Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer satellite was launched from Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to map water on the Moon. The 200 kg satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, will search for water ice in permanently shadowed lunar craters. Lunar water is crucial for future missions, providing drinking water, oxygen, and rocket fuel. It will orbit at 100 km altitude, using two instruments to study water distribution and surface temperature. Water may come from solar wind reactions, comets, or meteorites. Understanding lunar water could reveal insights into Earth’s water origins and support future Moon missions.

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ISRO is developing a LOX-methane engine for the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) with a reusable booster stage and two expendable upper stages. The engine will have multiple restart capability to enhance mission flexibility and booster recovery. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) is developing a spark torch igniter for higher ignition reliability and cleaner combustion. On March 3, a successful test of the igniter was conducted using GSLV Cryogenic Upper Stage vernier engine. Further tests will be conducted to improve performance and advance development.

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed the undocking of two satellites under the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission. SpaDeX is a cost-effective technology demonstrator for in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV. The mission aims to develop and demonstrate rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), in low-Earth orbit. On March 13, 2025, ISRO successfully undocked the satellites in a 460 km circular orbit with 45-degree inclination. The satellites are now orbiting independently and are in normal condition. This marks ISRO’s successful demonstration of all capabilities for rendezvous, docking, and undocking in a circular orbit.

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NASA reported that global sea levels rose faster than expected in 2024. The rise reached 0.59 cm per year, exceeding the expected 0.43 cm. The main causes are ocean warming, which leads to expansion, and meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets. In 2024, thermal expansion caused two-thirds of the rise, shifting from previous years when melting ice was the dominant factor. 2024 was the warmest year on record, with ocean levels at their highest in three decades. Since satellite monitoring began in 1993, global sea levels have risen by 10 cm, with the rate more than doubling.

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V Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, inaugurated the ‘Shri S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research’ at IIT Madras on March 17, 2025. The centre supports ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by advancing space technologies and attracting global research talent. It focuses on spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management, crucial for India’s space missions. S Ramakrishnan, an IIT Madras alumnus, contributed significantly to PSLV and GSLV MK3 development. ISRO scientists will collaborate with IIT Madras to develop advanced cooling systems for spacecraft. The research will support future lunar, Mars, and deep-space missions.

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Researchers in China successfully transplanted a gene-modified pig liver into a human with brain death to evaluate its function. Xenotransplantation involves transplanting cells, tissues, or organs from non-human animals into humans. Early attempts at xenotransplantation began in the 1980s with heart transplants. Genetic modifications are necessary to prevent immune rejection of animal organs in humans. Post-transplant monitoring is essential to assess organ function and immune responses.

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New observations of the Great Red Spot on Jupiter show unexpected atmospheric activity above and around the storm. The Great Red Spot is an anticyclone, a high-pressure system that creates a long-lasting storm. It is located in Jupiter’s Southern Hemisphere. It appears as a massive red spot, though the cause of its red color remains unknown. The storm extends above Jupiter’s main cloud layers and is the largest known storm in the Solar System. The storm has existed for at least 150 years and may be even older. Its long duration is linked to Jupiter’s gaseous composition, which lacks a solid surface that would dissipate the storm’s energy. Unlike hurricanes on Earth that weaken upon landfall, Jupiter’s storm remains active due to its deep atmosphere.

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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-Kgp) developed an energy-efficient graphene-based technology for oil-water separation to manage oil spills safely and effectively. Graphene is a single atomic layer of graphite, an allotrope of carbon with tightly bonded atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It is about 200 times stronger than steel, lightweight, transparent, and highly elastic with excellent thermal conductivity and flexibility. The new technology uses graphene’s unique properties to clean oil spills efficiently with less energy and no toxic residue. Graphene is also used in making microchips, batteries, and biomedical devices due to its versatile nature.

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U.S.-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences announced the birth of three genetically engineered wolf pups, aiming to revive the extinct dire wolf species after 12,500 years. This marks the first-ever attempt at “de-extinction,” using methods like gene editing (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9), ancient DNA sequencing, cloning, and synthetic biology. De-extinction helps in biodiversity conservation, ecological balance, and climate resilience, and boosts public interest in conservation science. The dire wolf, scientifically named Aenocyon dirus, once lived in North American grasslands and forests during the Pleistocene Epoch and went extinct around 12,500 years ago.

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The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch the Biomass Mission on April 29, 2025, using a Vega C rocket from Korou Spaceport, French Guiana. The satellite will orbit Earth at 666 km in a sun-synchronous orbit, allowing consistent lighting for accurate observations. It will provide the first global measurements of forest biomass, helping scientists map forests and track their changes over time. Forests store 861 gigatonnes of carbon and absorb about 16 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) every year. In 2023, 3.7 million hectares of tropical forests were lost, causing about 6% of global CO₂ emissions.