Current affairs 09 October 2023

NASA To Launch Psyche Mission To Study An Asteroid.

• The American space agency, NASA would send a high-tech spacecraft called Psyche to an asteroid of the same name, 16 Psyche.
• It will be a first-of-its-kind mission to study a metal-rich asteroid.
• Aim: To help scientists learn more about the formation of rocky bodies in our solar system.
• The launch of the mission will take place on Thursday (Oct 12) when NASA’s Psyche spacecraft will take off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and travel 2.2 billion miles.

Europe's first fully private rocket launch takes place from Spain.

• Spain's company PLD Space launched the Miura-1 rocket marking Europe's first fully private rocket launch.
• Miura-1, a recoverable rocket was launched from a site in southwest Spain.
• The launch is being viewed as a boost to Europe's stalled space ambitions.
• The Miura-1 rocket has been named after a breed of fighting bull. The rocket is as tall as a three-storey building. It has a 100-kg (220-pound) cargo capacity.

Arjun Munda inaugurates National Tribal Festival "Aadi Mahotsav".

• Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda inaugurated the 10-day-long tribal festival Aadi Mahotsav in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
• It is being organized from 7th – 16th October 2023.
• Aim: To provide an opportunity to meet the artisans, learn about their way of life and get acquainted with the tribal culture.
• It is a celebration of the contribution of our tribal ancestors, the culture of various unique tribal communities, their lifestyle and the tribals themselves.

ADB Approves $200 Million Loan to Strengthen Flood and Riverbank Erosion.

• The Asian Development Bank has approved a $200 million loan to strengthen flood and riverbank erosion risk management in Assam.
• The project builds on the success and lessons from the ADB-financed Assam Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program (2010–2020).
• Aim: To empower women through disaster-resilient economic activities, the project will benefit about 1 million people and increase crop production by over 50,000 hectares.

PATA and India to jointly promote Travel for LiFE in Asia-Pacific region.

• Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has committed to work with India to expand the Travel for LiFE initiative across the Asia Pacific region.
• Ministry of Tourism will set up a PATA desk to strengthen engagement with PATA on Travel for LiFE and other areas of cooperation in tourism sector.
• Travel for LiFE embodies the spirit of the Pro Planet People and functions on the basic principles of Lifestyle of the planet, for the planet and by the planet.