Science & Technology Current Affairs - 2026-07-18

Background: ISRO is developing the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) to replace the PSLV and GSLV series with a cost-effective, reusable design. Current Context: On July 17, 2026, ISRO successfully conducted a hot test of its 2000kN semi-cryogenic engine at the Mahendragiri test facility. The engine uses refined kerosene (Isrosene) and liquid oxygen. Impact: This milestone significantly boosts India's heavy-lift capability, enabling the launch of larger satellites and future human spaceflight missions with greater efficiency and lower operational costs, marking a major leap in indigenous space propulsion technology.

Background: LIGO-India is a collaborative project between the Department of Atomic Energy, DST, and international LIGO laboratories to detect gravitational waves. Current Context: As of July 2026, the construction of the vacuum system and the laser infrastructure at the Hingoli site in Maharashtra has reached a critical phase. Scientists have begun the installation of high-precision mirrors required for detecting space-time ripples. Impact: Once operational, LIGO-India will act as a crucial node in the global network of gravitational wave detectors, significantly improving the localization of cosmic events like black hole mergers.