Current affairs 09 May 2024

Indian-American Astronaut Sunita Williams to fly to space again.

• Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams will return to space on Boeing's Starliner’s first crewed mission alongside Barry Butch Wilmore.
• The launch scheduled from Cape Canaveral, marks a key milestone in Starliner’s certification for ISS crew rotations.
• The mission will enhance NASA's crew transport options to ISS, positioning Boeing alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for astronaut missions.

India contributed USD 500,000 to UN Counter-Terrorism Trust Fund.

• India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj handed over to Under Secretary General, UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) Vladimir Voronkov a voluntary financial contribution of half a million dollars to UN Counter-Terrorism Trust Fund.
• This reflects India's support to UNOCT’s global programs - mainly Countering Financing of Terrorism and Countering Terrorist Travel Program.

Indian auto retail sector records 27% YoY growth in April: FADA.

• Indian Auto Retail sector saw a 27% year-on-year growth in April 2024, with all segments like 2W, 3W, PV, Tractor, and CV reporting increases due to stable fuel prices, positive monsoon forecast, festive and marriage season demand.
• Two-wheeler sales led with a 33% rise, followed by passenger vehicles at 16%.
• Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) revealed this report.

Scott Flemming appointed as head coach of Indian Men’s Basketball Team.

• Scott Flemming, returned as Head Coach of the Indian Senior Men's Basketball team.
• He is an American college professional basketball coach.
• He has 38 years of coaching experience.
• Prior to this he served as the Senior Director of Basketball Operations, NBA India.
• He had previously been the head coach of India’s national basketball team, which he coached from 2012 to 2015.

German company tested rocket powered by candle wax.

• German company HyImpulse successfully launched a candle wax-powered rocket, SR75, in Australia.
• SR75, fueled by paraffin and liquid oxygen, can carry up to 250kg satellites to 250km altitude, showcasing a cheaper satellite launch method.
• HyImpulse's innovation halves satellite transport costs, boosting Germany's space industry and Europe's access to space with environmentally safer fuel.