India Outlines Nuclear Waste Management Plan for 100 GW Expansion by 2047 The Government of India has reaffirmed that the planned expansion of nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 will be supported by a robust nuclear waste management plan. The system will continue to follow international best practices and the safety standards prescribed under Indian law. Current Practices in Nuclear Waste Management Nuclear waste generated from power plants and fuel cycle facilities is managed under The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Atomic Energy (Safe Disposal of Radioactive Wastes) Rules, 1987. No waste is released into the environment…
Author: Aditya Lenka
ISRO Expands Space Projects in Ladakh for Remote Sensing and Connectivity India’s space agency ISRO is ramping up efforts to strengthen satellite-based services and scientific studies in Ladakh, with a series of upcoming projects and ongoing initiatives aimed at improving remote sensing, communication, natural resource management, and disaster preparedness in the Union Territory. Upcoming ISRO Satellites to Aid Ladakh By 2027–2028, ISRO plans to launch several satellites, including Resourcesat-3 and 3A, Resourcesat-3S and 3SA, HRSAT, G20 Satellite, and TRISHNA. These satellites will enhance India’s remote sensing capabilities and provide critical data for Ladakh, supporting research on natural resources, land use,…
Karnataka Set to Become Hub for Space Tech Under New Public-Private Partnerships India is taking bold steps to foster innovation in its space sector, with new partnerships and support systems aimed at boosting private sector participation. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has signed key agreements with the Government of Karnataka to drive this vision forward. New Agreements to Develop Space Infrastructure in Karnataka IN-SPACe has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Karnataka government. The first agreement supports the operations of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Space Technology. The second MoU focuses on establishing…
Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport to Boost India’s Satellite Launch Capacity India’s space ambitions continue to gain momentum as work progresses steadily on the upcoming spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu. This facility is set to enhance the country’s satellite launch capabilities, especially for polar orbits, providing a significant edge over the existing launch site at Sriharikota. Infrastructure Progress and Funding Status The infrastructure development at Kulasekarapattinam spaceport has reached a critical phase. Most of the land needed for the project has already been acquired, with the exception of land required to reroute the East-Coast Road. Site development has been completed, and construction…
OpenAI Releases A New Affordable Plan for Indian Users OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, has introduced a new subscription plan called ChatGPT Go, exclusively for users in India. Priced at just ₹399 ($4.57) per month, this is OpenAI’s most budget-friendly offering so far. The launch reflects OpenAI’s aim to strengthen its presence in India, which is its second-largest market. India’s large, price-conscious internet user base—nearly one billion people—has often driven global companies to introduce more affordable services tailored to the local market. ChatGPT Go fits into this strategy by making advanced AI tools more accessible. More Features for Less Cost…
Hong Kong Property Developers Face Debt Crisis as Bond Maturities Surge Hong Kong property developers are bracing for deeper financial trouble as bond maturities are expected to rise by nearly 70% next year. This increase comes amid declining property values and weak sales in a sector that plays a major role in the city’s economy. Defaults Begin Amid Credit Crunch Last week, Road King became the first Hong Kong-based developer to miss a bond coupon payment since China’s broader property debt crisis began in 2021. Earlier this year, Emperor International defaulted on a loan, marking a growing trend in financial…
California Coastal Commission Rejects SpaceX Launch Expansion Plan The California Coastal Commission has rejected a proposal by SpaceX to nearly double its annual rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The plan would have increased the number of Falcon 9 launches from 50 to 95 each year. State Pushback Faces Federal Override Although the Commission voted unanimously against the expansion, the US government holds final authority. In a similar case last October, federal agencies overrode the state’s objections when SpaceX increased launches from 36 to 50 per year. The US Department of the Air Force, which oversees the Space Force,…
Trump Order Aims to Speed Up Commercial Launch Approvals US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at streamlining federal regulations for commercial rocket launches. The move could provide a significant advantage to private space companies, particularly Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The order instructs the US transportation secretary to cut or speed up environmental reviews for launch licences managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It also directs the secretary to remove any outdated, redundant, or overly restrictive rules for launch and re-entry vehicles. Trump’s directive argues that slow permitting processes discourage investment and innovation, holding back US companies…
Vulcan Centaur Launches First U.S. Experimental Navigation Satellite in 48 Years The United States has launched its first experimental navigation satellite aboard the Vulcan Centaur in nearly half a century, marking a significant milestone for military space technology. The mission, which took place on Tuesday, carried the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3), a position, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite similar in purpose to GPS. Developed by L3Harris Technologies, with the satellite bus built by Northrop Grumman, NTS-3 will test advanced technologies designed to resist jamming and spoofing — threats that have become a growing concern for both military and commercial operators.…
Indian Exporters Warn of Severe Impact from U.S. Tariff Hike Indian exporters and manufacturing leaders have sounded the alarm over new U.S. tariff hikes, warning they could severely damage export industries and urging both nations to negotiate fair trade terms. From 7 August, Indian goods imported into the United States will face a 25% tariff under an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on 31 July. The increase has already disrupted trade flows and caused significant uncertainty in export planning. Orders Cancelled, Industries Under Strain Exporters say the new tariffs have triggered widespread order cancellations from U.S. buyers,…

