Gaganyaan Crew Module: Sphere-Cone Design, Re-entry Dynamics, and Splashdown Survival Explained

Gaganyaan Parachute System: 2 Drogue & 3 Main Chutes with Multi-Stage Reefing for Safe Re-entry

India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission relies on a complex parachute system with multiple stages and redundancy. Understanding the science behind drogue and main chute deployment, reefing mechanisms, and materials like Kevlar/Nomex is critical for UPSC Science & Technology and Defence questions. The article details how ADRDE (Agra) developed these parachutes and testing via RTRS at TBRL Chandigarh.

NavIC Constellation Drops to 3 Satellites, Fails to Provide Standalone Positioning: Govt Accepts

ISRO's NavIC system has lost its ability to provide independent navigation services because only 3 of its 7 satellites are operational, falling short of the minimum 4 required. The government has admitted this in Parliament, though timing services and emergency messaging continue. This raises concerns about India's space-based navigation self-reliance, but the armed forces mitigate risk by using NavIC as part of a multi-constellation GNSS that includes GPS, Galileo, and Glonass.

Gaganyaan Crew Module to Use Ablative Heat Shield for Re-entry Speeds of 7,500-8,000 m/s

Gaganyaan's crew module faces extreme heat (7,500-8,000 m/s) during re-entry. An ablative thermal protection system (TPS) is critical to prevent melting. This article explains the working of the TPS and why it is essential for the mission's success.

New Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules 2026 Mandate IST Traceability for All Official Use

India has made Indian Standard Time (IST) legally enforceable under the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026. All official and commercial systems must synchronize to IST traceable to CSIR-NPL. This reduces reliance on foreign GPS, improves cybersecurity, and enables 'One Nation, One Time'.

18th BRICS Summit New Delhi Declaration: RSSC Expansion, Space Debris, PAROS Working Group

The 18th BRICS Summit adopted the New Delhi Declaration, underscoring progress in expanding the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation (RSSC) to include new space agencies, strengthening space debris mitigation efforts, and advancing discussions on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) via an open-ended working group. This highlights deepening BRICS cooperation in space technology and security, a key area for UPSC International Relations and Science & Technology segments.

ISRO Successfully Launches EOS-05, India's First Geo-Orbit Imaging Satellite (2367 kg) via GSLV-F17

ISRO has successfully launched the EOS-05 satellite, India's first imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit, using GSLV-F17. This marks a comeback after launch failures in 2025-26 and replaces the failed EOS-03 mission. The satellite will provide real-time strategic imagery for national activities.

ISRO Launches EOS-05: India's First Geosynchronous Earth-Imaging Satellite for Strategic & Disaster Monitoring

ISRO has successfully launched EOS-05, India's first earth-imaging satellite placed in geosynchronous orbit. Unlike polar-orbiting satellites, it can continuously observe the same area, making it invaluable for real-time disaster response (floods, cyclones, forest fires), agricultural monitoring, and strategic security applications. This marks a significant leap in India's space-based surveillance capabilities.

KAVACH Version 4.0 Commissioned on SCR: India’s Indigenous Automatic Train Protection System Explained

KAVACH, India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, has been upgraded to Version 4.0 and commissioned on the South Central Railway's Malkajgiri–Kamareddi section over 108 route km. This is crucial for UPSC as it touches infrastructure, safety technology, and comparisons with global systems like ETCS, ATC, and PTC. The article also links to Sam Pitroda committee recommendations on railway modernisation.