LIGNOSAT: The world’s first satellite made of wood  (Prelims & Mains- Science & Technology)

Why in news?

The world’s first wood-panelled satellite was launched into space on November 5 aboard a SpaceX rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to test the reliability of timber as a renewable building material for future space travel.

What is LIGNOSAT?

The satellite is named after the Latin word for wood,i.e., lignum, with panels built from a type of Magnolia tree (honoki), using a traditional Japanese crafts technique without screws or glue to hold it together.

The satellite will test the durability of wood in the extreme environment of space where temperatures fluctuate from -100 to 100 degrees Celsius every 45 minutes, even as objects traverse through sunlight and darkness, as wood is more durable in space than on Earth because no water or oxygen would rot or inflame it.

However, LignoSat is not entirely made of wood. The satellite uses traditional aluminium structures and electronic components in a wood panel casing. Its sensors will monitor how the wood reacts to the extreme space environment in the six months it will orbit the Earth.

Aim:

The palm-sized LignoSat is tasked to demonstrate the cosmic potential of renewable material as humans explore living in space and plant trees, and build timber houses on the moon and Mars in 50 years.

LignoSat will also gauge wood’s ability to reduce the impact of space radiation on semiconductors, making it useful for applications such as data centre construction.

A renewable solution for a long-term problem

Conventional satellites, made primarily of aluminium, tend to burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere at the end of their lives. The atmospheric incineration of satellites produces aluminium oxides, which can alter the planet’s thermal balance. 

These emissions can potentially destroy ozone, the protective gas that keeps dangerous ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the Earth’s surface.

To resolve the concerns about the growing orbital population, including artificial mega-constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, which currently houses 6,500 active satellites, substituting magnolia for aluminium can be the most suitable solution, as the satellite made of wood wouldn’t introduce damaging pollutants into the atmosphere when it falls back to Earth.

Researchers hope this investigation demonstrates that a wooden satellite can be more sustainable and less polluting for the environment than conventional satellites.

Mule Accounts and Cybercrime (Prelims & Mains- Internal Security )

Why in news?

Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center (I4C), MHA issues alert against illegal payment gateways created using mule bank accounts by Transnational Organized Cybercriminals facilitating money laundering as a service.

What is a Mule account?

A mule account refers to a bank account that is used to facilitate illegal activities such as money laundering and fraudulent transactions. A mule account is utilised to aid in illicit actions such as money laundering and fraudulent dealings.

According to Officials from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Fraudsters misuse these “mule accounts” — often opened using someone else’s know-your-customer (KYC) documents — for withdrawing funds through automated teller machines (ATMs), cheques, and digital transactions.

These accounts are frequently utilised for swift and recurrent international transactions, further obscuring the trail of money. Funds are rapidly moved through numerous accounts or converted into diverse currencies.

Mule Accounts and Money Laundering

Money laundering refers to the act of hiding the origins of funds acquired illegally, presenting them as if they were derived from legitimate sources. Mule accounts are pivotal in this process, as they allow criminals to circulate funds through multiple accounts, obscuring the authentic source of the money.

Mule Accounts in Fraudulent Activities

Mule accounts are employed in various fraudulent practices, including phishing schemes, pyramid schemes, and identity theft. These accounts subsequently act as conduits for receiving and transferring funds acquired through illegal means.

In certain instances, mules may receive money from unsuspecting victims, believing they are taking part in a genuine financial operation.

Widespread use of mule accounts

Data from the Citizen Financial Cyber Frauds Reporting and Management System revealed around 40,000 mule accounts in SBI branches, followed by 10,000 in PNB, 7,000 in Canara Bank, 6,000 in Kotak Mahindra Bank, and 5,000 in Airtel Payments Bank. 

These findings underscore the scale of the issue, with over Rs 17,000 crore reportedly siphoned off in the last year.

Women in Politics (Mains- Polity & Governance)

Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee for the US presidential election, it was welcomed by those who thought it was high time that a woman — especially a woman of colour — held its highest office. 

Her campaign and the possibility of her victory was seen as symbolising the maturity of American democracy and an acknowledgement of its diversity.

Why Women in Power in India?

• India is the largest and one of the most resilient parliamentary democracies in the world. We need more women, not only to represent us and advocate for issues that affect us, but also to shape the direction of politics. 
• Women’s participation in politics helps advance gender equality and affects both the range of policy issues that get considered and the types of solutions that are proposed. Policy priorities are impacted by the gender of the leader involved. 
• Women in power advocate for gender equality, and their involvement in politics helps to represent the unique interests of women in public policy that will close the gap between representation and participation and in decision-making roles.

Women Representation in Parliament and State Legislatures

The percentage of women MPs in the Lok Sabha had been very low between 5% and 10% till 2004. It rose marginally to 12% in 2014 and currently stands at 14% in the 18th Lok Sabha. 

The representation in State Legislative Assemblies is even poorer with the national average being around 9%.

Globally,  just 19 countries have a woman Head of State, and 17 countries have a woman Head of Government. 

Measures Taken

• The 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution in 1992/1993, provided for one-third reservation for women in panchayats and municipalities. 
• Women-centric policies, like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Jan Dhan Yojana, have seen women become changemakers in policy formulation.
• Women’s Reservation Bill or the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023: The Bill reserves, one-third of all seats for women in Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

India’s Case

India witnesses end of vote-bank politics and the emergence of value-based voting. 

Women have become game changers, shaping electoral politics and defining electoral gains. They have transitioned from descriptive political representation to substantive political presence, and with. The outcome of such politics promises a brighter tomorrow by making women more skilled, employable and empowered.The passing of the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, in a special session of Parliament, has shown the way. As more and more women come to power, they will ensure greater democratic engagement and change.