Current Affairs - Technology

ISRO has announced that the first test flight of India’s maiden human space mission, Gaganyaan, will take place in December 2025. This unmanned test will validate crucial systems such as the crew escape mechanism, orbital module, and launch dynamics. Out of the 9,000 required tests for the mission, around 7,700 (80%) have already been successfully completed, with the rest expected by March 2026. The Gaganyaan mission is designed to send three astronauts into low Earth orbit for up to seven days, showcasing India’s capability in human spaceflight and marking a milestone in the country’s growing space exploration journey.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have successfully developed two potential antibiotics using generative AI to address the growing challenge of drug-resistant infections. These antibiotics are specifically designed to target Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. The application of AI in drug discovery accelerates the identification of effective compounds, reducing the time and cost involved in traditional research. This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, offering hope for novel treatments against some of the most dangerous superbugs threatening global health.

The Press Sewa portal was launched by the Press Registrar General of India (PRGI) to simplify and streamline the registration process for newspapers and periodicals. This initiative focuses on enhancing transparency, reducing delays in approvals, and improving the overall ease of doing business for publishers. Additionally, sessions like Vartalap, organised by PIB Hyderabad, were conducted to address publishers’ queries and provide them with clear guidance. By adopting digital solutions like Press Sewa, the government aims to modernise the media regulatory framework, ensuring efficient service delivery and strengthening trust between regulatory authorities and publishers.

Russia’s upcoming Venera-D mission is focused on exploring Venus, one of the most challenging planets to study due to its extreme surface conditions. Planned for launch between 2034 and 2036, the mission will be developed with contributions from the Space Research Institute (IKI) and Lavochkin Association. It is designed to carry advanced scientific instruments, including an orbiter, a lander, and a balloon probe, to conduct comprehensive research on the planet’s atmosphere and surface. This mission represents Russia’s renewed interest in planetary exploration and builds on its historic legacy of Venus missions during the Soviet era.

NASA has accelerated its plans to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon by aiming to build a nuclear reactor by 2030. The project is central to ensuring a steady and reliable power supply for future lunar bases, critical for both human survival and technological operations. The reactor is expected to generate 100 kilowatts, which, though modest compared to onshore wind turbines, will be sufficient for lunar conditions. This timeline underscores NASA’s long-term strategy for lunar colonization, while also positioning the United States ahead in the global competition, as China and Russia plan similar stations by 2035.