Current Affairs - Technology

NASA conducted the CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) project, which involved year-long simulated Mars missions to evaluate food systems, human health, and behavioural patterns crucial for future space expeditions. The missions took place at Mars Dune Alpha, a 3D-printed habitat at Johnson Space Center, designed to replicate realistic Mars conditions. These analog missions are part of NASA's efforts to prepare for long-duration space exploration missions, studying crew performance under stressors like isolation and resource constraints typical of Mars environments.

Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), inaugurated the centre of excellence on "Classical and Quantum Communications for 6G" at IITM Research Park, Chennai. This sub-centre of Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE)-India is set to lead the development and deployment of 6G technology, offering unprecedented speeds, ultra-low latency, and enhanced connectivity. The centre aims to bring together academic and industry experts to collaborate on innovative projects, helping to shape the standards and infrastructure for 6G networks globally. The initiative also includes a workshop to foster collaboration among selected proposals for 6G R&D.

The theme for India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024, "The Future is Now," was unveiled by Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia. This theme underscores India's leadership in advancing 6G technology and its role in shaping the future of telecommunications. The event will feature innovative solutions, facilitate over 500 meetings with more than 1,000 investors, and include MoUs for enhancing cybersecurity capacity. The theme reflects a forward-looking approach, emphasizing the immediate advancements and future potential in the technology sector.

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru developed a new online tool to create a comprehensive star catalogue for the Adaptive Optics System (AOS) of the upcoming Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT). This international project, involving India, aims to significantly advance our understanding of the universe. The IIA leads India's collaboration in this ambitious endeavour.

OpenAI is leading the development of the "Strawberry" project, which focuses on advancing AI's reasoning capabilities. Previously known as Q*, this initiative aims to equip AI with autonomous deep research abilities, enabling it to autonomously navigate the internet, solve complex problems, and achieve human-like reasoning skills. This project represents OpenAI's ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence and its applications in various domains.