Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Bellatrix Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based space startup, launched Project 200 at the Bengaluru Space Expo 2024. Project 200 is an innovative satellite designed for Ultra-Low Earth Orbit (180 km-250 km). This mission will demonstrate a new in-house propulsion system that allows satellites to maintain 200 km orbits for years. At this altitude, communication latency is halved, image resolution triples, and costs are lower than higher orbits.

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Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics discovered an interaction between a radio jet from an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) and the surrounding interstellar medium in a dwarf galaxy, NGC 4395. This groundbreaking finding, observed at a distance of about 14 million light years, challenges previous beliefs that only large galaxies host AGNs. The study utilized data from various telescopes, including Hubble and Chandra, to explore this phenomenon, enhancing our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.

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The Smart Dragon-3 rocket, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, is specifically designed to carry remote-sensing satellites into sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). This orbit allows for consistent lighting conditions for Earth observation, making it ideal for remote-sensing applications. Operated by China Rocket, a commercial spinoff, the Smart Dragon-3 highlights China’s advancing capabilities in space technology and satellite deployment, significantly impacting areas such as agriculture, urban planning, and environmental monitoring.

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NASA cancelled the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission due to delays and high costs. VIPER was fully assembled and partially tested before cancellation. It was a NASA mission to explore the Moon’s south pole for water ice and other resources. VIPER was part of the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, involving India. India missed an opportunity by approving Chandrayaan-4’s sample-return mission after VIPER’s cancellation.

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The MACE Observatory was recently inaugurated by the Secretary of DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission in Hanle, Ladakh. It is the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia and the world’s highest, located at an altitude of about 4,300 meters. The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) aims to enhance international collaborations and strengthen India’s role in space research. Indigenously built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with help from ECIL and other Indian industry partners, it will advance studies in astrophysics and particle acceleration. MACE will observe high-energy gamma rays, aiding global research on phenomena like supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts while supporting Ladakh’s socio-economic development.

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Scientists at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Kolkata have found a new target for cancer treatment by activating a DNA repair enzyme called TDP1. TDP1, or Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1, is essential for DNA repair in humans as it removes damaged DNA bases. This discovery opens a promising path for precision medicine in cancer treatment, particularly for cancers that are resistant to existing therapies.

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The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme. It aims to support over 400 planned lunar missions by space agencies and private companies in the next 20 years. The Moonlight programme will deploy a constellation of about five lunar satellites. These satellites will provide accurate autonomous landings, high-speed communication, and surface mobility on the Moon. The satellites will enable data transfer over a distance of 4,00,000 km (2,50,000 miles) between Earth and the Moon.

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A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report states that one person died and 49 others got sick from an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder Hamburgers. E. coli, or Escherichia coli, is a rod-shaped bacterium found in the intestines of humans and animals. Most E. coli strains are harmless, but some can cause illnesses like diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia. E. coli spreads through contaminated food, water, or contact with fecal matter from infected individuals or animals. The harmful strains produce a toxin called Shiga, which damages the small intestine lining and causes diarrhea.

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India will launch the European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission from Sriharikota next month. Proba-3 is ESA’s first mission focused on precision formation flying. It will demonstrate two satellites creating an artificial eclipse to study the Sun’s faint corona. The mission includes a Coronagraph satellite and an Occulter satellite flying 150 meters apart. The Occulter will block the Sun’s light, allowing the Coronagraph to image the corona. The mission aims to understand solar mass ejections and track solar energy changes impacting Earth’s climate.

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IIT Madras and ISRO are setting up a Centre of Excellence for research in Fluid and Thermal Sciences. ISRO is providing Rs. 1.84 crore as initial funding for the Centre’s setup and essential infrastructure. The Centre will focus on thermal management research for spacecraft and launch vehicles, aiding ISRO’s missions. Key research areas include spacecraft thermal management, hybrid rocket combustion instability, and cryo-tank thermodynamics. This collaboration will strengthen industry-academia ties, with IIT Madras faculty and ISRO scientists working together on advanced research.