20 June 2026

UPSC GS 3

TRISHNA (Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment) Mission)

1. News:  PM Narendra Modi announced that India and France will jointly launch the TRISHNA satellite mission next year to strengthen global efforts towards water and food security.

2. About TRISHNA Mission:

a. TRISHNA is a joint Earth observation mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Centre National d'Études Spatiales.

b. The mission is designed for high-resolution monitoring of Earth's surface temperature, vegetation health, energy balance, and water cycle dynamics.

3. Schedule: The satellite is scheduled to be jointly launched by India and France in 2027.

4. Objective: The mission aims to monitor Earth's surface temperature, energy and water budgets, vegetation health, and hydrological processes to address water and food security challenges and support efficient management of natural resources.

5. Key Features:

a. Orbit: TRISHNA will operate in a Sun-synchronous Orbit (SSO) at an altitude of about 761 km, crossing the equator at approximately 12:30 PM local time.

b. Mission Life: The satellite is designed for an operational lifespan of 5 years.

c. Spatial Resolution: It will provide a resolution of 57 metres over land and coastal regions and 1 kilometre over oceanic and polar regions.

6. Payloads:

a. Thermal Infra-Red (TIR) Payload: Developed by CNES, this payload consists of a four-channel long-wave infrared imaging sensor capable of high-resolution mapping of land surface temperature and emissivity.

b. VNIR-SWIR (Visible–Near Infra-Red–Short Wave Infra-Red) Payload: Developed by ISRO, this payload contains seven spectral bands and studies how Earth's surface reflects sunlight. The data generated helps assess vegetation health, land surface characteristics, and radiation-related variables essential for monitoring natural resources and Earth's energy balance.

7. Global Significance: The mission's data will support several international initiatives, including:

a. GEOGLAM for agricultural monitoring.

b. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

c. Global Water Watch.

d. The mission will also generate information relevant to Essential Agricultural Variables (EAVs) and Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) used by the global scientific and policy community. 

High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP)

1. News: The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the establishment of the High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP) in Nagpur with a budgetary provision of ₹300 crore.

2. About High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP): It is a state-of-the-art nuclear medicine facility designed to produce specialized short-lived medical radioisotopes used in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and advanced medical research.

3. Location: The project will be established at Bhansoli (Kinhi) in Hingna Taluka, Nagpur, Maharashtra.

4. Implementation Agency: The facility will be managed through Maharashtra Cancer Care Research and Education Foundation via a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established under the Companies Act, 2013.

5. Working Mechanism:

a. Particle Acceleration: A cyclotron, which is a type of particle accelerator, accelerates charged particles using magnetic fields and radio-frequency electric fields inside a vacuum chamber.

b. Nuclear Transformation: These high-energy particles are directed towards stable target materials, triggering nuclear reactions that convert them into radioactive isotopes.

c. Radiopharmaceutical Production: The radioisotopes are subsequently combined with biological molecules to produce radiopharmaceuticals used for diagnosis and targeted treatment.

6. Key Features:

a. Project Cost: The estimated project cost is ₹300 crore.

b. Funding Pattern: Expenditure will be shared equally between the Medical Education Department and the Industry Department in a 50:50 ratio.

c. Regional Coverage: The facility is expected to serve patients within a radius of approximately 500 km, covering parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

d. Institutional Support: The project will strengthen cancer-care infrastructure by supporting institutions such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences Nagpur, National Cancer Institute, and Government Medical College Nagpur.

7. Major Applications:

a. PET-CT Imaging: The facility will produce radioisotopes required for Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scans, which are widely used for early cancer detection and disease monitoring.

b. Nuclear Medicine Therapy: It will support the production of radiopharmaceuticals used in targeted treatment of various tumors and cancers.

c. Cancer Research: The project will facilitate oncological research, clinical trials, development of new imaging tracers, and innovation in cancer therapeutics.

8. What is a Cyclotron? A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator that uses a combination of magnetic fields and alternating electric fields to accelerate charged particles to high energies. These particles are then used to produce radioactive isotopes that have important applications in medicine, industry, and scientific research. 

Chocolate Chip Sea Star

1. News: Scientists have discovered a remarkable light-transmitting skeletal structure at the tips of the Chocolate Chip Sea Star, capable of channeling nearly 70% of incoming light and concentrating it almost three times at its base.

2.  About Chocolate Chip Sea Star: The Chocolate Chip Sea Star, also known as the Horned Sea Star, is a distinctive ornamental sea star species.

3. Scientific Name: Protoreaster nodosus

4. Habitat and Distribution: 

a. The species is found in the warm, shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the western Pacific Ocean.

b.  It inhabits coral reefs, sandy lagoons, and seagrass beds, generally at depths of up to 30 metres.

5. Features:

a. Chocolate Chip Sea Stars can grow up to 12 inches (about 30 cm) in diameter.

b.  They possess a creamy-white or tan body covered with dark brown conical projections resembling chocolate chips, which give the species its common name.

c. Like other sea stars, they possess remarkable regenerative abilities. When threatened, they can shed one of their arms through a process known as autotomy, allowing escape from predators. The lost arm can later regenerate.

d. They are carnivorous and feed on detritus, small invertebrates, and occasionally the soft tissues of corals.

6. Recent Scientific Findings:

a. Researchers found that the tip of each arm contains a skeletal structure composed of cone-shaped elements that function similarly to optical fibres.

b. These structures transmit about 70% of incoming light and concentrate it nearly threefold at the base.

c. The entire array captures light from a field of view of around 120° and increases light intensity nearly eight times within the arm. Scientists believe this naturally evolved optical system could inspire innovations in lightweight sensors, photonic devices, and display technologies.

7. Key Facts about Sea Stars:

a. Sea stars are often called "starfish," but they are not fish. They belong to the phylum Echinodermata and are more closely related to sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and sand dollars.

b. The term echinoderm means "spiny skin," referring to their hard, calcified outer covering that provides protection from predators.

c. Sea stars exhibit radial symmetry and move using numerous tube feet operated by a hydraulic water-vascular system. Nearly 2,000 species are known worldwide. While most species possess five arms, some may have dozens, with certain species having up to 40 arms.

d. Their mouth is located on the underside of the body and lacks teeth. During feeding, they can extend their stomach outside their body through the mouth to digest prey externally.

e. Sea stars possess extraordinary regenerative capabilities and, in some species, an entire new individual can develop from a single arm attached to a portion of the central disc. 

Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Medium Range (NASM–MR)

1. News:  India recently conducted the maiden flight-test of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Medium Range (NASM–MR).

2.  About NASM–MR:

a. It is a subsonic, sea-skimming anti-ship missile being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation for the Indian Navy.

b. It is intended to engage small- and medium-sized naval targets such as frigates, corvettes, and destroyers. The missile is planned in multiple variants, including ship-launched, air-launched, and submarine-launched versions.

c. NASM–MR complements the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range (NASM–SR), providing the Indian Navy with layered anti-ship strike capabilities for both close-range and medium-range engagements.

3. Features:

a. Propulsion: The missile is powered by a Small Gas Turbine Jet Engine (SGTJE).

b. Range: It has an operational strike range of up to 350 km.

c. Flight Profile: It follows a sea-skimming trajectory, flying very close to the sea surface to reduce radar detection and improve survivability.

d. Warhead: It carries a warhead weighing more than 200 kg.

e. Guidance System: The missile reportedly uses a dual-mode guidance system combining an active radar seeker with an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker, enhancing target acquisition and resistance to countermeasures.

f. Weather Capability: It is designed as an all-weather missile, capable of operating in diverse maritime conditions.

4. Successful Trials of Multi-Layered BMD System: The recent BMD trials involved advanced interceptor systems developed under Phase II of India's Ballistic Missile Defence programme, particularly the AD-series interceptors.

5. AD-1 Interceptor: The AD-1 is an endo-atmospheric interceptor designed to destroy incoming threats within Earth's atmosphere during the terminal phase of flight. Powered by a two-stage solid rocket motor, it employs advanced navigation and guidance algorithms to intercept fast-moving ballistic missiles as well as certain aircraft targets.

6. AD-2 Interceptor: The AD-2 is an exo-atmospheric interceptor designed to engage incoming missiles outside Earth's atmosphere during their mid-course phase. This enables threats to be neutralized in space before they re-enter the atmosphere and approach their intended targets.

7. Key Capabilities: Both AD-1 and AD-2 are highly manoeuvrable interceptors capable of achieving hypersonic speeds of approximately Mach 6–7. They are designed to counter advanced threats such as:

i. Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs).

ii. Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) in the 5,000-km class.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF)

1. News:  A study published in the journal Science has produced the first global map of the vast underground networks formed by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF).

2.  About Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF):

a. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are root-obligate biotrophic fungi belonging to the phylum Glomeromycota.

b. They are soil-borne microorganisms that form mutually beneficial symbiotic associations with nearly 80% of terrestrial vascular plants.

c. AMF are among the most important biological components of soil ecosystems. Their absence or decline can significantly reduce soil fertility, plant productivity, and overall ecosystem efficiency.

3. Structure:

a. AMF consist of microscopic branching filaments known as hyphae. These hyphae spread through the soil and form extensive underground networks connecting plant roots.

b. The hyphal networks function as two-way channels, transporting water and nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen to plants while receiving carbon compounds produced through photosynthesis in return.

4. Distribution and Global Significance:

a. The study found that grassland ecosystems, including those in South Sudan, the Tibetan Plateau, and Banni Grasslands, contain nearly 40% of the world's AM fungal networks.

b. Researchers estimate that these underground fungal networks store approximately 300 million tonnes of carbon, equivalent to four to six times the total weight of the global human population.

5. Ecological Role:

a. Natural Biofertilizers: AMF enhance plant growth by improving the uptake of water and nutrients, particularly phosphorus, while also providing protection against certain soil pathogens.

b. Symbiotic Relationship: They exchange nutrients and water for carbon compounds produced by plants through photosynthesis.

c. Climate Regulation: AMF play a major role in carbon sequestration by transferring atmospheric carbon into soils and helping stabilize soil carbon pools.

d. Biodiversity Support: By improving nutrient cycling and soil structure, they contribute to healthier and more resilient ecosystems.

6. Climate Importance: AMF form symbiotic associations with roughly 70–80% of plant species and are estimated to help sequester about 4 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent annually, making them a significant yet often overlooked component of the global carbon cycle.