Tech Archives - Disasters News

Dec92024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

ISRO Successfully Launches ESA’s Proba-3 Satellites, Advancing Solar Research

In a major milestone for space exploration, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 satellites aboard the PSLV-C59 rocket. This groundbreaking mission, a collaboration between ISRO and ESA, is expected to revolutionize the study of the Sun's corona and solar wind, marking a new chapter in solar physics. Proba-3 focuses on the Sun's corona, the outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere that is inexplicably hotter than its surface. The mission aims to analyze the solar wind a stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun and its impact on space weather conditions. Former ISRO scientist PV Venkitakrishnan highlighted that Proba-3’s advanced design will replicate the effects of a total solar eclipse, offering continuous ob...

Dec72024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Create Material Inspired by Harry Potter’s Invisibility Cloak

Breaking News, Idea & Innovations, Tech

The concept of invisibility, once a fantasy from Harry Potter films, may soon become a reality. Chinese scientists from the University of Electronic Science and Technology have developed a groundbreaking camouflage material capable of rendering objects nearly invisible. This innovative material, detailed in Science Advances, adjusts its molecular composition to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, mimicking the adaptive camouflage of creatures like chameleons and octopuses. The process, called self-adaptive photochromism (SAP), allows the material to change color when exposed to specific wavelengths of light. Molecules in the material rearrange themselves to match the background, making the object imperceptible to the human eye. How It Works According to the research team, led ...

Dec62024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

ISRO Successfully Launches PROBA-3 Satellite for European Space Agency

Breaking News, Space, Tech

In a significant achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) PROBA-3 satellite aboard its trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C59) on its 61st commercial mission. The launch signifies another milestone in India’s growing prominence in the global space sector and highlights international collaboration in cutting-edge space exploration. PROBA-3, short for Project for Onboard Anatomy, is a groundbreaking solar mission by the ESA. The mission is specifically designed to study the Sun's corona, the outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere, with unprecedented precision. The mission consists of two spacecraft, each designed to perform a unique and interdependent role. The Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC), weighing 31...

Nov282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Indian Navy Successfully Tests K-4 Ballistic Missile from INS Arighaat

Breaking News, Idea & Innovations, Tech

The Indian Navy achieved a significant milestone on Wednesday by successfully test-firing the K-4 ballistic missile, capable of striking targets up to 3,500 km, from the newly-inducted nuclear submarine INS Arighaat. This test strengthens India's second-strike capability, an essential component of its nuclear deterrence strategy. Highlights of the Test Submarine-Launched Missile Test The K-4 missile test demonstrates India's advanced capabilities in submarine-launched ballistic missile systems, further solidifying its strategic defense posture. INS Arighaat's Role Inducted in August at the Vishakhapatnam-based Ship Building Centre, INS Arighaat joins INS Arihant as one of two nuclear-powered submarines in the Indian Navy capable of launching ballistic missiles. Future Pla...

Nov272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Japan Innovates Disaster Preparedness with VR and Interactive Tools

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Tech

The devastating torrential rains that struck western Japan in 2018 highlighted the need for improved disaster preparedness, especially in Hiroshima Prefecture, where many residents were caught off guard by mudslides and other natural disasters. In response, a range of innovative tools using virtual and augmented reality, as well as interactive games, have been developed to educate and protect communities. VR Brings Disaster Risks to Life in Hiroshima Hiroshima Prefecture, in partnership with Hiroshima University and Tokyo-based disaster prevention company Rikei Corp., has created VR-based materials to simulate natural disaster scenarios. These tools aim to raise awareness of the dangers posed by disasters such as mudslides and heavy rains. By immersing residents in realistic simulati...

Nov272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Timor-Leste Fight Against Climate Disasters Blend of Technology and Community Action

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Tech

Timor-Leste, a small island nation in Southeast Asia, is on the frontlines of the climate crisis, grappling with the devastating impacts of extreme weather. However, a combination of local knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and support from the United Nations is helping its communities better prepare for disasters. In April 2021, catastrophic flash floods swept through Timor-Leste, killing over 30 people and destroying 4,000 homes. Orlalan, a remote village of nearly 6,000 people, was among the worst-hit areas. With limited disaster preparedness, residents were caught off guard as landslides and floodwaters surged. Today, community leaders like Armandina Valentina are driving grassroots efforts to ensure their neighbors are better equipped for the next disaster. She tirelessly educa...

Nov202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

SpaceX’s Sixth Starship Test Flight Marks Key Milestone for NASA’s Artemis Program

Breaking News, Space, Tech

SpaceX achieved another major milestone on Wednesday with the successful sixth flight test of its Starship spacecraft. Launched from SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas, the uncrewed mission demonstrated the spacecraft's advanced capabilities, achieving a suborbital trajectory before reentering over the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, the Super Heavy booster executed a planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. “Splashdown confirmed! Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting sixth flight test of Starship!” the company announced on X (formerly Twitter). The mission tested Starship’s endurance under extreme conditions, including a steeper reentry angle and reduced protective shielding. The spacecraft's Raptor engines successfully restarted in space, a critical step toward achieving orbit...

Nov152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA Unveils Sea Level Data to Support Coastal Communities

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations, Tech

NASA has launched a global sea level change platform to help coastal communities prepare for the rising oceans disrupting livelihoods and infrastructure worldwide. Accessible through the Earth Information Center, the platform offers projections of sea level rise until 2150 and flood risks for the next 30 years, integrating data from ice sheets, ocean monitoring, and climate assessments. Developed in collaboration with organizations like the World Bank, U.S. Department of Defense, and the United Nations, the tool aims to guide critical planning and adaptation strategies. "NASA innovates for humanity," said Karen St. Germain, head of NASA’s Earth Science Division. "This data supports communities in addressing natural hazards and planning for resilience." Rising Faster Than Ever NASA...

Nov142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Geospatial Technologies Propel Climate Adaptation Efforts Across Asia

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Tech

Climate change, a crisis that defies national borders, demands urgent action as highlighted by the latest State of the Climate in Asia report. This report warns that extreme weather events like storms, heatwaves, and floods are intensifying, and rising sea levels are worsening the risks for coastal communities. In response, geospatial technologies are proving essential in Asia's climate adaptation efforts, enabling precise monitoring, risk assessment, and disaster preparedness. In Japan, the Arakawa 3D Flood Hazard Map offers Tokyo’s residents real-time flood risk data for the Arakawa River area, detailing inundation depths and flood retention times. By integrating live camera feeds, residents can gauge potential flooding impacts on homes or workplaces and make timely evacuation plans. ...

Nov132024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Solar Surge Curtin University’s Binar Satellites Lost to High Solar Activity

Breaking News, Idea & Innovations, Space, Tech

Three Australian CubeSats from Curtin University's Binar Space Program recently burned up in Earth's atmosphere after only two months in orbit one-third of their expected mission duration. Named Binar-2, 3, and 4, these satellites were intended to last around six months in low Earth orbit but met an untimely end due to unexpected solar activity. In fact, “Binar” fittingly means “fireball” in Noongar, an Indigenous Australian language. Launched to gather scientific data and test new systems, the Binar satellites faced increased atmospheric drag caused by the Sun’s heightened activity. The Sun is currently in the peak phase of its 11-year solar cycle, known as solar cycle 25, during which solar flares, solar winds, and charged particles intensify. Recent solar indicators have shown activi...