Two useful science and technology concepts - RNA virus hunting, ISRO SSLV
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- New Species of RNA-viruses in unexpected places: A former Univ. of British Columbia (UBC) post-doctoral research fellow led an international research team in re-analysing all public RNA sequencing data to uncover almost ten times more RNA viruses than were previously known, including several new species of coronaviruses in some unexpected places.
- Project Serratus - The project is named Serratus which means one of the three muscles of the main part of the body. It has used a “ridiculously powerful” supercomputer equivalent in power to 22,500 CPUs. The supercomputer read through 20 million gigabytes of publicly available gene sequence data from 5.7 million biological samples around the world, searching for a specific gene that indicated the presence of an RNA virus. The samples have been collected and freely shared within the world research community over 13 years and include everything from ice-core samples to animal dung.
- Findings - The supercomputer read through 20 million gigabytes of publicly available gene sequence data from 5.7 million biological samples around the world, searching for a specific gene that indicated the presence of an RNA virus. The samples have been collected and freely shared within the world research community over 13 years and include everything from ice-core samples to animal dung.
- Summary: Planetary-scale database of RNA viruses can help pave the way to rapidly identify virus spillover into humans, as well as those viruses that affect livestock, crops, and endangered species.
- EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) What are the research and developmental achievements in analysing the RNA sequencing data? How will these achievements help to the society? (2) What is RNA Sequencing? Discuss its advantages in health sector.
- Small Satellite Launch Vehicle: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman has cited the launch of a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in April 2022.
- Importance of SSLV - The Indian industry has a consortium for the production of PSLV and should come together to produce the SSLV as well once it is tested. The development and manufacture of the SSLV are expected to create greater synergy between the space sector and private Indian industries – a key aim of the space ministry.
- Its aim is to use research and development carried out by ISRO over the years for commercial purposes through Indian industry partners. New Space India Limited (NSIL) (Commercial arm of ISRO) is aimed to mass-produce and manufacture the SSLV and the more powerful PSLV in partnership with the private sector.
- Small satellite launches have so far depended on ‘piggy-back’ rides with big satellite launches on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) — ISRO’s work-horse with more than 50 successful launches.
- The “SSLV-D1 Micro SAT” aims to cater to the market for the launch of small satellites into Earth’s low orbits that has emerged in recent years. Developing countries, universities and private corporations need these small satellites. The SSLV-D1 Micro SAT is the smallest vehicle weighing only 110-tonne. It will take only 72 hours to integrate, unlike the 70 days taken now for a launch vehicle.
- It can carry satellites weighing up to 500 kg to a low earth orbit compared to the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle which can launch satellites weighing in the range of 1000 kg. The SSLV is a three-stage all solid vehicle and has the capability to launch up to 500 kg satellite mass into 500 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 300 kg to Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). It is perfectly suited for launching multiple microsatellites at a time and supports multiple orbital drop-offs. SSLVs are low cost, with low turnaround time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, launch on-demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc.
- The Government has sanctioned a total cost of Rs. 169 Crores for the development project which contains SSLV-D1, SSLV-D2 and SSLV-D3.
- EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) How are the SSLVs are more useful to PSLVs as far as commercial value is considered? (2) Write your views on the introduction of the private sector in the Science and Technology research area in India.
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