ISRO making Green Propellant :-
- Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have reported progress in the development of an environment-friendly propellant to power satellites and spacecraft.
- The effort is to replace the conventional hydrazine rocket fuel, a highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical, with a greener propellant for future missions.
- A propellant blend is based on hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN).
Mono-Propellant :-
- The LPSC team comprising Arpita Dash, B. Radhika and R. Narayan formulated the HAN-based monopropellant and carried out a variety of tests to investigate its characteristics, like thermal and catalytic decomposition and compatibility with different materials.
- A monopropellant is a chemical propulsion fuel which does not require a separate oxidizer.
- It is used extensively in satellite thrusters for orbital correction and orientation control.
- The in-house formulation consists of HAN, ammonium nitrate, methanol and water. While methanol was added to reduce combustion instability, the choice of AN was dictated by its capacity to control the burn rate and lower the freezing point of the propellant.
Army finalises ammunition project :-
- After years of deliberations, the Army has finalised a mega Rs. 15,000-crore project under which a range of ammunition for its critical weapons and tanks will be produced indigenously to overcome long delays in imports and address the problem of a dwindling stockpile.
- 11 private firms would be involved in the ambitious project, the implementation of which is being monitored by the top brass of the Army and the Defence Ministry.
- Indigenisation of ammunition
- To create an inventory for all major weapons
- To enable the forces to fight a 30-day war
- To cut dependence on imports.
DNA banks to be set up at National & State levels :-
- DNA data banks will be set up at the national and the State levels to store profiles.
- Those who leak such information will be punished with jail terms of up to three years, according to a draft Bill on DNA technology being finalised by the Law Ministry.
- The data is to be used for identifying victims, accused, suspects, under-trials, missing persons and unclaimed bodies.
E-Gates soon for faster immigration clearance :-
- Foreign travellers to India will not have to wait in long queues at airport immigration counters as the government plans to install automated kiosks — e-Gates — for speedy document and identity verification.
- At the e-Gates, foreigners can present their machine-readable passports, place their fingerprints on the scanner and complete a customs declaration.
Post a Comment