Prelims Focus 13th July 2026

13/07/2026

56 3 minutes read

Eärendil-1

In News: Eärendil-1 is an experimental prototype satellite developed by the California-based aerospace startup Reflect Orbital. Its primary objective is to test “sunlight on demand,” a concept that involves using orbital mirrors to redirect natural sunlight down to darkened areas of Earth after sunset.

Key Technical Details

Dimensions: The main bus of the satellite is roughly the size of a standard dormitory refrigerator. Once in orbit, it will deploy a square, ultra-thin, highly reflective film mirror measuring 18 × 18 metres (roughly 60 feet).
Mass & Orbit: Weighing around 144 kilograms, the spacecraft will operate in low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of approximately 625 to 640 kilometres.
Illumination Area: The deployed space mirror is designed to target a circular area on the ground roughly 5 kilometres wide.
Brightness Level: To observers within the beam, the light is expected to be up to four times brighter than a full Moon.
Tracking Mechanism: Because the satellite moves rapidly across the sky, it must actively re-point its mirrors every four minutes to keep the beam stabilized on a specific location.

Vepdegestrant

In News: Vepdegestrant (sold as Veppanu) is the first FDA-approved PROTAC. It treats advanced or metastatic, ESR1-mutated, ER-positive, and HER2-negative breast cancer. Traditional drugs merely block problem proteins. Vepdegestrant (developed by Arvinas and Pfizer) is a small pill that fully destroys the estrogen receptor by using the cell’s natural garbage disposal system.

Context & Technology

First PROTAC: World’s first approved Proteolysis Targeting Chimera.
Mechanism: Dual-sided molecule binds estrogen receptors and cellular enzymes, tagging tumor proteins for total destruction via proteasomes.

Medical Significance

Target: Treats advanced, ESR1-mutated, ER+/HER2- breast cancer.
Breakthrough: Overcomes drug resistance by destroying receptors rather than just blocking them.
Advantage: Oral pill that doubles progression-free survival over traditional injections.

How a PROTAC Works

PROTAC stands for PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera.
Think of it as a microscopic two-sided magnet.
One side attaches to the harmful disease protein (like the estrogen receptor).
The other side attaches to a cellular tagging enzyme. This enzyme tags the protein for disposal.
The cell’s “garbage disposal” (the proteasome) then destroys the protein completely.

Operation Amistad

In News: The Indian contingent has returned to New Delhi and Operation Amistad has been completed successfully.

Operation Amistad is India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission in the wake of devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.
Two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III planes were used to send two Indian Army 60 Para Field Hospital unit team of 41 officers to Venezuela. It included the surgeons, anaesthesiologists, orthopaedic surgeons, as well as dental and other physicians, paramedical and support staff.
It also consisted of two BHISHM Cubes (BHISHM Cup) state-of-the art modular and portable mobile mini-hospitals for disaster response, 6 tons of essential medicines and medical equipment and 30 tons of emergency relief materials such as tents, solar lamps, portable water purifiers and generator sets.

GI Tag to Jodhpur Mojari

In News: The traditional handcrafted footwear of Jodhpur from Rajasthan is now granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

A leather boot that is noted for its exquisite craftsmanship, fine embroidery and enduring style.
It is mainly produced by the Jinagar community which was traditionally involved in the manufacture of saddles.
It is believed to be around 200 years old and was initially patronized by the royal family of Rajasthan and now it became a unique culture of Jodhpur.
The domestic market of Jodhpuri Mojari is anticipated to be over ₹100 crore while exports are worth nearly ₹10 crore and the GI tag is expected to further improve its global market potential.
Mojari clothing was used by both men and women and it was suitable for the hot climate of Rajasthan. Airiness, ease of walking long distances, toughness and flexibility, and ease of removal from homes and temples. They were made to be slip-on shoes, leaving almost no skin on the top, side and back of the foot uncovered.

India’s First Hydrogen Train

In News: Indian Railways has announced the launch of its maiden hydrogen-powered train on 17 July by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This is the first train to be powered by hydrogen fuel in India.
The pilot corridor for this project is the Jind-Sonipat corridor in Haryana.
It has been completely designed and developed in India, is running on the Broad Gauge platform and is the world’s longest 10-coach hydrogen-powered train.
The train uses a 1,200kW hydrogen fuel cell-based train propulsion system and a maximum train speed of 75 kmph.
The project includes:
- Modification of two 1,600 HP diesel power cars to hydrogen fuel cell powered coaches.
- Setting up of HYDROGEN STORAGE AND FUELING STAND at Jind, Haryana.
- The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) is in charge of the design, validation and testing of the project.