Current affairs 05 November 2024

Japan to launch world’s first wooden satellite for sustainability.

• Japan’s Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry developed LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, set to launch atop a SpaceX rocket for the International Space Station.
• Made from Japanese magnolia wood, LignoSat will orbit Earth for six months to test wood’s resilience in space, as wood doesn’t rot or burn in the vacuum.
• Wood-based satellites could reduce space pollution.

Goa to host first edition of Green Stories documentary festival.

• Green Stories, Asia's first mentorship and pitching lab for wildlife and environmental documentaries, will be held in Goa from November 5 to November 10.
• Launched in April 2024, the initiative provides Indian and Southeast Asian filmmakers with mentorship & industry exposure to enhance environmental storytelling.
• It is supported by National Geographic Society & Royal Enfield Social Mission.

UAE’s ADNOC deployed Agentic AI in energy sector to boost efficiency.

• UAE's ADNOC is implementing autonomous agentic AI in energy operations for the first time, in collaboration with G42, Microsoft, and AIQ, to increase operational efficiency and forecast accuracy.
• The AI system will autonomously identify improvements, speed up seismic surveys from months to days, and enhance production forecasts by up to 90%.

ISRO launched India’s first Analog Space Mission in Ladakh.

• ISRO has initiated India's first analog space mission in Ladakh, simulating interplanetary habitat conditions to support India’s plans for a future lunar mission.
• The mission features an inflatable habitat, Hab-1, with facilities like a hydroponics farm and sanitation, creating a self-sustaining environment for space research.

India Seniors won silver at 16th World Bridge Olympiad.

• The Indian Seniors Bridge team won silver after a close 165-258 loss to the USA in the final.
• The team included Kamal Mukherjee, Vibhas Todi, Badal Das, Pranab Bardhan, Arun Bapat, Ravi Goenka, and non-playing captain Girish Bijoor.
• The 96-board final spanned two days with six segments, with India staying competitive through the initial segments.