China is set to launch a robotic spacecraft to the far side of the moon, marking the beginning of three advanced missions aimed at preparing for its first crewed lunar landing and establishing a base at the lunar south pole. Since the initial Chang’e mission in 2007—named after the mythical Chinese moon goddess—China has significantly advanced its lunar exploration capabilities, closing the technological gap with the United States and Russia. In 2020, China achieved a milestone by retrieving samples from the moon’s near side, the first such accomplishment in over four decades. This demonstrated China’s capability to return an uncrewed…
Author: Aditya Lenka
Aditya Lenka
A multi-faceted professional with a diverse range of skills and experiences. He currently works as a Producer, Digital Marketer, and Journalist for several well-known media outlets, namely StratNewsGlobal, BharatShakti, and Interstellar. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Aditya has covered a wide range of topics and events across India, bringing a unique perspective to his work.When he's not busy producing content, Aditya enjoys exploring new places and cuisines, having traveled extensively throughout India. He's also an avid writer and poet, often penning his thoughts and musings in his free time. And when he wants to unwind and relax, Aditya spends time with his two loyal companions, Zorro and Pablo, his beloved dogs.Aditya's dynamic personality and varied interests make him a unique individual, always eager to learn and experience new things.
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After numerous delays and a series of issues in test flights, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is poised for its first manned launch. The mission, scheduled to depart from Florida on May 6, will transport NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS). This launch represents a significant milestone for the troubled Starliner program. Mark Nappi, vice president and Starliner program manager at Boeing, acknowledged the challenges faced during the spacecraft’s development, especially given its complex nature as a human space vehicle. “Design and development is hard — particularly with a human space vehicle,” Nappi commented in…
Since its inaugural manned flight in 2003, China has aggressively expanded its space program, consistently marking significant achievements in human spaceflight. The upcoming Shenzhou-18 mission, led by veteran astronaut Ye Guangfu, who at 43 is set to command his first spaceflight, underscores China’s aspirations to become a major spacefaring nation. The mission is scheduled to dock with China’s self-developed space station, Tiangong, which translates to “Celestial Palace.” Tiangong, launched in segments beginning in 2021, represents China’s ambition to maintain a long-term human presence in space, serving as a testament to the country’s technological prowess and strategic foresight in aerospace. The…
Dhruva Space, a full-stack space-tech company, has raised Rs 78 crore in its Series A2 round led by IAN Alpha Fund, along with participation from existing investors. With this, the space-tech startup has raised a total of Rs 123 Crores in Series A funding. Dhruva Space is setting up the first phase (1.2 lakh square-foot) of their 2.8 lakh-square-foot spacecraft manufacturing facility in Hyderabad to invest in continued innovation upon the existing product line to go to the global market. In the last two years, Dhruva Space has completed four space missions including the Thybolt satellites mission in November 2022…
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reported on Monday that over 27% of identified Himalayan glacial lakes have expanded significantly since 1984, with 130 of these lakes located in India. This observation is based on long-term satellite imagery analysis of Indian Himalayan river basins from 1984 to 2023, highlighting substantial changes in the glacial lake landscape. According to ISRO’s findings, out of the 2,431 lakes larger than 10 hectares identified during 2016-17, 676 have notably expanded. Detailed data reveal that 601 of these lakes expanded more than twice their original size, while 10 lakes grew by 1.5 to 2 times,…
In 2023, injury rates at SpaceX facilities continued to surpass industry averages, according to a Reuters review of safety data submitted to U.S. regulators. The space company, managed by billionaire Elon Musk, recorded increasing injury figures compared to previous years. For example, the manufacturing-and-launch site in Brownsville, Texas, reported an injury rate of 5.9 per 100 workers, up from 4.8 in 2022, and significantly higher than the space industry’s average rate of 0.8. A recent investigation by Reuters revealed that there were at least 600 worker injuries at SpaceX that had not been reported previously, resulting in severe accidents including…
NASA is actively pursuing a more cost-effective and streamlined method to bring back valuable Martian soil samples to Earth, facing financial constraints, officials from the US space agency revealed. The agency plans to issue a formal request for proposals to NASA centers, laboratories, and aerospace companies. This initiative seeks innovative solutions to revamp a Mars sample return program that has been beset by technical difficulties, escalating costs, and budget limitations, as shared by NASA executives during a press briefing. NASA officials anticipate reviewing alternative proposals this coming fall or early winter. Associate Administrator Nicky Fox emphasized that the revamp would…
ISRO has recently made significant advancements in rocket technology with the creation of a new Carbon-Carbon (C-C) nozzle for rocket engines. This development, spearheaded by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), aims to enhance key aspects of rocket performance, including thrust, specific impulse, and thrust-to-weight ratios. The result is an increase in the payload capacity of launch vehicles, marking a milestone in the agency’s innovation track record. The breakthrough was made possible by using advanced Carbon-Carbon (C-C) Composites to fabricate a nozzle divergent. This component boasts outstanding qualities such as low density, high specific strength, and excellent stiffness, maintaining these…
On Thursday, Russia conducted a successful inaugural test-launch of its Angara-A5 space rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome located in the Far East, achieving a milestone by placing a mock payload into low Earth orbit. This launch marks a significant step in Russia’s efforts to introduce a new post-Soviet era launch system. The Angara-A5 launch underscores Russia’s aspirations to maintain its status as a leading space nation and highlights the increasing strategic value of the Vostochny Cosmodrome, nestled in the Amur region’s forested expanse. This initiative is part of Russia’s broader aim to modernize its space launch capabilities with the Angara-A5,…
Russia is poised to make a third attempt at launching its Angara-A5 space rocket on Thursday, following two consecutive days of last-minute cancellations due to technical issues. The announcement was made by Russia’s space agency head, Yuri Borisov, as reported by local news outlets, setting the new launch time for noon (0900 GMT) at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur region of Russia’s Far East. This launch aims to demonstrate Russia’s space capabilities in the post-Soviet era and highlight the strategic importance of the Vostochny Cosmodrome. Wednesday’s attempt was called off because of complications with the engine’s start-up mechanism, a…
