Science & Technology

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PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) Mission

Context: On May 25, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched one of the two climate satellites to study heat emissions at Earth’s poles from New Zealand. The second satellite will be launched in the following days.

About PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) Mission: 

  • NASA aims to launch two cube satellites, or CubeSats to measure far-infrared radiation from the Earth’s poles. 
  • The mission has been named PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) and was jointly developed by NASA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (US).
  • Each of the PREFIRE satellites is a 6U CubeSat. They measure around 90 cm in height and nearly 120 cm in width when the solar panels (which will power the satellite) are deployed. The two satellites will be placed in a near-polar orbit (a type of low Earth orbit) at an altitude of about 525 kilometres.
  • Each of the PREFIRE CubeSat is equipped with a thermal infrared spectrometer — known as Thermal Infrared Spectrometer (TIRS) — to measure the amount of infrared and far-infrared radiation from the Arctic and Antarctica. 

Need and significance of the mission: 

  • The Earth’s energy budget is the balance between the amount of heat incoming to Earth from the Sun and the amount of heat outgoing from Earth into space. The difference between the two determines the planet’s temperature and climate.
  • A large amount of the heat radiated from the Arctic and Antarctica is emitted as far-infrared radiation — wavelengths of 3 μm to 1,000 μm within the infrared range of electromagnetic radiation. However, there is currently no way to measure this type of energy. As a result, there is a gap in knowledge about the planet’s energy budget.
  • The climate satellites will measure how much heat the Arctic and Antarctica — two of the coldest regions on the Earth — radiate into space and how this influences the planet’s climate. The data collected by the satellites would help scientists better understand the energy budget of the planet.
  • The CubeSats will also measure the amount of far-infrared radiation trapped by atmospheric water vapour and clouds at the poles and how this influences the greenhouse effect in the region.

What are SmallSats?

  • Small spacecraft (SmallSats) focus on spacecraft with a mass less than 180 kilograms. 

Small spacecraft can be differentiated into a large variety of size and mass. 

  • Minisatellite, 100-180 kilograms
  • Microsatellite, 10-100 kilograms
  • Nanosatellite, 1-10 kilograms
  • Picosatellite, 0.01-1 kilograms
  • Femtosatellite, 0.001-0.01 kilograms
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What are CubeSats? 

  • CubeSats are are a class of nanosatellites whose basic design is a 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm (which makes up for “one unit” or “1U”) cube — just a little bigger than a Rubik’s cube — and weight not more than 1.33 kg. 
  • Depending on the CubeSat’s mission, the number of units can be 1.5, 2, 3, 6, and 12U.
  • Owing to their low cost and less mass in comparison to traditional satellites, they are placed in orbits for technology demonstrations, scientific research, and commercial purposes.

What are AI agents?

Context: GPT-4o by OpenAI and Project Astra by Google are the recently launched AI Agents. They  have been touted as far superior to conventional voice assistants such as Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. The launch of these models marks a new phase in AI — the transition from chatbots to multimodal interactive AI agents.

AI agents

  • AI agents are sophisticated AI systems that can engage in real-time, multimodal (text, image, or voice) interactions with humans. Unlike conventional language models, which solely work on text-based inputs and outputs, AI agents can process and respond to a wide variety of inputs including voice, images, and even input from their surroundings.
  • AI agents perceive their environment via sensors, then process the information using algorithms or AI models, and subsequently, provide intelligent responses and assistance. The new AI models can have instant real-time conversations with a user.
  • AI agents are quick to adapt to new situations. This facet makes them incredibly versatile and capable of handling a wide range of situations.
  • Currently, they are used in fields such as gaming, robotics, virtual assistants, autonomous vehicles, etc.

How are they different from large language models?

  • While large language models (LLMs) like GPT-3 and GPT-4 have the ability to only generate human-like text, AI agents make interactions more natural and immersive with the help of voice, vision, and environmental sensors.
    • Unlike LLMs, AI agents are designed for instantaneous, real-time conversations with responses much similar to humans.
    • LLMs lack contextual awareness, while AI agents can understand and learn from the context of interactions, allowing them to provide more relevant and personalised responses. 
  • Language models only generate text output. AI agents, however, can perform complex tasks autonomously such as coding, data analysis, etc. When integrated with robotic systems, AI agents can even perform physical actions.

Potential uses of AI agents:

  • Customer Service Assistants: AI agents can serve as intelligent and highly capable assistants. They are capable of handling an array of tasks, from offering personalised recommendations to scheduling appointments and resolving queries instantly without actually the need for human interventions.
  • Personalised Tutors: In the field of education and training, AI agents can act as personal tutors, customise themselves based on a student’s learning styles, and may even offer a tailored set of instructions.
  • Healthcare assistants: In healthcare, they could assist medical professionals by providing real-time analysis, diagnostic support, and even monitoring patients.

Are there any risks and challenges?

  • Privacy and security are a key area of concern as AI agents gain access to more personal data and environmental information.
  • Just like any AI model, AI agents can carry forward biases from their training data or algorithms, leading to harmful outcomes. 

Hence, as these systems become more common, appropriate regulations and governance frameworks should be laid out to ensure their responsible deployment.

Space start-up sends SAR on High-Altitude Platform

Context: Bengaluru-based space start-up, Galaxeye Space has flown a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) developed by it on a High-Altitude Platform station (HAPS) of the National Aerospace Laboratories, based in Pune.

About Synthetic Aperture Radar

  • SAR is a powerful remote sensing tool that can see through cloud and vegetation cover to picture the ground below. 
  • HAPS are like big drones, they can be moved, or made to hover over a certain country or a region.
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High-altitude platform stations: 

  • High-altitude platform stations (HAPS) are aircrafts that can fly at an altitude of 18-20 km from the ground (stratosphere), almost double the heights attained by commercial aeroplanes. 
  • HAPs are of many types: Balloons, airships and unmanned aerial vehicles. 
  • They are typically solar-powered so can remain in the air for months and even years, giving the advantage of a satellite.
  • They can carry payloads of up to 40 kg.

Differences between HAPS and Satellites:  

S.No. Category HAPSSatellites 
AltitudeOperates in the stratosphere, 18-20 km above the Earth.Range varies from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 200-2000 km to Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) at 36,000 km.
Coverage Covers a specific area, typically up to 400 km in diameter.Can offer spot coverage (LEO) as well as global coverage (GEO). 
Latency Lower latency due to their closer proximity to Earth, ideal for real-time applications.Higher latency, especially for GEO satellites, which can cause signal delays.
CostGenerally cheaper than satellites due to no need for a rocket launch.Launching and maintaining satellites in space is expensive.
Applications Providing remote internet connectivity, remote sensing, disaster response communication, border surveillance and defence applications.Global communication networks, navigation (GPS), earth observation.

Facts about Venus

Context: Venus is much drier than Earth, and scientists have been trying to figure out why. They believe that Venus once had a lot of water, but it has since escaped into space.

Venus

  • More than four billion years ago, Venus had enough water to cover its surface with an ocean 3 km deep. Today, the planet only has enough for this ocean to be 3 cm deep.

Water loss mystery from Venus: 

  • One theory is that the water from Venus was lost due to the Sun's heat and ultraviolet radiation.
  • A new study suggests that a chemical reaction involving a molecule called HCO+ may be responsible for some of the water loss. This reaction breaks down water molecules and allows hydrogen atoms to escape into space. 
    • The study's authors say that this reaction could have doubled the rate at which Venus lost water. They also say that the reaction could have been going on for billions of years.
    • However, there is no direct evidence that HCO+ exists in Venus's atmosphere. Hence, future missions to Venus should look for HCO+.
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Significance in Planetary Atmospheres:

  • Hydrogen Escape Mechanism: The neutral hydrogen atoms produced in this reaction are energetic enough to escape the planet’s gravity, leading to a gradual loss of hydrogen from the atmosphere.
  • Water Loss: Since water (H2O) is composed of hydrogen and oxygen, the loss of hydrogen atoms contributes directly to the depletion of water on a planetary scale. (As Oxygen atoms would not have sufficient Hydrogen atoms to combine to form Water)
image 56

Facts about Venus:

  • Venus has a solid surface by virtue of being one of the 3 inner planets besides Mercury and Earth. It is nearly the same size as the Earth.
  • The atmosphere of Venus is composed of 95% carbon dioxide and thus has a high greenhouse effect.
  • Surface pressure on Venus is about 90 times that on Earth while surface pressure on Mars is 1/100th of that on Earth.
  • NASA’s image data from the Magellan spacecraft's visit to Venus has revealed evidence of volcanic activity on it. Sulphur compounds make up about 0.015% due to volcanic eruptions and thus hot Sulfuric acid clouds that envelop Venus. About 80% of the surface of Venus is composed of flat plains of volcanic origin.
  • Its rotation period is longer than its orbital period. (Rotation on its own axis – 243 days, Orbital period around the sun - 224.7 days) The planet has retrograde rotation, meaning it spins in the direction opposite to the direction in which it orbits the Sun.
  • Due to the slow rotation of Venus it has no global magnetic field. (Earth’s magnetic field is due to rotation of iron core).

Upcoming Venus missions:  

  • Shukrayaan (ISRO, India), DAVINCI mission (NASA, USA), VERITAS orbiter (NASA, USA), EnVision mission (European Space Agency).
    • Shukrayaan-1 (2024): Expected to be launched in 2028. This orbiter will study the planet's atmosphere, surface, and ionosphere.
    • NASA's DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigations of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) mission will study Venus from above its clouds down to its surface, investigating how the planet and its dense atmosphere formed and evolved over the past 4.5 billion years. Tentatively scheduled to be launched in June 2029 and would enter the Venusian atmosphere in June 2031. 
    • VERITAS: NASA's VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, and Spectroscopy) mission is expected to be launched in 2031. VERITAS will use a suite of seven instruments to study the surface and atmosphere of Venus.
    • EnVision: The European Space Agency (ESA)'s EnVision mission is planned for launch in the early 2030s. EnVision will study the atmosphere, surface, and interior of Venus.

Parkinson’s Disease

Context: A solution based on the Synuclein alpha (SNCA) protein is more desirable for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Today, Parkinson’s is treated symptomatically by increasing the levels of dopamine or, more drastically, by grafting new neurons in place of dead ones. 

About Synuclein alpha (SNCA):

  • It is a mysterious protein. It is present in healthy cells. It is involved in age-related neurodegenerative diseases. 
  • SNCA is abundant in neurons, especially in dopaminergic neurons.
  • It is found near the nuclei of these cells and at the junctions between two neurons.
  • It’s capable of misfolding as well as forming filamentous structures. So unlike most other proteins, which take up predictable three-dimensional structures, SNCA can fold in multiple ways and misfolded proteins don’t function correctly.
    • A nucleus is the control centre of the cell. It contains the cell’s genetic material, and is the seat of upkeep of this genetic material and its utilisation to make proteins.
    • So it is logical that the accumulation of misfolded SNCA would render the nucleus dysfunctional and eventually kill it.
  • Researchers associated SNCA with Parkinson’s disease.
    • People with this disease lose neurons that communicate with each other using dopamine as a neurotransmitter in a part of their brains.
    • These dopaminergic neurons have been found to contain aggregated masses of proteins called Lewy bodies and most of these proteins are SNCA.
    • Researchers have reported SNCA in similar aggregates in the brains of people with other neurodegenerative diseases as well. But its presence is most prominent in brains with Parkinson’s.
  • Many Parkinson’s disease researchers are focused on reducing the prevalence of SNCA in neurons as a therapeutic measure, but haven’t yet found one that has been approved. 
    • One solution has been to use a gene-silencing tool, like CRISPR-Cas9, at a precise location.
      • Researchers have tried this method in cell cultures and model animals.
      • But a significant challenge is to cross the blood-brain barrier, a liquid that alters the blood that goes into the brain, and which would also prevent a component CRISPR from passing through.
    • Another solution is to stop SNCA from forming large aggregates but the process to achieve this is still being worked out.

The success of any one of these methods will transform the way Parkinson’s disease is treated today.

About Parkinson’s Disease: 

  • Parkinson's disease (PD), is a long-term neurodegenerative disease of mainly the central nervous system that affects both the motor system and non-motor systems.
  • The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease progresses, non-motor symptoms become more common.
  • Symptoms: Tremor, slowness of movement, rigidity, and difficulty with balance. Parkinson's disease dementia, falls and neuropsychiatric problems such as sleep abnormalities, psychosis, mood swings, or behavioural changes may arise in advanced stages. 
  • Diagnosis is mainly based on signs and symptoms, usually motor-related, found via neurological examination, though medical imaging like neuromelanin MRI can support the diagnosis.
  • Usual onset is in people over 60 years of age of whom about one percent are affected. In those younger than 50, it is termed early-onset PD.
  • Treatment:
    • No cure is known, and treatment aims to mitigate symptoms.
    • Initial treatment typically includes L-DOPA, MAO-B inhibitors, or dopamine agonists. 
    • As the disease progresses, these medications become less effective and produce a side effect marked by involuntary muscle movements.
    • Diet and certain forms of rehabilitation have shown some effectiveness at improving symptoms.
  • Causes: The underlying cause of PD is unknown, yet is assumed to be influenced primarily by an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. 
    • Genetic: In a narrow sense, can be seen as a genetic disease; heritability is estimated to lie between 22 and 40 percent. Notable risk genes include SNCA, LRRK2. 
    • Environmental: Most noteworthy environmental factors include pesticide exposure and contact with heavy metals. Harmful heavy metals include mainly manganese, iron, lead, mercury, aluminium, and cadmium. On the other hand, magnesium shows neuroprotective features. 
    • Traumatic brain injury is also strongly implicated as a risk factor.
    • Melanoma is documented to be associated with PD.

What is Blue Origin?

Context: First Indian ventured into space as a tourist on board Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos’s rocket company Blue Origin. The New Shepard rocket and capsule lifted off from Blue Origin’s facilities. NS-25, Blue Origin’s seventh crewed flight to date, carried six customers. 

image 49

About Blue Origin

  • The company was founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.
  • Blue Origin is an American aerospace manufacturer, defence contractor, launch service provider and space technologies company headquartered in Washington, United States.
  • In 2021, New Shepard performed its first crewed mission to sub-orbital space called Blue Origin NS-16. The flight lasted approximately 10 minutes and crossed the Karman line. 
image 50

New Shepard

  • New Shepard is a suborbital launch vehicle developed for space tourism.
  • The vehicle is named after Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut in space.
  • The vehicle is capable of vertical take-off and landings and can carry humans and customer payloads to the edge of space.
  • It is a rocket that consists of a booster rocket and a crew capsule. The capsule can be configured to house up to six passengers, cargo, or a combination of both. 
  • The booster rocket is powered by one BE-3PM engine, which sends the capsule to an apogee (Sub-Orbital) of 100.5 kilometres and flies above the Karman line. 
  • The launch vehicle is designed to be fully reusable, with the capsule returning to Earth via three parachutes and a solid rocket motor. The booster lands vertically on the same launchpad it took off from.
  • The launch vehicle has a length of 15.0 metres, a diameter of 3.7 metres (12 ft) and a launch mass of 75 short tons. 
  • New Shepard allows the company to significantly reduce the cost of space tourism, making the experience more accessible to the general public. 

Igla-S air defence system

Context: Indian Army is all set to begin receiving another set of Russian Igla-S very short-range air defence systems (VSHORAD), filling a critical void in its air defence requirement.

About Igla-S system: 

  • In 2023, the Army contracted 48 Igla-S launchers, 100 missiles, 48 night sights, and one missile testing station under a ₹260 crore contract and deliveries are set to begin by end of this May, 2024. 
  • In April 2024, India received the first batch of 24 Igla-S launchers. 
image 46
  • Igla-S is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) developed by Russia.
    • It is being assembled by Adani Defence Systems And Technologies Limited (ADSTL) in India under technology transfer from Rosoboronexport (Russia).
  • The hand-held defence system can be operated by an individual or crew.
  • The anti-aircraft missile launcher can bring down low-flying aircrafts, helicopters and can also identify and neutralise air targets such as cruise missiles and drones to provide a comprehensive air defence solution.
  • Range:
    • Interception Range: upto 6 kms
    • Limiting altitude of effective target destruction: 3.5 km
  • Igla-S has a 2.5 kg high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warhead, contact and timed fuzes, and infrared homing guidance. 
  • It has the fire and forget guidance system i.e., the operator is not required to guide the missile to its target. They are fitted with infrared seeker that identify and target the airborne vehicle through heat radiation being emitted by the latter.

Significance:

  • The Igla-S system would enhance the Indian Army’s Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) capabilities.
  • The Igla-S acquisition addresses the Indian Army's need to replace the outdated Igla-1M systems, replacing the obsolescence of existing air defence systems.

Xenotransplantation

Context: The first recipient of a modified pig kidney transplant passed away recently around two months after the surgery was carried out. 

About Xenotransplantation

  • In January 2022, the first xenotransplantation of a genetically modified pig heart was done. However, the patient passed away after two months due to a range of factors, including being tainted with a latent virus in the pig heart, which may have contributed to the dysfunction of the transplant.
image 41
  • Xenotransplantation is any procedure that involves the transplantation, implantation or infusion into a human recipient of either:
    • live cells, tissues, or organs from a nonhuman animal source
    • human body fluids, cells, tissues or organs that have had ex vivo contact with live nonhuman animal cells, tissues or organs.

Essentially, it is the use of animal cells and organs to heal humans. 

  • Need: Cross-species transplantation offers the prospect of an unlimited supply of organs and cells for clinical transplantation and addresses the shortage of organs from human donors. 
  • Source: Pigs are the most commonly considered animals due to their size compatibility and organ similarities with humans. Gene editing in pigs to reduce immune rejection has made organ transplants from pigs to humans possible. Natural lifespan of a pig is 30 years, they are easily bred and can have organs of similar size to humans. 
  • Limitations: However, successful xenotransplantation faces challenges such as organ rejection, risk of cross-species infections and social acceptance. 

Superheroes of Building Materials

Context: Sustainable Structures. Green building materials offer new entrepreneurial opportunities for the next generation of builders.

MorphoColor Coating:

  • Inspiration from Morpho Butterflies:
    • Morpho butterflies are known for their stunning blue wings, which are not pigmented but rather consist of multiple layers of scales that reflect only blue light.
    • Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany drew inspiration from this natural phenomenon.
  • Special Coating for Solar Panels:
    • MorphoColor is a special coating developed specifically for solar panels.
    • It utilizes a unique composition and application method to achieve its desired effects.
  • Principle of Operation:
    • The coating is designed to mimic the reflective properties of Morpho butterfly wings.
    • By carefully arranging layers of materials, MorphoColor reflects primarily blue light, giving solar panels a vibrant appearance.
  • Application to Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV):
    • MorphoColor coating is applied to BIPV systems, which seamlessly integrate solar panels into building structures.
    • This allows for aesthetically pleasing solar installations that blend well with architectural designs.
  • Enhancing Aesthetics:
    • Traditional BIPV systems often lack visual appeal, which can be a barrier to their adoption in building construction.
    • MorphoColor-coated panels offer the flexibility to choose different colors, thereby enhancing the overall aesthetics of the building.
  • Market Potential:
    • The introduction of MorphoColor coating addresses the demand for more visually attractive solar solutions.
    • It opens up new opportunities for the integration of solar technology into building design, potentially increasing market acceptance and adoption.
  • Research and Development:
    • Continued research and development efforts are likely underway to optimize the performance and durability of MorphoColor coatings.
    • Refinements may focus on improving efficiency, longevity, and cost-effectiveness to make the technology more accessible to a wider range of applications.
  • Environmental Impact:
    • By enabling the use of solar energy in buildings in a more visually appealing manner, MorphoColor coating contributes to the promotion of sustainable and eco-friendly construction practices.
  • Future Prospects:
    • MorphoColor represents an innovative approach to combining sustainability with design in the construction industry.
    • Its success could inspire further developments in biomimicry and the application of natural principles to enhance building materials and technologies.

Greener Cement Alternatives:

  • Current cement production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Movement towards replacing cement with alternatives like fly ash, blast furnace slag, and silica fume in concrete.
  • Emerging materials like photocatalytic materials with the ability to convert contaminants into greener products.
  • Utilization of materials with CO2 capturing ability (e.g., zeolite) and recycled aggregates in concrete production.
  • Exploration of natural fibres (e.g., basalt, coconut, banana) for fibre-reinforced concrete, offering biodegradability and strength.

Aerogels and Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs):

  • Aerogels are a class of highly porous materials known for their exceptional lightness and insulating properties.
  • They are derived from a gel in which the liquid component is replaced with gas, resulting in a solid material with a very low density.
  • Despite their lightness, aerogels exhibit remarkable thermal insulation capabilities.

Composition and Structure:

  • Aerogels are typically composed of a network of interconnected nanoparticles or fibres suspended in a gas.
  • This nanoporous structure gives aerogels their extremely low density while providing a high surface area.

Properties and Performance:

  • Aerogels possess outstanding thermal insulation properties, making them highly effective in reducing heat transfer.
  • They exhibit low thermal conductivity, meaning they can efficiently prevent heat from passing through them.
  • Additionally, aerogels are lightweight, durable, and resistant to compression, making them suitable for various applications.

Applications in Construction:

  • In the construction industry, aerogels are used as insulation materials to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings.
  • They can be incorporated into building envelopes, walls, roofs, and windows to minimize heat loss and improve thermal comfort.
  • Aerogel insulation offers the advantage of achieving high levels of insulation while maintaining relatively thin profiles, ideal for space-constrained applications.

Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs):

  • Vacuum insulation panels are another type of advanced insulation material used in construction.
  • VIPs consist of a core material enclosed within a gas-tight envelope from which air has been evacuated, creating a near-vacuum environment.
  • This design effectively minimizes heat transfer through conduction and convection, resulting in highly efficient thermal insulation.

Performance Characteristics:

  • VIPs offer excellent thermal insulation performance, with significantly lower thermal conductivity compared to traditional insulation materials.
  • They can achieve high levels of insulation with relatively thin profiles, making them suitable for applications where space is limited.
  • VIPs are lightweight, durable, and resistant to moisture, contributing to their longevity and effectiveness in building insulation systems.

Applications in Construction:

  • Vacuum insulation panels are used in various building components, including walls, roofs, floors, and refrigeration systems.
  • They are particularly beneficial for retrofitting existing buildings where space constraints may limit the thickness of insulation that can be added.
  • VIPs can help improve the energy efficiency of buildings, reduce heating and cooling costs, and enhance occupant comfort.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities:

  • The emergence of green building materials presents entrepreneurial opportunities.
  • Industries around these materials are rising, indicating potential for economic growth.
  • Encouragement for further research and innovation to optimize properties and reduce costs.
  • The transition towards sustainable building materials is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Exciting advancements in materials like MorphoColor, greener cement alternatives, aerogels, and VIPs offer promise for eco-friendly construction.
  • Entrepreneurship in this sector can drive economic growth while promoting environmental sustainability.

Launch Vehicle Mark-3

Context: New Space India Ltd (NSIL) has released a Request for Qualification (RFQ) document inviting Indian industry partners for productionising Indian Space Research Organisation’s heavy lift launcher, Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) under a PPP framework. This collaboration aims towards manufacturing LVM-3s in increased numbers and over a longer period of time.

About LVM-3: 

  • Launch Vehicle Mark-3 or LVM3 (previously referred as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III or GSLV Mk III) is a three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • LVM-3 has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes and is 43.5 m tall, and gives ISRO self-reliance in launching heavier communication satellites.
  • LVM3 has a higher payload capacity than its predecessor GSLV Mk II.
    • Payload capacity: 
      • 4,000 kilograms to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).
      • 10,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO).
image 34
  • It is a three-stage launch vehicle consisting of:
    • Two solid propellant S200 Strap-ons
    • Core stages comprising of L110 liquid stage
    • C25 cryogenic stage
  • The EA has the spacecraft, Payload Adaptor (PLA) and the Payload fairing (PF).
  • Primarily designed to launch communication satellites into geostationary orbit. It is also due to launch crewed missions under the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme (Gaganyaan Mision).
  • The LVM3 has launched CARE, India's space capsule recovery experiment module, Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 (India's second and third lunar missions) and will be used to carry Gaganyaan, the first crewed mission under Indian Human Spaceflight Programme.

About New Space India Limited (NSIL): 

  • NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO with a mandate to enable Indian industries to scale up high-technology manufacturing and production bases in the country for meeting the emerging domestic and international space programme needs.
  • Established: 2019
  • It is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Government of India and is under the administrative control of the Department of Space.
  • As part of Space Sector reforms, announced by the Government of India in 2020, and the Indian Space Policy 2023, activities opened up for enhanced private sector participation. 

Bio-taxis for Cancer treatment

Context: The researchers at the Indian Institute of Science have developed a new way to deliver cancer vaccines using the body's natural transport system.

They have developed an antigen that can attach itself to a natural protein called serum albumin in the blood and travel to the nearest lymph node, where the immune system is activated. This method avoids the need for artificial carriers that can cause side effects and allows for more targeted delivery of cancer vaccines.

Bio-taxis:

  • Bio-taxis, also known as targeted drug delivery or targeted therapy, is a developing area of cancer treatment that utilises the body's natural transport mechanisms to deliver therapeutic agents directly to cancer cells.
  • The goal of bio-taxis is to enhance the effectiveness of treatment while reducing the side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy (minimising the damage to healthy cells).
  • One example of bio-taxis for cancer treatment involves the use of antibodies or nanoparticles that are designed to bind to specific molecules on the surface of cancer cells. These targeted therapies can attach to/hitchhike on proteins in the bloodstream, such as serum albumin, until they reach their target. Once they reach the tumour, the therapeutic agents can be released to kill the cancer cells.

Cancer cells and their detection: 

  • Cancer is a condition where cells grow and divide uncontrollably due to a disruption in their DNA. 
  • Normally, our immune system fights against invaders using antibodies produced in the lymph nodes, which are small organs in the human body. Antigens are molecules that trigger the production of antibodies to fight invaders (trigger immune response). 
  • In the case of cancer, the cancer cells are clever (they evade the immune system) and can shut down the production of antibodies that target and eliminate them.
  • To develop a cancer vaccine, scientists modify or mimic an antigen found on the surface of cancer cells to turn up or turn on this antibody production. These antigens can prod the immune system into producing antibodies. But how to take the antigens to the lymph nodes?
image 33

How to carry antigens to lymph nodes?

  • Traditionally, delivering cancer antigens (molecules that trigger immune response) to lymph nodes involved hitching them onto artificial carriers like viruses or proteins. However, these carriers can be bulky, cause side effects, and even sometimes hinder the immune response (reduce the production of antibodies against cancer cells).
  • The new approach uses the body's natural transport system. Scientists designed an antigen with a special attachment that allows it to bind to serum albumin, the most abundant protein in blood plasma. This "hitchhiking" on albumin carries the antigen directly to lymph nodes, where immune system activation happens. This method is simpler and avoids the problems associated with artificial carriers.
    • They synthesised a specific carbohydrate called Tn, which is found on the surface of various cancer cells, in the laboratory. 
    • They combined this carbohydrate with a long-chain chemical that has an affinity for oils, creating bubble-like structures called micelles. These micelles strongly bind to human serum albumin. 
    • When the micelle latches onto albumin, it breaks apart, and the individual antigen molecules bind to the available albumin. 
  • This finding suggests that there may not be a need to search for viruses, proteins, or other carriers because serum albumin alone can effectively transport the antigens. This breakthrough provides a new way to deliver cancer vaccines.

Carbohydrate-based antigens:

  • In recent years, scientists have been focusing on carbohydrates found on the surfaces of cancer cells to develop these antigens.
  • Both normal and cancer cells have carbohydrates on their surfaces, but cancer cells have heavily truncated (shortened) carbohydrates.
  • Hence, Carbohydrate-based antigens can play a crucial role in the development of cancer vaccines.

DigiLocker Platform

What is DigiLocker?

  • DigiLocker is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) under the Digital India programme, launched in 2015.
  • DigiLocker platform operates as an App to store users’ digital records. The app is aimed at letting users access, verify, and store essential documents in a digital wallet so that they are easy to retrieve and present to officials when required.
  • The issued documents in DigiLocker system are deemed to be at par with original physical documents as per Rule 9A of the Information Technology (Preservation and Retention of Information by Intermediaries providing Digital Locker facilities) Rules, 2016. 
  • Utility: The app can be used to prove users’ identity and their credentials. E.g., when applying for a passport, reviewing marksheets, or proving one’s identity during travel. 
  • DigiLocker has been built on top of open-source digital platforms. 
    • Open-source digital platforms typically consist of software and tools that are freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute.
    • Core code behind DigiLocker is built using freely available open-source software. This allows anyone to examine the code, understand how it works, and even contribute improvements. This fosters collaboration and can lead to a more secure and reliable system.
  • Users’ data: As of May 2024, the app has over 270 million registered users, while nearly 6.7 billion documents — like Aadhaar, insurance policy papers, PAN records, and driving licences — have been retrieved through it.
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How secure is DigiLocker?

  • DigiLocker is ideally maintained with standard security measures in place including 2048 Bit RSA SSL encryption, multi-factor authentication (OTP verification), consent systems, timed log outs, and security audits.
  • No DigiLocker data is shared with third parties and data is encrypted in transit. Examples of data collected include files and documents (optional), your name, email (optional), and user IDs. 
  • However, any government database that stores citizens’ information and documents is inevitably an attractive target for hackers who steal user data and sell it on the dark web.
  • On June 2, 2020, DigiLocker posted a notice about a “potential vulnerability in the sign-up flow,” that could have led to accounts being compromised. However, due to a CERT-In alert and another independent researcher, DigiLocker said that the vulnerability was patched within a day of getting the alert, and that user data was safe. 

Benefits of DigiLocker: 

  • Paperless solution to prove users’ identity and their credentials. 
  • Allows users to access their e-documents irrespective of their physical location. 
  • Prevents fake, poor quality print copies, and outdated documents that miss key details.
  • Eliminates the need to carry separate sets of documents while travelling. 

Limitations of DigiLocker:

While DigiLocker offers a compelling alternative to physical documents, but it is not quite a complete replacement yet.

  • Not universally accepted: While acceptance is growing, some organisations might still require physical documents. 
  • Digital Literacy Gap: Not everyone has access to technology or the skills to use DigiLocker.
  • Infrastructure Dependence: Reliance on internet connectivity can be a hurdle in some areas.