Isro developing technology to reuse first & second stages of rocket

GS PAPER - 03 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Context:

         ★ In a bid to cut cost of satellite launchers, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is working on reusable launch technology for using the first and second stages of a rocket multiple times.

         ★ Isro is going to conduct an advanced version of the reusable launch technology (RLV) test in June-July.

More about the news:

       ★ The first rocket stage will be recovered on a vertical landing spot on the sea like SpaceX has been doing it with its Falcon rocket.

       ★ However, recovering the second stage is not simple. We are, therefore, developing a winged body like a space shuttle.

                 ☆ This shuttle will be attached as a second stage in a rocket.

                 ☆ It will carry the top portion of the rocket comprising a satellite or spacecraft to space.

                 ☆ Once it injects the satellite in its orbit, the shuttle will glide back to the earth and land on an airstrip like an aircraft.

       ★ It is important to note that, "second stage recovery has never been tried by any other space agency in the world, not even SpaceX.

Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV TD):

       ★ The RLV TD is a hybrid vehicle that combines the technologies of an aircraft and launch vehicle, one on top of the other

       ★ The main objectives of the RLV TD are to reduce cost of launch by increasing reusability and to increase reliability by achieving a Two Stage to Orbit (TSTO) capability.

                                                                                                                              Source:- Times of India

Working on policy for domestic aircraft manufacturing

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context:

        ★ Union Civil Aviation Minister on 15 January 2019,said the government is working on a policy framework for the domestic manufacturing of aircraft.

        ★ Under the new Aircraft policy, Ministry is planning to focus on Aircraft Manufacturing, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) work domestically.

Need for Such policy:

       ★ The aviation industry in India has been experiencing exponential growth with the domestic aviation market growing at 20 percent annually for the last four years.

       ★ The country needs 2,300 new aircraft to meet the future air travel demand

       ★ India is already spending huge amount of money in maintenance and repair of aircraft.

       ★ Domestic passenger traffic has been growing at 17-18 per cent and to fulfill the demand framework is a need of hour to boost the growth in the segment.

       ★ India already have Drone Policy in place and want manufacturing of drones to be carried out domestically to carry out functions in sectors such as agriculture and disaster management

       ★ The new policy will also ensure zero tolerance for any safety violation and sustainable and smoother trips.

                                                                                                     Source:- Indian Express

China’s lunar probe sees first cotton seed sprout on Moon

GS PAPER - 03 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Awareness in the fields of  Space

Context:

        ★ China sent several seeds to Moon in its spacecraft Chang’e-4, and cotton was the only seed to germinate so far.

More about the news:

       ★ A cotton seed carried to the Moon by China’s recent Chang’e-4 probe has sprouted, the first for any biological matter to grow on the Moon.

      ★ Along with cotton seeds, the biological growth experiments on the lunar surface included rapeseed, potato, and Arabidopsis seeds, as well as fruit fly eggs and yeast.

Significance:

      ★ This is the first time humans have done biological growth experiments on the lunar surface," said Xie Gengxin, who led the design of the experiment.

      ★ Plants have been grown on the International Space Station before but never on the Moon.

      ★ The ability to grow plants on the Moon will be integral for long-term space missions, like a trip to Mars which would take about two-and-a-half years.

                                                                                                                   Source:- The Hindu

From July, quota in higher education across all private institutions: Govt

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context:

       ★ Ministry of Human Resources proposed 10% upper caste quota and increase around 25 percent seats in higher educational institutions and universities across the country.

More about the news:

       ★ The quota will be applicable to all higher education institutions – private and government - 25 percent seats will ensure that the reservation does not disturb the existing quota for SC, ST and other categories.

       ★ According to HRD Ministry, the existing quota for the SC/ST and OBC will not be affected by the implementation of the new quota bill.

       ★ Institutions run by the Centre will have to increase their student strength by almost 25 per cent in order to accommodate the EWS reservation.

       ★ Currently, it is not mandatory under a central law to provide reservation to students in Private institutions.

       ★ All states except, Rajasthan and West Bengal made it mandatory to provide reservation to SC/ST and OBC candidates in technical institutes and colleges

       ★ To provide mandatory reservation in Private institution, the central and state government will have to pass a law.

       ★ Minority educational institutions will not be bound to reserve seats for the economically backward

                                                                                                                              Source:- Indian Express

Govt. Launches two National level Initiatives in the field of science communication

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context:

       ★ The Department of Science and Technology (DST) along with Doordarshan (DD), Prasar Bharati launched two science communication initiatives, DD Science and India Science .

More about the news:

       ★ DD Science is a one-hour slot on Doordarshan National channel, which will be telecast Monday to Saturday from 5 pm to 6 pm.

       ★ India Science is an Internet-based channel, which is available on any internet-enabled device, and will offer live, scheduled play and video-on-demand services.

       ★ The two channels will have science-based documentaries, studio-based discussions, and virtual walkthroughs of scientific institutions, interviews and short films and will be completely free to access.

Significance:

      ★ The two science communication platforms are National level initiatives to elevate science into a celebration and bring it close to everyday life.

      ★ It also helps in developing the scientific temper of our society.

      ★ DST and DD aim to make them jewels in the crown of the country for serving humanity for the furtherance of science.

                                                                                                                                                 Source:- PIB

Half done: on the ban on plastic [ editorial / Opinion]

GS PAPER - 03 ENVIRONMENT - Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Context:

        ★ Puducherry will implement a ban from March 1.

        ★ So far, 22 States and Union Territories have joined the fight to beat the plastic pollution, announcing a ban on single-use plastics such as carry bags, cups, plates, cutlery, straws and thermocol products.

        ★ India won global acclaim for its “Beat Plastic Pollution” resolve declared on World Environment Day last year, under which it pledged to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022.

        ★ Where firm action has been taken, positive results have followed. A Bengaluru waste collective estimates that the volume of plastic waste that they collect dropped from about two tonnes a day to less than 100 kg.

Issues with plastic waste management:

Banning:

     ★ The banning of plastic use has been of limited success.

     ★ Primary reasons include lack of citizen awareness and poor implementation of rules.

     ★ Also, the mobility of plastic waste makes state-wise bans difficult to implement

     ★ Small producers of plastics are facing the ban, while more organised entities covered by the Extended Producer Responsibility clause continue with business as usual.

Waste Segregation:

      ★ Plastic waste is not properly separated at the source. Recyclability of plastic decreases when mixed with organic or sanitary matter.

      ★ According to CPCB report, Indian generates 16 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually. India can earn a revenue of Rs. 5600 crores annually by selling this waste at the global average rate of 50cent/kg.

      ★ However, the economic benefit from recycling plastic has not been reaped. This is because; most of the cities lack a processing plant with a sanitary landfill site. They follow crude methods of waste dumping such as land filling of mixed waste

Recycling and associated issues:

      ★ Only 60% of the total plastic waste generated is recycled

      ★ There is a lack of recycling centers in most of the parts. Further, recycling in rural areas is a major challenge. Most waste processing and recycling facilities are located in urban areas

Lack of alternatives:

       ★ The price of biodegradable plastic products is higher than their synthetic plastic counterparts. A lack of affordable alternatives has been detrimental in implementing ban on plastic use.

       ★ The recent state-wide plastic ban in Maharashtra has faced criticisms from commercial bodies. They argue that a complete ban on plastics in the absence of affordable alternative is not a feasible option

Wats need to be done?

       ★ Governments must start charging the producers for their waste, and collect it diligently, which will lead to recovery and recycling.

       ★ State and local governments should upgrade their waste management systems, which is necessary to even measure the true scale of packaging waste.

       ★ Role of local bodies: Local bodies should consult manufacturers or importers to assess the problem. Cities and towns need competent municipal systems to achieve this.

The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016:

       ★ The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 offer directives to urban local bodies and Gram Panchayats on segregation, collection, transportation, processing and disposal of plastic waste in their areas of jurisdiction

       ★ Increase minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 to 50 microns and stipulate minimum thickness of 50 micron for plastic sheets also to facilitate collection and recycle of plastic waste.

Way Forward:

       ★ Governments must start charging the producers for their waste, and collect it diligently, which will lead to recovery and recycling.

       ★ Phase-wise implementation with yearly targets are required to ensure an effective implementation of the rules.

                                                                                                                                       Source:- The Hindu

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