The Hindu Editorial (Space to learn) – Aug 10, 2022

The booming excitement over the maiden launch of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s new rocket, the small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV), turned to disappointment soon after. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-1 for The Hindu Editorial (Space to learn) – Aug 10, 2022.

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The Hindu Editorial (Space to learn) – Aug 10, 2022:

space (noun) – time, duration.
maiden (adjective) – first, initial, inaugural.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) (noun) – Indian Space Research Organisation, formed in 1969, superseded the erstwhile Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). Vikram Sarabhai, having identified the role and importance of space technology in a Nation’s development, provided ISRO with the necessary direction to function as an agent of development. ISRO then embarked on its mission to provide the Nation space-based services and to develop the technologies to achieve the same independently. (Courtesy: www.isro.gov.in).
small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) (noun) – Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a 3 stage Launch Vehicle configured with three Solid Propulsion Stages and liquid propulsion based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage. SSLV is 2m in diameter and 34m in length with lift off weight of ~120 tonnes. SSLV is capable of launching ~500kg satellite in 500km planar orbit from SDSC/SHAR. The key features of SSLV are Low cost, with low turn-around time, flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, Launch on demand feasibility, minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc.
demoralising (adjective) – disheartening, depressing, discouraging, distressing, dispiriting.
booming (adjective) – flourishing, burgeoning, thriving, prospering, successful, buoyant.
satellite (noun) – A satellite is a moon, planet or machine that orbits a planet or star. For example, Earth is a satellite because it orbits the sun. Likewise, the moon is a satellite because it orbits Earth. Usually, the word “satellite” refers to a machine that is launched into space and moves around Earth or another body in space. Earth and the moon are examples of natural satellites. Thousands of artificial, or man-made, satellites orbit Earth.
turn to (verb) – become, turn out to be.
break (verb) – stop, ignore, defy.
tradition (noun) – practice, convention, routine, habit.
withdrawal (noun) – departure, pull-out, exit, disengagement.
mission (noun) – expedition, journey (into space); assignment, project, operation.
without lose time (or) waste no time (phrase) – to do something quickly/immediately.
propellant (noun) – a substance (ex: fuel in a rocket engine) that is used for providing thrust/momentum/motive force/impetus.
trajectory (noun) – track/course, route, path, direction, approach.
malfunction (noun) – breakdown, fault, failure, defect, flaw, collapse.
led past participle of lead to (verb) – result in, cause, bring on, bring about, give rise to.
elliptical (adjective) – oval-shaped, egg-shaped.
elliptical orbit (noun) – an elliptical orbit is the revolving of one object around another in an oval-shaped path called an ellipse. An elliptical orbit is defined by its long and short axes.
low-earth orbit (LEO)/circular orbit (noun) – an object circles around the earth at lower altitudes (of 2,000 km (1,200 mi) or less). A circular orbit is defined by its radius.
axis (noun) – axes is a plural of axis (centre line).
drag (noun) – pull, resistance.
atmospheric drag (noun) – atmospheric drag is the atmospheric force (friction) acting opposite to the relative motion of an object. Atmospheric drag is particularly important for space flight and research as it both hinders an object (often a rocket-propelled craft) exiting the atmosphere, and also pulls orbital objects back towards Earth over time.
hinder (verb) – obstruct, impede, hamper, block, interrupt, thwart, stop, restrict.
thrust (noun) – force, propulsion, impetus, impulse, impulsion, push.
fall back (phrasal verb) – move back, draw back, back off, pull back, pull away, move away.
perhaps (adverb) – maybe, possibly.
in any case (phrase) – moreover; whatever happens.
invariably (adverb) – always, each time, at all times.
workhorse (noun) – a machine which works dependably for a long period of time.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) (noun) – Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. After its first successful launch in October 1994, PSLV emerged as the reliable and versatile workhorse launch vehicle of India with 53 launches so far. To date, the vehicle has launched 48 Indian satellites (till 2017) and 342 satellites for customers from 34 countries. (Courtesy: www.isro.gov.in).
indeed (adverb) – in fact, actually, undeniably.
the fact that (phrase) – used to refer to a specific situation under consideration/discussion.
overkill (noun) – excessive action; more than enough, too many, too much.
flexibility (noun) – adaptability, adjustability, openness, changeability.
on demand (phrase) – as soon as; whenever needed.
infrastructure (noun) – the basic physical or organisational structure or framework that a country or organization needs in order to function properly. For a whole nation, it includes all the physical systems such as buildings, roads & railways networks, utilities, etc.
feature (noun) – attribute, quality, property, trait, aspect.
strategically (adverb) – in a way that is designed/planned to serve a particular purpose.
make sense (phrase) – be accepted, be convincing, hold up, prove true.
Earth Observation Satellite EOS-02 (noun) – EOS-02 is an earth observation satellite designed and realised by ISRO. This microsat series satellite offers advanced optical remote sensing operating in infra-red band with high spatial resolution.
AzaadiSAT (noun) – AzaadiSAT is a 8U Cubesat weighing around 8 kg. It carries 75 different payloads each weighing around 50 grams and conducting femto-experiments. Girl students from rural regions across the country were provided guidance to build these payloads. The payloads are integrated by the student team of “Space Kidz India”. (CubeSats are a class of research spacecraft called nanosatellites).
stand out (phrasal verb) – be distinctive, be prominent, attract attention, catch the eye.
episode (noun) – a group of events; incident, event, affair, occurrence.
well known (adjective) – familiar, widely known, popular, common, usual, .
invest (verb) – spend, expend, use up, devote (time, effort, energy and money).
seemingly (adverb) -obviously, palpably, apparently.
extract (verb) – obtain, draw, take out.
cost (noun) – loss, suffering, drawback, disadvantage.
circumstance (noun) – condition, situation, state of affairs, position.
come at a cost/price (phrase) – if something comes at a cost/price, it happens with the sacrifice/loss/expense of something else.