ISRO launches Earth Observation Satellite EOS-08

ISRO EOS-08 Satellite Mission Highlights

• Launch Date & Time: August 17, 2024, at 09:17 hrs IST
• Rocket: SSLV-D3
• Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Shriharikota
• Orbit: Circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO), 475 km altitude
• Mission Life: 1 year
• Satellite Mass: ~175.5 kg
• Power Generation: ~420 W

Payloads:

• EOIR: Imaging in MIR and LWIR for surveillance, disaster, and environmental monitoring.
• GNSS-R: Ocean wind, soil moisture, cryosphere, and waterbody detection.
• SiC UV Dosimeter: Monitors UV and gamma radiation for Gaganyaan Mission.

Mission Objectives:

• Design and develop a microsatellite.
• Develop payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus.
• Incorporate new technologies for future satellites.

EOS-08 Mission

• The main goals of the EOS-08 mission are to design and develop a microsatellite, as well as to incorporate new technologies needed for operational satellites in the future and create payload instruments that are compatible with the microsatellite bus.
• The spacecraft mission configuration is set to operate in a Circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• It is set at an altitude of 475 km with an inclination of 37.4°.
• It interfaces with the SSLV-D3/IBL-358 launch vehicle.
• EOS-08 marks a significant advancement in satellite mainframe systems such as an Integrated Avionics system which combines multiple functions into a single, efficient unit.
• This system is designed with cold redundant systems using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and evaluation boards, supporting up to 400 Gb of data storage.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3

• SSLV-D3 is the third developmental flight of SSLV.
• SSLV is capable of launching Mini, Micro or Nano satellites (10 to 500 kg mass) into 500km planar orbit.
• It uses three solid fuel-based stages and a final liquid-fuel based stage.

Benefits:

• Low cost, low turn-around time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, launch on demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc.

Illegal mining, encroachments, deforestation a threat to Aravali as natural green wall

Geographical Details:

• Length: The Aravali range stretches 692 kilometres from Gujarat to Delhi through Rajasthan.
• Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu, with an elevation of 1,722 meters.

Forest Area Change:

• Forest Area in 1999: 29,915 square kilometres.
• Forest Area in 2019: 29,210 square kilometers.
• Loss: 705 square kilometers of forest cover over the 20-year period.

Human Settlements:

• Percentage of Land in 1975: 4.5%.
• Percentage of Land in 2019: 13.3%.
• Increase: Significant growth in human settlements, indicating increased urbanization and land use changes.

Mining Area:

• Percentage of Land in 1975: 1.8%.
• Percentage of Land in 2019: 2.2%.
• Increase: Continued expansion of mining activities impacting the region.

Waterbodies:

• Percentage of Land in 1975: 1.7%.
• Percentage of Land in 1989: 1.9%.
• Later Trend: Waterbodies have decreased over time after an initial increase.

Carbon Flux:

• Positive Carbon Flux: Observed in areas with high rainfall and protected zones, indicating healthy carbon exchange and storage.
• Negative Carbon Flux: Noted in the central region near the Thar Desert, reflecting lower carbon sequestration and potential environmental stress.

Recommendations:

• LiDAR-based Drone Survey: Recommended for detailed mapping and monitoring of the Aravali range to detect and address illegal mining activities. LiDAR technology helps in creating high-resolution 3D models of the surface, which can be used to assess environmental changes and guide enforcement actions.
• Aravali Development Authority: Proposed to establish an independent body for devising and implementing strategies aimed at sustainable management and preservation of the Aravali ecosystem.
• Ban on Mining: Suggested to halt further environmental degradation and protect the remaining ecological balance of the hills.

About the Aravalli Range:

• The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, stretching from Gujarat to Delhi through Rajasthan.
• It acts as a natural green wall in the north western part of India, forming an ecotone zone between the Thar Desert and the Gangetic Plain in a semi-arid environment.
• The range spans 692 km in length and varies in width from 10 km to 120 km, with over 500 hillocks. The highest peak is Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu, which is 1,722 meters above sea level.
• Rajasthan contains 80% of the range, while the remaining 20% is shared by Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat.

Centre unveils new system to study weather, crop patterns

MoS Shri Bhagirath Choudhary launches the digital geo-spatial platform, Krishi-Decision Support System

Krishi-DSS Highlights:

1. First-of-Its-Kind: A pioneering geospatial platform tailored for Indian agriculture.
2. Comprehensive Data Access: Provides satellite images, weather information, reservoir storage, groundwater levels, and soil health data.
3. Advanced Modules:

• Crop Mapping and Monitoring: Analyzes crop patterns over time for better crop rotation and sustainable practices.
• Drought Monitoring: Offers near real-time data on soil moisture, water storage, crop conditions, and dry spells.
• Crop Weather Watch: Tracks weather impacts on crops, harvest status, and crop residue burning.

4. Field Parcel Segmentation: Accurately segments field parcels to cater to specific needs and targeted interventions.
5. Soil Information System: Provides detailed soil data (type, pH, health) to assess crop suitability and land capability.
6. Ground Truth Data Library: Supports innovation with essential resources like ground truth data and spectral libraries for research and industry.
7. Holistic Solutions: Includes flood impact assessment, crop insurance, and farmer-centric advisories for disaster warnings (pest attacks, heavy rain, hail storms).
8. Empowering Agriculture: Aims to build a resilient, sustainable agricultural framework, enhancing farmer support and policy development.

Greening in India gets a boost with Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) SOP launched by Shri Sarbananda Sonowal

 Program Overview:

• Initiative Under: ''Panch Karma Sankalp''.
• Announced: May 22, 2023, during the ‘Chintan Shivir’ event.
• Phase 1 Duration: October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027.

Implementation:

• Ports Involved: Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority.
• Requirement: Each port to procure or charter at least two green tugs.
• Investment: Approx. INR 1000 Crores.

Green Technologies:

• First Set: Battery-electric tugs.
• Future Options: Hybrid, methanol, and green hydrogen.

Long-Term Goals:

• By 2040: All tugs at Indian Major Ports to be green.
• Post-2033: New tugs must meet ASTDS-GTTP standards.

  Employment and Innovation:

• Domestic Impact: Boost to the domestic tug industry, job creation in shipbuilding and design.
• ''Make in India'' Initiative: All tugs to be built in Indian shipyards.

Alignment with Maritime Vision:

• Maritime India Vision 2030: 60% power from renewable sources, 30% reduction in carbon emissions per ton of cargo.
• Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from port vessels by 2030.

Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP):

The Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) aims to modernize India''s maritime sector by replacing conventional fuel-based harbour tugs with environmentally friendly alternatives. This initiative is part of India’s broader commitment to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing sustainability in its maritime operations.

Tugs:

A tug boat or tug are marine vessels that maneuver ships by pushing or pulling them, mostly using tow lines. They tug ships in circumstances where the ships cannot or do not move using their power like in narrow harbors, canals, etc.

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) – Quarterly Bulletin [April – June 2024]

Key findings

• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in urban areas among persons of age 15 years and above has increased from 48.8% during April – June, 2023 to 50.1% in April – June, 2024.
• LFPR for male of age 15 years and above in urban areas increased from 73.5% during April – June, 2023 to 74.7% during April – June, 2024, reflecting overall increasing trend in male LFPR.
• LFPR among female of age 15 years and above for urban areas increased from 23.2% during April – June, 2023 to 25.2% during April – June, 2024.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in urban areas among persons of age 15 years and above has increased from 45.5% during April – June, 2023 to 46.8% in April – June, 2024.
• WPR for male of age 15 years and above for urban areas increased from 69.2% in April – June, 2023 to 70.4% during April – June, 2024 reflecting overall increasing trend in male WPR.
• WPR for female of age 15 years and above for urban areas increased from 21.1% in April – June, 2023 to 23.0% during April – June, 2024 reflecting overall increasing trend in female WPR.
• Unemployment Rate (UR) in urban areas among persons of age 15 years and above was 6.6% during April – June, 2024.
• UR among males of age 15 years and above decreased from 5.9% during April – June, 2023 to 5.8% in April – June, 2024. UR among female of age 15 years and above decreased from 9.1% in April – June, 2023 to 9.0% in April – June, 2024.

Periodic Labour Force Survey

• It is a survey conducted by the NSO under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to measure the employment and unemployment situation in India.
• The NSO launched the PLFS in April 2017.

Objective of PLFS:

• To estimate the key employment and unemployment indicators (viz. Worker Population Ratio, Labour Force Participation Rate, Unemployment Rate) in the short time interval of three months for the urban areas only in the ‘Current Weekly Status’ (CWS).
• To estimate employment and unemployment indicators in both ‘Usual Status’ and CWS in both rural and urban areas annually.