Launch of the GSLV-D5 Called off

The Launch of the GSLV-D5 scheduled for 1650 hrs today (August 19, 2013) is called off, as a leak is observed in the UH 25 fuel system of the liquid second stage during the pre-launch pressurization phase on the vehicle just two hours before the scheduled lift-off.

New mammal species olinguito discovered

The olinguito, a small mammal native to South America, was announced as the first new carnivorous mammal species discovered in the American Continents in 35 years today.

Colin Michael Foale, the First British to Perform a Space Walk, Retired from NASA

Colin Michael Foale, is a British-American astrophysicist and former NASA astronaut retired from NASA in the second week of August 2013.

Nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile successfully test fired

The country’s first nuclear weapons-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Prithvi-II, was successfully test-fired for its full strike range of 350 km from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, off  Odisha coast 

INS Arihant nuclear reactor activated

 In a major step towards completing its nuclear triad, India activated the atomic reactor on-board the indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant paving the way for its operational deployment by the Navy.

Gujar Mal Modi Award for Vinod Prakash Sharma

The Gujar Mal Modi Award for Innovative Science and Technology 2013 was awarded to renowned scientist Vinod Prakash Sharma for his achievements in malaria research, control and prevention, including other vector borne diseases.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs 201,000, a scroll of honour and a silver shield. It was given away by physicist M G K Menon.

Sharma is known for his work and contribution in the field of basic and applied research of malaria and vector biology.

He is spearheading the safe water campaign of the National Academy of Sciences and his work on popularization of science, creating awareness and science education programmes of NASI are widely appreciated including in very remote areas.

New Exoplanet Spotted with Earth-based Telescope

Astronomers have discovered a new exoplanet orbiting a sun-like star 57 light years away. The pink planet is around four times more massive than Jupiter and orbits the star GJ 504 as part of the young 160-million-year-old star system The planet, named GJ 504b, is the lowest mass exoplanet ever to be detected using direct, or visible, imaging techniques. Most exoplanets (planets outside our solar system )- are discovered using indirect methods in which the exoplanet’s existence is inferred, but not actually seen It was discovered by direct imaging using 8.2-meter Subaru Telescope of Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii

Japan launches talking humanoid robot 'astronaut' Kirobo into space

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the first talking humanoid robot   Kirobo "robot astronaut" into orbit from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan as part of nearly 3.5 tons of supplies and equipment to resupply the space station's six-person crew.  Kirobo was put through a series of zero-gravity and other safety tests prior to sending him into space. Kirobo is 34 centimetres tall and can speak Japanese. It will provide emotional support for people in space.

Kirobo — derived from the Japanese words for hope and robot