Space Missions in 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

The year 2023 proved to be an important one for space missions, with NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission returning a sample from an asteroid and India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, and 2024 is shaping up to be another exciting year for space exploration.

• Several new missions under NASA’s Artemis plan and Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative will target the moon.

What are the Space Missions Planned for 2024?

• Europa Clipper:
  • NASA will launch Europa Clipper, which will explore one of Jupiter’s largest moons, Europa.
    • Europa is slightly smaller than the earth’s moon, with a surface made of ice. Beneath its icy shell, Europa likely harbours a saltwater ocean, which scientists expect contains over twice as much water as all the oceans here on Earth combined.
  • With Europa Clipper, scientists want to investigate whether Europa’s ocean could be a suitable habitat for extraterrestrial life.
    • The mission plans to do this by flying past Europa nearly 50 times to study the moon’s icy shell, its surface’s geology and its subsurface ocean.
  • The mission will also look for active geysers spewing out from Europa.
• Artemis II launch:
  • Artemis II, part of NASA's Artemis program, is a crewed lunar mission set to orbit the Moon, marking humanity's return since 1972.
    • The Artemis programme is named after Apollo’s twin sister in Greek mythology.
    • Planned for a 10-day journey, it aims to validate systems for sustained lunar presence.
  • This pivotal mission, including the first woman and person of color, follows Artemis I's success, testing an uncrewed lunar capsule in late 2022.
    • Artemis II underscores NASA's commitment to lunar exploration, preparing for extended space habitation, and laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars.
• VIPER to Search for Water on the Moon:
  • VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover), is a robot the size of a golf cart that NASA will use to explore the moon’s south pole in late 2024.
  • This robotic mission is designed to search for volatiles, which are molecules that easily vaporize, like water and carbon dioxide, at lunar temperatures.
    • These materials could provide resources for future human exploration on the moon.
  • The VIPER robot will rely on batteries, heat pipes and radiators throughout its 100-day mission, as it navigates everything from the extreme heat of lunar daylight – when temperatures can reach 224℉ (107 ℃) – to the moon’s frigid shadowed regions that can reach as low as -240℃.
• Lunar Trailblazer and PRIME-1 Missions:
  • NASA has recently invested in a class of small, low-cost planetary missions called SIMPLEx, which stands for Small, Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration.
    • These missions save costs by tagging along on other launches as what is called a rideshare, or secondary payload.
  • One example is the Lunar Trailblazer. Like VIPER, Lunar Trailblazer will look for water on the moon.
    • But while VIPER will land on the moon’s surface, studying a specific area near the south pole in detail.
    • Lunar Trailblazer will orbit the moon, measuring the temperature of the surface and mapping out the locations of water molecules across the globe.
  • Lunar Trailblazer’s launch timing depends on the primary payload’s launch readiness.
    • The PRIME-1 mission, scheduled for a mid-2024 launch, is Lunar Trailblazer’s ride. PRIME-1 will drill into the moon – it’s a test run for the kind of drill that VIPER will use.
• JAXA’s Martian Moon eXploration Mission:
  • The JAXA MMX mission concept to study Mars’ moons - Phobos and Deimos.
  • The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, has a robotic mission in development called the Martian Moon eXploration, or MMX, planned for launch around September 2024.
    • The mission’s main science objective is to determine the origin of Mars’ moons.
  • Scientists aren’t sure whether Phobos and Deimos are former asteroids that Mars captured into orbit with its gravity or if they formed out of debris that was already in orbit around Mars.
  • The spacecraft will spend three years around Mars conducting science operations to observe Phobos and Deimos. MMX will also land on Phobos’ surface and collect a sample before returning to Earth.
• ESA’s Hera Mission:
  • It is a mission by the European Space Agency to return to the Didymos-Dimorphos asteroid system that NASA’s DART mission visited in 2022.
    • But DART didn’t just visit these asteroids, it collided with one of them to test a planetary defence technique called “kinetic impact”.
    • DART hit Dimorphos with such force that it actually changed its orbit.
  • The kinetic impact technique smashes something into an object in order to alter its path. This could prove useful if humanity ever finds a potentially hazardous object on a collision course with Earth and needs to redirect it.
  • Hera will launch in October 2024, making its way in late 2026 to Didymos and Dimorphos, where it will study the physical properties of the asteroids.

What are ISRO’s Space Missions set for 2024?

• PSLV-C58 with XPoSat:
  • XPoSat, India's first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite, was launched in January 2023 aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C58).
  • This mission aims to investigate the polarization of intense X-ray sources in the universe, focusing on pulsars, black hole X-ray binaries, and other celestial objects.
• NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR):
  • The NISAR, a collaborative mission between NASA and ISRO, is a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite designed for remote sensing, providing insights into various Earth systems including ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, and natural hazards.
• Gaganyaan 1:
  • The Gaganyaan 1 mission is a critical step in India's Human Spaceflight Programme.
  • This test flight, involving three crew members, is a collaborative effort between ISRO and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to pave the way for Manned Space Exploration.
• Mangalyaan-2 (MOM 2): .
  • Mangalyaan-2, or Mars Orbiter Mission 2 (MOM 2), is ISRO's ambitious sequel to its successful Mars mission.
  • This mission, aimed at studying the surface, atmosphere, and climatic conditions of Mars, will equip the orbiter spacecraft with advanced scientific instruments, including a hyperspectral camera, magnetometer, and radar.
  • MOM 2 is a testament to India's expanding prowess in planetary exploration.
• Shukrayaan-1:
  • Under the Venus Orbiter Mission, ISRO plans to launch Shukrayaan-1, a spacecraft destined to orbit Venus for five years.
  • It aims to study the atmosphere of Venus, marking India's first foray into exploring the mysteries of the second planet from the Sun.

Biodiversity Credits

Source: DTE

Why in News?

Biodiversity Credits or biocredits are increasingly being pushed as a means for financing work on the various targets set under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

• The KMGBF, established at the 15^th Conference of Parties (CoP15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), sets forth ambitious targets for biodiversity conservation, sustainable utilization, and equitable benefit sharing.

What is Biodiversity Credit?

• About:
  • Biodiversity credits are a financial instrument designed to generate funding for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of biodiversity-rich areas.
  • They operate on a concept similar to Carbon Credits but with a distinct focus on biodiversity preservation rather than offsetting negative impacts.
  • The core purpose of biodiversity credits is to attract private investments toward initiatives aligned with the goals of conserving and restoring biodiversity, as outlined by international agreements such as the KMGBF under the CBD.
• Biodiversity Credit Alliance:
  • To promote Bio credits, the Biodiversity Credit Alliance was launched at CoP15 of CBD.
  • Through 2023, efforts were made to promote them at different fora. They were discussed at CoP28 of the UNFCCC in Dubai in December 2023.
  • Its aim is to mobilize support and generate awareness among various stakeholders, including governmental bodies, non-profits, and private enterprises.
• Implementation and Initiatives:
  • Ocean Conservation Commitments (OCCs): Launched in September 2023, OCCs are tied to Niue's Moana Mahu Marine Protected Area, covering 127,000 square kilometers.
    • OCCs are available for purchase by interested buyers, each representing a commitment to support conservation efforts for 20 years.
    • Priced at USD 148 per OCC, these commitments have attracted investments from non-governmental organizations like the Blue Nature Alliance, Conservation International, and private donors.
  • Wallacea Trust: This UK-based organization focused on biodiversity and climate research has made substantial financial commitments, amounting to 5 million biodiversity credits. Their engagement signals a significant interest from research-oriented entities in utilizing biodiversity credits to support conservation efforts.
• Challenges and Uncertainties:
  • Despite their potential, the success of biodiversity credits remains uncertain. Challenges encompass regulatory frameworks, pricing structures that ensure fairness for both buyers and sellers, and ensuring that these mechanisms genuinely serve biodiversity conservation rather than corporate interests.

Way Forward

• The concept of biodiversity credits holds promise in bridging the financial gap required for biodiversity protection outlined in the KMGBF. However, critical considerations about regulation, genuine conservation impact, and alignment with biodiversity goals underscore the need for cautious and meticulous implementation.
• It is important to urgently figure out how they should be regulated and monitored. It has to be ensured that pricing is fair for sellers as well as buyers.
  • The United Kingdom and the French governments are leading the way in creating a roadmap for a high-integrity biodiversity credits market.
• This is going to be tough considering that most of the proponents of biocredits are from the private sector and are likely to protect the interests of the corporations that are driving the biodiversity crisis and not biodiversity.

Issue of Indians Jailed Abroad

Source: IE

Why in News?

With India being the highest diaspora of citizens the world over, more than 9,500 Indians are currently in Jails abroad.

• Three in every five are lodged in jails in the Middle East, and the third-largest population of prison inmates in the region is in Qatar.

Where are Most Indian Prisoners Lodged?

• Total Indians Jailed Abroad:
  • As many as 9,521 Indians are lodged in jails in 89 of the 210 countries where diaspora from the country is based.
• Middle East:
  • More than 62% are lodged in the Middle East, followed by Asia.
  • The highest number of Indian prisoners — 2,200 — are lodged in Saudi Arabia, followed by the United Arab Emirates.
  • Qatar has 752 Indian prisoners followed by Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
• Asia:
  • In Asia, a little over 23% of the total 1,227 prisoners are in Nepal followed by Malaysia, Pakistan, China, Singapore, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
• Europe:
  • In Europe, the majority of Indian prisoners are lodged in the United Kingdom (278) followed by Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

What Happens When an Indian is Imprisoned Abroad?

• Monitor:
  • Indian Missions and Posts abroad closely monitor incidents of Indian nationals being jailed for alleged violation of local laws, according to the MEA’s Standard Operating Procedure.
  • As soon as information about the detention or arrest of an Indian national is received by the Mission or Post, it gets in touch with the local Foreign Office and other local authorities to get consular access to such individuals.
• Ensure Welfare and Consular Assistance:
  • MEA officials then ascertain the facts of the case, confirm Indian nationality, and ensure the welfare of such individuals in various ways, such as extending all possible consular assistance, assistance in providing legal aid wherever needed, and approaching local law enforcement agencies to complete judicial proceedings at the earliest possible.

What are the Government Steps to Provide Assistance to the Prisoners Abroad?

• Legal Assistance:
  • Indian Missions and Posts maintain a local panel of lawyers in countries where the Indian community is based in sizable numbers.
  • No fee is charged for the facilities extended by the Embassy.
  • The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is set up at Missions and Posts abroad to assist overseas Indian nationals in distress situations in deserving cases.
  • The support extended under ICWF includes financial assistance for legal aid as well as travel documents and air tickets during repatriation.
• Repatriation of Indian Nationals:
  • The government follows up the issue of release and repatriation of Indian nationals in foreign prisons during consular and other consultations with countries.
• Pardon and Reduction in Prison Sentences:
  • Some countries grant pardon or reduction of sentence to inmates of various nationalities from time to time but do not share the data with the countries concerned.
    • Since 2014, 4,597 Indian nationals have received pardon or reduction of their sentences by foreign governments due to efforts by the Indian Government through various channels.
• Agreement(s) on Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TSP):
  • India has signed Agreement(s) on TSP with 31 countries under which Indian prisoners lodged in foreign countries can be transferred to India to serve the remainder of their sentence and vice-versa.
    • These include Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Egypt, Estonia, France, Hong Kong, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom and Vietnam.
  • India has also signed two multilateral conventions on transfer of sentenced persons — the Inter-American Convention on Serving Criminal Sentences Abroad and Council of Europe Convention on Transfer of Sentenced Persons — under which sentenced persons of member states and other countries which have acceded to these can seek transfer of prisoners.
  • From 2006 till January 2022, 86 prisoners were transferred under the TSP; these included 75 imprisoned Indians transferred to India and 11 foreign prisoners transferred to their respective countries.

Way Forward

• There is a need to strengthen the resources and capabilities of Indian missions abroad to provide consistent and robust consular assistance to imprisoned nationals.
• There is a need to create awareness among the Indian diaspora about local laws and customs in countries they reside in, possibly through outreach programs or information campaigns.
• There is a need to enhance diplomatic efforts and negotiations with other countries to streamline the process of transferring prisoners and ensuring fair treatment for Indian nationals in foreign jails.
• Continuously reviewing and updating policies related to Indian nationals imprisoned abroad, potentially amending existing agreements or creating new ones to facilitate smoother repatriation or sentence transfers.

Efficacy of Liquid Nano Urea

Source: DTE

Why in News?

A two-year field experiment on the efficacy of Liquid Nano Urea by scientists from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has found a substantial decrease in rice and wheat yields when compared to conventional nitrogen (N) fertiliser application.

• The findings emphasize the necessity for further long-term field evaluations spanning 5-7 years to ascertain nano urea's equivalence to conventional urea and its sustainability in maintaining crop yields.

What are the Key Findings about the Efficacy of Liquid Nano Urea?

• Yield Reduction:
  • There is a significant decrease in crop yields when nano urea was used compared to conventional nitrogen fertilizers.
  • Specifically, there was a 21.6% decrease in wheat yield and a 13% decrease in rice yield.
• Grain Nitrogen Content:
  • The application of nano urea resulted in a decline in grain nitrogen content in both rice and wheat crops.
  • There is a 17 and 11.5% decrease in grain N content of rice and wheat, respectively.
  • The lowered grain nitrogen content implies reduced protein levels in the harvested crops.
    • This is a concern in a country like India, where rice and wheat are staple foods providing protein and carbohydrates. Low protein content could impact the population's protein energy requirements.
• Cost Considerations:
  • The cost of nano urea formulation was 10 times higher than that of granular urea and will add to the cost of cultivation for farmers.
• Crop Biomass and Root Volume:
  • The application of nano urea led to a reduction in above-ground biomass and root volume. This decrease in root volume resulted in decreased root-surface area, impacting nutrient uptake processes by the roots.

Buxa Tiger Reserve

Source: IE

Why in News?

Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) in West Bengal witnessed the return of a tiger for the second time in two years after a 23-year absence, sparking hope for a flourishing ecosystem and a potential resurgence of tiger populations.

What are the Key Facts About Buxa Tiger Reserve?

• About:
  • Buxa Tiger Reserve and National Park covers 760 square kilometers and is located in North Bengal’s Alipurduar district.
  • Buxa is a “low density” reserve and part of a larger tiger territory that stretches to Bhutan.
  • The rivers Sankosh, Raidak, Jayanti, Churnia, Turturi, Phashkhawa, Dima, and Nonani flow through Buxa National Park.
• Corridor Connectivity:
  • According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Reserve has corridor connectivity across the border with the forests of Bhutan in the North; linkages with the Kochugaon forests (Assam) and Manas Tiger Reserve (Assam) in the East; and with the Jaldapara National Park in the West.
    • The reserve's connectivity serves as a vital link in promoting the migration and genetic diversity of Bengal tigers.
• Flora:
  • Prominent tree species include Sal, Champ, Gamar, Simul, and Chikrasi, contributing to the reserve's diverse and vibrant ecosystem.
• Fauna:
  • The primary wildlife species include the Asian Elephant, Tiger, gaur (Indian bison), Wild boar, Sambar, and Wild dog (Dhole).
  • Endangered species in Buxa Tiger Reserve encompass the Leopard cat, Bengal florican, Regal python, Chinese Pangolin, Hispid hare, and Hog deer.
• Conservation Initiatives:
  • Introduced chitals (spotted deer) to enhance the tiger's prey base, fostering favorable conditions for their return, and showcasing successful conservation efforts.
  • Proactive measures have been taken to expand the grassland, creating an ideal habitat for tigers and other wildlife.
  • Initiatives focus on reducing human interference, curbing infiltration, and controlling trespassing to create a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
  • Tiger Augmentation Project was launched in 2018, this collaborative project involves the state forest department, the Wildlife Institute of India, and the NTCA, focusing on monitoring and enhancing the tiger population.

Interest Rate Adjustments in Small Savings Schemes

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the Union government decided to raise the returns on the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme (SSAS) from 8% to 8.2%, and on the 3-year Post Office Time Deposit Scheme (POTDS) from 7% to 7.1%, for the first quarter of 2024, while keeping the interest rates unchanged for all other small savings schemes.

What is Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme?

• About:
  • The Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme (SSAS) is a small deposit scheme by the Ministry of Finance exclusively for a girl child and is launched as a part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Campaign.
    • The scheme is meant to meet the education and marriage expenses of a girl child.
• Eligibility:
  • Any girl child who is a resident Indian from the time of opening the account till the time of maturity/closure.
  • The account may be opened by one of the guardians in the name of a girl child, who has not attained the age of ten years as of the date of opening of the account.
  • A family can open a maximum of two accounts under this scheme for girl children. However, exceptions allow opening more than two accounts for twins or triplets born in the first or second order, supported by an affidavit and birth certificates.
• Benefits:
  • The Minimum Investment is Rs 250 per annum; the Maximum Investment is Rs 1,50,000 per annum. The Maturity Period is 21 years.
    • At present, SSAS has several tax benefits and the highest rate of interest among all the Small Savings Schemes.

What is the Post Office Time Deposit Scheme?

• About:
  • The POTDS also known as National Savings Time Deposit scheme is a government-backed savings option that allows individuals to deposit an amount for a fixed tenure and earn a predetermined interest rate on their investment. This scheme is offered by India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).
• Features of the POTDS:
  • It offers four types of accounts with varying maturity periods: 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years.
  • It allows deposits from Rs. 1,000 to any amount, in multiples of Rs. 100.
  • It allows joint accounts, minor accounts, and nomination facility.
  • It provides income tax benefits for the 5-year account under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, of 1961.
    • Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, of 1961, allows for deductions from gross total income for certain investments and expenses made by individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs).
    • It encourages savings and investments in specific avenues, thereby reducing taxable income and providing tax benefits to taxpayers.

Cyber Kidnapping

Recently, a Chinese student who had been a victim of 'cyber kidnapping,' was discovered unharmed in rural Utah. Traced by the authorities, it was revealed that his parents from China had already paid a high ransom before his location being determined.

• Cyber kidnapping refers to a crime where the ‘kidnappers’ convince their victim to hide, and then contact their loved ones for ransom.
• In this type of scam, the victim is not kidnapped, but they are tricked into believing that they are in danger.
  • The ‘kidnappers’, though not physically present, monitor the victim online through video-call platforms.
  • They may threaten the victim or their family with violence, or they may create fake evidence of a kidnapping, such as photos or videos.

Read more: Cyber Crime

Aditya-L1 into L1 orbit

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to perform a crucial manoeuvre to bind Aditya-L1, aiming to place it into orbit around the Lagrangian point (L1), located approximately 1.5 million km from Earth.

• Aditya-L1, the first Indian space-based observatory dedicated to studying the Sun, was launched in September 2023, using a PSLV-C57 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• Placing a satellite in the halo orbit around the L1 point allows continuous observation of the Sun without occultation or eclipse, providing an advantage in monitoring solar activities.
  
  • L1 is about 1.5 million km from the Earth and the distance of L1 from Earth is approximately 1% of the Earth-Sun distance.
  • Lagrange points are positions in space where the gravitational forces of two large masses balance the centripetal force for a smaller object to stay in place.
    
    • Spacecraft leverage these points to minimize fuel consumption and allow spacecraft to maintain their position efficiently.
• Aditya-L1 carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere (the visible surface of the Sun), chromosphere (the second layer between the photosphere and the corona) and the corona (outermost layers of the Sun).
  
  • These payloads aim to provide crucial information on coronal heating, coronal mass ejection, space weather dynamics, and particle and field propagation.

Read more: Aditya-L1 Mission, India's Space Endeavors

Warlis' Lesson: Peaceful Leopard Coexistence in Maharashtra

Maharashtra’s indigenous Warlis teach a lesson about peaceful coexistence with leopards. Warlis living near Sanjay Gandhi National Park, worship leopards as their deity, showing respect instead of fear.

• Dahisar river flows through the national park and becomes a recreational center during monsoons.
• Warli tribals have a long history of encounters with leopards, viewing them as coexisting peacefully.
• The Warli culture is centered on the concept of Mother Nature, and natural elements are frequently depicted as focal points in Warli painting.
• The Warli Tribes perform Tarpa Dance along with Tarpa music instruments.

Read More: International Leopard Day 2023

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2023

Recently, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar((RKPP) 2023. Odisha Mining Corporate Limited has been awarded in the category of Encouragement to Sports through Corporate Social Responsibility. Jain Deemed to be University, Bengaluru has been awarded for identifying and nurturing budding and young talent.

• RKPP introduced by the government in 2009 is given to corporate entities (both private and public sector), Sports Control Boards, NGOs, including sports bodies at the State and National level, who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development.
• The Other five core awards that constitute India’s National Sports Awards are the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award,the Arjuna Award, the Dronacharya Award, the Major Dhyan Chand Award, and the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.

Read more: National Sports and Adventure Awards 2022