Science
First-ever footage of meteorite strike captured: Watch and hear how a celestial explosion feels
In July 2024, a couple in Prince Edward Island finds debris from a meteorite strike, confirmed by home security footage capturing the impact and sound. This significant event, studied by geologists, marks a milestone in meteorite documentation and enhances understanding of such occurrences.
ISRO carries out demo of restarting Vikas liquid engine
ISRO successfully tested its Vikas liquid engine's restart capability, marking progress towards reusable launch vehicle technologies. The test involved a 60-second firing, a 120-second shutdown, and a 7-second restart. Further evaluations are underway to optimize performance. Additionally, the core liquid stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle was dispatched for an upcoming BlueBird Block 2 satellite mission.
Elon Musk hosts India Global Forum business delegation at SpaceX
The Indian delegation, representing diverse sectors from technology and manufacturing to renewable energy, discussed opportunities for collaboration on global challenges. Topics included the role of technology in finance and regulation, partnerships in space and AI innovation, and India's growing role in the global innovation landscape.
700 million Suns’ worth of power fired at Earth and it could destroy us? Here's what we know
Astronomers have uncovered the most distant blazar ever discovered, a supermassive black hole with a mass of 700 million suns, located 12.9 billion light-years away. This blazar, named J0410−0139, offers a rare glimpse into the early universe, emitting a powerful jet of energy aimed directly at Earth. The discovery provides vital information on the rapid growth of supermassive black holes and opens the door to future cosmic revelations.
Musk's space dreams disrupted? SpaceX's Starship explodes in space; Triggers unprecedented air traffic, flights diverted
A SpaceX Starship rocket suffered a catastrophic failure minutes after launching from Texas, impacting Elon Musk's space exploration plans. The rocket broke up in space, causing airlines to reroute flights over the Gulf of Mexico. Musk suggested that a liquid oxygen fuel leak led to the mishap, with future test flights possibly delayed pending FAA investigation.
SpaDex docking step towards Indian space station by 2035: Jitender Singh
An Indian space station is planned for 2035, with the successful satellite docking through SpaDex marking significant progress. Minister Jitender Singh highlighted the essential role of Bhartiya Antriksh Station for future satellite docking. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), celebrating 150 years, has advanced in weather forecasting and disaster preparedness.
Elon Musk shares visuals of SpaceX starship debris falling from space
SpaceX's ambitious Starship program reached a critical juncture on January 16, when its seventh test flight ended with the spacecraft exploding into countless fragments of space debris as it reentered the atmosphere over the Caribbean. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shared the video of the debris falling over the Caribbean and quipped, "Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!"
Watch: SpaceX loses starship rocket shortly after successful booster catch
SpaceX’s seventh Starship test flight on Thursday achieved a significant milestone as the Super Heavy booster was successfully caught by robotic arms. However, the spacecraft’s engines failed mid-flight, and contact was lost 8.5 minutes after liftoff.
SpaceX loses spacecraft after catching rocket booster at the launch pad in latest Starship test
SpaceX's Starship rocket launched on a test flight from Texas, but was destroyed following a booster catch attempt. The spacecraft lost contact 8 1/2 minutes into flight, at an altitude of 90 miles. This was the seventh test for Starship, with improvements and dummy satellites on board, intended for future Starlink launches and moon missions.
Sriharikota to get third launchpad, Cabinet approves Rs 3,984 crore plan
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of a third launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre for Rs 3984.86 Crore. This new facility will support Next-Generation Launch Vehicles and critical future missions, including the Ganganyaan programme. The project will be completed within 48 months with significant industry participation, ISRO stated.
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ISRO achieves space docking, joins two satellites together
India secures a place among elite spacefaring nations by successfully docking two satellites through its SpaDeX mission, attaining a significant milestone for ISRO. This success not only augments India’s future space endeavors, such as Chandrayaan-4, but also enhances participation of private industries in the space sector.
Cabinet gives nod to third launch pad at Shriharikota to boost India’s space missions
India's Union Cabinet approved the third launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh. This pad will support Next-Generation Launch Vehicles and human spaceflight programs. It will enhance LVM3 launches and Gaganyaan missions. The project costs Rs 3,985 crore and will be completed in 48 months. ISRO also successfully demonstrated satellite docking with its Space Docking Experiment.
Mysterious flashes from a distant black hole puzzles astronomers
Astronomers have observed strange behaviors in a distant black hole. Plasma jets are moving fast, and X-ray flashes are increasing in frequency. They suspect a white dwarf is orbiting close to the black hole's event horizon. If true, this could provide unique insights into gravitational waves and space-time. Further study awaits future space missions.
NASA finds frozen dunes on Mars that could provide important insights about life on the Red planet
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured a photo of frozen sand dunes in Mars' northern hemisphere. Taken in September 2022, the photo shows the dunes covered in carbon dioxide frost. The frost halts their movement and studying these changes can help predict past conditions on Mars.
ISRO successfully docks SpaDeX satellites; becomes fourth country to achieve milestone
ISRO successfully docked its satellites for the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), making India the fourth country to achieve this milestone. The docking process involved precise maneuvers, leading to the capture and stabilization of the spacecraft. The project, launched on December 30, 2024, aims to showcase cost-effective in-space docking using small spacecraft.
SpaDeX Mission: ISRO successfully docks satellites; becomes fourth country to achieve milestone
ISRO successfully docked its satellites for the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), making India the fourth country to achieve this milestone. The docking process involved precise maneuvers, leading to the capture and stabilization of the spacecraft. The project, launched on December 30, 2024, aims to showcase cost-effective in-space docking using small spacecraft.
