Current Affairs

Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched its first X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XpoSat) to study X-ray polarisation and its cosmic sources, like Black holes, Neutron stars, and Magnetars.
The mission is propelled by the PSLV- C58 rocket in Low Earth Orbit.
XPoSat is designed to study X-ray polarization in the medium X-ray band, offering insights into celestial sources’ radiation mechanisms and geometry.
This study is crucial for understanding the physics behind these celestial bodies.
The satellite carries two main payloads, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing). POLIX will observe about 40 bright astronomical sources, while XSPECT will study the electromagnetic spectrum generated by different matter.
Entirely built by two Bengaluru-based institutes—ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Centre and Raman Research Institute—XPoSat’s development began in 2008, with a formal agreement signed with ISRO in 2015.
XPoSat is only the world’s second mission dedicated to X-ray polarization in the medium X-ray band. NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), launched in 2021, was the first such mission by a space agency.
XPoSat will be India’s third space-based observatory, following the recently launched solar mission Aditya-L1 and AstroSat, which was launched in 2015. Its launch is seen as a significant stride for Indian astronomy and space research.

The Ministry of Mines, Government of India through the state-owned Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), has entered into a draft exploration and development agreement with Argentinan miner CAMYEN for possible acquisition and development of five-odd lithium blocks.
The company has also entered into a non- disclosure agreement with Chilean miner ENAMI for “possible exploration, extraction, processing and commercialisation” of the mineral.
Lithium is an alkali mineral, also called ‘white gold’. It is soft, silvery-white metal, the lightest metal of the periodic table.

Major Properties-

Lithium is found naturally in various minerals, including spodumene, petalite, and lepidolite.It is extracted from these minerals and refined into lithium metal or its compounds.
The top producers of lithium are Australia, Chile, China, and Argentina.In 2022, Australia was the world leader in terms of lithium mine production. Chile and China ranked second and third.
Batteries: Lithium is a crucial component of rechargeable batteries used in smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and other electronics. Medicine: Lithium is used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Lithium in India-

Massive reserves unearthed in Salal-Haimna areas of Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir (estimated 5.9 million tonnes).Additional reserves identified in Koderma and Giridih regions of Jharkhand.

Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have joined BRICS as new full members.
It was done as per the decision adopted by the 15th BRICS Summit in 2022. A proposal to admit six countries, including Argentina, into the bloc with effect from January 1.
BRICS is an acronym that refers to a group of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The term was originally coined by economist Jim O’Neill in 2001.
BRICS brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing around 41% of the global population, around 24% of the global GDP and around 16% of global trade.
Initially, the grouping was termed BRIC as South Africa was inducted in 2010 and from there on it has been referred to as BRICS.
New Development Bank: Formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS states.
The Bank shall support public or private projects through loans, guarantees, equity participation and other financial instruments.
BRICS currently represents around 40% of the world’s population and more than a quarter of the world’s GDP.

4 & 5 January 2024 Current Affairs