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- Supreme Court Orders Centre to Prioritize Establishment of Special POCSO Courts for Child Sexual Offenses
- The Supreme Court has instructed the Central Government to expedite the creation of Special POCSO Courts dedicated solely to handling cases involving sexual offenses against children.
- About POCSO Courts:
- Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, these courts are designed to ensure fast-tracked trials for child sexual abuse cases. They must be designated as Courts of Session by the respective State Governments, in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Courts.
- Key Features:
- Timely Recording of Evidence: The child’s testimony should be recorded within 30 days after the court takes cognizance of the case.
- Swift Trial Completion: The trial is to be concluded, where possible, within one year of the case being taken up.
- India and Japan to Begin Design Phase for Chandrayaan-5/ LUPEX Lunar Mission
- India and Japan are set to move into the design phase of the Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX (Lunar Polar EXploration) mission, which will continue the legacy of India’s previous lunar missions.
- The Chandrayaan-5 mission follows the achievements of:
- Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2 (orbiter-based lunar exploration),
- Chandrayaan-3 (lander-rover focused on in-situ exploration),
- The upcoming Chandrayaan-4, which will be India’s first lunar sample return mission.
- India also has its sights set on sending astronauts to the Moon by 2040.
- About Chandrayaan-5:
- Objective: The mission aims to explore and study lunar volatile materials at the Moon's south pole.
- International Collaboration: While ISRO will develop the lander, Japan’s JAXA will contribute the rover. The mission will also feature observation instruments provided by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).
- NASA's GRAIL Mission has produced the most detailed gravity map of the Moon to date. Launched in 2011 as part of NASA's Discovery Program, the mission's findings are set to enhance the accuracy of lunar navigation for future missions by establishing a more precise lunar reference frame and time system.
- Key Discoveries from GRAIL:
- Uneven Lunar Interior: The Moon’s near side (facing Earth) is geologically more active and warmer compared to the far side, which remains hidden from view.
- Tidal Flexing: Earth's gravity causes the near side to flex more during the Moon’s orbit, revealing structural differences between the two hemispheres.
- Surface Features: While the near side is dominated by vast plains (known as "maria"), the far side is marked by rugged, mountainous terrain.
- These insights will play a critical role in ensuring the safety and precision of upcoming lunar explorations.