Daily Current Affairs (MCQ) | Date 04.02.22

Q1. Consider the following statements 

1. The Artemis Program is an American-led effort to return humans to the Moon by 2024, with the ultimate goal of expanding space exploration
2. The Artemis Accords establish a framework for cooperation in the civil exploration and peaceful use of the Moon Only

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2 
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : a

Why is the Question ?

The Artemis Accords are an international agreement between governments participating in the Artemis Program, an American-led effort to return humans to the Moon by 2024, with the ultimate goal of expanding space exploration.

Drafted by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, the Accords establish a framework for cooperation in the civil exploration and peaceful use of the Moon, Mars, and other astronomical objects. They are explicitly grounded in the United Nations Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which signatories are obliged to uphold, and cite most major U.N.-brokered conventions constituting space law.

The accords are an agreement to abide by a broad set of principles to guide the expanding human activity on the moon – ranging from mining resources to setting up lunar colonies. The eight signatories were from Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States. Since then, many others have joined — Brazil, South Korea, New Zealand, and Ukraine.

Q2. The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) will have a space station orbiting the Moon, a base on the surface that will have several intelligent robots performing a variety of jobs. The ILRS is a proposed Program of 

1. NASA
2. JAXA
3. ESA
4. China

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) 

1. China’s ambitions are much larger. The next moon missions — Chang’e 6,7, and 8 — could contribute to the construction of an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in the south pole of the moon. 
2. The ILRS will have a space station orbiting the Moon, a base on the surface that will have several intelligent robots performing a variety of jobs. 
3. China has also added an international dimension to its moon plans by inviting other countries to participate in the ILRS project. Russia, once a leading space actor, has now joined hands with China on the ILRS. Russia is reviving its Luna series of probes to the moon to complement the Chinese efforts.

Q3. Consider the following Statements about the Miyawaki method of Afforestation

1. Afforestation of urban areas will reduce urban heat island effect
2. Miyawaki method can create dense, multilayered forests in Urban areas
3. The method promotes the use of foreign species for faster growth

Which of the above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer : a

Why is the Question ?

The Miyawaki method, also called the Potted Seedling Method, is an afforestation technique that uses native species to create dense, multilayered forests. A central tenet in creating these forests is its use of indigenous species for plantations. The overall density of the forest is beneficial in lowering the temperature, making soil nutritious, supporting local wildlife and sequestration of carbon. In the far past, afforestation was largely a means to generate income from timber and other products. Today, it is integral to our survival.

Loss in green cover and increased concretisation in urban areas has led to cities becoming ‘urban heat islands’, which pose significant threats to not just human populations but also contribute to global climate change. 

In this pledge to the UNFCCC, the Indian government promised to cover 33% of its geographical area with forest cover by 2022, which currently stands at 24%. One possible method to achieve the target would be the Miyawaki method of afforestation. Also called the Potted Seedling Method, this afforestation technique uses native species to create dense, multilayered forests.

Akira Miyawaki, the earliest known pioneer of this system used potential natural vegetation (the species that would exist at a given location if not impacted by human activities), phytosociology (ways in which plant species interact with each other) and a four-layered system of planting, to design his own system for planting forests.

In the face of a climate breakdown, Miyawaki forests are a welcome addition to the environment. Planting dense forests with indigenous species, a central tenant in the Miyawaki method, is “more suited to building sustainable long-standing forests which set up a kind of equilibrium and these ecosystems are the best at sequestering carbon for a climate challenge.

Its benefits include lowering the temperature, making soil nutritious, supporting local wildlife and sequestration of carbon. The idea is to mimic nature while creating these tiny cross-sections of tiny islands called Miyawaki forests, added Sen.

Q4. Consider the following statements about the benefits of hydrogen fuel cells

1. Hydrogen fuel cell-based vehicles are costlier than petroleum-based vehicles
2. Hydrogen can be produced from many sources
3. The Hydrogen based fuel cells are more energy-efficient than that of a traditional combustion engine

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

All the statements are correct

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been supporting several projects on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. Also, the Ministry of Science and Technology supported the centres of hydrogen storage. 

In India, hydrogen is produced mainly for non-energy applications. Around 48% of Hydrogen produced in India are from natural gas and 30% from oil, 10% from coal and 4% from electrolysis.

Advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

1. The Fuel cells emit only heat and water as a by-product
2. Hydrogen based fuel cells are more energy-efficient than that of traditional combustion engines.
3. There are wide availability of resources to produce hydrogen

Challenges

1. Handling of Hydrogen requires utmost care as it is more explosive than petrol
2. The vehicles running on hydrogen-powered fuel cells are more expensive than those running on fossil fuels.

Q5. Why is the Moon’s South Pole significant for space exploration?

1. Its craters have been untouched by sunlight for billions of years
2. Its permanently shadowed craters are estimated to have a lot of water 
3. It's having resources like methane, sodium and silver

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?