Mission SCOT

Context: The Prime Minister of India recently lauded the Indian space startup Digantara at the success of Mission SCOT.

Mission SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking)

• About: It is one of the world’s first commercial satellites for Space Situational Awareness (SSA), designed to enhance tracking and monitoring of Resident Space Objects (RSOs).
• Developer: Digantara, an Indian space startup supported by Aditya Birla Ventures and SIDBI.
• Launch Vehicle: Deployed onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission.
• Orbit: Operates in a sun-synchronous orbit for efficient Low Earth Orbit (LEO) tracking.
• Key Features
  • Capabilities:
    • Tracks Resident Space Objects (RSOs) as small as 5 cm.
    • Provides high revisit rates and superior tracking accuracy.
    • Monitors space debris, enhancing collision risk management and space traffic safety.
  • Technological Edge: Unaffected by traditional limitations like Field of View (FoV), weather, and geographic constraints.
    • Continuous and reliable surveillance for safer space operations.
• Aims and Objectives
  • Space Safety: Reduce collision risks through real-time space debris tracking.
    • Support effective space traffic management.
  • National Security: Strengthen capabilities for protecting space assets.
  • Filling Gaps: Address limitations of current space monitoring systems.

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About Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

• Space Situational Awareness (SSA) is the knowledge and practice of tracking space objects and their environment. 
• It’s a crucial part of space activities, helping to keep space safe and sustainable.

Keeling Curve

Context: Atmospheric CO₂ levels reached a record high in 2024, driven by wildfires and human activities, as reported by the Keeling Curve.

About Keeling Curve

• Definition: The Keeling Curve is a record of atmospheric CO₂ levels measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, US.
• Graph Representation: The graph illustrates the concentration of CO₂ in the Earth’s atmosphere over time, expressed in parts per million (ppm).
• Origin: The Keeling Curve was developed by Charles David Keeling, who began recording CO₂ levels in 1958.
• Seasonal Oscillations:
  • The curve exhibits a zigzag pattern due to seasonal fluctuations in CO₂ absorption:
    • CO₂ levels decrease in spring and summer as plants absorb more CO₂ for photosynthesis.
    • CO₂ levels increase in winter when plants decay and release CO₂.

Mannan Community

Context: The head of the Mannan community and the  only tribal king in Kerala  will participate in the Republic Day parade in Delhi as a guest of the Scheduled Tribes Development Department.

• This event marks the first time a tribal king will attend the Republic Day parade.

About Mannan Community

• Scheduled Tribe (ST) of Kerala: The Mannan community is recognized as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in Kerala.
• Unique Kingship: It is the only Adivasi tribal dynasty with a kingship currently existing in South India.
• Settlement Areas:
  • The community is mainly settled in the buffer zone of the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, specifically at Kozhimala.
  • Kozhimala serves as the hub of the tribe and consists of 48 settlements ruled by a king.
• Language: The Mannan community uses a unique dialect that blends elements of Tamil and Malayalam.
• Descent System: They follow a matrilineal system of descent.
• Election of the Ruler: The ruler, known as Raja Mannan, is elected by the community headmen from among those eligible by heredity.
• Unique Ritual Art:
  • The Mannan community performs a unique tribal art form called Mannankoothu.
  • This art form narrates stories from the classic Tamil poem Silappathikaram.

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Indian Navy vessel finishes hydrographic survey of Mauritius

Context: INS Sarvekshak, an Indian Navy vessel, completed the hydrographic survey of Mauritius, covering over 25,000 square nautical miles.

• The survey’s outputs, including fair sheets, nautical charts, and survey equipment, were officially handed over to Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool.

About Hydrographic Survey

• A hydrographic survey is the process of measuring and mapping water bodies like oceans, rivers, and lakes.
• It involves studying the depth, shape, tides, currents, and underwater features to ensure safe navigation, aid construction projects, and manage water resources. 
• These surveys use equipment like sonar, GPS, and echo sounders for accurate data collection

Significance of the Mission

• The newly developed nautical chart will aid Mauritius in enhancing maritime infrastructure, resource management, and coastal development planning.
• The initiative underscores the partnership between India and Mauritius in promoting maritime development and regional cooperation.
• It aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.

Indian Navy’s Hydrographic Efforts

• Over the last five years, Indian Navy survey ships have conducted joint operations with friendly nations, covering 89,000 sq. km and producing 96 nautical charts.
• They have contributed through capacity building and knowledge sharing, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region.

ISRO’s 100th Rocket Launch

Context: ISRO is set to achieve its 100th rocket launch in January 2025 with a GSLV mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

About the 100th Launch

• NavIC Satellite Constellation: It will also feature the NVS-02 satellite, part of ISRO’s effort to enhance the second-generation Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) services.

About Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)

• The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also called Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), is an indigenous navigation satellite system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• Operational Status: The IRNSS-NavIC project became fully operational in 2018.
• Satellite Constellation: It comprises seven satellites in geostationary and geosynchronous orbits, with plans for second-generation satellites like NVS-01 and NVS-02 to enhance coverage and accuracy.
• Applications: NavIC supports applications in agriculture, disaster management, fleet tracking, and military operations, ensuring self-reliance in navigation technology.
• Global Competitor: NavIC serves as an alternative to GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China), solidifying India’s position in global satellite navigation technology.

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Commerce Ministry sets a target of 10000 GI tags by 2030

Context: Recently, the Minister of Commerce & Industry set a target of reaching 10,000 Geographical Indication (GI) Tags by 2030,  at  the GI Samagam in New Delhi, organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and India Today Group.

• Currently, 605 GI tags have been issued by the department.
• Implementation Strategy
  • The government will constitute a committee to oversee the implementation of this target.
  • A “Whole of Government” approach will be followed to achieve the target.

About Geographical Indication (GI)

• A Geographical Indications tag is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a specific geographical region and having a distinctive quality or reputation.
• Prohibition: It  prevents its use by a third party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards. 
  • However, it does not enable the holder to prevent someone from making a product using the same techniques as those set out in the standards for that indication. 
• Applicability: It is used for Agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.
• Nodal Agency:  Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Validity: 10 years
• Granted by: Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai.
• Legal Framework: 
  • Agreement on TRIPS at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) governs GI.
  • The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India

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