MAINS MASTER PROGRAM (MMP) 2025

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-1

SPACE, ROBOTICS, NANOTECHNOLOGY
1. TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Table of Contents ..................................... 0 6) Satellite Naviation System (SATNAV
2. Syllabus ................................................... 1 Systems)..................................................... 12
A) NAVIC (Navigation using Indian Constellation)
3. PYQ Analysis ............................................ 1 12

1) Distribution of Questions from various 7) Chandrayaan 4.0 ................................. 14

areas in last 12 years (2013-2024) ................ 1 8) Chandrayaan-5 ................................... 16
2) Space ................................................... 2 9) Chandrayaan 3.0 (LVM3-m4 Mission) .. 16
3) Biotechnology and Health .................... 2 A) Landing was the most complicated part here:
18
4) Computer, IT & Electronics ................... 3 B) Where did Lander Land? ................................18
Comparing Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2 and
5) Robotics ............................................... 3 Chandrayaan-3 .........................................................18
6) Nanotech ............................................. 3 10) India’s Own Space Station Plan ....... 19
7) Nuclear Science and Technology .......... 4 11) Aditya-L1......................................... 20
8) Intellectual Property Rights .................. 4 12) Xposat and X-Ray Polarimetry ......... 22
9) Defence................................................ 4 13) Shukrayaan-1 (Venus Orbiter Mission-
10) Promoting S&T Research in India ...... 5 1) (VOM-1) ................................................. 23
11) Miscellaneous .................................. 5 14) Gaganyaan – The Human Space Flight
Program ..................................................... 24
4. Space ....................................................... 6
15) Dr Vikram Sarabhai and His
1) PSLV ..................................................... 6 COntributions (12th Aug 1919 – 30th Dec 1971)
A) PSLV C-59/ Proba-3 Mission (Dec 2024) .......... 6
27
2) GSLV MK-2 ........................................... 8
16) Commercialization and Privatization in
3) GSLV MK-II (LVM-3) .............................. 9 Space Sector ............................................... 28
4) Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) ...10 17) Reforming SPace Sector in India ...... 29
5) Future of India’s Launch Vehicles ........11 18) Regulation of Global Space Sector ... 30

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 19) Avoiding Weaponization of Space ...32 9) Robotic Surgery .................................. 43
20) Space Tourism .................................33 6. Nanotechnology ..................................... 45
21) Space Based Internet .......................35 1) Past Year Mains Questions (since 2013)
22) Space Debris ....................................36 45
2) Other Practice Questions .................... 45
5. RObotics .................................................39
1) Syllabus...............................................39 3) Applications ........................................ 46

2) Past Year Mains Questions (since 2013) 4) Future Potential Applications.............. 47

39 5) Concerns and Limitations .................... 47
3) Other Practice Questions.....................39 6) Molecular Machines / Nano Machines 48
4) Introduction ........................................39 7) Example Nano-Materials..................... 50
A) Definition: Robotics ....................................... 39 A) Schwarzite – New Form of Carbon Created ...50
B) Law of Robotics .............................................. 39 B) Graphene........................................................50
C) Carbon Nanotubes (CNT)................................52
5) Applications: Robotics is being used
across a range of sectors such as:................40 23) Elaborating on some nanotechnology
applications ................................................ 52
6) Advantages .........................................41 Nanotechnology in Textile Sector ............................53
7) Robotics in India..................................41 Nanotechnology in Health Sector ............................54
A) Challenges which robotics sector face in India Environmental Nanotechnology ..............................55
41 24) India and Nano-Technology ............. 56
B) Steps that needs to be taken to promote
robotics in the country ............................................ 42
8) Limitations of Using Robots .................43

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2. SYLLABUS
1. Science and Technology - developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of
Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
2. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nanotechnology, biotechnology and issues relating
to intellectual property rights.
3. PYQ ANALYSIS

1) DISTRIBUTION OF QUESTIONS FROM VARIOUS AREAS IN LAST 12 YEARS (2013-2024)

Topic Number of Questions

Space & Astronomy 9
Biotechnology and Health 8
Computer, IT, Electronics 6
Robotics 1
Nanotech 2
Nuclear Science and Technology 2
IPR 5
Defence 1
Promoting S&T Research 1
Miscellaneous 9
Total 44

NUMBER OF QUESTIONS FROM DIFFERENT TOPICS

Miscellaneous Space & Astronomy

20% 21%

Promoting S&T
Research
2%

Defence
2%

Biotechnology and
IPR Health
11% 18%

Nuclear Science and

Technology Computer, IT,
Nanotech
5% Robotics Electronics
5%
2% 14%

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2) SPACE

1. What are asteroids? How real is the threat of them causing extinction of life? What strategies have been
developed to prevent such a catastrophe? [Mains 2024, 15 marks, 250 words]

2. What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List
the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain
the role of the ‘Virtual Launch Control Center’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center which contributed to
the successful launch from Sriharikota. [250 words, 15 marks, Mains 2023]

3. Launched on 25th Dec 2021, James Web Space Telescope has been much in the new since then. What are
its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor space telescopes. What are the key goals of
this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? [250 words, 15 marks, Mains 2022]

4. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? [10 marks,
150 words, Mains 2019]
5. Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in
navigation? (150 words, 10 marks, Mains 2018 [GS1])
6. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars
Orbiter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission, both in terms of technology and
logistics? Explain critically. [150 words, 10 marks, Mains 2017]

7. How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth? [150 words,
10 marks, Mains 2017 [GS1]]

8. Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this
technology has helped India in its socio-economic development? [Mains 2016]

9. What do you understand by ‘Standard Positioning Systems’ and ‘Protection Positioning Systems’ in the
GPS era? Discuss the advantages India perceives from its ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven
satellites. [Mains 2015]

3) BIOTECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH

1. The increase in life expectancy in the country has led to newer health challenges in the community. What
are those challenges and what steps need to be taken to meet them? [150 words, 10 marks, Mains 2022]

2. What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches were
adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines ? [15 marks, 150 words, Mains
2022]

3. What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these
achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of society? [250 words, 15 marks, Mains 2021]

4. How can biotechnology improve the living standards of farmers [15 marks, 250 words, Mains 2019]

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5. Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted
the field of Biopharma? [15 marks, 250 words][Mains 2018]

6. Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including
leukemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and
what advantages it has over other treatments? (150 words, 10 marks)[Mains 2017]

7. Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the
emergence of drug-resistant disease in India? What is the available mechanism for monitoring and control?
Critically discuss the various issues involved. [Mains 2014]

8. What do you understand by Fixed-Dose drug Combinations (FDCs)? Discuss their merits and demerits. [Mains
2013]

4) COMPUTER, IT & ELECTRONICS

1. What is the technology being employed in the electronic toll collection at highways? What are its advantages
and limitations? What are the proposed changes that will make this process seamless? Would this transition
carry a potential hazard? [Mains 2024, 10 marks, 150 words]

2. Introduce the Concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any
threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare [Answer in 150 words, 10
marks, Mains 2023]

3. The Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano, and Nakamura for the invention
of Blue LEDs in 1990s. How has this invention impacted the everyday life of human beings? (Answer in 250
words) (Mains 2021)
4. Discuss the advantage and security implications of cloud hosting of servers vis-a-vis in-house machine-based
hosting for government businesses. [Mains 2015]

5. What is a digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Give various salient built-in features of a
digital signature. [Mains 2013]
6. How does 3D printing technology work? List out the advantages and disadvantages of the technology. [Mains
2013]

5) ROBOTICS

1. What are the areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by robots? Discuss the initiatives
that can propel research in premier research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation.

6) NANOTECH

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1. What do you understand by nanotechnology and how is it helping in health sector? [10 marks, 150
words, Mains 2020]

2. Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of Indian
Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the development
process of the country (2016)

7) NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. With growing energy needs should India keep on extending its nuclear energy program? Discuss the facts and
fears associated with nuclear energy. [Mains 2018]

2. Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the
advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India? (250 words, 15 marks, Mains 2017)

8) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

i) What is the present world scenario of intellectual Property Rights with respect to life materials? Although,
India is second in the world to file patents, still only few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind
this less commercialization. [Mains 2024 10 marks, 150 words]

ii) How is Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical
companies? [Mains 2019]

iii) India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) which has a database containing formatted information
on more than 2 million medicinal formulations is proving a powerful weapon in the country’s fight against
erroneous patents. Discuss the pros and cons of making this database publicly available under open-source
licensing [Mains 2015]

iv) In a globalized world, intellectual property rights assume significance and are a source of litigation. Broadly
distinguish between the terms – copyrights, patents and trade secret [Main 2014]

v) Bring out the circumstances in 2005 which forced amendment to section 3(d) in the Indian Patent Law, 1970.
Discuss how it was utilized by Supreme Court in its judgment rejecting Novartis patent applications for
“Glivec”. Discuss briefly the pros and cons of the decision? [12.5 marks, 200 words] [Mains 2013]

9) DEFENCE

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 1. How is the S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the
world? (Answer in 150 words)[Mains 2021]

10) PROMOTING S&T RESEARCH IN INDIA

1. Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as our
business operations, engineering or administration, and the universities are becoming consumer-oriented.
Critically comment. [Mains 2014]

11) MISCELLANEOUS

1. The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and fresh water. What are the alternative technologies which
can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their merits and demerits? [Mains
2024, 15 marks, 250 words]
2. Discuss several ways in which micro-organisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage [10 marks,
150 words, Mains 2023]
3. Each year a large amount of plant material, cellulose, is deposited on the surface of Planet Earth. What are
the natural processes this cellulose undergoes before yielding carbondioxide, water and other end
products? [10 marks, 150 words, Mains 2022]
4. How is science interwoven deeply in our lives? What are the striking changes in agriculture triggered off by
science-based technologies [Mains 2020]
5. Covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological
advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was
sought to aid the management of pandemic [Mains 2020]
6. How was India benefitted from the contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan
in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively? [10 marks, 150 words,
Mains 0219]
7. Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it
revolutionized the field of Physics. [Mains 2018]
8. What is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture [Main 2016]
9. What is an FRP composite material? How are they manufactured? Discuss their application in the aviation
and automobile industries. [Mains 2013]

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4. SPACE

1) PSLV

­ Practice Questions:
▫ Why is Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) considering the workhorse of ISRO? Discuss the capabilities
and achievements of PSLV [15 marks, 250 words]

­ The PSLV is the third-generation satellite launch vehicle of India. It is an expandable system and was the first
Indian Launch Vehicle to be equipped with Liquid Stage.

­ Where is PSLV used?

▫ It was developed to allow India to launch its Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite into Sun synchronous
orbit, a service that was, until the advent of the PSLV, commercially available only from Russia. PSLV can
also launch small size satellites into Geostationary Transfer Orbit.

­ Capabilities: Payload to SSPO (sun synchronous polar orbit): 1,860 Kg; Payload to Sub GTO: 1,425 Kg
▫ Key features of PSLV Engines: PSLV has four stages using solid and liquid propulsion alternatively.
▫ Expansion of capabilities: Strap on Motors: PSLV uses 6 solid rocket strap-on motors to augment the
thrust provided by the first stage in its PSLV-G (1678 kg in SSPO) and PSLV-XL (1750 kg to SSPO) variants.
PSLV-DL, PSLV-QL versions use 2 and 4 straps on motors respectively. PSLV-CA (1100 kg in LEO) uses no
strap on motors.

» Key Significance and Achievements of PSLV

ú Reliability: Only 2 failures in almost 3 decades of service and 61 launches (till Dec 2024)
ú Commercial use: PSLV has launched more than 350 foreign satellites from 34 different countries so far.
ú It has played significant role in various major ISRO missions (including Chandryaan-1, MOM, IRNSS
system etc.)
ú India’s Soft Power: PSLV by providing the capability to launch satellites for foreign countries enhances
India’s soft power in the region.
ú Many learnings from the development of PSLV has helped scientists develop several non-space
applications like fire resistant tiles, better engines for missiles etc.

» Conclusion
ú Today, ISRO is playing a key role of connecting continents and people via its satellite launch business
model. From education to mobile telephony/ communications and navigation to business, the footprint
of ISRO is becoming all pervasive.

A) PSLV C-59/ PROBA-3 MISSION (DEC 2024)

- PSLV C-59/ PROBA-3 was a dedicated commercial mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). It used
PSLV-XL version of the rocket. It was 61st flight of PSLV and 26th PSLV flight with PSLV-XL version.

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- It successfully achieved its objectives, deploying ESA’s satellites into their designated orbit (a highly
elliptical orbit (59-degree inclination) with perigee of 600 km and apogee of 60,000 km) with precision.
» It carried Proba-3 spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit.
ú Proba-3 is ESA’s advanced Sun-observing mission.
ú It consists of 2 spacecrafts viz. the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft
(OSC) and it was launched together in a stacked configuration.
ú After reaching orbit, these spacecrafts will start precise formation flying.
§ They will perform precise formation flying down to a single millimeter, as if they were
one single giant spacecraft.
§ To demonstrate their degree of control, they will produce artificial solar eclipses in orbit,
giving prolonged views of the Sun’s Corona.
▫ The occulter spacecraft would line up in front of the other, around 150 meters away, to cast
its shadow precisely onto the other. The shade provided by the first spacecraft (Occulter)
would cover the fiery face of the Sun so that its faint surrounding ‘Coronal’ atmosphere
becomes visible.

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 2) GSLV MK-2

- Practice Question: Why has GSLV-Mk-2 acquired the nickname of naughty boy. Discuss its key launches of
last one year. [10 marks, 150 words]

- Introduction:
» GSLV is the 4th generation launch vehicle of ISRO. It is an expandable launch system. It was primarily
developed to launch INSAT class of communication satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
It is currently being used for launching GSAT series

- Nickname: Naughty Boy: It has been given this nickname because of its rather patchy track record. So far (as
of Dec 2024), GSLV has had 16 launches, but 25% of them (i.e. 4/16) have been failures.
» Reason for failures: The main problem is the Cryogenic engine that powers the third and final stage –
the Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS). This engine is a reverse engineered version of Russian Technology.
Due to MTCR restrictions Russia couldn’t provide India with the technology and India had to reverse
engineer the Russian technology which had some flaws.

- Technology and Capabilities:

» It is a three-stage engine with first stage being solid, second liquid and third being cryogenic engine.
» Payload to GTO: Presently GSLV can inject 2.5 ton (GSLV Mk-2) of communication satellite into
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit and it can inject 5 tonnes of satellite in LEO.

- Recent Launches:
1) GSLV-F12/ NVS-01 Mission: Accomplished successfully in May 2023. This GSLV mission deployed NVS-
01 navigation satellite, weighing about 2232 kg, into GTO. The vehicle lifted off from the second launch
pad at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota and injected the satellite after about 19 minutes of flight
2) GSLV F14/ INSAT-3DS Mission: Accomplished in Feb 2024, it was the 16th mission of GSLV. It deployed
the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite in GTO. It was a mission fully funded by ministry of earth science.

- Conclusion: Though, GSLV-MK-II has faced some challenges due to a reverse engineered cryogenic engine,
now India has developed its own indigenous cryogenic engine CE-20 which has proved very successful in all
the launches of LMV-3 so far.

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 3) GSLV MK-II (LVM-3)

- Example Questions
▫ Discuss the significance of GSLV-MK-III in India’s space program [10 marks, 150 words]

- LVM3 is a 3-stage heavy lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO.

▫ Capability: GSLV-Mk III can launch 4 tons class of satellites to Geosynchronous Transfer orbit (GTO) or
about 8-10 tons to LEO, which is twice the capability of GSLV Mk II.
▫ Flights so far: GSLV-MK-III D1 (GSAT-19); GSLV-MK-III D2 (GSAT-29); GSLV-MK-III-M1 (Chandraayn-2);
GSLV MK-III-M2 (OneWeb India-1); LVM3-M3 (OneWeb India-2); LVM3-M4 (Chandrayaan-3)

- Significance of GSLV MK-III for India’s Space Program

▫ Self-Reliance: The vehicle has made ISRO fully self-reliant in launching heavier communication satellites
of INSAT-4 class, which weighs between 4500 to 5000 kg.
▫ Saves Money: The mission’s success will enable India to launch four-tonne satellites on its own rocket
instead of paying huge amounts of money to foreign space agencies to execute the operation.
▫ Commercialization: Launching satellites is a huge market, and India's PSLV has already shown its mettle.
Now it's time for GSLV to show its significance.
▫ Advancement in Science and Technology: The development of GSLV-MK-III enhances India’s image as a
Space Power. The latest cryogenic engine CE-20 is another of India’s S&T achievements.
▫ Enhances India’s Soft Power: We will be able to launch heavier satellites for other countries and this
will play a big role in improving our significance at the world stage.
▫ Future ISRO Missions: ISRO in long term is also planning GSLV-MK-III to be India's first vehicle to ferry
people into space (Gaganyaan).

- Conclusion
▫ Successful launch of OneWeb India-1, OneWeb India-2, Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 on board
LVM-3 is a feather in ISRO’s cap. The rocket has the potential to change the satellite launch landscape
for India and other countries who take space services from India.

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4) SMALL SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE (SSLV)

- Practice Question: Why does India need to develop an SSLV when ISRO already has a very successful PSLV
and a very powerful GSLV [10 marks, 150 words]

­ Introduction
▫ The Indian SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle) is a small launch vehicle which will serve small
satellite launches. It is the smallest vehicle at 110-ton mass at ISRO.

- Key Features:

▫ Capability: Payload capacity of 500 Kg to 500 km planar orbit or 300 kg to SSPO. Using PSLV for these
small satellites was an overkill.
▫ It uses three solid fuel-based stages and a liquid fuel-based velocity trimming module (VTM) to place
the satellite in orbit.
▫ Major technologies developed as part of SSLV are flexible nozzle control with electro-mechanical
actuators for all stages, miniaturized avionics, and a velocity trimming module in the upper stage for
precise satellite injections.

- Need: The global demand for launch of small satellite is increasing. It is being demanded by businesses,
government agencies, universities, and various research labs.

- Advantages:

▫ Low turnaround time: It is ideal for on-demand, quick turn-around launch of small satellites. It will
take only 72 hours to assemble (unlike around 70 days needed for PSLV).
▫ Low Human Resource requirement: Only 6 people will be required to do assembly (unlike 60 people
for the PSLV).
▫ Cost Effective: The overall cost of building the SSLV will only be Rs 30 crores.
▫ More business opportunities.

- Conclusion: The successful completion of 2nd developmental flight (SSLV-D2 EOS-07) has set the foundation
for the future launches of SSLV. It is going to be an important launch vehicle in the ISRO’s pool for commercial
launches.

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5) FUTURE OF INDIA’S LAUNCH VEHICLES

- Introduction: ISRO currently has four categories of launch vehicles. This include SSLV, PSLV, GSLV-MK-II and
LVM3. But despite this, India is dependent on other countries for launch of communication satellites of 5
ton plus weight.

- To increase the capability of ISRO launchers, following are the key initiatives ISRO has planned:
» Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is being developed in which ISRO is understood to be looking
at a cost efficient, three stage rocket, which will be a reusable vehicle with a capability of sending 10
ton of payload to GTO.
» NGLV is planned to feature Semi-Cryogenic engine in the second stage which will enhance the
capability of the overall rocket.
» It is also expected to have simple robust design which will allow bulk manufacturing and modularity
in systems, sub-systems leading to very limited turnaround time.
» ISRO Tested Hybrid Propulsion System: It uses solid HTPB and Liquid Oxidizer (LOX) as fuel and thus
gives the solid fuel stage the ability of maneuverability.

- Conclusion: While ISRO has already emerged as one of the top five space powers in the world, in the next
decade, it is aiming to consolidate its position among the top 3 countries. The above initiatives will be
positive steps in the direction.

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 6) SATELLITE NAVIATION SYSTEM (SATNAV SYSTEMS)

- Some Practice Questions:

▫ What is satellite navigation? Discuss the key economic and social uses of Satellite navigation. [10
marks, 150 words]
▫ Why did India need its own regional satellite navigation system when we already had access to GPS
services? Discuss the key features of NAVIC. [10 marks, 150 words]

- Introduction: A satellite navigation (SATNAV) system is a technology that allows users to determine their
precise location, velocity, and time information anywhere on or near Earth’s surface. It uses a network of
satellite in space and provide accurate positioning data.

- Methods used in SATNAV: Triangulation and Trilateration

- Applications: Navigation purposes -> helping users find their way while driving, hiking, or boating. It is
also used in aviation, surveying, geolocation-based services, precision agriculture, and even in some
outdoor recreational activities. It can be used for vehicle tracking, fleet management, precise timing etc.

- Global Positioning System (GPS) is the best-known satnav system, GPS, uses 24 active satellites (including
backups). Day and night, 365 days a year, they whiz around earth once every 12 hours on orbital plane
inclined 55 degrees to the equator. It uses the principle of Trilateration to provide the services.

A) NAVIC (NAVIGATION USING INDIAN CONSTELLATION)

- Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) (also called Navigation Using Indian Constellation
(NAVIC)), is a regional satnav system developed by ISRO. It aims to provide reliable position, navigation and
timing (PNT) services over India and its neighbourhood, upto 1500 km from its boundary. In addition it is
also capable of broadcasting messages. This can be used for broadcasting safety-of-life alerts in areas with
poor or no communication, particularly in Ocean.

- Need of IRNSS when services like GPS are easily available.

▫ The access to foreign controlled global navigation satellite systems is not guaranteed in hostile
situations, as happened to Indian military depending on American GPS during Kargil War.

- NAVIC provides two types of services:

▫ Standard Positioning Service (Open for Civilian Use)
▫ Restricted Services (Encrypted one, for authorized users (military))

- Components of IRNSS System:

▫ Space segments consists of 7 satellites, 3 satellites in GEO stationary orbit (GEO) and 4 satellites in
GEO synchronous orbit(GSO) with inclination of 29 degree to the equatorial plane.
▫ All the satellites will always be visible in the Indian region.

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FIRST OF THE 2 ND GENERATION SATELLITE – NVS-01 WAS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED IN MAY 2023
- ISRO’s GSLV F12 (GSLV-MK-II mission)successfully places navigation satellite NVS-01 into intended orbit.

- About NVS-01:
» Heavier: It weighs 2232 kg and has been placed in geosynchronous orbit (older IRNSS satellites weighed
1,425 kg)
» Indigenous Atomic Clock: For the first time, the satellite carries an indigenous atomic clock. The space
qualified Rubidium atomic clock has been indigenously developed by Space Application Centre –
Ahmedabad.
» L1 signals for better use in wearable devices: The second generation satellites have send signals in a
third frequency, L1, besides the L5 and S frequency signals that the existing satellites provide. This will
increase operability with other satellite based navigation systems. L1 frequency is the most commonly
used in the GPS and will increase the use of NavIC in wearable devices which use low power signal
frequency chip.
» Longer Mission Life of 12 years (earlier NavIC satellites have a mission life of 10 years).

Where is NaVIC being used?

- Initial Delay in developing user receiver: A 2018 report by the CAG of India has said that even though the
cabinet cleared funding of Rs 200 crore to develop user receivers in 2006, work on the project started
only in March 2017, by which time seven launches of NavIC was already done.
- But, now, the receivers have been deployed, and NavIC is in use for projects like public safety, power grid
synchronization, real-time train information system, and fishermen’s safety. Other upcoming initiatives
(such as) common alert protocol based emergency warning, time dissemination, geodetic network,
unmanned aerial vehicles are in the process of adopting NavIC system.
- Some cell phone chipsets build by Qualcomm, MediaTek integrated NaVIC receivers in 2019. Some
example phones which are NavIC enabled include Redmi Note 9, Realme 6, the OnePlus Nord etc.

- Way Forward:
▫ Promoting the Use of IRNSS:
- NavIC chip -> affordable
- Spreading awareness -> Positional accuracy better than 20 m and timing accuracy better than 50 ns
(20);
- Make compulsory for phones marketing in India: Mobile phones haven’t been made compatible to
process its signals.
- Government apps -> start using NaVIC for various purpose.
- HEIs -> Promote use in Labs, among students etc.
▫ Fast track the plans for making NavIC global
▫ The next generation NVS series of satellites will make the NavIC more versatile and promote ease of use.

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7) CHANDRAYAAN 4.0

- Why in news?
▫ S. Somnath, the chairperson of ISRO has set a target of 2028 for the Chandrayaan-4 mission (Oct
2024)
2) Earlier in Sep 2024, Union Cabinet of GoI had accorded approval for two significant space
missions, viz. the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) to study different facets of Venus including its
surface and atmosphere, and the Chandrayaan-4 mission, which is meant to collect lunar
samples and bring back the same to the earth. (Sep 2024)

- Background: So far, India has had three Moon Missions – Chandryaan-1, Chandrayaan-2 and
Chandrayaan-3
▫ The first two missions, viz. Chandrayaan-1 and 2 have studied the Moon’s surface, sub surface,
and exosphere, from an orbital platform.
▫ Chandrayaan-3 became India’s first mission to soft land on the moon and rove on the moon’s
surface. It is also the first ever successful lunar landing and robotic exploration in the Southern
Polar Region of the Moon. It has conducted in-situ studies of the lunar surface, near-surface
plasma, and recorded, for the first time, lunar ground vibration in the southern polar regions. It
also demonstrated bringing back the propulsion module from the lunar to the Earth-bound orbit.

- About Chandrayaan 4.0: It will be India’s 4th mission to the moon. It will demonstrate taking off from
lunar surface after collecting samples and bringing back the same to the Earth with the protection of
the collected samples against damage and contamination.
▫ The spacecraft will consist of five modules (divided in two stacks)
Stack-1: Stack-2:
Ascender Module (AM) Re-entry module (RM)
Descender Module (DM) Transfer Module (TM)
Propulsion Module (PM)

▫ These two stacks are proposed to be launched onboard two separate LVM3 vehicles. After two
launches the stacks will be docked together in elliptical orbit to form an integrated stack. After
this, Integrated Stack will perform first set of Earth-bound maneuvers with PM propulsion system.
Once the PM Module is depleted, it gets jettisoned from the integrated stack. The Integrated Stack
(DM + AM + TM + RM) performs all the maneuvers to achieve the lunar orbit, such that the orbit

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 plane has the pre-determined landing site. In the final lunar orbit, DM+AM gets separated from
TM+RM. DM+AM then undergoes powered descent to achieve soft landing on the lunar surface.
▫ After touchdown, a robotic arm, also called Surface Sampling Robot mounted on DM will scoop 2-
3 kg samples around the landing site and transfer it to a container on AM. In addition, a drilling
mechanism will collect sub-surface samples and transfer it to another container in the AM. The
containers with the samples will be sealed to prevent contamination and leakage during its
journey to Earth. Various phases of sample collection operations will be monitored through video
cameras.
▫ After the completion of sample collection, AM would ascend to the lunar orbit and dock with the
parked TM+RM. Samples will be transferred from AM to RM. After sample transfer, the TM+RM
will be undocked from AM. Later, the TM+RM will perform maneuvers to return to Earth. At
suitable reentry corridor, RM would get separated from TM and perform ballistic re-entry into
Earth’s atmosphere and finally landing onto Earth landmass along with Lunar samples.

- Significance of the mission.

▫ It will be an entirely self-reliant mission, with all critical technologies developed domestically.
▫ It will underline India’s rise as a space and technology powerhouse and will strengthen India’s soft
power.
▫ It will be a test bed to demonstrate technologies required for future deep space mission including
manned mission to Moon.
▫ It will demonstrate many new abilities for ISRO: Surface sampling, drilling mechanism, sample
storage cartridge, sample transfer, and docking abilities.
▫ Promote domestic industries: Domestic Industries are going to play a pivotal role in realizing the
mission, which is expected to promote skill development, create employment opportunities, and
drive technological advancements.
▫ It will result in important contribution in understanding the Earth-Moon system.
▫ It also has the potential to enhance India’s access to resources from Moon – the recent interest
in moon is primarily due to possibility of important minerals being found on moon.

- Way Forward: While the current achievement of being the first country to land on the south pole of
the moon and plans to bring back samples from moon are commendable, India still needs to do a lot
to compete with bigger space giants like USA, and China.
» Look Beyond frugal engineering as it is no longer enough to make a difference to global activity
on the moon. To do more impactful moon projects, ISRO needs bigger budgets and more
powerful rockets that can arrive quicker and with heavier payloads too.
» ISRO needs to enhance its capability to be able to run multiple flagship missions parallelly.
» Encourage bigger contribution from private sectors: Globally, space programs are being
animated by commerce, and private sector is emerging as bigger player than state (E.g SpaceX)
» Increased International Cooperation: Joint programs can be economical, have shorter gestation
period, and higher science outputs. Even NASA (USA) has realized that massive space program

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 would not be feasible by external support and hence have launched initiatives like Artemis
Accord. India also needs to raise its lunar profile through international cooperation.
» Keep Geopolitics in Mind: Both USA and China have drastically increased their interest and
investment in Moon. USA plans to send humans again to moon in 2025 and China plans to do the
same before 2030. Given India’s tensed relations with China, India needs to embark on serious
negotiations with the USA on the possible terms of mutually beneficial Indian participation in
the Artemis Mission.
» Getting domestic and international legal framework ready:
▫ India needs to follow up its pace policy with legislation that facilitate and regulates space
business.
▫ India also needs to pay serious attention to shaping the global governance of space. The
existing international regimes like Outer Space Treaty, 1967 and the 1979 Moon treaty are
under considerable stress. Therefore, India should join hands with like-minded nations to
reform the current outerspace order.
- Conclusion: The success of Chandryaan-4 will encourage generation of scientists and engineers and
will act as a springboard for India’s future space programs. At the same time, it is crucial to ensure that
government of India enhances the budget for ISRO so that it can start competing with space agencies
of USA and China.

8) CHANDRAYAAN-5

- It will be a moon landing mission with Japanese Space Agency (JAXA). It was originally named
LUPEX, or Lunar Polar Exploration.
▫ It will be a heavy mission in which lander will be provided by India and rover will come from
Japan. The rover itself will weigh around 350 kgs (compared to 27 kg rover which went with
Chandrayaan-3).
▫ It will take India step closer to landing on moon.
- The expected time frame for the same hasn’t been announced yet.

9) CHANDRAYAAN 3.0 (LVM3-M4 MISSION)

- Introduction: Chandrayaan -3 is the third Moon Mission of ISRO that was launched in July 2023 perched on
GSLV-MK-3 heavy lift vehicle. It is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2 and demonstrated end-to-end
capability in safe landing and roving in lunar surface when it landed on the south pole of Moon on 23rd Aug
2023. With this, India has become the fourth country in the world after USA, Russia and China to successfully
land on Moon.

- Components of Chandrayaan 3.0:

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 ▫ It consisted of a Propulsion Module (PM), Lander Module (LM), and a Rover with an objective of
developing and demonstrating new technologies required for inter-planetary mission. Note: It doesn’t
have an orbiter module.

Propulsion Module (PM)

The mains function of PM is to carry the LM from launch
vehicle injection till final lunar 100 km circular orbit and
separate LM from PM.

This propulsion module has Spectro-Polarimetry of

Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload to study the
spectral and Polari metric measurements of Earth from
the lunar orbit.

Note: Lander module separated from propulsion module

on Aug 17, 2023. Here propulsion module was still left
with 150 kg fuel. So it did something interesting, it was
able to return to orbit around earth thus doing something
which will be needed in future Chandrayaan mission.

The Lander (Vikram) had the capability to soft land at a

specified lunar site and deploy rover. It happened on 23rd
Aug 2023. It remained stationary on the surface and
carries four payloads which would record the chemical,
thermal, and seismic instruments of the moon’s surface.

Lander Payloads: Lander module has four payloads

(Chaste, RAMBHA, ILSA and LRA)

Chandra Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE):

To carry out the measurements of thermal properties of
lunar surface near polar region.
A passive Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) from
Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) for NASA is accommodated for lunar laser ranging
measuring the seismicity around the landing site and studies. It acts as a target for lasers for very accurate
delineating the structure of the lunar crust and mantle. measurements for future missions.
RAMBHA- LP (Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound
Hypersensitive ionosphere and atmosphere) - RAMBHA:

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Rover (Pragyaan) is a 6 wheeled robotic vehicle.
Life: One lunar day (14 earth day)

Payload:
Laser Induced breakdown Spectrometer (LIBS): It will
determine the chemical and mineral composition of the
lunar surface.
Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS): It will
determine the composition of elements such as
magnesium, aluminium, silicon, potassium, calcium,
titanium and iron in the lunar soil and rocks.

ú Mission objectives of Chandrayaan 3.0

§ To demonstrate safe and soft landing on Lunar Surface
§ TO demonstrate Rover roving on the moon
§ To conduct in-situ experiments.

A) LANDING WAS THE MOST COMPLICATED PART HERE:

- Landing is the most complicated part of the mission. The Lander and Rover get ejected at a speed of
around 6,000 km/hr and have to be slowed down to roughly 3 km/hr before it lands. Since moon
doesn’t have atmosphere, parachute kind of mechanism can’t be used. Here, thrusters had to be fired
in opposite direction to slow down the lander.

B) WHERE DID LANDER LAND?

i. It landed at around 70-degree S near the southern pole of the moon.
ii. Why?
a. The site was selected as there are several craters here that are permanent in shade and
cane be reservoir of frozen water which is key to the future space mission.

COMPARING CHANDRAYAAN-1, CHANDRAYAAN-2 AND CHANDRAYAAN-3

Chandrayaan-1 Chandrayaan-2 Chandrayaan-3
Year 2008 2019 2023
Rocket Used PSLV LVM-3 LVM-3
Payloads Orbiter + Impactor Module (for Orbiter + Lander (Vikram) Lander + Rover
crash landing) + Rover (Pragyan)
Successful Yes Partially Yes (Lander Yes
failed)
Perhaps the most important It helped in separately
discovery of Chandrayaan-1 was identifying the water and
the discovery of water and hydroxyl molecules, and
hydroxyl (OH) molecules in the mapping water features
Moon’s thin atmosphere across the moon for the
first time.

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 (exosphere) as well on the lunar
surface.

Buried Lava Tubes: The terrain

mapping camera and
hyperspectral imager on board
Chandrayaan-1 detected an
underground lava tube, which,
scientists believe, can provide a
safe environment for human
habitation in the future. It can
protect against hazardous
radiation, small meteoric impacts,
extreme temperature and dust
storms on the surface.

10) INDIA’S OWN SPACE STATION PLAN

▫ Example Questions
- What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space program? [10
marks, 150 words] [Mains 2019]
- Discuss the key advances that India will need to achieve before developing the ability to have its
own space station. [12.5 marks, 200 words]

▫ Introduction
- A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting crew members, designed to remain in space
for an extended period of time and for other spacecrafts to dock.
- Currently, there are only two fully functional space station in the earth’s lower orbit.
ú The International Space Station: It is a partnership between NASA (USA), JAXA (Japan), CSA
(Canada), and Roscosmos (Russia). It is world’s largest international cooperative program in
science and technology.
ú The Tiangong Space Station: China is also building a space station of its own.
- India is also plans to do the same and with this in mind ISRO plans to have its own space station.
PM Modi has directed the ISRO to aim for setting up “Bhartiya Antariksha Station” by 2035.
- The proposed space station is envisaged to weigh 20 tonnes, which will be placed in LEO at a height
of 400 km and will serve as a facility where astronauts can stay for 15-20 days.
- India will become only the fourth country to launch a space station after US, Russia and China
which plans to launch it in 2020.

▫ Advantages/Benefits/ Significance
- Natural Progression for any space faring country after Human Space flight.
ú The Human Space flight leads to development of human rated rocket, the ability to train
crew and the capacity to sustain life and safety of the crew on orbit and return them.

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 - Step towards future manned expedition to other celestial bodies.
- Ability to do micro-gravity experiments.

▫ What advancements will India need to achieve to have its space, Stations?
- All the Gaganyaan requirements (Space suits, Training facilities for astronauts, Crew Escape
Module, making GSLV Human rated, developing a habitable module etc)
- Larger bigger rocket by upgrading the capabilities of GSLV-MK-III (it is right now capable of carrying
on 10 tonnes to LEO)
- Developing ability to perform space docking. ISRO has revealed its plan to carry out a space
docking experiment, Spadex.
ú Two experimental modules will be sent into space, on board a PSLV rocket, and two will be
docked with each other.
ú Complex docking technology is an essential building block process for setting up the
country’s own space station and sending humans to that station.
ú The docking process involves latching of one satellite with another with the help of on-board
cameras, and constant monitoring by the earth’s station. The complexity of the process
comes as it involves controlling the speed of the two satellites and bringing them together
so that they can dock and become a larger structure.
ú It can serve two goals: To send humans from a space shuttle to a space station and to
assemble a larger satellite in space.

▫ Conclusion
- Though the Space Station program is still some distance away, by initiating the steps such as
sending humans to space, conducting the SPADEX experiment etc ISRO has started making
significant moves towards this very gargantuan and challenging task.

11) ADITYA-L1

- Practice Question: What are the main science objectives of India’s Aditya-L1 mission. Introduce the
subsystems in the spacecraft launched. [10 marks, 150 words]

- Introduction: ADITYA L1 is India’s first observatory class space based solar mission. It was launched onboard
PSLV-C57 in Sep 2023 and reached L1 point 127 days later in Jan 2024.

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- The major science objectives of the mission in its five years of mission life are to understand:
▫ The coronal heating and solar wind acceleration;
▫ The initiation of Coronal mass ejection (CME), flares, and near earth space weather;
▫ The coupling and dynamics of the solar atmosphere;
▫ The solar wind distribution and temperature anisotropy

- What is the need of studying sun from space and specifically from Lagrangian point 1 (L1):
▫ Significance of studying Sun from Space: Radiations which
don’t reach earth due to earth’s magnetic field and
atmosphere can be studied.
▫ Significance of studying sun from L1: A Satellite placed in the
halo orbit around the Lagrangian point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth
system has the major advantage of continuously viewing the
Sun without any occultation/ eclipses.

- What Trajectory ADITYA-L1 followed to reach Lagrangian Point-

1: Through various orbit raising manoeuvres and cruise phase, it was placed in a halo orbit around the
Lagrangian Point-1 (L1) of the Sun Earth System, which is about 1.5 million km from the Earth.

- Aditya-L1 went with 7 Payloads (4 remote sensing payloads and 3 in-situ payloads)
» Remote Sensing Payload:
a. Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC): It can peek as close as 1.05 solar radii, a region
never imaged by any solar telescope. It can thus give us more information about coronal mass
ejection.
b. Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT): It will observe UV radiations from different zones
of the solar atmosphere. It will help us to better understand the climate variation on earth.
c. Solar Low Energy X-Ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS)
d. High Energy L1 Orbiting X-Ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS)

» In-Situ Payloads:
a. Aditya Solar Particle Experiment (ASPEX): In-situ measurements of solar particles and ions.
b. Plasma Analyzer Package for Aditya (PAPA)

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 c. Advanced Tri-axial High Resolution Digital Magnetometers

- With the help of ASPEX, PAPA, and ATHRDM scientists can predict probable geomagnetic storms and
better understand space weather dynamics.

- Conclusion: Successfully placement of Aditya-L1 is a resounding vindication of India’s investment in space

science research, which can on the one hand spur fundamental enquiry of our cosmos and on the other
generate knowledge of strong societal relevance.

12) XPOSAT AND X-RAY POLARIMETRY

▫ Why in news?
- ISRO launched the XpoSat onboard a PSLV C58 flight on 1st Jan 2024.

▫ Practice Question:
- Discuss the scientific significance of XPoSat in advancing our understanding of high energy
astrophysical phenomenon. How does it complement NASA’s Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer
(IXPE). [10 marks, 150 words]

▫ More Details
- XPoSat is a specialized science mission that studies the polarization of X-Rays in space. It was
launched on board PSLV-C58 on 1st Jan 2024.

- Need of studying polarization of X-Rays: The mechanization of polarization of radiation gives away
the nature of its source, including the strength and distribution of the magnetic field and the nature
of radiation around it.

- XPoSAT has carried two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit:

» The Primary Payload (POLIX) (Polarimeter Instrument of X-Rays) developed by RRI, measures
the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) in medium X-ray range (8-30
KeV) photons of astronomic origin.
» The XSPECT (X-Ray Spectroscopy and Timing), developed by URSC, studies X-rays of energy
0.8-15 Kev and changes in the continuous emissions.

- Need/Significance: Better understanding of the universe: So far polarization studies were done on
low energy radiations in optical and radio bands. XPOSAT by studying polarization in medium
energy band (8-30 Ke) will be able to act as an excellent diagnostic tool to understand the emission
process from astronomical sources. It will be:

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 » Unveiling the Mysteries of Black Holes: It is one of the primary focus of XPoSat. By studying
the polarization of X-rays emitted from the regions around the black holes, scientists can gain
valuable information about geometry and strength of the magnetic field around black holes.
» Better Understanding Neutron stars which are remnants of massive stars.
» More insights into high energy astrophysical processes like particle acceleration, magnetic
field amplification etc.
» Verifying various models of Physics with the help of Data from XpoSat.
» Future Advancements – the successful launch of XpoSat has paved the way for future more
advanced launches leading to improved study of the universe.

- International Trend in Space-Based X-Ray Polarimetry

» Internationally, space-based x-ray polarimetry is gaining importance.
§ The Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) mission, launched in 2021, represents
NASA’s inaugural space-based endeavor, focused on scrutinizing X-Ray Polarization
across various celestial bodies.
§ Note: XPoSAT energy range of 8-30 keV for polarization measurement is complimentary
to IXPE energy range of 2-8 KeV (soft X-Ray band). Therefore, XPoSat and IXPE
spacecrafts will collectively probe different emission mechanisms and physics for bright
X-Ray sources. Their coordinated observation will provide a wide window in the energy
range of 2-30 KeV for polarimetric observations for bright X-Ray sources.

- In Conclusion, XpoSAT is a landmark mission which is going to revolutionize our understanding of

high energy astrophysics leading to new discoveries and advancement in the boundaries of human
knowledge.

13) SHUKRAYAAN-1 (VENUS ORBITER MISSION-1) (VOM-1)

- Details
» Shukrayaan-1 (Venus Orbiter Mission) is a proposed orbiter to Venus by ISRO to study the surface
and atmosphere of Venus.
» It will be first Venus mission by ISRO. It is scheduled for launch in March 2028, for a 112-day journey
to reach Venus. It was approved by Union Cabinet in Sep 2024.
» As per plan, it will be launched using GSLV MK-III rocket. The rocket will place the spacecraft in in an
Elliptical Parking Orbit (EPO) of 170 km X 36,000 km. Venus Orbital Injection (VOI) will be at 500 km
X 60,000 km. Aerobraking will be employed for a period of six months from VOI to achieve the
desired altitude of 200 X 600 km with an inclination of around 90 degrees, to carry out proposed
science studies for a period of five years.

- Why launch specifically in March 2028?

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 » The launch opportunity comes only in 19 months due to orbital configuration and period of Earth
and Venus. Earlier, ISRO was aiming for a mid-2023, but pandemic related delays, focus on other
missions and delay in cabinet approval has finally pushed the target to March 2028.
- Payloads/Instruments: The mission will be carrying 19 payloads (16 Indian, 2 Indian-International
collaborative, and 1 international)
- Scientific Objectives: Examining dust in the Venusian atmosphere, mapping its surface topography in
high resolution, studying the solar X-Ray spectrum near Venus, Analysing Venusian Airglow and
investigating sub-surface characteristics. It will also serve as technology demonstration for ISRO, testing
aerobraking and thermal management techniques in the harsh Venusian Environment.
- Venus Missions in the Past:
» Early missions of 1960s and 1970s by USA and USSR helped us understand about the high surface
temperature and dense atmosphere.
» Missions in 1970s and 1980s such as Pioneer Venus and Vega, expanded the understanding of
Venus’ atmosphere, including its composition, circulation, and interaction with the Sun.
» Recent Missions like ESA’s Venus Express (2006-2014) and Japan’s Akatsuki have focused on
studying the planet’s atmospheric dynamics, climate evolution, and surface features.
» Several aircrafts are also performing flybys of Venus, including NASA’s Parker Solar Probe for
Solar Observation, and Europe’s BEPIColombo en route to Mercury.
- Conclusion: Chanadrayaan-4 and Shukrayaan-1 will be major stepping stones to achieve Hon’ble Prime
Minister’s Space Vision 2047, which envisions India being one of the most impactful space powers with
Bhartiya Antariksha Station in orbit by 2035, and Indians having landed on the Moon with indigenous
technologies by 2040.

14) GAGANYAAN – THE HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT PROGRAM

­ Example Question:
▫ Explain the significance of Gaganyaan Mission in India’s future space program, S&T advancements,
energy security, and strengthening of India’s soft power. What are the key steps taken over the last
few years to make the mission successful.
▫ Discuss the key significance of Gaganyaan Mission in India’s Space Program [10 marks, 150 words]
▫ Evaluate the safety measures and risk mitigation strategy being implemented as part of Gaganyaan
mission [10 marks, 150 words]

­ Introduction
▫ Gaganyaan project is envisaged as a technology demonstration project to showcase human
spaceflight capability by India. Under this, ISRO plans to launch a crew of 3 members in LEO for a 3-
day mission and bring them back safely.

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 ▫ Test flights (uncrewed) for the project are planned in 2024 and 2025. On success of these, the crewed
flight is scheduled.

­ Significance/ Need of HSP

▫ First step towards future space programs like having India’s own space station and sending humans
to moon and on other interplanetary mission. PM Modi has set the target of having a space station
by 2035 and landing an Indian on Moon by 2040.
▫ Resources outside earth: Manned space programs are important to get control over resources. For
e.g., the moon has enough helium-3 to power the entire globe.
» In fact, Dr K Sivan (former chair of ISRO) says that if colonies must be set up outside earth for
the human civilization, how can India, one of the oldest civilizations, be left behind and
waiting.
▫ More R&D in space – ISRO will be able to conduct micro-gravity experiment.
▫ Advances in Science and Technology: Mission will provide us opportunities to explore new
technologies including push for indigenization, capacity building, and domestic manufacturing of new
technologies.
▫ Encouragement to our scientific community: it will give self belied to our engineers, scientists etc.
▫ Strengthen India’s Soft power: So far, only three countries USA, Russia and China have executed
Human Spaceflight at their own. A successful mission would be ISRO’s ultimate demonstration of
capability.
▫ Technological spin-offs will benefit other sectors.
» Space programs in the past have also resulted in hundreds of important spin-off technologies,
including some breakthrough interventions in health and medicine sector like Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI), heart implants, and advanced water filtration.
» Other examples include lithium-ion batteries developed by ISRO for rockets are now finding
usage in commercial vehicles.
» Fire Resistant Chemicals that ISRO will be developing for human flights may also be useful in
petroleum industry, safeguarding workers from the fire.

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 ▫ Improvements in Higher Education in the field of aeronautical engineering, aerospace engineering
and physics.
▫ Symbolism: Great power status – Achievements in outer space are a marker of great power status.

­ Key components of Human Space Program (HSP)

▫ Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) – A body set up by ISRO as a coordinating body for Gaganyaan called
the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC).

▫ Development of Human rated launch vehicles for carrying crew safely to

space.
» All systems in LVM3 launch vehicles are-reconfigured to meet human
rating requirements and christened Human Rated LVM3 (HLVM3). It will
be capable of launching the orbital module to an intended LEO of 400
km.
» HLVM3 also consist of Crew Escape System (CES) powered by a set of
quick acting, high burn rate solid motors which ensure that Crew module
along with crew is taken to safe distance in case of emergency either at
launch pad or during ascent phase.

▫ Orbital Module: It is the object that LVM-3 rocket will launch and place in LEO.
It will be orbiting earth and comprises of Crew Module (CM) and Service
Module (SM). It is fit with adequate redundancy considering human safety.
» CM is the habitable space with Earth like environment in space for the
crew. It can house upto three astronauts for a week. It includes:
ú Parachutes to slow its descent to the ground once it descends from
orbit.
ú An Environment Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) to control
the temperature, breathing environment, waste disposal, fire
protection etc.
ú It also include a gynoid (feminine robot) named ‘Vyomamitra’ fit
with sensors to track the effects of radiation and weightlessness,
monitor capsule conditions, and sound alarms in the event of an impending emergency,
aside from being able to perform some task.
ú It has double walled construction consisting of pressurized metallic Inner Structure and
unpressurised External Structure with Thermal Protection System (TPS).
» SM will be used for providing necessary support to CM while in orbit. It is an unpressurized
structure containing thermal system, propulsion system, power systems, avionics systems and
deployment mechanisms. The propulsion system here will raise the orbital module’s altitude
once it separates from the rocket and later to propel it back towards the earth.

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 ▫ Precursor Missions for demonstrating the technology preparedness levels before carrying out the
actual mission. This includes Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT), and Test Vehicle
(TV) flights.
▫ Crew Training Facility established in Bengaluru caters to Classroom training, Physical Fitness Training,
Simulator Training and Flight suit training.
» Training Modules cover academic courses, Gaganyaan Flight Systems, Micro-Gravity
familiarization through parabolic Flights, Aero-medical training, Recovery & Survival training etc.
Aero medical training, Periodical Flying Practice and Yoga are also included as part of the
training.
» Note: A shortlist of candidates was sent to Russia for advanced training.
▫ Capabilities for recovering astronauts safely.

­ Other Steps taken so far:

▫ Space Borne Assistance and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction (SAKHI): A multipurpose app
developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre that will help astronauts on Gaganyaan space flight
mission carry out a range of tasks such as looking up vital technical information or communicating with
one another. It will also monitor the health of astronauts, alert them about their dietary schedule etc.
It will also help them stay connected with Earth. It will keep the crew connected with the onboard
computer and ground-based stations, guaranteeing a seamless communication link.

▫ Pilots have been selected and the identities of the four astronaut-designates, all IAF test pilots, were
revealed in Feb 2024. The final crew for the mission will be chosen from among the four. Prashanth
Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap and Shubhanshu Shukla – are all Airforce pilot.

▫ In 2018, the Union Cabinet had allocated Rs 10,000 crore for the program.

­ Conclusion – Class discussion

15) DR VIKRAM SARABHAI AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS (12 TH AUG 1919 – 30 TH DEC 1971)

▫ Vikram Sarabhai, father of Indian Space Program, was born on 12th of Aug,1919 in Ahmedabad.

▫ Key contributions
­ He was a great institution builder and established or helped to establish
a large number of institutions in diverse fields. He established Physical
Research Laboratory (PRL) in 1947. PRL was the cradle of space sciences
in India. PRL had a modest beginning at his residence, the RETREAT, with
research in cosmic rays. It was formally established at M.G. Science
Institute, Ahemedabad, on 11th Nov 1947
­ He played an important role in establishment of a number of institutions
including IIM Ahemedabad.

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 ­ The establishment of ISRO was one of his greatest achievements. He successfully convinced the
government of the importance of space program after the Russian Sputnik launch.
o He was the first chair of Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) which was
predecessor to ISRO (established in its current form in 1969).
o He also contributed in the setting up of Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station at
Thiruvananthapuram, with its inaugural flight in 1963.
­ He was also chairperson of Atomic Energy Commission.
▫ Recognition
i) He received Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Medal in 1962
ii) Was awarded Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 1972. Earlier was awarded Padma Bhushan in
1966.
▫ Other Key Positions held:
i) President of the Physics Section, Indian Science Congress (1962)
ii) President of General Conference of the I.A.E.A, Vienna (1970)

16) COMMERCIALIZATION AND PRIVATIZATION IN SPACE SECTOR

- In June 2020, government approved the participation of private players in all sectors of space activity – earlier
they could only be vendors/suppliers.
- NSIL – Established in March 2019 to commercially utilize R&D work of ISRO Centres and other constituent
unit of DOS.
- In-Space (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre), set up in 2020, is an independent
nodal agency under Department of Space (DoS) to boost commercialization of Indian Space Activities and
encourage private players.
- The Indian Space Policy 2023 was notified as an overarching, composite and dynamic framework to
implement the vision of unlocking India’s potential in space sector through enhanced private participation.
- Amendment in FDI Policy in Space Sector:
▫ Earlier, FDI is permitted in establishment and operation of satellites through the government approval route
only.
▫ But, through the 2024 amendment in FDI policy in space sector, FDI policy on space sector has been eased.
Now 100% FDI is allowed in space sector. The entry route for the various activities under the amended policy
are as follows:
2) Upto 74% under Automatic route: Satellites-Manufacturing & Operation, Satellite Data Products and
Ground Segment & User Segment. Beyond 74% these activities are under government route
3) Upto 49% under Automatic Route: Launch Vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, Creation
of Spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft. Beyond 49% these activities are under
government route.
4) Upto 100% under automatic route: Manufacturing of components and systems/ sub-systems for
satellites, ground segment and user segment.

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- Positive Impact:
▫ Skyroot Aerospace (based in Hyderabad) has already launched VIKRAM series of rockets.
▫ Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai-based start-up, is planning the commercial launch of its rocket Agnibaan in
the first quarter of 2023.

- Way Forward to further promote Private Sector:

▫ Identify and encourage more private players by enabling policy environment.
▫ Existing big players in space like Godrej & Boyce, Larsen & Toubro, and Walchandnagar Industries are
among many private sector companies that have contributed to Indian Space Program. Government
should work towards activating their full mobilization into the India Space Effort. It is these large
companies that will bring much needed scale to make India a Economic Powerhouse.
▫ International Cooperation and Investment would be crucial for growth of private sector. Even NASA is
working on Artemis mission in collaboration with a number of other space agencies.

- Conclusion:
ú Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos etc are just the beginning. More private players are needed in the
space sector to meet the growing and diverse demand of India’s Space Program.

17) REFORMING SPACE SECTOR IN INDIA

- Need of Reforms:
ú Low Global Space Economy Share: Global space economy is currently valued at about USD 360
Billion. India, despite being among the few space-faring nations of the world, has only 2% of the
global share.

ú Negligible contribution of private sector: In major space faring nations, over the last 2 decades
several major private players have emerged who are bringing efficiency and innovation. For e.g.
SPACEX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin in USA. However, in India the role of space sector has been
minimal, either being vendors or suppliers to the ISRO programs.

- Guiding Principles of Reform:

ú Enables and Promote Private Players – Level Playing Field, Favorable Regulatory Environment.
ú Open Up ISRO Infrastructure and Technologies – The reform also aims to make national space
infrastructure developed over the years, available for use by private industry through business-
friendly mechanism.
ú Public sector to focus on R&D – Let business entities focus on manufacturing and commercial
activities. Previously developed and already mature technologies/platforms would be transferred
to the private sector through Transfer of Technology mechanism.
ú Demand Driven Approach for Development of Space Assets: Optimize the utilization of space
assets such as satellites and launch capacity by determining accountability amongst various

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 stakeholders. Creation of new asset should be contingent on confirmation of demand from user
agencies/ entities.
ú Inspire Youngsters and Dreamers: Develop world class learning facilities and space museums
where youngsters can learn basics of space technology and carry out research in topics of interest.

- Implementation Strategy:
ú Opening up of Space Sector
ú Setting up of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre)
§ It is a single window, independent, nodal agency.
§ Its main mandate is to promote and enhance the role of private industry players in the space
sector through hand holding, support, and by providing them with a level playing field.
ú Provide a stable regulatory and policy environment: The reforms have strengthened the policy
making capacity of Department of Space and an exercise has been initiated to create new business
friendly policy frameworks in areas like remote sensing, satellite communication, and launch
policies.
ú Enhancing the Role of New Space India Limited (NSIL): The reforms have authorized the public
sector NSIL to act as a public sector aggregator for both demand and supply of space assets.
ú Transfer of Technologies from Public to Private Sector: NSIL has been given the role of transferring
technologies/platforms from the public to the private sector. Platforms such as PSLV and SSLV have
been identified for transfer of technology to the private sector in the near future.
ú Announcements of future opportunities for private sector: The reforms have tasked ISRO with
identifying and announcing the future opportunities in selected science and exploration missions
for private sector participation

- Impact of Reforms:
▫ Private sector, industry, academia, and startups have warmly welcomed the space sector reforms
and the new IN-SPACE mechanism.
▫ More than 40 proposals from startups, MSMEs, and industries have already been received for future
consideration by IN-SPACe, illustrating the overwhelming response to the system.
▫ Increased Investment – Following these reforms, several Indian space sector startups have been able
to raise venture capital for their planned project. A new Indian Space Association has been created
to function as the advisory and advocacy group for the space industry.
▫ 6 space technology incubation centres are now operational at Agartala, Trichy, Jalandhar, Rourkela,
Nagpur, and Bhopal.
▫ In Feb 2021, NSIL conducted its first commercial launch. The launch put 19 satellites into orbit on the
PSLV C-51 launch vehicle, including 4 satellites through IN-SPACe.

18) REGULATION OF GLOBAL SPACE SECTOR

» Example Questions

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 ▫ “Technological changes have made the global space sector full of future potentials, but limitations
of multilateral governance framework hinder it” Discuss [15 marks, 150 words]

» Introduction:
▫ Outer space has become an arena of some of the most memorable technology demonstration.
▫ Growth of Space Industry:
­ Technological changes augur well for space industry. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 sends satellite to
space at the cost of $2720 per kg. This is expected to go down to $100 per kg in next decade.
This will lead to increase in number of satellites and human tourists going to space.
­ According to Bank of America Report, today the space market is of $350 billion, and this is
expected to go to $2.7 trillion by 2050.
­ Private sector’s contribution in growth of space sector would be immense. SpaceX’s
Starlink plans more than 10,000 satellites to provide everyone everywhere access to
internet.
» Key challenges in fulfilling Global Space Potential
▫ Multilateral Governance Framework of outer space is obsolete: Space law is the product of 1960s
and 1970s.
­ The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 enshrines the idea that space should be “province of all
mankind” and “not subject to national appropriation by claims of sovereignty”. The Rescue
Agreement, Space Liability Convention, and the Space Registration Convention further
expanded the provisions of the outer space treaty. The Moon Treaty of 1979 was not ratified
by the major space faring nations.
­ Key Problems:
§ No Dispute Resolution Mechanism
§ No provisions related to collision or debris.
§ Insufficient guidance on interference with other’s assets
­ These gaps heighten the potential of conflict in an era of congested orbits and breakneck
technological change.
▫ Legal Frameworks are state-centric and don’t cover private sector.
­ However, the non-state entities are now in the fray for commercial space exploration and
utilization.

▫ Space Arms Race is difficult to curb.

­ Militaries rely a lot on space technologies. So, investment in technologies that can destroy or
disrupt space-based capabilities is under way.
­ Not much has been done on this front. The UNGA passed a resolution on Prevention of an Arms
Race in outer Space since 1982. But not much progress has been made since then. Further, the
current geopolitical situation doesn’t hold hope for addressing concerns of a space arms race.

» Situation in India:

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 ▫ India has invested enormous resources in space sector through ISRO. Our future plans are also
ambitious which include sending humans to space, establishing a solar observatory, installing a
modular space station etc.
▫ India is also promoting the involvement of private players and for this an autonomous body IN-
SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre) under Department of Space for
permitting a regulating activity in private sector has been established.

» Way Forward: The Space environment that India faces requires us to grow beyond meeting technical
milestones. We need a space legislation enabling coherence across technical, legal, commercial,
diplomatic and defence goals. Our space vision also needs to address the global governance, regulatory
and arms control issues. As Space opens, our space vision needs broadening too.

19) AVOIDING WEAPONIZATION OF SPACE

- Example Questions:
» Discuss the key applications of Space technology in the Defence sector. Suggest some
measures to curtail the weaponization of space [15 marks, 250 words]

- Introduction: Space has always been a militarized domain. In recent years, military role of space
has expanded across a full spectrum of relevant activities, perhaps, most importantly in positioning,
navigation and timing (PNT) services; satellite communication; Space based intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance as well as targeting. In simple words, the modern militaries would be drastically
weakened in the absence of support from space technologies.

- It is therefore, no surprise that most major powers including China, Russia, USA and India have either
crossed or are poised to cross the rubicon to dramatically expand counter-space capability and
develop new generation of advanced anti-Satellite Capabilities. Further, China, Russia and USA also
have ground-based counterspace systems, such as uplink and downlink jamming, or as in the case
of China, laser dazzling. Moreover, there is potential of cyber-attack on satellites or ground stations
controlling them.

- This clearly shows that most of the major actors are moving towards a future where they assume
that space would be a war fighting domain. This is expected to give rise to rapid Space
Weaponization and sharpening of risk of conflict and instability. This is especially true since there
is a potential for a ‘grey zone’ action in orbit prior to a conflict.

- Outer Space Treaty 1968 and its shortcomings

» It forms the foundation of international space law and is attempt towards preventing the
weaponization of space. It says that weapon of mass destruction (e.g. Nuclear Weapons) can’t
be deployed in space.

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 » But, it doesn’t cover the non-nuclear space weapons. Also, the definition of non-nuclear space
weapons is becoming a major hurdle as capabilities like cyber-attack; jamming of signals to
disable space capabilities etc. are not specific to space.
» Finally, it doesn’t provide a mechanism to deal with violations and inconsistencies.

- Recent UN Efforts:
» The UN General Assembly Resolution 75/36 on responsible behaviour in space represent the
latest effort towards constraining a rush to weaponization of space. Though the resolution is
non-binding, it tries to establish norms of responsible behaviour to allow further diplomatic
progress that could make it legally more difficult to pursue space weapons. It sets a foundation
that may eventually see banning of ASATs in future. But, here also major concerns emerge as to
what constitutes ASAT capabilities. This is because Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) may be used
as ASATs. This was demonstrated by USA in Operational Blue Frost in 2008.

- Way Forward
» Updated and Enhanced Space laws: violation should quickly deliver diplomatic, economic and
political consequence for a state which is violating the norms.
» Regulatory reforms in international bodies such as COPUOUS
» Enhanced Space Domain Awareness: An elaborate internationally trusted space domain
awareness network should be created to verify parties remain compliant to international law
and there is reduced risk of grey zone actions in space.
- Enhanced deterrence by denial through space resilience. This resilience can be brought by augmentation
of satellites disaggregation of critical space support functions across larger numbers of small satellites,
and the ability for rapid reconstitution of space capabilities – together with an inherent defensive
retaliatory capabilities.

20) SPACE TOURISM

- Why in news?
» ISRO is planning space tourism by 2030

- E.g. Questions:
» What is Space Tourism? Enumerate some recent developments in the Space Tourism Sector. [10
marks, 150 words]

- Space Tourism
» Space Tourism is the segment of space travel which provides non-astronauts the ability to go to
space for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The idea is to make space more accessible
for anyone who can afford it.
» In the past, NASA and Russian Space Agency used to take tourists for space travel. For e.g. Dennis
Tito was the first commercial spaceflight passenger before which only astronauts used to go to
space. He went to space on Russian Soyuz TMA Launch Vehicle in April 2001. After him, between

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 2001-2009, few other space tourists went to space, aboard a Russian Soyuz space to ISS, brokered
by Space Adventures (an American Space Tourist company) in conjunction with Roscosmos.

- Recent tourism space flights:

» Virgin Galactic is a company which was established by British Entrepreneur Richard Branson in
2004.
▫ In July 2021, Richard Branson and five others undertook a brief trip to the edge of the space,
taking off on a VSS unity spaceship.
» Blue Origin was established by Jeff Bezos in 2000. It’s reusable rocket New Shepherd successfully
completed first human flight to space recently (20th July 2021) with four private citizens onboard
in Jeff Bezos. The flight went about 107 km high.
» SpaceX’s Inspiration4 – debut of SpaceX’s tourism business (Sep 2021)
▫ Falcon 9 rocket took a crew Dragon spacecraft with 4 civilians (first all civilian space flight) into
space. They travelled to an altitude of 575 km, even higher than HST and ISS. In the orbits
around the planet, they would see 15 sunsets and sunrise every day.

- Other than these three, companies such as Virgin Atlantic, XCOR Aerospace, Armadillo Aerospace are
working on providing space tourism services to people.

- Concerns
» Climate change may be aggravated by Space Tourism.
▫ There are concerns that space vehicles in future may become some of the biggest
contribution in pollution and Climate change. It’s because rockets emit upto 100 times more
carbon dioxide per passenger than airplane.
▫ An MIT study has shown that soot released from rocket launches are far more effective at
warming the atmosphere when compared to
other sources. This is because they emit gaseous
and solid chemicals directly into the upper
atmosphere. Further, black carbon soot, are
almost 500 times more efficient at retaining
heat.
▫ The study also showed that space tourism may
undermine progress made by the Montreal
Protocol in reversing ozone depletion. This is
because the pollutants from rocket fuel and
heating caused by spacecraft returning to earth,
along with the debris caused by flights are
specially harmful to the ozone layer.
» Available only for highly rich people.

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 - Way forward
» Urgent need of environmental regulation to reduce the climatic damage space tourism industry
may cause.
» Promote Green Space Tourism: Blue Origins New Shepherd didn’t produce any pollutant and
these technologies need to be promoted in coming future for space tourism.
» Make Space Tourism more inclusive by making it affordable: As, the space industry grows, better
efficiencies and scales would be achieved, making space travel for inclusive.

- Conclusion
» The recent efforts by the private space industry to increase access to space may become early
pioneers in maritime exploration and aviation and may change the humankind forever.

21) SPACE BASED INTERNET

­ Example Questions
▫ What is Space based internet? What are its advantages over traditional fiber optics cables?
Discuss how the SpaceX plans to provide affordable and non-stop internet throughout the earth.
[15 marks, 250 words]

­ Introduction
▫ Internet has emerged as one of the basic human needs of the 21st century. But, even today more
than 3 billion people don’t have a reliable internet connection. The concept of Space based
internet is aimed at changing this scenario.

­ Space X Plan
▫ The Starlink Network of SpaceX eventually plans to install 42,000 satellites to ensure non-stop
internet services throughout the earth at a cost-effective rate. These satellites will be connected
with their neighboring satellites using lasers.

- China’s “Guowang” (GW) constellation has also been announced which is meant to meet satellite-
based internet services.

- Other such projects: Several other companies including Amazon, OneWeb and O3B have also planned
large constellation of satellites in LEO and MEO – but these projects are very small compared to Starlink.

­ Comparing Geostationary vs LEO satellites for providing internet services [Advantages of LEO – Low
latency-> allows real time communication; Disadvantage -> need more satellites for coverage as they
cover small part of earth]

­ Significance

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 ▫ The space-based internet services can provide reliable and uninterrupted internet services
universally to everyone on earth.
▫ Services during emergency: For e.g. During Russia Ukraine war in 2022, the Starlink played an
important role in strengthening the Ukrainian military might after the European SATCOM system
was cyber attacked.
▫ Services such as autonomous cars will be made possible and things like IOT can be integrated in
virtually every household.
▫ Universal Internet access will also ensure better e-governance and thus enhance the ease of living
for common citizens.

­ Concerns: The ambitious space-based internet services (especially Starlink of SpaceX and Guowang of
China come along with a number of downsides:
▫ Increased Space debris
▫ The SpaceX initiative thus will also increase the chances of collision of satellites. In fact, on Sep
2, 2019, only, ESA had to perform, for the first time ever, a ‘collision avoidance maneuver to
protect one of its live satellites from colliding with a mega constellation.
▫ Difficulty in Space Observation -> Light Pollution
▫ Increased crowding in LEO and signal interference in space may emerge as another problem.
­ Way forward
▫ Establishing an international convention that regulates the presence of satellites in LEO is
another possible way in making LEO less congested.
▫ All stakeholders need to jointly commit to reducing and mitigating the dangers posed by debris.
▫ India needs to plan for satellite-based internet system of its own.

­ Conclusion
▫ Starlink is a very ambitious project and can solve a number of internet accessibility problems.
SpaceX has already said that it is looking into reducing the challenges/limitations to as less as
possible and it should always give these challenges a very high priority.

22) SPACE DEBRIS

ú Introduction
▫ The term “space debris” refers to defunct human made objects which are moving in orbit around
earth. It includes big and small things like discarded boosters, retired satellites, leftover bits and
pieces from spacecrafts, screwdrivers, tools, nuts, bolts, lost gloves, flecks of paints etc.

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 ▫ There are more than 20,000 pieces of debris that are larger than 5-10 cms and can be tracked and
catalogued. There are hundreds of millions that we cannot because of their small size. They are all
dangerous as thy are moving at very high speeds.

ú How are Space Debris created?

▫ Breakup of older spacecrafts: For e.g., breakup of US’ spacecraft called USA 109 in 2015, created
100 debris pieces and 50,000 shards larger than 1 mm.
▫ Accidently left-over objects
▫ Testing of Space Weapons
§ For e.g., China’s testing of A-SAT missile in 2007 created more than 34,000 debris.
▫ Further breakup of space debris: More debris increase the chance of collision – a cascade effect
known as the Kessler Syndrome. The fear is that the space could eventually become inoperable.
▫ Mega constellations (e.g., Starlink satellite internet constellation) would launch thousands of
satellites in coming years and would make space more vulnerable to collision and debris
creation.

ú Key Concerns Raised by Space Debris

▫ Endanger the prospects for Space Missions (Civilian, Commercial or military)
§ They are so fast moving that a fleck of paint can cause a crack in ISS.
§ Already instance of near-collision and maneuvering to avoid collisions have been noted. In
2019, European Space Agency (ESA) moved its earth observation satellite to avoid it colliding
with Starlink satellite.
▫ Sometimes crash land on earth harming life and livelihood of people
§ Recently parts of Zenit rocket debris are reported to have ended up crash-landing in Peru.

ú Key Steps being taken

▫ Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) is an international government forum,
founded in 1993, for the global coordination on the issue of man-made and natural debris in space.
§ ISRO is a member of the coordination committee along with other major Space agencies like
NASA, ROSCOSMOS, ESA, UKSA etc.
▫ ESA’s Clean Space Initiative is studying an active debris removal mission called e. deorbit, which
would target an ESA owned derelict satellite in low orbit, capture it, then safely burn it up in the
controlled atmospheric re-entry.

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 ▫ NASA’s NanoRacks-Remove Debris: It demonstrates an approach to reducing risks presented by
space debris or “space junk”.

▫ Japan Based Astroscale: It is working to prevent space-debris collisions. It will use magnet to ‘dock’
orbiting junk circling the earth.

ú Some Concerns raised against projects for cleaning space Debris

▫ Some scholars feel that militarization of space technologies meant to clean up space debris
poses hidden challenges.
ú Way Forward
▫ We need to stop polluting: We need to ensure that the new satellites are not leading to the
problem.
▫ Remove the garbage.
▫ Develop satellites which can withstand the impact with small debris.
▫ Multilateral Regulations of mega constellation: - Set up regulations and policies for mega
constellations to ensure sustainable operations and to minimize risk of collision. This should also
include new approaches for space traffic management as the capacity for ground-based
platforms may not be sufficient to prevent collisions in case of increased number of satellites in
future.
§ Create code of conduct for both public and private sector, regarding the responsible
behaviours in outer space.
▫ Technology to deal with risk assessment, automate collision avoidance:
§ Work towards reducing the risk of cyber security by risk assessment and effective risk
mitigation policies.
§ Use advanced tech like ML, AI etc to automate collision avoidance. E.g., ESA is
developing an automated collision avoidance system.
▫ Above recommendations should be coupled with responsible innovation which is focused on
use of technology for the benefit of international peace and security and not for weaponization.

ú Conclusion: Keeping outer space safe, secure and sustainable is a joint global responsibility. For
peaceful solutions to last, the deterrence and diplomacy, as well as public awareness, will have to be
proactively forged by the world’s space powers, leaders and thinkers.

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 5. ROBOTICS

1) SYLLABUS

- Awareness in the fields of Robotics

2) PAST YEAR MAINS QUESTIONS (SINCE 2013)

Q. What are the areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by robots? Discuss the initiatives
that can propel research in premier research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation [12.5 marks, 200]
[Mains 2015]

3) OTHER PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. Robotics in India is driven by private sector unlike rest of the Asia where government has played the most
significant role in its growth. Give reasons. Discuss the initiatives that can propel robotics research in premier
research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation [15 marks, 250 words]

2. “Robots are technological marvels, they cut errors, improve production and thus enhance efficiencies. But
they are also the ultimate job stealers.” In this light discuss the economic and political consequence of
automation. [10 marks, 150 words]

4) INTRODUCTION

A) DEFINITION: ROBOTICS
Robotics is an inter-disciplinary branch of engineering that deals with the design, development, operation,
and application of robots as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information
processing.

Robotics technology deals with automated machines which can replace humans in dangerous
environments or manufacturing processes, or resemble humans in appearance, behavior, and/or cognition.

Difference between Robots and Machines (Class discussion)

B) LAW OF ROBOTICS
Isaac Asimov gave the three laws of robotics as:
▫ A robot must not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm

▫ A robot must always obey the human beings unless it is in conflict with the first law

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 ▫ A robot must protect itself from harm unless it is in conflict with the first and/or second law.

5) APPLICATIONS: ROBOTICS IS BEING USED ACROSS A RANGE OF SECTORS SUCH AS:

▫ Warehouse Automation
▫ Automotive manufacturing
ú They add precession, tirelessness, and continuity in the manufacturing process.

▫ Search and Rescue after Disaster – Flood, building disaster, fires etc.
ú IIT Hyderabad is working on a search-and-rescue robot called SARP (Snake like articulated
platform). The engineering institute is applying several technologies in building SARP: navigation,
camera, infrared, haptic feedback (to identify survivors) and collaboration (multiple snake robots
can communicate with one another)

▫ Defence & National Security

ú Whether it is with Pakistan or China, our borders are unsafe for border forces and human lives are
getting lost whenever there is firing or illegal movement of people at LoCs.
ú Government is looking at DRDO to develop next generation of robotic soldiers.
ú Other dangerous security tasks like bomb disposal, reconnaissance etc. can be performed by
Robots.
ú For e.g., Daksha is one of India’s current military robots. It is used to locate, handle, destroy,
risky objects safely and even can climb stairs.

▫ Hazardous Industries
ú BARC is using robots to clean radioactive water tanks.

▫ Mining and Mineral Extraction

▫ Marine Engineering
ú Amogh is an autonomous underwater vehicle. It is designated to inspect and repair bridges,
pipelines, and hulls of ships at the depth of upto 15 meters. The robot has an endurance capacity of
upto 3 hours.

▫ Space
ú Robots are used for exploration when humans can't be used.
ú E.g., Fedor of Russia, Vyomamitra of India etc.

▫ Health Sector
ú Robots are being used in operation theatres and rehabilitation centres to augment the quality of
life.
ú Robots can also assist surgical procedures like removing gallbladders, performing hysterectomies,
and repairing knee ligaments.

▫ Agri-Robots
ú Can replace costly human labor and add precision in agriculture.

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 They can be used anywhere to improve productivity

6) ADVANTAGES

- Accuracy
- Untiring nature of robots
- Non-complaining

- Safety in hostile environments

- Reducing cost of production

» Industries facing global competition can’t survive without robots
» For e.g., the automobile industry can’t actually survive without use of robotics

7) ROBOTICS IN INDIA

▫ Robotics technologies are all set to change the way things are done in the industries. It is also entering into
the industrial space in India in a very fast manner.

▫ In India, robotics is being driven by private sector (unlike the rest of Asia where government has played a very
significant role in promotion of robotics)

▫ In short, it is proving to be the start-ups, local makers and foreign robotic companies that are creating the
momentum in India. They are cultivating the market and tapping opportunities.

- Institutional Framework and Government Efforts

▫ National Research Foundation, an autonomous body under the new National Education Policy (NEP)
2020, has been established to boost research across segments, including AI.
▫ Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR)
ú It is a laboratory of the DRDO, located in Bangalore, Karnataka.
ú It is mainly involved in the research and development of high-quality secure communication, command
and control, and Intelligent System.

▫ ‘Make in India’ campaign provides a crucial opportunity for the robotics sector to flourish in India.

▫ A Mission on Cyber Physical Systems to support establishment of Centres of Excellence.

ú To invest in research, training and skilling in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing,
big data analysis, quantum communication and internet of things.
ú By DST.

A) CHALLENGES WHICH ROBOTICS SECTOR FACE IN INDIA

i. High cost of adoption - Capital Intensive nature of the sector

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 ii. Scarcity of talent in the field - Human Resource

iii. Lack of innovation

▫ Most of the projects being developed in India already exist in public domain

iv. Faculty/ research guides

▫ Scarcity of good quality faculty to guide research in this area

v. Industry:
▫ Absence of hardware companies that can cater to the industry and the dependence on countries
like China, USA, and Europe to procure the necessary components is a major stumbling block.

vi. Lack of high paying jobs in India

▫ Lack of jobs in the field of robotics
▫ Considering India's socio-economic structure - availability of jobs in the domain becomes
an important factor for people working on a particular subject.
▫ Not many companies have high quality jobs in India in the field of robotics and this leads
to lack of enthusiasm towards the sector.

vii. SME find it difficult to see ROI before they proactively adopt Robotics
▫ This is also due to lack of examples or early adopters.

viii. Lack of support from government

▫ Rest of the Asian countries like China, Japan, Singapore etc., look to its government to define
and dictate the development and direction of industry. Indian government has completely
ignored the sector.

B) STEPS THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN TO PROMOTE ROBOTICS IN THE COUNTRY

- Human Resource Development
§ Promoting robotics from the school level so that more students choose robotics as career
option
§ Improving the facilities at college level
§ Promoting robotics industry -> India's socio-economic condition forces students to
participate in those industries where job opportunities are good.
§ Promoting Academy Industry collaboration
§ Promoting International collaboration with countries which are advanced in robotics like
South Korea, Japan and USA.

- Industry
§ Providing tax holidays for the Robotics sector
§ Improving ease of doing business
§ Ensuring encouraging environments for the entrepreneurs and startups.
§ Providing opportunities to private sector in the field of defence, space etc.

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 § Lack of hardware components available in the country should be seen as an opportunity
for entrepreneurs to set up businesses that can supply "Made in India" components and
hardware to the existing and upcoming companies involved in Robotics.

- International Collaboration
§ More international collaboration and student exchange program in colleges

- Attracting investment from Robotics industry in India: Under make in India program

8) LIMITATIONS OF USING ROBOTS

▫ Dislocation of Economy and job loss

- Former American president Barack Obama in his farewell Speech on 10th of Jan 2016 had
said "next wave of economic dislocations won't come from overseas. It will come from
automation that makes a lot of good middle-class jobs obsolete.
- Robots are diminishing roles for unskilled labourers. India's largely uneducated labor force
and broken education system aren't ready for the more complex jobs that workers need
when their low-skilled roles are taken over by machines.

- Meanwhile, nations employing robotics such as China, are becoming more competitive.

▫ Increasing Inequality
- While jobs at the lower levels are at risk, most gains from automation will be concentrated
to the rich rather than the poor.

▫ Increasingly deadly wars

- Most of the scientifically advanced countries will be using robots and other automated
weapons in future. This would make wars and conflicts more deadly and one sided.

▫ Robots can become a danger for humankind

- In advanced forms robots using AI and ML may take over the decision-making power and
thus can challenge the existence of humans.

9) ROBOTIC SURGERY

- Robotic surgery, or robot assisted surgery, allows doctors to perform many types of complex
procedures with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional techniques.

- It is usually associated with minimally invasive surgery - procedures performed through tiny incisions.
It is also sometimes used in certain traditional open surgical procedures.

- The surgeon uses controls in the console to manipulate special surgical instruments that are smaller, as
well as more flexible and maneuverable than the human hand. The robot replicates the surgeon's hand
movements, while minimizing child tremors.

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- Da Vinci Surgical System
▫ It is a robotic surgical system made by the American company Intuitive Surgical. It is designed
to facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach and is controlled by surgeon
from a console.
▫ The system is commonly used for prostatectomies, and increasingly for cardiac valve repair and
gynecological surgical procedures.

- Advantages
▫ It enhances precision, flexibility and control during operation and allow doctors to better see
the site, compared with traditional system.
§ Robotic instrument has 360-degree rotation compared to the human hand which has
only 270-degree rotation.
§ 10 times magnified, high definition, 3D-image of the body's intricate anatomy using key-
hole techniques.

▫ Minimally invasive surgical operations further have following benefits

§ Fewer complications such as surgical site invasions
§ Less pain and blood loss
§ Quicker recovery
▫ Smaller, less noticeable scars.

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6. NANOTECHNOLOGY

1) PAST YEAR MAINS QUESTIONS (SINCE 2013)

1. What do you understand by nanotechnology and how is it helping in health sector? (2020)

2. Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of
Indian Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the
development process of the country (2016)

2) OTHER PRACTICE QUESTIONS

a) What is Nanotechnology? Why is it called a general-purpose technology? [10 marks, 150 words]
b) “Their unique nano-features may also make them potentially hazardous for human health and
environmental safety” Discuss the key concerns associated with nanotechnology. [10 marks, 150 words]
c) What are molecular machines? Discuss the significant role that it may play in various socio-economic sectors.
[10 marks, 150 words]
d) Discuss the key provisions of the Mission on Nanoscience and Technology [10 marks, 150 words]
e) Write a short note on key properties and applications of:
▫ Graphene
▫ Carbon Nano Tube (CNT)
▫ Nanodrums
▫ Schwarzites
f) Suggest some measures to promote nano-technology research in the country. [10 marks, 150 words]
g) “Nano Machines are going to have serious economic, social, environmental and military implications”
Elaborate. How far does Indian Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology prepare India for
these implications? [15 marks, 250 words]
h) What is Nano-UREA? How is it going to solve the various problems faced by fertilizer sector in India? [10
marks, 150 words]

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­ Definition:
a) Nanotechnology is science, engineering, technology, conducted at the nanoscale which is 1 to 100
nanometers. Nanotechnology and Nanoscience involve the ability to see and to control individual atoms
and molecules. In other words, nanotechnology is the engineering of the functional system at molecular
scale.
b) Richard Feynman, the father of nanotechnology, in his 1959 talk described nanotechnology as a field
which can manipulate and control things on the scale of a nanometer. He expected that matter will have
surprising properties at Nano level and thus provide for enormous number of applications

- General Purpose Technology:

3) APPLICATIONS

- Carbon Nanotubes are used in various products ranging from paints and textiles to medical diagnostics
tools and components of future quantum computers because of remarkable properties such as very
high elastic strength alongside low mass density or very high current densities with no heat loss.

- Health
▫ Nanoparticles of silver embedded into fibers have anti-microbial action. It is used in food
packaging, clothing, disinfectants, and household appliances. Bandages are being infused with
silver nanoparticles to heal cuts faster.
▫ Gold Nanoparticles have anti-bacterial properties
▫ Nanomedicines – Diagnosis and Treatment (see details separately)
▫ Water Purification: Special Filters using nanomaterials can remove objects as tiny as viruses from
water.

- Nanotechnology in Agriculture – Better fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, feeds, better treatment for
domesticated animals.
▫ Nano-Fibre based Agriculture Inputs: For e.g., FIB-SOL provides a five-gram fiber that is soluble
in water and can be applied on field using conventional or modern irrigation practices. The
product addresses the demand for live bacteria that could rejuvenate the soil. It could also
increase the nutrient utilization efficiency, allowing plants to assimilate nutrients in a better way.
▫ Nano Urea and Nano-DAPdeveloped by IFFCO

- Environmental Applications:
▫ Iron nanoparticles can be used to effectively clean-up organic solvents that are polluting the
ground water. The nanoparticles disperse throughout the water and decompose the organic
solvents in place.
▫ Adding a little boron to Carbon while creating nanotubes produce solid, spongy, reusable blocks
that can absorb large quantities of oil spilled in water.
▫ Nanotechnology based smart windows have energy saving, easy cleaning, UV controlling and
photovoltaic properties.
▫ Renewable Energy Generation
§ New and Cheap Solar Cells use nanoparticles of Titanium oxide coated with dye molecules to
capture the energy of visible light and convert it into electricity.

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 § A novel catalytic nanosheet from of a nickel molybdenum-nitride, a thousand time cheaper
than traditional platinum, is the new model for harvesting hydrogen from water for use as
fuel.

- Electronics
▫ Graphene is used in transparent electrodes for solar cells, LCD, robust non-volatile atomic
switches, chemical and biological sensors and in spintronic devices.
▫ Semiconducting nanowires are highly versatile optoelectronic components, for a wide variety of
applications such as nano-LEDs and nano-Lasers, solar cells, and biomedical sensors.

- Structural Engineering Applications

▫ Nano-enhanced Cement contained by addition of nanoparticles like nano silica (silica fume),
nanostructured metals, CNTs and carbon nanofibers give stronger, more durable, self-healing, air
purifying, fire resistant, easy to clean quick compacting structure.
▫ Nano-enhanced Construction Ceramics such as floor and wall tiles and sanitary ware have self-
cleaning, anti-bacterial, hygienic, and scratch resistant features.
▫ Nano-enhanced paints can reduce emission of Nitrogen-di-oxide, hydrocarbons, and carbon
monoxide in the atmosphere. It can also make paint scratch proof, easy cleaning, air purifying, UV
resistant, water repellant, flame resistant, and anti-bacterial.
▫ Nanotechnology based smart windows have energy-saving, easy cleaning, UV controlling and
photovoltaic properties.
▫ Fire resistant glasses are produced by addition of fumed silica nanoparticles in glasses.
- Nanotechnology can promote different forms of insulation solutions like coatings, vacuum insulations
glazing and nanofoams.

- Nano whiskers on clothes create a cushion of air around the fabric so that liquids can’t stain them.

- Cosmetics: Nanoparticles like Zinc oxides and titanium oxides are used in sunscreen and related
products. They provide protection from UVA rays.

4) FUTURE POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS

- Advancements like nano-machines will lead to development in the field of nano-medicines, more advanced
electronics circuitry, quantum computing etc.

5) CONCERNS AND LIMITATIONS

- Due to their extremely small dimensions, large surface area and high reactivity, they have the potential
ability to penetrate living cells quite readily. As a result, their unique nano-features may also make
them potentially hazardous for human health and environmental safety.

- Health

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 § Inhaling airborne nanoparticles and nanofibers may lead to a number of pulmonary diseases, e.g.,
fibrosis. Some form of carbon nanotubes could be as harmful as asbestos if inhaled in sufficient
quantities.
§ Experiments with rats have also shown impact on skin (ageing) and brain.

- Toxicity
ú Lack of investment on nanotoxicology research

- Environmental impact
ú Lack of research on potential harmful impact: Lack of study on Impact of nanomaterial on non-
human species, on ecosystem or the global environment.
ú e.g. bacteriostatic silver nanoparticles used in socks to reduce foot odor are being released in the
wash. These particles are then flushed into the wastewater stream and may destroy bacteria which
are critical component of natural ecosystem, farms, and wastewater treatment processes.

- More dangerous Weapons

▫ As a general-purpose technology, it will be dual use, meaning it will have many commercial uses and
it also will have military uses - making for more powerful weapons and tools of surveillance.
▫ A technology this powerful could easily be misused. The rapid development cycle and massive
manufacturing capability may lead to an unstable arms race between competing powers.

- Other Concerns
▫ May lead to loss of jobs in traditional farming and manufacturing sector
▫ May bring about crash in certain markets due to lowering of oil and diamonds due to possibility of
developing alternative source of energy that are more efficient and won't require use of fossil fuels.
Also, because people would be able to develop products at molecular level, diamond will lose its
significance.
▫ Atomic weapons may become more accessible and more powerful and more destructive.

6) MOLECULAR MACHINES / NANO MACHINES

1. Molecular Machine, or nano-machine, is any discrete number of molecular components that produce
quasi-mechanical movements (output) in response to specific stimuli.
2. The 2016 Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to ‘Molecular Machine’ trio for the design and
synthesis of molecular machines
ú Details about their contributions
a. Sauvage in 1983 took the first step by linking two ring shaped molecule to form a chain

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 b. Stoddart in 1991 developed a rotaxane, a dumbbell-shaped molecular structure that enabled
him to build molecular lift, a molecular muscle and a molecule-based computer chip

c. Feringa in 1999 was the first person to develop a molecular motor and in 2011 designed a four-
wheeled nano-car

3. Significance of those nano-machines

4. These tiny machines that we can't even see have enormous potential.
▫ Medicine and treatment
ú Molecular technology could lead to development of machines that are so small they could be
swallowed or implanted into human bodies with little negative effect.

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 ú They could be used to fight disease in the body, to repair damaged tissues, and even to probe
DNA structure.
ú Such precise drug deliver will minimize adverse side-effects.
▫ Smart materials able to adapt to their environment, small sensors that can be controlled remotely,
and drugs that are activated on command
▫ Efficient energy storage devices

7) EXAMPLE NANO-MATERIALS

A) SCHWARZITE – NEW FORM OF CARBON CREATED

1. Example Questions
▫ What is a Schwarzites? Discuss its future potential applications [10
marks, 150 words]

2. Introduction
▫ Schwarzites is a completely new form of carbon that has been created by
scientists recently. It is a negatively curved carbon unlike fullerenes and
graphene which have positive or zero curvature respectively.

3. Creation of Schwarzites
▫ Scientists, in Japan and South Korea, while investigating Zeolite-templated carbons (ZTCs) – crystalline
form of silicon di-oxide with carbon structure built into them – accidently created schwarzites.
▫ Later, scientists at University of California demonstrated that it was possible to create ZTC structures by
injecting a vapor containing carbon into zeolites.
▫ Once inside, the carbon assembles into a graphene-like sheet that lines the walls of the pores in the
zeolite. In doing so, the surface stretches to minimize the area. As schwarzites are topologically minimal
surfaces, they tend to acquire negative curvature. The zeolite is then dissolved to produce pure
schwarzites.

4. Potential Future Applications (details in class discussion)

▫ Super Capacitors:
▫ Storage of atoms and molecules
▫ Catalyzing Reactions

5. Conclusion: Though the applications of schwarzites remains to be seen, the scientists speculate that their
unique electronic, magnetic, and optical properties can make them useful, as super capacitors, battery
electrodes and catalysts, and with their large internal spaces ideal for gas storage and separation.

B) GRAPHENE

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▫ It is an allotrope of carbon which is a one-atom thick layer of pure
carbon. Carbon atoms are bounded together in a hexagonal
honeycomb lattice.

▫ How is it produced
§ By separating a single atom layer film from graphite.

▫ Properties: Physical
§ 2D – world’s first 2D material
§ Graphene is harder than diamond, more elastic than
rubber, tougher than steel and yet lighter than
aluminum.
• In fact, it is 200 times stronger than steel (100 times stronger than the strongest steel).
§ Thickness: 1 million times thinner than a human hair
§ Stretchable as well as transparent, flexible, and impermeable.
§ It can also act as perfect barrier – not even helium can pass through it

▫ Properties: Thermal, Electrical and Magnetic Properties

▫ Highest electronic conductivity of any material in the world.
▫ Best Heat conductivity of any material in the world
▫ Shows a large and nonlinear diamagnetism

- Applications: Graphene’s unique combination of extraordinary properties offer a fascinating material

platform for the development of next-generation technologies in many areas.
▫ Energy Harvesting and Storage: It can be used for better rechargeable batteries; superior capacitors;
newer methods of making solar cells etc. Further, proton transfer in graphene shows promise for
artificially mimicking photosynthesis.

▫ Electronics: Very high electron conductivity allows graphene to be used for low-cost printable
electronics, high performance transistors; thermal management and heat dissipation in nano-electronic
devices.
§ The optical properties of graphene can also be controlled by doping and make it well suited for
optoelectronic devices.

▫ Composites and Coatings: Its low mass and low loading requirements make graphene standout as a
reinforcing agent in composites. It can be used for making lubricants with enhanced anti-wearing
capabilities; radiation shielding and lighting strike protection; superhydrophobic coating; transparent,
flexible and conductive thin films etc.

▫ Membranes – It can improve the quality of filters used in desalination or other water purifying
instruments. Graphene oxide is used for the purpose.
§ It can also act as gas barrier for e.g. in food packaging.
§ It can be used for separation of organic solvent with water.
▫ Biomedical Technologies: Very high surface area, electron mobility etc. is paving the way for novel
biomedical technologies. Graphene bioelectronics (transistors and electrode arrays) has become a
ground-breaking field that offers existing opportunities for developing new kinds of biosensors. Key

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 applications include Thermal ablation of highly resistant cancer cells; Bioelectronics (bionics);
Electronic interface to living cells and nerve tissues; etc.
▫ Sensors: Since every atom of graphene is exposed it is an ideal material for biological, gas and chemical
sensors. It can be used for explosive detection; detecting biomarkers for parkinson’s disease; selective
gas sensing; self-healable, multifunctional electronic sensor tattoos; environment monitoring etc.
▫ Wearable technologies
▫ Light weight cars, planes etc.

- Health Risks: Extensively debated.

▫ Toxicity depends on several factors such as shape, size, purity, post-production processing steps,
oxidative state etc.

C) CARBON NANOTUBES (CNT)

- Intro
▫ Carbon nanotubes are allotropes of carbon with a cylindrical
nanostructure. These cylindrical carbon molecules have unusual
properties, which are valuable for nanotechnology, electronics,
optics and other fields of material science and technology.

- Properties
▫ Strength: One of the most tensile and elastic material discovered yet.

- Wettability
▫ Exhibits a super hydrophobic property.
▫ By applying a low voltage as low as 1.3 V, the extreme water repellants surface can be switched into
super hydrophilic.

Electrical Properties
• CNT are either metallic or semiconducting along the tubular axis.

Thermal Properties
• All nanotubes are expected to be very good thermal conductors along the tube, exhibiting a
property known as "ballistic conduction", but good insulators lateral to the tube axis.

Application
• Current uses and application of nanotubes has mostly been limited to the use of bulk nanotubes,
which is a mass of rather unorganized fragments of nanotubes.
o Used as composite fibers in polymers to improve the mechanical, thermal and electrical
properties of the bulk product.
o Tips for atomic force microscope probes
o In tissue engineering, carbon nanotubes can act as scaffolding for bone growth.
Concerns: Toxicity, health risk not clear yet.

23) ELABORATING ON SOME NANOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS

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NANOTECHNOLOGY IN TEXTILE SECTOR

- Example Question
▫ Discuss the various applications of Nanotechnology in textile sector [10 marks, 150 words]

- Introduction:
▫ Nanotechnology is an amazing general-purpose technology that has proven its potential in all the
fields, and the textile sector is not an exception.

- Key Applications of Nanotechnology in textile sector

▫ How antibacterial properties are obtained: A nano-silver based suspension can be applied on the
fabric surface. Other compounds such as zinc, copper, and their oxides coupled with metal
nanoparticles can also be used as antibacterial agents. Titanium oxide (TiO2) is another strong
antimicrobial material that conducts the phenomenon known as “Photocatalysis”.
▫ The anti-microbial textiles are most essential in the medical sector, especially in the present
deadly pandemic conditions, for e.g., in curtains, bed covers, face masks, aprons used in the
hospitals and diagnostics center.
▫ It can also serve for best hygiene in sportswear, baby products, sanitary napkins, wound
healing dressings and so on.
▫ Self-cleaning garments using Titanium oxide particles save detergent, water, and electricity
simply.

▫ “Wearable sunscreen” are garments using Titanium Oxide nanoparticles which provide
protection against
▫ Thermoregulation: Clothings respond to changes in the body temperature and maintain comfort
by either heating or cooling. The Phase Change Material is incorporated into the fabric to fulfill
this function.

▫ The Polymeric micro-capsules filled with perfumes/deodorants/insect repellents can be

integrated with fabric for slow release.

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 ▫ Fabric Used in Air Filters: A thin coating of nanofibers on the fabric used in air filters for air
conditioners and automobiles’ exhaust, stops ultrafine particles thereby increasing the efficiency
of the filters.

▫ Technical Textiles are used in special applications. For e.g., fireproof and flame-retardant fabric
is required in the suit used by firefighters. The high temperature stable materials are combined
with thermally insulating and fireproof materials such as nano-porous silica aerogel for this
application. Other examples of technical textiles include functions like electro-magnetic field
shielding, electrical conducting, anti-static, camouflaging, stealth, water repellency, and so on.
The nanomaterials used in these applications are generally carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles of
metals, metal oxides, clay, semiconductors, polymers etc.

- Way Forward
▫ Nanotechnology has a great potential in the textile industry. Functional and smart textiles can
play an important role in the economy of a nation. However, there are limitations in applications
due to scientific complexity and the cost adhered to it.
▫ Therefore, a proper study is necessary to find any toxic effects of handling and wearing the nano
materials to eliminate any health risks due to short- or long-term exposure.

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN HEALTH SECTOR

▫ Nanomedicine is the medical application of nanotechnology. It ranges from the medical applications of
nanomaterials and biological devices to nanoelectronics biosensors, and even possible future
applications of molecular nanotechnology such as biological machines.

▫ What difficulties nano-medicines will overcome?

▫ Problems with conventional drugs
§ Less soluble conventional medicine, which are not absorbed properly and thus don't
impact the required target
§ Even if drug molecule is soluble, body removes the drug before it has had long enough
to provide a benefit.
§ Conventional drugs could have side effects due to poor delivery at the actual site of
disease.
• For e.g. drugs targeting cancer must avoid the healthy tissues and organs or
damage can be caused.
▫ Nanomedicines therefore can play an important role in ensuring enough of the drugs enter the
body, that the drugs that enters stays in the body for long periods and is targeted specifically in
areas that need treatment.

▫ Medical Applications:
▫ Prevention of disease:
§ Nanoparticles of silver embedded into fibers have anti-microbial action. It is used in food
packaging, clothing, disinfectants, and household appliances. Bandages are being
infused with silver nanoparticles to heal cuts faster.
§ Gold Nanoparticles have anti-bacterial properties

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 § Water Purification: Special Filters using nanomaterials can remove objects as tiny as
viruses from water.

▫ Diagnostics: By studying and identifying individual molecules, it is possible to diagnose disease

in time to improve the prognosis for the patient.

▫ Improved Treatment
§ Indian Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) is developing Magnetic
Hyperthermia mediated cancer therapy - delivery and localization of magnetic material
within the targeted tumour site followed by subsequent application of an alternating
Magnetic Field (AMF), thereby generating heat at the tumour site

§ E.g: Scientist are using gold nanoparticles to target prostate cancer. Here the
nanoparticles or nano shells are made of small payers of Silica glass formed into a sphere
and wrapped in a thin layer of gold. This is made to reach the tumour site and then
harnessed to cause the tumorous tissue to pulse with extreme temperature when light
is applied through a laser specifically designed to excite the particles

§ A team of scientists from IISc Bengaluru have developed nano robots to be used in dental
procedure (like root canal therapy).

§ With more advancement in Nanomachines – complex surgical procedures would

become less intrusive and less complicated

ENVIRONMENTAL NANOTECHNOLOGY
▫ Example Questions
§ What is environmental nanotechnology? Discuss with some practical applications. [10 marks,
150 words]

▫ Introduction
§ Environmental nanotechnology refers to use of nanotech products, processes, and applications
to contribute to environment and climate protection.
§ It may contribute by cleaning the pollutants, reducing the pollutants, making our devices more
efficient and reducing cost of green technologies.

▫ Key areas where nano-material researchers are working:

i. Ensuring Potable Drinking Water – Use of Graphene based water filters are expected to increase
the accessibility of clean drinking water in coming future.

ii. Removing pollutants from water

§ Cleaning up organic chemicals polluting ground water
• Iron nanoparticles can be used to effectively clean-up organic solvents that are
polluting the ground water. The nanoparticles disperse throughout the water and
decompose the organic solvents in place.

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 § Cleaning up of oil spills
• Using photocatalytic cooper tungsten oxide nanoparticles to break down oil into
bio-degradable compounds.

iii. Generating Less pollution during manufacturing of materials

§ E.g., Use of silver nano particles as catalysts can significantly reduce the polluting by
products in the process used to manufacture propylene oxide.
• Propylene oxide is used to produce common materials such as plastics, paint,
detergents and brake fluid.

iv. Producing solar cells that generate electricity at competitive cost

§ E.g. Silicon nanowires embedded in a polymer result in low cost but high efficiency solar
cells.

v. Increasing the electricity generated by windmills

§ E.g. use of carbon nanotubes in windmill blades results in stronger and lower weight
windmill blades. This helps in more amount of electricity generated by each windmill.

vi. Reducing cost of fuel cells

§ Changing the spacing of platinum atom in fuel cells increases the catalytic ability of the
platinum. This allows the fuel cells to function with 80% less platinum, significantly
reducing the cost of the fuel cells.

▫ Conclusion: Nanotechnology is thus brimming with potential solutions to various environmental and
climate change related issues being faced by India. It’s high time that India’s Mission on Nano Science
and Technology is restructured to include R&D in the field of environment as one of its key goals

24) INDIA AND NANO-TECHNOLOGY

Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Nano Mission)

- Introduction
a. It is an umbrella program of GoI for overall development in the field of Nanotechnology.
b. It was launched in 2007 with an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore which was further extended
during the 12th five-year plan.
c. It is structured in a fashion to achieve synergy between the national research efforts of
various agencies in Nano Science and Technology and launch new programs in a concerted
fashion.
d. Department of Science and Technology is the nodal agency for the mission.

- Objectives of the Nano-Mission

a. Basic Research Promotion – funding of basic research by individual scientists or groups of
scientists and creation of centre of excellence for pursuing this research.
b. Infrastructure Development for Nano Science and Technology Research -> development of
a chain of facilities across the country.

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 c. Human Resource Development – Providing effective education and training to researchers
and professionals in diversified fields. Launching of M.Sc./M.Tech programmes, create
national and overseas post-doctoral fellowships, chairs in universities etc.
d. International Collaborations – Exploratory visits of scientists, organization of joint
workshops, conferences and joint research projects, facilitate access to sophisticated
research facilities abroad, forge academia-industry partnership.
e. Development of product and processes for national development
§ Especially in areas of national relevance like
­ Safe Drinking Water
­ Materials Development
­ Sensors Development
­ Drug Delivery

- Achievements of the Mission

a. The mission has resulted into more than 5,000 research papers and some useful products
like nano-hydrogel based eye drops, pesticide removal technology for drinking water, water
filters for arsenic and fluride removal and nano-silver based on anti-microbial textile coating.
b. India has moved from the fourth to the third position in the world in terms of scientific
publications in nanoscience and technology.

- Institute of Nanoscience and Technology (INST): It is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science
and technology, GoI.

- Way Forward:
» Funds
» Human Resource
» Infra – R&D
» Industry-Academia collaboration
» University-University Collaboration

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