UPSC Necessities | Mains reply observe — GS 3 : Questions on NASA’s Parker Photo voltaic Probe and evolution of fighter jet generations (Week 84) | UPSC Present Affairs Information

QUESTION 2

Focus on the evolution of fighter jet generations from the mid-twentieth century to the present day, focussing on necessary technological developments and their strategic significance for up to date air forces.

Basic factors on the construction of the solutions

Introduction

— The introduction of the reply is important and ought to be restricted to 3-5 strains. Bear in mind, a one-liner shouldn’t be a regular introduction.

— It could encompass fundamental data by giving some definitions from the trusted supply and genuine information.

Physique

— It’s the central a part of the reply and one ought to perceive the demand of the query to supply wealthy content material.

— The reply have to be ideally written as a mixture of factors and quick paragraphs reasonably than utilizing lengthy paragraphs or simply factors.

— Utilizing information from genuine authorities sources makes your reply extra complete. Evaluation is necessary based mostly on the demand of the query, however don’t over analyse.

QUESTION 1: Focus on how NASA’s Parker Photo voltaic Probe venture has superior our understanding of photo voltaic phenomena. How can the info acquired from this mission assist to mitigate the consequences of area climate on Earth’s technological infrastructure?

Note: This isn’t a mannequin reply. It solely gives you with thought course of which you’ll incorporate into the solutions.

Introduction:

— The Parker Photo voltaic Probe, launched in 2018, is a part of NASA’s Residing With a Star program, which goals to analyze options of the Solar-Earth system which have a direct influence on life and tradition on Earth.

— It’s outfitted with 4 instrument suites and is meant to check the Solar’s higher environment, often known as the corona.

— NASA scientists lately revealed that the Parker Photo voltaic Probe had survived its closest go to to the Solar. The spacecraft resumed regular operations after passing 6.1 million kilometres from the solar’s floor.

Physique:

You could incorporate a number of the following factors in your reply:

— The probe, which is the dimensions of a compact car, “additionally makes crucial contributions to forecasting modifications within the area atmosphere that have an effect on life and know-how on Earth,” based on a NASA launch.

— The Parker Photo voltaic Probe is the closest any human-made object has ever been to the Solar. It travelled at a velocity of 6,92,000 kilometres per hour and skilled temperatures of as much as 1,377 levels Celsius when it got here closest to our star on December 24. The probe misplaced communication throughout this time, however the scientists who have been operating it obtained a sign on the evening of December 26.

— “The spaceship is furnished with a cutting-edge warmth protect composed of carbon composite foam positioned between two carbon plates. The warmth barrier is so efficient that, despite the fact that the entrance facet will get the whole brunt of the Solar’s highly effective gentle, reaching 2,500°F (1,371°C), the devices behind it, in its shade, will stay at a snug 85°F (29.4°C), based on a separate NASA report.

— The probe pumps one gallon of water by its photo voltaic panels to maintain it cool; the water absorbs warmth after which displays it into area.

How can the info acquired from this mission assist to mitigate the consequences of area climate on Earth’s technological infrastructure?

— Scientists hope that because the probe went by the Solar’s outer environment, often known as the corona, it collected information that can make clear some long-standing questions. For instance, astronomers hope to resolve the enigma of why the corona is so scorching – temperatures typically method 1 million to 2 million levels Celsius there.

— The information might additionally present perception into the origins of photo voltaic winds, that are a relentless stream of fabric fleeing the Solar. A higher data of photo voltaic winds is crucial since they influence the area atmosphere and life on Earth.

— Photo voltaic winds are sometimes deflected by Earth’s magnetic subject, which acts as a protecting protect. Nonetheless, particles can work together with atoms and molecules within the environment to provide the northern and southern lights. Nevertheless, a robust photo voltaic wind has the potential to wreck electrical energy grids, satellites, and communication networks.

Conclusion:

— Through the years, it has accomplished 21 laps concerning the Solar, with Venus flybys bringing it nearer to our star.

— Parker can face up to the Solar’s excessive temperatures as a result of superior thermal engineering safeguards the spacecraft on its perilous journey. The probe’s 4 sensor suites are designed to look at magnetic fields, plasma, and energetic particles, in addition to image the photo voltaic wind.

(Supply: Why Parker Photo voltaic Probe finishing closest-ever method to Solar is critical by Alind Chauhan)

Factors to Ponder

Learn extra about Probe Mission

Examine Aditya L1

Associated Earlier 12 months Questions

Launched on twenty fifth December, 2021, James Webb Area Telescope has been a lot within the information since then. What are its distinctive options which make it superior to its predecessor Area Telescopes? What are the important thing objectives of this mission? What potential advantages does it maintain for the human race? (2022)

India has achieved exceptional successes in unmanned area missions together with the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission, however has not ventured into manned area missions. What are the primary obstacles to launching a manned area mission, each by way of know-how and logistics? Study critically. (2017)

QUESTION 2: Focus on the evolution of fighter jet generations from the mid-twentieth century to the present day, focussing on necessary technological developments and their strategic significance for up to date air forces.

Note: This isn’t a mannequin reply. It solely gives you with thought course of which you’ll incorporate into the solutions.

Introduction:

— Unverified pictures of what’s known as a Chinese language sixth-generation fighter plane have gone viral on social media. This comes only a month after China’s Aviation Business Company (AVIC) debuted its Baidi White Emperor ‘B Kind’ sixth-generation fighter aircraft on the Zhuhai Airshow in November.

— A number of nations, together with america, China, Russia, the United Kingdom-Japan-Italy, and France-Germany-Spain, have introduced plans to create sixth-generation fighters earlier than fifth-generation fighters change into extensively accessible. Thus far, it’s unclear what attributes these fighters could have, apart from improved beyond-visual-range capabilities, stealth, processing energy, and weapons.

Physique:

You could incorporate a number of the following factors in your reply:

Generations of the fighter jets

— There are presently 5 generations of fighter jets in energetic service (or have been prior to now), with sixth-generation fighters being developed. Right here’s what every era consists of:

First Era (1943 to 1955)

— Fighter jets first debuted within the latter years of World Struggle II. They have been speedier than their piston-engined counterparts.

— These jets flew largely at subsonic speeds. This was due not simply to the constraints of their engines (they lacked afterburners, which give a sudden improve of thrust), but additionally to the design of their wings, which have been roughly straight and therefore aerodynamically inefficient.

— First-generation jets additionally had very primitive avionics and no self-protection options.

— Examples: Messerschmitt Me 262, North American 5-86 Sabre, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15, Hawker Hunter

Second Era (1955 to 1970)

— Second-generation fighters skilled important developments by way of velocity, weapons, and avionics. With the arrival of afterburners and the adoption of swept wings, these plane have been capable of do transonic and supersonic sprints whereas flying at degree altitude.

— Second-generation fighters additionally featured the primary fireplace management radars and semi-active guided missiles.

— Examples: Mikoyan MiG-21F, Sukhoi SU-9, Lockheed F-104 Starfighter (interceptors), and Republic F-105 Thunderchief and Sukhoi SU-7B (fighter-bombers)

Third Era (1960 to 1970)

— There are 4 details of demarcation between the second and third generations of fighter jets –

(i) design course of;

(ii) the plane might now carry a a lot wider vary of weaponry, from air-to-ground missiles and laser-guided bombs to air-to-air missiles and weapons.

(iii) This era of plane was the primary to be able to past visible vary air-to-air fight, because of vastly enhanced fireplace management radars, guided missiles, and the primary tactical digital warfare tools.

(iv) The engines additionally skilled important enhancements, together with higher turbofans.

— Examples: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom, Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23, Hawker Siddeley (later British Aerospace) Harrier.

Fourth Era (1970 to 2000s)

— Based on any classification, the fourth era is the longest, indicating that know-how has superior considerably even throughout the era.

— Nevertheless, there are a couple of necessary developments:

(i) Solely this era produced true multi-role plane.

(ii) This was the primary era of plane to include fly-by-wire (FBW) management techniques, which use computer systems to bridge the hole between pilot inputs and the ultimate output on an plane’s management surfaces (such because the rudder or elevons).

(iii) As computer systems and electronics superior elsewhere, fighter plane turned considerably extra “high-tech” by present requirements.

(iv) This was the primary era of fighter plane developed with some stealth options.

— Examples: Grumman F-14 ‘Tomcat’, Basic Dynamics F-16 Combating Falcon, McDonnel Douglas (later Boeing) F/A-18 ‘Superhornet’, Sukhoi Su-30, and so forth.

Fifth Era (2000 onwards)

— Probably the most superior fighter plane presently in service, fifth era plane have absolutely embraced stealth, superior built-in avionics techniques that present the pilot with an entire image of the battle area (actually permitting them to look by the airframe), and community capabilities (which permit plane to be in fixed contact and act in coordination — like a hive thoughts).

— In 2005, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor turned the primary fifth-generation plane to enter service. Till now, its stealth and long-range combating abilities have been unrivalled; its radar cross-section is akin to that of a small fowl or bug, and its personal package deal of superior avionics permits it to establish and find opposing plane from giant distances.

— Computer systems and onboard software program are crucial parts of a fifth era fighter jet’s capabilities, permitting it to automate or semi-automate numerous actions and interpret battlefield information at a excessive degree.

— At the moment, solely america (F-22 and F-35), Russia (Sukhoi Su-57), and China (Chengdu J-20) have operational fifth-generation plane. India is now creating its personal fifth-generation plane, which isn’t but within the prototype degree.

Conclusion:

— Sixth-generation plane could also be optionally manned, which suggests they might not want a human within the cockpit to finish their duties. Thus far, autonomous drones have been constrained by quite a lot of points, together with a minor lag within the time it takes for plane to reply to directives transmitted from the management centre.

— Synthetic intelligence integration, in addition to developments in compute and networking, have the potential to profoundly rework aerial warfare.

— This era might even function improved twin cycle engines, permitting plane to achieve hypersonic speeds when vital whereas nonetheless having the ability to cruise effectively.

(Supply: Amid studies of sixth-gen Chinese language plane, what does ‘era’ imply within the context of fighter jets? by Arjun Sengupta)

Factors to Ponder

Examine Tejas

India’s growth within the fifth-generation plane

Associated Earlier 12 months Query

How is the S-400 air defence system technically superior to another system presently accessible on the planet? (2021)

Earlier Mains Reply Apply

UPSC Necessities: Mains reply observe — GS 1 (Week 83)

UPSC Necessities: Mains reply observe — GS 1 (Week 82)

UPSC Necessities: Mains reply observe — GS 2 (Week 82)

UPSC Necessities: Mains reply observe — GS 2 (Week 83)

UPSC Necessities: Mains reply observe — GS 3 (Week 82)

UPSC Necessities: Mains reply observe — GS 3 (Week 83)

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