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Summary

Science and Technology October 2023 Part II

UNLOCKING INDIA’S SPACETECH POTENTIAL (1:11 PM)

 Indian Space Association (ISpA):

 It will be represented by leading domestic and global corporations with advanced space and
satellite technologies capabilities.

 It will undertake policy advocacy and engage with all stakeholders in the Indian Space
domain, including the Government and its Agencies, to make India self-reliant,
technologically advanced and a leading player in the space arena.

 It will also work towards building global linkages.

 Significance of ISpA:

 One of the organisation's main goals is to supplement the government’s efforts towards
making India a global leader in commercial space-based excursions.

 Challenges in the Indian Space:

 Competition.

 Lack of proper capital and investment.

 Supply Chain Disruptions.

 Lacks comprehensive analytic data.

 Way Forward:

 Streamlined Regulatory Framework.

 Rope in of the private players through a public-private partnership.

 Move investment.

 Global collaboration.

 Question:

 The year 2023 marked a significant milestone in the history of India's space exploration
journey. In light of the statement critically analyse Indian Space Policy 2023.

ASTEROIDS (1:18 PM)

 Asteroids are actually minor planets that can neither be classified either as a planet or as a
comet.

 These are generally in the direct orbit around the Sun, also known as the inner solar system.

 They are mainly the remnants of a circumstellar disk of gas around the newly-formed star
and the debris disk together.
  Mainly the known asteroids are present in the Jupiter Trojans or in the asteroid belt formed
between Mars’ orbit and that of Jupiter.

 OSIRIS-REx:

 The OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith

Explorer) spacecraft was launched in 2016 for the journey to Bennu.

 It is essentially a seven-year-long voyage and will conclude when at least 60 grams of

samples are delivered back to the Earth (in 2023).

 Bennu is an ancient asteroid, currently more than 200 million miles from Earth.

 Bennu offers scientists a window into the early solar system as it was first taking shape
billions of years ago and tossing ingredients that could have helped seed life on Earth.

NEWS IN SHORTS (1:29 PM)

TRADITIONAL MEDICINE ON THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION’S LIST

 The Ministry of Ayush has sought for Ayurveda and related systems to be included in
the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as Module 2 of a
supplementary chapter on traditional medicine conditions.

 National Ayush Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic (NAMSTE):

 It was launched on 17th October 2017 (Ayurveda Day).

 The portal provides Standardized Terminologies and morbidity Codes for Ayurveda, Siddha
and Unani systems of medicine along with WHO ICD-10/11 codes meant for dual coding
and morbidity reporting for Yoga, Naturopathy and Homoeopathy Systems.

INDIAN PHARMACOPOEIA COMMISSION (IPC) BECOMES A MEMBER OF THE PHARMACOPOEIAL

DISCUSSION GROUP (PDG)

 Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) is the official book of standards for drugs in fulfilment of the
requirements of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945 thereunder so as to
specify the standards of identity, purity and strength for the drugs imported, manufactured
for sale, stocked or exhibited for sale or distributed in India.

 Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC):

 It is an autonomous institution of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

 It became fully operational on January 1, 2009.

 It was created to set standards for drugs in the country.

 Its basic function is to regularly update the standards of drugs commonly required for the
treatment of diseases prevailing in this region.

 It publishes official documents for improving the quality of medicines by way of adding new
and updating existing monographs in the form of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP).

 It promotes the rational use of generic medicines by publishing the National Formulary of
India.
  Its mission is to promote public and animal health.

 Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group (PDG):

 It was formed by the US, EU and Japan in 1989 and WHO joined an observer in 2001.

 It works to harmonize pharmacopeial standards in the member countries/regions.

MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY

 Monoclonal antibodies (also called moAbs or mAbs) are proteins made in laboratories that
act like proteins called antibodies in our bodies.

 Antibodies are parts of our immune system.

 They seek out the antigens (foreign materials) and stick to them in order to destroy them.

 The word “monoclonal” refers to the fact that the antibodies created in the laboratory are
clones.

 They are exact copies of one antibody.

 Polyclonal antibodies (PAbs), on the other hand, are a mixture of antibodies that are
secreted by different B cell lineages.

R21/MATRIX-M (MALARIA VACCINE)

 WHO has recommended a second malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, for the prevention of
malaria in children.

 It has been licensed for use in Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.

 It was developed by the Jenner Institute at Oxford University and Serum Institute of India.

 Key features of the R21 malaria vaccine:

 i. High efficacy when given just before the high transmission season.

 ii. Good efficacy when given in an age-based schedule.

 iii. High Impact.

 iv. Cost Effectiveness.

 v. Safety.

PROTEIN BINDERS

 The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) clarified that the addition of
protein binders in milk and milk products is not permitted.

 Additives that have not been specified in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products
Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, cannot be added.

 Features:

 They are typically proteins, which are complex biomolecules composed of amino acid
chains folded into specific three-dimensional structures.
  They can selectively recognize and interact with particular molecules, known as ligands.

 Binders have specific regions or pockets, called binding sites or active sites, where ligand
interactions occur.

GREEN AMMONIA

 Ammonia (NH3) is a pungent gas widely used to make fertilisers.

 Green ammonia is also known as sustainable or renewable ammonia.

 It is an innovative and eco-friendly form of ammonia production.

 is made using 100% renewable and carbon-free sources.

 It is produced using renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, or hydropower,

 It serves as a promising energy carrier with applications in various sectors, including

agriculture, transportation, and energy storage.

 Blue Ammonia refers to the ammonia for which by-product CO2 has been captured and
stored, reducing climate impact.

 Grey/Brown Ammonia refers to the ammonia produced using fossil fuels.

NOTE: The SnT section of October month of MCAR 2023 concludes with this class.