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June 2nd week 2015 current affairs
Category : Science & Technology Current
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1) World’s first `feeling` prosthetic leg fitted in Austria.

  • World’s first prosthetic (artificial) leg capable of simulating the feelings of a real limb and fighting phantom pain was unveiled by researchers in Vienna, Austria.
  • The prosthetic connects six sensors on the base of the limb to the remaining foot nerve endings in the wearer`s stump, which are then rewired to healthy tissue in the patient`s thigh.
  • Research into the limb was carried out by Professor Hubert Egger at the University of Linz, who made headlines in 2010 for his work on the world`s first prosthetic arm controlled by the brain.
2) ISRO bags Space Pioneer Award for its Mars mission.
 
  • The country`s low-cost Mangalyaan Mars orbiter mission which is in rendezvous with the Red Planet for an extended period has been presented with the Space Pioneer award for the year 2015 by the US` National Space Society.
  • The National Space Society (NSS) of USA presented the award in recognition of ISRO`s efforts in accomplishing Mars Mission in its very first attempt.
 
About Mars Orbiter Mission
 
  1. The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also called Mangalyaan is a space probe orbiting Mars since 24 September 2014.
  2. It was launched on 5 November 2013 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  3. It is India`s first interplanetary mission and ISRO has become the fourth space agency to reach Mars, after the Soviet space program, NASA, and the European Space Agency.
  4. It is the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit, and the first nation in the world to do so in its first attempt.
 
About ISRO:
 
  1. The Indian Space Research Organization is the space agency of the Indian government.
  2. Its primary objective is to advance space technology and use its applications for national benefit.
  3. Established in 1969, ISRO superseded the erstwhile Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), thus institutionalizing space activities in India.
  4. It is managed by the Department of Space, which reports to the Prime Minister.
  5. Head Quarters: Bangalore.
  6. Chairmen: Kiran Kumar.

3) Indian-origin scientist Manu Prakash developed World`s first water-based computer.

  • Indian-origin scientist Manu Prakash along with his team developed World`s first water-based computer.
  • The results were published in the journal Nature Physics. Manu Prakash is an Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University.
 
Water-based computer applications:
 
  1. Because of its universal nature, the droplet computer can theoretically perform any operation that a conventional electronic computer can crunch, although at significantly slower rates.
4) Google Launches Special Search Mode for Slower 2G Phone Network for India, Brazil.
  • World’s largest search engine giant Google Inc has launched a new lite mode of Google search engine for India and Brazil on 2 Generation (2G) network.
  • The new lite mode has been developed by keeping the 2G network speed in mind.
  • The new lite mode of Google search engine loads pages four times faster than the traditional webpages and consume 80% less data and penetrate 50% faster connection compared to before.
  • This feature is currently limited to Android smartphones.
5) India`s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant undocked.
 
  1. India undocked its first indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at a simple ceremony at Cochin Shipyard Limited.
  2. The ship, built at CSL, will undergo a series of fitment and trial processes before it is ready for propulsion and inducted into the Navy.
  3. The ship has a length of over 260 meters and breadth of 60 meters.
  4. It has two take-off runway and a landing strip with three arrester wires, capable of operating STOBAR aircraft including the indigenous LCA, as well as a range of helicopters with hanger facilities.
  5. CSL Chairman and Managing Director: Commodore Kartik Subramaniam.

6) China Confirms Making Fourth Test on WU-14 Hypersonic Glide Vehicle.

  • The proposed move is expected to extend the missiles` ranges from 2,000km to 3,000km, and 8,000km to 12,000km, respectively.
  • The Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted another test launch of its new hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) amid escalating tensions with the US over the disputed South China Sea.
  • Dubbed WU-14, the weapon reportedly performed manoeuvres that demonstrated its ability to penetrate missile defence systems. It is said to be the fourth test of the missile in the last 18 months.
7) China’s defense ministry confirmed a fourth test of a new hypersonic strike vehicle was carried out last week.
 
  • The fourth successful test of hypersonic glide vehicle – which the US had dubbed the ``WU – 14`` was carried out.
  • WU-14 is the Pentagon`s code name for a Chinese hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV).
  • This advanced strategic strike weapon travels at speed of up to 10 times the speed of sound, or more than 7,600 miles per hour.
  • It was the People Liberation Army’s (PLA) fourth test of the weapon in 18 months.
8) Philae comet lander wakes up from hibernation on Comet 67P.
 
  • Philae comet lander has taken on the surface of Comet 67P (Churyumov-Gerasimenko) from seven-month hibernation.
  • It was announced by European Space Agency (ESA) after the comet lander managed to communicate with Earth for more than a minute.
  • After successfully landing on the comet it had worked for 60 hours and had conducted experiments and transmitted that data to Earth before going into hibernation after its solar-powered battery ran flat.