Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX): It is a collaborative venture between Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The mission is scheduled to launch in 2025.LUPEX will use a rover and lander to study the possibility of establishing a base on the Moon, the availability of water ice, and surface exploration technologies.JAXA and ISRO are developing the rover and lander, respectively.
The rover will carry not only the instruments of ISRO and JAXA but also those of the US space agency NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Proposed instruments onboard LUPEX:
- Permittivity and Thermo-physical investigation for Moon’s Aquatic Scout (PRATHIMA) — is in-situ detection and quantification of water-ice mixed with lunar surface and sub-surface soil using a rover/lander platform.
- The aim of another proposed instrument — the Lunar Electrostatic Dust EXperiment (LEDEX) — is to detect the presence of charged dust particles and to confirm the dust levitation process in the volatile-rich polar region, and to estimate the approximate dust size and flux of charged levitated dust particles.
Maitri Setu: It has been built over the Feni River, which flows between the Indian boundary in Tripura and Bangladesh.
Length: It spans 1.9 kilometres joining Sabroom (in Tripura) with Ramgarh in Bangladesh.The name ‘Maitri Setu’ symbolises growing bilateral relations and friendly ties between India and Bangladesh.The construction of the bridge has been overseen by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. It is a pre-stressed concrete bridge. It has a single-span structure that allows for the smooth flow of traffic and cargo.
Feni River:It forms part of the India-Bangladesh border.It originates in the South Tripura district, passes through Sabroom town on the Indian side, and meets the Bay of Bengal after it flows into Bangladesh.Some of the notable tributaries of the Feni River include the Muhuri River, Raidak River, Chandkhira River, Ryang River and Kushiyara River.
Bharat NCAP(New Car Assessment Programme): Under this programme, car manufacturers can voluntarily offer their cars tested as per Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197.Based on the performance of the car in the tests, the car will be awarded star ratings for Adult Occupants (AOP) and Child Occupants (COP). To receive a 5-star rating, a vehicle needs at least 27 points in adult occupant protection and requires 41 points in child occupant protection. These protocols are in line with Global NCAP norms when it comes to crash testing. Three tests, including offset deformable barrier frontal impact test, side impact test, and pole side impact test — would determine the crashworthiness of the vehicles.
It would also mandate the installation of six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), three-point seatbelts for every passenger, improved emergency braking systems, etc.
These norms will also be applicable for testing and rating CNG and EVs based on their performance. Unlike Global NCAP, Bharat NCAP will give a unified rating for the vehicles, combining crash test results for adults and children alike.
