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    (The Gist of PIB) 3rd RE-INVEST [AUGUST-2019]

3rd RE-INVEST

    (The Gist of PIB) Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha [AUGUST-2019]

    (The Gist of PIB) Report of the Competition Law Review Committee submitted to Union Finance and Corporate

    (The Gist of PIB) Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation [AUGUST-2019]

Exam Name: CS (MAIN) EXAM:2018 GEOLOGY (Paper II)
Marks: 250
Time Allowed : Three Hours

SECTION-A

1. (a) Five-fold rotational symmetry is not possible in minerals' - justify the statement. 10 marks
1. (b) Explain the symmetry elements in a stereogram of general form {hkil) in the hexagonal-scalenohedral class. 10 marks
1. (c) Explain the role of decompression in magma generation. 10 marks
1.(d) Illustrate with neat sketches the formation of porphyritic and ophitic textures in gabbroic rocks using suitable binary phase diagram of pyroxene and plagioclase feldspar. 10 marks
1.(e) What are sparry allochemical carbonate rocks ? Comment on their depositional environment. 10 marks

2. (a) llustrate with neat sketches internal structure of pyroxene group of minerals, Give a generalized classification of pyroxene group based on composition. 20 marks
2. (b) Illustrate with neat sketches internal structure of calcite. How would you explain the differences in the internal structure of calcite and its polymorph aragonite ? 20 marks
2.(c) Explain with the help of indicatrix diagram how the birefringence of a uniaxial mineral depends on crystallographic orientation of the mineral thin-section when studied under petrological microscope. 10 marks

3.(a) What are continental flood basalts ? Illustrate with example from India. Discuss the petrogenesis and tectonic significance of such basalts. 20 marks
3.(b) Illustrate with appropriate mineral reactions prograde metamorphism of argillaceous sedimentary rocks. 20 marks
3.(c) What are migmatites ? Comment on their origin. 10 marks

4.(a) Illustrate with neat sketches primary sedimentary structures in sands from bed load transport. How such structures can be used for interpretation of depositional environments ? 20 marks
4.(b) Give a generalized classification of sandstone. State genetic significance of such classification. 20 marks
4.(c) Why are 'fining upward' facies sequences considered as one of the most important criteria for recognizing deposits of meandering fluvial depositional system? 10 marks

section-B

5.(a) Calculate the wt. % of iron in the following minerals, and arrange these minerals in order of increasing iron content. (Atomic weight of Fe=56, Cr=52, Ti = 48 and O=16) Tlmenite, magnetite, chromite, hematite. 10 marks
5.(b) Describe the geology of Neyveli lignite deposit and the unique problem in mining of this deposit. 10 marks
5.(c) What are the types of samples collected and analysed in geochemical exploration programmes? Which one of these samples is generally preferred and why is it preferred ? 10 marks
5.(d) What are the surface manifestations of mineral deposits useful in mineral prospecting ? 10 marks
5.(e) Explain the mineralogical phase changes in the mantle of Earth with depth. 10 marks

6.(a) Explain the hydrothermal process of ore formation. Draw neat sketches illustrating important types of hydrothermal deposits formed in sea floor. 20 marks
6.(b) Describe the geological characteristics of well-known copper deposits from different cratons of the Indian shield. 20 marks
6.(c) Some ore deposit types have formed during specific geological periods. Explain with suitable examples the causes for time-bound nature of these deposits. 10 marks

7.(a) What is path-finder element in geochemical exploration ? Explain the selection of path-finder elements and their application with suitable examples. 20 marks
7.(b) Explain the process of mineral beneficiation by froth flotation and its application for sulphide ores. 20 marks
7.(c)Five trenches are made at 20 m interval perpendicular to the strike direction of an 80 m long NE-SW trending molybdenite mineralised vein. The width of vein (in m) and assay value of Mo (in wt. %) in each trench (from NE to SW) are listed below: 10 marks

8.(a) Give the classification of meteorites. How does the study of meteorites help in understanding the internal composition of the Earth? 20 marks
8.(b) llustrate different type of mass wasting processes with suitable examples. Enumerate preventive measures for the mitigation of hazards from mass wasting. 20 marks
8.(c) What are the sources of groundwater pollution ? Suggest preventive measures to control groundwater contamination. 10 marks

Exam Name: CS (MAIN) EXAM:2018 GEOLOGY (Paper I)
Marks: 250
Time Allowed : Three Hours

SECTION-A

Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10x5=50 marks

(a) "Geomorphology is intimately related to tectonics." Explain with suitable examples. 10 marks
(b) What are stream order and mean bifurcation ratio of a drainage basin ? Discuss their significance in the morphometric analysis of a drainage basin. 10 marks
(c) Discuss about the Circum-Pacific volcanic belt. Which five countries have the highest volcanic threat in terms of human loss? 10 marks
(d) Differentiate between True Colour Composite (TCC) and False Colour Composite (FCC). Explain its importance in interpreting remote sensing images. 10 marks
(e) Write about different types of unconformities and their significance. 10 marks

Q2. (a) Describe a desert and discuss how a desert is classified. Discuss the morphology of a dune and conditions favouring formation of different dune types. 20 marks
(b) Describe the different satellite orbits and their relative advantages. 15 marks
(c) What are shear zones ? Explain diagrammatically the transition from brittle fault to ductile shear at depth. 15 marks

Q3. (a) Describe different types of plate boundaries with suitable sketches. 20 marks
(b) Describe 'Spectral Signature' and add a note on the spectral reflectance pattern of rocks, vegetation and water bodies. 15 marks
(c) What are strain markers ? Discuss their significance. 15 marks

Q4. (a) Discuss the mechanism of faulting. 20 marks
(b) Describe the different types of coastal landforms. 15 marks
(c) What are meteorites ? Discuss different types of meteorites. 15 marks

section-B

Q5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10x5=50 marks

(a) Discuss the modes of fossilization of hard parts of an organism. 10 marks
(b) "Microfossils are superior to megafossils in correlation." Comment on the statement.
(c) State the methods of groundwater exploration. 10 marks
(d) Explain the geological considerations for construction of roads in hilly terrain. 10 marks 10 marks
(e) Discuss the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary problem in the Indian geological context. 10 marks

Q6. (a) Give an account of evolutionary trends in Proboscidea. 20 marks

(b) Write short notes on the following: 15 marks

(i) Lower Gondwana Group
(ii) Karewa Group
(iii) Krol Group

(c) Give a succinct account of life during Vindhyan times. 15 marks

Q7. (a) What are the different types of landslides ? Discuss their controlling measures. 20 marks
(b) Give a brief account of the stratigraphy of Mesozoic rocks of Kachchh. 15 marks
(c) Discuss the significance of fossils in paleoclimatic studies. 15 marks

Q8. (a) Discuss the geological considerations for selection of sites for bridges. 20 marks
(b) What do you understand by spring sanctuaries ? Describe the various types of springs. 15 marks
(c) Discuss the stratigraphy of the Siwalik supergroup and comment on its vertebrate fossils. 15 marks

State: Uttar Pradesh (UPPSC)

Subject: General Studies Paper - 1

Year : 2018

1. As a result of global warming the frequency and severity of which of the following are increasing due to global warming ?

(a) Cyclones only
(b) Storms only
(c) Hurricanes only
(d) All of the above

2. Which of the following is NOT an example of in-situ conservation strategy?

(a) Biosphere reserve
(b) Botenical garden
(c) National Park
(d) Sacred groves

3. Ultra-violet radiation from sun light causes the reaction that produce which of the following ?

(a) CO
(b) so2
(c) 03
(d) Fluorides

4. Norman Borlaug was given Nobel Prize in which field ?

(a) Agriculture
(b) Economics
(c) Medicine
(d) Peace

5. Which of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched ?

(a) Renneting-Cheese
(b) Genetic Engineering-Plasmids
(c) Golden rice-Vitamin A
(d) Ozone layer-Troposphere

6. Which of the following pairs is NOTE correctly matched ?

(a) Bandipur National Park-Karnataka
(b) Manas Wildlife Sanctuary-Assam
(c) Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary-Kerala
(d) Simlipal National Park-Madhya Pradesh

7. According to J.V. Narlikar which of the following has so far NOT been considered as a science ?

(a) Astrology
(b) Astronomy
(c) Cosmology
(d) Nanotechnology

8. Which of the following was invented by Wilhelm Roentgen ?

(a) Radio
(b) X-Ray Machine
(c) Electric Bulb
(d) None of the above

9. Double-helical structure of DNA was given by whom ?

(a) Jacob and Monod
(b) Watson and Crick
(c) H.G. Khorana
(d) None of the above

10. Which of the following electro magnetic radiations has the maximum energy ?

(a) Visible light
(b) Infrared rays
(c) Ultraviolet rays
(d) X-rays

11. Methane is emitted from which of the following ?

(a) Paddy fields only
(b) Termitary only
(c) Both from (a) and (b)
(d) None of the above

12. Which of the following elements is a semi conductor ?

(a) Aluminium
(b) Silicon
(c) Silver
(d) Lead

13. How many types of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity in that order has been mentioned in the preamble of constitution of India ?

(a) 3, 5, 2, 1
(b) 1,3,5,2
(c) 2,5, 3, 1
(d) 5, 2, 1,3 14.

14. Who was the UPA candidate for the 2017 Presidential election ?

(a) Ms. Meira Kumar
(b) Mr. Gopal Krishna Gandhi
(c) Dr. Karan Singh
(d) None of the above

15. Who was the first Vice-Chairman of the NITI Ayog ?

(a) Arvind Panagariya
(b) Raghuram Rajan
(c) Chandrashekhara Subramanyam
(d) Rajiv Kumar

16. Which of the following is the first State in India formed on the basis of languages ?

(a) Kerala
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Uttar Pradesh

17. Which of the following is an extra constitutional agency?

(a) Union Public Service Commission
(b) Finance Commission
(c) Election Commission
(d) NITI Ayog

18. The recommendations of Sarkaria Commission relate to which of the following ?

(a) Distribution of revenue
(b) Power and functions of the President
(c) Membership of Parliament
(d) Centre-State relations

19 The Parliamentary form of Government was first introduce in which country?

(a) Great Britain (UK)
(b) Belgium
(c) France
(d) Switzerland

20. The Council of States has exclusive powers in relation to which of the following ?

(a) To initiate proceedings for the removal of the President
(b) To initiate proceedings for the removal of a judges of the Supreme Court
(c) To recommend creation of a new All India Service
(d) None of the above

DOWNLOAD Uttar Pradesh PSC Question Papers PDF

DOWNLOAD UPSC MAINS GS 10 Year PAPERS PDF

DOWNLOAD UPSC MAINS GS SOLVED PAPERS PDF

उत्तर प्रदेश PSC (Preliminary) Exam (GS Paper-1) स्टडी किट

    (The Gist of PIB) 66th National Film Awards for 2018 [AUGUST-2019]

    (The Gist of PIB) Vice President advocates Supreme Court Benches in different regions [AUGUST-2019]

    (The Gist of PIB) National Youth Awards [AUGUST-2019]

    (The Gist of PIB) Swachh Survekshan 2020 [AUGUST-2019]

Swachh Survekshan 2020

• Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs launched the Swachh Survekshan 2020 (SS 2020), the SBM Water PLUS Protocol and Toolkit, Swachh Nagar – an integrated waste management app and AI enabled mSBM App.

Key highlights

• Swachh Survekshan 2020 (SS 2020): It will be the fifth edition of the annual cleanliness survey. It will be conducted in January 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• SBM Water PLUS Protocol: Moving beyond ODF, ODF+ and ODF++, the Water PLUS protocol aims to provide a guideline for cities and towns to ensure that no untreated wastewater is released into the environment thereby enabling sustainability of the sanitation value chain.
• Swachh Nagar Mobile App: It is an integrated waste management app to tackle several issues that hinder effective waste management such as lack of monitoring, collection of segregated waste, and tracking the movement of waste vehicles and waste pickers, amongst others.
• AI enabled mSBM App: It has been developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to facilitate the applicants of Individual Household Toilets (IHHL) under SBM-U know the status of their application in real-time after uploading the photograph.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

    (The Gist of PIB) High Level Committee on CSR recommends CSR expenditure to be made tax deductible expenditure [AUGUST-2019]

High Level Committee on CSR recommends CSR expenditure to be made tax deductible expenditure

• Injeti Srinivas, Secretary (Corporate Affairs), presented the Report of the High Level Committee on Corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the Union Minister of Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman.

About:

• The High Level Committee on CSR was constituted in October, 2018 under the Chairmanship of Injeti Srinivas, Secretary (Corporate Affairs).
• To review the existing CSR framework and make recommendations on strengthening the CSR ecosystem, including monitoring implementation and evaluation of outcomes.

Recommendations of the Committee:

• Making CSR expenditure tax deductible,
• Provision for carry forward of unspent balance for a period of 3 – 5 years,
• Aligning Schedule 7 with the SDGs by adopting a SDG plus framework (which would additionally include sports promotion, Senior Citizens’ welfare, welfare of differently abled persons, disaster management and heritage protection),
• Balancing local area preferences with national priorities,
• Introducing impact assessment studies for CSR obligation of 5 crore or more,
• Registration of implementation agencies on MCA portal,
• Developing a CSR exchange portal to connect contributors, beneficiaries and agencies,
• Allowing CSR in social benefit bonds,
• Promoting social impact companies and third party assessment of major CSR projects,
• Companies having CSR prescribed amount below Rs. 50 lakh may be exempted from constituting a CSR Committee and.
• Violation of CSR compliance may be made a civil offence and shifted to the penalty regime.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(Download) CS (MAIN) EXAM:2018 Electrical Engineering

Exam Name: CS (MAIN) EXAM:2018 Electrical Engineering
Marks: 250
Time Allowed : Three Hours

File Type: PDF

(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Exam 2018

Economics (Paper-2)

Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains Economics (Paper-II)

Marks: 250

Time Allowed: 3 Hours

SECTION "A"

Q.1 Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

a) Do you agree with the view that the objective of industrial and commercial policies of British was to transform India as a complementary economy of England? Give reasons.
b) How did V.K.R.V. Rao improve upon the earlier national income estimates of India?
c) How did Gold Bullion Standard end with ‘ratio controversy’ in British India?
d) Explain how multi-dimensional poverty index is computed.
e) Elaborate on the phenomenon of ‘missing middle’ in Indian manufacturing sector.

Q.2 a) Examine the features of permanent land settlement as introduced by Lord Cornwallis.
b) Examine the problems faced by jute mills in India during the early years of their existence.
c) ‘British rule led to India’s underdevelopment’. Do you agree? Give reasons in support of your answer.

Q.3 a) Reflect on issues and implications of structural transformation in India’s national income.
b) How would you justify the policy of land reforms in the light of the farm size-productivity debate in India.
c) Analyse the salient features of ‘interest subvention scheme’ and its implications on the farm sector.

Q.4 a) Comment on the new initiatives taken by the government to facilitate investment and case of doing business.
b) The chequered fiscal history of India of the last fifteen ears has been a saga of fiscal prudence on the part of the States and fiscal profligacy by the Centre. Do you agree? Give reasons.
c) Reflect on the relationship among economic growth, inequality and poverty in the post-reform period in India.

UPSC Mains General Studies Study Kit

BIHAR State GK Questions (Set-5) for BPSC Exam

Q.1: बिहार निवासी बिस्मिल्ला खान के बारे में सही कथन है ?

(a) बिहार गौरव सम्मान से सम्मानित है
(b) भारतरत्न से सम्मानित है
(c) शहनाई वादन में श्रेष्ठतम
(d) उपरोक्त सभी

Q.2: बिहार में "जयप्रकाश नारायण अखिल भारतीय आयुर्विज्ञान संस्थान" किस शहर में है ?

(a) भागलपुर
(b) पटना
(c) मुजफ्फरपुर
(d) गया

Q.3: बिहार में अति निर्धन वर्गों के लिए "जीविका" परियोजना किसकी सहायता से प्रारम्भ की गई है ?

(a) भारतीय स्टेट बैंक
(b) विश्व बैंक
(c) एशिया बैंक
(d) इनमें से कोई नहीं

Q.4: अशोक चक्र प्राप्त करने वाला बिहार का पहला व्यक्ति है ?

(a) रवि स्वरूप धवन
(b) रणधीर वर्मा
(c) दीपक कुमार सेन
(d) राजेश बालिया

Q.5: बिहार का पहला हरिजन मुख्यमंत्री था ?

(a) किसन वर्मा
(b) कान्हीराम
(c) रामदेव
(d) भोला पासवान शास्त्री

बिहार लोक सेवा आयोग प्रारम्भिक परीक्षा के लिए अध्ययन सामग्री

Study Kit for Bihar Public Service Commission Preliminary Examination

State: Uttar Pradesh (UPPSC)

Subject: General Studies Paper - 1 (Hindi)

Year : 2018

1. वैश्विक उष्मन के फल स्वरूप निम्नलिखित में किसकी बारम्बारता और प्रचण्डता बढ़ रही है ?

(a) केवल चक्रवात की
(b) केवल तूफान की
(c) केवल बवण्डर की
(d) उपरोक्त सभी की

2. निम्नलिखित में कौन स्व-वासन संरक्षण रणनीति का उदाहरण नहीं है ?

(a) जैवमण्डल आगार
(b) वनस्पतिक बाग
(c) राष्ट्रीय उद्यान
(d) पवित्र उपवन

3. सूर्य के प्रकाश से पारा-बैंगनी विकिरण अभिक्रिया निम्न में से क्या पैदा करती है ?

(a) कार्बन मोनाक्साइड
(b) सल्फर डाई आक्साइड
(c) ओजोन
(d) फ्लोराइड्स

4. नार्मन बोरलॉग को किस क्षेत्र में नोबेल पुरस्कार | प्रदान किया गया ?

(a) कृषी
(b) अर्थशास्त्र
(c) औषधि
(d) शान्ति

5. निम्नलिखित युग्मों में कौन सही सुमेलित नहीं हैं ?

(a) रेनेटिंग-पनीर
(b) जैव प्रोद्योगिकी-प्लास्मिड्स
(c) गोल्डेन चावल-विटामिन A
(d) ओजोन परत-ट्रोपीस्फीयर

6. निम्नलिखित युग्मों में कौन सही सुमेलित नहीं हैं ?

(a) बान्दीपुर राष्ट्रीय उद्यान-कर्नाटक
(b) मानस वन्य जीव अभयारण्य-असम
(c) पेरियार वन्य जीव अभयारण्य-केरल
(d) सिमलीपाल राष्ट्रीय उद्यान-मध्य प्रदेश

7. निम्नलिखित में किसे जे. वी. नार्लीकर के अनुसार अभी तक विज्ञान नहीं माना जाता है ?

(a) ज्योतिष
(b) खगोलिकी
(c) ब्रह्मांडिकी
(d) नैनोप्रौद्योगिकी

8. निम्नलिखित में किसका आविष्कार विलहेल्म रान्टजेन द्वारा किया गया ?

(a) रेडियो
(b) एक्स-रे मशीन
(c) बिजली का बल्ब
(d) उपरोक्त में कोई नहीं

9. डी.एन. ए. की द्विकुंडलिनी संरचना किसके द्वारा दी गई थी ?

(a) जैकब तथा मोनोड
(b) वाटसन तथा क्रिक
(c) एच. जी. खुराना
(d) उपरोक्त में से कोई नहीं

10. निम्नलिखित विद्युत चुम्बकीय विकिरणों में से किसकी उर्जा अधिकतम होती है ?

(a) दृश्य प्रकाश
(b) अवरक्त किरणें
(c) पराबैंगनी किरणे
(d) X-किरणें

11. मीथेन निम्न में से किससे निकलती या उत्सर्जित होती है ?

(a) केवल-धान के खेतों से
(b) केवल दीमक की बाम्बी से
(c) (a) और (b) दोनों से
(d) उपरोक्त में किसी से नहीं

12. निम्नलिखित तत्वों में कौन अर्द्धचालक है ?

(a) अल्युमिनियम
(b) सिलिकान
(c) चाँदी
(d) सीसा

13. भारत के संविधान की प्रस्तावना में कितने प्रकार का न्याय, स्वंतत्रता, समानता एवं भ्रातृत्व का उसी क्रम में उल्लेख किया गया है ?

(a) 3, 5, 2, 1
(b) 1, 3, 5, 2
(c) 2, 5, 3, 1
(d) 5, 2, 1, 3

14. 2017 के राष्ट्रपति चुनाव में यू.पी.ए. का उम्मीदवार कौन था ?

(a) सुश्री. मीरा कुमार
(b) श्री. गोपाल कृष्णा गांधी
(c) डॉ. करन सिंह
(d) उपरोक्त में काई नहीं

15. नीति आयोग का प्रथम उपाध्यक्ष (उपसभापति) कौन था ?

(a) अरविन्द पनगड़िया
(b) रघुराम राजन
(c) चन्द्रशेखर सुब्रमन्यम
(d) राजीव कुमार

16. निम्नलिखित में कौन-सा भारत में भाषा के आधार पर बना पहला राज्य था ?

(a) केरल
(b) मध्य प्रदेश
(c) आन्ध्र प्रदेश
(d) उत्तर प्रदेश

17. निम्नलिखित में कौन एक संविधानेतर संस्था है ?

(a) संघ लोक सेवा आयोग
(b) वित्त आयोग
(c) निर्वाचन आयोग
(d) नीति आयोग

18. सरकारिया आयोग की संस्तुतिया निम्नलिखित में किससे सम्बन्धित है ?

(a) राजस्व का वितरण
(b) राष्ट्रपति की शक्तिया एवं कार्य
(c) संसद की सदस्यता
d) केन्द्र-राज्य सम्बन्ध

19. सर्वप्रथम संसदात्मक सरकार किस देश में आरंभ की गयी ?

(a) ग्रेट ब्रिटेन में (यू.के.में)
(b) बेल्जियम में
(c) फ्रांस में
(d) स्विटजरलैण्ड में

20. निम्नलिखित में से किसके संबंध में राज्य सभा का अनन्य अधिकार है ?

(a) राष्ट्रपति को अपदस्थ करने हेतु कार्यवाही प्रारंभ करना
(b) सर्वोच्च न्यायालय के न्यायाधीशों को अपदस्थ करने हेतु कार्यवाही करना
(c) एक नयी अखिल भारतीय सेवा के सृजन हेतु संस्तुति करना
(d) उपरोक्त कोई नहीं

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    (The Gist of PIB) CBDT takes further steps to ensure transparency in Tax Administration by bringing in concept of DIN [AUGUST-2019]

CBDT takes further steps to ensure transparency in Tax Administration by bringing in concept of DIN

• Every communication to be issued by the Income-Tax Department on or after the 1st of October, 2019 will now have a Document Identification Number (DIN).
• This intends to insure proper audit trail of such communication.

About:

• DIN is a unique Director identification number allotted by the Central Government to any person intending to be a Director or an existing director of a company

Features:

• It is an 8-digit unique identification number which has a lifetime validity. Through DIN, details of the directors are maintained in a database.
• DIN is specific to a person, which means even if he is a director in 2 or more companies, he has to obtain only 1 DIN. And if he leaves a company and joins some other, the same DIN would work in the other company as well.

Where is DIN used?

• Whenever a return, an application or any information related to a company will be submitted under any law, the director signing such return, application or information will mention his DIN underneath his signature.

How to apply for DIN and relevant forms?

• SPICe Form: Application for allotment of DINs to the proposed first Directors in respect of New companies shall be made in SPICe form only.
• DIR-3 Form: Any person intending to become a director in an already existing company shall have to make an application in eForm DIR-3 for allotment of DIN.

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(The Gist of Science Reporter) SpaceX’s satellites to boost internet services [AUGUST-2019]

SpaceX’s satellites to boost internet services

• SpaceX successfully launched the FALCON-9 rocket carrying 60 Starlink satellites on 23 May 2019. This was the heaviest payload carried UP by SpaceX till date.
• The array of satellites were deployed at an altitude of 440 km which then used onboard propulsion to reach an operational height of 550 km.
• The main purpose of the mission is to provide reliable and affordable high-speed broadband internet services around the globe.
• The problem with the present internet beaming satellites in space is their much higher altitudes i.e. geostationary orbits because of which signals need to travel a longer distance from space and back leading to delay in accessing information.
• Therefore, to overcome the problem, SpaceX proposed the Starlink satellites at much lower orbits to minimise this latency issue.
• This was the first batch of satellites, thousands of such launches are required to have moderate broadband coverage.
• Once the mission is complete, the orbiting array of satellites will provide high-speed and uninterrupted internet services to the whole planet.
• The solar-powered small satellites weighing 500 pounds will communicate with one another in the space via radio and optical links.
• The user terminals from the ground will then be connected with the network which can be installed anywhere with the view of the sky.
• With these satellites passing overhead, web access should be persistent, unlike the latency issues that are normal with conventional communication satellites.
• Keeping in view the risk of in-flight collision and space debris, SpaceX has equipped each spacecraft with a startracker navigation system same as used in Cargo and Crew Dragon spacecraft developed by SpaceX.
• The startracker system enables the SpaceX to point the satellites with precision enabling the satellites to track on-orbit debris and autonomously avoiding a collision.
• Additionally, 95 per cent of all components of this design will rapidly burn in the Earth’s atmosphere at the end of each satellite’s lifecycle.

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(The Gist of Science Reporter) First Exoplanet of its Kind Found in Neptunian [AUGUST-2019]

First Exoplanet of its Kind Found in Neptunian

• ASTRONOMERS have discovered a rare sub-Neptune sized transiting exoplanet which is a 20% smaller than Neptune and about three times the size of the earth orbiting its host star in the harsh conditions of Neptunian Desert.
• The planet has been formally named as NGTS-4b, however, due to its rare existence researchers have nicknamed it as the “Forbidden Planet”.
• The planet was discovered by using the state-of-the-art Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS) observing facility by an international collaboration of astronomers led by the University of Warwick, UK.
• The newly found planet is 920 light years away from the earth revolving around the host star in only 1.3 days which is equivalent to the earth’s orbit around the sun in one year.
• The planet is 1000 degrees Celsius and hotter than Mercury.
• The Forbidden Planet retains its own atmosphere in hellish Neptunian Desert which surprised the astronomers that it’s surviving at such a close distance to its host star.
• The planet is the first of its kind found in Neptunian Desert. Neptunian Desert is the region close to the stars where Neptune-sized planets do not exist as planets cannot maintain their gaseous atmosphere and evaporate leaving behind the rocky core due to irradiation from stars.
• Despite the conditions of the Neptunian Desert, the NGTS-4b exists which led the researchers to believe that maybe it was formed at some other location but moved into the Neptunian Dessert within the last one million years or the planet was itself bigger and the atmosphere is still in the process of evaporation.

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(The Gist of Science Reporter) KalamSat [AUGUST-2019]

KalamSat

• KalamSat is the world's lightest and smallest 3D printed, femto-category sub-orbital satellite.
• It weighs 63.54 grams and fits into a cube of 3.8 cm.
• It was designed for a life span of 240 minutes and spent 12 minutes in microgravity.
• KalamSat demonstrated 3-D printed technology for the first time in its category.
• It was made from reinforced carbon fibre polymer and carried ten sensors.
• KalamSat also carried a biological payload: two seeds (basil and sunflower).
• KalamSat holds records in India Book of Records, Asia Book of Records, URF Book of Records and Assist Book of Records.

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