Current Affairs - Technology

The SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) Mission, launched by ISRO using PSLV-C60, aims to test crucial technologies like docking, undocking, and rendezvous between two spacecraft, SDX01 and SDX02, in low-Earth orbit. These capabilities are essential for advanced space missions, including lunar missions like Chandrayaan-4. The mission incorporates innovative GNSS-based systems and RODP processors for accurate positioning and velocity measurements, showcasing ISRO's technological advancements in orbital mechanics and spacecraft operations.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe set a historic record by flying closer to the Sun than any other man-made object, withstanding temperatures up to 982°C. This is a remarkable achievement, demonstrating the probe's advanced heat shield technology. The Parker Solar Probe's mission aims to explore the Sun's corona, investigate solar winds, and understand the Sun's energy flow.

BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited) launched the BD475-2, India's largest and most advanced crawler dozer. This 100-ton machine is powered by a 950 HP Cummins QST30 engine and was designed in-house at the Kolar Gold Fields facility. Combining cutting-edge technology with durability, the dozer is aimed at enhancing efficiency in mining operations, showcasing BEML's leadership in manufacturing heavy machinery for industrial applications in India.

Nvidia developed the Jetson Orin Nano Super, a powerful generative AI supercomputer for edge devices, delivering 67 TOPS of performance. This represents a 1.7x improvement over its predecessor, supporting advanced AI models such as vision transformers and large language models (LLMs). With a memory bandwidth of 102 GB/s and a 1.7 GHz CPU, it is revolutionizing AI applications in smart systems, robotics, and more, making it a significant advancement in AI technology.

India is making significant strides in the field of quantum communications through its National Quantum Mission (NQM). As part of this mission, India aims to launch a quantum satellite in the next 2-3 years, which will use quantum physics to secure communication signals, making them resistant to interception. This initiative will position India at the forefront of next-generation technology in secure communication. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), an essential component of this satellite, ensures "unconditional security" by detecting any eavesdropping attempts. India’s advancements in quantum research are paving the way for the future of secure global communication.