Current Affairs - Technology

The AGM-114R Hellfire missile was developed by the United States to meet the U.S. Army's need for an effective anti-tank weapon against Soviet armour during the Cold War. The missile's development began in 1972, and it has since become a prominent tactical weapon used by the U.S. and its allies for precision targeting. Its versatility and effectiveness have led to its deployment on various platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles. The recent procurement deal between India and the U.S. for 170 Hellfire missiles highlights its continued relevance in modern warfare.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has become the first airport in India to have a self-powered indoor air quality monitoring facility, Pavana Chitra, inaugurated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. This innovative facility is powered by indigenous indoor solar cells developed by CSIR-NIIST and crafted from locally available materials. Pavana Chitra tracks temperature, humidity, CO2, VOCs, and the air quality index, showcasing India's commitment to sustainable practices and traveller health.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated three Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and sustainable cities. These centres are situated at AIIMS Delhi and IIT Delhi for health-related AI research, IIT Ropar for agricultural AI applications, and IIT Kanpur for innovations in sustainable urban development. The purpose of these centres is to foster AI-driven research and innovations, ensuring advancements that contribute to public welfare and economic growth through cutting-edge technologies.

NASA's Europa Clipper mission aims to explore Jupiter's icy moon, Europa, and its potential subsurface ocean. Europa is considered a prime target in the search for habitable environments beyond Earth due to its unique composition and possible presence in liquid water. The Europa Clipper spacecraft, launched with advanced scientific instruments, will conduct 49 flybys of Europa starting in 2030. This $5.2 billion mission marks a significant step towards understanding the moon's potential for life and paving the way for future life-detection missions in our solar system, particularly focusing on Jupiter's fascinating moons.

The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) partnered with Meta to introduce an AI-powered assistant on the Skill India Digital (SID) Portal. This initiative aims to enhance the learner experience by providing 24/7 course support in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, and Hinglish. Built on Meta’s open-source Llama model, the AI assistant is designed to streamline learning experiences and improve skill development outcomes for Indian youth. Additionally, the partnership includes the establishment of five Centres of Excellence in Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) across India, further enhancing technological integration in skill training.