NHAI signed MoUwith ISRO and NECTAR to use spatial technology for monitoring National Highways

On 13 January 2016, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) signed a memorandum of Understanding with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and North East Centre for Technology Application and Research (NECTAR) to use spatial technology for monitoring and managing National Highways. NHAI will receive satellite data and geospatial technology acquired by both Indian and foreign satellite product companies from National Remote Sensing Centre under ISRO. It uses that data & technology to prepare Detailed Project Report (DRP), prefeasibility status in new alignment, upgrade or road widening, monitoring of road segments which provide inputs in highway and infrastructure projects. While, Aerial images for infrastructure planning which are acquired using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) by NECTAR will be used in monitoring the construction process, road asset management, feasibility report and DPR preparation, immediate assessment and remedy of problematic spots. NHAI will take up some pilot projects with both NRSC and NECTAR top identify and finalise actual use and benefits of both satellite data & geospatial technology and UAV technology in highway and infrastructure sector.

NASA launched SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with Jason-3 Ocean-monitoring satellite

On 17 January 2016, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base in the USA. The rocket carried the ocean monitoring satellite Jason -3 on board and successfully inserted it in the desired orbit. However, the rocket failed a return landing on drone platform in the Pacific Ocean. The Jason-3 satellite will examine the topography of the ocean floor to help study effects of climate change or human-induced changes on the ocean.

Features:

Ø  It is the fourth mission in U.S.-European series of satellite mission that measure the height of the ocean surface.

Ø  It is also expected to help the USA in better forecasting of hurricane and marine navigation.

Ø  It will extend the time series of ocean surface topography measurements (the hills and valleys of the ocean surface) begun by the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite mission in 1992 and continuing through the currently operating Jason-1 and Jason-2 missions.

Ø  The Jason-1 and OSTM/Jason-2 missions were launched in 2001 and 2008 respectively.

Ø  These measurements provide scientists with critical information about circulation patterns in the oceans and about both global and regional changes in the sea level and the climate implications of warming world.

First infected case of mosquito-borne Zika virus recorded in the US

A mosquito-borne virus called Zika was in news in the third week of January 2016. It was found that the virus is spreading rapidly through the American continent. The first case was confirmed in Texas, USA in January 2016 when a traveler returning from Latin America. The disease caused by this virus is not fatal and lasts up to a week, but it was identified that there is a possible link between the virus and a birth defect called microcephaly that causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and potential development problems.

About Zika virus :

Ø  It is a virus that can make people sick with rash, fever, joint pain, and pinkeye, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Ø  It is related to other mosquito-borne illnesses including Dengue and Chikungunya that are considered rising threats as global travel increases their reach.

Ø  It can be transmitted when someone with the virus is bitten by a mosquito and then what mosquito bites another human.

Ø  The virus can move to new areas when mosquitoes hitch a ride on travelers or cargo, or when infected patients travel to new territory and are bitten by mosquitoes there.

Ø  The Zika virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947.