Science & Technology

Indian Institute of Astrophysics researchers develop low-cost star sensor

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have developed a low-cost star sensor for astronomy and CubeSat and other small satellite missions in the future.

About the star-sensor:

  • The star sensor named Starberry-Sense can help small CubeSat class satellite missions find their orientation in space.
  • Based on commercial/off-the-shelf components, this star sensor costs less than 10% of those available in the market. The brain of the instrument is a single-board Linux computer called Raspberry Pi.

Star-sensor:

  • The star sensor is essentially a celestial compass. Any satellite needs to know where it is pointed in space, and the instrument used for this purpose is called a star sensor.

The position of stars in the sky is fixed relative to each other and can be used as a stable reference frame to calculate the orientation of a satellite in orbit. This is done by correctly identifying the stars in the sky towards which the star sensor is pointed.

ChatGPT and Open AI

In the artificial intelligence (AI) field, there has been a lot of talk about a significant statement made by OpenAI. The company recently released GPT-4, a sizable multimodal model that can handle both text and visual inputs. This new language model is an improvement on its predecessor, GPT-3, which was already revolutionary in and of itself.

GPT-4 and its features

  • Large-scale multimodal model GPT-4 was developed by OpenAI.
  • Text is just one component of multimodal models; GPT-4 also takes picture input. GPT-3 and GPT-3.5, on the other hand, only supported text as a mode of operation, which limited users to typing out queries.
  • Moreover, GPT-4 "displays human-level performance on numerous academic and professional criteria."
  • The language model's stronger general knowledge and problem-solving skills enable it to pass a mock bar exam with a score in the top 10% of test takers and to solve challenging questions more accurately.
  • It may, for instance, "address tax-related queries, arrange a meeting for three busy individuals, or determine a user's creative writing style."
  • A more comprehensive range of use cases, including lengthy discussions, document search and analysis, and long-form content production, is now possible because of GPT-4's ability to handle texts longer than 25,000 words.

How is GPT-4 different from GPT-3?

Here are some of the major differences:

GPT-4 can ‘see’ images now

  • The most obvious modification to GPT-4 is that it is multimodal, enabling it to comprehend input from several informational modalities.
  • GPT-3 and ChatGPT's GPT-3.5 could only read and write text, hence they were restricted to text input and output. GPT-4, however, may be instructed to produce data in response to pictures that are supplied to it.
  • It makes sense if this makes you think of Google Lens. Lens, however, only looks for data that is relevant to a picture.
  • GPT-4 is far more sophisticated in that it can comprehend and analyse images.
  • An illustration of an outrageously huge iPhone connection with the language model explaining the humour was supplied by OpenAI. The main drawback is that picture inputs are currently at the research preview stage and are not accessible to the general public.

GPT-4 is harder to trick

  • The tendency of generative models like ChatGPT and Bing to periodically go off course and provide suggestions that raise questions or, worse, outright scare users is one of their major shortcomings.
  • They may also mess up the facts and spread false information.
  • The company's "best-ever results on factuality, steerability, and refusing to stray outside of guardrails" were achieved, according to OpenAI, after 6 months of training GPT-4 using lessons from its "adversarial testing programme" and ChatGPT.

GPT-4 can process a lot more information at a time

  • Despite having been trained on trillions of parameters and infinite quantities of data, there are limitations to how much information Large Language Models (LLMs) can handle during a conversation.
  • The GPT-3.5 model of ChatGPT was capable of handling 4,096 tokens, or around 8,000 words, while GPT-4 increases those capacities to 32,768 tokens or over 64,000 words.
  • This improvement implies that, unlike ChatGPT, which could only process 8,000 words at a time before losing track of things, GPT-4 can continue to function properly for far longer talks.
  • Moreover, it can handle longer documents and produce long-form material, which was much more restricted on GPT-3.5.

GPT-4 has an improved accuracy

  • OpenAI acknowledges that GPT-4 still lacks complete reliability and commits reasoning gaffes, much as earlier iterations.
  • Nonetheless, "GPT-4 dramatically lowers hallucinations compared to earlier models" and receives a factuality assessment score 40% higher than GPT-3.5.
  • It will be far more difficult to persuade GPT-4 to generate undesired outputs like hate speech and false information.

GPT-4 is better at understanding languages that are not English

  • Training LLMs in other languages might be difficult since machine learning data and most of the content on the internet nowadays are primarily in English.
  • Yet, OpenAI has shown that it beats GPT-3.5 and other LLMs by correctly answering thousands of multiple-choice questions across 26 languages, whereas GPT-4 is more multilingual.
  • With an accuracy rate of 85.5%, it clearly handles English the best, although Indian languages like Telugu aren't far behind at 71.4%.
  • This implies that consumers will be able to utilise chatbots built on GPT-4 to provide outputs in their local languages that are more accurate and clear.

Variety of risks that can arise out of GPT-4

  • GPT-4 is still susceptible to manipulation by cyber hackers who want to create harmful programmes.
  • It entails utilising the C++ programming language to create malware that can gather sensitive Portable Document Format (PDF) files and send them to distant servers through a covert file transfer mechanism.
  • Additional risks that Check Point's researchers may utilise include the "PHP Reverse Shell" technique, which hackers use to access a device and its data remotely, writing Java code to download malware remotely, and developing phishing draughts by pretending to be bank and employee emails.
  • With advancements in technologies like GPT-4, people in outlying towns and cities may now launch more complex social engineering assaults, which can produce a significant amount of cyber threats.
  • With one of the numerous generative AI tools, a significantly greater number of users who would not have been proficient at writing realistic phishing and spam letters can easily produce social engineering draughts, such as posing as an employee or a corporation, to target new customers.

Is GPT-4 available for the public right now?

  • For various reasons, GPT-4 has already been included in services like Duolingo, Stripe, and Khan Academy.
  • Even though it hasn't yet been made freely accessible to everyone, a $20 per month ChatGPT Plus membership may get you to access right now. Although this is going on, GPT-3.5 continues to form the foundation of ChatGPT's free tier.
  • There is, however, an "unofficial" option to start utilising GPT-4 right away if you don't want to pay.
  • According to Microsoft, the new Bing search interface is now powered by GPT-4, and you can use it right now at bing.com/chat.

Gaganyaan Mission

Central Government has allocated a budget of Rs. 9023 Crores towards achieving the objectives of the Gaganyaan mission.

  • The Department of Space is also in the process of formulating a comprehensive, overarching space policy to provide a further boost to the entire space ecosystem.

About Gaganyaan Mission:

  • Gaganyaan Mission by ISRO aims to demonstrate India's capability to conduct human spaceflight and safe return.
  • The mission will launch a crew of three members to a low earth orbit (LEO) of 400 kilometres for three days and bring them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters.
    • The first trial (uncrewed flight) for Gaganyaan is being planned for the end of 2023 or early 2024.
    • It will be followed by sending Vyom Mitra- a humanoid, and then with the crew onboard.
    • The crewed mission is expected to be launched by December 2024. If successful, India would be the 4th country to send a manned mission after Russia, the USA, and China.

Precursor Missions:

  • Various precursor missions are being undertaken before carrying out the actual Human Space Flight mission including Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT) and Test Vehicle (TV) flights.
    • Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT): The test is a simulation of different failure conditions of the Gaganyaan Parachute system. It is designed to test the capability of the crew module’s parachute system to handle the stresses of atmospheric re-entry and ensure the safety of the astronauts during their return to Earth.
    • Pad Abort Test (PAT)/ Crew Escape System: An emergency accident-avoidance measure designed to quickly get astronauts and their spacecraft away from the launch vehicle if a malfunction occurs during the initial stage of the launch. In July 2018, ISRO completed the first successful flight ‘Pad Abort Test’ or Crew Escape System.

Critical components of Gaganyaan:

  1. Launch Vehicle: GSLV Mk III satellite, popularly known as Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3). The Human-rated LVM3 rocket consists of the solid stage, liquid stage and cryogenic stage.
  • Pad Abort Test (PAT)/ Crew Escape System
  • Crew Module Atmospheric Re-Entry technology (CARE):
  • Satellites that are launched for communication or remote sensing are meant to remain in space. However, a manned spacecraft needs to come back. While re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, the spacecraft needs to withstand very high temperatures created due to friction.
  • A prior critical experiment was carried out in 2014 along with GSLV MK-III when the CARE (Crew Module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment) capsule successfully demonstrated that it could survive atmospheric re-entry.
  • Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS):
  • The crew module carrying human beings must have conditions inside it suitable for humans to live comfortably.
  • ECLSS will:
    • Maintain steady cabin pressure and air composition.
    • Remove carbon dioxide and other harmful gases.
    • Control temperature and humidity
    • Manage parameters like fire detection and suppression.

Prussian Blue drug

Recently, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted manufacturing and marketing licenses for the commercial use of Prussian blue insoluble formulations, developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme.

About Prussian blue:

  • or potassium ferric hexacyanoferrate is used as a medication to treat Thallium poisoning or radioactive Caesium poisoning.
  • It is one of the critical medicines listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for radiological and nuclear emergencies.

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI):

  • DCGI is responsible for the approval of licences for specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines, and sera in India. It also sets standards for the manufacturing, sales, import, and distribution of drugs in India.
  • It comes under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme:

  • TDF has been established to promote self-reliance in defence technology as a part of the 'Make in India' initiative.
  • It encourages the participation of public/private industries especially MSMEs to create an eco-system for enhancing cutting-edge technology capability for defence applications.
  • It is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation meeting the requirements of Tri-Services, Defence Production and DRDO.

Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS)

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two consecutive successful flight tests of the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha recently.

About VSHORADS:

  • VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) meant for neutralising low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges.
  • Designed and developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation
  • The missile is propelled by a dual-thrust solid motor that incorporates many technologies including Dual-band Imaging Infra-Red Seeker, a miniaturised Reaction Control System (to increase mid-air manoeuvrability) and integrated avionics.

Significance:

  • An effective Air Defence weapon system that can be deployed quickly in rugged terrain and maritime domain.
  • Being man-portable and lightweight compared to the other missile systems, it can be deployed in the mountains close to the LAC at a short notice and will be the best option for mountain warfare.

What are MANPADS?

  • MANPADS are short-range, lightweight and portable surface-to-air missiles.
  • They can be fired by individuals or small groups to destroy aircraft or helicopters.
  • They are fitted with infrared (IR) seekers that identify and target the airborne vehicle through heat radiation being emitted by the latter.
  • They have ‘fire and forget’ guidance systems i.e., the operator is not required to guide the missile to its target, enabling them to run and relocate immediately after firing.
  • They shield troops from aerial attacks and are most effective in targeting low-flying aircraft.
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Kuiper Internet Satellite

Kuiper is a satellite internet constellation project that is being developed by Amazon. The project aims to provide high-speed broadband internet access to areas of the world that currently lack reliable internet connectivity.

Features

  • The Kuiper constellation will consist of over 3,000 satellites that will operate in the Ka-band frequency range.
  • The satellites will be capable of providing internet speeds of up to 400 Mbps, which is significantly faster than most current satellite internet services.
  • The Kuiper satellites will be launched into low Earth orbit, which will enable them to provide low-latency internet service.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Kuiper satellite constellation is to provide high-speed broadband internet access to areas of the world that currently lack reliable internet connectivity. This includes rural areas, developing countries, and other locations where traditional internet infrastructure is not available or is prohibitively expensive.

Advantages of satellite-based internet

  • Reduced Latency: 20-30 milliseconds, roughly the time it takes for terrestrial systems to transfer data. The transmission from a satellite in geostationary orbit has a latency of about 600 milliseconds. 
  • High Bandwidth: Satellite internet connections can handle high bandwidth usage, so your internet speed/quality shouldn’t be affected by lots of users or “peak use times.”
  • Viability: The signals from satellites in space can overcome obstacles faced by fibre-optic cables or wireless networks easily. We don’t need a phone line for satellite internet.
  • Quick recovery post-disaster.
  • We don’t need a phone line for satellite internet.

Disadvantages of satellite-based internet

  • More vulnerable to bad weather.
  • Coverage: Due to its lower height, its signals cover a relatively small area. 
  • Space Debris: It will generate more space debris.
  • Difficulty in Space Studies: The constellations of space internet satellites will make it difficult to observe other space objects, and to detect their signals. Light reflected from the man-made satellites can interfere with — and be mistaken for — light coming from other space bodies.
  • Light Pollution: There will be an increased risk of light pollution.

Significance

  • Bridging the digital divide: The Kuiper satellite constellation has the potential to bring internet connectivity to areas of the world that currently lack reliable internet access, particularly in rural and remote regions. This could help bridge the digital divide and provide more equitable access to information and communication technologies.
  • Enabling economic development: Access to high-speed internet can enable economic development by providing businesses with the tools they need to reach new markets, improve efficiencies, and create jobs.
  • Supporting education: Access to high-speed internet can help improve educational opportunities by providing students and teachers with access to online educational resources, remote learning tools, and virtual classrooms.
  • Enhancing emergency response: High-speed internet access can be critical during emergencies, providing first responders with access to real-time information and communication tools that can save lives.
  • Advancement of IT infrastructure: the Kuiper project is one of several satellite internet constellations currently being developed by major technology companies, which suggests that satellite internet is likely to become an increasingly important part of the global telecommunications infrastructure in the coming years.
  • Advancing space technology: The development of the Kuiper satellite constellation is an important milestone in the advancement of space technology, particularly in the area of satellite communication systems. This could have broader implications for space exploration and the development of space-based infrastructure.

New material offers lossless energy possibility

Researchers have been long toiling to find materials that super conduct electricity in ambient conditions, i.e. at one or a few atmospheres of pressure and at room temperature.

Recently, the U.S. scientists have claimed to produce the first commercially accessible material named "red matter", which has superconducting properties at room temperature.

About Red matter:

  • Red matter is a mixture of Hydrogen, Nitrogen and a rare-Earth material called Lutetium.
  • It is claimed to become superconductive at a temperature of just 21°C (69°F) and a pressure of 1 gigapascal. That is nearly 10,000 times the atmospheric pressure on Earth’s surface, but still far lower pressure than any previous superconducting material.
  • The data reported shows a sharp drop in the electrical resistance around room temperature, the expulsion of magnetic fields, and a hump in the heat capacity (the sample expels heat from itself when cooled, as the electrons organise into the more-ordered superconducting state). However, the validity of the scientific research is still being ascertained.

Superconductors:

  • Superconductors are materials that do not resist the flow of current or have zero resistance, below a fixed temperature, which is the critical temperature. E.g.,
    • A portion of the electricity generated at every power plant is lost during transmission because the wires and cables that carry the current have electrical resistance.
    • Once an electric current passes over a superconducting material, it can continue to flow without receiving power from any source as none of the energy involved is lost as heat.
  • However, every superconductor made so far has required extraordinarily high pressures (millions of Pascal), and very low temperatures.

 E.g., Aluminium becomes superconducting at temperatures less than (minus) –250° C.

Properties of Superconductors:

  • Infinite conductivity with Zero resistance: When the temperature of the material is reduced below the critical temperature, its resistance suddenly reduces to zero and thus offers infinite conductivity. E.g., Mercury becomes superconductor below 4 kelvin.
  • Complete expulsion of Magnetic field: Superconductors are diamagnetic i.e. oppose the magnetic field or do not allow the magnetic field lines to penetrate it. (This phenomenon is called Meisser Effect)

However, there is a certain value of the magnetic field (critical magnetic field) beyond which the superconductors lose superconductivity and convert into conductors. 

Significance:

  • Elimination of the loss of energy as electricity moves along the wire would mean longer-lasting batteries, more-efficient power grids and improved high-speed trains.
  • Potential applications include Magnetic-energy storage systems,  magnetic levitation trains,  superconducting magnetic refrigerators, etc.
  • Huge potential for revolutionary technologies, including efficient quantum computers, as superconductors can exhibit truly quantum phenomena.

GI Tag for Basmati Rice Controversy between India & Pakistan

India will continue to pursue its application for an exclusive Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its basmati rice in the European Union (EU) and not consider any other solution as it could affect the exclusivity of the fragrant rice in other markets, official sources have said.

What is the historical background of the issue?

It all started when India registered its Basmati Rice GI in the European market, which has been countered by Pakistan. An official release by the European Union on September 11, 2020, notified India’s application for getting the geographical indication for its Basmati Rice in the EU market. The release also indicated that in the next three months, any entity, which objects to this application, can oppose it in the EU.

On 7th December 2020, the application received opposition from Pakistan, when its rice association, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) filed a notice with EU authorities. To further strengthen its case of opposition, Pakistan registered its Basmati Rice under its Geographical Indication Act 2020 on January 27, 2021. The case is still pending with no conclusion being reached. 

What is GI tag?

Under the TRIPS agreement, Geographical indication (GI), is defined as an indication of the true geographical origin of products, with reputation, quality, or other characteristics of that product attributable to the origin. Countries issue GI tags to their products under the law, in order to protect the product from imitation and misuse of its registered name. In India, the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act came into force in 2003.

What is the present issue?

Exports of rice are of importance to both India and Pakistan. Pakistan’s Punjab, in which all of its ‘Basmati Rice’ (as claimed by it) production is located, also lies in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. India is the largest supplier of Basmati Rice, exporting 5.5 million tons of Basmati Rice to the world in 2020. Its production is spread across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Western UP and parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan wants to convince India for ‘joint recognition’ as the heritage is shared by both the countries.
EU is trying to put pressure on India to amend its application by including the basmati­ growing areas in Pakistan or submit a new joint application.

Why India is against this?

India cannot accept the EU’s proposal. In August 2020, after the abrogation of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan published a map showing Jammu as part of its territory. When a joint application is made, the map of both countries will have to be included. This will mean India accepting Jammu to be part of Pakistan.

Further, Pakistan is yet to come up with any definition of basmati. It has no physical standard and has not notified the DNA standard. 

Note: APEDA, is the nodal agency to get GI tag for Indian products.