successfully launched the communication satellite GSAT-18.

India on 6 October 2016 successfully launched the communication satellite GSAT-18. The satellite was launched by a heavy duty rocket of Arianespace from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana. The European launcher Ariane-5 VA-231 injected GSAT-18 into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) shortly after orbiting co-passenger Sky Muster II satellite for Australian operator, National Broadband Network. After its injection into GTO, ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan took control of GSAT-18 and performed the initial orbit raising maneuvers using the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) of the satellite, placing it in circular Geostationary Orbit. GSAT-18 • GSAT-18 is designed to provide continuity of services on operational satellites in C-band, Extended C-band and Ku-bands. • Weighing 3404 kilograms at lift-off and having a mission life of about 15 years, GSAT-18 will strengthen ISRO's current fleet of 14 operational telecommunication satellites. • It carries 48 communication transponders to provide services in Normal C-band, Upper Extended C-band and Ku-bands of the frequency spectrum. • GSAT-18 carries Ku-band beacon as well to help in accurately pointing ground antennas towards the satellite. • It will enable the continuity of the vital communication services in the country by replacing the currently ageing satellites. GSAT-18 is the 20th satellite from ISRO to be launched by the European space agency and the mission is the 280th for Arianespace launcher family. ISRO, which has been dependent on Ariane-5 rocket for carrying its heavier satellites, is developing GSLV Mk III for this purpose. GSAT-18's co-passenger Sky Muster II, built by Space Systems Loral in California, is aimed at bridging the digital divide, especially in the rural and isolated regions of Australia. Kourou is a French territory located in northeastern coast of South America. The launch, which was originally scheduled for 5 October 2016, was deferred by 24 hours due to unfavourable weather conditions at Kourou.

Current Affairs One liners

• The noted contemporary artist, who had recently released a book called Faces of Creativity, who died recently is - Yusuf Arakkal • Former ISRO Chairman who was recently inducted into the 2016 IAF Hall of Fame by the International Aeronautical Federation is - U R Rao • The country that recently became the first in the world to ban disposable plastic cups and plates is - France • The theme of the 2016 World Teachers' Day is - Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status • The winners of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry are- Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir James Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L Feringa • RBI in its 4th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2016-17 reduced the Repo rate to- 6.25 percent • RBI in its 4th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2016-17 adjusted the Reverse Repo rate to- 5.75 percent • The Union Cabinet recently approved the amendments to- HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014 • Union Cabinet recently approved the signing of MoU between India and which group of countries in the field of water resources- European Union • Indian who won the 2016 John F Richards Prize of American Historical Association- Nayanjot Lahiri • India recently signed three MoUs with Singapore to- strengthen ties on countering terrorism and skill development • Taxi-booking app that launched the offline taxi booking feature recently- Ola • The 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics was won by- David Thouless, Duncan Haldane and Michael Kosterlitz • The first-ever BRICS trade fair will be held in- New Delhi • Person appointed as CMD of Power Finance Corporation recently- Rajeev Sharma

The different faces of Pluto

NASA has released all the hi-res images taken by the New Horizons fly-by of Pluto in a single mosaic strip, calling it "the most detailed view of Pluto’s terrain you’ll see for a very long time." Take a look. Photos by NASA.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to builders of molecular machines

Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences says molecular machines "will most likely be used in the development of things such as new materials, sensors and energy storage systems".

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2016 has been awarded to Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L. Feringa for developing molecular machines.

Announcing the Prize on Wednesday in Stockholm, a statement from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said,"The development of computing demonstrates how the miniaturisation of technology can lead to a revolution. The 2016 Nobel laureates in Chemistry have miniaturised machines and taken chemistry to a new dimension.

AIIMS doctors to help in treatment of Jayalalithaa

A team of experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, arrived in Chennai on Wednesday to provide consultations on further treatment for Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who has been admitted to the Apollo Hospitals here.

The team, comprising G.C. Khilnani, Professor, Pulmonary Medicine; Anjan Trikha, Professor, Anaesthesiology; and Nitish Naik, cardiologist who was also former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s personal physician, will be available for consultations over the next few days, according to sources in Delhi.

It is expected that the doctors will assess the treatment and recommend changes, if necessary, in consultation with the team of experts currently treating the Chief Minister.

It is also learnt that the London-based intensivist Dr. Richard Beale who was in Chennai last week at Apollo to assist with the treatment, may be back soon.

On Wednesday, there was no bulletin from the Apollo Hospitals on the status of Ms. Jayalalithaa. She had been hospitalised on September 22 with complaints of fever and dehydration.