CURRENT AFFAIRS 10 October, 2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS 10 October, 2024

1. INDIA’S LUNAR POLAR EXPLORATION MISSION (LUPEX) APPROVED –

• India’s National Space Commission has officially approved the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (Lupex), marking the country’s fifth lunar mission. This mission follows the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023, which made India the fourth nation to land on the Moon.
• Lupex is a collaborative endeavor between India’s ISRO and Japan’s JAXA, aimed at exploring the Moon’s resources, particularly water in its polar regions.
• The primary goal of Lupex is to investigate the presence and distribution of water on the Moon, both on the surface and beneath the lunar regolith.
• The mission aims to gather crucial data about how water interacts with the Moon’s environment, which is vital for future lunar exploration and potential human habitation.

2. UNION CABINET APPROVED THE NATIONAL MARITIME HERITAGE COMPLEX AT LOTHAL, GUJARAT –

• In a significant move to preserve and showcase India’s rich maritime heritage, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
• The project will unfold in two phases, and it aligns with the government’s broader vision to highlight the country’s ancient maritime prowess, which dates back over 4,500 years. The National Maritime Heritage Complex is set to be a world-class museum that will boost tourism, create jobs, and promote India’s cultural and maritime legacy.
• The National Maritime Heritage Complex is designed to be a state-of-the-art museum that will reflect India’s rich maritime history, from ancient to modern times. Lothal, an ancient Harappan site known for its dockyards and maritime trade routes, serves as the perfect location for such a project. The complex aims to preserve India’s 4,500-year-old maritime heritage and bring it to a global audience.

The project has been divided into two major phases:

• Phase 1A: Currently under construction with more than 60% physical progress.
• Phase 1B and Phase 2: Recently approved by the Union Cabinet after mobilization of funds.

3. INDIA, MALDIVES AIM FOR COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP –

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu met to strengthen the already close relationship between India and the Maldives. Their discussions resulted in a plan to create a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership that focuses on improving the lives of people in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The meeting focused on several areas where India and the Maldives work together, such as political relations, development projects, healthcare, investments, and education.
• Both leaders emphasized that their cooperation would bring mutual growth and stability, improving the quality of life for citizens in both countries.

4. SCIENTISTS DISCOVER INNOVATIVE METHOD TO REFREEZE ARCTIC ICE –

• Researchers are working on an innovative idea to address the impacts of climate change on the Arctic by developing a method to “refreeze” the Arctic Sea. Early trials show promise, suggesting that this method could help make the sea ice thicker by pumping seawater into already frozen areas.
• The Arctic is warming rapidly, and if this continues, it could become ice-free in the summers by the 2030s. This would be disastrous for global ecosystems and the planet’s climate stability. Over the past few decades, nearly 13% of the sea ice in the Arctic has disappeared every 10 years.

5. DRDO SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTS FLIGHT-TESTS OF ADVANCED VSHORADS SYSTEM-

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) three times in Pokhran, Rajasthan. These tests show a big step forward in India’s ability to develop its advanced defense systems.
• VSHORADS is a 4th generation, portable missile system designed to protect against threats in the air at short distances. The Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) is meant to defend against low-flying threats like drones and aircraft within a range of 5 to 20 kilometers.
• It uses surface-to-air missiles guided by infrared, radar, or optical systems to track and hit targets. VSHORADS is becoming more important in modern warfare due to the increasing use of drones. These systems are typically placed near military bases, borders, and other critical areas for protection.