परमाणु हथियार ले जाने सकने वाली ये मिसाइल 350 किलोमीटर तक मार कर सकती है.
भारत ने परमाणु हथियार ले जाने में सक्षम स्वदेश निर्मित बैलिस्टिक मिसाइल पृथ्वी-2 का एक बार फिर सफल परीक्षण किया है. उड़ीसा के चांदीपुर केन्द्र पर किया गया.
पांच सौ से एक हजार किलोग्राम तक परमाणु हथियार ले जाने सकने वाली ये मध्यम दूरी तक मार करने में सक्षम है. ये मिसाइल 350 किलोमीटर तक मार कर सकती है.
देश के अत्याधुनिक संचार उपग्रह जीसैट-8 को शनिवार सुबह फ्रेंच गुयाना के कोरू से एरियन-वी रॉकेट के जरिए प्रक्षेपित किया गया। प्रक्षेपण के 31 मिनट बाद यह उपग्रह गोलाकार भूस्थैतिक स्थानांतरण कक्षा में घूमने लगा।भारतीय अंतरिक्ष अनुसंधान संगठन (इसरो) के निदेशक एस. सतीश ने कहा, "260 करोड़ रुपये की लागत का उन्नत संचार उपग्रह भारतीय समयानुसार दो बजकर आठ मिनट पर प्रक्षेपित किए जाने के 31 मिनट बाद स्थानांतरण कक्षा में पहुंचा दिया गया और कर्नाटक में हासन के निकट इसरो के नियंत्रण केंद्र को इससे संकेत मिलने शुरू हो गए।हासन बेंगलुरू से करीब 180 किलोमीटर दूर है।
एरियन-वी रॉकेट 19 देशों की सदस्यता वाली यूरोपीय अंतरिक्ष एजेंसी द्वारा निर्मित है।उपग्रह के प्रक्षेपण की लागत 300 करोड़ रुपये और उपग्रह की बीमा लागत 30 करोड़ रुपये रही।कुल 3,093 किलोग्राम वजन वाला यह उपग्रह जमीन से 1,800 किलोमीटर की ऊंचाई पर रॉकेट से अलग होकर लक्षित कक्षा की ओर बढ़ गया।
सतीश ने कहा, "नियंत्रण केंद्र को मिले शुरुआती संकेतों के मुताबिक उपग्रह सामान्य तरीके से काम कर रहा है। उपग्रह की 440 न्यूटन लिक्विड एपॉगी मोटर का संचालन रविवार सुबह तक शुरू करने की तैयारी चल रही है जिससे उपग्रह को उसकी भूस्थैतिक कक्षा में पहुंचाया जा सके।"अगले कुछ दिनों में यह उपग्रह 36,000 किलोमीटर की ऊंचाई पर स्थित भूस्थैतिक कक्षा में पहुंच जाएगा और इसके एंटीना और सोलर पैनल का संचालन शुरू हो जाएगा।
अंतरिक्ष में 1,426 किलोग्राम वजन वाले इस उपग्रह में उच्च क्षमता वाले 24 ट्रांसपोंडर लगे हैं जिनसे सरकारी और निजी क्षेत्र के प्रसारणकर्ताओं को एक जुलाई से डॉयरेक्ट टू होम (डीटीएच) सेवाएं प्रदान करने की बेहतर सुविधा मिलेगा।सतीश ने कहा, "इस उपग्रह को इनसैट-3ई उपग्रह के करीब 55 डिग्री पूर्वी देशांतर के ऊपर स्थापित किया जाना है। उपग्रह को 12 साल तक संचालन क्षमता का लक्ष्य रखकर निर्मित किया गया है।"उपग्रह के प्रक्षेपण के दौरान मौजूद रहे इसरो के अध्यक्ष के. राधाकृष्णन ने इसे देश के लिए महत्वपूर्ण उपलब्धि बताया है।उन्होंने कहा, "संचार उपग्रह के 24 ट्रांसपोंडरों का संचालन शुरू होने का उपयोगकर्ताओं को इंतजार है। इस उपग्रह के सफल प्रक्षेपण से संचार और अंतरिक्ष तंत्र के नए दौर की शुरुआत होगी।"
Natural environment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The natural environment, encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species.[1] The concept of the natural environment can be distinguished by components:
IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN was founded in October 1948 as the International Union for the Protection of Nature (or IUPN) following an international conference in Fontainebleau, France. The organization changed its name to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in 1956 with the acronym IUCN (or UICN in French and Spanish). Use of the name “World Conservation Union”, in conjunction with IUCN, began in 1990. From March 2008 this name is no longer commonly used.
IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries.
IUCN’s work is supported by more than 1,000 professional staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. The Union’s headquarters are located in Gland, near Geneva, Switzerland
IUCN at a glance
● A unique membership association
● Founded in 1948 as the world’s first global environmental organization
● Today the largest professional global conservation network
● A leading authority on the environment and sustainable development
● More than 1,000 member organizations in 140 countries including 200+ government and 800+ non-government organizations
● Almost 11,000 voluntary scientists and experts, grouped in six Commissions
● More than 1,000 professional staff in 60 offices worldwide
● A neutral forum for governments, NGOs, scientists, business and local communities to find pragmatic solutions to conservation and development challenges.Thousands of field projects and activities around the world
● Governance by a Council elected by member organizations every four years at the IUCN World Conservation Congress
● Funded by governments, bilateral and multilateral agencies, foundations, member organizations and corporations
● Official observer status at the United Nations General Assembly
***************************************************************************
Recent News
***************************************************************************
IUCN in the process of assessing freshwater biodiversity of India
The freshwater biodiversity of the country is being assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is after a gap of 13 years that the freshwater biodiversity of the country, including fish, molluscs, insects and plants, is being assessed using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. The last such assessment was held in 1997.
The list is considered a comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species.
It has nine classifications namely extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened, least concern, data deficient and not evaluated.
It is estimated that only 13 of the 807 species of freshwater fish found in India have been assessed using the Red list criteria.
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI) In a bid to strengthen its efforts at conservation of endangered plant and animal species, India has decided to initiate the Red listing process on regular basis. A high-level Environment Ministry panel has decided to bring its first report on the country's endangered species -- both plants and animals -- by the end of next year. "To begin with, two documents, one each on 'Red list of Indian Plants' and 'Red list of Indian Animals' would be released during the COP-11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in New Delhi in October 2012," a Ministry document said. The Red listing process would follow the framework of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) regional guidelines and criteria, it said. The document was prepared by the 10-member steering committee, chaired by Jagdish Kishwan, Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife). Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) would be the focal points for the Red listing of plant and animal species, respectively. The Ministry decided to carry out the Red listing process on a regular basis to end the "paucity of information for the general public on the status, biology and major threats to the endangered species" of the country, which has a staggering variety of flora and fauna. Many organisations are working independently in the country on the Red listing process. The Ministry would provide necessary coordinating mechanism to integrate the efforts of scientific and voluntary organisations into a scientifically acceptable useful output. "The directors of BSI and ZSI would co-opt as many experts -- both individuals and organisations -- as required, to form a core group, each for plants and animal species separately for completion of the Red listing exercise within the stipulated time period," the document said. The Steering Committee would monitor and guide the process of Red listing and the divisions concerned of the Ministry would allocate necessary budgetary provisions for undertaking the exercise. Last month, the Ministry in collaboration with the ZSI, had released a comprehensive document on 'Critically Endangered Animal Species of India'. As per the latest (2011) quantitative evaluation done by the IUCN, there are 57 critically endangered species of animals in India.
***************************************************************************
Promoting Corporate Environmental Responsibility in India
The agreement between IUCN and The Dhamra Port Company Limited (DPCL), a joint venture of Tata Steel and Larsen & Toubro, is an encouraging step forward in promoting corporate environmental responsibility. This acquires even greater importance given the proximity of the port in relation to one of the world’s most important mass-nesting beaches for olive ridley turtles. Given the Tata Group’s commitment to environmental preservation, IUCN believes that engaging with DPCL, in an effort to integrate the highest of environmental standards into the port development and operations, is an exemplary model of contemporary conservation in action.
IUCN and DPCL, signed an agreement in 2007 with the aims of:
Current initiatives
In addition of serving as secretariat of IUCN India National Committee, the current activities of India programme include:
The Livelihoods and Landscapes Strategy (LLS) is a leverage programme to catalyze the sustainable use and conservation of forest biodiversity and ecosystem services for the benefit of the rural poor.
Mangroves for the Future (MFF ) initiative, which will address long term threats to coastal ecosystems and livelihoods and which will promote investment in conserving coastal ecosystems as development ‘infrastructure’.
********************************************************************************
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on plants and animals that have been globally evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This system is designed to determine the relative risk of extinction, and the main purpose of the IUCN Red List is to catalogue and highlight those plants and animals that are facing a higher risk of global extinction (i.e. those listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable). The IUCN Red List also includes information on plants and animals that are categorized as Extinct or Extinct in the Wild; on taxa that cannot be evaluated because of insufficient information (i.e., are Data Deficient); and on plants and animals that are either close to meeting the threatened thresholds or that would be threatened were it not for an ongoing taxon-specific conservation programme (i.e., are Near Threatened).
Through its World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), IUCN have developed seven Protected Area Management Categories that define protected areas according to their management objectives and are internationally recognised by various national governments and the United Nations.
The categories provide international standards for comparing the protected areas in different countries and encourage the planning of protected areas under management aims.
The categories are:
Ia----- Strict Nature Reserve;
Ib----- Wilderness Area;
II------ National Park;
III----- Natural Monument of Feature;
IV----- Habitat/Species Management Area;
V----- Protected Landscape/ Seascape and;
VI---- Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources
Chromosomes and Sex:
Chromosomes are long, stringy aggregates of genes that carry heredity information. They are composed of DNA and proteins and are located within the nucleus of our cells. Chromosomes determine everything from hair color and eye color to sex. Whether you are a male or female depends on the presence or absence of certain chromosomes.
Human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes for a total of 46. There are 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. The sex chromosomes are the X chromosome and the Y chromosome.
Sex Chromosomes:
In human sexual reproduction, two distinct gametes fuse to form a zygote. Gametes are reproductive cells produced by a type of cell division called meiosis. They contain only one set of chromosomes and are said to be haploid.
The male gamete, called the spermatozoan, is relatively motile and usually has a flagellum. The female gamete, called the ovum, is nonmotile and relatively large in comparison to the male gamete. When the haploid male and female gametes unite in a process called fertilization, they form what is called a zygote. The zygote is diploid, meaning that it contains two sets of chromosomes.
Sex Chromosomes X-Y:
The male gametes or sperm cells in humans and other mammals are heterogametic and contain one of two types of sex chromosomes. They are either X or Y. The female gametes or eggs however, contain only the X sex chromosome and are homogametic. The sperm cell determines the sex of an individual in this case. If a sperm cell containing an X chromosome fertilizes an egg, the resulting zygote will be XX or female. If the sperm cell contains a Y chromosome, then the resulting zygote will be XY or male.
Sex Chromosomes X-O:
Grasshoppers, roaches, and other insects have a similar system for determining the sex of an individual. Adult males lack a Y sex chromosome and have only an X chromosome. They produce sperm cells that contain either an X chromosome or no sex chromosome, which is designated as O. The females are XX and produce egg cells that contain an X chromosome. If an X sperm cell fertilizes an egg, the resulting zygote will be XX or female. If a sperm cell containing no sex chromosome fertilizes an egg, the resulting zygote will be XO or male.
Sex Chromosomes Z-W:
Birds, insects like butterflies, frogs and some species of fish have a different system for determining gender. In these animals it is the female gamete that determines the sex of an individual. Female gametes can either contain a Z chromosome or a W chromosome. Male gametes contain only the Z chromosome. Females of these species are ZW and males are ZZ.
Parthenogenesis:
What about animals like most kinds of wasps, bees, and ants that have no sex chromosomes? How is sex determined? In these species, fertilization determines sex. If an egg becomes fertilized it will develop into a female. A non-fertilized egg may develop into a male. The female is diploid and contains two sets of chromosomes, while the male is haploid. This development of an unfertilized egg into an individual is called parthenogenesis.
The anatomy of the brain is complex due its intricate structure and function. This amazing organ acts as a control center by receiving, interpreting, and directing sensory information throughout the body. There are three major divisions of the brain. They are the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain.
Brain Divisions
The forebrain is responsible for a variety of functions including receiving and processing sensory information, thinking, perceiving, producing and understanding language, and controlling motor function. There are two major divisions of forebrain: the diencephalon and the telencephalon. The diencephalon contains structures such as the thalamus and hypothalamus which are responsible for such functions as motor control, relaying sensory information, and controlling autonomic functions. The telencephalon contains the largest part of the brain, the cerebral cortex. Most of the actual information processing in the brain takes place in the cerebral cortex.
The midbrain and the hindbrain together make up the brainstem. The midbrain is the portion of the brainstem that connects the hindbrain and the forebrain. This region of the brain is involved in auditory and visual responses as well as motor function.
The hindbrain extends from the spinal cord and is composed of the metencephalon and myelencephalon. The metencephalon contains structures such as the pons and cerebellum. These regions assists in maintaining balance and equilibrium, movement coordination, and the conduction of sensory information. The myelencephalon is composed of the medulla oblongata which is responsible for controlling such autonomic functions as breathing, heart rate, and digestion.
•Prosencephalon - Forebrain
•Mesencephalon - Midbrain
•Diencephalon
•Telencephalon
•Rhombencephalon - Hindbrain
•Metencephalon
•Myelencephalon
Anatomy of the Brain: Structures
The brain contains various structures that have a multitude of functions. Below is a list of major structures of the brain and some of their functions.
Basal Ganglia
•Involved in cognition and voluntary movement
•Diseases related to damages of this area are Parkinson's and Huntington's
Brainstem
•Relays information between the peripheral nerves and spinal cord to the upper parts of the brain
•Consists of the midbrain, medulla oblongata, and the pons
Broca's Area
•Speech production
•Understanding language
Central Sulcus (Fissure of Rolando)
•Deep grove that separates the parietal and frontal lobes
Cerebellum
•Controls movement coordination
•Maintains balance and equilibrium
Cerebral Cortex
•Outer portion (1.5mm to 5mm) of the cerebrum
•Receives and processes sensory information
•Divided into cerebral cortex lobes
Cerebral Cortex Lobes
•Frontal Lobes -involved with decision-making, problem solving, and planning
•Occipital Lobes-involved with vision and color recognition
•Parietal Lobes - receives and processes sensory information
•Temporal Lobes - involved with emotional responses, memory, and speech
Cerebrum
•Largest portion of the brain
•Consists of folded bulges called gyri that create deep furrows
Corpus Callosum
•Thick band of fibers that connects the left and right brain hemispheres
Cranial Nerves
•Twelve pairs of nerves that originate in the brain, exit the skull, and lead to the head, neck and torso
Fissure of Sylvius (Lateral Sulcus)
•Deep grove that separates the parietal and temporal lobes
Limbic System Structures
•Amygdala - involved in emotional responses, hormonal secretions, and memory
•Cingulate Gyrus - a fold in the brain involved with sensory input concerning emotions and the regulation of aggressive behavior
•Fornix - an arching, fibrous band of nerve fibers that connect the hippocampus to the hypothalamus
•Hippocampus - sends memories out to the appropriate part of the cerebral hemisphere for long-term storage and retrievs them when necessary
•Hypothalamus - directs a multitude of important functions such as body temperature, hunger, and homeostasis
•Olfactory Cortex - receives sensory information from the olfactory bulb and is involved in the identification of odors
•Thalamus - mass of grey matter cells that relay sensory signals to and from the spinal cord and the cerebrum
Medulla Oblongata
•Lower part of the brainstem that helps to control autonomic functions
Meninges
•Membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord
Olfactory Bulb
•Bulb-shaped end of the olfactory lobe
•Involved in the sense of smell
Pineal Gland
•Endocrine gland involved in biological rhythms
•Secretes the hormone melatonin
Pituitary Gland
•Endocrine gland involved in homeostasis
•Regulates other endocrine glands
Pons
•Relays sensory information between the cerebrum and cerebellum
Reticular Formation
•Nerve fibers located inside the brainstem
•Regulates awareness and sleep
Substantia Nigra
•Helps to control voluntary movement and regualtes mood
Tectum
•The dorsal region of the mesencephalon (mid brain)
Tegmentum
•The ventral region of the mesencephalon (mid brain).
Ventricular System - connecting system of internal brain cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid
•Aqueduct of Sylvius - canal that is located between the third ventricle and the fourth ventricle
•Choroid Plexus - produces cerebrospinal fluid
•Fourth Ventricle - canal that runs between the pons, medulla oblongata, and the cerebellum
•Lateral Ventricle - largest of the ventricles and located in both brain hemispheres
•Third Ventricle - provides a pathway for cerebrospinal fluid to flow
Wernicke's Area
•Region of the brain where spoken language is understood
Indian Research Stations in Antarctica
In 1981 the Indian flag unfurled for the first time in Antarctica, marking the start of Southern Ocean expeditions under the environmental protocol of the Antarctic Treaty (1959). The first permanent settlement was built in 1983 and named Dakshin Gangotri. In 1989 it was abandoned after it became buried in ice.
The second permanent settlement, Maitri, was put up in 1988–89 on the Schirmacher Oasis and has been conducting experiments in geology, geography and medicine. India built a freshwater lake around Maitri known as Lake Priyadharshini. Maitri accomplished the mission of geomorphologic mapping of Schirmacher Oasis.
India has demarcated an area beside Larsmann Hill at 69°S, 76°E for its third settlement and second active research station. The survey has already been completed and the station is scheduled to be operational by 2012. When it is complete, India will enter the elite group of nine nations having multiple stations within the Antarctic Circle. Bharati is proposed for oceanographic research and will collect evidence of continental breakup to reveal the 120-million-year-old ancient history of the Indian subcontinent. In news sources this station is variously spelled "Bharathi",[12] "Bharti"[2] and "Bharati".[13]
The headquarters of the Department of Space and ISRO are located in Bangalore.
Indian Space Programme – the History and Achievements.
Programme—The primary objectives of Indian Space Programme are ‘‘Satellite Based Communications, Resources Survey and Meteorological Applications.’’
Research and development activities under the space programme are carried out in various centers/units of Deptt. of Space and ISRO. The major centers are-Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram; ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore; SHAR Centre at Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh); Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad; Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) with its facilities at Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram and Mahendragiri; ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) with its network of ground stations and Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU), Ahmedabad.
The headquarters of the Department of Space and ISRO are located in Bangalore.
Space Programme & Achievements
Aryabhatta—India’s first Satellite launched from Soviet Cosmodrom on April 19, 1975.
Bhaskar—India’s Second Satellite launched on June 7, 1979.
Rohini I—Launched for the first time from Indian soil in July 1980.
Rohini II—Launched on May 21, 1981 but it was burnt on June 8, 1981.
Apple—(First Communication Satellite) Launched on June 19, 1981 by European Space Agency from Kourou, French Guyana.
Bhaskar II—India’s second Earth Observation Satellite launched from Soviet Cosmodrom on November 21, 1981.
INSAT–1A—India’ First Multipurpose satellite launched on April 10, 1982 from Cape Canaveral in USA. It ended Functioning within 6 months of its launching.
Rohini–2—It was launched in April 1983 from Sriharikota (SHAR) by Indian made SLV-3 D. 2 Rocket. It shows India’s satisfactory progress in Space Research.
INSAT–1B—It was launched on 30th August, 1983 from Cape Canaveral (America) by American Shuttle Challenger.
A.S.L.V.—On March 24, 1987 India launched A.S.L.V. But it caught fire within three minutes and was destroyed.
I.R.S.–1A—This satellite India’s first Remote Sensing Satellite was launched on March 17, 1988.
I.R.S.–1-B—Second Indian Remote Sensing Satellite was launched on Aug. 29 and it became operative on 16th Sept. 1991.
A.S.L.V.–D2—A.S.L.V.-D2 was unsuccessfully launched from Sriharikota on July 13, 1988.
INSAT–1C—INSAT–1C was launched by Arian Rocket from French Guyana on July 22, 1988. It is partially working.
INSAT–1D—The last satellite of INSAT–1 series has been launched from Cape Canaveral on 12th June, 1990. It has started giving its services since 17th July, 1990.
A.S.L.V.–D-3—This was launched from Sriharikota on May 20, 1992. It has successfully placed into orbit a SROSS-III Satellite.
INSAT–2A—This was launched by Arian Rocket–4 from French Guyana on July 10, 1992.
INSAT-2B—This was launched by Arian Rocket from French Guyana on July 23, 1993.
PSLV-D1—It was unsuccessfully launched from Sriharikota on Sept. 20, 1993.
PSLV-D2—IRS-P2, 870 kg. Remote Sensing Satellite hurled into Polar Sun-Synchronous Orbit by the successful launch of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-D2) from Sriharikota on October 15, 1994.
INSAT-2C—Launched into Orbit from Kourou (French Guyana) on Dec. 7, 1995.
IRS-1C—Successfully launched on Dec. 28, 1995.
IRS-P3—It was successfully launched on March 21, 1996.
INSAT-2D—Successfully launched into orbit from Kourou (French Guyana) on June 4, 1997.
IRS-1D—It was successfully launched on Sept. 29, 1997 from Sriharikota.
INSAT-2E—Successfully launched into Orbit from Kourou (French Guyana) on April 3, 1999.
IRS-P—Successfully launched from Rocket Launching Centre, Sriharikota on 26th May, 1999 PSLV–C2.
PSLV-C4—It was successfully launched from Sriharikota on May 26, 1999. It carried India’s IRSP4 (Ocean sat), South Korean Kit sat-3 and Germany’s Tubsat in space in their respective orbits.
INSAT-3B—It was successfully launched from European Rocket Launching Station at Kourou in French Guyana on March 22, 2000.
GSLV–D1—It was successfully launched from Sriharikota Range (SHAR), Andhra Pradesh on April 18, 2001. It carried India’s satellite GSAT-1 and put it in the earth’s orbit. Its purpose is commercial communication.
PSLV–C3—PSLV–C3 was launched on October 22, 2001 from ISRO’s SHAR Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh carrying 3 satellites—ISRO’s Technology Experiment Satellite (TES), Germany’s BIRD (Bispectral and Infrared Remote Detection) and Belgium’s PROBA (Project for Onboard Autonomy).
INSAT-3C—It was successfully launched on January 24, 2002 by European Rocket Arian-4 from Kourou launching station of French Guyana.
PSLV–C4—India’s first exclusive meteorological satellite (METSAT) was successfully launched in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by PSLVC4 on September 12, 2002 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
INSAT-3A—India successfully launched into space its space satellite INSAT-3A on Ariane rocket from Kourou in French Guyana on April 10, 2003. It is primarily a meteorological satellite.
GSLV-D2—India successfully launched her GSLV-D2 carrying a communication satellite GSAT-2 from Sriharikota on May 8, 2003.
INSAT-3E—India’s communication satellite INSAT-3E was successfully launched into space from Kourou Space Centre on September 28, 2003.
Resource sat-1—India successfully launched its heaviest (1360 kg) and sophisticated remote sensing satellite, Resource sat-1 using the indigenously built polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) on October 17, 2003.
Rohini-200—On the 40th anniversary of launching Rohini rockets India’s ISRO successfully launched Rohini-200 sounding rocket on November 21, 2003.
Edusat—India launched her first educational satellite EDUSAT on September 20, 2004 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
CARTOSAT–1—India’s first mapping satellite CARTOSAT-1 was launched into space on May 5, 2005 with the help of the launching rocket-Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle–PSLV-CS. Another satellite–HAMSAT was also launched at the same time. Both satellites were successfully placed in their geostationary orbit.
INSAT-4A—The latest and heaviest communication satellite of Indian Space Research Organisations (ISRO), was successfully launched by the European Agency’s Ariane-5 G launch vehicle from Kourou (French Guyana) on December 22, 2005.
INSAT-4C—Launched on July 10, 2006 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota with the help of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-FO2), the 2,168 kg. satellite to boost Direct to Home Television Service and digital news gathering could not be a success owing to the failure of the launch vehicle. The mission was thus an unfortunate failure.
PSLV-C9—In its thirteenth flight conducted from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota on April 28, 2008 ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle—PSLV-C9 successfully launched the 690 kg Indian remote, sensing satellite.
CARTOSAT-2A, the 83 kg Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-1) and eight nanosatellites for international customers.
Chandrayaan-I—India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C11) on Oct. 22, 2008 successfully put Chandrayaan-I into its initial orbit marking the spacecraft’s long journey to the Moon. It was really a historic achievement on the part of India.
INSAT-4B—ISRO’s Satellite INSAT-4B successfully launched on March 12, 2007 by the European Arian-5 ECA launch vehicle from the Kourou island in French Guiana. The 3025 kg INSAT-4B is the second Satellite in the INSAT-4 series. INSAT-4B will further augment the INSAT capacity for Direct-To-Home (DTH) television services and other communication and TV services.
वाशिंगटन। अब वह दिन दूर नहीं है जब आप खुद को लंबे समय तक जवां रख पाएंगे। क्योंकि एंटी ऐजिंग पिल्स निर्माण में जुटे शोधाथियों ने एक ऐसे इन्जाइम को ढूंढने में सफलता हासिल की है, जिसके जरिए मृत्यु की ओर अग्रसर कोशिकाओं को आसानी से बचाया जा सकेगा। निर्माण के अराखरी दौर में पहुंच चुकी इन एंटी ऐजिंग पिल्स की मदद से युवावस्था को स्थिर किया जा सकता है। हालांकि खाने में कैलारी की मात्रा में क मी करके भी उम्र की ढलान को धीमा किया जा सकता है।
विन्सकॉन-माडीसन यूनिवर्सिटी के शोधाकर्ताओं ने बताया कि उन्होंने सिर्ट-3 नामक उस प्रमुख एन्जाइम की पहचान कर ली है, जो कोशिका अणुओं में नाटकीय ढंग से परिवर्तन लाने में मुख्य भूमिका निभाता हैं।
शीर्ष शोधार्थी प्रोफेसर टामस प्रोला कहते हैं वे जल्द ही यह समझने में सफल हो जाऐंगे कि कैलोरी प्रतिबंधन कैसे काम करता है। शोधार्थियों ने बताया कि उन्होंने भोजन में कैलारी की मात्रा को कम करने से एजिंग की प्रक्रिया पर असर कैसे पड़ता है। शोधार्थियों ने बताया कि मिले सबूत से न केवल बूढ़े होने की प्रक्रिया की व्याख्या करने में मदद मिलेगी, बल्कि यह जवां उम्र को स्थिर रखने वाली प्रत्याशित दवा का आधार भी बन सकती है।
उन्होंने बताया कि इस इन्जाइम की मदद से किसी भी व्यक्ति की औसत आयु को बढ़ाया जा सकेगा। इस संबंध में शोधार्थी दल ने ऐसे चूहों पर शोध किया जो बड़ी उम्र से जुड़ी बीमारी बहरेपन आदि की समस्या से जूझ रहे थे। वैज्ञानिकों के मुताबिक बहरेपन का सीधा संबंध कान की अंदरूनी कोशिकाओं में हुए नुकसान से होता है। रिपोर्ट के अनुसार शरीर के कैलोरी लेबल में सुधार लाने व सिर्ट-3 नामक इन्जाइम के स्तर में वृद्धि से शरीर की उपापचय प्रक्रिया में परिवर्तन लाया जा सकता है।
शोधकर्ता बताते हैं कि कोशिकाओं के अंदरूनी भाग में अवस्थित फ्री रेडिकल नामक बनावट कोशिकाओं में ऊर्जा के स्रोत होते हैं, वहीं ये उच्च घातक फ्री रेडिकल आक्सीजन के वाहक भी होते हैं जिनके संपर्क में आते ही कोशिकाएं नष्ट हो जाती हैं और त्वचा पर झुर्रियां व जोड़ों में अकड़न की प्रक्रिया शुरू होने लगते हैं। शोधार्थियों का मानना है कि हरे पत्ते वाली सब्जियों व धान्य पदार्थो में पाए जाने वाले एंटी आक्सीडेंट के जरिए भी फ्री रेडिकल को न्यूट्रल कर अक्षम किया जा सकता है जिससे बूढ़े होने की प्रक्रिया धीमी हो सकती है।
वैज्ञानिकों ने सिर्ट-3 नामक उस प्रमुख एन्जाइम की पहचान कर ली है,जो कोशिका अणुओं में नाटकीय ढंग से परिवर्तन लाने में मुख्य भूमिका निभाता है।
The 36th edition of the closely watched TOP500 list of the world’s most powerful supercomputers confirms the rumored takeover of the top spot by the Chinese Tianhe-1A system at the National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin, achieving a performance level of 2.57 petaflop/s (quadrillions of calculations per second).
News of the Chinese system’s performance emerged in late October. As a result, the former number one system — the Cray XT5 “Jaguar” system at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility in Tennessee — is now ranked in second place. Jaguar achieved 1.75 petaflop/s running Linpack, the TOP500 benchmark application.
Third place is now held by a Chinese system called Nebulae, which was also knocked down one spot from the June 2010 TOP500 list with the appearance of Tianhe-1A. Located at the National Supercomputing Centre in Shenzhen, Nebulae performed at 1.27 petaflop/s. Rounding out the Top Five slots are two new systems: Tsubame 2.0 at the Tokyo Institute of Technology at number four; and Hopper, a Cray XE6 system at DOE’s National Energy Research Scientific Computing (NERSC) Center in California in the fifth spot. Tsubame achieved a performance of 1.19 petaflop/s, while Hopper just broke the petaflop/s barrier with 1.05 petaflop/s.
Of the Top 10 systems, seven achieved performance at or above 1 petaflop/s. Five of the systems in the Top 10 are new to the list. Of the Top 10, five are in the United States and the others are in China, Japan, France, and Germany. The most powerful system in Europe is a Bull system at the French CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives or Atomic and Alternative Energies Commission), ranked at number six.
The Indian government has established 15 Biosphere Reserves of India, (categories roughly corresponding to IUCN Category V Protected areas), which protect larger areas of natural habitat (than a National Park or Animal Sanctuary), and often include one or more National Parks and/or preserves, along buffer zones that are open to some economic uses. Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life.
Seven of the fifteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list[2].
The last three are among the 22 new sites recently added by UNESCO to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Their inclusion raises the number of Indian sites on the World list to seven, from a total of 15 Biosphere Reserves across the subcontinent.Recently India has added one more area as bsr namely cold desert of Himachal Pradesh taking the total count to 16.
Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) is an anti-ballistic missile developed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles outside atmosphere (Exoatmosphere). Based on the Prithvi missile, PAD is a two stage missile with a maximum interception altitude of 80 km. The first stage is a liquid fuelled motor that uses two propellants and oxidizers while second stage is solid fuelled.
Work on the PAD began in 2000 with a planned $1 billion development budget. The system is being designed and developed at the missile complex in Hyderabad in southern India by engineers at three DRDO laboratories: the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, the Imarat research center and Advanced Systems Laboratory.All the parts of the system, except the main radar and the interceptor guidance packages, were developed in India, DRDO sources said.The system includes one radar system that tracks both the incoming missile and the outgoing interceptor, another that helps classify the incoming weapon and sends data to the interceptor batteries, command-and-control computers, and a transmitter to help guide the interceptors, another DRDO scientist said.
When deployed, the PAD will include multiple radars and their control centers, interceptor batteries and their control centers, spread out over as much as 500 kilometers.The second phase will include more tests, and will include homegrown interceptors with ranges beyond 100 kilometers. It will end by 2012, when the system goes into operational service, Indian Air Force sources said.The interceptor rocket has a liquid-fueled first stage that uses two propellants and oxidizers, and a solid-fuel second stage with a gas thruster that can turn the rocket at more than five Gs.
India is developing a robust anti-missile defence system that will have high-speed interceptions for engaging ballistic missiles in the 5,000 km class and above. India has recently demonstrated the capability to handle such targets up to 2,000 to 2,500 km,
The missile carries sensors to guide it to its target.For exo-atmospheric intercepts, the system's main sensor is the Israeli Green Pine radar, which has a 600-kilometer range. India imported two Green Pines three years ago, one in operating condition and one as a kit that was subsequently assembled.The PAD has two intercept modes, each of which is designed to hit a target within four minutes: exo-atmospheric, or above 50 kilometers; and endo-atmospheric, or lower than about 30 kilometers. The first anti-missile defence system, which was successfully test-fired Dec 6, 2007 from the integrated test range in coastal Orissa, demonstrated the capability to intercept targets at 45 to 50 km (exo-atmospheric) as well as at 15 to 20 km (endo-atmosphoric) altitudes and disintegrating them.
The tracking and fire control radars were developed by state-run DRDO in collaboration with Israel and France. With the development and production being taken up concurrently, the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) in Bangalore has been commissioned to roll out more radars for short, medium and long range use in association with the private sector.'LRDE has a full-fledged facility at Kolar to assemble and calibrate the radars required by the defence forces.
For exo-atmospheric intercepts, the system's main sensor is the Israeli Green Pine radar, which has a 600-kilometer range. India imported two Green Pines three years ago, one in operating condition and one as a kit that was subsequently assembled. The lower intercepts are guided by a radar acquired from another country.
Baptised as the Prithvi Air Defence system, the agile interceptor has now been renamed as Pradyumna.DRDO needs to carry out at least three to four trials with both versions before the missile shield ready for operational use. “The test is likely to be conducted Chandipur off the Orissa coast. Phase I of this programme is slated to be completed by 2009, while it is to secure operational clearance by 2012-13.
DRDO says its missile system is comprable to the Israeli Arrow system and the American Patriot system, both of whose manufacturers are courting the Indian defence establishment for likely orders.DRDO expects ballistic missile shield to take care of threats from existing Chinese and Pakistani missiles.
The Antrix Corporation, established in 1992 as a government owned company, markets the space products and services
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully operationalised two major satellite systems namely Indian National Satellites (INSAT) for communication services and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites for management of natural resources; also, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for launching IRS type of satellites and Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for launching INSAT type of satellites.
Megha-Tropiques
ISRO and French National Space Centre (CNES) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2004-05 for the development and implementation of Megha-Tropiques (Megha meaning cloud in Sanskrit and Tropiques meaning tropics in French). The launch of Megha-Tropiques is planned during the fourth quarter of 2010.
Megha-Tropiques is aimed at understanding the life cycle of convective systems and to their role in the associated energy and moisture budget of the atmosphere in the tropical regions. The satellite will carry an Imaging Radiometer Microwave Analysis and Detection of Rain and Atmospheric Structures (MADRAS), a six channel Humidity Sounder (SAPHIR), a four channel Scanner for Radiation Budget Measurement (SCARAB) and GPS Radio Occultation System (GPS-ROS).
GAGAN
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to implement an indigenous Satellite-Based Regional GPS Augmentation System also known as Space-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) as part of the Satellite-Based Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS)/Air Traffic Management (ATM) plan for civil aviation. The Indian SBAS system has been given an acronym GAGAN - GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation. A national plan for satellite navigation including implementation of Technology Demonstration System (TDS) over the Indian air space as a proof of concept has been prepared jointly by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and ISRO. TDS was successfully completed during 2007 by installing eight Indian Reference Stations (INRESs) at eight Indian airports and linked to the Master Control Center (MCC) located near Bangalore.
The first GAGAN navigation payload has been fabricated and it was proposed to be flown on GSAT-4 during Apr 2010. However, GSAT-4 was not placed in orbit as GSLV-D3 could not complete the mission. Two more GAGAN payloads will be subsequently flown, one each on two geostationary satellites, GSAT-8 and GSAT-10.
Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-II)
The main objective of SRE II is to realize a fully recoverable capsule and provide a platform to conduct microgravity experiments on Micro-biology, Agriculture, Powder Metallurgy, etc. SRE-2 is proposed to be launched onboard PSLV-C19 in of 2010 - 11.
Chandrayaan-2
Chandrayaan-2 mission is planned to have an orbiter/lander/rover configuration. The mission is expected to be realised by 2012 - 13. The science goals of the mission is to further improve our understanding of origin and evolution of the Moon using instruments onboard Orbiter and in-situ analysis of lunar samples and studies of lunar regolith properties (remote & direct analysis) using Robots/Rovers.
Aditya-1
The First Indian space based Solar Coronagraph to study solar Corona in visible and near IR bands. Launch of the Aditya mission is planned during the next high solar activity period ~ 2012. The main objectives is to study the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and consequently the crucial physical parameters for space weather such as the coronal magnetic field structures, evolution of the coronal magnetic field etc. This will provide completely new information on the velocity fields and their variability in the inner corona having an important bearing on the unsolved problem of heating of the corona would be obtained.
YOUTHSAT
YOUTHSAT is a participatory scientific mission with payloads from both Russia and India. It would be carrying three scientific payloads one from Russia and two from India.
It is a micro satellite carrying scientific payloads with participation from universities at graduate, postgraduate and research scholar level and would participate from testing of the payloads in laboratory to the utilisation of the data from payloads. Participation of young scientists will inculcate interest in space related activities and provide opportunities for realisation of future scientific payloads at the university level. YOUTHSAT is scheduled to be launched as auxiliary satellite along with Indian remote sensing satellite during 2010 with an orbital altitude of 630 km at an inclination of 97.9º.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle,usually known by its abbreviation PSLV is the first operational launch vehicle of ISRO. PSLV is capable of launching 1600 kg satellites in 620 km sun-synchronous polar orbit and 1050 kg satellite in geo-synchronous transfer orbit. In the standard configuration, it measures 44.4 m tall, with a lift off weight of 295 tonnes. PSLV has four stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately. The first stage is one of the largest solid propellant boosters in the world and carries 139 tonnes of propellant. A cluster of six strap-ons attached to the first stage motor, four of which are ignited on the ground and two are air-lit. 
The reliability rate of PSLV has been superb. There had been 16 continuously successful flights of PSLV, till July 2010. With its variant configurations, PSLV has proved its multi-payload, multi-mission capability in a single launch and its geosynchronous launch capability. In the recent Chandrayaan-mission, another variant of PSLV with an extended version of strap-on motors, PSOM-XL, the payload haul was enhanced to 1750 kg in 620 km SSPO. PSLV has rightfully earned the status of workhorse launch vehicle of ISRO.
Typical Parameters of PSLV
Lift-off weight
295 tonne
Pay Load
1600 kg in to 620 km Polar Orbit,
1060 kg in to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)
Height
44 metre
PSLV Milestones
PSLV-C15 launched CARTOSAT-2B, ALSAT-2A, NLS 6.1 & 6.2 and STUDSAT on July 12, 2010 (Successful)
PSLV-C14 launched Oceansat - 2 and Six Nanosatellites on September 23, 2009 (Successful)
PSLV-C12 launched RISAT-2 and ANUSAT on April 20, 2009 (Successfully)
PSLV-C11 launched CHANDRAYAAN-I, on October 22, 2008 (Successful)
PSLV-C9 launched CARTOSAT-2A, IMS-1 and Eight nano-satellites on April 28, 2008 (Successful)
PSLV-C10 launched TECSAR on January 23, 2008 (Successful)
PSLV-C8 launched AGILE on April 23, 2007 (Successful)
PSLV-C7 launched CARTOSAT-2, SRE-1, LAPAN-TUBSAT and PEHUENSAT-1 on January 10, 2007 (Successful)
PSLV-C6 launched CARTOSAT-1 and HAMSAT on May 5, 2005 (Successful)
PSLV-C5 launched RESOURCESAT-1(IRS-P6) on October 17, 2003 (Successful)
PSLV-C4 launched KALPANA-1(METSAT) on September 12, 2002 (Successful)
PSLV-C3 launched TES on October 22, 2001 (Successful)
PSLV-C2 launched OCEANSAT(IRS-P4), KITSAT-3 and DLR-TUBSAT on May 26, 1999 (Successful)
PSLV-C1 launched IRS-1D on September 29, 1997 (Successful)
PSLV-D3 launched IRS-P3 on March 21, 1996 (Successful)
PSLV-D2 launched IRS-P2 on October 15, 1994 (Successful)
PSLV-D1 launched IRS-1E on September 20, 1993 (Unsuccessful)
Three foreign satellites – ALSAT-2A and NLS 6.1, 6.2 were launched as auxiliary satellites by PSLV-C15 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota on Jul 12, 2010 along with the main satellite – CARTOSAT-2B and pico – satellite STUDSAT.
ALSAT-2A
ALSAT-2A is a small satellite, weighing 116 kg from Algeria for remote sensing purpose.
NLS-6.1 (AISSAT-1) weighing 6.5 kg built by Space Flight Laboratory of the University of Toronto, Canada for testing various satellite technologies.
NLS-6.2 (TISAT–1) weighing one kg built by University of Applied Sciences of Switzerland for testing various satellite technologies.
STUDSAT
Student Satellite (STUDSAT) is the first pico-satellite developed in the country by a consortium of seven engineering colleges from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, located at Sriharikota, a spindle shaped island on the East Coast of Andhra Pradesh, about 80 km north of Chennai, is the spaceport of India. 
This island was chosen in 1969 forsetting up of a satellite launch station. Features like goodlaunch azimuth corridor for various missions, advantage of earth's rotation for eastward launchings, nearness to the equator, and large uninhabited area as safety zone all make Sriharikota Range, popularly known as 'SHAR', an ideal spaceport. Off Sullurupeta a small town in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh on the national highway connecting Chennai and Kolkata a 20 minutes drive towards the east on the road laid across the Pulicat Lake takes one to Sriharikota. The Centre has been renamed as 'Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR' on September 5, 2002, in memory of Prof. Satish Dhawan, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation. The island covers an area of about 43,360 acres (175 sq.km)Satellite imagery of Sriharikota island with a coastline of 50 km.
SHAR has a unique combination of facilities, such as a solid propellant production plant, a rocket motor static test facility, launch complexes for a variety of rockets, telemetry, telecommand, tracking, data acquisition and processing facilities, and other support services. The first flight-test of'Rohini-125', a small sounding rocket took place from here on October 9, 1971. Since then the facilities here were expanded to meet the growing needs of ISRO.
Pokhran Tests : India has so far conducted 6 nuclear test explosion. The first nuclear explosion was conducted on May 18, 1974 at Pokhran in Rajasthan. The others were conducted on May 11 and 13, 1998 at Pokhran range only. India's main objective of conducting these tests is to use atomic energy for peaceful purposes.
The Vitamins are necessary auxiliaries in metabolism. They combine with specific proteins, as parts of various oxidative enzyme systems which are concerned with the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat in the body. Thus, they are intimately involved in the mechanism which releases energy, carbon dioxide and water as the end products of metabolism.
Vitamins can be broadly divided into Fat Soluble and Water Soluble Vitamins. Vitamins A D E and K are fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamins B ( B1 B2 B6 B12 ) and C are water-soluble.
Vitamin - A | |
Year | 1913 |
Retinol | |
Main Metabolic Function | Essential for normal growth and development. |
Deficiency - Effects | Retarded growth. |
Available | Milk, Egg yolk, Ghee, Butter, Carrots, Tomatoes, Leafy and Yellow vegetables, Cod liver oil and Fresh fruits. |
Nature | Fat-Soluble |
Year | 1936 |
Thiamin | |
Main Metabolic Function | An important aid in carbohydrate metabolism. |
Deficiency - Effects | Loss of appetite. |
Available | Peas, Beans and Cereals. |
Nature | Water-Soluble |
Vitamin - B2 | |
Year | 1935 |
Riboflavin | |
Main Metabolic Function | Needed in formation of certain enzymes and in cellular oxidation. |
Deficiency - Effects | Impaired growth, lassitude and weakness. |
Available | Peas, Beans and Cereals. |
Nature | Water-Soluble |
Vitamin - B6 | |
Year | 1934 |
Pyridoxine | |
Main Metabolic Function | Acts as do other B vitamins. |
Deficiency - Effects | Increased irritability, convulsions and peripheral neuritis. |
Available | Peas, Beans and Cereals. |
Nature | Water-Soluble |
Vitamin - B12 | |
Year | 1948 |
Cyanocobalamin | |
Main Metabolic Function | Essential for development of red blood cells. |
Deficiency - Effects | Results in pernicious anaemia. |
Available | Peas, Beans and Cereals. |
Nature | Water-Soluble |
Vitamin - C | |
Year | 1919 |
Ascorbic Acid | |
Main Metabolic Function | Needed for form the cementing substance, collagen, in various tissues (skin, dentine, cartilage and bone matrix). |
Deficiency - Effects | Lowered resistance to infections. |
Available | Fresh vegetables, Lemon, Orange, Tomatoes, Cabbage , Turnip and Lettuce (Beetroot). |
Nature | Water-Soluble |
Year | 1925 |
Cholecalciferol | |
Main Metabolic Function | Requlates absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestinal tract. |
Deficiency - Effects | Interferes with utilisation of calcium and phosphorus in bone and teeth formation. |
Available | Butter, Milk, Ghee, Cod liver oil, Yolk of Eggs and also in Sunrays. |
Nature | Fat-Soluble |
Vitamin - E | |
Year | 1936 |
Tocopherols | |
Main Metabolic Function | Protects tissues, cell membranes and Vitamin A against peroxidation. |
Deficiency - Effects | Decreased red blood cell resistance to rupture. |
Available | Germinating Wheat. |
Nature | Fat-Soluble |
Vitamin - K | |
Year | 1935 |
Phytomenadione | |
Main Metabolic Function | Essential for formation of normal amounts of prothrombin and blood coagulation. |
Deficiency - Effects | diminished blood clotting time. |
Available | Fish, Wheat and Oats. |
Nature | Fat-Soluble |
