Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) claims to have mapped the first-ever abundance of sodium on the moon using its X-ray spectrometer CLASS. As sodium was detected in X-rays by the Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (C1XS), the amount of sodium on the Moon could be mapped, according to the report. According to a statement on Friday from the National Space Agency, Chandrayaan-2 used CLASS (Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer) for the first time to map sodium abundance on the Moon. The statement read, Built at the UR Rao Satellite Centre of ISRO in Bangaluru CLA
On Monday, the Nobel Prize-giving body announced that Swedish scientist Svante Paabo had won the 2022 prize for discoveries "relating to the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution". Swedish Karolinska Institute's Nobel Assembly awards the prize, one of the most prestigious in the science world, for 10 million Swedish crowns ($900,357). The award is the first of the batch for this year. "He was speechless, overwhelmed by the experience”. Thomas Perlmann, the Nobel Committee's secretary, called Paabo with the news and expressed his happiness. “When he asked if he could share
The first batch of indigenously developed light combat helicopters was delivered to the Indian Air Force on Monday. A ceremony was held today in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, for the induction of the first indigenously developed light combat helicopter (LCH). Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari was also present at the induction ceremony, which included a 'sarv-dharam' prayer. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) manufactures the light combat helicopter, which is an indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter. Light combat helicopters from HAL are the only helicopters capable of landing and
On Tuesday, the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile was successfully tested by the DRDO in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)'s Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat designed and developed VSHORADS as an air defence system. A dual-thrust solid motor propels the missile, designed to neutralize low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges. A highly optimized design has been used to ensure easy portability of the missile and its launcher. The SA-2 and other air defence missiles have also lost relevance in the face of m
The Royal Australian Navy is hosting a multinational exercise Kakadu-2022 that includes India's indigenously designed and built naval vessel INS Satpura. The Defence Ministry has confirmed that the INS Satpura and the P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft arrived in Darwin on September 12 to participate in the exercise. On Sunday a navy official said, “The hip participated in various anti-submarine warfare exercises, anti-ship warfare exercise, anti-ship warfare exercises, manoeuvres and has also showcased her precise target destruction capability during gun firing exercises.” As per the In
The Indian Army installed satellite-based Internet service on the Siachen Glacier- the world’s highest battlefield, on Sunday. The installation has been conducted by the Siachen Signallers and will provide internet connectivity to the Army. "Satellite-based Internet service was activated on the Siachen Glacier at 19,061 feet, the World's Highest Battlefield, by the Siachen Signallers,” the Fire & Fury Corps of the Indian Army wrote on Twitter The Army also posted a few pictures where a soldier is seen positioning a dish in the mountainous territory of the glacier. After
The European Space Agency (ESA) released the first images and infrared spectrum of Mars from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). On September 5, 2022, Webb captured its first images and spectra of the red planet. Located at the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point (L2), Webb is approximately 1.5 million kilometres away from our planet. As the telescope gazes at Mars from its vantage point, it can observe the sunlit side of Mars' observable disk. By doing so, the JWST is able to capture images and spectra at the resolution required for studying short-term phenomena. There are a number of p
India launches the fifth stealth warship of the Indian Navy's Project 17A, named ‘ Taragiri’ in Mumbai. The event of the made-in-India warship was limited to a technical launch due to the state's mourning of Queen Elizabeth's death. It was in September 2020 that the keel of Taragiri was laid and is expected to be delivered by August 2025. The launch of Taragiri by the Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders (MDl) is another boost to the navy’s 'aatmanirbharta'.Seven Nilgiri-Class frigates are being constructed under Project 17A. The headship of the INS Nilgiri class was launched in Mumbai in Septembe
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi. Mr. Modi received the Gaurd of Honour on his arrival from the authorizing ceremony of INS Vikrant in Kerela. On the occasion, he unveiled the new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), eradicating the colonial past. A naval ensign is a flag that indicates nationality on naval ships or formations. Indian Naval Ensigns consist of a red cross on a white background, called St. George's Cross. After the country gained freedom, the Indian flag repla
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be on a visit to Karnataka and Kerala on September 1-2, will commission the first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, at the Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi on September 2. The PMO said Modi, who would be attending several programs, will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of projects costing nearly Rs 3,800 crores in Mangaluru. His itinerary will also include a visit to the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya at Kalady village near Cochin airport. The PMO stated that Modi has been a forceful advocate of self-reliance, especially in st