Current Affairs on Technology

Maruti Suzuki India on 1 September 2015 rolled out first mild hybrid diesel version of the vehicle in the country. What is important about this version of car?: Integrated starter generator, a larger capacity battery, and start-stop technology that help the vehicle return better mileage

Explanation: Incorporated with an ISG (Integrated Starter Generator), Suzuki's new mild hybrid system - SHVS - offers engine power assistance using the motor, and thus achieves efficient power generation. With the help of ISG, the system also provides assistance to the engine start-stop technology that automatically stops the engine during traffic light, and starts when the clutch is released. The vehicle is priced in the range of Rs. 8.23 lakh - Rs. 10.17 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Interestingly, the company the Ciaz's old diesel range has been replaced by the SHVS-equipped variants.

Which Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-D6 was successfully launched on 27 August 2015 from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.?: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-D6

Explanation: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)-D6 is the ninth flight of GSLV. It is also the fifth developmental flight of GSLV. This is the third time the indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) is being carried on-board during a GSLV flight. The flight is significant since it intends to continue the testing of CUS. SLV-D6 inducted 2117 kg GSAT-6, an advanced communication satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The satellite is intended to provide S-band communication services in the country. The GSAT or Geosynchronous satellite is a constellation of communication satellites developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with an objective to make India self-reliant in broadcasting services. Satellites are called GSAT because they function in a geosynchronous orbit around the Earth. It is designed to inject 2 ton class of communication satellites into GTO. The first satellite in the series GSAT-1 was launched in April 2001. Till date, 12 satellites were launched and only six among them are operational.

Which airport becomes the first airport in India to run on solar power on 19 August 2015?: Cochin airport

Explanation: Cochin Airport spread over 50 acres project is estimated to generate approximately 50,000 units of electricity daily through 12 MW solar power project. Through this project, coupled with an earlier installed capacity of 1.1 MW, the CIAL will technically become 'grid power neutral'.

Google on 17 August 2015 announced the next major update for the andriod mobile operating system. What is the name given to Google’s Android mobile operating system’s update?: Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Explanation: Android 6.0 Marshmallow is the given to Google’s highly-popular Android mobile operating system and also offers native support for the 64-bit ARMv8 architecture. As per the specialist, Marshmallow will be the latest Android update after Lollipop however unlike Android Lollipop, which released with a number of enticing features, the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update is largely aimed at delivering stability and performance improvements. This new update will bring new features like Android Pay, Tap on Now, new app permissions model, built-in support for fingerprint scanner, as well as support for the USB Type-C standard. 

Which IT Giant has introduced a Translator app that can be used on a variety of devices and supports 50 languages, with Hindi being the only Indian language?: Microsoft

Explanation:  Microsoft Translator app, users can translate words or phrases either by typing or by voice. The app can also speak out the translated words or phrases. The app supports smart phones and tablets as well as the Apple Watch and smartwatches that run on Android Wear and available on Google App store. The company also offers translation through its Skype Translator programme, which is soon due to become part of the Skype app itself.

What is the name of the mission in which ISRO and NASA are jointly working to co-develop and launch a dual frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite?: NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission

Explanation: The NISAR mission is a dual frequency (L&S Band) Radar Imaging Satellite. In this joint mission, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)/ NASA will be responsible for design & development of L-band SAR, 12m unfurlable antenna, GPS system and data recorder. The cost of the project comprises of (i) cost of ISRO’s work share, which is estimated to be Rs 788.00 Cr and (ii) cost of JPL’s work share, which is expected to be around USD 808 millions. NISAR satellite is expected to be launched during the year 2021.

ISRO will be responsible for design & development of S-band SAR, Spacecraft Bus, data transmission system, Spacecraft integration & testing, launch using GSLV and on-orbit operations. The aim and objectives of NISAR mission are:

1) Design, Develop and launch a Dual frequency (L and S Band) Radar Imaging Satellite.

2) Explore newer application areas using L and S band microwave data, especially in natural resources mapping; monitoring; estimating agricultural biomass over full duration of crop cycle; assessing soil moisture; monitoring of floods and oil slicks; coastal erosion, coastline changes and variation of winds in coastal waters; assessment of mangroves; surface deformation studies due to seismic activities etc.

Implementation Arrangement (IA), defining the roles and responsibilities of ISRO and NASA has been signed by the two agencies in September 2014. ISRO has completed the Baseline Design Reviews of Spacecraft and S-band SAR payload. 

Who was appointed as new Chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and will take charge on August 10 following government's approving his request for early retirement?: Ram Sewak Sharma

Explanation: Ram Sewak Sharma is from1978 batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre and was serving as Secretary of Department of Electronics and IT. He will succeeds Rahul Khullar who retired on May 14. Mr. Sharma is credited to have designed key digital services such as digital locker and for swift execution of schemes to push electronics manufacturing in the country and has played key role in implementing Aadhaar project and designing the roadmap for government's Digital India programme.

NASA in July 2015 enhanced which system with an aim to ensure that Mars orbiters do not approach each other too closely?: Collision-Avoidance System

Explanation: Collision-Avoidance System involves process of traffic monitoring, communication and maneuver planning for Mars orbiters. The new formal collision-avoidance process for Mars is part of NASA's Multi-Mission Automated Deep-Space Conjunction Assessment Process. It provides the benefit of about information when two orbiters will be near to each other -- though safely apart -- could be used for planning coordinated science observations. All five active Mars orbiters (These two spacecrafts MAVEN and Mangalyaan has joined the 2003 Mars Express from ESA (the European Space Agency) and two from NASA: the 2001 Mars Odyssey and the 2006 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)) use the communication and tracking services of NASA's Deep Space Network, which is managed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Which country became the 20th country to sign up the commercial with ISRO to put one of its satellite in orbit?: United States

Explanation: This would be moment for great pride to Indian space agency ISRO when it has singed a commercial with US to put their satellite in to orbit. Isro has a track record of launching satellites for 19 countries including space-faring nations, but this is the first time the US would be using an Indian vehicle, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, to put one of its satellite in orbit. It is worth to mention that India has so far launched 45 satellites for 19 nations. According to ISRO official another 28 foreign satellites will be launched in the next two years. Having successfully launched a Mars mission, India is planning a mission to Venus. Isro is also on the lookout for a launch pad outside Sriharikota, in Kulasekharapattinam in southern Tamil Nadu.