Connect to Current -Daily Current Capsules 18^th March 2019

Space Awareness
ISRO set for next PSLV-C45 launch

What's the NEWS

• ISRO is now set for the launch of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C45 on April 1.

Know! more about this PSLV C- 45 launch

• This PSLV will be ISRO's first three-orbit mission that will launch satellites in three different orbits.

• It is set to launch the advanced electronic intelligence satellite EMISAT with 28 commercial satellites.

• This PSLV-C45 is the first three-orbit mission of ISRO and the first to use solar panel in rocket fourth stage (PS4).

• Earlier PSLV launched satellites in two different orbits. This PSLV will be a special launch as it will launch satellites in three different orbits.

• After launch of electronic intelligence satellite EMISAT into orbit at 780 km, it will inject 28 guest satellites into orbit at 504 km.

• Then rocket fourth stage (PS4) instead of burning out, will automatically reorient itself to establish an orbital platform at 485 km orbit to carry out scientific experiments

• It will have a small satellite developed by Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) to carry out scientific experiments on micro-gravity and will be in orbit for six months.

• Following that, PSLV-C46 is set to launch earth observation satellite Cartosat-3 and PSLV-C47 mission for launch of RISAT 2BR 1, a Radar Imaging Satellite for reconnaissance and strategic surveillance. Dates for these launches are yet to be finalised.

• Normally, PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle with alternating solid and liquid stages. This PSLV-C45 mission is unique as it is the first PSLV fourth stage that uses solar panels for required thrust.

Know! some facts about Kalamsat, Microsat-R satellites on PSLV-C44 rocket
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a students' satellite Kalamsat and an imaging satellite Microsat-R from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on January 24, 2019, marking its first launch in 2019.

• The national space agency's rocket, PSLV C44 carried the satellites into the orbit.

Kalamsat Satellite

• The Kalamsat is a 10 cm cube nanosatellite weighing about 1.2 kg and has a life span of about two months.

• Kalamsat, prepared by a student and Chennai-based Space Kidz India, is a small satellite (10 x 10 x 10 cm) and is meant for HAM radio services.
• The Kalamsat satellite was the first to use fourth stage (PS4) of the launch vehicle PSLV-C44 as an orbital platform.

• The fourth stage moved to higher circular orbit so as to establish an orbital platform for carrying out experiments.
• With this launch, India became the first country to use the fourth stage of a space rocket as an orbital platform for micro-gravity experiments.

Configuration of PSLV-C44 rocket
• The PSLV is a four-stage engine expendable rocket with alternating solid and liquid fuel.

• One of the specialties of the launch was the configuration of the rocket. ISRO used the aluminium tank for the first time in the fourth stage of the launch of PSLV C 44.
• In its normal configuration, the rocket would have six strap-on motors hugging the its first stage.

• However, for the launch of Kalamsat and Microsat-R satellites, the rocket carried only two strap-on motors by the sides of the first fuel stage at the bottom.
• This was the first time the launch vehicle is built in this configuration known as PSLV-DL.

• This will reduce the weight and increase the mass in the four-stage engine expendable rocket with alternating solid and liquid fuel.

• After parking the satellites in the intended orbits, the fourth stage of the rocket will be taken to a circular orbit in space for carrying out certain experiments by the scientists.
• Normally, the fourth stage is kept deserted in space after the injection of the satellites. This time, it will be kept 'live' for carrying out innovative studies.

Miscellaneous
World Consumer Rights Day
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about consumer rights day )

What's the NEWS

• The consumer movement marks 15th March with World Consumer Rights Day every year, as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights and needs.

• Celebrating the day is a chance to demand that the rights of all consumers are respected and protected, and to protest against market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights.

Know! more about World Consumer Rights day

• World Consumer Rights Day was inspired by President John F Kennedy, who sent a special message to the US Congress on 15th March 1962, in which he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights. He was the first world leader to do so.

• The consumer movement first marked that date in 1983 and now uses the day every year to mobilise action on important issues and campaigns.

• The theme of the World Consumer Rights Day 2019 is "Trusted Smart Products".

• The theme aims to highlight what consumers want and need from a connected world and how important it is to put them at the heart of the development of these digital products and services.

• World Consumers Day aims to highlight that rights of all consumers are respected and protected and to protest against market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights.

Consumer Rights in India
• The Consumer Protection Act 1986 gives 6 basic rights to the consumers: Right to choose the product. Right to be protected from all kind of hazardous goods.

• Right to be informed about the performance and quality of all products. Right to be heard in all decision-making processes related to consumer interests. Right to seek redressal, whenever consumer rights have been infringed. Right to complete consumer education.

State Specific
Erode turmeric gets GI tag after an 8-year process

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Erode turmeric)

What's the NEWS
• After an eight-year-long process, Erode turmeric finally got a Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indication Registry.

• The tag is a name or sign used on products that correspond to a specific location. Erode city located in Tamil Nadu state

• The Erode Manjal Vanigargal Matrum Kidangu Urimaiyalargal Sangham applied for the GI tag on January 4, 2011, at the office of the Deputy Registrar of GI Registry in Chennai.
• A Geographical Indication is a name or sign used on certain products that correspond to a specific geographical location or origin.

Know! more about Erode turmeric
• Erode turmeric is a rhizome, both finger and bulb obtained from the Erode local cultivar.

• In its claim for uniqueness, the application said the mean length of the fingers of Erode turmeric was about 4.15cm and the mean circumference was about 3.03cm.
• The mean bulb length of the mother rhizome is about 4.54cm and the mean circumference is 6.54cm.

• Quality parameters of the turmeric included 2.5 to 4.5% of curcumin content, a golden yellow colour and resistance to pests after boiling.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Fourth United Nations Environment Assembly

What's the NEWS
• In a significant first, India piloted resolutions on two important global environment issues relating to Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management at the fourth session of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) which was held in Nairobi from 11th to 15th March 2019.

Know! more about UNEA
• UNEA adopted both the resolutions with consensus.

• The theme of the UNEA this year was Innovative Solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable production and consumption.
Global challenges
• The global nitrogen use efficiency is low, resulting in pollution by reactive nitrogen which threatens human health, eco system services, contributes to climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion.

• Only a small proportion of the plastics produced globally are recycled with most of it damaging the environment and aquatic bio-diversity.
• Both these are global challenges and the resolutions piloted by India at the UNEA are vital first steps towards addressing these issues and attracting focus of the global community.
Issue of climate finance
• Climate finance is an important lever for climate action related to both mitigation and adaption in the developing countries.

• The contributions to climate finance need to be in consonance with the basic principles of common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC).

Know! about UNEA
• The United Nations Environment Assembly is the world's highest-level decision-making body on the environment.

• It addresses the critical environmental challenges facing the world today.
• Understanding these challenges and preserving and rehabilitating our environment is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• The Environment Assembly meets biennially to set priorities for global environmental policies and develop international environmental law.
• Through its resolutions and calls to action, the Assembly provides leadership and catalyses intergovernmental action on the environment.

• Decision-making requires broad participation, which is why the Assembly provides an opportunity for all peoples to help design solutions for our planet's health.

Know! the genesis of United Nations Environment Assembly
• The United Nations Environment Assembly was created in June 2012, when world leaders called for UN Environment to be strengthened and upgraded the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also referred to as RIO+20.

• The Fourth Environment Assembly recently held in Nairobi 11-15 March 2019, focusing on the theme "Innovative solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production".

Prelims Practise Question

Consider the following statement about this PSLV C- 45 launch

1. This PSLV will be ISRO's first three-orbit mission that will launch satellites in three different orbits.

2. PSLV will launch the advanced electronic intelligence satellite EMISAT for DRDO along with 28 commercial satellites.

3. This PSLV-C45 is the first three-orbit mission of ISRO and the first to use solar panel in rocket fourth stage (PS4).

Find the correct statement from the option given below
a. 1 and 2
b. 1 and 3
c. 2 and 3
d. All

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