Science
One year on 'Mars': Inside NASA's ultra-realistic isolation study
Sealed inside a habitat in Texas and cut off from the outside world for over a year, Kelly Haston was the commander of a first-of-its-kind simulation for NASA to prepare for a future mission to Mars. Called "Mars Dune Alpha" the 3D-printed habitat was installed inside a hangar at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Double meteor showers to light up the night sky today and tomorrow: How, when, and where to watch
The Alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquariids meteor showers peaked on July 30 and 31, lighting up the night sky with up to 25 meteors per hour. The showers were best viewed in the Southern Hemisphere, especially in the early morning hours. The waning moon facilitated a clearer sky for observing these celestial events.
This NASA satellite is exploring a goldmine worth $100,000 quadrillion in space
NASA’s Psyche mission aims to explore the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche, potentially worth $100,000 quadrillion. The mission, expected to reach the asteroid by 2029, will provide insights into planetary formation. However, significant technological, economic, environmental, and ethical challenges make mining 16 Psyche a complex endeavor. While advancements in space mining technology are ongoing, substantial financial investment and international regulation are crucial for future progress. The mission's findings will significantly impact our understanding and potential utilization of extraterrestrial resources.
Global outage being leveraged to launch phishing attacks against CrowdStrike users, says CERT-In
The Indian cybersecurity agency, CERT-In, has issued an alert about a phishing attack targeting users affected by the recent global computer outage. Attackers are impersonating CrowdStrike support staff to trick users into installing malware disguised as recovery tools.
Juice spacecraft to make history with Earth-Moon flyby before Jupiter expedition
The European Space Agency's (ESA) Juice probe, launched in April 2023, will perform a historic double gravity assist flyby of the Moon and Earth next month to save fuel on its journey to Jupiter. The mission aims to explore Jupiter's icy moons: Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. This manoeuvre, meticulously planned at ESA's operations centre, is critical for the spacecraft's trajectory. The successful execution will mark a significant milestone in space exploration, setting the stage for future missions.
One Gaganyan astronaut to travel to ISS in joint mission with NASA, says govt
An Indian astronaut from the Gaganyan mission will visit the International Space Station in a collaboration between ISRO and NASA. Union Minister Jitendra Singh reported significant progress in astronaut training and mission component testing, including propulsion and crew escape systems. These advancements were discussed in the Lok Sabha.
Life and death in the heat. What it feels like when Earth's temperatures soar to record highs
In the extreme heat of Morocco's Middle Atlas region, temperatures soared to 48.3°C (118.9°F), causing 21 heat-related deaths at a local hospital. Many locals, including Hanna Ouhbour, were struggling with the oppressive conditions, often without air conditioning. The severe heat is part of a broader trend, with recent global temperatures hitting historic highs and impacting daily life worldwide.
Gaganyaan mission update: One ISRO astronaut to undertake space travel to ISS post-August, says Minister Jitendra Singh
Space Minister Jitendra Singh announced in Lok Sabha that an Indian astronaut named Gaganyaatri from ISRO will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a joint mission with NASA and Axiom Space. The mission is set to launch no earlier than August 2024. This follows the signing of a space flight agreement between ISRO and Axiom Space.
International astronomers including IIT Kanpur professor discover 'super-Jupiter' exoplanet orbiting a Sun-like star
An international team, including Dr. Prashant Pathak from IIT-Kanpur, discovered a giant exoplanet, Epsilon Indi Ab (Eps Ind Ab), orbiting a Sun-like star. The exoplanet, six times the mass of Jupiter, is the first mature exoplanet found using direct imaging. The discovery, made with the James Webb Space Telescope, was published in Nature.
Two ISRO astronauts to begin training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston for Gaganyaan mission
In August 2024, two Indian astronauts will start training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for the Axiom-4 mission, which will mark India’s first crewed visit to the ISS. This Indo-US collaboration is a significant milestone in the Gaganyaan program, reflecting the growing partnership in space exploration. The astronauts will undergo rigorous training to prepare for their historic mission later this year.
Must Watch
NASA hasn't found life on Mars, but it's very excited about this rock
NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered a rock, Cheyava Falls, on Mars that may hold clues to past life, though scientists emphasize no life has been found. This rock, containing organic compounds and calcium sulfate, suggests a potential biosignature. If returned to Earth, it could help determine if life once existed on Mars. However, the Mars sample return mission faces significant delays and cost overruns, prompting NASA to seek external solutions. Meanwhile, Perseverance will continue exploring Mars, focusing on Jezero crater's rim, where ancient life may have thrived.
Nearby 'super-Jupiter' detected, could be one of coldest exoplanets, say researchers
As planets cool and contract over their lifetime, they become significantly fainter and, therefore, harder to image, they said. The US space agency has confirmed the existence of about 5,000 of the billion exoplanets in our galaxy. Orbiting the star Epsilon Indi A, Epsilon Indi Ab has been dubbed a "super-Jupiter".
Brazil's cocaine sharks make waves: Sequel to 'cocaine bear' now a hot topic
Cocaine Sharks Brazil: A study by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation found that Brazilian sharpnose sharks off Rio de Janeiro tested positive for cocaine, with contamination stemming from inadequate sewage treatment and illegal drug dumping. This raises concerns about the effects on marine ecosystems and human health. Researchers call for further studies to understand the full impact of such pollution on sharks and other marine life.
Stuck in space, Sunita Williams begins new research with extra 'free time'; Here's what it is
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, stranded in space due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, are conducting experiments on plant growth in microgravity. NASA and Boeing have completed critical ground tests for the spacecraft’s systems. A media briefing on July 25 will provide updates on the astronauts' return and the ongoing tests.
If your non-stick pan safe? Teflon flu cases surge in US. What ICMR guidelines say
The US has seen a notable surge in polymer fume fever cases, or 'Teflon flu,' due to fumes from overheated nonstick cookware. Over 3,600 instances were documented in the last 20 years, with record cases in 2023. Researchers advised safer cooking options like earthen cookware.
Union Budget 2024: India unveils 10 billion rupee venture capital fund for space sector
India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of a 10-billion-rupee venture capital fund to boost the country's space sector, aiming for a larger global market share. With recent policies allowing increased foreign investment and easing launch vehicle regulations, India targets a five-fold expansion of its space economy in a decade.
