Daily Briefing: India’s space fortunes are looking up

On that note, let’s get to today’s edition:

Big Story

India just took a giant leap in its tryst with the cosmos. On Thursday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) successfully docked two satellites in space, joining an elite group of nations—Russia, China and the United States—to possess such a technology.

High stakes: Docking refers to joining two or more fast-moving objects in space. The technology is crucial as large space assets cannot be launched as one entity and are often sent into space as different parts that are later joined together. India’s docking experiment with the Chaser and Target satellites was delayed at least twice given the high precision required for the manoeuvre. The smallest of errors could destroy the satellites.

Next up: The Isro will perform undocking operations and check for the transfer of power between the two satellites in the coming days. India’s next lunar mission, Chandrayaan-4, may see the application of the docking technology for the first time.

To the stars: The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a third launch pad at India’s only seaport, Sriharikota, in a bid to see through its space ambitions—an Indian space station by 2035 and humans to the Moon by 2040. Worth a whopping Rs 3,984.86 crore, the third launch pad is expected to be built in four years and help India use its heavier Launch Vehicle.

Only in Express

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire was the result of painstaking negotiations between the warring factions and third parties like the US, Egypt and Qatar. There’s a little something for everyone in the finalised deal. For Hamas, the ceasefire is a virtual victory, given its perseverance despite losing its top leaders. For Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a return of the hostage may help win back favour from dissenters. The United States’ next government may hold the ‘Trump’ card in what comes next. Bashir Ali Abbas, an expert on the Middle East, unpacks the ceasefire agreement.

From the Front Page

Attacked: Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who was stabbed six times inside his Bandra (West) residence in Mumbai, is on the path to recovery after life-saving surgeries. Khan was attacked by a burglar who had sneaked into the duplex house and demanded Rs 1 crore. The details of what transpired on the fateful night are chilling. While the family had locked the intruder inside a room after Khan overpowered him, the accused managed to escape. The police, who are considering a possible ‘inside job’, are on the lookout for the man.

Adamant: A month after he came under fire for his remarks targeting Muslims at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event, Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav doubled down in a letter to the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. Yadav contests he did not violate any principle of judicial conduct and that his speech was being “distorted” by those with “vested interests”.

Must Read

Absent: There seem to be fewer takers for India’s MTech (Master of Technology) course. Data shows that MTech admissions dropped to a seven-year low of 45,000 students over the last two academic years. An overhaul might be in order for the postgraduate engineering degree that offers little to job seekers.

Lost and found: Long ago, Bollywood had a trope of siblings lost at the massive Kumbh mela only to be reunited years later. But no more. A ‘Tower of Hope’ at the ongoing Maha Kumbh congregation in Prayagraj is helping reunite lost persons with their kin.

Rest is for the…?: In today’s Dis/Agree column, we bring you the best of both sides on the raging 90-hour workweek debate. Ashwini Deshpande, an economics professor, pitches sustainable work schedules. On the other hand, former BJP MP Tarun Vijay has declared the “vacation mania” a “colonial hangover” not suited to India’s needs.

And Finally…

Vroooom…: The Auto Expo 2025 is returning to Delhi after a decade. With the launch of the latest line of electric vehicles, eased visa norms for Chinese professionals, and the return of major automakers, the flagship event for the $240-billion auto industry has a lot more to offer than just its comeback.

Don’t forget to tune in to today’s episode of the ‘3 Things’ podcast! On today’s lineup: The Goa vs social media influencers feud, a new way to measure obesity and the row over the University Grants Commission’s latest draft rules.

That’s all for today folks! Until next week,
Sonal Gupta

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