17 Apr 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

17 Apr 2024 PIB
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE)
2. Surya Tilak Project

1. Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE)

Syllabus: GS-3, Science and Technology

Prelims: Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE)

Context:

SPACE, a premier testing & evaluation hub for sonar systems for the Indian Navy, set up by DRDO, was inaugurated in Kerala.

About SPACE:

• The testing hub SPACE was set up at the Underwater Acoustic Research Facility, Kulamavu in Idukki, Kerala.
• The hub was set up by DRDO’s Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory.
• The centre has been designed as a premier testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems destined for the Indian Navy onboard various platforms including ships, submarines and helicopters.
• SPACE will consist of two distinct assemblages:
  • A platform which floats on the water surface, and
  • A submersible platform which can be lowered to any depth up to 100 m using winch systems. 
• Upon completion of operations, the submersible platform can be winched up and docked with the floating platform.
• Uses of SPACE:
  • It will mainly be utilised to evaluate a complete sonar system, allowing for quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers. 
  • It will be suitable for survey, sampling, and data collection of air, surface, mid-water, and reservoir floor parameters using modern scientific instrumentation. 
  • It will cater to the needs of data processing and sample analyses in modern, well-equipped scientific laboratories heralding a new era of Anti-Submarine Warfare research capabilities.

2. Surya Tilak Project

Syllabus: GS-3, Science and Technology

Prelims: Surya Tilak Project

Context:

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) played a crucial role in bringing sunlight to the forehead of Sri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya.

Details:

• Under the Surya Tilak project, sunlight was brought on the forehead of Sri Ram Lalla at noon on the occasion of Sri Ram Navami in the Chaitra month. 
• An IIA team calculated the sun’s position, designed and conducted the optimisation of the optical system, and performed the integration & alignment at the site.
• Ram Navami Date in the English Calendar
  • Detailed calculations show that the English calendar date of Sri Ram Navami repeats every 19 years. Calculating the position of the sun in the sky on these days requires expertise in astronomy.
  • IIA team led the calculation for the identification of the calendar days of Sri Ram Navami for one cycle of 19 years followed by its repetition, and estimation of the position in the sky on the calendar dates of the Ram Navami.
• The team also led the design of an optomechanical system to bring the sunlight from the top of the temple to the forehead of the idol, estimation of the size, shape and location of mirrors and lenses in the system for sufficient light to fall on the idol for about 6 minutes, optomechanical design of the lens and mirror holder assembly, and the manual mechanism to shift the position of the first mirror according to the position of the Sun in the sky. 
• The design has four mirrors and two lenses.
• Since the temple is not fully completed in structure, the final design will have four mirrors and four lenses.

Read previous PIB articles here.