Today's Brief 2/01/2025

IE Analysis:https://youtu.be/7JjAllle-x4?feature=shared

JN Analysis:https://youtu.be/tpO2FHRlo7Q?feature=shared

1 .SpaDeX: is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the demonstration of in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV. This technology is essential for India’s space ambitions such as Indian on Moon, sample return from the Moon, the building and operation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), etc.

In-space docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required to achieve common mission objectives. Through this mission, India is marching towards becoming the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology.

Objectives:

The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, nominally) in a low-Earth circular orbit. Secondary objectives include:

• Demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft, which is essential for future applications such as in-space robotics,

• Composite spacecraft control, and

• Payload operations after undocking.

Mission Concept:

The SpaDeX mission consists of two small spacecraft (about 220 kg each) to be launched by PSLV-C60, independently and simultaneously, into a 470 km circular orbit at 55° inclination, with a local time cycle of about 66 days. The demonstrated precision of the PSLV vehicle will be utilized to give a small relative velocity between the Target and Chaser spacecraft at the time of separation from the launch vehicle.

This incremental velocity will allow the Target spacecraft to build a 10-20 km inter-satellite separation with respect to the Chaser within a day. At this point, the relative velocity between the Target will be compensated using the propulsion system of the Target spacecraft.

At the end of this drift arrest maneuver, the Target and Chaser will be in the same orbit with identical velocity but separated by about 20 km, known as Far Rendezvous. With a similar strategy of introducing and then compensating for a small relative velocity between the two spacecraft, the Chaser will approach the Target with progressively reduced inter-satellite distances of 5 km, 1.5 km, 500 m, 225 m, 15 m, and 3 m, ultimately leading to the docking of the two spacecraft.

After successful docking and rigidization, electrical power transfer between the two satellites will be demonstrated before undocking and separation of the two satellites to start the operation of their respective payloads for the expected mission life of up to two years.

The indigenous technologies developed for enabling this docking mission are as follows:

• Docking mechanism,

• A suite of four rendezvous and docking sensors,

• Power transfer technology,

• Indigenous novel autonomous rendezvous and docking strategy,

• Inter-satellite communication link (ISL) for autonomous communication between spacecraft, incorporated with inbuilt intelligence to know the states of the other spacecraft,

• GNSS-based Novel Relative Orbit Determination and Propagation (RODP) processor to determine the relative position and velocity of the other spacecraft,

• Simulation test beds for both hardware and software design validation and testing.

In addition, SpaDeX, because of its small size and mass, is even more challenging due to the finer precision required for the rendezvous and docking maneuvers compared to docking two large spacecraft. This mission will be a forerunner for autonomous docking needed for future lunar missions like Chandrayaan-4 without the support of GNSS from Earth.

Docking Mechanism:

The docking mechanism is a low-impact docking system (approach velocity is in the order of 10 mm/s), androgynous (docking systems are identical for both spacecraft, Chaser & Target), and is a peripheral docking system (concept similar to the International Docking System Standard used by other agencies for human missions).

The mechanism is smaller (450 mm) with one degree of freedom for extension and uses two motors compared to the IDSS (800 mm) on a hexapod with 24 motors. Multiple test beds were established to test the hardware and software simulation of the docking kinematics to verify and finalise the docking approach parameters.

2 .Binodini Mancha: is the new name of the Star Theatre in Kolkata, West Bengal. It was renamed in December 2024 to honor Binodini Dasi, a 19th-century Bengali actress who is considered one of the pioneers of Bengali theatre.

Binodini Dasi was born in a brothel in Calcutta in 1863. She was forced into prostitution at a young age, but she was able to escape and become a successful actress. She was known for her powerful performances and her ability to connect with audiences.

Binodini Dasi's career spanned over 30 years. She performed in a variety of plays, including historical dramas, comedies, and social dramas. She was also a popular singer and dancer.

In 1926, Binodini Dasi died of cancer. She was buried at the Brahmo Samaj Cemetery in Kolkata.

The renaming of the Star Theatre to Binodini Mancha is a recognition of Binodini Dasi's contribution to Bengali theatre. It is also a recognition of her as a strong and independent woman who overcame adversity to achieve success.

3 .BIO-E3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Employment, and Environment) Policy: is a significant initiative by the Indian government. Here's a breakdown:

Key Objectives:

• Boosting Biomanufacturing: The core focus is on scaling up high-performance biomanufacturing in India. This involves producing a wide range of products like medicines, materials, and biofuels using biological processes.

• Economic Growth: The policy aims to contribute substantially to India's economic growth by establishing a strong bioeconomy. This includes fostering innovation, attracting investments, and creating a thriving ecosystem for bio-based industries.

• Environmental Sustainability: A key aspect is promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. This involves utilizing renewable resources, reducing carbon emissions, and developing solutions for environmental challenges like pollution and climate change.

• Job Creation: The policy seeks to generate numerous employment opportunities, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, by supporting the growth of the biotechnology sector.

Key Features:

• Focus on Thematic Sectors: The policy identifies six key sectors for targeted development:

  • Smart Proteins & Functional Foods

  • High-Value Bio-based Chemicals, Biopolymers & Enzymes

  • Precision Biotherapeutics

  • Climate-Resilient Agriculture

  • Carbon Capture 1  & Utilization   

4 .One Nation One Subscription: Nearly 6,400 institutions across the country including Higher Educational Institutions i.e. central and state universities, colleges (including all medical colleges) and central government R&D institutions will benefit from ONOS.

This translates to nearly 1.8 Crore students, faculty and researchers across the country getting access to more than 13,000 journals from 30 publishers including the top 4 global publishers i.e. Elsevier, Springer-Nature, Taylor & Francis and Wiley.

As part of the recent Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act, the Government plans to seed and promote a vibrant research culture in the tier-2 and tier-3 higher educational institutions.

Through ONOS, many such institutions will begin to get access to journals, which is a necessity for doing research. Under ONOS, the govt. has negotiated for national licenses for e-journal subscriptions with 30 publishers, thus consolidating various consortia/institutional subscriptions. In addition to the above, it is also planned to have a consolidated central funding to support Indian authors to pay for APCs for good quality OA journals

5 .ONDC:  Open Network for Digital Commerce. It's a government-backed initiative in India aimed at creating a more open and inclusive e-commerce ecosystem

is an initiative aiming at promoting open networks for all aspects of exchange

of goods and services over digital or electronic networks. ONDC is to be based on open-sourced methodology, using open specifications and open network protocols independent of any specific platform.

The foundations of ONDC are to be open protocols for all aspects in the entire chain of activities in exchange of goods and services, similar to hypertext transfer protocol for information exchange over internet, simple mail transfer protocol for exchange of emails and unified payments interface for payments.

These open protocols would be used for establishing public digital infrastructure in the form of open registries and open network gateways to enable exchange of information between providers and consumers. Providers and consumers would be able to use any compatible application of their choice for exchange of information and carrying out transactions over ONDC.

Thus, ONDC goes beyond the current platform-centric digital commerce model where the buyer and seller have to use the same platform or application to be digitally visible and do a business transaction.

ONDC protocols would standardize operations like cataloguing, inventory management, order management and order fulfilment. Thus, small businesses would be able to use any ONDC compatible applications instead of being governed by specific platform centric policies. This will provide multiple options to small businesses to be discoverable over network and conduct business. It would also encourage easy adoption of digital means by those currently not on digital commerce networks. 

ONDC is expected to make e-Commerce more inclusive and accessible for consumers. Consumers can potentially discover any seller, product or service by using any compatible application or platform, thus increasing freedom of choice for consumers. It will enable the consumers to match demand with the nearest available supply. This would also give consumers the liberty to choose their preferred local businesses.

Thus, ONDC would standardize operations, promote inclusion of local suppliers, drive efficiencies in logistics and lead to enhancement of value for consumers.

Thanks For Visiting!!