Daily Current Affairs – 15-03-2025

Tamil Nadu

Pixxel launches hyperspectral satellites

® Bengaluru -based Pixxel has launched the first 3 satellites of its Firefly constellation . ® The constellation is India’s first commercial satellite constellation . ® The satellites were launched aboard the Transporter-12 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. ® The Fireflies are the world’s highest resolution commercial-grade hyperspectral satellites , having a 5-meter resolution. ® They are 6x sharper than most existing hyperspectral satellites and can capture data across over 150 spectral bands. ® They orbit in a sun-synchronous orbit at roughly 550 km.

China launches Pakistani satellite

® China has launched a Pakistani satellite named ’ PRSC-EO1 ’ from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center onboard the Long March-2D carrier rocket. ® The rocket also carried two other satellites ‘ Tianlu-1’ and ‘Lantan-1’. ® Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) designed and developed the satellite . ® This was the 556th mission of the Long March rocket series .

China launches Shijian-25 satellite

® China launched the ‘ Shijian-25 ’ satellite into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) using the Long March 3B rocket. ® This was China’s first rocket launch of 2025 and the 555th mission of the Long March series carrier rockets. ® Its purpose is high-resolution imagery and precise spatial data collection.

DRDO tests scramjet engine

® The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a 120-second active cooled scramjet combustor ground test , a first time in India . ® Defence Research and Developmnet Laboratory (DRDL) developed this . ® The test is part of the efforts to develop scramjet-powered hypersonic technology . ® Scramjets are air-breathing engines that can sustain combustion at supersonic speeds without moving parts. ® It uses an innovative flame stabilisation technique that holds continuous flame inside the combustor with air speed in excess of 1.5 km/s. ® Hypersonic missiles can travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound, or more than 5,400 km/hr ).

India’s First Vistadome Jungle Safari Train Launched in Uttar Pradesh

® Indian Railways, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government, launched India’s first Vistadome jungle safari train. ® The train connects Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary with the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, enhancing eco-tourism and wildlife awareness. ® The Vistadome coaches offer panoramic views, aiming to promote sustainable tourism while preserving ecological balance.

E-Hansa Electric Aircraft – India

® India has launched the development of E-Hansa, a two-seater electric trainer aircraft under the HANSA-3 (NG) program. ® Developed by CSIR-NAL, Bengaluru, it aims to provide a cost-effective and indigenous solution for pilot training in the country.

World Dugong Day 2025 – May 28

® Dugongs (Dugong dugon), known as “sea cows,” are herbivorous marine mammals that graze on seagrass beds, earning the title “farmers of the sea.” ® They are the only herbivorous marine mammals in Indian waters and are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. ® The Dugong Conservation Reserve was established in 2022 in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu to protect this species.

India Adopts Bharat Forecast System (BFS) for Advanced Weather Prediction

® The India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has adopted the Bharat Forecast System (BFS) — an indigenously developed high-resolution weather prediction model. ® BFS operates on a 6-km resolution grid, providing ultra-fine and highly accurate forecasts, surpassing global models from the UK, US, and EU, which typically run at 9–14 km resolution. ® The system is backed by India’s high-performance computing platforms – ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’, enhancing forecast precision and timeliness