- DEFENCE MINISTER ROLLS OUT SCHEMES FOR DEFENCE START-UPS:
HIGHLIGHTS:
- During DefConnect 2.0 the Defence Minister launched Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Prime and the 6th Defence India Start-up challenge (DISC-6) meant to encourage Defence Start-ups.
- The iDEX Prime aims to support projects beyond Rs 1.5 Crores up to Rs 10 Crores to help the ever growing start-ups in the sector.
- It provides an opportunity to Science and Technology professionals to understand futuristic technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality, Blockchain, Space Technology etc.
- It will help provide direct and indirect employment to thousands of skilled and semi skilled people.
- The development of disruptive technology is a key requirement to handle new threats and challenges of future.
- ISRO TO CONDUCT (REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE) RLV LANDING EXPERIMENT SOON:
HIGHLIGHTS:
- The experiment to be conducted (RLV-LEX) will be second in the series of experiments for the (Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Development) RLV-TD programme.
- RLV-LEX involves taking an unmanned winged prototype to an altitude of 2.3 KM-2.4 KM on a helicopter and releasing it at a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) airstrip at Chitradurga, Karnataka.
- The prototype will be released 3.7 KM away from the airstrip and it must travel the distance autonomously, gain velocity, maintain control and come in like any typical aircraft touching down with the rear wheels first.
- A parachute will then be deployed for braking.
- Cheaper access to space is what makes an RLV attractive as the launch vehicle is a reusable one.
- The RLV-TD programme comprises a series of experimental missions aimed at making India’s dream of owning a reusable, two-stage-two-orbit vehicle come true.
