Current Affairs - Technology

ISRO conducted the second test flight of an air-breathing propulsion system using the RH-560 rocket at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This mission monitored 110 parameters and followed ground tests at multiple centres. The RH-560 rocket, a two-stage, solid motor-based sub-orbital rocket, serves as a cost-effective test bed for demonstrating advanced technologies. The current chairman of ISRO is Dr. S. Somanath.

OpenAI, the company known for its revolutionary AI model ChatGPT, announced the development of an AI-powered search engine called SearchGPT. This initiative aims to challenge Google's dominance in the $200 billion search market and signifies a significant advancement in AI technology. OpenAI is currently testing a prototype of SearchGPT, designed to combine the capabilities of their AI models with web information to provide fast and accurate answers with relevant sources. The prototype is available to a select group of users, with plans to integrate it into ChatGPT in the future.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is collaborating with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on the Ramses project to study the Apophis asteroid. This collaboration focuses on monitoring the 375-meter asteroid Apophis, which is expected to pass 32,000 km from Earth in 2029. The Ramses spacecraft, developed for this mission, will closely approach and follow the asteroid to gather valuable data and assess potential threats to Earth. This international partnership highlights the importance of joint efforts in space exploration and planetary defence.

Meghalaya recently launched the OTT platform 'Hello Meghalaya,' designed to support regional languages and provide a space for minor and principal matrilineal communities to showcase their stories. This platform offers financial support for film production and incentives for regular uploads, aiming to promote and celebrate regional content. The initiative follows Kerala's CSpace, reflecting a growing trend of regional governments supporting local media and cultural projects.

China has introduced the world’s first carbon fibre high-speed train, which is designed to reach speeds of up to 87 mph while using 7% less energy compared to traditional steel trains. This innovation highlights China’s leadership in high-speed rail technology, complementing its status as the country with the largest high-speed rail network globally, covering over 22,000 miles (35,000 km). This move reflects China's ongoing commitment to advancing transportation technology and sustainability in the rail sector.