Current Affairs - Technology

NASA has introduced the second CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) habitat, a 1,700 sq. ft. 3D-printed structure designed to simulate Mars mission conditions. The initiative involves four crew members living in isolation for a full year to replicate the challenges of long-duration space missions. Participants will conduct scientific experiments, grow vegetables, maintain the habitat, and engage in simulated spacewalks. The program is crucial for assessing the physical and psychological impacts of extended missions, providing vital insights for future human exploration of Mars. NASA’s step highlights its commitment to preparing astronauts for interplanetary travel.

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has announced that it will establish its first office in India in New Delhi later in 2025. This marks a significant step in its global expansion and aligns closely with India’s national initiative, the IndiaAI Mission, which promotes inclusive and trusted AI development. India is ChatGPT’s second-largest market and among the top five developer hubs worldwide, making it a strategic choice for OpenAI’s first South Asian office. The Delhi hub will focus on supporting students, developers, educators, and enterprises by expanding AI accessibility, fostering collaborations with academic and industry stakeholders, and contributing to AI-powered solutions in areas like governance, agriculture, and recruitment. This move highlights India’s growing role as a global AI powerhouse.

The X-37B, officially known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is a highly secretive U.S. spaceplane developed initially by NASA and later managed by Boeing for the Department of Defense. Operated today by the U.S. Space Force, the X-37B has carried out multiple classified missions since its first launch in 2010. Measuring around 9 meters in length with a 4.5-meter wingspan, it resembles a mini space shuttle and features a payload bay comparable to a small pickup truck bed. Its standout capability is reusability and endurance, with the ability to remain in orbit for over 900 days. The program is widely believed to test advanced space technologies, materials, and sensors, potentially serving as a platform for future space dominance in an era of growing strategic competition.

SEMICON India 2025, scheduled from September 2–4 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, is India’s largest semiconductor and electronics showcase. The event will host participation from 33 nations, along with 350 exhibitors and 50+ global industry leaders. With the theme “Building the Next Semiconductor Powerhouse,” it aims to strengthen India’s position in the global semiconductor ecosystem. The event will feature high-profile keynotes, roundtables, and discussions on supply chain resilience, sustainability, and advanced chip manufacturing. By attracting international collaboration and highlighting India’s growing semiconductor mission, the participation of 33 nations underlines its strategic importance in the global electronics sector.

NASA announced the discovery of the 29th satellite orbiting Uranus, designated S/2025 U1. The discovery was made by a team from the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) on February 2, 2025. The new moon is estimated to be about 10 kilometers in diameter and orbits Uranus at a distance of roughly 56,000 kilometers. This finding expands our understanding of Uranus’s satellite system and provides new insights into the planet’s complex gravitational interactions. Such discoveries help astronomers study the history of planetary formation, the evolution of outer solar system bodies, and the dynamics of moons orbiting distant planets.