CURRENT-AFFAIRS

SpaceX is preparing to launch its Polaris Dawn mission on August 19, which is an important milestone for space tourism. This mission will feature Jared Isaacman, a billionaire from the fintech industry, who will make history by being the first private individual to conduct a spacewalk. The launch was initially planned for July 31, but it was delayed. The delay happened because SpaceX needed to prioritize another mission called Crew-9, and there were some problems with recent rocket explosions that needed to be addressed.

Mission Overview

The Polaris Dawn mission aims to take Jared Isaacman and his crew farther into space than low Earth orbit, without docking with the International Space Station (ISS). The goal is to explore new aspects of human spaceflight and prepare for future space missions.

Launch Delays

The mission has faced several delays since it was first scheduled for 2022. These delays were caused by various bureaucratic and technical issues. The most recent delay was due to the need to focus on the Crew-9 mission and issues following the explosion of a Falcon 9 rocket.

Significance of the Mission

Polaris Dawn is a major event in space tourism, highlighting the increasing interest in private space travel. Isaacman’s participation shows that regular people may soon have the chance to travel to space, and the planned ‘ghost ride’ adds an exciting new element to the mission. Sarah Walker, the director of Dragon mission management, explained that the busy operations at the ISS influenced the decision to delay Polaris Dawn. She noted that the mission’s timeline is now set for late summer, suggesting a launch window in August.

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• A recent health alert in the United States follows the deaths of four individuals from a rodent-borne hantavirus.
• Hantavirus Overview:
  • Hantaviruses belong to a group of viruses that can cause severe illnesses and fatalities.
  • These viruses can lead to serious lung infections (resulting in cough and difficulty breathing) or kidney infections (causing abdominal pain and potentially kidney failure).
  • They are responsible for diseases such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
• Transmission:
  • Hantaviruses are primarily spread by rodents such as rats and mice and do not transmit from person to person.
  • Transmission to humans occurs through inhalation of infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.
• Symptoms:
  • Symptoms of hantavirus infection can vary from mild to severe, depending on whether the lungs or kidneys are affected.
  • Initial symptoms include sudden fever, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes abdominal issues. These may progress to coughing and difficulty breathing, or kidney problems.
  • The infection can rapidly deteriorate, potentially leading to lung failure and death.
• Treatment:
  • There is currently no specific treatment for hantavirus infection, but early medical intervention can be crucial if severe illness develops.
  • More than half of those affected by hantavirus pulmonary syndrome do not survive.

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• Recently, UNESCO added the mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty in Assam, known as 'Moidams', to its prestigious World Heritage List.
• About Ahom Dynasty:
  • The Ahom Dynasty (1228–1826), originally known as the Kingdom of Assam during medieval times, flourished in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam for nearly 600 years. It successfully resisted Mughal expansion into Northeast India, establishing its sovereignty over the region. Founded by Sukaphaa, a Shan prince from Mong Mao who crossed the Patkai Mountains into Assam, the dynasty exerted profound political and social influence.
  • Although referred to as the Ahom kingdom in colonial and subsequent eras, it was ethnically diverse, with the Ahom people constituting less than 10% of the population by its later years. The rulers were known as 'Chaopha' or 'Swargadeo' by their subjects.
  • During the 17th century, the Ahom kingdom faced multiple Mughal invasions. In 1662, the capital Garhgaon was briefly occupied by Mir Jumla, but the Mughals were decisively defeated by the Ahoms under Lachit Borphukan at the Battle of Saraighat in 1671. Borphukan's leadership in this battle is legendary, marking a significant victory that ultimately expelled Mughal influence from the region by 1682.
  • However, the kingdom later weakened due to internal conflicts and Burmese invasions, culminating in its fall after the First Anglo-Burmese War. In 1826, following the Treaty of Yandabo, control of the Ahom kingdom passed into the hands of the British East India Company.
  • The inclusion of 'Moidams' on the UNESCO World Heritage List recognizes the cultural and historical significance of the Ahom dynasty's burial customs and their enduring legacy in Assam's heritage.

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• Recently, NASA's Perseverance rover uncovered a compelling discovery that could provide insights into Mars' ancient history and the potential existence of microbial life in the past.
• About Perseverance Rover:
  • Nicknamed "Percy," Perseverance is a semi-autonomous rover roughly the size of a small car, meticulously engineered to explore Mars' surface.
  • It forms a critical part of NASA's ongoing Mars 2020 Mission.
  • Launch: The rover embarked on its mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on July 30, 2020.
  • Landing: Perseverance achieved a successful touchdown within Mars' Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021.
  • Primary Objectives: To search for signs of ancient life and gather samples of rock and regolith (fragmented rock and soil) for potential return to Earth.
  • The rover is equipped to collect samples of Martian rock and soil, encapsulate them in tubes, and deposit them on the planet's surface for future retrieval.
  • Specifications:
  • Perseverance measures approximately 3 meters in length, 2.7 meters in width, and stands 2.2 meters tall.
  • Despite its car-like dimensions, the rover weighs just 1,025 kilograms when fully equipped with its suite of scientific instruments.
  • Power Source: It relies on a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG), converting heat from plutonium's radioactive decay into electricity.
  • The rover features a rectangular body, six wheels for traversing Martian terrain, a robotic arm equipped with a drill for rock sampling, a comprehensive array of cameras, and specialized scientific instruments.
• Perseverance's recent findings underscore its pivotal role in unraveling the mysteries of Mars' distant past and advancing humanity's understanding of the Red Planet's potential for hosting ancient life forms.

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• Recently, the GROWTH-India Telescope achieved a significant milestone by capturing a 116-meter asteroid, approximately the size of a large building, during its closest approach to Earth.
• About GROWTH-India Telescope:
  • GROWTH-India is India's pioneering fully robotic optical research telescope.
  • Its primary mission is to observe explosive transients and variable sources, including near-Earth asteroids.
  • Location: Situated at the Indian Astronomical Observatory site in Hanle, Ladakh, the telescope operates at an altitude of 4500 meters above sea level. This high-altitude location is renowned for its clear skies and minimal atmospheric interference, making it one of the premier telescope sites in the country.
  • The telescope joins other sophisticated instruments at the site, such as The Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT), the gamma-ray array telescope (HAGAR), and the imaging Cherenkov telescope (MACE).
  • GROWTH-India was established through a collaborative effort between the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum.
  • Part of an international network known as the Global Relay of Observatories Watching Transients Happen (GROWTH), GROWTH-India ensures continuous monitoring of celestial events of interest. This collaborative network operates globally, ensuring uninterrupted observations even during daylight hours, thus facilitating comprehensive data gathering.
• The recent observation by GROWTH-India underscores its pivotal role in enhancing our understanding of celestial phenomena, including potentially hazardous asteroids, and reinforces India's capabilities in space research and exploration.

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• Azerbaijan, the upcoming host of the 29th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, has introduced a new initiative known as the ‘Climate Finance Action Fund’ (CFAF).
• Key Details of the Climate Finance Action Fund:
  • The CFAF will be initially funded through contributions from fossil fuel-producing countries and companies in sectors such as oil, gas, and coal, with Azerbaijan serving as a founding contributor.
  • Launched as part of a comprehensive package of 14 initiatives during the COP29 thematic days, the fund aims to catalyze public-private partnerships, leveraging private sector involvement and reducing investment risks.
  • It includes special facilities offering concessional and grant-based support to swiftly address the impacts of natural disasters in vulnerable developing countries.
  • The operationalization of the CFAF hinges on an initial fundraising goal of $1 billion and the commitment of at least 10 contributing countries as shareholders.
  • Fifty percent of the fund’s capital will be allocated to climate projects in developing nations requiring assistance, spanning areas like mitigation, adaptation, and research and development.
  • The remaining fifty percent of contributions will focus on supporting member countries in enhancing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to align with the ambitious 1.5°C temperature target.
  • Additionally, twenty percent of investment returns will be channeled into a Rapid Response Funding Facility (2R2F), offering highly concessional and grant-based aid.
  • The CFAF will be headquartered in Baku, Azerbaijan, housing its secretariat to oversee its global operations.
• The establishment of the Climate Finance Action Fund underscores Azerbaijan’s commitment to advancing climate action through innovative financing mechanisms, fostering global collaboration, and supporting climate-resilient development in vulnerable regions.

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• Recently, the Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries launched SIMS 2.0, an enhanced version of the Steel Import Monitoring System. This upgraded system integrates APIs with various government portals, aiming to improve quality control and streamline operational processes for increased efficiency.
• SIMS 2.0 features a robust data entry system that ensures the consistency and authenticity of information, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability. By integrating multiple databases, stakeholders can pinpoint potential areas of risk, enabling more effective risk management strategies.
• Introduced initially in 2019, SIMS has been pivotal in providing detailed data on steel imports to the domestic industry. Based on valuable industry feedback, the Ministry has revamped the portal to introduce SIMS 2.0, marking a significant advancement in monitoring steel imports and fostering the growth of the domestic steel sector.
• The detailed insights provided by SIMS 2.0 not only support informed policy-making but also highlight opportunities for production and growth within the domestic steel industry. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to strengthening the steel sector through data-driven governance and strategic oversight.

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• Recently, a coalition of influential organizations representing the Meitei community in conflict-affected Manipur issued a call to boycott Assam Rifles.
• About Assam Rifles:
  • Assam Rifles is among the six central armed police forces (CAPFs) in India.
  • It operates under a unique dual control structure where administrative authority lies with the Ministry of Home Affairs, while operational control rests with the Indian Army under the Ministry of Defence.
  • The force plays a crucial dual role of maintaining internal security in the Northeastern region and safeguarding the Indo-Myanmar Border.
  • History:
  • Established in 1835 as the ‘Cachar Levy’, initially tasked with protecting British tea estates and settlements from tribal raids.
  • Evolved over time into the Assam Military Police Battalion and later renamed as Assam Rifles.
  • Post-independence, the force has undertaken diverse roles, from conventional combat during the Sino-India War of 1962 to peacekeeping missions abroad as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka in 1987 (Operation Pawan), and maintaining peace in the Northeastern states.
  • The force has expanded significantly from 17 battalions in 1960 to its current strength of 46 battalions.
  • Often referred to as the ‘Friends of the North East People’, Assam Rifles is the most decorated paramilitary force in India, both pre- and post-independence.
  • Commanded by an officer holding the rank of Lieutenant General, its highest Headquarters, the Directorate General of Assam Rifles, is based in Shillong, distinguishing it from other Central Para Military Forces headquartered in Delhi.