Daily Current Affairs : 6-January-2025

ISRO’s PSLV-C60 POEM-4 mission has made a remarkable contribution to space research by successfully germinating cowpea seeds in space and operating India’s first space robotic arm. These achievements not only showcase the growing capabilities of India’s space program but also advance critical research in space agriculture and technology, both of which are essential for the future of space exploration.

About Cowpea Seeds Experiment

Cowpea seeds, scientifically known as Vigna unguiculata, are also called lobia in Hindi. These seeds are highly nutritious legumes that are commonly used in agricultural research. They are chosen for experiments due to their robustness and adaptability to different environments, which makes them a perfect candidate for studying how plants grow in space.

The cowpea experiment was a part of the PSLV-C60 POEM-4 mission. This mission was conducted under the Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS), a project developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), a key unit of ISRO. The main aim of this experiment was to study how plants, particularly legumes like cowpeas, grow in microgravity conditions.

Significance of the Experiment

The cowpea seed experiment holds immense importance for several reasons:

  • Space Agriculture: The experiment marks a significant step toward understanding how plants can grow in microgravity, which is vital for sustaining life during long-term space missions. This research will provide valuable insights into space farming, an essential part of future extraterrestrial settlements.
  • Sustainability in Space: Successful space farming could help create self-sufficient habitats on space missions, reducing dependency on Earth for food supplies. This could be crucial for extended missions to the Moon, Mars, or other celestial bodies.
  • Scientific Advancement: The successful germination of seeds in space highlights India’s growing expertise in space research and technology. It also positions India as a key player in global space collaborations, fostering opportunities for international partnerships.
  • Future Space Exploration: These experiments will play a crucial role in future space exploration missions. They are vital for developing sustainable agricultural systems, which will be essential for human settlements on the Moon or Mars.

Important Points

  • PSLV-C60 POEM-4 Mission: A significant milestone by ISRO that achieved the germination of cowpea seeds in space and the operation of India’s first space robotic arm.
  • Cowpea Seeds Experiment:
    • Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a nutritious and adaptable legume used in agricultural research.
    • The experiment was part of the PSLV-C60 POEM-4 mission and conducted under the Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS).
  • Significance of the Experiment:
    • Space Agriculture: Provides foundational knowledge on growing crops in microgravity, essential for long-term space missions.
    • Sustainability in Space: Helps pave the way for self-sufficient habitats in space, reducing reliance on Earth-based resources.
    • Scientific Advancement: Demonstrates India’s growing expertise in space research and technology, enhancing global collaboration.
    • Future Space Exploration: Critical for supporting human settlements on celestial bodies like the Moon or Mars.
  • Technological Achievements:
    • Successful germination of seeds in space advances understanding of space farming.
    • Operation of India’s first space robotic arm adds to ISRO’s space technology capabilities.
Why In News

ISRO’s PSLV-C60 POEM-4 mission achieved a significant milestone by successfully germinating cowpea seeds in space and operating India’s first space robotic arm, marking a major advancement in both space technology and extraterrestrial agricultural research, which are crucial for future long-term space missions and human settlements on other planets.

MCQs about ISRO’s PSLV-C60 POEM-4 Mission
  1. What was the primary achievement of ISRO’s PSLV-C60 POEM-4 mission?
    A. Launching a satellite to Mars
    B. Germinating cowpea seeds in space and operating a space robotic arm
    C. Sending humans to the Moon
    D. Developing a new space rocket model
    Correct Answer: B. Germinating cowpea seeds in space and operating a space robotic arm
    Explanation: The primary achievement of the PSLV-C60 POEM-4 mission was the successful germination of cowpea seeds in space and the operation of India’s first space robotic arm, which are both crucial for advancing space technology and agricultural research.
  2. Why were cowpea seeds chosen for the space experiment in the PSLV-C60 POEM-4 mission?
    A. They are small and easy to transport
    B. They are highly nutritious and adaptable to different environments
    C. They are the only seeds that can grow in space
    D. They have a quick growth cycle on Earth
    Correct Answer: B. They are highly nutritious and adaptable to different environments
    Explanation: Cowpea seeds (*Vigna unguiculata*) were chosen for their robustness and adaptability to various conditions, making them ideal for studying how plants grow in space, especially in microgravity.
  3. How does the successful germination of seeds in space contribute to future space missions?
    A. It provides food for astronauts during their travel to Mars
    B. It paves the way for space farming, which is crucial for long-term space missions and extraterrestrial settlements
    C. It helps develop new types of crops that can survive in space
    D. It reduces the need for space robotics in future missions
    Correct Answer: B. It paves the way for space farming, which is crucial for long-term space missions and extraterrestrial settlements
    Explanation: The successful germination of seeds in space establishes the possibility of growing crops in microgravity, a critical step for creating self-sufficient habitats for long-term space missions and extraterrestrial settlements.
  4. What is the role of the space robotic arm used in the PSLV-C60 POEM-4 mission?
    A. To repair satellites in space
    B. To assist in the germination of seeds on other planets
    C. To carry out tasks and experiments in space, showcasing India’s advancements in space robotics
    D. To explore the surface of the Moon
    Correct Answer: C. To carry out tasks and experiments in space, showcasing India’s advancements in space robotics
    Explanation: The space robotic arm was used to perform tasks and experiments during the mission, demonstrating India’s expertise in space robotics and contributing to technological advancements for future space exploration.

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