The article reports on India's recent military operations targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under "Operation Sindoor" and highlights India's use of advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs)—specifically the Israeli-made HAROPs. The following summary outlines the key points discussed in the article:

• Recent Military Actions: India conducted airstrikes against terror bases in Pakistan and PoK on May 7 and continued to target Pakistan's military capabilities with successful strikes on air defense systems, including one in Lahore, on May 8.

• Use of HAROP Drones: The Indian military employed HAROP drones, categorized as "loitering munitions," during these operations. These drones are designed to remain in the vicinity of their targets before crashing into them with explosive payloads, hence referred to as "suicide drones" or "kamikaze drones."

• Advanced Capabilities of HAROPs:

  • HAROPs are equipped with camera systems that allow for real-time reconnaissance, target identification, and autonomous precision strikes, marking a departure from traditional precision-guided munitions that require exact target coordinates.
  • They possess a nine-hour endurance capability, are resistant to GNSS jamming, and can be launched from trucks or naval vessels, making them versatile for deployment in various terrains.

• Background and Development: The HAROP is a newer iteration developed from the earlier HARPY system, which was recognized for its capacity to autonomously locate and engage targets without needing pre-launch intelligence. The HAROP features an electro-optical sensor that enhances target acquisition compared to the former's radio frequency systems.

• Performance Record: Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI), which manufactures HAROP, claims the system has achieved a 98% mission success rate in combat scenarios, establishing its effectiveness on the battlefield.

This military escalation signifies India's commitment to counterterrorism measures and highlights the evolving nature of modern warfare through the integration of advanced technology.

Key Points:

• India's Operation Sindoor targets terror bases in Pakistan and PoK.
• Successful attacks on Pakistani military air defense systems using HAROP drones.
• HAROP drones are classified as loitering munitions with advanced capabilities.
• They function autonomously for reconnaissance and precise strikes—able to overcome communication jamming.
• The HAROP drone is derived from the earlier HARPY system, emphasizing enhanced target identification techniques.
• IAI claims a 98% mission success rate for the HAROP in military operations.

The Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2025, hosted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), took place in New Delhi with significant participation from 35 countries, including representatives from major space agencies like China, Japan, Canada, and Europe. However, a notable absence was that of NASA, which did not send delegates due to budget constraints that hindered their ability to send scientists or astronauts to the event.

Key Points:

• GLEX 2025 Attendance: The conference gathered over 1,700 delegates, including ten astronauts from various countries and companies.
• NASA's Absence: NASA was expected to send around a dozen representatives but could not participate due to financial limitations attributed to recent cuts in funding by the Trump administration.
• Funding Cuts: Following Donald Trump's return to power, his administration instituted severe budget cuts for the fiscal year 2026, impacting ongoing space missions such as the Mars sample return mission.
• Impact of Cuts on NASA: The funding issues have raised concerns about NASA’s future activities and its ability to contribute to international space exploration efforts.
• Historical Context: This was the first time India hosted GLEX, achieving a record number of delegate registrations, showcasing the increasing interest in global space exploration.
• Past Participation: NASA had been involved in previous GLEX events held in Russia and the United States, illustrating its history of engagement in international space cooperation.

The absence of NASA from a prominent global platform like GLEX highlights significant challenges facing the U.S. space agency as it undergoes transitions amidst financial strain and strategic re-evaluations.

Cisco Systems has made significant strides in the field of quantum computing with the unveiling of a prototype chip designed to link quantum computers together. The company has also announced the establishment of a new lab in Santa Monica, California, dedicated to advancing quantum computing technologies.

Key Details:

• Prototype Announcement: Cisco presented a prototype chip aimed at networking quantum computers. This chip leverages technology similar to existing networking chips and aims to connect smaller quantum computers to create larger, more powerful systems.

• Applications Before Mainstream Use: Cisco envisions that the chip will have practical applications even before quantum computers become widely adopted. Potential uses include aiding financial firms in synchronizing trades and enabling scientists to detect meteorites more effectively. Senior VP Vijoy Pandey noted the necessity of synchronizing clocks globally for various applications.

• Increased Interest in Quantum Computing: With Cisco joining the ranks of major tech companies involved in quantum computing, the industry is witnessing rapid growth. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have announced their own quantum chips, while Nvidia is also set to open a quantum computing lab. Additionally, startups like PsiQuantum are securing substantial funding to develop quantum systems.

• Quantum Entanglement Technology: Cisco's chip, developed in collaboration with researchers from the University of California Santa Barbara, facilitates quantum entanglement between pairs of photons. This enables communication between two separate quantum computers using entangled photons, allowing for instantaneous communication regardless of distance—a phenomenon described by Albert Einstein as "spooky action at a distance."

• Future Developments: Despite the excitement surrounding the prototype, Pandey clarified that there is no established timeline for when the chip will begin generating revenue, emphasizing that it remains in the prototype phase. However, he highlighted that this chip represents an essential initial step—or "building block"—toward developing a quantum network.

Important Points:

• Cisco unveiled a prototype chip for networking quantum computers and will open a new lab in Santa Monica for further advancements.
• The chip has potential applications in synchronizing trades for financial firms and aiding scientists in meteorite detection.
• Cisco joins other tech giants and startups investing in quantum computing, indicating a growing interest in the field.
• The chip utilizes quantum entanglement to allow instantaneous communication between two quantum computers.
• No revenue timeline has been set for the chip, which is currently only a prototype, but it is considered a fundamental step toward creating a quantum network.

The Axiom-4 space mission, scheduled to launch in early June, features Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla among four others traveling to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission is crucial for India's upcoming manned spaceflight, Gaganyaan, planned for two years later. ISRO's chairman, V. Narayanan, announced that at least seven experiments have been tailored for microgravity, focusing on human health and crop growth, and will offer India's astronauts experiential knowledge vital for Gaganyaan. Axiom Space operates the mission in partnership with NASA and SpaceX.

Key highlights of the Axiom-4 mission include:

• Participants: Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Peggy Whitson (Commander, former NASA astronaut), Sławosz Uznański (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
• Historical Significance: The mission marks a significant moment as astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary return to space for the first time in 40 years.
• Costs and Training: India’s investment in Axiom-4 amounts to ₹550 crores, covering training, specialized equipment, and experiments.
• Experimental Research:
  • One study will investigate the growth and biochemical activity of cyanobacteria, with potential implications for oxygen generation in space exploration.
  • Another will examine how spaceflight affects the germination of sprouts and the impact on crop seeds.
  • A focus will be on microalgae, evaluating its growth and its potential as an oxygen source and food in space.
  • An experiment involving Tardigrades will explore their resilience and survival in extreme conditions.
  • The mission also includes studies of electronic display impacts on astronauts' physical and cognitive functions, along with muscle dysfunction risks in microgravity.

Shukla's role as pilot on the Axiom-4 mission follows Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma’s historic 1984 space flight. He will have access to specific Indian cuisine, including moong dal halwa and mango nectar, during the mission. This collaboration between ISRO and NASA reflects a broader commitment to human spaceflight and scientific collaboration, aiming to utilize findings from Axiom-4 to enhance India’s Gaganyaan mission.

Important Sentences:

• The Axiom-4 space mission will carry Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the ISS as part of preparations for India’s Gaganyaan program.
• At least seven experiments designed by ISRO will focus on human health impacts and agricultural growth in space.
• The mission will launch in early June, though an exact date has yet to be confirmed.
• Shukla will pilot the Crew Dragon spacecraft; other astronauts hail from the US, Poland, and Hungary.
• India's total investment in the Axiom-4 mission is ₹550 crores, covering diverse costs, including training.
• Key experiments will explore the growth of cyanobacteria, microalgae, and the effects of space on crop germination.
• The mission signifies a significant milestone for Indian, Polish, and Hungarian astronauts, marking a 40-year hiatus in their space activities.