Exploration : 2036.

Thiruvananthapuram-based space-tech firm HEX20 is all set to hand over its satellite EMA Probe to the UAE Space Agency this month. The satellite, developed in the firm's facility at UAE's Masdar city, will explore asteroid 269 Justitia by 2036.

Developed to meet the requirements of the UAE Space Agency, the satellite took over two years to build. HEX20 was selected by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and the UAE Space Agency in Nov 2024, becoming the first private Indian company to be on board for a deep-space mission by the Gulf nation.

After the satellite is taken over by the UAE, it will be sent to the US for integration with a larger spacecraft. After testing, the integrated unit will be launched through Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) by 2028. It is scheduled to travel nearly five billion kilometres to reach the asteroid belt. 

Along the way, it will fly past six asteroids before reaching its final target, 269 Justitia. Once it enters orbit around around the asteroid, the probe developed by HEX20 will separate and descend autonomously and descend toward the surface, capturing images and transmitting them for scientific study. It will have a hard landing!

Justitia's unusual reddish target has always drawn scientific interest. Studying its surface could provide clues about organic material and the distribution of water and other volatile substances during the formation of the Solar System.  

Inflation.

Retail inflation rises to 5.54% in September on high onion price 

Retail inflation rose sharply on the back of high onion price and other food prices, government data showed.

Just within the RBI's tolerance band

The consumer price index (CPI) based headline inflation was 4.83% in August. The latest figure is just within the RBI's tolerance band of 6%. Food inflation rose to 7.74% from 5.97% the previous month. The top items with high inflation were onion (108.09%), silver jewellery (87.8%) and ginger (62.85%).

Rural inflation crosses 6%

* The top five states with high inflation were Tamilnadu, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra

   Pradesh. The figures for rural and urban areas were 6.08% and 4.88%, respectively.

* Commenting on the data, CRISIL, said food inflation is likely to remain firm as weak rainfall weighs 

   on agri output.

5.2% is the projected retail inflation for 2026-'27. 

Today's news headlines that amused me.

 1. The Kerala Assembly has passed a resolution asking for the resignation of the CEC.

     Both the UDF and the LDF voted for it.

     Now see the flipside :-

     * The CEC is a constitutional authority

     * Doesn't come under the purview of the state Assemblies.

     So, why was the tamasha resorted to? CM VD Satheesan, is this the way you show your loyalty to

     your party leader?

 2. RaGa has announced that the protests will continue on the streets of New Delhi till the CEC,

     the CJI, the PM and the HM are removed.

     He has finally uttered what the US 'deep state' wants him to do. They're funding him and his cohorts

     liberally.

     Is this the manner in which a responsible Leader of Opposition behaves?

 3. Energy truce between Russia and Ukraine announced by US President Trump. 

     Now see the related activities .

     He has announced that Ukraine's President Zelensky must go; to be replaced by someone else.

     Zelensky has suggested to the US to ask Putin for a two-month ceasefire to carry out elections!

My take

The Media doesn't know as to what they're telling us!

 

 

  

The nine forms of Goddess Durga.

Sharadiya Navratri begins today with nine nights of worship devoted to the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga, known as the Navadurga.

Day 1. Shailaputri

The daughter of the mountain king Himavan and a manifestation of Sati, Shailaputri represents strength, stability and auspicious beginnings.

Day 2. Brahmacharini

The ascetic form of the Goddess embodies tapas, devotion, perseverance and steadfastness on the spiritual 

path.

Day 3. Chandraghanta

Wearing a crescent moon on her forehead, Chandraghanta represents courage, protection, and the power to overcome adversity.

Day 4. Kushmanda

Associated with the cosmic egg, Kushmanda embodies the creative energy of the universe and the radiance that sustains life.

Day 5. Skandamata

The mother of Skanda, or Karthikeya, Skandamata represents nurturing, compassion and the protective power of motherhood.

Day 6. Katyayani

The warrior form of the Goddess symbolises courage and the fierce power of shakti to destroy evil.

Day 7. Kalaratri

Dark and formidable, Kalaratri represents the Goddess's power to destroy fear, ignorance and destructive forces.

Day 8. Mahagauri

Radiant and serene, Mahagauri symbolises purity, peace and spiritual purification.

Day 9. Siddhidatri

This form is the bestower of siddhis or spiritual attainments, representing the culmination of the Navaratri journey.

A quiet day!

It was indeed a quiet Saturday. There were heavy rains, for about an hour, in the evening at 1900 hrs! 

Respect every moment.

1. The sound of an ambulance is just noise......until it stops at your door.

2. Sorry is just a word......until it comes from a doctor.

3. Funeral food tastes normal......until it's cooked in your own house.

4. A hospital is just a building.......until someone you love is inside it.

5. Parents seem permanent.......until age starts catching up with them.

6. Life looks simple.......until it decides to teach you lessons.

Because nothing changes faster than the meaning of things when life makes them personal.

Wake up call for all Indians!

Is a full-scale Regime Change operation under way in India?

* PM Modi's X account allegedly shadow-banned and

   reach throttled.

* Elon Musk publicly vibing with Rahul Gandhi over 

   Starlink and targeting Indian industry.

* CJP and foreign funded handles getting sudden Algorithmic

   amplification.

* FIIs relentlessly dumping Indian equities.

* External geopolitical squeeze via West Asia energy fallout.

* Crores pumped in via Western influence networks and NGOs.

* Trump administration strikes Indian IT : TCS, Infosys, Wipro,

   HCL and Cognizant suspended from US PERM (Green Card)

   program.

Time to stay united for all Indians!

My take

And the FCRA bill is coming up for discussions on 12 Oct at the JPC

constituted for it.

Military-grade underwater ROV for the Indian Navy!

Underwater robotics is becoming increasingly critical across Indian Navy's operations, maritime security, underwater infrastructure protection, port and harbour security, search and recovery, inspection and maritime domain awareness. The indigenous development and deployment of TROUT supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, strengthening strategic autonomy.

EyeROV Trout, is the underwater remotely operated vehicle. 

In a country-first milestone, Keralam-based marine robotics and AI deep-tech company EyeROV has developed and delivered two TROUTs - underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) systems for the Indian Navy.

TROUT has also completed type testing, verifying that the product design platforms to specifications under defined test conditions.

My take

Simply fantastic!