28 Nov 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)
2. MoU between Defence Ministry and BHEL
3. INS Imphal

1. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)

Syllabus: GS-3, Science & Technology

Prelims: NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR), ISRO

Mains: India’s achievements in space

Context:

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2024.

Details:

• NISAR is targeted for launch onboard India’s GSLV. 
• Data from NISAR will be highly suitable for studying the land ecosystems, deformation of solid earth, mountain & polar cryosphere, sea ice and coastal oceans on a regional to global scale.
• ISRO’s S-band SAR was integrated with NASA’s L-band SAR at JPL/NASA.
• Integrated L & S band SAR is currently undergoing testing with the satellite at URSC, Bangalore with the participation of NASA/JPL officials.
• ISRO and NASA have formed a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Human spaceflight cooperation and are exploring cooperation in radiation impact studies, micrometeorite & orbital debris shield studies; and space health and medicine aspects. 
• ISRO is also investigating the feasibility of using NASA’s Hypervelocity Impact Test (HVIT) facility for testing Gaganyaan module Micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) protection shields.

Read more on the NISAR mission in the link.

2. MoU between Defence Ministry and BHEL

Syllabus: GS-3, Security & Defence

Prelims: BHEL, Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM)

Context:

Ministry of Defence inks contract with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited to procure 16 Upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount & accessories worth ₹2956.89 Cr for Indian Navy.

Details:

• The upgraded SRGM is a medium calibre anti-missile/anti-aircraft point defence weapon system which provides a sustained rate of fire and high accuracy. 
• It will be manufactured by M/s BHEL at its Haridwar Plant.
• The weapon system is capable of multiple engagements in multi-threat scenarios and has a proven record of very good performance against missiles and highly manoeuvrable fast attack crafts.
• The upgraded SRGMs will be installed onboard the Navy’s in-service and newly built ships.

3. INS Imphal

Syllabus: GS-3, Security & Defence

Prelims: INS Imphal, Project 15B

Details:

• Imphal, the third amongst the four Project 15B stealth-guided missile destroyers, was unveiled by the Defence Minister.
• Imphal’s crest design depicts the Kangla Palace on the left and ‘Kangla-Sa’ on the right. 
  • The Kangla Palace is an important historical and archaeological site of Manipur and was the traditional seat of the past kingdom.
  • Kangla-Sa is a mythical being from Manipur with a dragon’s head and a lion’s body. It is symbolic as the guardian of the people. Kangla-Sa is also the state emblem of Manipur.
• INS Imphal guided missile destroyer with a displacement of 7,400 tons and an overall length of 164 meters.
• She is a potent and versatile platform equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles and torpedoes.
• She is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots (56 km/hr).
• The vessel has a high indigenous content of almost 75%.
• This is the first capital warship to be named after a city in the North-Eastern region.

Read the previous PIB articles here.