Current Affairs 21 December 2025

German Engineer Becomes First Wheelchair User in Space.

• Michaela Benthaus, an engineer with the European Space Agency, became the first person with paraplegia to travel to space.
• She flew on a suborbital mission conducted by Blue Origin, marking the firm’s 16th crewed flight.
• The 11-minute mission reached about 100 km altitude, offering brief weightlessness and setting a milestone for inclusive space travel.

James Webb Telescope Discovers Rare Lemon-Shaped Exoplanet.

• The James Webb Space Telescope detected an unusual lemon-shaped exoplanet, PSR J2322-2650b, about 2,000 light-years from Earth.
• The planet orbits a pulsar and is heavily distorted by intense gravity and radiation, giving it its bizarre shape.
• Its atmosphere is unlike any known exoplanet, rich in carbon compounds (C₂, C₃) and helium, with almost no oxygen or nitrogen detected.

FM Sitharaman Launches AI Labs in Karnataka Schools.

• Nirmala Sitharaman launched a CSR project to set up 5 AI, STEM & robotics labs in government schools in Karnataka.
• The initiative, Cyient AI Labs’ VijAIpatha, will establish world-class labs in Hosapete taluka, equipped with AI-ready systems, robotics kits and broadband.
• Aligned with NEP 2020 & Digital India, the programme aims to strengthen technology-driven learning in public education.

Tamil Nadu Govt. Launches Smooth-Coated Otter Conservation Drive.

• amil Nadu has launched a conservation initiative to study and protect smooth-coated otters in the Cauvery delta across Thanjavur, Thiruvarur and Cuddalore districts.
• The program focuses on population assessment, habitat mapping, and mitigating threats such as pollution, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
• IUCN status: Vulnerable.
• The project has ₹20 lakh approval for 2025–26.

ISRO to Launch BlueBird Block-2 Communication Satellite.

• Indian Space Research Organisation will launch the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite on Wednesday using the LVM3-M6 mission.
• The satellite, built by AST SpaceMobile, will be the largest commercial communications satellite placed in Low Earth Orbit.
• BlueBird Block-2 aims to deliver space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones worldwide.