Paul Stamets: Leading the Frontier of Astromycology The field of mycology, studying fungi, recognizes few names beyond its confines. Paul Stamets is one of those names. As a renowned scholar from the verdant Pacific Northwest, Stamets has made significant strides in mycology. His key works appear in his 2005 book, Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Now, he is looking to the stars, exploring how fungi might aid space exploration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paul Stamets (@paulstamets) NASA Collaboration and Fungi’s Potential in Space Stamets and his team are pioneering…
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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The Field Museum in Chicago recently acquired a well-preserved fossil of Archaeopteryx, the earliest-known bird. This pigeon-sized fossil provides valuable insights into a species that supported Charles Darwin’s theories on evolution after its 19th-century discovery. The fossil will be publicly displayed at the museum. Previously owned by private collectors, the fossil was discovered in southern Germany before 1990. It is described as having the most intact skull, vertebral column, and soft tissues among the 13 known Archaeopteryx specimens. According to Field Museum paleontologist Jingmai O’Connor, “No single specimen tells us the whole story of this animal. Most previous specimens are…
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk discussed the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) at the 27th annual Milken Institute Global Conference on Monday, 6 May. He emphasised the significant role AI could play in advancing human civilisation, while also noting its current limitations in the field of space travel. Musk pointed out that space exploration currently uses very little AI, citing SpaceX and Starlink as examples. “Oddly enough, one of the areas where there’s almost no AI used is space exploration,” he stated. He explained that although he’s not opposed to using AI in space travel, existing AI has not been particularly…
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft has now been rescheduled for Friday after a technical issue with the Atlas V rocket. The launch was meant to mark a significant step forward for Boeing as it competes with Elon Musk’s SpaceX for NASA contracts. With just under two hours remaining in the countdown, the mission was called off due to a valve issue in the rocket’s second stage, which would propel the Starliner capsule into orbit. The Atlas V rocket is provided by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture. The glitch was announced…
Boeing Co’s BA.N Starliner astronaut capsule is set for its inaugural crewed test flight to the International Space Station on Monday night. This marks a significant step for Boeing, two years after the capsule’s first unmanned test flight to the orbital laboratory. Scheduled for liftoff at 10:34 p.m. (0234 GMT on Tuesday) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the gumdrop-shaped CST-100 Starliner will be launched atop an Atlas V rocket provided by the United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin LMT.N. The Starliner, which can carry up to seven crew members, will have two…
The Perseid meteor shower is an eagerly awaited annual event for stargazers, running from July 17 to August 24. Known for its high frequency of bright meteors, the Perseid shower is a highlight in the astronomical calendar. In 2024, this shower promises a stunning display, particularly around its peak from August 12-13. Understanding the Perseid Meteor Shower The Perseids originate from debris shed by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. As this debris collides with Earth’s atmosphere, it burns up at speeds ranging from 7 to 45 miles per second, creating dazzling light streaks in the sky. These meteors typically travel at an average…
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…
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…
