Current Affairs - Technology

Proba-3, a mission by the European Space Agency (ESA), is equipped with the ASPIICS coronagraph, which provides an unprecedented view of the Sun's corona. This coronagraph, along with the occulting disk, enables Proba-3 to simulate eclipse conditions and observe the Sun's outer regions, ranging from 1.08 to 3 solar radii. This unique capability, combined with its collaboration with India’s Aditya L1, marks a significant advancement in solar research, set to begin detailed studies of the Sun's corona in 2025.

Gorakhpur will host India’s first Integrated Waste Management City-cum-Learning Centre by September 2025. Situated in Suthni village, Sahjanwa, the 40-acre facility will process 700 tons of waste daily, transforming dry and wet waste into charcoal and Bio-CNG. This initiative is backed by a ₹300 crore investment from NTPC, reflecting a significant step toward sustainable waste management and energy generation.

The Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station includes two Indian astronauts, Prime-Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Backup-Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, who have completed the initial phase of their training. This mission is part of a private initiative by Axiom Space, using the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, and focuses on commercial activities, international collaboration, and scientific research. By including Indian astronauts, the mission highlights India's growing role in global space exploration and its ability to contribute to cutting-edge research in microgravity environments.

Hyderabad has been chosen as the location for India's first Google Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC), making it the only such facility in the Asia-Pacific region and the fifth globally. This centre focuses on advanced research, AI-driven security solutions, and addressing India's unique cybersecurity challenges. Hyderabad's thriving tech ecosystem, supported by global tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, and initiatives such as T-Hub and T Works, has positioned the city as a hub for innovation, education, and startups. The GSEC project is expected to boost employment and strengthen Hyderabad's reputation in the cybersecurity domain.

The Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite, part of a mission to provide high-resolution radar images for monitoring Earth’s environment, was launched aboard the Vega-C rocket. The launch took place from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This satellite enhances the Sentinel-1 series' capabilities, supporting scientific research, environmental monitoring, and maritime traffic tracking. The choice of Vega-C reflects its reliability and suitability for deploying advanced Earth observation satellites.