Why is it in the News?

Entrepreneur and pilot on the NS-25 mission of Blue Origin — a company founded by Jeff Bezos, who is also Gopi Thotakura is set to become the first Indian to venture into space as a tourist the founder of Amazon.

Context:

• In recent years, space tourism has grown by leaps and bounds.
• The space tourism market was valued at $848.28 million.
• It is expected to grow to $27,861.99 million by 2032.
• However, there are several challenges, such as high cost, and environmental concerns, that may limit the industry’s growth.
• The NS-25 mission, which Gopi Thotakura is a part of, is a sub-orbital mission. Thotakura and his other crew members will be taken to outer space via New Shepard, a fully reusable sub-orbital launch vehicle developed specifically for space tourism by Blue Origin.

What is Space Tourism?

• Space tourism is essentially a section of the aviation sector that seeks to provide tourists with the opportunity to become astronauts and experience space travel for recreational, leisure, or business purposes.
• There are two main types of space tourism, sub-orbital and orbital.
• The sub-orbital spacecraft takes passengers just beyond the Kármán line (it lies nearly 100 kilometers above our heads and is considered to be the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space).
  • The passengers get to spend a few minutes in outer space and then come back to Earth.
• The orbital spacecraft, on the other hand, takes passengers much further than the Kármán line.
  • Usually, passengers can spend from a couple of days to more than a week at an altitude of nearly 1.3 million feet.
• In September 2021, Space X’s Falcon 9 took four passengers to an altitude of 160 km where they spent three days orbiting the Earth.

What are the Challenges?

• Currently, space tourism is expensive as a passenger generally has to pay at least a million dollars to reach outer space.
  • This amount is out of reach for almost everyone.
• Moreover, several studies have pointed out that space tourism may lead to environmental damage as rockets emit gaseous and solid chemicals directly into the upper atmosphere.
• A 2022 study done by researchers found that the soot emissions from rocket launches are far more effective at warming the atmosphere compared to other sources.
• Safety is also a concern when it comes to space tourism.
• Despite high safety standards, a total of 676 people have flown into space and 19 of them have died, as of November 2023, according to a report by Astronomy Magazine.
  • This means that approximately 3% of astronauts died during their space flight which is quite a high fatality rate.

Why is it in the News?

Special Olympics Bharat (SOB), a National Sports Federation of India is forming district units across Tamil Nadu through elections on April 22.

About Special Olympics Bharat:

• Special Olympics Bharat is a National Sports Federation also registered under the Indian Trust Act 1882 in 2001 and is accredited by Special Olympics International to conduct Special Olympics Programs in India.
• It is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India as a National Sports Federation in the Priority Category, for the development of Sports for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.
• It is a designated Nodal Agency for all disabilities on account of its national presence and experience, especially in rural areas which account for nearly 75 percent of the disabled population in India.
• Mission: The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
• Special Olympics Bharat works towards the social acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities, whereby they are respected and given equal chances to become productive citizens.
  • They encourage athletes to move from the Special Olympics training and competition into school and community programs where they can compete in regular sports activities.

Special Olympics Bharat strives to:

• Focus on holistic development and training that goes beyond the classrooms into the playing fields, cultural and community centers, to motivate children with disabilities to join and remain in school
• Create role models who will inspire the children and also motivate parents to send their children to school and to participate in sports and other extra-curricular activities
• Train teachers to sensitize them to the needs of special children, and create a cadre of physical education teachers from among the disabled who can work with schools and community centers
• Ensure maximum involvement of the community for greater public understanding and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities.
• Ensure all Special Olympics Bharat activities local, state, national, and international reflect the Olympic movement values, standards, ceremonies, and events.

What is Intellectual Disability?

• Intellectual disability is a lifelong condition that affects a person’s intellectual skills and their behaviour in different situations. 
• It can include difficulties in communication, memory, understanding, problem-solving, self-care, social and emotional skills, and physical skills.  
• People with intellectual disability have the same feelings, rights, and aspirations as everyone else. 
• Intellectual disability does not define who a person is, how they should be treated, or how they want to live.
• An IQ test determines whether a person has an intellectual disability. IQ scores lower than 70 indicate an intellectual disability.

Why is it in the News?

The precautionary principle is becoming an established guideline for policymakers tackling environmental problems according to British environmentalist Norman Myers

What is the Precautionary Principle?

• The Precautionary Principle serves as a foundational concept in policymaking, advocating for the adoption of proactive measures to mitigate potential risks to public health or the environment:
• Proactive Risk Management: The principle legitimizes the implementation of preventative measures in situations where there are uncertainties regarding the extent of harm posed by certain activities or policies.
  • Rather than waiting for conclusive scientific evidence, decision-makers are encouraged to take preemptive action to prevent serious or irreversible damage.
• Scientific Uncertainty: It acknowledges that in cases where scientific certainty is lacking, waiting for conclusive evidence before taking action may result in significant harm.
  • Therefore, the principle emphasizes the importance of not using the absence of full scientific certainty as a justification for delaying necessary measures to prevent environmental degradation or protect public health.
• Risk-Averse Approach: By advocating for precautionary action, even in the absence of absolute certainty about potential harm, the principle prioritizes safety and prudence.
  • It underscores the importance of erring on the side of caution to safeguard against potential risks, thus emphasizing a preventive rather than reactive approach.
• International Recognition: Originating in the 1970s, the Precautionary Principle has gained international recognition and has been enshrined in various international treaties and conventions related to environmental protection.
  • It has been incorporated into the legal frameworks of organizations such as the European Union and has influenced decisions on issues ranging from climate change to biodiversity conservation.
• Application in Policy: The principle has influenced the development of laws and regulations worldwide, shaping policies related to endangered species, climate change, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
  • Notably, it has played a significant role in determining the European Union's stance on GMOs and has been integral to the formulation of EU environmental law.
• The Precautionary Principle emphasizes the importance of taking proactive measures to address potential risks, particularly in situations where scientific evidence is uncertain but the potential consequences are significant.
  • It embodies a proactive and risk-aware approach to policymaking, intending to prevent harm and promote sustainable development.

About Jim Corbett National Park:

• Jim Corbett National Park, named after the renowned naturalist and conservationist Jim Corbett, is situated in Uttarakhand's Nainital district.
• As the oldest national park in India, it was initially established as Hailey National Park in 1936 to protect the endangered Bengal tiger.
• The park is an integral part of the larger Corbett Tiger Reserve, with the Patli Dun Valley forming its core area.
• The Ramganga River flows through the park, contributing to its diverse ecosystem.
• Not only is it known for its rich biodiversity, but also for being the first area to come under the Project Tiger initiative in 1973.

Why is it in the News?

One of the biggest mysteries in cosmology is the ‘Hubble tension’, the puzzle that the expansion of the Universe we see today doesn’t match what we think it should be from looking at the early cosmos.

What is Hubble Tension?

• The Hubble tension refers to a puzzling disagreement between two methods of measuring the universe's expansion rate, represented by the Hubble constant (H0).
• The Hubble constant describes how fast galaxies move away from each other due to cosmic expansion.
• Researchers employ two primary approaches to estimate H0: the cosmic distance ladder and analysis of the cosmic microwave background (CMB).

Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB):

• CMB constitutes a ubiquitous sea of photons, remnants of the Big Bang's aftermath.
• Scientists scrutinize CMB for temperature variations and employ intricate trigonometric techniques to analyze its large-scale properties.
• This analysis culminates in an estimation of cosmic expansion at approximately 68 (km/s)/Mpc.

Cosmic Distance Ladder:

• This method facilitates the measurement of distances to celestial objects spanning various proximity ranges.
• Notably, Cepheid variable stars, which exhibit predictable luminosity fluctuations over time, serve as crucial distance indicators.
• By gauging the brightness of Cepheid variables, researchers can infer their distances, leading to an estimation of H0 around 73 (km/s)/Mpc.

Discrepancy and Hubble Tension:

• The utilization of these two distinct measurement methods yields slightly divergent values for H0, resulting in the emergence of the Hubble tension.

Significance of the Hubble Tension:

• The presence of the Hubble tension suggests potential implications, including unexplored physical phenomena or systematic errors in measurement techniques.
• Resolving this tension is imperative to enhance our comprehension of the universe's expansion dynamics and the fundamental laws governing it.

Why is it in the News?

India commemorates 40 years since the launch of Operation Meghdoot, a critical mission to secure the strategic heights of the Siachen glacier, acknowledged as the highest battlefield in the world.

About Operation Meghdoot:

• Operation Meghdoot was the codename for the Indian Army operation to take full control of the (Siachen Glacier in Ladakh).
• It was launched in 1984 and it was unique as it involved the first assault on the world's highest battlefield.
• This operation was launched on April 13, 1984, by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF), marking a pivotal moment in securing the Siachen Glacier, a strategically crucial region dominating Northern Ladakh.
• The operation involved airlifting Indian Army soldiers, with IAF helicopters operating in the area since 1978, including the first landing of an IAF helicopter on the glacier in October 1978.
• The need for Operation Meghdoot arose due to Pakistan's cartographic aggression in Ladakh, allowing foreign mountaineering expeditions in Siachen.
• Intelligence inputs about impending Pakistani military action prompted India to secure strategic heights on Siachen, deploying troops via airlifts and air-dropping supplies to high-altitude airfields.

What was IAF's Role and Evolution in Operation Meghdoot?

• The IAF played a crucial role in supporting Operation Meghdoot, initially focusing on transport and helicopter aircraft for troop and material transport.
  • Gradually, the IAF expanded its role, deploying fighter aircraft like the Hunter, MiG-23s, and MiG-29s, operating from high-altitude airfields at Leh and Thoise.
  • This expanded role included fighter sweeps and simulated strikes over the glacier, boosting morale and deterring adversaries.
• Operating on the highest battlefield globally, IAF helicopters are the lifeline for Indian troops, providing crucial support in emergencies, logistics supply, and evacuating the sick and wounded from the glacier.
• As the Indian Army celebrates 40 years on the Siachen Glacier, it reflects not only on the progress made in technological advancements and logistical improvements but also on the sacrifices and dedication of its personnel.
  • 'Operation Meghdoot' stands as a testament to India's commitment to safeguarding its borders and ensuring the well-being of its troops in one of the world's most challenging terrains.

About Siachen Glacier:

• The Siachen Glacier, situated in the Eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas, is located just northeast of Point NJ9842, where the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan ends.
• Administered by India since Operation Meghdoot in 1984, the glacier spans from northwest to southeast, originating at the Indira Col West and descending from an altitude of 6,115 meters to 3,570 meters.
• As the second-longest glacier in the world's non-polar areas, the Siachen Glacier is surpassed only by Tajikistan's Fedchenko Glacier.
• It lies south of the significant drainage divide separating the Eurasian Plate from the Indian subcontinent in the glaciated Karakoram region, sometimes referred to as the "Third Pole."
• The Nubra River finds its source in the Siachen Glacier, highlighting the glacier's ecological importance.