10.40 min science 1-66T Flashcards

Question

3.2. NASA

Answer 1

``` NASA MISSIONS MATTER OF STUDY Parker Solar Probe • Solar corona, solar wind and solar energetic particles GOLD & ICON Mission • Refer to Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) and Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) respectively • Ionosphere region to understand more about hurricanes & geomagnetic storms Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) and Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) respectively • Ionosphere region to understand more about hurricanes & geomagnetic storms ``` ``` New Frontiers program • Explore the solar system. Two recently selected missions: Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return (CAESAR) for visiting comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Dragonfly: spacecraft to study Titan, Saturn’s largest moon • Three older missions: Juno Mission: Juno spacecraft to orbit Jupiter. Earlier, Galileo probe in its mission had found evidence of subsurface saltwater on Jupiter’s moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto OSIRIS-Rex: Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security- Regolith Explorer is NASA’s first unmanned asteroid sampling mission heading towards a near-Earth asteroid called Bennu. New Horizons Spacecraft: To study Pluto, its moons (such as Nix and Hydra) and the Kuiper belt SOFIA Mission (Flying Observatory) • Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is world’s largest airborne astronomical observatory built as a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Centre to observe celestial magnetic fields, star forming regions, comets and Saturn’s giant moon Titan Cassini Mission • launched through collaboration between NASA, ESA and the Italian space agency to study Saturn and its system of rings and moons (Saturn’s largest moon is Titan) • first spacecraft to orbit Saturn Exploration Mission-1 • It will be the first integrated test of NASA’s deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket (most powerful rocket in the world • Orion Spacecraft is designed to take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit and explore the Moon, Mars and other destinations Voyager 1 and 2 • Year 2017 marked 40th anniversary of its journey • They have explored all the giant planets of our outer solar system, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune; 48 of their moons; and the unique system of rings and magnetic fields • Voyager 1 was the first spacecraft to have entered interstellar space Kepler Mission • Kepler is a space observatory launched by NASA to discover Earth-size planets orbiting other stars. • The Kepler telescope detects the presence of planets by registering minuscule drops in a star’s brightness that occurs when a planet crosses in front of it, a movement known as a transit. DAWN Mission • only mission ever to orbit two extraterrestrial targets - giant asteroid Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres • Ceres is the largest body in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is a dwarf planet, the only one located in the inner circle of the solar system, rest all are located on the outer edges. AIDA (Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment) Mission • It is the first-ever mission that will deflect a near-Earth asteroid to protect the planet • It is an international collaboration among the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA and others • AIDA involves two independent spacecraft – NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), and ESA’s Asteroid Impact Mission (AIM). • Its target is the binary near- Earth asteroid Didymos, a potentially hazardous asteroid. • NASA has also designed a spacecraft named Hammer (Hypervelocity Asteroid Mitigation Mission for Emergency Response), which could deflect a asteroids, if it happens to hit Earth. SPARCS • Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat (SPARCS) is a space telescope to study the habitability and high-energy environment around M-dwarf stars. TESS • Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to study exoplanets in orbit around the brightest stars in the sky. TESS will monitor more than 200,000 stars for temporary drops in brightness caused by planetary transits. InSight Mars lander • for Mars (Red Planet) which will study the interior of Mars and listen for Marsquakes ICESat-2 and GRACE Follow- On • to continue the long-term record of how Earth’s ice sheets, sea level, and underground water reserves are changing ``` ``` Roll-out Solar Array (ROSA) • It is a collaboration between NASA and two private companies with an aim to develop flexible solar array (adaptable to different sizes) that could one day power satellites and spacecraft. • It is 20% lighter and four times smaller in volume than traditional solar panels. Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer mission • The proposal for this mission was accepted under NASA’s Explorers Programme which provides frequent, low-cost access to space for investigations. • This mission is aimed at studying some of the most extreme and exotic astronomical objects by studying the polarisation of Xrays emitted from their surrounding environments as ``` ``` direct image cannot be taken of such as objects like black holes, neutron stars etc. New Aviation Horizons initiative • It aims to commercialise ultraefficient subsonic transportation • Recently, NASA has completed preliminary design review of the Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) aircraft, initial design stage of planned Low Boom Flight Demonstration (LBFD) experimental airplane, otherwise known as an X-plane Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS) spacecraft • It is a partnership between NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and NASA • It’s first in NOAA’s series of four, next-generation operational environmental satellites designed to circle the Earth in a polar orbit. Backyard Worlds project • It is a citizen science project which lets anyone with a computer and an Internet connection flip through images taken by NASA’s Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) spacecraft. • WISE is a space telescope launched in 2009 by NASA to map the entire sky in infrared wavelengths. Its goal was to find objects that had not been imaged before, including very bright galaxies, very cold stars, and nearby asteroids and comets. Hubble Space Telescpe • It is a joint venture between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) — was launched in its orbit 552 km above Earth • It has the ability to see in multiple wavelengths — nearinfrared, visible light and nearultraviolet • It has recently discovered seven Earth-sized planets orbiting the ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST- 1 making it the planetary system with the largest number of Earth-sized planets discovered so far. James Webb Space • It is a joint project of the NASA, the European Space Agency ``` ``` Telescope and the Canadian Space Agency. • It will be the successor of Hubble Space Telescope and 100 times powerful than it. • One of its main goals is to use spectroscopy to determine the atmospheric components of alien worlds. Kilopower project • It's a small nuclear reactor that can generate a reliable power supply which can be used to provide safe and plentiful energy for future robotic and human missions for Mars and beyond ```

Answer 2

Why in news? • On January 31, 2018, a rare Blue Moon event was experienced on large parts of the globe. About the news • It was a rare moment as blue moon, a supermoon and a total lunar eclipse fell on same day after more than 150 years. • Blue Moon: When two full moons appear in the same calendar month, the second is termed a “blue moon". First full moon occurred on Jan 1, 2018. • Super Moon: occurs when the full moon is at the closest point of its orbit to the Earth, which is also called the perigee. The moon appears 30% brighter and 14% bigger than the apogee full moon • Blood Moon: The moon turns into red color during the height of the eclipse as some light does reach it even though the moon is in the shadow of the Earth. Fine particles in the atmosphere scatter (Rayleigh scattering) the blue component of solar spectrum, & what reaches us is the longer wavelength red light. • A lunar eclipse happens whenever the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, also known as its umbra. Solar eclipse • A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth. • It can only take place at the phase of new moon, when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth and its shadows fall upon Earth’s surface. • However, eclipses do not happen at every new moon because the moon’s orbit is tilted just over 5 degrees relative to Earth’s orbit around the sun. Thus, the moon’s shadow usually passes either above or below Earth.

Answer 3

``` Why in news? • Perseid Meteor Shower fell on Earth in August peaked on August 12. Geminid meteor shower fell on Earth on December 12. ``` What is a Meteor Shower? • Earth in its yearly motion around the Sun passes through a debris trail left behind by a comet. The meteor shower is caused when debris heat up as they enter the atmosphere and burn up in a bright burst of light. • When the debris is in space, they are called “meteoroids,” but when they reach Earth’s atmosphere, they’re designated as “meteors.” What is Perseid Meteor Shower? • Perseid meteor Shower is the dust of Comet Swift Tuttle which passes through Earth every year. • The meteor shower is caused when debris heat up as they enter the atmosphere and burn up in a bright burst of light. • When the debris is in space, they are called “meteoroids,” but when they reach Earth’s atmosphere, they’re designated as “meteors.” Comet Swift-Tuttle • Comet Swift-Tuttle, having a nucleus of about 16 miles (26 kilometres) wide, is the largest object known to repeatedly pass by Earth. • The Comet last passed nearby Earth during its orbit around the sun in 1992. It will next pass by the Earth in 2026. About Geminid Meteor Shower • Usually meteor shower happens due to the debris left behind by a Comet. However, it can happen due to an asteroid as well such as in the case of Geminid Shower. • Geminid Meteor shower is the dust particle of constellation of Gemini. Earth passes through the path of its parent asteroid 3200 Phaethon every year. About 3200 Phaethon • It is an Apollo Asteroid and has characteristics close to a comet. • Sometime the orbits of an asteroid intersect with the orbit of Mars and Earth. The earth orbiting asteroids are called Apollo Asteroids. Asteroids, Meteoroid, Meteors and Meteorites Asteroids – Asteroids are small bodies of rocks which revolve around the sun. The Asteroid belt in our Solar System is found between the Mars and Jupiter. Meteoroids – When asteroids smash into each other, small fragments break off. These fragments are called Meteoroids. Meteors – When these meteoroids come closer to Earth and enter its atmosphere they vaporize with a streak of light in the sky. They are then called Meteors or shooting stars. Meteorites – When the meteors do not vaporise completely after entering the Earth’s atmosphere, they are called Meteorites. Comet – A chunk of ice and rock originating from the outer solar system, often accompanied by a coma and tail

Answer 4

Why in news? • Proxima Centauri (the second closest star to Earth) was found to be sending out massive solar flare. The finding diminishes the chance of life expected in Proxima Centauri b, a planet revolving in the habitable Goldilocks zone of this Red (Cool) Dwarf Star. • The 3 space based observatories (Astro-sat, Chandra (X-ray observatory managed by NASA), and Hubble Space Telescope) and a ground based Observatory HARPS (High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher) participated in the multi-wavelength observational campaign and observed the solar flare in Proxima Centauri. What is Solar/Stellar Flare? • It is a dramatic increase in brightness of a star thought to be due to the magnetic energy stored in the star's atmosphere. • When observed in Sun, they are often accompanied by coronal mass ejection. • Solar flare ejects clouds of electrons, ions and atoms along with electromagnetic radiations. • Bombardment with such huge amount of energy (as observed in Proxima centauri) can strip water from the atmosphere or Oceans and sterilise the ground. Impact of Solar Flare of Sun: • They occur in active regions around sunspots. • When flare is ejected in the direction of the earth, the particles hitting the upper earth's atmosphere may cause AURORA/Polar light (Aurora Borealis- Northern light and Aurora Australis- Southern Light). • X-rays and UV rays may affect ionosphere and disrupt long range radio communication. • The radiation risks posed by solar flares are one of the major hurdles in manned space missions. HARPS: High precision spectrograph mounted on European Southern Observatory's 3.6m telescope at La Silla Observatory in Chile.

Answer 5

Why in news? • In a world’s first, the elusive ‘missing’ half of the universe’s observable matter has been found. Background • The universe is made up of regular 'visible' matter, dark matter and dark energy- though experts are yet to detect the latter two. • Measurements of radiation left over from the Big Bang showed that about 5% of the mass in the universe comes in the form of ordinary matter, with the rest being accounted for by dark matter (25%) and dark energy (70%). • Dark matter has never been directly observed and the nature of dark energy is almost completely mysterious, but even tracking down the 5% of ordinary matter has proved more complicated. Counting up of all the observable objects in the sky – stars, planets, galaxies and so on –only accounts for between a 10th and a fifth of what ought to be out there. The deficit is known as the “missing baryon problem”. • Now missing matter has been discovered. It is made of particles called baryons linking galaxies together through filaments of hot gas. Hot Gas Filaments • The distribution of ordinary matter in the universe is not homogeneous. • Instead, under the action of gravity, matter is concentrated into so-called filamentary structures, forming a network of knots and links called the 'cosmic web'. • Gas filaments between some galaxies contain subatomic particles called baryons. What Is a Baryon? • Leptons and quarks are the basic building blocks of matter • Baryons are subatomic particles made up of three even smaller particles called quarks • Quark-based particles, baryons take part in the strong interaction between particles, whereas leptons, which are not quark based, do not. • The most familiar baryons are the proton and the neutron, which make up the central body of atoms. Baryons therefore comprise most of the mass of the visible universe. • The best known lepton is the electron. Related information • Anti-matter: Every matter has its corresponding anti-matter. It shares the same mass as their matter counterparts, but qualities such as electric charge are opposite. For example, positively charged positron is the antiparticle to the negatively charged electron and proton has the negatively charged anti-proton. Dark Matter and Dark energy NASA defines it in the form of what it is not than what it is. • First, it is dark, meaning that it is not in the form of stars and planets that we see. • Second, it is not in the form of dark clouds of normal matter, matter made up of particles called baryons. • Third, dark matter is not antimatter, because we do not see the unique gamma rays that are produced when antimatter annihilates with matter. • Finally, it does not include large galaxy-sized black holes. It doesn't interact with baryonic matter and it's completely invisible to light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation, making dark matter impossible to detect with current instruments. But scientists are confident it exists because of the gravitational effects it appears to have on galaxies and galaxy clusters. Dark energy Dark energy, discovered in the 1990s, is even more mysterious. Scientists have no plausible explanation for dark energy. According to one idea, dark energy is a fifth and previously unknown type of fundamental force called quintessence, which fills the universe like a fluid. During 1990s, the scientists realized that instead of decelerating, the universe is expanding more rapidly. Scientists assume that the accelerated expansion of the universe is driven by a kind of repulsive force generated by quantum fluctuations in otherwise "empty" space. Also, the force seems to be growing stronger as the universe expands. For lack of a better name, scientists call this mysterious force dark energy. Difference: • Dark matter attracts, dark energy repels. • While dark matter pulls matter inward, dark energy pushes it outward. • While dark energy shows itself only on the largest cosmic scale, dark matter exerts its influence on individual galaxies as well as the universe at large.

Answer 6

``` Why in news? Recently 125th birthday of famous physicist Satyendra Nath Bose was celebrated after whom Higgs Boson was named by CERN. • Satyendra Nath Bose worked with Albert Einstein to develop the Bose-Einstein statistics according to which bosons can overlap and coexist with other bosons. Fundamental of bosons All fundamental particles in nature can be divided into one of two categories, Fermions or Bosons • Particles that make up matter called Fermions o Examples: electrons, protons, leptons, quarks, neutrinos. • Particle that carry force called Boson. They obey Bose-Einstein statistics. o Bosons are sometimes called force particles because they control the interaction of physical forces o Examples: photons, 4He atoms, gluons, W Boson, Z Boson. ``` Higgs Boson • It is popularly known as the God particle. • It was discovered by Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, at CERN • CERN is the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory. At CERN, scientists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the Universe.

Answer 7

Why in news Recently, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) granted environmental clearance to India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project to be setup in Bodi West hills, Tamil Nadu with certain conditions.India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) Project • It is a multi-institutional effort aimed at building a world-class underground laboratory with a rock cover of approx. 1200m for nonaccelerator based high energy and nuclear physics research in India. • It and will have a 50,000-tonne magnetic detector to study neutrinos that are significant in particle physics. • In the 1960s, India had a neutrino observatory located at the Kolar Gold Fields in Karnataka. However, the laboratory was shut in the 1990s because the mines were being closed. • Significance: Determination of neutrino masses is the most significant open problem in particle physics today and is the key goal of the INO project. • Benefits: understanding the particle, understanding the evolution of the universe, role in nuclear non-proliferation through remote monitoring, study of Geoneutrinos might help creating an earthquake warning system. About Neutrino • Neutrinos are one of the fundamental particles which make up the universe and second most abundant particle in the universe after photon. • Neutrinos are similar to the electron, with one crucial difference: they do not carry electric charge. • Neutrinos are of 3 types - electron neutrino, muon neutrino and tau neutrino. • Neutrinos can be created in several ways, including in certain types of radioactive decay, in nuclear reactions such as those that take place in the Sun, in nuclear reactors. • It’s Nicknamed as ‘blueprint of nature’ by scientists. About Anti-neutrinos • They are antiparticles of neutrinos and are produced in the negative beta decay. • Antineutrinos (as neutrinos) are very penetrating subatomic particles, capable of passing through Earth without any interaction. • Neutrinos and antineutrinos belong to the family of leptons, which means they do not interact via strong nuclear force.

Answer 8

Why in news? Scientists have recently discovered the most ancient spiral galaxy in the universe that existed 11 billion years ago. More about the news • The discovery was made by using a technique that combines gravitational lensing with the Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS). o Gravitational Lensing is a phenomenon in which the gravity of a massive object (like a galaxy or a cluster of galaxies) bends and amplifies the light from an object that lies beyond it. • The galaxy, known as A1689B11, existed just 2.6 billion years after the Big Bang, when the universe was only one fifth of its present age. • In a spiral galaxy, the stars, gas and dust are gathered in spiral arms that spread outward from the galaxy's center. • Spiral galaxies are exceptionally rare in the early universe, and this discovery opens the door to investigating how galaxies transition from highly chaotic, turbulent discs to tranquil, thin discs like those of our own Milky Way galaxy

Answer 9

Why in news? Recently, Falcon heavy rocket lift off from Cape Canaveral. More about Falcon Heavy • Falcon Heavy is the most powerful rocket in the world after NASA’s Saturn V. • It has been developed by private spaceflight company SpaceX and is 230 feet tall and can lift nearly 64 metric ton pay load to low Earth Orbit at a cost of 90 million USD. • The engine can be started multiple times to place payloads in various orbits such as low Earth, geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) and geosynchronous orbit. • Mongolia’s first satellite, Mazaalai is accompanying SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket o It was launched through Joint Global Multi- Nation Birds Satellite Project funded by UNCESCO and JAPAN. o Project is a cross-border interdisciplinary satellite project for non-space-faring nations, aimed at supporting developing countries to build and launch their first satellite. o It is named after a Mongolia's endangered gobi bear.

Answer 10

Why in news? • Israel has launched its first environmental research satellite, Venus satellite which is built jointly by Israel and France. More on satellite • It is placed in sun-synchronous orbit and its goal is to obtain high-resolution photographs of specific sites to track various environmental issues • It will also monitor Earth's vegetation to distinguish plants planted at as little as five meters apart. This makes possible “precision agriculture,” in which farmers would be able to accurately plan for water, fertilizer, and pesticide needs. • The mission will also test the operation of an innovative electric propulsion system based on the Israeli-designed Hall Effect Thrusters.

Answer 11

Why in news? • Engineers at Purdue University in the US have designed and tested a micropropulsion system that uses liquid water as the propellant for orbital maneuvering of tiny satellites called CubeSats. • Pure water is chosen as the propellant since it is green, safe, easy to use and free from the risk of contaminating sensitive instruments by the backflow from plumes as in the case of thrusters using chemical propellants

Answer 12

Why in news? University of Surrey, UK has decided to launch Remove Debris mission this year to remove space debris. Significance • There is almost 7,000 tons of active space debris—from old satellites and spacecraft to lost components and spent rocket partsorbiting Earth at any given moment which may take years to disintegrate. • More debris, could lead to more collisions - a cascade effect known as the Kessler syndrome which may render space eventually inoperable for important services like navigation, communications, weather forecasting etc. • The Remove Debris satellite platform will showcase four methods such as Net capture, Harpoon Capture, Vision-based navigation, De-orbiting process for release, capture and deorbit two space debris targets, called DebriSATs: International Space debris Committee It is an international governmental forum for the worldwide coordination of activities related to the issues of man-made and natural debris in space to facilitate opportunities for cooperation in space debris research, to review the progress of ongoing cooperative activities, and to identify debris mitigation options.

Answer 13

Why in News? Wildlife panel of the Union Environment Ministry had in 2017 cleared plan for diversion of Ladakh forest area for national large solar telescope (NLST). What is National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) • It will be a 2-m class, multipurpose and stateof- the-art solar telescope (NLST). • NLST will be the largest solar telescope in the world. • The project of NLST would be implemented by Bangalore based, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP). Features of National Large Solar Telescope • It is capable of doing both day and night astronomy because of unprecedented high spatial resolution. • It will fill the longitude gap between Japan and Europe. Currently, there is no telescope between these regions. • It will help in understanding the formation and decay of sunspots by using Helioseismology, which is a powerful technique for probing the solar interior using acoustic Oscillations. Why Ladhak Region for NLST • High altitude region which will fundamentally enhance the NLST capacity. • Prolong region of sunshine, clear sky (high visibility) with low sessional variation. • Low concentration of aerosol and dust particles in sky. • Lower wind speed and presence of mild gusts and direction; also the laminar winds blowing in favourable condition.

Answer 14

• Geo Magnetic Storm: A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance of Earth's magnetosphere that occurs due to exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment surrounding Earth. They create beautiful auroras or the Polar Lights, but they also can disrupt navigation systems such as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and create harmful Geomagnetic Induced Currents (GICs) in the power grid and pipelines. • Kuiper belt: It is flat ring of icy small bodies that revolve around the Sun beyond the orbit of the planet Neptune. It is home to three officially recognized dwarf planets: Pluto, Haumea, and Makemake. It is thought to be the source of most of the observed shortperiod comets, particularly those that orbit the Sun in less than 20 years • Exoplanets: Planets outside our solar system are called exoplanets. Most of these are part of star systems. There are some “rogue” exoplanets, which are not attached to any star system. The first exoplanet, 51 Pegasi b, was discovered in 1995. • “Goldilocks” zone: The exoplanets must orbit within a distance of their stars in which liquid water can exist on the planet’s surface, receiving about as much sunlight as Earth. This distance is called the “Goldilocks” zone because it is neither too far or too close to the star that life becomes impossible. • Dwarf Star: A relatively small, low mass star that emits an average or below average amount of light, when compared with Giant or Super-Giant Stars. o The colour of dwarf stars can range from blue to red, the corresponding temperature varying from high (above 10,000 K) to low (a few thousand K) o Red Dwarfs are the most common star in milky way. o Our Sun is a Yellow Dwarf Star. o A white Dwarf star is a remnant of Red Giant Star which has exhausted all its fuel. The maximum mass of a stable white dwarf star can be 1.44 times the mass of the sun also known as Chandrasekhar limit o A mass greater than the limit will turn the star into a neutron star or black hole at the end of its life. • Brown dwarfs, sometimes called “failed stars”, are spread throughout the Milky Way. They are strikingly similar to Jupiter. Scientists study their atmospheres in order to look at what weather on other worlds might look like • Tidal Locking – It is the name given to the situation when an object's orbital period matches its rotational period. A great example of this is our own Moon. The moon takes 28 days to go around the Earth and 28 days to rotate once around it's axis. This results in the same face of the Moon always facing the Earth. Recently, discovered hottest known planet, designated KELT-9b is also tidally locked to its star. • International space station: It is a multination project with contributions from 15 nations. However, 5 major partners include: USA, Russia, Europe, Canada and Japan. It is a habitable artificial satellite in low earth orbit and is the largest single structure humans ever put into space. Astronaut time and research time on the space station is allocated to space agencies according to how much money or resources that they contribute

Answer 15

Why in news? Recently several missiles, such as Agni II, Dhanush, Prithvi-II and Nag, being developed under IGDMP were successfully test fired at various locations. Integrated Guided Missile Development Plan • It was envisioned in 1983 by former President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam to help India attain selfsufficiency in the field of missile technology. • Five missile systems have been developed under this programme namely Agni, Akash, Trishul, Prithvi and Nag. • In 2008 DRDO announced the successful completion of the program

Answer 16

• It is an intercontinental surface-to-surface, nuclear capable ballistic missile developed by DRDO • At present, US, China, Russia, UK, France and Israel are known to have ICBMs. • It has been equipped with very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and Micro Navigation System (MINS). • India has reportedly also been working on multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV) for the Agni-V in order to ensure a credible second strike capability or credible minimum deterrence. MIRV means one missile can carry several Missile Agni-I • Single-stage engine powered by solid fuel • Short-range ballistic missile. • Coverage: 700 km Agni-II • Two stage solid propellant engine. • Medium-range ballistic missile • Coverage: 2000 km Agni-III • Two-stage solid propellant engine • Intermediate range ballistic missile • Coverage: 3000 km Agni-IV • Two-stage solid propellant engine • Intermediate range ballistic missile • Coverage: 4000 km Agni-V • Powered by 3 stage solid, all composite Missile Agni-I • Single-stage engine powered by solid fuel • Short-range ballistic missile. • Coverage: 700 km Agni-II • Two stage solid propellant engine. • Medium-range ballistic missile • Coverage: 2000 km Agni-III • Two-stage solid propellant engine • Intermediate range ballistic missile • Coverage: 3000 km Agni-IV • Two-stage solid propellant engine • Intermediate range ballistic missile • Coverage: 4000 km Agni-V • Powered by 3 stage solid, all composite

Answer 17

• Both Prithvi-I and Prithvi-II is surface-tosurface ballistic missile • Prithvi-II is indigenously developed and nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missile. It is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by DRDO. • It is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kilogram of warheads. • It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target. • Dhanush (also known as Prithvi III), a naval variant of this Prithvi missile, has also been tested recently. ``` Prithvi-I Short-range, roadmobile, liquid propellant ballistic missile ``` ``` It uses a single-stage, liquid propellant engine It has a minimum range of 40 km and a maximum of 150 km. ``` Prithvi-II ``` Short-range, road-mobile, liquid-propellant ballistic missile It uses a single-stage, liquid propellant twin engine. ``` It has a maximum range of 350 km

Answer 18

• It is a third generation “fire and forget” ATGM (anti-tank guided missile) developed by the DRDO. • The missile is equipped with highly advanced Imaging Infrared Radar (IRR) seeker and has integrated avionics technology in its arsenal. • Nag can be launched from land and air-based platforms. The land version is currently available for integration on the Nag missile carrier (NAMICA), which is derived from a BMP-2 tracked infantry combat vehicle. • The helicopter-launched configuration, designated as helicopter-launched NAG (HELINA), can be fired from Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH) and HAL Rudra attack helicopter. • The land based version has maximum range of 4 km while air based version has a maximum range of 7 km.

Answer 19

• Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), its a supersonic surface-to-air missile. • Akash has a strike range of about 25 km and can carry a 55- kg fragmentation warhead • It's designed to neutralise multiple aerial targets attacking from several directions simultaneously. • The system is autonomous and its operation is fully automated. Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) • It works under Department of Defence Research and Development of Ministry of Defence. • DRDO was formed in 1958 through the amalgamation Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO) • Mission: DRDO dedicatedly working towards enhancing self-reliance in Defence Systems and undertakes design & development leading to production of world class weapon systems and equipment in accordance with the expressed needs and the qualitativ

Answer 20

• Developed by DRDO, It's a Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile. • It can be used as an anti-sea skimmer from a ship against low flying attacking missiles. • It employs dual thrust propulsion stage using high-energy solid propellant. • Trishul, with its quickest reaction time, high frequency operation, high manoeuverability, high lethal capability and multi-roles for three services, is state-of-the-art system providing considerable advantage to the Armed forces.

Answer 21

Why in news? The land-to-land configuration of BRAHMOS Block III, missile was launched from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher (MAL) for its full-range testing in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. About the Missile • It is a joint venture between India and Russia and is named after the Brahmaputra and Moscowa rivers. • The first stage of the system takes the missile to supersonic speed and the second stage with liquid ramjet accelerates it to 2.8 mach. • Brahmos ALCM (Air Launched Cruise Missile), is the heaviest weapon to be deployed on India’s Su-30. Significance • With this test launch, India becomes the first country to have the capability to have a multiplatform weapon. • It can be used for multi-mission roles, including precision strikes on terror camps across the border as well as against high value naval targets in the Indian Ocean. • After India became a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016, India and Russia are now planning to jointly develop a new generation of Brahmos missiles with 600 km-plus range. Earlier range was restricted to sub-300 kms. • Ramjet: A ramjet engine does not have any turbines unlike the turbojet engines. It achieves compression of intake air just by the forward speed of the air vehicle. • Scramjet engine The first experiment towards the realisation of an Air Breathing Propulsion System in Scramjet Engine was conducted in 2016. It uses Hydrogen as fuel and the Oxygen from the atmospheric air as the oxidiser. • Fire and Forget: It means the missile guidance does not require further guidance after the launch and still hit the target without the launcher being in line-of-sight of the target.

Answer 22

Why in news? Recently, DRDO successfully test fired NIRBHAY missile. About the Missile • NIRBHAY is India’s first indigenous Long Range Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile, developed and designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). • It can carry a warhead of 200 kg to 300 kg at a speed of 0.6 to 0.7 Mach with a launch weight of about 1500 kg. • It can avoid detection as it has ability to cruise at heights as low as 100 m. • It is powered by solid rocket motor booster and has a range of 1000km. • The successful development would provide a definite boost to armed forces, indigenous defence industry and India’s capability to design and develop lethal weapons of strategic importance. • With the successful launch of NIRBHAY, India joins the select league of nations that possess the ability to make sub-sonic cruise missile.

Answer 23

• The final Development Flight Trials of Astra - Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) were successfully conducted over the Bay of Bengal, off the Coast of Chandipur, Odisha recently. • The missile has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) together with Indian Air Force (IAF). • It is an all-weather weapon’s system capable of destroying an enemy target 60 to 70 km far away. In a typical Astra engagement both the launcher and the target move at a speed in excess of 1000 kmph. • Built indigenously, development of ASTRA missiles will provide major business opportunities for Indian players. Types of missile • Cruise Missile: A cruise missile is an unmanned self-propelled guided vehicle that sustains flight through aerodynamic lift for most of its flight path. They fly within the Earth’s atmosphere and use jet engine technology. Classification on the basis of speed o Subsonic cruise missile flies at a speed lesser than that of sound. It travels at a speed of around 0.8 Mach. o Supersonic cruise missile travels at a speed of around 2-3 Mach. The combination of supersonic speed and warhead mass provides high kinetic energy ensuring tremendous lethal effect. o Hypersonic cruise missile travels at a speed of more than 5 Mach. Many countries are working to develop hypersonic cruise missiles. • Ballistic Missile: A ballistic missile is a missile that has a ballistic trajectory over most of its flight path, regardless of whether or not it is a weapondelivery vehicle.

Answer 24

Why in news? • The Indian Army has signed a MoU with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to raise one regiment of the advanced Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles (MRSAM), About MRSAM • It is an advanced, all weather, mobile, landbased air defence system. • It is capable of engaging multiple aerial targets at ranges of more than 50 km. • The system will be jointly developed by Israel and DRDO with the involvement of private sectors and DPSUs. The system will have majority indigenous content, giving boost to the Make-in-India initiative. • The MRSAM is a land-based variant of the long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) or Barak-8 naval air defence system, which is designed to operate from naval vessels and has range upto 100 km. • Barak-8 was also jointly developed with Israel. Recently tested Missiles: • Maitri: This is also a QRSAM being developed by DRDO with the help of France. • SPYDER (Surface to Air Python and Derby) missile system is a Low level QRSAM (15km range) developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced defence system and is to be deployed on Pakistan border.

Answer 25

Why in news Recently, India successfully test-fired it’s indigenously developed Advanced Air Defence (AAD) supersonic interceptor missile. Advanced Area Defence (AAD) Interceptor Missile • It is an indigenously developed single stage missile powered by solid propellant. • The interceptor missile has a navigation system, mobile launcher, secure data link for interception, independent tracking and sophisticated radars. • The missile is capable of destroying incoming ballistic missile at low altitude within 30 km of the earth’s atmosphere. Ballistic Missile Defence System • It is being developed by DRDO in order to develop multi-layered ballistic missile defence system to protect the country against rouge attacks. • India has developed a functional ‘iron dome’ Ballistic missile which comprise of Endo and Exo Atmospheric Missiles. • It consists of two interceptor missiles namely: o Prithvi Defence vehicle (PDV) missile for exoatmospheric ranges - capable of destroying targets at a high altitude of more than 120 km o Advanced Area Defence (Ashwin) missile for endo-atmosphere - capable of intercepting incoming targets at an altitude of 15 to 25 kms • India is the fifth nation in the world to have a robust Ballistic Missile Defence system. Other countries are US, Russia, Israel and China.

Answer 26

Why in news? • Recently, for the first time mid air-to-air refuelling of the Embraer transport aircraft was carried which is mounted with NETRA. Significance • Air-to-air refuelling allows the aircraft to stay airborne much beyond their limits, allowing better exploitation of capabilities and boosting the force’s capabilities. About NETRA • It is a first indigenously developed airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C), mounted on a Brazilian Embraer-145, developed by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). • AEW&C is also called eye-in-the-sky which is capable of long-range surveillance and a force multiplier. • India is only 4th such nation after United States, Russia and Israel that have such technology on their own. • Currently Indian Air Force using 3 Israeli Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) which are mounted on Russian IL-76 heavy-lift planes. These Phalcon AWACS has a range of 400 kms and 360- degree coverage. Important features of NETRA are: • Range of 200 kms (Capability to detect aerial threats from incoming aircraft and missiles). • 240 degrees coverage (simultaneously scan the area on both sides of aircraft) • State of the art active electronically scanned radar and Secondary surveillance radar. • Electronic and communication counter measures. • Line of sight and beyond line of sight data link. • Voice communication system and self-protection suit

Answer 27

Why in news? Recently DRDO successfully carried out test flight of Rustom-2 drone. More about Rustom-2 • Rustom-2 is medium-altitude long-endurance drone (MALE) designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the DRDO, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Bharat Electronics. • It can fly up to an altitude of 22,000 feet and has endurance of over 20 hours. • It can carry variety of payloads like Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Communication Intelligence (COMINT) and Situational Awareness Payloads (SAP) for performing missions even during the night. • It will be used by all three services of Indian armed forces, primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. • Rustom 2 can fly missions on manual as well as autonomous modes. More about Drones Recently, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) released the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for the operation of civil Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) or Drones in India. Background • DGCA in October 2014 restricted the use of drones and unmanned aircraft system by civilians. • Current aircraft rules also do not cover use of drones for civilian purposes as well as their sale and purchase. • Unregulated usage poses Security Threat and chances for air collisions and accidents. Provision under Regulation • Definition: A remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) is defined as an unmanned aircraft which is piloted from a remote station. • The DCGA has divided the drones into five categories based on their Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) o Nano: Less than or equal to 250 grams. o Micro: Greater than 250 grams and less than or equal to 2 kg. o Mini: Greater than 2 kg and less than or equal to 25 kg. o Small: Greater than 25 kg and less than or equal to 150 kg. o Large: Greater than 150 kg. • A Unique Identification Number and radio frequency tags would be a mandatory requirement for operating drones. • Exemption: Drones in nano categoryweighing up to 250 grams- and those operated by government agencies would not require any permit. • Pilot: The remote pilot for any drone must be at least 18 years old and has to go through a prescribed training process. • No Drone Zones: o Drones are barred from being operated within 5km of an airport, within 50km from international border and beyond 500 metre (horizontal) into sea along the coastline. o Drones would not be allowed within 5 km radius from Vijay Chowk (in national capital), over eco-sensitive zones like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and from a mobile platform such as a moving vehicle, ship or aircraft. o Due permissions would also be needed when drones are being used over densely populated areas or near an area affecting public safety or where emergency operations are underway. • Penalties: Any violation of rules shall attract penal actions including penalties under the Indian Penal Code Advantage of UAVs • Damage assessment of property after natural calamities, use by Armed Forces for tactical purposes at border, Surveillance and Crowd Management, Monitoring of wildlife, SENSAGRI (SENsor based Smart AGRIculture), many e-mmorce use it for delivering products. UAVs: It operates without a human pilot. UAVs are commonly used in both the military and police forces in situations where the risk of sending a human piloted aircraft is unacceptable, or the situation makes using a manned aircraft impractical. Directorate General of Civil Aviation • DGCA is the civil aviation regulatory body responsible for regulating of air transport services to/from and within India. Key Functions • Registration of civil aircraft and licensing of pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers. • Coordination with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). • Safety oversight and surveillance. • Advising government in matters of air transport including those related to bilateral air services agreements. Various Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in India • Nishant: It was designed for battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance and has been designed and developed by ADE. • Panchi: It wheeled version of UAV Nishant and has been designed and developed by ADE. • Lakshya: It is a reusable aerial target system. • Daksh: It is a land based drone used for bomb disposal developed by DRDO.

Answer 28

Why in news? • Muntra, the first unmanned, remotely operated tank of India has been made by DRDO (the Defence Research and Development Organisation) for surveillance missions, mine detection and reconnaissance in areas with nuclear and biological threat. It can be used in Naxal-hit areas as well. • Features: The tank has radar, an integrated camera along with laser range finder which can spy on a ground target 15km away. The tank is tested at Mahajan field firing range in Rajasthan under dusty desert condition. • Other details: Indian defence Ministry has relaunched an ambitious Future Combat Ready Vehicles (FCRV) program to find a cutting edge tank for the mid-2020s and beyond. Types of Muntra tanks: • Muntra S: For surveillance mission • Muntra M: For detecting mines • Muntra N: For operation in areas where there is nuclear or bio-weapon risks. Tanks used by India: T-72M, T-90S, Arjun Mark 1, Arjun Mark-2 etc.

Answer 29

Why in news? Indian Navy recently launched Scorpene-class (conventional diesel electric attack submarines) submarine INS Karanj. More about INS Karanj • INS Karanj is the third of the six Scorpeneclass submarines under the Project 75 programme of Indian navy • The first one, INS Kalvari (named after the tiger shark) was commissioned on December 2017.The second one, INS Khandari is undergoing sea trials. Remaining three submarines Vela, Vagir and Vagsheer are in various stages of outfitting. • The Scorpene submarines can undertake various missions such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance.

Answer 30

Why in news? Aridhaman the second Arihant-class nuclearpowered ballistic missile submarine was slated to be launched and inducted into services. More about INS Aridhaman • It is nuclear-power ballistic missile submarine indigenously built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at Visakhapatnam. • It is powered by a pressurized water reactor • After the induction of INS Arihant and INS Aridhaman India has become 6th country in the world to have nuclear powered submarine after UNSC permanent members - USA, UK, China, Russia and France. INS Arihant • It is India’s first indigenously built nuclear powered submarine which was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel project • It is based on the design of the Russian Project 971 Akula I-class nuclear powered attack submarine.

Answer 31

Why in news? Recently INS Kiltan, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvette was commissioned into the Indian Navy. Details • INS Kiltan is third of the four kamorta class anti-submarine warfare corvettes being built under naval modernisation project P-28. • INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt which were two ships constructed earlier under the same project. The fourth ship INS kavaratti is still under construction. • It is India’s first major warship to have a superstructure of carbon fibre composite material resulting in improved stealth features, lower top weight and maintenance costs. • It was designed by Directorate of Naval Design and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited, Kolkata.

Answer 32

Why in news? The Indian Navy’s first indigenously built Floating Dock (FDN-2) was launched at shipyard in Kattupalli, Near Ennore port, Chennai. About the dock • The floating dock is 185 metres long and 40 metres wide. It will enable docking of all kinds of vessels. • This will include naval ships and submarines of up to 8,000 tonnes displacement. • It would include draughts of up to seven metres, during both day and night. • FDN-2 will be based in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Answer 33

• Two diesel engine driven NOPVs named Shachi and Shruti were launched at Pipavav, Gujarat. • These ships are part of 5 ship project being built by Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited. • The NOPVs would increase the ocean surveillance and patrolling capabilities of the Indian Navy.

Answer 34

Why in News? • Recently Border Security Force (BSF) personnel detected a fifth (since 2012) cross-border tunnel in the forest area of Jammu which has intensified the demand for CIBMS. Background • The trigger for implementing the CIBMS was the Pathankot terrorist attack followed by warning by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Following this the MHA sanctioned the implementation of CIBMS through two pilot projects (stretches in Jammu sector of India- Pakistan Border). • Further a committee under Madhukar Gupta (2016), was explicitly tasked to recommend technological solutions to secure the international border. What is CIBMS? • It is a robust and integrated system that is capable of addressing the gaps in the present system of border security by seamlessly integrating human resources, weapons, and high-tech surveillance equipment. • It has three main components: o New high-tech surveillance devices such as sensors, detectors, cameras, etc. as well as existing equipment for round-the-clock surveillance of the international border. o An efficient and dedicated communication network including fiber optic cables and satellite communication for transmitting data gathered; and o A command and control centre to which the data will be transmitted providing a composite picture of the international border. • This would improve prevention of infiltration and smuggling attempts, cover gaps at rivers and nullahs, providing all-round security in even adversclimatic conditions & give relief to BSF troops.

Answer 35

Why in news? • Recently, 25 jawans lost their lives in the Sukma attack, the deadliest Naxal strike on the CRPF in years. In answer to Naxal problem, Ministry of Home Affairs launched Operation 'SAMADHAN' • Operation Samadhan involves Smart leadership, Aggressive strategy, Motivation and Training, Actionable intelligence, Dashbord based key performance indicators, Harnessing technology and No access to funds to LWE groups.

Answer 36

Why in News? Recently, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), announced introduction of a two-tier security system in the wake of alleged data breaches of Aadhaar. ``` Proposed two tier security system • Virtual IDs o It is a 16-digit temporary number (like an OTP) which can only generated by Aadhaar holders in place of Aadhaar numbers to validate their identity. o It can be generated through UIDAI’s portal, enrolment centres, Aadhaar’s mobile app, etc. o There will be only one active and valid VID for an Aadhaar number at any given time. • Limited KYC: It involves giving an agencyspecific UID ‘token’ for e-KYC authentication. It eliminates the need of many agencies storing Aadhaar numbers while still enabling their own paperless KYC. • For better safety of Aadhar Data, all Authentication User Agencies (AUAs) will be divided into two categories: o Global AUAs – Agencies whose services, by law, require them to store the Aadhaar number will be qualified as Global AUAs and will enjoy access to full demographic details of an individual along with the ability to store Aadhaar numbers within their system. o Local AUAs – They will neither get access to full KYC, nor can they store the Aadhaar number on their systems. Instead, they will get a tokenised number issued by UIDAI to identify their customers. UID token will be a unique 72-character alphanumeric string for each Aadhaar number for each particular AUA entity. ``` • Security features in physical Aadhaar card – There is no hologram or digital signature but rather a QR code, which is just an image representation of a text. Thus, in its physical form, its coloured photocopy may look as good as the original. What are AUAs? • It is an entity that provides Aadhaar Enabled Services to Aadhaar number holders, uses the authentication as facilitated by the Authentication Service Agency (ASA). • An AUA may be a government, public, or private legal agency registered in India that uses UIDAI’s Aadhaar authentication services and sends authentication requests to enable its services or business functions. • ASAs are entities that have secure leased line connectivity with the CIDR and transmit authentication requests to CIDR on behalf of one or more AUAs Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) • It is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016. • It works under the aegis of Ministry of Electronics and Information technology. • It is responsible for Aadhaar enrolment, authentication, developing the policy, procedure and system for issuing Aadhaar numbers etc. • It consists of a Chairperson appointed on parttime basis, two part-time Members and a Chief Executive Officer who shall be the Member- Secretary of the Authority.

Answer 37

Why in News? • Recently, the Home Ministry issued a notification listing National Technical Research Organization (NTRO) under the Intelligence Organizations (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1985. About NTRO • The NTRO was created after the 1999 Kargil conflict as a dedicated technical intelligence agency. It was finally constituted in 2004. • NTRO reports to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the National Security Advisor (NSA). • It functions under the National Security Adviser. • It also includes National Institute of Cryptology Research and Development Various Intelligence Agencies in India 1. Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) – • It was founded in 1968 to counter Chinese influence but over time its focus has shifted to Pakistan. • It is India’s premier external intelligence agency. • It reports directly to the Prime Minister and not to the Department of Defence. • It’s primary objectives include o Monitoring the political and military developments in adjoining countries, which have direct bearing on India’s national security and in the formulation of its foreign policy. o Seeking the control and limitation of the supply of military hardware to Pakistan, mostly from European countries, the United States, and China. 2. Intelligence Bureau • It was founded by the Britishers as an intelligence agency for both external and domestic intelligence gathering. After the 1962 war with China, the external intelligence function was taken away from it. • It also executes counter intelligence and counter terrorism tasks. 3. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence • It is the apex anti-smuggling agency of India, working under the Central Board of Excise Customs, Ministry of Finance. • It is tasked with detecting and curbing smuggling of contraband, including drug trafficking and illicit international trade in wildlife and environmentally sensitive items. • It also combats commercial frauds related to international trade and Custom duty evasion. 4. Narcotics Control Bureau – It was formed in 1986 as per a provision of The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. It is an intelligence agency and coordinates actions of concerned authorities over trade of illicit narcotics from the country. Intelligence Organizations (Restriction of Rights) Act 1985 • The aim of this act is to prevent leakage of information by intelligence agencies. • It prevents employees of a notified agency - o From forming unions/associations. o Puts restrictions on the employee’s freedom of speech o Bars any communication with the press or publishing a book or other document without the permission of the head of the intelligence organization.

Answer 38

Government has recently notified the merger of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) with Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD). • NCRB is an attached office to the Ministry of Home Affairs which was established in 1986 to empower Indian Police with the power of information Technology solutions and criminal intelligence to enforce the law effectively. • BPRD was established in 1970 as a national police organisation to study, research and develop on subjects and issues related to policing. • Reason for merger o boost crime data collection and research efforts o improve administrative efficiency o optimum utilisation of resources o Better outcome to crime data collected by NCRB and research work done by BPRD.

Answer 39

Why in news? • Recently, three new formations under Defence Ministry namely Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Space Agency and a Special Operations Division have been proposed. • Joint military Doctrine of the Indian armed forces, 2017 and Naresh Chandra Task Force 2012 had also underscored the need to prepare the defence forces for the “emerging triad” of space, cyberspace and special operations. Details • The three organisations will be developed as Tri-service organisations to promote integration and jointness among military, airforce and navy in respective domains. • Defence Cyber Agency (DCA) will work in close co-ordination with the National Cyber Security Advisor. It will focus on non-civilian cyber issues, including safeguarding critical infrastructure. • Defence Space Agency (DSA) will work closely with ISRO and DRDO for better utilisation and integration of space resources including information from surveillance satellites. • Special Operations Division (SOD) will have central pool of personnel from the Special Forces of the Army (Para commandoes), Navy (Marcos) and IAF (Garud’s). They will be equipped and trained together for unconventional warfare capabilities.

Answer 40

Why in news? • The National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) has been awarded ISO 9001:2008, Certificate which is a recognition of successful performance of the authority with enhanced administrative efficiency and accountability. • The ISO 9001 Certificate makes the NACWC the first among all 188 members nations of OPCW to attain this distinction. It is also the first Government of India department to have qualified for ISO 9001:2008 certification. About NACWC • NACWC was set up as an office of Cabinet Secretariat to fulfil obligations under Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). • It was established under Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000. It acts as national focal point for effective bond with Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and other State Parties. What is a chemical weapon? • A chemical weapon is any toxic chemical that can cause death, injury, incapacitation, and sensory irritation, deployed via a delivery system, such as an artillery shell, rocket, or ballistic missile. • Chemical weapons are considered weapons of mass destruction and their use in armed conflict is a violation of international law. • Primary forms of chemical weapons include nerve agents, blister agents, choking agents, and blood agents. o Choking Agents: chlorine and phosgene, o Blister Agents (Or Vesicants): mustard and lewisite, o Blood Agents: hydrogen cyanide, o Nerve Agents: sarin, soman, VX. About VX nerve agent • It acts on the nervous system (hence the name nerve agents), typically the nerves that control breathing. • It is a clear, tasteless and colourless liquid with a consistency something like engine oil. • Just one drop containing 10 milligrams of VX, absorbed through the skin, is enough to cause “fatal disruption of the nervous system • It inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which overstimulates the tissues, resulting in respiratory paralysis and death. • The VX nerve agent is banned under international law because it’s a chemical weapon as defined in the Chemical Weapons Conventions. Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) • It is an arms control treaty that outlaws the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons and their precursors. • The Convention opened for signature in Paris on 13 January 1993. It is administered by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), an intergovernmental organization based in The Hague, Netherlands. Each State Party is obliged to designate or establish a representative called National Authority to ensure that the Convention is implemented effectively. • The main responsibilities of the National Authority are: o Escorting OPCW inspections of relevant industrial or military sites; o Submitting initial and annual declarations; o Assisting and protecting those States Parties which are threatened by, or have suffered chemical attack; and, o Fostering the peaceful uses of chemistry.

Answer 41

Why in news? • US recently dropped GBU-43 Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb on Afghanistan. More on news • GBU-43 Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), popularly called the Mother of All Bombs has been developed by United States military. It is a thermobaric bomb • Thermobaric bomb uses oxygen from the surrounding air to generate an intense, hightemperature blast wave that packs an incredible amount of energy into a small, localised area. • It differs from conventional bombs in terms of weight of explosives packed in it. For example: GBU-43 packs in 8,000 kg of explosives. In comparison, the average weight of most deployed conventional bombs which is roughly 250 kg. • Russia also possesses thermobaric bomb, popularly known as Father of All Bombs which is four times more powerful than the U.S. weapon. Other types of bombs Hydrogen Bombs • Hydrogen bombs are thermonuclear weapons which employs fusion of isotopes of hydrogen. • The result is greatly increased explosive power when compared to single-stage fission weapons. • Salient Features of Hydrogen Bomb: o The energy released in a Hydrogen bomb is several magnitudes higher than an Atom bomb. o A fusion bomb is more sophisticated and difficult to make, since it requires a much higher temperature -- in the order of millions of degrees centigrade. So a fission is carried out first to produce more energy, which is then used to initiate fusion. o It is easier to make Hydrogen bombs in small size, so it is easier to place them in missiles. o Hiroshima and Nagasaki both were atomic bombs and till date Hydrogen bombs have never been used in war. Atomic Bombs • Atomic bombs differ from hydrogen bombs primarily due to the fact they are fission bombs. It develops its energy from the fission of heavy, unstable nuclei. • Radioactive forms of elements such as plutonium and uranium are especially susceptible to fission • In fission reactions, heavy nucleus breaks up when it is bombarded with neutrons. The reaction that follows also releases neutrons along with two lighter nuclei. These 2 nuclei are then bombarded with the neutrons generate making it a chain reaction.

Answer 42

• Laws is world’s first laser weapon, launched by US • It releases photons at the speed of light silently hitting their target and burning it to a temperature of thousands of degrees. • It is completely invisible