Daily Current Affairs

NASAs Artemis 1 Moon mission postponed (GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)

Why in news?

• Recently, NASA called off the test flight of its largest-ever Moon rocket, Artemis 1 mission, because of a temperature issue with one of the four giant engines.
• NASA’s Artemis 1 mission is aimed at exploring the Moon with the specific objective of getting human beings back on the lunar surface and possibly beyond to Mars and elsewhere.

 

Details:

• NASA scrubbed the launch of the Space Launch System (SLS) on the maiden Moon mission over issues with an engine that would have powered the rocket on a course to the lunar world. The clock was stopped and reset repeatedly as issues were encountered during the fueling of the rocket.
• The launch was scrubbed after engineers failed to get the RS-25 engines on the bottom of the core stage to the proper temperature range for liftoff. As the two-hour launch window ended, Nasa was forced to cancel the mission.
• NASA did not say when it would attempt to launch the mission again. But it will all depend on how soon the problem is fixed.

 

Why Artemis 1 NASA’s important mission?

• It has been 50 years since the six Apollo human moon landings between 1969 and 1972. There has been huge progress in space exploration since then.
• Spacecraft have now gone beyond the solar system, exploratory missions have probed Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, more than 500 astronauts have travelled to space and back, and permanent space laboratories like the International Space Station (ISS) have been set up.
• However, the promise of transporting human beings to new worlds, the possibility of landing, and living, on other planets, or travelling deep into space, probably even encountering aliens, has remained stagnant since the last of the 12 astronauts to set foot on the Moon returned in 1972.
• This is why Artemis 1 is being seen as ushering in a new space age. It is the first in a series of ambitious missions that are planned to take human beings back to the Moon, explore possibilities of extended stay there, and investigate the potential to use it as a launch pad for deep space explorations.
• On the face of it, Artemis 1 has extremely humble mission objectives. It is technically only a lunar Orbiter mission. It is not carrying any astronauts. It does not even have a lander or rover component.
• The mission’s spacecraft, called Orion, will get into a lunar orbit that would be about 97 km from the Moon’s surface at its closest. But unlike most other Orbiter missions, Orion has a return-to-Earth target after it has orbited the Moon for about a month.

 

Apollo vs Artemis:

• Although the objective is to ensure the return of human beings to the Moon, the Artemis missions are going to be qualitatively very different from the Apollo missions.
• In many ways, the Moon landings of the 1960s and 1970s came a little too early in the space age. Man had reached the Moon just 12 years after the first-ever satellite, Sputnik, had been launched.
• The Apollo missions were guided by geo-political considerations, and the desire of the United States to go one up on the Soviet Union which had taken a considerable lead in space technology, having sent the first satellite in space, the first spacecraft to crash on to the lunar surface, and the first astronaut in space.
• President John F Kennedy had made a public announcement in 1961 that the US would put a man on the Moon before the decade was out. That deadline was met, thanks to a massive mobilisation of resources towards that end.
• But the technology ecosystem that could have maximised the benefits of such a major scientific breakthrough was still to be built. Therefore, astronauts landing on the moon could do little than bring back samples back to Earth for investigations.
• The Artemis missions are in a position to exploit the major advancements in space technologies over the years. These technologies now make it possible to start extracting the resources found on the Moon, build from the materials available there, harness hydrogen or helium as energy source.
• Not all of that would happen with the first mission itself, but these things are distinctly possible now, making human landings on the Moon much more meaningful than earlier.

 

CubeSats:

• Artemis 1 is all about laying the foundations for more complex and ambitious missions. It is carrying several payloads in the form of small satellites called CubeSats, each of which is equipped with instruments meant for specific investigations and experiments.
• The focus of these investigations is clearly to explore long-term stays of human beings in space, and on the Moon.
• One CubeSat will search for water in all its forms, another will map the availability of hydrogen that can be utilised as a source of energy. Then there are biology experiments, investigating the behaviour of small organisms like fungi and algae in outer space, and the effect of radiation, especially the reaction on their genes.
• The Orion spacecraft, which is specifically designed to carry astronauts into deep space on future missions, will have three dummy ‘passengers’ — mannequins made of material that mimic human bones, skin, and soft tissue. These would be equipped with a host of sensors to record the various impacts of deep space atmosphere on the human body.

 

Space Launch System:

• The rocket that is being used for the Artemis missions, called Space Launch System, or SLS, is the most powerful ever built, more powerful than the Saturn V rockets that had taken the Apollo missions to the Moon.
• The giant, 98-metre-tall rocket, weighing 2,500 tonnes, can help the Orion spacecraft achieve speeds of over 36,000 km per hour, and take it directly to the Moon, which is 1,000 times farther than the International Space Station that sees a regular traffic of astronauts.

 

Way Forward:

• The problem had been detected a few hours ahead of the launch. The flow of liquid hydrogen to one of the four engines of the rocket was not found to be optimal, which could have resulted in over-heating.
• The excitement around the mission will, however, have to be held back for the time being.
• The Artemis program is to establish a lasting human presence on the Moon with an orbiting space station known as Gateway and a base on the surface.
• Gateway would serve as a staging and refueling station for a voyage to Mars that would take a minimum of several months.

 

Revisiting the S. SubramaniamBalaji vs Tamil Nadu judgment

(GS Paper 2, Judiciary)

 

Why in news?

• Recently, the Supreme Court referred to a three-judge Bench a series of petitions seeking a judicial direction that political parties who make “wild” promises of largesse should also reveal in their poll manifestos where they will get the money to pay for them.
• The reference is a shift from the court’s own stand in the S. SubramaniamBalaji vs Tamil Nadu judgment of 2013.

 

What happened?

• In the Balaji case judgment, a Division Bench of the Supreme Court had held that making promises in election manifestos do not amount to a ‘corrupt practice’ under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act (RP).
• However, the Supreme Court is now worried that freebies promised by political parties to win elections could bleed the public exchequer dry.
• The Court said that parties who form the government riding the wave created by their pre-poll promises of “free gifts” are bleeding the State finances dry by actually trying to fulfil their outlandish promises using public money.
• The Supreme Court has therefore decided to revisit the Balaji verdict.

 

What triggered the Balaji case?

• The course of events started in 2006, during the run-up to the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The DravidaMunnetraKazhagam (DMK) released its election manifesto announcing a scheme of free distribution of colour television sets (CTVs) to “each and every household” which did not have one if the party was voted to power.
• The party justified that the TV would “provide recreation and general knowledge to household women, more particularly, those living in the rural areas”.
• The party swept to power in the polls and decided to implement its scheme and portioned off ₹750 crore from the budget for the project. The government finally distributed 30,000 TV sets across the State.

 

Freebies by AIADMK:

• In 2011, rival All India Anna DravidaMunnetraKazhagam (AIADMK) and its alliance also announced its election manifesto with free gifts to “equalise” the gifts offered by the DMK.
• AIADMK promised grinders, mixies, electric fans, laptop computers, four gram gold thalis, a cheque of ₹50,000 for women’s marriage, green houses, 20 kg of rice to ration card holders (even to those above the poverty line) and free cattle and sheep.
• Mr. Balaji, a resident of Tamil Nadu, challenged the schemes introduced by the parties in the Madras High Court. He said the expenditure to be incurred by the State from the exchequer was “unauthorised, impermissible and ultra vires the constitutional mandates”. The High Court dismissed his case, following which he had moved the apex court.

 

How did the case play out?

• The petitioner said the State cannot act in furtherance of “eccentric principles of socialistic philanthropy”. He argued that the promises of free distribution of non-essential commodities in an election manifesto amounts to electoral bribe under Section 123 of the RP Act.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has a duty to examine expenditures even before they are deployed. Money can be taken out of the Consolidated Fund of the State only for “public purposes”. The distribution of goods to certain sections of people was violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.

 

What was the response of the State of Tamil Nadu?

• In response, the State of Tamil Nadu countered that promises of political parties do not constitute corrupt practice. Political parties are not the State and ‘freebies’ is a nebulous term which has no legal status.
• The promises implemented by the party after forming the government is an obligation under the Directives Principles of State Policy. The State is only doing its duty to promote the welfare of its people.
• The promises are implemented by framing various schemes/guidelines/eligibility criteria etc. as well as with the approval of the legislature. Thus, it cannot be construed as a waste of public money or be prohibited by any statute or scheme.

 

Judgement:

• The court’s judgment held that promises by a political party cannot constitute a ‘corrupt practice’ on its part. It would be “misleading” to construe that all promises in the election manifesto would amount to corrupt practice.
• The manifesto of a political party is a statement of its policy. The question of implementing the manifesto arises only if the political party forms a government. It is the promise of a future government and not of an individual candidate. However, the court agreed that freebies create an “uneven playing field”.
• It had asked the Election Commission of India to consult political parties and issue guidelines on the election manifesto and make it a part of the Model Code of Conduct.

 

Why is the Court’s move to review the Balaji judgment significant?

• In its order, the court foresees that “freebies may create a situation wherein the State government cannot provide basic amenities due to lack of funds and the State is pushed towards imminent bankruptcy”.
• The court said it wants a transparent debate before the three-judge Bench on whether an “enforceable” judicial order can stop political parties from promising and distributing ‘irrational freebies’.
• The case is unique as the Supreme Court is exploring whether judicial parameters can be set on a purely political act of promising freebies.

 

UN Intergovernmental Conference (IGC-5)

(GS Paper 3, Environment)

 

Why in news?

• Recently, two weeks of negotiations at the United Nations aimed at securing protections for marine life in international waters concluded without a consensus.

UN member states have been trying for the last 15 years to agree on a legally binding document and were expected to finalise it at the fifth session of the UN Intergovernmental Conference (IGC-5), held in New York from August 15- August 26, 2022.

BBNJ:

• A final text on the conservation and sustainable use of marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) was anticipated from the session.
• BBNJ, commonly called the high seas, are those areas beyond exclusive economic zones. It makes up nearly 70 per cent of the ocean.
• BBNJ treaty, if agreed upon, would have significantly contributed to the direct management and conservation of marine biodiversity, including its genetic components.
• The treaty would have led to rules for protecting marine biodiversity in two-thirds of the world’s ocean areas outside national jurisdictions. IGC-5 made more progress than negotiations over the last decade.

 

Concerns:

• A High Ambition Coalition, launched in February 2022 included parties committed at the highest political level, to achieve an ambitious outcome of the ongoing negotiations on a Treaty of the high seas. But, the coalition did not show enough ambition or urgency.
• The 2022 UN Oceans Conference held in Lisbon, Portugal, in June 2022 had also called for the new BBNJ treaty.
• Despite the progress, delegates were unable to reach a consensus on a new high seas treaty addressing marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
• This is disappointing, considering the severe threat to the high seas, including overfishing, marine pollution, habitat destruction and acidification.

 

Major disagreements:

IGC-5 focused on four main components:

1. marine genetic resources (MGR) and sharing benefits from marine life;
2. area-based management tools, including marine protected areas;
3. environmental impact assessments (EIA) and
4. capacity building and the transfer of marine technology (CB&TT).

 

Marine Genetic Resources (MGR):

• Discussions around MGRs and sharing benefits from research and developing resources from marine life in the international waters have remained among the most contentious issues.
• While these issues were discussed almost daily, differences remained in establishing an access and benefit-sharing (ABS) mechanism, monetary benefit-sharing and intellectual property rights.  These differences were visible during IGC-4, too.

 

Area-based management tools:

• A key focus of the treaty was to permit the creation of marine protected areas. But, the delegates disagreed on this. If agreed, this could have covered 30 per cent of the Earth’s ocean by 2030, as stated by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
• The treaty could have, thus, contributed to the UN Biodiversity Conference scheduled from December 7-December 19 2022, in Montreal.
• In this decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the treaty could have been a valuable tool for humanity to rethink its relationship with the world’s oceans.

 

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA):

• EIA provisions of the BBNJ agreement offer the opportunity to update and modernise the practice of ecological assessment in ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction, stated the High Seas Alliance (HSA).
• HAS is a partnership of 40 non-profits, including the IUCN, to build a strong common voice and constituency for conserving the high seas. But, there were differences in EIA, too, according to the Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

 

Consensus on capacity building:

• The delegates acknowledged the need for building capacities and strengthening skills to explore the ocean. CB&TT are essential and the delegates agreed to establish a committee on CB&TT. But, they disagreed on funding modalities.
• The draft text was revised and released twice by IGC President during the meeting. Some member states, including India, are keen on adopting the most recent revised text, as the basis for further negotiations.

 

What’s next?

• HSA called for the second part of IGC-5 to deliver a coherent and effective framework for EIAs. It also demanded sustainable benefit-sharing mechanisms.
• So, the second part of the IGC-5 session, which may be resumed in 2023, is likely to result in the new high seas treaty.

 

Data on Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India: NCRB

(GS Paper 2, Issues Related to development and Management of Social Sector)

 

Why in news?

• Recently, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released “Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India”.
• At the national level, the number of suicides increased by 7.17 per cent from the years 2020 to 2021. However, the number of suicides in the daily wage group rose by 11.52 per cent during this period.

 

Daily Wage Workers:

• Marking a steady increase since 2014, the share of daily wagers among those who die by suicide in the country has crossed the quarter mark for the first time, one in four of the recorded 1,64,033 suicide victims during 2021 was a daily wage earner.
• The report shows that daily wage earners remained the largest profession-wise group among suicide victims in 2021, accounting for 42,004 suicides (25.6 per cent).
• The report lists the daily wage numbers separately from those of agricultural labourers, who have been grouped in a sub-category under the category of “Persons engaged in farming sector”.
• In 2020, too, daily wage earners accounted for the highest share, with 37,666 (24.6 per cent) of the 1,53,052 recorded suicides in the country.

In 2019, before the Covid outbreak, the share of daily wage earners was 23.4 per cent (32,563) of the recorded 1,39,123 suicides.

Persons engaged in farming sector:

• According to the report, 10,881 suicides were recorded in the “Persons engaged in farming sector” group in 2021, including 5,318 under “farmer/cultivator” and 5,563 “agricultural labourers”. 
• Significantly, while the number of suicides committed by “farmer/cultivator” has dipped — 5,579 in 2020 and 5,957 in 2019, those by “agriculture labourers” has risen sharply from 5,098 in 2020 and 4,324 in 2019.
• The overall share of “Persons engaged in farming sector” among the total recorded suicides stood at 6.6 per cent during 2021.
• The report defines “farmer/cultivator” as a person whose “profession is farming and includes those who cultivate on their own land as well as those who cultivate on leased land/other’s land with or without the assistance of agricultural labourers”.
• The “agricultural labourer” has been defined as a “person who primarily work in farming sector (agriculture/horticulture) whose main source of income is from agriculture labour activities”.

 

 

Key Findings:

• The NCRB categorises suicide data under nine profession-wise groups: students, professional/ salaried persons, daily wage earner, retired persons, unemployed persons, self-employed persons, house wife, persons engaged in farming sector and other persons.
• Among these groups, the highest increase of 16.73 per cent was recorded by “self-employed persons”: 20,231 in 2021, 17,332 in 2020 and 16,098 in 2019. The share of “self-employed persons” among total suicides in the country also increased to 12.3 per cent in 2021 from 11.3 per cent a year ago.
• The “unemployed persons” group was the only one that saw a decline in suicides, with the number dipping by 12.38 per cent from 15,652 in 2020 to 13,714 suicides in 2021.
• The “House wife” category accounted for 14.1 per cent of the total suicides during 2021, their number increased by 3.6 per cent from 22,374 in 2020 to 23,179 in 2021.
• The report shows that the number of student suicides stood at 13,089 in 2021, up from 12,526 in 2020. In 2021, the number of suicides by “retired persons” stood at 1,518 while 23,547 suicides were recorded in the “other persons” category.
• According to the report, “Family Problems (other than marriage related problems)” with 33.2 per cent, “Marriage Related Problems” (4.8 per cent) and “Illness” (18.6 per cent) together accounted for 56.6 per cent of total suicides in the country in 2021.

Male-female ratio of suicide:

• Nearly 68.1 per cent of the male victims were married whereas the ratio was 63.7 per cent for the female victims.
• 11.0 per cent victims of suicide were illiterate, 15.8 per cent victims of suicide were educated up to primary level, 19.1 per cent of the suicide victims were educated up to middle level and 24.0 per cent of the suicide victims were educated up to matric level.
• Only 4.6 per cent of total suicides victims were graduate and above.
• The report pegs the overall male-female ratio of suicide victims at 72.5:27.5 during 2021.

 

State-wise:

• From the nationwide number in 2021, the maximum of 22,207 suicides were recorded in Maharashtra, followed by Tamil Nadu (18,925), Madhya Pradesh (14,956), West Bengal (13,500) and Karnataka (13,056).
• Among Union Territories, Delhi recorded the highest number of 2,840 suicides.
• The States and UTs which have reported higher percentage increase in suicides in 2021 over 2020 were Telangana (26.2 per cent), UP (23.5 per cent), Puducherry (23.5 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (14.5 per cent), Kerala (12.3 per cent), Tamil Nadu (12.1 per cent), Maharashtra (11.5 per cent) and Manipur (11.4 per cent) while highest percentage decrease was reported in Lakshadweep (50.0 per cent), Uttarakhand (24.0 per cent), Jharkhand (15.0 per cent), Jammu & Kashmir (13.9 per cent) and A & N Islands (11.7 per cent).