Current Affairs Oct 2018 - Technology
1 - Japan Space Probe Hayabusa2 Launches New Robot
A Japanese probe has launched a new observation robot on asteroid to pursue a mission to shed light on the origins of the solar system. The Hayabusa2 probe launched the French-German Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout, or MASCOT, on the Ryugu asteroid’s surface.
The 10-kilogram box-shaped MASCOT is loaded with various sensors. It has many features such as it can take images at multiple wavelengths, investigate minerals with a microscope, gauge surface temperatures, and measure magnetic fields. The MASCOT has a maximum battery life of merely 16 hours; therefore, it is planned to transmit the data that it collects to Hayabusa2 before running out of juice.
The Hayabusa2 mission, which costs around ¥30 billion (or USD 260 million), was launched in December 2014 and expected to return to Earth with its samples in 2020.
2 - World's First Full-Scale Hyperloop Passenger Capsule Unveiled
US-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies or HyperloopTT has unveiled its first full-scale transportation capsule (namely Quintero One) at Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain. This new mode of transportation will be ready for passengers in 2019.
The 32-metre "Quintero One" passenger capsule weighs about 5 tonne and has 72 sensors, 75,000 rivets, and 7,200 square meters of fibre. It is constructed entirely out of HyperloopTT's "Vibranium", a specially made dual-layer smart composite material. Its maximum speed goes up to 750 miles (1,200 kilometres) per hour and has a capacity to carry 30 to 40 passengers.
In May, HyperloopTT had proposed to set up the Hyperloop transportation system in Andhra Pradesh, to connect Anantapur, Amaravati, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam as part of 700-800-km-long integrated public transit system.
Besides, the Maharashtra government also had signed a deal with the Richard Branson-led Virgin Group to build the Mumbai-Pune Hyperloop.
3 - Chinese Privately Developed Rocket Failed After Launch
A privately designed and developed Chinese carrier rocket has failed to reach orbit after lifting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in Mongolia. The Beijing-based Landscape developed Zhuque-1 was a three-stage rocket.
It is said that the first and second stage of ZQ-1 rocket worked normally, but an error occurred immediately after the second stage. Zhuque-1 carried a satellite named “Future,” it was built for state media China Central Television.
