[Newsbits] 20-24.06.2024: Pushpak, World Craft City & More

India has become the third-largest domestic aviation market globally, moving up from fifth place a decade ago. This growth, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, is marked by a 6.9% annual increase in airline seat capacity, the highest worldwide. Key drivers include the dominance of low-cost carriers (LCCs) like IndiGo, which holds 62% of the market and has a 13.9% annual growth rate. The number of operational airports has more than doubled from 74 to 157 in the past decade. Comparatively, the US and China lead with 84 million and 65 million seats, respectively, while India has 15 million seats.

India’s nuclear power program has advanced with the core-loading of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam. This marks a significant step in the second stage of India’s nuclear initiative, focusing on plutonium fission. Initially, uranium isotopes in heavy-water reactors produced plutonium-239 (Pu-239) and electricity. Pu-239 can absorb neutrons to form Pu-240 or Pu-241, crucial for energy production and safety. Pu-240’s spontaneous fission and alpha radiation complicate nuclear technology. Recent studies on Pu-240’s prompt fission neutron spectrum (PFNS) have improved nuclear models and data libraries, aiding reactor design and safety.

Srinagar, the largest city in Jammu and Kashmir, has been designated as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Crafts Council. This honor, shared by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, highlights the city’s skilled artisans and rich cultural heritage. The award aims to protect and promote Srinagar’s unique crafts, boosting local businesses and inspiring youth to preserve traditional skills. The World Crafts Council, founded in 1964 by Aileen Osborn Webb, promotes global craftsmanship and is affiliated with UNESCO. With its headquarters in Belgium, the Council has recognized over 40 cities worldwide, fostering cultural and economic growth.

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully conducted the third Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX) on June 23 at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka. The experiment involved a winged vehicle named “Pushpak,” which was dropped from a Chinook helicopter at a height of 4.5 km. The vehicle autonomously navigated and landed precisely on the runway, demonstrating advanced guidance, navigation, and control systems. The test showcased high-speed landing capabilities, advanced sensor integration, and vehicle recovery and reusability. This success marks a significant step towards developing reusable launch vehicle technology, enabling more frequent and cost-effective space missions.

The Iberian Lynx, once on the brink of extinction, has seen its conservation status upgraded from “Endangered” to “Vulnerable” by the IUCN on June 20. Native to Spain and Portugal, the population has grown from 62 adults in 2001 to over 2,000 individuals in 2024. Conservation efforts, including reintroductions and habitat restoration, have expanded their range from 449 km² in 2005 to 3,320 km². Despite this success, threats such as rabbit population fluctuations, diseases, poaching, and climate change persist. Future plans include further reintroductions and continued conservation measures to achieve “Fully Recovered” status within 100 years.