Daily Current Affairs Quiz: April 18, 2024

Notes:
ISRO announced a significant advancement in rocket engine technology, unveiling a lightweight Carbon-Carbon (C-C) nozzle developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). This breakthrough promises to boost payload capacity by enhancing crucial parameters like thrust levels, specific impulse, and thrust-to-weight ratios. Leveraging advanced materials such as Carbon-Carbon composites, VSSC crafted a nozzle divergent with exceptional properties, paving the way for improved launch vehicle performance.

Notes:
The IMF raised India’s GDP growth projection for FY 2024-25 to 6.8%, up 30 basis points from its previous forecast. India’s growth is anticipated to stay strong due to robust domestic demand and a growing working-age population. Globally, growth is projected to continue at 3.2% for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26. India retains its status as the world’s fastest-growing economy, outpacing China’s growth projection of 4.6% in the same period.

Notes:
ISRO Chairman S Somanath declared India’s ambition for a debris-free space by 2030 at the 42nd IADC annual meeting. He emphasized ISRO’s clear strategy for future space endeavors and its commitment to sustainable space exploration. Somanath, also the Secretary of the Department of Space, highlighted the importance of debris-free missions for space sustainability. This initiative aims to spark discussions and actions toward achieving a cleaner space environment.

Notes:
Astronomers have identified Gaia-BH3, the most massive known stellar black hole in the Milky Way. Discovered through data from the Gaia mission, it causes an unusual ‘wobbling’ of its companion star. Confirmed by ground-based observatories, it boasts a mass 33 times that of our sun, located 1,926 light-years away in Aquila. Gaia-BH1, another nearby black hole, has nearly 10 solar masses. Sagittarius A* remains the galaxy’s most massive black hole.

Notes:
Bengaluru hosts the inaugural international workshop on ‘Emerging Technologies & Challenges for Exoskeleton’ organized by DRDO. Inaugurated by Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of Department of Defence R&D, the event underscores exoskeleton technology’s significance in military and civilian realms. Lt. Gen. JP Mathew highlights its history, challenges, and dual-use potential. Talks by experts from ETH Zurich and Northwestern University delve into technical aspects. Dr. UK Singh emphasizes collaborative efforts to address challenges in developing future exoskeleton technologies.