[Newsbits] 2-9.07.2024: Zorawar Tank, GOLD Satellite, Great Nicobar Project & More

India has launched the “Fauna of India Checklist Portal,” listing 1,04,561 species, making it the first country to document all its wildlife. The portal, launched in Kolkata on the 109th Foundation Day of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, includes 121 checklists for 36 phyla and details on endemic, endangered, and scheduled species. This initiative aids conservation, scientific research, and policy-making. It positions India as a global leader in biodiversity documentation, with significant programs like “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and the International Big Cat Alliance showcasing its commitment to conservation.

The India-Bangladesh Defence Industrial Partnership has significantly advanced since Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India in June. A notable outcome is the Bangladesh Navy’s purchase of an 800-ton oceangoing tug made by India’s GRSE, funded by a line of credit. This vessel, capable of towing, rescue, and pollution control, underscores the growing defense collaboration. The partnership extends to broader defense cooperation, including joint military exercises, coordinated maritime patrols, and economic support, such as a $500 million Line of Credit from India. These efforts aim to enhance regional stability and strengthen bilateral ties in South Asia.

SEBEX 2 is a highly advanced explosive developed by the Indian Navy in collaboration with Solar Industries and Economic Explosives Limited (EEL). It is 2.01 times more powerful than TNT, utilizing High-Melting Explosives (HMX) to significantly enhance the destructive power of various munitions without adding extra weight. This makes SEBEX 2 one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosives globally. The Indian Navy has also certified other innovative explosives like SITBEX 1, a thermobaric explosive, and SIMEX 4, which is safer for handling and storage. These developments mark significant advancements in India’s defense capabilities.

Oran Knowlson, a UK teenager, became the first person to receive a brain implant for epilepsy control, reducing his seizures by 80%. Epilepsy, often causing jerking movements, confusion, and loss of consciousness, can be triggered by head injuries, tumors, or genetic conditions. Standard treatments include anti-seizure drugs, but 30% of patients are resistant. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), traditionally used for movement disorders, involves an electrical stimulator implanted in the brain. Oran’s innovative treatment involved direct brain implantation, improving seizure control. However, DBS is costly, with the device and surgery totaling around 17 lakh rupees, compared to traditional surgery costing 20,000 to 30,000 rupees.

The Aditya-L1 mission, India’s first solar study, reached its target halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point L1 on January 6, 2024, after launching on September 2, 2023. The halo orbit, with a 178-day revolution time, crosses the Sun-Earth line and requires balanced orbital motion. The mission faces challenges from solar radiation and gravitational pulls, necessitating station-keeping maneuvers on February 22, June 7, and July 2 to correct deviations. ISRO’s advanced in-house flight dynamics software ensured accurate maneuvers. A visual representation in ISRO’s press release shows the planned and possible deviated orbits, simplifying the mission’s complex 3D dynamics.