LIGO-India: India’s Contribution to the Growth of Modern Astronomy

The full budget for the LIGO-India mega-science project, which involves building, commissioning, and sharing scientific operations of a cutting-edge, advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in India with the NSF-funded LIGO Laboratory, USA, run by Caltech and MIT, was approved by the Union Cabinet.

Regarding LIGO-India

This global network of gravitational wave observatories will have LIGO-India as its fifth and probably last link.

Due to the instrument’s extreme sensitivity, it is quite easy for landslides, earthquakes, or even the movement of trucks to affect it and cause a false reading.

That is why multiple observatories are needed to revalidate the signals.

India’s involvement in LIGO is crucial to demonstrating its intent and capability to pull-off complex science projects independently

Significance of LIGO-India

Advancement in gravitational-wave astronomy and astrophysics: LIGO-India will significantly enhance global capabilities in the field of gravitational-wave astronomy and astrophysics. The project will enable an entirely new window to our universe and open up opportunities to study the cosmos in ways that were previously impossible.

Boosting research careers: LIGO-India will provide opportunities for Indian youth to pursue research careers in cutting-edge areas of science and technology, thereby supporting the growth of the Indian science industry and economy.

Development of cutting-edge technologies: LIGO-India will lead to the development of cutting-edge technologies such as lasers, optics, vacuum, quantum metrology and control-system technologies, which have great national relevance. The project will bring together researchers in fundamental and applied sciences from national research laboratories, IITs and IISERs to universities in partnership with the industry, and attract talent from the large pool of Indian researchers spread worldwide.

Galvanizing India’s industry: The project will galvanize India’s industry to enhance capability and capacity to engineer and manufacture complex components with precision to meet stringent scientific requirements, thereby enhancing the reputation of Indian industry.

Contributing to India’s mega-science ventures: LIGO-India is part of India’s mega-science ventures, which aim to lead or partner in very high-science goals through large-scale collaborative efforts requiring highly skilled human resources, significant fiscal capital and infrastructural investment, and close academia-industry partnerships. LIGO-India is expected to extend the legacy of successful world-class facilities such as the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune and Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) in Ladakh.

Way ahead: Mega-Science Projects and India’s S&T Policy

Mega-science projects like LIGO-India inculcate invaluable elements of work ethic in the scientific community.

The key is the ability to create a focused but adequately large well-knit collaborative ecosystem that remains open to growing by bringing in wider participation.

There is need for a culture within S&T communities to anticipate breakthroughs and appreciate new findings that may often deviate from the current comfort zone for policymakers to be receptive and for executing agencies to create robust mechanisms to assess, evaluate, and respond expeditiously to allow sufficient time to set up the enterprise.

India’s Fighter Jet Conundrum

The article addresses the difficulties the Indian Air Force (IAF) has in modernising its fighter jet fleet because of resource constraints and protracted procurement delays.

Why talk about this?

The IAF now only has 31 fighter squadrons, which is less than the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.

By 2029, it is anticipated that this number would either stay the same or even go down.

The IAF official warned the Parliamentary standing committee that it would take some time to make up the difference.

Indian Air Force (IAF): A quick backgrounder

The IAF was established in 1932, and it played an important role in India’s defence during World War II and later in the 1947-48 Kashmir War.

It underwent modernization in the 1960s and 70s with the induction of new aircraft and weapons systems.

Since then, the IAF has grown to become one of the largest air forces in the world, with a significant role to play in India’s defence and security.

Current Status of the IAF

Large workforce: The IAF has around 1,500 aircraft and 140,000 personnel, making it one of the largest air forces in the world.

Fleet details: The IAF has a sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons, but the current strength stands at 31 squadrons.

Victorious wars: It has played an essential role in various conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars and the Kargil conflict in 1999.

HADR operation: It has also been involved in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, such as the 2004 tsunami and the 2013 Uttarakhand floods.

Challenges faced

The IAF faces multiple challenges in the 21st century.

Decommissioning aircraft: By the end of the decade, many of the Jaguars, Mirage-2000s, and Mig-29s will begin going out, which is why the decision on Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) is essential to arrest this drawdown.

Arsenal shortages: The IAF faces a shortage of fighter aircraft, which is a significant concern given the current geopolitical environment.

Selective modernization: One of the critical issues is modernization, which includes the upgrading of its aircraft and weapons systems.

Diverse threat: The IAF also needs to ensure operational readiness to address the changing nature of warfare, which involves non-state actors, asymmetrical warfare, and cyber threats.

Logistic fallouts: Furthermore, the IAF needs to improve its logistics and infrastructure to support its operations effectively.

Maintenance challenges: There is a slow synergy with vendors for ‘long-term spares and repair contracts’.

Opportunities for the IAF

There are several opportunities for the IAF to enhance its capabilities in the modern era.

Modernization: The acquisition of new aircraft, weapons systems, and technologies can significantly enhance the IAF’s combat capabilities.

Joint cooperation: Additionally, the IAF can improve its international cooperation with other air forces to gain experience and enhance its interoperability.

UAV induction: The IAF can also explore the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat roles.

Indigenization: The IAF is emphasizing the need for indigenization of its fighter jet production via LCA and Fifth Gen fighter aircraft program.

Challenges in fleet modernisation

Procurement delay: The IAF faces significant challenges in modernizing its fleet due to delays in procurement and limited resources.

R&D, Infra bottlenecks: Implementing indigenization is a complex process that involves significant investment in research and development, infrastructure, and human capital.

Others: Other challenges include a lack of skilled labour, limited funding, and the need for technology transfer from foreign partners.

Oceans absorb 90% of human-induced planet warming: Study

According to a study that was published in the journal Earth System Science Data, the ocean has absorbed about 90% of the warming that has taken place over the past 50 years, with the remaining heat being absorbed by the land, cryosphere, and atmosphere.

An overview of the energy balance on Earth

It is the equilibrium between the energy that the Sun provides to Earth and the energy that Earth radiates back into space.

It also goes by the name “radiation budget.”

Visible light and ultraviolet radiation make up the majority of the energy that the Sun sends to Earth.

The Earth’s surface and atmosphere absorb this energy, which they subsequently radiate back into space as infrared radiation.

Key highlights of the Study: Heat Accumulation

The study estimates that approximately 381 zettajoules (ZJ) of heat accumulated on the planet from 1971-2020 due to anthropogenic emissions.

This roughly equals a heating rate of approximately 0.48 watts per square metre (Earth Energy Imbalance or EEI). EEI is the difference between incoming and outgoing solar radiation.

According to the study, about 89% of the accumulated heat is stored in the ocean, 6% on land, a percent in the atmosphere, and about 4% available for melting the cryosphere.

Implications

(1) Land Heat Accumulation

Heat accumulated on land drives up ground surface temperatures, which may increase soil respiration, releasing carbon dioxide in the process.

Higher soil respiration will likely decrease soil water, depending on climatic and meteorological conditions and factors.

(2) Inland Water Bodies and Permafrost Thawing

Heat storage within inland water bodies has increased to roughly 0.2 ZJ since 1960. For permafrost thawing, it was about 2 ZJ.

The accumulation of heat in inland water increases lake water temperatures, making conditions ripe for algal blooms.

Permafrost heat content could inject methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the researchers warned.

(3) Ocean and Troposphere heating

The upper ocean (0-300 and 0-700 meters depth) has taken up a major fraction of heat, according to the new estimates.

During 2006-2020, ocean warming rates for the 0-2,000 meters depth reached record rates of roughly 1.03 watts per square meter.

The troposphere is also warming up due to increased heat accumulation.

(4) Cryosphere heating

The cryosphere – the frozen water part of the Earth system – gained roughly 14 ZJ of heat from 1971-2020.

Half of the uptake triggered the melting of grounded ice, while the remaining half is linked to the melting of floating ice.

The Antarctic Ice Sheet contributed about 33% to the total cryosphere heat gain, while Arctic sea ice stood second, having contributed 26%.

NASA develops Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS)

NASA is developing a snake-like robot- Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS), which it says can boost space exploration through its diverse adaptability to various terrains.

Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS)

Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS)

Features of EELS Robot