Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Airtel and Jio have partnered with Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, to provide broadband in India. Starlink is a satellite-based internet network operated by SpaceX and founded by Elon Musk. It was launched in 2019. It aims to offer high-speed, low-latency internet globally, especially in remote areas. The project plans to deploy 42,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Starlink works by using a constellation of LEO satellites to provide connectivity. A Starlink dish connects to the nearest satellite, which relays data through ground stations, eliminating dependence on fiber or cellular networks.

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Researchers have successfully turned light into a “supersolid” for the first time. Supersolids are a unique state of matter defined by quantum mechanics. They form an orderly crystalline solid but flow like a liquid without viscosity. Unlike normal solids, supersolids can change direction and density based on particle interactions. They maintain an organized lattice structure while exhibiting fluid-like movement. The discovery could enhance qubit stability in quantum computing and advance optical circuits, photonic devices, and fundamental physics research.

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V Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, inaugurated the ‘Shri S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research’ at IIT Madras on March 17, 2025. The centre supports ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by advancing space technologies and attracting global research talent. It focuses on spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management, crucial for India’s space missions. S Ramakrishnan, an IIT Madras alumnus, contributed significantly to PSLV and GSLV MK3 development. ISRO scientists will collaborate with IIT Madras to develop advanced cooling systems for spacecraft. The research will support future lunar, Mars, and deep-space missions.

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Serbian government is accused of using a banned sonic weapon to disperse protesters in Belgrade. Sonic weapons, also called acoustic weapons, emit loud, painful sounds over long distances. They can use audible or inaudible sound waves to disrupt, disorient, or incapacitate people. Some versions amplify voices for crowd control. It was first developed for military use. The U.S. used them in Iraq in 2004. They work with transducers that convert energy into sound waves. Highly concentrated sound beams can cause discomfort, pain, and disorientation. Authorities control frequency, volume, and duration for targeted impact.

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The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) raised concerns over the economic viability of GSAT-18 due to underutilisation of six transponders until 2027. The committee recommended that the Department of Space exercise greater financial prudence in satellite projects using public funds. A revenue loss of ₹117 crore was reported due to idle transponders. GSAT-18 is a communication satellite launched by ISRO on October 5, 2016. It was launched using the Ariane-5 VA-231 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, with a liftoff weight of 3,404 kg. The satellite has a 15-year mission life (until 2032) and was injected into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

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SpaceX recently launched a private astronaut crew on a historic polar-orbiting mission from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. A Polar Orbit (PO) is a type of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) between 200 km and 1,000 km in altitude. Unlike equatorial orbits, satellites in a polar orbit travel from pole to pole. Polar orbits allow satellites to cover the entire Earth’s surface as the planet rotates. These orbits are crucial for Earth observation, climate monitoring, and reconnaissance. The Fram2 mission is the first human spaceflight to use this trajectory, marking a milestone in space exploration.

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Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have developed a made-in-India Organ-on-Chip (OoC), which was earlier imported. Organ-on-Chip is a small, flexible device made of polymers that mimics the structure and function of human organs on a micro scale. It contains tiny channels where living human cells grow and interact, simulating real tissue environments. Different models like lung-on-chip and liver-on-chip have been created to study specific organs. Fluids such as blood or drugs can be passed through the chip to observe their effects on human cells, helping in medical research and drug testing.

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The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch the Biomass Mission on April 29, 2025, using a Vega C rocket from Korou Spaceport, French Guiana. The satellite will orbit Earth at 666 km in a sun-synchronous orbit, allowing consistent lighting for accurate observations. It will provide the first global measurements of forest biomass, helping scientists map forests and track their changes over time. Forests store 861 gigatonnes of carbon and absorb about 16 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) every year. In 2023, 3.7 million hectares of tropical forests were lost, causing about 6% of global CO₂ emissions.

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The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) developed “venom maps” using local climate conditions to predict the venom characteristics of Russell’s viper, a deadly snake in India. A team from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, stated that these maps could help clinicians select the best treatment for snakebite patients. The findings were published in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Researchers highlighted the role of climate, temperature, humidity, and rainfall in venom composition. They analyzed venom samples from 115 snakes across 34 locations, linking venom characteristics with local climate conditions. The maps could aid in predicting venom types and developing targeted therapies for snakebites.

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Aryabhata, launched on April 19, 1975, was India’s first indigenously-built satellite, named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata. The satellite was launched with Soviet assistance from Kapustin Yar. Aryabhata made India one of the 11 countries capable of sending satellites into orbit. It was designed for solar physics and X-ray astronomy experiments but faced a power failure after five days. Despite this, Aryabhata transmitted data for several more days and remained in orbit for nearly 17 years. The launch of Aryabhata laid the foundation for India’s growing space program, marking 50 years of India’s space achievements in 2025.