Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire Current Affairs
- 03 Oct 2023
- 4 min read
Karman Line
Boundaries in science, particularly the Karman Line, are gaining attention for their role in defining and distinguishing elements that could otherwise merge.
- The Karman Line is an imaginary boundary located at 100 km above sea level that separates Earth's atmosphere from space.
- Although not all scientists and spacefarers accept it, a majority of countries and space organizations recognize it as a boundary.
- It was established in the 1960s by Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), a record-keeping body. Any individual who crosses this line qualifies as an astronaut.
- The Karman Line was established to regulate airspace and marks the altitude beyond which a traditional aircraft can't fly.
- Any aircraft flying beyond it needs a propulsion system to pull away from the earth's tug.
- It also acts as a legal reference that separates airspace that a country can claim to own from space itself, which is governed like international waters.
Pink Bollworm
The Pink Bollworm(Pectinophora gossypiella) infestation in cotton fields across northern India has become a severe crisis for farmers, causing widespread damage and financial losses.
- The infestation of the Pink Bollworm (PBW) has hit cotton fields in northern Rajasthan, Haryana, and southwestern Punjab since 2021.
- The PBW is a destructive pest that primarily affects cotton crops. It is native to Asia and was first reported in India in 1842.
- PBW larvae burrow into the developing cotton bolls, affecting both the weight and quality of the harvested cotton lint.
- Genetically modified Bt cotton seeds, initially effective against certain pests, have lost their efficacy in combating PBW due to the insect's resistance.
Read more: Cotton Production in India, Emergency Measures to Tackle Pink Bollworm
Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri
India observed the birth anniversary of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri on 2nd October, honoring his significant contributions and legacy.
- He served as India's second Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966, faced significant challenges during his tenure, including the aftermath of the 1962 war with China, drought, food crises, and the 1965 war with Pakistan.
- His famous slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" symbolized India's determination to tackle these issues.
- Unfortunately, his prime ministership ended abruptly on January 10, 1966, when he passed away in Tashkent, USSR (now Uzbekistan), while negotiating the Tashkent Agreement with Pakistan's President, Muhammad Ayub Khan.
- He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1966.
Read more: Lal Bahadur Shastri
IAF Boosts Indigenous Missile Arsenal with Astra-MK1
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has placed two contracts with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air to Air Missile and the first batch is expected to be inducted by the end of 2023.
- Astra is fully integrated on the SU-30MKI and in August, 2023 it was successfully test-fired from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas off the coast of Goa.
- Development is also underway for the more advanced Astra-MK2, which boasts longer-range capabilities.
Read more: Astra
