Current Affairs - Technology

3I/ATLAS is the third confirmed interstellar object, following 1I/ʻOumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). Detected by the NASA-funded ATLAS telescope in Chile, it travels on a hyperbolic trajectory at speeds between 57 and 68 km/s, confirming its origin from outside the Solar System. Unlike its predecessors, 3I/ATLAS is likely from the Milky Way’s thick disk, a region populated by ancient stars, suggesting it could be over 7 billion years old—predating the Solar System. With spectral evidence of water ice and complex organics, it offers a unique opportunity to study primordial material, planetary formation processes, and possibly the origins of life.

India’s first hydrogen-powered train coach was successfully tested at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai on July 25, 2025. This pioneering effort is a key milestone in India's transition to green transportation under its “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative. The hydrogen-powered coach represents a cleaner alternative to diesel engines, producing zero tailpipe emissions and only releasing water vapour. ICF’s role in developing this coach reflects the nation's growing capabilities in clean energy technology and its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. The project aligns with global trends and enhances India’s standing in sustainable rail innovation.

Researchers at IIT Guwahati have successfully developed an eco-friendly composite material by utilising ‘Bambusa tulda’, a fast-growing bamboo species native to Northeast India. This innovative material has been created by combining bamboo with biodegradable polymers, resulting in a sustainable alternative suitable for use in automobile applications. The development aligns with global efforts to reduce plastic usage and promote green technologies in manufacturing. By leveraging the natural strength and renewability of bamboo, the project not only addresses environmental concerns but also showcases the potential of indigenous resources in driving technological innovation in India.

Astronomers have, for the first time, observed the birth of a new solar system and the early stages of rocky planet formation around a star named HOPS-315. This significant discovery was made using advanced instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope and ALMA. They detected crucial elements like silicon monoxide gas and silicate minerals in the disk surrounding the star, indicating early planetary formation. HOPS-315 is of particular interest because it resembles our Sun and provides insights into how Earth-like planets might commonly form across the universe.

The GSLV-F16 rocket, developed by ISRO, is set to launch the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite on July 30, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This mission is a significant collaboration between ISRO and NASA, representing over a decade of joint development. NISAR will be the world’s first satellite to use dual-frequency SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology for civilian Earth observation. The GSLV-F16 will place the 2392 kg satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit, allowing it to provide all-weather, day-and-night coverage of the Earth’s surface every 12 days, with applications in climate science, disaster management, and agriculture.