consumers alike are being educated about AI literacy and bias detection.

    Conclusion

    The shift of AI conversations towards governance and cybersecurity signifies India’s entry into a new phase of responsible innovation. As AI pervades every domain, from finance to fuel, the focus must remain on trust, transparency, and traceability. Building ethical AI ecosystems that value both progress and protection is now essential for sustainable digital governance.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2023] Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare?

    Linkage: Both the article and the question highlight how AI, while enhancing efficiency in fields like healthcare and governance, raises critical concerns over data privacy, transparency, and ethical accountability. 

  • Google’s C2S-Scale AI Model

    Why in the News?

    Google DeepMind and Google Research has unveiled Cell2Sentence-Scale 27B (C2S-Scale), an AI model based on the Gemma family, marking a major advance in scientific research.

    About C2S-Scale:

    • Overview: It is a large-language-model (LLM) foundation system created by Google Research, Google DeepMind, and Yale University, designed to interpret the language of cells by converting single-cell transcriptomic data into textual “cell sentences.”
    • Foundation & Architecture: Built on the Gamma family of open models with 27 billion parameters, it is among the world’s largest LLMs for biological data analysis.
    • Purpose: Bridges single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and natural-language reasoning, allowing biologists to query models conversationally and obtain mechanistic hypotheses instead of raw statistics.
    • Experimental Validation: Predicted a CK2-inhibition (silmitasertib + interferon) pathway that increases MHC-I antigen presentation in “cold” tumours, subsequently validated in live-cell assays.

    Key Features:

    • Parameter Scale: ~27 B parameters showing clear scaling-law gains in biological task performance.
    • Data Representation: Converts ranked gene-expression profiles into gene-name sequences, enabling LLMs to treat transcriptomes as text.
    • Multimodal Training: Trained on 50 million + single-cell profiles (human + mouse) plus metadata and scientific literature, aligning molecular data with context.
    • Functional Range: Performs cell-type identification, perturbation-response prediction, dataset summarisation, cluster captioning, and biological Q&A.
    • Reasoning Capability: Generates new, testable hypotheses, extending AI use from pattern detection to biological inference.
    • Open-Source Access: Model weights and code released via Hugging Face and partner labs for community replication and benchmarking.
    [UPSC 2025] Consider the following statements:

    I. It is expected that Majorana 1 chip will enable quantum computing.

    II. Majorana 1 chip has been introduced by Amazon Web Services (AWS).

    III. Deep learning is machine learning.

    How many of the statements given above are correct?

    (a) I and II only (b) II and III only (c) I and III only * (d) I, II and III

     

  • [pib] National Blockchain Framework

    Why in the News?

    This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in the PIB Explainers.

    About National Blockchain Framework (NBF):

    • Launched: September 2024 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with a ₹64.76 crore budget.
    • Objective: Establish a unified, secure, and scalable blockchain architecture for governance and public service delivery.
    • Purpose: Promote trust, transparency, and interoperability across digital systems through a permissioned blockchain network deployed at NIC data centres in Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Hyderabad.
    • Impact: Enables ministries, regulators, and state governments to develop Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions for faster, tamper-proof, and verifiable transactions.

    Core Components of the NBF Ecosystem:

    1. Vishvasya Blockchain Stack:
      1. Indigenous modular platform serving as NBF’s backbone.
      2. Offers Blockchain-as-a-Service, distributed infrastructure, and open APIs for seamless e-Governance integration.
      3. Ensures permissioned, secure, and scalable operations across departments.
    2. NBFLite (Blockchain Sandbox):
      1. A testing environment for startups, academia, and innovators to build and validate blockchain prototypes.
      2. Preloaded with smart contract templates for governance and supply chain applications.
    3. Praamaanik:
      1. A blockchain-based mobile app verification system to authenticate legitimate applications and curb fake or malicious software.
      2. Enhances digital trust and cybersecurity in app ecosystems.
    4. National Blockchain Portal:
      1. A unified digital interface for blockchain adoption across government and industry.
      2. Acts as a repository of standards, policies, and interoperability guidelines under MeitY’s blockchain strategy.

    Applications in India’s Governance:

    • Certificate & Document Chain: Digitally secures government-issued documents (e.g., birth, caste, CBSE certificates) to prevent forgery; 34 crore+ verifications completed on blockchain platforms.
    • Property Chain: Records and verifies land and property transactions transparently, enabling instant ownership validation; Aims to reduce litigation and expedite land record updates.
    • Judiciary Chain: Provides immutable records of judicial data, facilitating e-delivery of notices, bail orders, and summons; 665 judiciary documents verified as of October 2025.
    • Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS): Links police, prosecution, and judiciary databases on blockchain for seamless evidence and case management; 39,000+ documents verified on the blockchain.
    • Logistics Chain (Aushada): Tracks pharmaceutical supply chains in Karnataka from production to hospital delivery, ensuring drug authenticity and quality.
    • TRAI’s Blockchain for Telecom: Uses Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) for tracking SMS transmissions and combating spam; covers 1.13 lakh registered entities.
    • RBI’s Digital Rupee Pilot: Demonstrates blockchain-based Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for traceable and real-time retail transactions.
    • NSDL’s Blockchain Platform: Introduces Debenture Covenant Monitoring for capital markets, ensuring real-time compliance and investor protection.
    • CoE for Blockchain Technology (NIC): Acts as a consulting and training hub for ministries to pilot and scale blockchain applications using open-source systems like Hyperledger Fabric and Ethereum.

    Blockchain Technology

    Blockchain is a decentralized and distributed digital ledger technology that records transactions securely, transparently, and immutably across a network of computers.

    Key Features

    • Decentralization: No single central authority controls the data.
    • Transparency: Transactions are visible to all participants in the network.
    • Immutability: Once recorded, data cannot be altered easily.
    • Security: Uses cryptographic techniques to secure information.
    • Consensus Mechanism: Transactions are validated through mechanisms like Proof of Work (PoW) or Proof of Stake (PoS).
    [UPSC 2020] With reference to “Blockchain Technology” consider the following statements:
    1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls.
    2. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only.
    3. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody’s permission.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 only (d) 1 and 3 only*

  • Scientists use ‘Atomic Stencils’ to make designer Nanoparticles

    Why in the News?

    Scientists from the United States and South Korea have developed a novel “atomic stencilling” method to coat gold nanoparticles with polymer patches, enabling unprecedented nanoscale precision in material design.

    What is Atomic Stencilling?

    • Overview: A novel nanofabrication technique where iodide atoms act as nanoscale masks (stencils) on gold nanoparticle surfaces, allowing scientists to “paint” polymer patches with atomic-level precision.
    • Mechanism: These polymer-coated patches create distinct functional zones on each nanoparticle, enabling controlled self-assembly into complex 3D nanostructures.
    • Innovation Context: Represents a breakthrough in atomic-scale material patterning, advancing nanotechnology toward programmable matter and precision material design.

    Advantages Offered:

    • Atomic Precision: Achieves atomic-scale patterning, precisely controlling patch size, geometry, and placement.
    • High Uniformity: Generates identical nanoparticles for consistent, predictable self-assembly behaviour.
    • Scalability: Allows large-scale synthesis of patchy nanoparticles with simplified processing.
    • Material Versatility: Compatible with multiple materials — gold, silver, silica — and adaptable to various polymer coatings.
    • Enhanced Self-Assembly: Promotes spontaneous formation of ordered 3D superlattices and metamaterials.
    • Functional Tunability: Enables customisation of surface chemistry, optical, and electronic properties.

    Key Applications:

    • Targeted Drug Delivery: Functional patches enable selective binding and controlled release to specific biological targets.
    • Catalysis: Distinct surface domains improve reactivity and catalytic precision.
    • Optoelectronics & Photonics: Supports creation of plasmonic and light-responsive metamaterials.
    • Energy Systems: Enhances charge transfer and stability in batteries and solar cells.
    • Smart Materials: Forms basis for programmable, self-assembling nanostructures with adaptive functions.
    [UPSC 2022] Consider the following statements:
    1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature.
    2. Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of some cosmetics.
    3. Nanoparticles of some commercial products which enter the environment are unsafe for humans.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 2 (d) 2 and 3 *

     

  • What are Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLP)?

    Why in the News?

    For centuries, astronomers and observers have recorded strange, short-lived visual events on the Moon’s surface, known as Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLPs).

    Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLPs)

    About Transient Lunar Phenomena (TLPs):

    • What is it: Short-lived flashes, glows, or hazy patches observed on the Moon’s surface, lasting seconds to several hours before fading.
    • Observation History: Reported for over a thousand years, including Apollo 11 astronauts (1969) who noted a luminous lunar glow.
    • Appearance Types: Include reddish glows, star-like flashes, and mist-like obscurations.
    • Active Regions: Concentrated around Aristarchus and Plato craters, considered the most dynamic lunar zones.
    • Scientific Implication: Suggests that the Moon remains geologically active, contradicting earlier assumptions of total dormancy.
    • Theories on Origin: Scientists propose several explanations for TLPs:
      1. Lunar Outgassing: Trapped gases such as radon or argon may escape through fissures, triggered by gravitational stresses or surface heating, causing dust or gas to glow or reflect sunlight.
      2. Meteoroid Impacts: Frequent meteoroid collisions on the Moon’s airless surface produce brief, intense flashes, accounting for many observed TLPs.
      3. Electrostatic Dust Levitation: Charged lunar dust particles, activated by solar radiation, may levitate and scatter light, producing transient luminous effects.
      4. Atmospheric Distortion on Earth: Some TLPs may be optical artifacts, caused by turbulence or refraction in Earth’s atmosphere altering the Moon’s apparent brightness or colour.

    Recent Research and Monitoring:

    • Observation Technology: Use of automated telescopes and CCD (charge-coupled device) imaging systems for real-time detection.
    • Space Missions: NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and ISRO’s Chandrayaan series monitor gas release and new impact craters.
    • Spectroscopic Evidence: Studies of Aristarchus Plateau show episodic radon emissions, supporting the outgassing theory.
    • Integrated Monitoring: Global programs combine optical, seismic, and spectrometric data to validate events.
    • Scientific Aim: To understand lunar surface dynamics, internal processes, and signs of ongoing geological activity.

  • Arsenic Toxicity in Rice Cultivation

    Why in the News?

    A recent study has revealed that the composition of microbial communities in rice paddies critically determines the buildup of arsenic compounds in rice grains.

    Arsenic Toxicity in Agriculture:

    • Overview: Arsenic (As) is a potent carcinogen and phytotoxin, bioaccumulating in rice and posing severe health and agronomic risks in Asian paddies.
    • Mechanism in Flooded Fields: Under anaerobic conditions, microbes convert arsenic into soluble, bioavailable forms that rice roots readily absorb.
    • Toxic Compounds: Organic forms like dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and dimethylated monothioarsenate (DMMTA) cause straighthead disease, producing sterile, erect panicles and yield losses up to 70 %.
    • Speciation vs. Concentration: Toxicity depends on arsenic speciation, not total soil As levels, even low-As soils may cause poisoning.
    • Geographic Hotspots: Severe in West Bengal, Bihar, and Bangladesh, where arsenic-laden groundwater is used for irrigation.

    About Soil Age and Microbial Composition:

    • Research Insight: Study by Peng Wang (Nanjing Agricultural University) shows soil age dictates microbial dominance and arsenic behaviour.
    • Young Soils (< 700 yrs): Dominated by arsenic-methylating bacteria that convert inorganic As into toxic organic forms (DMA, DMMTA).
    • Old Soils (> 700 yrs): Rich in demethylating archaea that detoxify As by breaking down methylated compounds.
    • Global Microbiome Survey: Across 801 paddy soils, identified 11 methylators and 6 demethylators as key toxicity predictors.
    • Risk Threshold: When methylator: demethylator ratio > 1.5, probability of straighthead disease rises sharply.

    How does Microbial balance govern Arsenic toxicity?

    • Biological Equilibrium: Arsenic toxicity depends on balance between methylating bacteria (risk) and demethylating archaea (detoxification).
    • Environmental Triggers: Flood duration, oxygen, temperature, and hydrological shifts can tilt this balance toward higher toxicity.
    • Mitigation Measures: Mid-season drainage, silicon fertilisation, and microbial community management restore redox balance and reduce As uptake.
    [UPSC 2013] Which of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India?

    1. Arsenic 2. Sorbitol 3. Fluoride 4. Formaldehyde 5. Uranium

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    Options: (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2, 4 and 5 only (c) 1, 3 and 5 only* (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

     

  • Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk1A

    Why in the News?

    Defence Minister inaugurated the third production line of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Nashik.

    About Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk1A:

    • Overview: Single-engine, 4.5-generation, supersonic multirole fighter aircraft developed indigenously under India’s LCA programme.
    • Developers: Designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of DRDO and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
    • Purpose: Conceived in the late 1980s to replace the ageing MiG-21 and Su-7 fleets of the Indian Air Force.
    • Operational Induction: Entered production for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2024 after extensive flight trials and certification.
    • Roles: Designed for air superiority, ground attack, close air support, and interception missions.
    • Manufacturing Hubs: Produced at HAL Bengaluru and HAL Nashik, with parallel assembly lines to meet IAF delivery targets.

    Key Features of Tejas LCA-Mk1A:

    • Design: Tailless compound delta-wing configuration ensuring high agility, aerodynamic efficiency, and reduced radar cross-section.
    • Engine: Powered by General Electric F404-GE-IN20 turbofan, enabling speeds up to Mach 1.8.
    • Avionics: Equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Electronic Warfare Suite, and Onboard Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS).
    • Flight Control: Features Digital Fly-by-Wire System for enhanced stability and pilot control.
    • Weapons Integration: Can carry air-to-air, air-to-ground, and precision-guided munitions, including Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles.
    • Cockpit: Modern glass cockpit with Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) and Hands-On-Throttle-And-Stick (HOTAS) controls.
    • Payload & Range: Payload capacity over 4,000 kg across eight external hardpoints; combat radius around 500 km, ferry range up to 1,700 km.
    • Network Capability: Integrated with secure data link systems for real-time communication and situational awareness.
    • Maintenance: Modular design allowing easy servicing, high turnaround rate, and improved mission readiness for sustained operations.
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following aircraft:
    1. Rafael 2. MiG-29 3. Tejas MK-1
    How many of the above are considered fifth-generation fighter aircraft?
    Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None*

     

  • Mission Drishti: World’s First Multi-sensor EO Satellite

    Why in the News?

    Indian space-tech start-up GalaxEye, based in Bengaluru, has announced the upcoming launch of Mission Drishti, the world’s first multi-sensor Earth Observation (EO) satellite, in the first quarter of 2026.

    About Mission Drishti:

    • Objective: To provide high-resolution, real-time geospatial intelligence for governments, defence, and industries across critical domains such as disaster management, infrastructure, agriculture, and national security.
    • Developer: Conceived by Bengaluru-based GalaxEye Space, an Indian space-tech start-up founded by IIT Madras alumni.
    • Nature: World’s first multi-sensor Earth Observation (EO) satellite, capable of integrating multiple imaging technologies on a single platform.
    • Launch Timeline: Scheduled for first quarter of 2026, serving as the first step in GalaxEye’s plan to deploy a constellation of 8–12 satellites by 2029.
    • Innovation: Combines Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical sensors for multi-dimensional imaging across all weather and lighting conditions.
    • Significance: Marks India’s largest privately built satellite and establishes India’s position in the global EO market with indigenous, high-precision imaging technology.

    Key Features:

    • Multi-Sensor Payload: Integrates SAR and optical imaging systems on one platform, a first in global satellite technology.
    • Resolution and Capacity: Offers 1.5-metre resolution, providing ultra-clear imagery for tactical and analytical applications.
    • All-Weather Operation: SAR enables imaging day and night, through cloud cover and adverse weather, ensuring continuous monitoring capability.
    • Satellite Specifications: Weighs 160 kg, making it India’s heaviest privately developed EO satellite, designed for spatial, spectral, and temporal precision.
    • Constellation Vision: Part of GalaxEye’s long-term plan to deploy 8–12 satellites by 2029 for near-real-time global coverage.
    • Applications: Defence surveillance, disaster management, infrastructure auditing, agriculture analytics, and environmental monitoring.
    [UPSC 2019] For the measurement/estimation of which of the following are satellite images/remote sensing data used?

    1. Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of a specific location 2. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of a specific location 3. Land surface temperatures of a specific location

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3*

     

  • DRDO to extend Astra Mark 2’s range to 200 km

    Why in the News?

    The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing an extended-range variant of the Astra Mark 2 beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile.

    Astra Mark 2 Missile:

    • Overview: An indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile by the DRDO, enhancing the Indian Air Force’s long-range interception capability.
    • Lineage: Successor to Astra Mark 1 (range ~100 km); marks a leap in India’s self-reliance in advanced air combat systems.
    • Integration: Compatible with Su-30 MKI and LCA Tejas, with future integration planned for Rafale, AMCA, and TEDBF.
    • Industry Collaboration: Co-developed with over 50 industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

    Key Features:

    • Dual-Pulse Propulsion: Incorporates dual-pulse solid rocket motor (vs. single-pulse in Mk-1) for sustained thrust and high terminal energy.
    • Range & Speed: Operational range of 150–200+ km, speed up to Mach 4.5, enabling engagement of fast aerial targets.
    • Guidance & Seeker: Equipped with indigenous RF seeker and Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) for precision and survivability.
    • All-Weather & Agile: Works in day/night, adverse conditions; supports off-boresight targeting and mid-course data-link updates.
    • Stealth & Safety: Uses smokeless propulsion for reduced detectability during launch.

    Recent Upgrade:

    • Extended Range Variant: DRDO developing version exceeding 200 km, beyond initial 160 km design.
    • Strategic Parity: Comparable to Chinese PL-15 and US AIM-120D AMRAAM, reinforcing India’s deterrence capability.
    • Future Roadmap: Forms baseline for Astra Mark 3, featuring solid-fuel ducted ramjet propulsion, under Atmanirbhar Bharat in advanced missile systems.
    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements

    1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of fight.

    2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 *