SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Space Warfare and Technology
Context
- Indian Defence University (IDU) organized a workshop on “Space Warfare and Technology” in New Delhi.
What is the Space Warfare?
- Space warfare is combat that takes place in outer space.
- It includes ground-to-space warfare, such as attacking satellites from the Earth.
- And, space-to-space warfare, such as satellites attacking satellites.
- As of 2019 no actual warfare has ever taken place in space.
Strategically Importance of Space
- Space is a “war-fighting domain” and global powers like USA, Russia and China are already treating it as such.
- Much of our 21st-century economy and lifestyle – from bank transactions to weather forecasting to television service to the GPS directions – depends on satellites functioning round the clock and without interruption.
- The military depends on the satellites for various purposes.
- In 2007, China shot down one of its own satellites displaying its military power.
What are the Military application of satellites
Communication
Satellite communication is perhaps the most important space capability for a military, allowing for a real time command and control of forces deployed anywhere in the world.
Early warning
Early warning satellite system was created by the USA and the USSR to watch the missile attacks by other countries during cold war. Both the Russia and USA continue to update their systems today.
Intelligence
Intelligence satellites are used for imagery or signal interception. The most advanced remote sensing satellites are believed to have resolutions of up to six inches.
Navigation
Navigation satellites are used to guide soldiers, identify targets and for weaponry guidance. Currently USA Russia and china maintain navigation satellite constellations, while the EUs is still in development.
Threats to satellites
Jamming
The easiest way to negate a satellite is to disrupt its communications signals, and the technology required to do so is easily attainable.
Conventional weapons
The satellites could be directly targeted by Rockets and missiles from earth using more sophisticated sensor technology. Rockets and missile could also be used to release a payload of metal pellets or gravel into the path of a satellite.
Nuclear weapons
Detonate a nuclear weapon in space would create an electromagnetic pulse that would be highly destructive for all unprotected satellites in the area.
Direct energy weapons
Ground based low power lasers could be used to temporarily disrupt, or dazzle satellites, high- powered lasers could potentially be used to “heat to kill” electronics on satellites in low orbit.
Space based weapons
Space based negation technology would likely take the form of micro satellites that could be maneuvered near a satellite and exploded. However this technology is in theoretical stage.
Concerns of Militarization of Outer Space
- Anti-satellite technology has so far been in the hands of very few countries: United States, Russia and China.
- The acquisition and demonstration of this technology make India a member of an elite group of countries.
- Outer space is becoming an arena for technological shows of force whether by deployment of spy satellites or testing of weapons.
- Missiles and several equally effective methods warfare like lasers, to incapacitate satellites that are being developed and are of equally serious concern.
- As the regulation has vacuum, India has legitimate reasons to develop deterrence for the security of its space-based assets.
Needs to regularize outer space use
- Along with international law, there is need of separation between civilian and military use of outer space.
- International co-operation, free exchange of ideas across borders and import of technologies and products to bring transparency and to build confidence among nations.
Outer Space Treaty, 1967
- The Outer Space Treaty includes the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
- It is a treaty that forms the basis of international space law.
- The treaty included the following principles-
- The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind.
- Outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all States.
- Outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.
- States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner.
- The Moon and other celestial bodies shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
- Astronauts shall be regarded as the envoys of mankind.
- States shall be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental activities.
- States shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects.
- States shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies.
Current status of Outer Space Treaty, 1967
- As of February 2019, 108 countries are parties to the treaty, while another 23 have signed the treaty but have not completed ratification.
Needs to be done for India
- Given the prohibitively expensive nature of space projects, India and other countries must utilise the increased presence in space to legitimately advance the well-being of their people.
- India needs to emphasise is outlining rules for what is permissible. India has interests in ensuring that outer space is kept clean, safe and secure for future generations to use as well.
- India has successfully demonstrated its ASAT capability.
- It should play an important role in mitigating problems such as space debris, space traffic management, orbital frequency issues and other issues that are important for ensuring safe and secure access to outer space.
- India should partner with like-minded countries in initiating these conversations and take them to meaningful international platforms such as Conference on Disarmament, UN First Committee and UN Disarmament Commission.
Conclusion
- The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind.
- Given the consequences of space militarization a global regularization and treaty is need of hour.
GEOGRAPHY
Cyclonic Storm FANI
Context
- Tropical Cyclone Fani intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is well onto its path to becoming an extremely severe cyclone according to an IMD report.
- It could become an “extremely severe cyclone” prompting the government to put the NDRF and the Coast Guard on high alert.
- Essentials
- Tropical cyclones form over tropical oceans with surface temperatures above 26°C.
- Evaporation of immense amounts of water vapour under these high temperature conditions and the related condensation aloft provide ample energy for the cyclone dynamics, leading to high wind speed and extreme precipitation.
- These usual natural phenomena are occurring more frequently than usual due to various anthropogenic and changing natural factors.
What are the tropical cyclonic storms
- Tropical cyclone, also called typhoon or hurricane, an intense circular storm that originates over warm tropical oceans.
- These are characterized by low atmospheric pressure, high winds, and heavy rain.
- A tropical cyclone generates winds that exceed 119 km (74 miles) per hour. In extreme cases winds may exceed 240 km (150 miles) per hour, and gusts may surpass 320 km (200 miles) per hour.
- Cyclones are an arrangement of isobars and an area of low pressure, also known as a depression.
- Tropical cyclones are formed along the zone of confluence of north east and south east trade winds.
Ideal conditions for tropical cyclone
- There should be continuous supply of abundant warm and moist air.
- The sea temperature in lower latitude should be around 26-27oC.
- Existence of weak tropical depression.
- There should be presence of coriolis force.
How it is named
- Cyclone Fani is named by Bangladesh. It translates to “the hood of a snake”.
- The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has devised a mechanism where countries submit a list of names from time to time.
- Names of cyclones are chosen from this pool.
- For tropical cyclones developing in the North Indian Ocean, countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan and Thailand send their names to the regional tropical cyclone committee.
Highlights
- Fani is currently a “severe cyclonic storm” with wind speeds exceeding 100 km/hr.
- The government has put the NDRF and Coast Guard on high alert in the event the cyclone intensifies into a “severe cyclonic storm”.
ECONOMY
Electoral Bond Scheme 2018
Context
- Sale of Electoral Bonds at Authorized Branches of State Bank of India (SBI) (AMENDMENT)
What are electoral bonds?
- Electoral bond scheme is launched by the central government had on January 29, 2018.
- It is like a promissory note that can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India from select branches of State Bank of India.
- Electoral bonds will allow donors to pay political parties using banks as an intermediary.
Who can receive electoral bonds?
- The bonds will be issued in multiples of ₹1,000, ₹10,000, ₹1 lakh, ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore and will be available at specified branches of State Bank of India.
- They can be bought by the donor with a KYC-compliant account.
- Donors can donate the bonds to their party of choice which can then be cashed in via the party’s verified account within 15 days.
- These bonds can only be encashed by political parties, which had secured at least 1 per cent of the votes polled in the most recent Lok Sabha or state election.
Utility of Electoral Bonds
- In previous system the donor, the donee, the quantum of donations and the nature of expenditure were all undisclosed.
- Electoral bond system will encourage political donations of clean money from individuals, companies, HUF, religious groups, charities, etc.
- Some element of transparency would be introduced.
Concerns
- The move could be misused, given the lack of disclosure requirements for individuals purchasing electoral bonds.
- Electoral bonds make electoral funding even more opaque. It will bring more and more black money into the political system.
- With electoral bonds there can be a legal channel for companies to round-trip their tax haven cash to a political party.
- Electoral bonds eliminate the 7.5% cap on company donations which means even loss-making companies can make unlimited donations.
- Companies no longer need to declare the names of the parties to which they have donated so shareholders won’t know where their money has gone.
