Introduction: A Nuclear Vision for Viksit Bharat@2047 As India marches toward its ambitious goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, energy security stands as a pivotal pillar in the vision of Viksit Bharat . Amid the global climate crisis and rising energy demands, nuclear power has re-emerged as a compelling solution. India’s commitment to achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 is both visionary and necessary—but achieving this requires a strategic shift in policy, participation, and international cooperation. While India’s nuclear energy sector has traditionally been a tightly controlled domain under government monopoly—primarily led by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) —it is now imperative to welcome private sector investments and foreign partnerships. A reformed nuclear ecosystem can unlock the full potential of atomic energy as a clean, reliable, and scalable contributor to India’s net-zero aspiration...
Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Makes First Successful Mission: NG-1
Introduction to New Glenn and Blue Origin: Blue Origin, a private space company founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000, has successfully launched its giant New Glenn rocket on its first mission, NG-1. This mission represents a significant milestone in the commercial space industry.
About the NG-1 Mission:
- Objective: The NG-1 mission aimed to place the Blue Ring Pathfinder test satellite into orbit. This satellite is designed to test new space technologies.
- Reusability Demonstration: A key feature of this mission was to demonstrate the rocket's booster reusability. After the rocket launched the satellite, the booster returned and landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. This reusability reduces launch costs and increases efficiency for future missions.
What Makes New Glenn Special?
- Size and Power: New Glenn is one of the largest rockets ever built, capable of carrying heavy payloads into space.
- Reusability: The booster can be reused multiple times, a game-changing feature in space exploration.
Other Prominent Commercial Space Ventures and Their Rockets:
Several companies are also advancing space exploration with innovative rockets:
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SpaceX:
- Falcon 9: A highly successful, partially reusable rocket used for satellite launches and ISS resupply missions.
- Starship: A fully reusable rocket designed for future missions to Mars and beyond.
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United Launch Alliance (ULA):
- Atlas V: A reliable workhorse rocket used for both military and scientific missions.
- Delta IV: Used for heavy-lift missions.
- Vulcan Centaur: An upcoming rocket designed to replace both the Atlas V and Delta IV.
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AgniKul Cosmos (India):
- Agnibaan SOrTeD: A small satellite launch vehicle developed by this Indian startup, designed for flexibility and rapid deployment.
Significance of Commercial Space Ventures:
Commercial space companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX are driving innovation in space exploration. Their reusable rockets and advancements in technology are making space more accessible, reducing costs, and paving the way for future space travel and colonization.