POEM, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), serves as a cost-effective space platform leveraging the spent fourth stage of a PSLV rocket. Initially introduced during the PSLV-C53 mission in June 2022, POEM orbits the Earth, conducting in-orbit scientific experiments with various payloads onboard.

Key Features

• Utilizes solar panels mounted on the fuel tank of the rocket's fourth stage and a lithium-ion battery.
• Ensures altitude stabilisation and includes helium control thrusters. Equipped with four Sun sensors, a magnetometer, and gyroscopes, the NGC system communicates with ISRO's NavIC satellite constellation for navigation.
• Facilitates communication with ground stations.

ISRO's pioneering reuse of the spent fourth stage of its rocket was demonstrated during the PSLV C44 mission in 2019. Following the successful deployment of satellites into their designated orbits, the fourth stage, carrying the student payload Kalamsat-V2, was manoeuvred to a higher circular orbit of 443 km. It remained there, catering to the payload's operational needs.

ISRO launched the PSLV C-58 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on January 1.

• Following the successful deployment of the XPoSat satellite into its designated orbit of 650 km, the fourth stage of the rocket was repurposed into POEM-3 and manoeuvred to a circular orbit 350 km above Earth's surface. Lower orbits entail increased atmospheric drag, demanding higher energy consumption to maintain orbit.
• POEM-3 carried nine payloads, including contributions from various organisations such as VSSC, Bellatrix Aerospace Pvt Ltd, and several startups and educational institutions. By its 25th day, completing 400 orbits, the payloads were activated for experimentation. Notably, ARKA200, RUDRA, and LEAP-TD finalized their experiments, while data from other payloads were collected after each orbit for subsequent ground analysis. Additionally, fuel cells from VSSC demonstrated their power generation capabilities.
• over two months, POEM-3 underwent preparations for re-entry while being tracked by ISRO's Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network stations across various locations. The Multi-Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) at Sriharikota was also utilised for tracking purposes.

5. Significance of Minimizing Space Debris

As the number of satellites orbiting Earth continues to rise, the issue of space debris has become increasingly critical. Space debris, predominantly found in the low Earth orbit (LEO), encompasses fragments of spacecraft, rockets, defunct satellites, and remnants from anti-satellite missile tests. With velocities reaching up to 27,000 km/hr, these debris pose a significant threat to various space assets due to their mass and momentum.

• The LEO, spanning from 100 km to 2000 km above the Earth's surface, hosts satellites crucial for intelligence gathering, encrypted communication, and navigation. According to ISRO's Space Situational Assessment Report 2022, the global space community launched 2,533 objects into space through 179 launches in 2022. Additionally, while space debris exists in smaller quantities in the geosynchronous orbit (GEO) at 36,000 km altitude, it still poses risks to operational satellites.
• Presently, around 7,000 operational satellites orbit Earth at various altitudes, alongside millions of space debris pieces. Tracking and cataloguing efforts, led by entities like the U.S. Space Command, focus on debris larger than 10 centimetres in LEO and larger than 0.3-1 meters in GEO.
• ISRO's successful implementation of the PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission, particularly the utilization of POEM-3 to minimize space debris, marks a significant step in addressing this pressing issue. By repurposing the final stage of the PSLV rocket into an orbital platform and subsequently de-orbiting it, ISRO has demonstrated a proactive approach towards mitigating space debris accumulation. This achievement not only ensures the safety of existing space assets but also sets a precedent for responsible space exploration and satellite deployment practices.

6. Approaches to Addressing Space Debris

The latest incident involving space debris occurred on March 8, highlighting the growing concern over its impact. A discarded battery pallet from the International Space Station caused damage to a house in Florida.

• With the launch of more communication satellites/constellations and the conduct of anti-satellite tests, instances of on-orbit breakup and collisions are on the rise. These events generate smaller debris fragments, contributing to the overall debris population. ISRO estimates that the number of space objects larger than 10 cm in size in LEO could reach approximately 60,000 by 2030. Additionally, the accumulation of debris in certain regions of orbit can create unusable zones, potentially leading to a cascading effect of collisions and further debris generation.
• Currently, there are no specific international space laws governing LEO debris. However, most spacefaring nations adhere to the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines 2002 established by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), which the U.N. endorsed in 2007. These guidelines serve as a framework for mitigating the generation of space debris and minimizing its impact on space operations.

Key Strategies

• Active Debris Removal (ADR): Several agencies and organizations are researching and developing technologies for actively removing debris from orbit. ADR methods include capturing debris with nets, harpoons, or robotic arms, and then either de-orbiting it or moving it to a graveyard orbit.
• Space Traffic Management (STM): Efforts are underway to improve tracking and monitoring of space objects to minimize the risk of collisions. STM involves enhancing communication and coordination among satellite operators and space agencies to mitigate the risk of collisions and avoid generating additional debris.
• Design for Demise: Satellite manufacturers are exploring ways to design satellites and rocket stages to safely re-enter Earth's atmosphere at the end of their operational lives, ensuring they burn up completely and minimize the generation of debris.

Previous Year Questions   1. With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2018) 1. PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. 2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth. 3. GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 C. 1 and 2 D. 3 only   Answer: A

 

Source: The Hindu, ISRO

 

INDIANS AND H1-B

 

 

1. Context

 

Weeks before he returns as US President, Donald Trump’s supporters are locked in a public row about skilled immigration and H-1B visas

 

2. What is H1-B Visa?

 

• The H-1B visa program for skilled workers was introduced in 1990. These visas are initially issued for three years but can be extended to a maximum of six years.
• Since 2004, the issuance of new H-1B visas has been capped at 85,000 annually, with 20,000 reserved specifically for foreign students who hold master’s degrees or higher from U.S. universities.
• This cap, however, does not apply to certain entities like universities, think tanks, and other non-profit research organizations, allowing additional visas to be issued beyond the limit.
• Applicants for H-1B visas must have a job offer from a U.S.-based sponsor, such as a company or institution. The U.S. government also grants extensions for individuals already working under H-1B visas.
• During the fiscal year 2023 (October 2022 to September 2023), over 386,000 H-1B applications were approved. This figure includes nearly 119,000 new visas and approximately 267,000 extensions.
• The total number of approvals in 2023 reflects a decline from over 474,000 in the previous fiscal year, 2022

 

3. Immigration in US

 

• Immigration remains one of the most divisive political topics in the United States. An October YouGov poll revealed that 14.6% of registered voters considered it the most critical issue in the upcoming election, a significant increase from just 2.1% in 2012.
• During election campaigns, much of the anti-immigration discourse centered on low-skilled labor migration. Beyond its inherent racial undertones, this narrative is driven by the perception that such immigration lowers wages and displaces jobs that might otherwise benefit the American working class.
• This demographic has long struggled with challenges like high unemployment, stagnant wages, inflation, a housing crisis, and other economic difficulties.
• Donald Trump effectively leveraged these concerns, pledging to improve conditions for the average American worker by restricting immigration.
• The current debate echoes many of the same themes as Trump’s rhetoric about Mexicans "stealing American jobs," though the focus has shifted to the immigration of skilled workers competing for higher-paying positions

 

4. Visa for Skilled Workers

 

Source: USCIS

• The H-1B visa program enables U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for roles requiring "a high level of skill" and "at least a bachelor’s degree," as outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Established in 1990, the program was designed to assist employers in filling roles that demand specialized skills not readily available within the U.S. workforce, allowing qualified foreign individuals to work temporarily in the United States.
• H-1B visas are typically issued for a maximum of six consecutive years. After this period, visa holders must either leave the U.S. for at least 12 months before returning or apply for permanent residency (a Green Card).
• Currently, the program has an annual limit of 65,000 new visas (the regular cap), with an additional 20,000 visas available for applicants holding master’s degrees or higher from U.S. universities. However, not all H-1B applications are subject to this cap, resulting in the total number of approved petitions often exceeding the cap.
• For example, in the fiscal year 2023, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), under the Department of Homeland Security, approved 118,948 petitions for initial employment and 267,370 petitions for continuing employment.
• Certain applicants, such as those employed by higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations affiliated with such institutions, nonprofit research organizations, or government research entities, are exempt from the annual cap

 

5. Challenges

 

• Indian nationals are the primary beneficiaries of the H-1B visa program, consistently accounting for over 70% of all approved H-1B petitions annually since 2015, according to U.S. government data. Chinese nationals rank a distant second, making up 12-13% of approvals since 2018.
• This significant representation of Indian professionals has drawn the attention of nativist MAGA Republicans, who have extended their anti-immigration rhetoric from low-skilled labor migration by Mexicans and Central Americans to include Indian workers in the tech industry.
• Their argument revolves around the claim that the H-1B program, originally designed to attract exceptional global talent, is being exploited by tech companies to fill lower- to mid-level positions at wages much lower than those expected by American workers.
• While proponents like Elon Musk argue that H-1B visas address a "permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent," critics counter that the issue is not a lack of skilled American workers but that they are deemed "too expensive to hire" by tech firms.
• This critique is supported by data. An analysis of 60,000 H-1B approvals from USCIS in the 2023 fiscal year, conducted by Bloomberg, revealed that nearly 70% of Indian H-1B recipients earned annual salaries below $100,000.
• For comparison, the median salary for IT professionals in the U.S. was $104,420 in May 2023, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Approximately 25% of H-1B approvals for Indian professionals fell within the $100,000 to $150,000 salary range, while only 5% exceeded $150,000

 

6. Way Forward

 

H-1B visas play a vital role in addressing the skills gap in the United States, with wages largely determined by market forces. Globally, Chinese and Indian professionals lead in STEM fields. According to data from the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) in 2020, China produced 3.57 million STEM graduates, and India followed with 2.55 million, far surpassing the United States, which had 820,000 STEM graduates

 

 

 

For Prelims: H-1B visa, United States, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, STEM fields, lottery system,  For Mains:  1. What are the implications of the new H-1B visa regime for US-India relations? Discuss the measures can the Indian government take to support Indian IT workers affected by the new H-1B visa regime. (250 Words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2019) 1. Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi. 2. Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis. 3. Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in coal production. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only     B. 2 and 3 only           C. 3 only           D. 1, 2 and 3   Answer: A   2. Which of the following statements about town planning in British India in early 19th century is/are correct? (UPSC CAPF 2018)  1. The funds for town improvement were also raised through public lotteries. 2. The threats of epidemics gave an impetus to town planning in the early decades of 19th century. Select the correct answer using the code given below A.1 only          B. 2 only          C. Both 1 and 2          D. Neither 1 nor 2   Answer: C

 

Source: Indianexpress

GENERATION BETA

 

 

1. Context

 

The year 2025 is set to begin. With the arrival of the new year, a generational shift will occur. Until now, we have known the group termed Generation Z. As we transition out of 2024, Generation Z will come to a close, and Generation Beta will begin. If you’re feeling confused about what Generation Beta is and how it differs from Generation Z, this article will help clarify these points for you

 

2. What is Generation Beta?

 

• Generation Beta encompasses children born between 2025 and 2039. This generation is anticipated to be more adept and dynamic compared to Generation Z and Generation Alpha.

• Generation Z, commonly known as Gen Z, refers to individuals born approximately from the mid-to-late 1990s to the early 2010s. They have grown up immersed in the Internet, social media, and smartphones. Generation Alpha, on the other hand, includes those born between 2010 and 2025.

• Gen Z is known for their proficiency with technology and their preference for digital communication over traditional forms. They are also celebrated for their diversity in terms of ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.

• With the rapid progress in science and technology, heavily utilized by Generation Z and Generation Alpha, it is projected that by the time Generation Beta matures, technological advancements will reach new heights. Innovations such as artificial intelligence and enhanced digital connectivity are expected to significantly shape their lives.

• Children of Generation Alpha are growing up surrounded by cutting-edge technologies like smartphones and artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Generation Beta is likely to surpass them by embracing transformative advancements such as quantum computing and the metaverse.

• Each generation often outpaces its predecessors in various domains. Consequently, Generation Beta may be defined by their ability to adapt to new ideas and act swiftly. However, as the world continues to evolve rapidly, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions about their characteristics.

 

3. Metaverse

 

• The metaverse is a shared, computer-generated space where individuals can interact and engage with others through digital avatars.

• Often referred to as virtual reality, a virtual universe, or a cyberworld, the metaverse resembles platforms like Second Life and other online role-playing environments. It enables users to adopt alternate identities, form connections, and even design their own characters.

• Although still in its early stages, the concept of the metaverse gained widespread attention when Facebook rebranded itself as Meta. Like the rapid advancements in AI and the concerns they raise, the metaverse has sparked intense discussions regarding regulation, privacy, and user safety

 

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the capacity of machines, particularly computers, to carry out tasks that normally require human intelligence. These tasks include language comprehension, pattern recognition, problem-solving, and decision-making.

• AI is categorized into two main types: Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), also known as weak AI, and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), often called strong AI.

• ANI is tailored for specific tasks and performs exceptionally well within a limited scope. Examples include virtual assistants like Siri, recommendation systems like those on Netflix, and image recognition tools. ANI is highly specialized and cannot apply its skills to unrelated tasks.

• AGI, on the other hand, aspires to replicate human cognitive abilities, enabling it to handle any intellectual task a human can perform. AGI would possess general reasoning, contextual understanding, and adaptability across diverse areas, allowing for autonomous learning and problem-solving without task-specific programming.

• Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) are branches of AI that differ in complexity and functionality. ML involves training algorithms to learn from data and make predictions, often requiring manual extraction of features.

• DL, a subset of ML, utilizes multi-layered neural networks (hence the term “deep”) to automatically identify features from extensive datasets. While ML is effective with smaller datasets, DL demands significant amounts of data and computational resources

 

 

For Prelims: Current events of national and international importance For Mains: GS-III: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

 

 

Previous Year Questions 1.With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (UPSC CSE 2020) 1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 2. Create meaningful short stories and songs 3. Disease diagnosis 4. Text-to-Speech Conversion 5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only  (c) 2, 4 and 5 only  (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Answer (b) (b) 1, 3, and 4 only Explanation: Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units - AI can optimize energy usage and reduce consumption in industrial settings through predictive maintenance and optimization algorithms. Create meaningful short stories and songs - While AI can generate text and music, creating truly meaningful and original artistic content remains a challenge. Disease diagnosis - AI has demonstrated capabilities in disease diagnosis through medical imaging analysis, pattern recognition, and data-driven diagnostics. Text-to-Speech Conversion - AI can effectively convert text into speech with high accuracy and natural-sounding voice synthesis. Wireless transmission of electrical energy - While AI may be involved in optimizing energy transmission systems, the direct wireless transmission of electrical energy is primarily a technological and engineering challenge, not directly related to AI capabilities

 

Source: Indianexpress

 

 

QUANTUM COMPUTING

1. Context 

A major impediment to realising quantum computers is the fragility of quantum states. Qubits collapse at the slightest disturbance. This limits the amount of time for which qubits can hold information, how error-free a quantum computer can keep its calculations, and how well it can be scaled

 

2. About quantum computing

• Quantum computing is a rapidly-emerging technology that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for classical computers. 
• IBM Quantum makes real quantum hardware a tool scientists only began to imagine three decades ago available to hundreds of thousands of developers.
• Engineers deliver ever-more-powerful superconducting quantum processors at regular intervals, alongside crucial advances in software and quantum-classical orchestration.
• This work drives toward the quantum computing speed and capacity necessary to change the world. 
• These machines are very different from the classical computers that have been around for more than half a century.

Image Source: IBM

3. Need for quantum computers

• For some problems, supercomputers aren’t that super. When scientists and engineers encounter difficult problems, they turn to supercomputers.
• These are very large classical computers, often with thousands of classical CPU and GPU cores. However, even supercomputers struggle to solve certain kinds of problems.
• If a supercomputer gets stumped, that's probably because the big classical machine was asked to solve a problem with a high degree of complexity. When classical computers fail, it's often due to complexity
• Complex problems are problems with lots of variables interacting in complicated ways.
• Modelling the behaviour of individual atoms in a molecule is a complex problem, because of all the different electrons interacting with one another.
• Sorting out the ideal routes for a few hundred tankers in a global shipping network is complex too.

4. Quantum computers work

• Quantum computers are elegant machines, smaller and requiring less energy than supercomputers.
• An IBM Quantum processor is a wafer not much bigger than the one found in a laptop.
• And a quantum hardware system is about the size of a car, made up mostly of cooling systems to keep the superconducting processor at its ultra-cold operational temperature.
• A classical processor uses bits to perform its operations. A quantum computer uses qubits (CUE-bits) to run multidimensional quantum algorithms.

4.1. Superfluids

• A desktop computer likely uses a fan to get cold enough to work.
• Quantum processors need to be very cold about a hundredth of a degree above absolute zero.
• To achieve this, we use super-cooled superfluids to create superconductors.

4.2. Superconductors

• At those ultra-low temperatures, certain materials in our processors exhibit another important quantum mechanical effect: electrons move through them without resistance. This makes them "superconductors." 
• When electrons pass through superconductors they match up, forming "Cooper pairs."
• These pairs can carry a charge across barriers, or insulators, through a process known as quantum tunnelling.
• Two superconductors placed on either side of an insulator form a Josephson junction.

4.3. Control

• Our quantum computers use Josephson junctions as superconducting qubits.
• By firing microwave photons at these qubits, we can control their behaviour and get them to hold, change, and read out individual units of quantum information.

4.4. Superposition

• A qubit itself isn't very useful. But it can perform an important trick: placing the quantum information it holds into a state of superposition, which represents a combination of all possible configurations of the qubit.
• Groups of qubits in superposition can create complex, multidimensional computational spaces. Complex problems can be represented in new ways in these spaces.

4.5. Entanglement

• Entanglement is a quantum mechanical effect that correlates the behaviour of two separate things.
• When two qubits are entangled, changes to one qubit directly impact the other.
• Quantum algorithms leverage those relationships to find solutions to complex problems.

5. Making quantum computers useful

• Right now, IBM Quantum leads the world in quantum computing hardware and software. It is a clear and detailed plan to scale quantum processors, overcomes the scaling problem, and build the hardware necessary for quantum advantage.
• Quantum advantage will not be achieved with hardware alone.
• IBM has also spent years advancing the software that will be necessary to do useful work using quantum computers.
• They developed the Qiskit quantum SDK. It is open-source, python-based, and by far the most widely-used quantum SDK in the world.
• The Qiskit Runtime is the most powerful quantum programming model in the world.
• Achieving quantum advantage will require new methods of suppressing errors, increasing speed, and orchestrating quantum and classical resources.

 

For Prelims: Quantum computing, supercomputers, Qiskit Runtime, IBM, National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications, superconductors,  For Mains:  1. What is Quantum computing? Discuss the need for Quantum Computers in emerging countries like India. (250 Words) 2. What are quantum computers and how are they different from conventional computers? Where does India stand in the race to build quantum computers that can realise their full potential? (250 Words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1. India's first Supercomputer is  (TSPSC AEE 2015) A. Aditya B. Param Yuva C.  Param D. Vikram-100 Answer: C   2. What is the full form of IBM? (SSC Steno  2017)  A. International Business Machine B. Indian Beta Machine C. Integral Business Machine D. Internal Beta Machine   Answer: A   3. Which one of the following is the context in which the term "qubit" is mentioned? (UPSC 2022)  A. Cloud Services B. Quantum Computing C. Visible Light Communication Technologies D. Wireless Communication Technologies   Answer: B   4. Quantum computing uses  (ACC 124 CGAT  2021) A. Qubit B. Bits C. Bytes D. Qubytes   Answer: A

 

Source: IBM