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Daily PIB/ 04 Feb
General Studies- III
Topic- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
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Chandrayaan-3
Context:
According to Atomic Energy and Space Minister, based on the learnings from Chandrayaan-2 and suggestions made by the national level experts, the realization of Chandrayaan-3 is in progress.
- Many related hardware and their special tests are successfully completed and the Launch of Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled for August 2022.
- The Minister informed that the number of missions planned during 2022 (Jan to Dec’22) are 19 viz., 08 Launch Vehicle Missions, 07 Spacecraft Missions and 04 Technology Demonstrator Missions.
About Chandrayaan 3:
Chandrayaan-3 is the successor to the Chandrayaan-2 mission and it will likely attempt another soft-landing on the lunar surface.
- It will be a mission repeat of Chandrayaan-2 but will only include a lander and rover similar to that of Chandrayaan-2. It will not have an orbiter.
- As per ISRO, the total cost of Chandrayaan-3 mission will be over Rs 600 crores. In comparison, the total cost of the Chandrayaan-2 mission was Rs 960 crores.
Chandrayaan-2:
Chandrayaan-2 mission is a highly complex mission, which represents a significant technological leap compared to the previous missions of ISRO.
- The Mission brought together an Orbiter, Lander and Rover with the goal of exploring south pole of the Moon.
- This is a unique mission which aims at studying not just one area of the Moon but all the areas combining the exosphere, the surface as well as the sub-surface of the moon in a single mission.
Why did we go to the Moon?
- The Moon is the closest cosmic body at which space discovery can be attempted and documented.
- It is also a promising test bed to demonstrate technologies required for deep-space missions.
- Moon provides the best linkage to Earth’s early history.
- It offers an undisturbed historical record of the inner Solar system environment.
- Chandrayaan-2 aims for enhancing our understanding of the Moon, stimulate the advancement of technology, promote global alliances and inspire a future generation of explorers and scientists.
Scientific Objectives of Chandrayaan 2:
- Extensive mapping of lunar surface to study variations in lunar surface were essential to trace back the origin and evolution of the Moon.
- Evidence for water molecules discovered by Chandrayaan-1, required further studies on the extent of water molecule distribution on the surface, below the surface and in the tenous lunar exosphere to address the origin of water on Moon.
Why was the Lunar South Pole targeted for exploration?
The Lunar South pole is especially interesting because of the lunar surface area that remains in shadow is much larger than that at the North Pole.
- There could be a possibility of presence of water in permanently shadowed areas around it.
- In addition, South Pole region has craters that are cold traps and contain a fossil record of the early Solar System.
Launcher and the Spacecraft:
Launcher:
The GSLV Mk-III is India’s most powerful launcher to date, and has been completely designed and fabricated from within the country.
- The GSLV Mk-III will carry Chandrayaan 2 and Chandrayaan 3 to its designated orbit.
- This three-stage vehicle is India’s most powerful launcher to date, and is capable of launching 4-ton class of satellites to the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
Orbiter:
- Chandrayaan 2 Orbiter is capable of communicating with Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) at Byalalu as well as the Vikram Lander.
- The precise launch and mission management has ensured a mission life of almost seven years instead of the planned one year.
Lander — Vikram:
- The Lander of Chandrayaan-2 was named Vikram after Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, the Father of the Indian Space Programme.
- It was designed to function for one lunar day, which is equivalent to about 14 Earth days.
Rover — Pragyan:
Chandrayaan-2’s Rover was a 6-wheeled robotic vehicle named as Pragyan, which translates to ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit.
What happened to Chandrayaan-2?
The Orbiter and other instruments of Chandrayaan-2 mission have, in two years, gathered a wealth of new information that has added to our knowledge about the Moon and its environment.
- The Chandrayaan-2 mission, which was lost after it hard landed on the dark side of the Moon in 2019, remains active in the form of its orbiter hovering over the Moon.
- The lander and rover malfunctioned in the final moments and crash-landed, getting destroyed in the process.
The primary objective of Chandrayaan 2 was to demonstrate the ability to soft-land on the lunar surface and operate a robotic rover on the surface.
General Studies- III
Topic- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Drone Rules, 2021
Context:
As per Drone Rules, 2021, any person who intends to obtain the authorisation to establish a Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) shall submit an application to the Director General of Civil Aviation in Form D5 on the Digital Sky Platform, along with the specified fees.
As on 31 December 2021, nine remote pilot training organisations have been set up by entities under Government or private ownership.
Key takeaways from the Draft Drone Rules, 2021 include:
- Approvals abolished: unique authorisation number, unique prototype identification number, certificate of conformance, certificate of maintenance, import clearance, acceptance of existing drones, operator permit, authorisation of R&D organisation, student remote pilot licence, remote pilot instructor authorisation, drone port authorisation etc.
- Safety features like ‘No permission – no take-off’ (NPNT), real-time tracking beacon, geo-fencing etc. to be notified in future. A six-month lead time will be provided for compliance.
- Digital sky platform shall be developed as a business-friendly single-window online system.
- There will be minimal human interface on the digital sky platform and most permissions will be self-generated.
- Interactive airspace map with green, yellow, and red zones will be displayed on the digital sky platform.
- Yellow zone reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter.
- No flight permission required upto 400 feet in green zones and upto 200 feet in the area between 8 and 12 km from the airport perimeter.
- No pilot licence required for micro drones (for non-commercial use), nano drone and for R&D organisations.
- No restriction on drone operations by foreign-owned companies registered in India.
- Coverage of drones under Drone Rules, 2021 increased from 300 kg to 500 kg. This will cover drone taxis also.
- Maximum penalty under Drone Rules, 2021 reduced to INR 1 lakh. This shall, however, not apply to penalties in respect of violation of other laws.
- Drone corridors will be developed for cargo deliveries.
General Rules for Flying a Drone in India:
Based on our research and interpretation of the laws, here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in India.
- All drones except those in the Nano category must be registered and issued a Unique Identification Number (UIN).
- Drone pilots must maintain a direct visual line of sight at all times while flying.
- Drones cannot be flown more than 400 feet vertically.
- Drones cannot be flown in areas specified as “No Fly Zones”, which include areas near airports, international borders, Vijay Chowk in Delhi, State Secretariat Complex in State Capitals, strategic locations, and military installations.
- Foreigners currently are not allowed to fly drones in India.
- For commercial purpose they are required to lease the drone to an Indian entity that in turn supports to acquire UIN and UAOP from DGCA.
Drone Categories in India
Registration is required for all but the Nano category.
- Nano: Less than or equal to 250 grams
- Micro: From 250 grams to 2kg
- Small: From 2kg to 25kg
- Medium: From 25kg to 150kg
- Large: Greater than 150kg
Significance of Drones:
Use of drones in commercial, safety, law and order, disaster management and surveillance operations reduce manpower requirement and costs.
Drones offer low-cost, safe and quick aerial surveys for data collection and are useful for industries such as power, mining, realty and oil and gas exploration.
General Studies- III
Topic- Conservation related issues.
National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC)
Context:
NAFCC is implemented in project mode and till date, 30 projects are sanctioned in 27 States and UTs.
About NAFCC:
The National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) was established in August, 2015.
It aims to meet the cost of adaptation to climate change for the State and Union Territories of India that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
The projects under NAFCC prioritizes the needs that builds climate resilience in the areas identified under the SAPCC (State Action Plan on Climate Change) and the relevant Missions under NAPCC (National Action Plan on Climate Change).
Implementation:
- Considering the existing arrangement with NABARD as National Implementing Entity (NIE) for Adaptation Fund (AF) under Kyoto Protocol and its presence across the country, NABARD has been designated as National Implementing Entity (NIE) for implementation of adaptation projects under NAFCC.
NABARD would perform roles in facilitating identification of project ideas/concepts from State Action Plan for Climate Change (SAPCC), project formulation, appraisal, sanction, disbursement of fund, monitoring & evaluation and capacity building of stakeholders including State Governments.
NAFCC Outcome Framework:
Fund level outcome parameters will consist of the following:
- Reduced key risks and adverse impacts of climate change in water and agriculture sectors.
- Maximised multi-sectoral, cross-sectoral benefits/co-benefits to meet the challenges of water and food security.
- Human development, poverty alleviation, livelihood security an enhanced awareness of community.
- Strengthened institutional & individual capacity to reduce risks associated with climate-induced socioeconomic and environmental losses.
- Strengthened awareness and owners hip of adaptation and climate risk reduction processes at local level vi. Increased adaptive capacity within relevant development and natural resource sectors.
- Increased ecosystem resilience in response to climate change and variability-induced stress.
- Diversified and strengthened livelihoods and sources of income for vulnerable people in targeted areas.
- Improved policies and regulations that promote and enforce resilience measure.
India’s Stand at COP-26
Context:
India’s interests have been articulated in decisions adopted at COP 26.
- The announcement to intensify India’s climate action has the potential to bring investment and new technologies to support country’s transition to a clean and climate resilient economy.
- Many nations in the World have applauded the five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action.
Background:
The Government of India has articulated and put across the concerns of developing countries at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Five Nectar Elements (Panchamrit):
India has presented the following five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action:
- Reach 500 GW Non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
- 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
- Reduction of total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now to 2030.
- Reduction of the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent by 2030, over 2005 levels.
- Achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070.
Mantra of LIFE- Lifestyle:
The mantra of LIFE- Lifestyle for Environment to combat climate change was also shared in COP 26.
- It was stated that Lifestyle for Environment has to be taken forward as a campaign to make it a mass movement of Environment Conscious Lifestyles.
- The message conveyed by India was that the world needs mindful and deliberate utilization, instead of mindless and destructive consumption.
India’s approach:
- As a part of its overall approach, India emphasized the foundational principles of equity, and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
- It also highlighted that all countries should have equitable access to the global carbon budget, a finite global resource, for keeping temperature increase within the limits set by the Paris Agreement.
- And, all countries must stay within their fair share of this global carbon budget, while using it responsibly.
India also called on the developed countries for climate justice, and for undertaking rapid reductions in emissions during the current decade so as to reach net zero much earlier than their announced dates, as they have used more than their fair share of the depleting global carbon budget.
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