Microsoft collaborates with ISRO to support space-tech startups in India (GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)
Why in news?
- Recently, Microsoft joined hands with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to support space-tech startups in the country. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed to empower space tech start-ups across the country.
Details:
- Under the new agreement, space tech startups identified by ISRO will be onboarded onto the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub platform, which supports startups at every stage of their journey from idea to a unicorn.
- The opportunity will provide the startup founders with free access to the tech tools and resources they need to build and run their businesses.
Key Highlights:
- The collaboration will provide technical support to build and scale on Azure, best-in-class developer and productivity tools including GitHub Enterprise, Visual Studio Enterprise, and Microsoft 365, and access to smart analytics with Power BI and Dynamics 365.
- As part of the agreement, Microsoft will also provide mentoring support to space tech entrepreneurs in areas ranging from space engineering to cloud technologies, product and design, fundraising, and sales and marketing.
- The startups will also get access to Microsoft Learn for tailored startup-centric training content and programs to help them build connections with the industry and potential customers.
- Meanwhile, leadership sessions will also be organised sessions for startups with space industry experts.
Way Forward:
- ISRO’s collaboration with Microsoft will greatly benefit space tech startups in their analysis and processing of vast amounts of satellite data for various applications, using cutting-edge methods like AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning.
- The Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub is a useful platform for bringing together startups and providers of technology solutions to support the national space technology ecosystem.
What is atmospheric river that is driving heavy rains, floods to US?
(GS Paper 3, Disaster Management)
Why in news?
- As the bomb cyclone slowed down in the US, high winds and torrential rains are sweeping California, renewing the threat of power outages and deadly flooding that gripped parts of San Francisco Bay and Sacramento.
- The condition is being driven by a phenomenon known as an atmospheric river.
What is an Atmospheric River?
- The atmospheric river is a long, narrow region in the atmosphere that is like rivers in the sky. These atmospheric river transport water vapor outside of the tropics that move with the weather, carrying an amount roughly equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
- When these atmospheric rivers move inland and sweep over mountains, the water vapour rises and cools to create heavy precipitation. This water is then deposited on the surface in the form of heavy rain and snow as it makes landfall.
- Scientists have said that some of these atmospheric rivers contain the largest amounts of water vapor and the strongest winds can create extreme rainfall and floods, often by stalling over watersheds vulnerable to flooding. Most of these systems are generally weak and serve as water replenishment for the surface.
Weather Predictions:
- The authorities have posted high-wind warnings along the central California coast north through the Bay area and into extreme northern California and Oregon.
- The National Weather Service (NWS) said gale-force gusts were expected to uproot trees, shear off limbs, and knock down power lines, disrupting electricity service in many areas.
About Bomb Cyclone:
- A bomb cyclone is a large, intense midlatitude storm that has low pressure at its center, weather fronts and an array of associated weather, from blizzards to severe thunderstorms to heavy precipitation.
- Bomb cyclones put forecasters on high alert because they can produce significant harmful impacts.
- Storms form when a mass of low-pressure air (warm air mass) meets a high-pressure mass (cold air mass). The air flows from high pressure to low, creating winds.
- It occurs when a midlatitude cyclone rapidly intensifies, dropping at least 24 millibars over 24 hours.
Tirupati to have largest liquid waste treatment plant
(GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- The Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT) is set to take a giant leap in water treatment by putting in place what is claimed to be the country’s largest liquid waste treatment plant to use phytorid technology.
Details:
- The plant coming up next to Vinayaka Sagar will treat 5 MLD (million litres a day).
- Sewage from the MCT’s seven adjoining divisions used to flow into the waterbody in the past, by way of gravity. With the advent of this plant, the water will now be treated before being let into the tank.
- The project is developed at a capital expenditure of ₹11 crore under Smart City funds, and involving an operational expenditure of ₹3 crore.
Phytorid technology:
- The phytorid technology is developed by the CSIR’s National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
- After the waste water is treated under sedimentation process to eliminate solid matter, the same is made to flow in a serpentine motion into a sub-surface chamber containing numerous barricades, while saplings are planted atop on a porous medium containing gravel and stones. It is here that the organic matter gets eliminated.
- Later, the water is made to pass through activated carbon filter to bring the Biochemical Oxygen Demand to 5mg, much lower than the national standard of 10mg set by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Significance:
- The main advantage of this system is that it is cost-effective, involves no operational hassles, leaves a smaller footprint and emanates no foul odour.
