Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT)
MIRV: Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicle In March 2019, India successfully tested its ASAT missile. The ASAT missile destroyed a live satellite in Low Earth orbit (283-kilometre). As per DRDO, the missile is capable of shooting down targets moving at a speed of 10 km per second at an altitude as high as 1200 km. […]
Prithvi Missiles
All the Prithvi variants are surface-to-surface SRBMs. Name Version Range Payload in kg Prithvi I Army version 150 km 1000 Prithvi II Air force version 350 km 500 Prithvi III Naval version 600 km 1000 Agni Missiles Name Type Range Payload in kg Agni-I MRBM 700 – 900 km 1,000 Agni-II MRBM 2,000 – 3,000 km 750 […]
Notable Missile Systems in India and their details
Missile Type Range Astra air-to-air 80 km Trishul surface-to-air 9 km Akash 30 km Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) 2000 km Nag surface-to-surface Anti-tank missile 4 km Prahaar surface-to-surface SRBM 150 km BrahMos land, naval, air Supersonic Cruise Missile 300 km Nirbhay land, naval, air Subsonic Cruise Missile […]
DRUG FOR SEPSIS TO BE TESTED FOR COVID-19
Why in news? Sepsivac, a drug jointly developed by the Ahmedabad-based Cadilla Pharmaceuticals and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will be tested in 50 COVID-19 patients. Results from a human trial are expected in the next two months. What is Sepsivac and can it be used for COVID-19? Sepsivac was originally developed […]
WHERE DOES COVID-19 VIRUS FIRST STRIKE?
Why in news? Scientists reported that they have identified two specific types of cells in the nose as the likely initial infection points for SARS-CoV2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. How does it work? The entry of the virus takes place by means of a “lock and key” effect. Like all coronaviruses, SARS-CoV2 consists […]
AT THE EDGE OF A NEW NUCLEAR ARMS RACE
Why in news? In mid-April, a report issued by the United States State Department on “Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments (Compliance Report)” raised concerns that China might be conducting nuclear tests with low yields at its Lop Nur test site, in violation of its Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty […]
NATURAL PRODUCT-BASED ALZHEIMER INHIBITOR
Why in news? JNCASR scientists have modified the structure of Berberine, a natural and cheap product similar to curcumin, available commercially, into Ber-D to use as an Alzheimer’s inhibitor. Details Berberine is poorly soluble and toxic to cells, so they had to modify berberine to Ber-D, which is a soluble (aqueous), antioxidant. Ber-D was found […]
K9 VAJRA-T Gun
The K9 VAJRA-T 155mm/ 52 is a tracked self-propelled howitzer (a short gun for firing shells on high trajectories at low velocities), which has its roots in the K9 Thunder, the mainstay of the South Korean Army. It offers a high rate of fire at long-range and is compatible with Indian and standard North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ammunition. The K9 Thunder […]
Digital Sky Platform
Digital Sky Platform, as part of Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR), for registration of drones, pilots, and operators for online permission was recently launched. Nano drones in India can start flying legally from now. For micro and above categories, operators and pilots are required to register on the Digital Sky Portal. Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR): In […]
Bhabha Kavach
It is the India’s lightest and cheapest ‘bullet-proof jacket’ fortheCRPF and the Ministry of Home Affairs personnel. It is indigenously developed by the Ordnance Factories Board, a public sector undertaking MIDHANI along with BARC. It is named after nuclear physicist Dr. Homi J. Bhabha. The jacket weighs just 6.6 kg in comparison to the 17-kg jackets in use. It can […]