Cabinet Approves Third Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This development is crucial for advancing India’s space exploration capabilities and supporting upcoming human spaceflight missions. Purpose of the Third Launch Pad The TLP will cater to the Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLV) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It will also act as a standby for the existing Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota. This facility is expected to…
Author: Aditya Lenka
Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Reaches Orbit in Historic Launch Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket successfully launched into space early Thursday morning, marking a historic milestone for Jeff Bezos’ space company. The inaugural flight is a major step forward in the company’s ambition to compete with SpaceX in the satellite launch industry. A Long-Awaited Milestone for New Glenn Standing 30 stories tall and equipped with a reusable first stage, New Glenn lifted off at 2 a.m. ET (0700 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Its seven engines roared to life, cutting through the cloudy skies on its…
Biopharmaceutical Industry Eyes Recovery Amid Policy Uncertainty in 2025 The biopharmaceutical sector aims to rebound from last year’s downturn in investor returns but remains cautious about potential challenges under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Key concerns include drug pricing reforms, vaccine policies, and the broader regulatory landscape. Policy Shifts Under Scrutiny The industry continues to grapple with the impacts of the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. The law allowed Medicare to negotiate prices for the costliest prescription drugs, marking a historic shift in healthcare regulation. While this aimed to reduce costs for patients, it introduced significant uncertainty for…
India’s Pixxel Achieves Milestone with Hyperspectral Satellite Launch Pixxel, a pioneering Indian space tech startup, launched three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket from California on Tuesday. The launch, conducted at 1915 GMT (just after midnight in India), took place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base and was broadcast live by SpaceX. Advancing Hyperspectral Imaging for Critical Industries Pixxel’s satellites utilise hyperspectral imaging, a cutting-edge technology that captures detailed data across hundreds of light bands. This enables applications in agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and defence, offering unparalleled precision compared to existing imaging technologies. Such data can…
Discovery of “Big Boy” Spider: A Larger, More Venomous Funnel-Web Species Australian scientists have identified a larger and more venomous species of the Sydney funnel-web spider, one of the most dangerous spiders in the world. Nicknamed “Big Boy,” this newly recognised species stands out for its size and potent venom. A Remarkable Find Near Newcastle The “Big Boy” spider was first discovered in the early 2000s near Newcastle, 170 km (105 miles) north of Sydney, by Kane Christensen, a spider enthusiast and former head of spiders at the Australian Reptile Park. It has now been officially classified as a separate…
Truveta Secures $320 Million to Build the Largest Genetic Database Truveta, a US-based medical data research company, announced a significant investment on Monday. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Illumina, and 17 health systems have pledged a combined $320 million to support Truveta’s ambitious project to create the world’s largest genetic database. A Billion-Dollar Valuation and Key Investments This deal values Truveta at over $1 billion. Biotechnology giant Regeneron Pharmaceuticals will invest $120 million, while genetic sequencing leader Illumina has committed $20 million. The remaining $180 million will come from prominent US health systems, including Northwell Health in New York, Trinity Health, and Advocate…
Blue Origin Prepares for Historic New Glenn Rocket Launch Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000, is on the brink of a major milestone as it prepares for the first launch of its New Glenn rocket. Scheduled for early Monday from Florida, this event marks a significant step in the company’s quest to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the satellite launch industry. A Giant Rocket Ready for Liftoff Standing an impressive 30 stories tall, the partially reusable New Glenn rocket awaits its inaugural liftoff at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Fully loaded with methane and liquid oxygen propellants,…
Five Years Since COVID-19 Was First Identified: A Reflection on the Pandemic’s Impact January 7 marks five years since Chinese authorities identified the COVID-19 virus in 2020. The first cases emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Officials initially faced criticism for delaying the acknowledgment of the outbreak until growing fatalities and widespread rumours forced its disclosure. Global Spread and WHO’s Pandemic Declaration The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Since then, the virus has claimed over 7 million lives and caused more than 700 million confirmed infections across 234 countries. Most deaths occurred…
Global Auto Industry Rethink Strategies Amid Tariff Concerns The Global Auto Industry is reassessing its production strategies as they brace for significant tariff increases under President-elect Donald Trump. Speaking at CES in Las Vegas, industry leaders expressed concern over the potential impact of sweeping import tariffs, including a 10% blanket tariff on global imports and a 60% tariff on Chinese goods. Trump has also pledged a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, further complicating trade relations. Tariff Concerns Spur Localisation Efforts The auto industry has already faced years of US protectionism, from tariff threats during Trump’s first term…
CES 2025: A Showcase of Groundbreaking Innovations The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, United States, is wowing attendees with a remarkable array of cutting-edge technologies. From advanced home battery solutions to innovative personal fitness equipment, the event is setting the stage for the future of consumer tech. Record Participation and Global Innovation This year’s CES, running from Tuesday to Friday, has drawn over 4,500 exhibitors from 160+ countries, including around 1,400 startups. Organised by the U.S. Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the event is a hub for global innovation. Among the startups, New York-based BioLite unveiled a portable…