Science & technology

To prepare for the next mission to Mars in 2020, NASA has taken to the lava fields of Iceland to get its new robotic space explorer ready for the job. With its black basalt sand, wind-swept dunes and craggy peaks, the Lambahraun lava field at the foot of Iceland’s second …

Nanopowder may replace commercially available substitute Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT-H) and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, have developed a process by which bone implant materials can be synthesised from eggshells. The research seeks to produce bone substitute materials such as tricalcium phosphate, a …

It is to enter the lunar orbit on Aug. 20 The Chandrayaan-2 lunar lander-orbiter was on Wednesday set on course to exit earth’s gravity as it began a seven-day journey to the moon in the wee hours, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said. The spacecraft, which was launched on …

Still a month away from its scheduled landing on the moon, Chandrayaan-2 on Tuesday had its orbit slung further towards the moon at 1.42 lakh km from the earth. “The next manoeuvre is the Trans Lunar Insertion (TLI), which is scheduled for August 14 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.,” …

Data sets compared by machine learning techniques can predict risk of cancer and other diseases The Department of Biotechology (DBT) plans to scan nearly 20,000 Indian genomes over five years, in a two-phase exercise, and develop diagnostic tests that can be used for cancer. The first phase involves sequencing the …

The Defence Research Development Organisation on Sunday successfully test-fired the indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur. “Two missiles have been tested against two live targets, meeting complete mission objectives of engaging the targets. The systems have been tested in final configuration …

Airport rolls out biometric-based self-boarding facility Passengers at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) will soon have the option of boarding their flight without producing travel documents at each touch point, with the KIA rolling out a biometric-based self-boarding facility. Vistara passengers travelling from Bengaluru to Mumbai on Monday were the …

“All these cryptocurrencies have been created by non-sovereigns.” The report went on to highlight the fact that crypto-currencies do not have any intrinsic value of their own and lack any of the attributes of a currency. “Therefore, the Committee is of clear view that the private crytocurrencies should not be …

‘Lunar programme will get boost thanks to Chandrayaan-2’ The launch of Chandrayaan-2 illustrates the prowess of Indian scientists and the determination of 130 crore countrymen to scale new frontiers of science, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday. Soon after the launch, the PM took to Twitter to hail the …

China’s Chang’e mission in December July 2019 is a special year for space history. Other than it being the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2 into earth orbit, it also marks the 50th anniversay of the famed Apollo 11 mission of July 1969 that for the first time saw humans land on …