THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 11 October 2018 (Caught napping)

Caught napping

Mains Paper: 3 | Science & Technology 
Prelims level: Gyroscope 
Mains level: Road conditions in India 

Introduction 

• It has photographed light from shortly after the Big Bang (on an astronomical timescale) when the oldest known galaxy, GN-z11 in Ursa Major, was forming.
• Its observations support the theory that “dark energy”, undetected by instruments, pervades the universe.
• And its depth of field is extraordinary, ranging from the asteroids to the most distant stars.
• Downtime on such a useful instrument will set back our developing understanding of the universe.
• As it goes into sleep mode, Hubble is living proof that the world’s space efforts need “trucks” shuttling between the earth and orbit.
• Since the US shuttle programme was discontinued in 2011, NASA has had no way to repair or refurbish the Hubble telescope.
• Perhaps the next generation of space trucks will be delivered by private enterprise rather than governments.
• Until then, it appears, Hubble will have to stay in sleep mode.

About Gyroscope 

• A gyroscope is a device designed to have a spinning disc or wheel mounted on a base such that its axis can turn freely in one or more directions in order to maintain its orientation regardless of any movement of the base. 
• The orientation changes in response to an external torque and in a different direction.
• The gyroscope has evolved from technology such as mechanical-inertial spinning devices including gimbals, axles, rotors and other electronic and optical devices. 
• Each component exploits some physical property of the system enabling it to detect rotational velocity about some axis.

Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

UPSC Prelims Questions: 

Q.1) Consider the following statements in reference to AURA, recently seen in news:
1. It is an Earth Observation Satellite of European Space Agency.
2. It aims to understand how atmospheric composition affects and responds to Earth's changing climate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer:  B

UPSC Mains Questions:
Q.1) What is Gyroscope? What are its importance in space technology?