Current Affairs - Technology

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.

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.