UPSC QUIZ 06.10.2023

Explanation:

• US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued its first fine related to space debris rule violations.
• Dish Network has been fined $150,000 for failing to properly deorbit its EchoStar-7 satellite, which has been in space for over two decades.
• Instead of deorbiting the satellite as required, Dish sent it into a “disposal orbit” at a lower altitude, posing a risk of orbital debris.

Background

• Dish Network launched the EchoStar-7 satellite into geostationary orbit in 2002.
• In 2012, Dish agreed to an orbital debris mitigation plan, which involved moving the satellite to a “graveyard orbit” upon completing its mission to prevent it from posing a risk to active satellites.
• In 2022, Dish discovered that the satellite was low on propellant and could not reach its intended destination.
• As a result, the satellite ended up only 76 miles (122 km) above the active geostationary orbit areas, significantly off its planned trajectory

Explanation:

• Researchers at the Materials Research Centre (MRC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have achieved a breakthrough in wastewater treatment and potential medical diagnostics.
• They’ve developed a cutting-edge enzyme mimetic called “NanoPtA” that can effectively degrade toxic chemicals in industrial wastewater when exposed to sunlight.
• This innovative nanozyme not only addresses the limitations of natural enzymes but also has promising applications in healthcare.

Challenges with Natural Enzymes

• Natural enzymes, crucial for biological reactions, face limitations such as sensitivity to damage, complex production processes, high costs, and difficulty in recycling.
• Mass-producing natural enzymes is expensive and time-consuming, often relying on the availability of specific organisms like fungi. Storage of natural enzymes also requires cool temperatures, making them impractical for many applications.

Explanation:

• According to Tea Board data, tea production in the country has declined by about 4% this year to 17.79 crore kg in August 2023.
• Whereas in August 2022, tea production was more than 18.54 crore kilograms.
• According to Tea Board data, North India, mainly Assam and P. Tea production in Bengal decreased to 15.80 crore kg, which was slightly more than 17.09 crore kg in August, 2022.
• Tea production in Assam decreased from 10.98 crore kg to 9.97 crore kg. Similarly P. Production in Bengal came down from 5.61 crore kg to 5.36 crore kg.
• The main reasons for decline in tea production are adverse weather conditions and pest attack.

Explanation:

• Assam government gave in-principle approval to the process of socio-economic assessment of five indigenous Muslim communities.
• The Assam government has given in-principle approval to begin the process of socio-economic assessment of five indigenous Muslim communities – Goriya, Moriya, Deshi, Syed, and Jolha.
• This decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati.
• CM has instructed the concerned officials to take necessary measures to ensure socio-economic assessment.
• The data obtained from the assessment can be used by the Government of Assam to take steps for comprehensive socio-political, educational, and economic upliftment of these communities.
• The state cabinet has already approved indigenous status for these five communities.
• In 2022, the Chief Minister had participated in an interactive session with intellectuals and prominent citizens of these communities.
• Subsequently, several sub-committees of their representatives were formed to deliberate on various issues related to the community.

Explanation:

• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh launched Swavalamban 2.0.
• Swavalamban 2.0 is the Navy's updated indigenous programme.
• He addressed the Indian Navy's Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar 'Swavlamban' in New Delhi.
• He also released the fifth Positive Indigenisation list of 98 items.
• Raksha Mantri said that the list shows the major step in the Indigenisation process of the Armed forces.
• He talked about the 'SPRINT’ Challenges. The objective of Sprint innovative challenge is to promote the use of indigenous technology and products in the Navy.
• In July 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled 'SPRINT Challenges'.
• Under 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', NIIO and the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) aim at inducting at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy.