ENVIRONMENT & SCIENCE
Space Missions
Indian-Origin NASA Astronaut Anil Menon Launches on 8-Month ISS Mission
NASA astronaut Anil Menon, who is of Indian origin, has embarked on an intensive 8-month scientific mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The mission was launched using the Soyuz-2.1a carrier vehicle on the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The international crew comprises three members: Anil Menon representing NASA (USA), alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina.
The team is scheduled to carry out zero-gravity scientific experiments and research before returning to Earth in April 2027.
The mission was launched using the Soyuz-2.1a carrier vehicle on the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The international crew comprises three members: Anil Menon representing NASA (USA), alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina.
The team is scheduled to carry out zero-gravity scientific experiments and research before returning to Earth in April 2027.
Key Facts / Static GK
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is the space agency of the United States, headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Baikonur Cosmodrome, located in Kazakhstan, is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility.
Roscosmos is the state corporation responsible for space flights and cosmonautics programs for the Russian Federation.
Baikonur Cosmodrome, located in Kazakhstan, is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility.
Roscosmos is the state corporation responsible for space flights and cosmonautics programs for the Russian Federation.
Practice Quiz — 15 July 2026
Q1. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the 'Gramodyam' programme launched by NABARD?
Answer: (C) The program is being executed through the Institute for Industrial Development (IID) in collaboration with NSDC. — The Gramodyam scheme is a 3-year pilot program targeting 4,000 rural entrepreneurs, implemented through the Institute for Industrial Development (IID) in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It was launched on NABARD's 45th Foundation Day.
Q2. How is the ₹4 crore central funding structured for the development of the Street Food Hub under the PM SVANidhi initiative in Lakhanpur?
Answer: (C) 30% initial instalment, 50% during implementation, 20% after completion — The financial assistance of ₹4 crore for each Street Food Hub is released in three phases: 30% as the initial instalment, 50% during implementation, and the final 20% after successful completion.
Q3. Which personnel will actively carry out the ground-level data collection for the TRAI-Department of Posts nationwide telecom survey?
Answer: (B) Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs) — The village-level network performance survey will be carried out by Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs) during their routine postal delivery operations.
Q4. Which two agricultural commodities from North Gujarat were recently granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags?
Answer: (B) Unjha Cumin and Unjha Fennel — Unjha Cumin (Jeera) and Unjha Fennel (Variyali) from the North Gujarat region have been granted prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tags.
Q5. Which public sector enterprise has partnered with CSIR-NAL as the production manufacturing partner for the SARAS Mk II passenger aircraft?
Answer: (B) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) — State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the licensed production partner for the SARAS Mk II project, with its Kanpur facility designated to set up the assembly and production line.
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