Current Affairs - Technology

The Australian Space Agency (ASA) has entered into an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to collaborate on crew and module recovery for India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission. This pact strengthens the ties between the two space agencies in human spaceflight activities, marking a significant milestone in their cooperation.

India's heaviest communication satellite, GSAT-N2, weighs approximately 4,700 kg and is scheduled to launch on SpaceX's Falcon-9 from Cape Canaveral. GSAT-N2 aims to enhance internet services, particularly in remote areas, with an operational life of 14 years. The choice of SpaceX's Falcon-9 over India's LVM-3 launch vehicle was due to the satellite's significant payload weight. This launch marks a shift in India's reliance from Arianespace to SpaceX for heavy satellite launches, demonstrating the growing collaboration between India and private space companies.

Microsoft has collaborated with NASA to develop "Earth Copilot," a revolutionary AI-driven chatbot that simplifies access to complex Earth Science data. Leveraging Microsoft's Azure cloud and advanced AI capabilities, Earth Copilot enables users to retrieve valuable insights using plain-language queries. This partnership democratizes access to critical information on climate, air quality, disaster response, and urban planning, transforming how researchers, educators, policymakers, and climate experts interact with NASA's data. By making geospatial data more accessible, Microsoft and NASA aim to expand the reach and impact of Earth Science knowledge.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is partnering with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to develop the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite. Scheduled to launch in 2025, NISAR will utilize dual-frequency radar to monitor the Earth's surface, providing valuable insights into ecosystems, ice masses, and natural hazards. NASA's contributions include the L-band radar and payload data subsystem, while ISRO is providing the S-band radar and GSLV launch system. This collaborative effort demonstrates the potential for international cooperation in advancing space research and Earth observation.

SoftBank Corp has collaborated with Nvidia to unveil the groundbreaking 5G AI-RAN network, integrating AI and 5G capabilities. This innovation enables concurrent AI and 5G workloads, transforming traditional base stations into revenue-generating AI computing hubs. The partnership has successfully trialled the technology in Kanagawa, Japan, and plans to deploy Nvidia's Grace Blackwell chips in Japan's upcoming AI supercomputer. SoftBank also aims to create an AI marketplace using Nvidia's AI Enterprise software, focusing on secure and localized AI computing for various sectors in Japan.