Commercial spaceship lands on moon, making it first lunar landing for US in 50 years
Intuitive Machines' Odysseus spacecraft, led by Stephen Altemus, successfully landed on the moon, a triumph of American ingenuity with NASA's support. The mission opens new avenues for scientific exploration in the lunar south polar region, symbolizing humanity's curiosity in space. Key Points
Economic Timesexploration companies can now bid for mineral block after rules tweak
The scheme aims to boost activities in the country for exploration of critical and strategic minerals while also easing out the reimbursement and funding operations of the NPEA through the National Mineral exploration Trust (NMET). The NMET is a non-profit body under the Mines Ministry for promoting mineral exploration. Key Points
Economic TimesMining Act tweak planned to push rare, critical mineral exploration
The amendment proposes to insert the provision of an exploration licence in the law which will be granted through auction for undertaking reconnaissance and prospecting operations, according to the official. The licence will also be granted only for deep-seated and critical minerals that will be specified in a new schedule to the Act, said the official. Key Points
Economic TimesProposed change to forest law will boost oil exploration
India's hydrocarbon exploration could be boosted by a proposal to amend the forest conservation law.The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill envisages seismic surveys would not be treated as a non-forest activity but explorers would be granted prompt access to forests, cutting time-consuming permit seeking. A seismic survey is the initial stage to determine evidence of economically viable hydrocarbon resources below the ground. Key Points
Economic TimesVideo: Chandrayaan-3 liftoff seen from a flight mid-air
Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar exploration mission, successfully launched from Sriharikota, was captured by a passenger on an IndiGo flight. The video has now gone viral on social media. Key Points
India Today
Chandrayaan-4 to bring Moon rocks: India's Spadex mission to turn dream into reality
Plans to return samples on Chandrayaan-4 or future Indian astronauts from the Moon will not be easy and will have to be divided into multiple steps. The Spadex mission is the final key to the engineering puzzle. Key Points
India TodayAvatar: Frontiers of Pandora: Check out combat-based difficulty settings
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora introduces diverse difficulty settings for personalized gameplay. The Ubisoft game offers three combat-based options affecting damage dealt and taken. With a focus on exploration and combat, players can choose a relaxing or challenging experience. Key Points
The Economic TimesONGC makes back-to-back gas discoveries in Mahanadi basin block
ONGC has made significant natural gas discoveries in the Mahanadi basin, yielding results in its high-risk deep water exploration. The discoveries were made in the MN-DWHP-2018/1 block, previously classified as a 'no-go' area due to national security interests. The first discovery, Uktal, flowed over 3 lakh cubic metres per day of gas during initial testing. Key Points
Economic TimesCritical mineral, offshore mineral blocks set for auction in 2024
In a strategic move, India is set to auction critical and offshore mineral blocks, along with issuing exploration licenses in 2024, aiming to revive the mining sector and spur economic growth. Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi disclosed plans for regular critical mineral auctions, aligning with the government's focus on self-reliance. Key Points
Economic TimesONGC discovers oil, gas in Arabian Sea blocks
India's state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has found oil and gas deposits in two blocks in the Arabian Sea off Mumbai. The discoveries, named Amrit and Moonga, were made in the OALP blocks MB-OSHP-2017/1 and OALP exploration block in Mumbai Offshore, respectively. ONGC has not given details of the reserves. A detailed assessment of the discoveries is underway. The discoveries underline ONGC's impressive track record in making discoveries in consecutive years, the company said. Key Points
Economic Times
ONGC to drill well in Bihar
ONGC's exploration plans in Bihar and Ballia for oil and gas aim to impact the energy industry. Challenges in land acquisition persist, requiring support from local authorities for successful drilling operations. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia opens doors for private cos to give lithium mining ambitions a shot in the arm
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill was passed by India's Lok Sabha to allow private companies to mine critical minerals such as lithium that were earlier restricted to state-owned enterprises. The private firms can now identify the areas they want to explore and mine as part of the proposed amendments. Key Points
Economic TimesWho is Amit Kshatriya, head of NASA’s new Moon to Mars Program Office?
NASA has appointed Amit Kshatriya to head its new Moon to Mars Program Office. Here is everything you need to know about him. Key Points
The Indian ExpressWhy space agencies are racing to conquer the moon?
Embark on a celestial journey as global space agencies, including India, rekindle lunar exploration. The Moon, teeming with vital resources, becomes a strategic hub for interplanetary missions. Recent successes, setbacks, and upcoming missions underscore the challenges in this cosmic quest. India's historic landing on the elusive South Pole and a global collaboration for lunar mysteries pave the way for an exciting era in space exploration. Join the global lunar odyssey, unravel celestial enigmas, and witness humanity's next giant leap into the cosmos. Key Points
Economic TimesPMT gas fields: Government moves high court against RIL, Shell firm over $5 billion royalties, taxes
A division bench led by Justice Suresh Kait sought a response from RIL and BG exploration on the government's appeal alleging that the two companies have been withholding unlawfully significant amounts of public money (exceeding approximately $5 billion) which have already become due and payable in terms of 2016 final partial award, one in a series of such awards passed by an arbitral tribunal. The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 18. Key Points
Economic Times
ONGC investing Rs 1 lakh cr to transform into low-carbon energy player
India's state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is to spend Rs 1 tn by 2030 to become a low-carbon energy company, with investments centred on renewables and green hydrogen. The company plans to increase its renewable energy portfolio to 10 GW by the end of the decade, while also exploring collaborations with leading players to exploit various low-carbon opportunities. Key Points
Economic TimesVoVL’s lenders vote in favour of resolution plan by BPCL
The resolution professional will submit the plan to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for approval. The resolution of VoVL will be among the top bigticket cross-border insolvency resolutions, said people cited above. The assets of VoVL — mainly the oil exploration blocks — are in Brazil while the sale process was conducted in India. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia spent Rs 27,131 cr in FY23 on import of copper: Govt
In the fiscal year 2022-23, India spent Rs 27,131 crore on copper imports, an increase from Rs 21,985 crore in the previous year, as per information shared in Parliament. Responding to a query in the Rajya Sabha, Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that India's refined copper production in FY2022-23 was 5.55 lakh tonnes, making it the 10th largest globally. Key Points
Economic TimesDumbo Octopus: Ocean exploration captures footage 8,000 feet under Pacific Ocean. Here is everything you s
Dumbo Octopus is a Grimpoteuthis, a genus of cephalopod found 8,743 feet or 2,665 meters underwater Pacific Ocean. Know the details shared by Ocean Exploration. Key Points
Economic TimesCapex on developing oilfields to drop below $3.5 billion in 2030
Capital expenditure on developing oil projects is estimated to drop below $3.5 billion in 2030 from around $4.3 billion in 2024. The estimates are based on the current pipeline of upstream projects, said Toril Bosoni, the head of oil markets at IEA. Key Points
Economic Times
Peregrine lander: Spacecraft set to crash on Earth after failing to go to Moon
Astrobotic's ambitious endeavour aimed to mark a significant milestone in private lunar exploration. However, the loss of fuel not only dashed these hopes but also set Peregrine on a collision course with Earth. Key Points
India TodayDeep sea exploration project unearths IAF aircraft AN-32 that went missing 8 years ago
The aircraft had gone missing over the Bay of Bengal on 22 July 2016 during an operational mission after taking off from Port Blair. There were 29 people on board. Key Points
ThePrintBlack holes are essence of creation: Isro chief on XpoSat mission to study them
Isro Chief S. Somanath announced the successful deployment of XPoSat into a 650 km Low Earth Orbit with a 6-degree inclination, heralding a new era in space exploration for India. Key Points
India TodayAditya-L1 solar probe nears Sun's outer reach, expected arrival on January 6: ISRO
India's Aditya-L1 solar spacecraft, nearing the Lagrangian (L1) point 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, marks a significant stride in space exploration. Isro chairman S Somanath anticipates its arrival on January 6, unveiling its pivotal role in studying the Sun's outer atmosphere, free from eclipses. Aditya-L1's engine firing will stabilize its position, allowing detailed solar event analysis. Isro's vision of an Indian space station further underscores India's ambitious space exploration endeavors. Key Points
Economic TimesJapan provides up to $80 million subsidy to moonshot startup ispace
Japan will provide a subsidy of up to 12 billion yen ($80 million) to moon exploration startup ispace (9348.T) as part of a grant programme for innovative ventures, industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said on Friday. Key Points
Reuters
Netflix slammed for plans to stream ‘Titanic’, accused of capitalizing on ‘Titan’ submersible tragedy
Netflix has been accused of being insensitive and trying to capitalize on the tragedy. A viewer told The Hollywood Reporter that Netflix has decided to stream the movie to earn cheap money as if the annual revenue of USD 31.6 billion is not enough. Key Points
Economic TimesHamish G.L. Harding | The Titan submersible was the last expedition of a life-long explorer
Intrepid explorer Hamish G.L. Harding, 58, who was claimed by the inky depths of the unforgiving Atlantic while on an expedition to reach the RMS Titanic, was an aviation tycoon who was one of a kind Key Points
The HinduLithium beyond original site, exploration scope may be expanded
The J&K administration will now carry out the groundwork for auctioning the find for commercial exploitation, the official said. Multiple domestic and international mining companies are expected to participate in the auction, the official said. Key Points
The Indian ExpressNASA to send 4 humans to live on Mars from June 2023
The four volunteers are part of a year-long mission to prepare humans for the exploration of the Red Planet. They will live in a habitat that will simulate conditions on Mars when humans arrive on the Red Planet in the near future. Key Points
mint