India’s Breakthrough in Space Biotechnology: The CROPS Mission The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has taken a significant step in space biotechnology with the launch of the Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS). This innovative project focuses on cultivating plants in microgravity, addressing key challenges in space farming, and laying the groundwork for long-duration manned missions and sustainable food production in space. CROPS-1: A Milestone in Space Farming The first mission, CROPS-1, explores the early stages of plant life, from seed germination to the development of initial leaves, in outer space. The experiment is housed in a cylindrical…
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.
Read More
India Postpones SpaDeX Space Docking Experiment Amid Validation Needs ISRO has temporarily delayed a highly anticipated space docking experiment, set to position the country as the fourth globally capable of such technology, critical for future deep space exploration. The experiment, part of India’s ambitious SpaDeX mission, was scheduled to test on Tuesday but has now been pushed back due to the need for additional validation through ground simulations, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Monday. India postpones SpaDeX an abort scenario identified during preparations, requiring further checks before the live test can proceed. “The docking process requires further…
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025: A New Era of Privacy The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has unveiled the Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, marking a turning point in India’s approach to privacy. These rules aim to enforce the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) with clearer guidelines on how personal data must be handled. By redefining transparency, accountability, and security, the rules promise to strengthen individual rights in a rapidly digitalising world. Clarity in Consent: Simplified Notices and Powerful Consent Managers Gone are the days of unreadable terms and conditions. Under…
SpaceX Plans First Satellite Deployment with Starship Test Flight SpaceX announced that its upcoming Starship test flight will include a groundbreaking attempt to deploy payloads in space. The test will release 10 model Starlink satellites, showcasing Starship’s potential to revolutionise satellite launches. This marks a pivotal step in SpaceX’s efforts to cement its role in the satellite launch market. First Satellite Deployment Exercise in Space According to a SpaceX blog post, the mission will test Starship’s ability to deploy payloads. “While in space, Starship will deploy 10 Starlink simulators, similar in size and weight to next-generation Starlink satellites as the…
Elon Musk Adopts New Persona ‘Kekius Maximus’ on Social Media Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, surprised his followers by changing his name on the social media platform X to “Kekius Maximus” on Tuesday, 31 December. Alongside this, Musk updated his profile picture to an image of ‘Pepe the Frog’ dressed as a Roman general. He also responded to a post with the word “Kek” but offered no further explanation for these changes. Memes and Cryptocurrency: The Connection Musk’s playful move resonated with cryptocurrency enthusiasts, especially those connected to meme culture. His adoption of “Kek” and the…
India Tests Critical Space Docking Technology with SpaDeX Mission India achieved a major milestone in its space programme on Monday, launching a spacecraft designed to test docking technologies essential for future space missions. The launch took place at 11:30 a.m. Eastern (10 p.m. local time) on December 30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. A Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60) successfully carried the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) as its primary payload, along with 24 secondary experiments aboard the POEM-4 module. These secondary payloads included innovations such as a walking robotic arm, a debris capture manipulator, and a compact…
Landspace Secures $123 Million for Reusable Launch Development Chinese launch startup Landspace has received a significant boost with funding from a state-backed initiative. The company secured 900 million yuan ($123 million) from China’s National Manufacturing Transformation and Upgrading Fund, as reported by Chinese media on December 25. This investment will propel the development of reusable methane-liquid oxygen launch vehicles under its Zhuque series. Advancements in Zhuque Rockets Landspace recently achieved notable milestones in its rocket development program. In November, the company successfully launched its enhanced Zhuque-2 rocket, which can deliver up to 4,000 kilograms to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Earlier…
Parker Solar Probe’s Record-Breaking Christmas Eve Sun Flyby NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is set to give astronomers an extraordinary Christmas gift: the closest-ever flyby of the Sun. On December 24, the spacecraft will pass through the Sun’s corona—its outer atmosphere—marking a groundbreaking milestone in space exploration. Key Details of the Christmas Eve Flyby The Parker Solar Probe will reach its closest approach to the Sun, known as perihelion, at 6:53 a.m. EST (1153 GMT) on December 24. During this flyby, the probe will come within 3.8 million miles (6.1 million km) of the Sun’s surface, travelling at a blistering speed…
ISRO and ESA Partner for Human Space Exploration and Research The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a landmark agreement to collaborate on astronaut training, mission implementation, and research experiments. This partnership marks a significant step forward in advancing human space exploration. Highlights of the Agreement The agreement, signed by Dr. S Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, and Dr. Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA, establishes a framework for joint activities in human spaceflight and research. Key areas of cooperation include astronaut training, experiment development and integration, and the use of ESA’s facilities on…
The New Space Race: Civilisations Reach for the Stars In June 2021, China and Russia unveiled an ambitious plan to construct a joint International Lunar Research Station, aiming to land humans on the moon by the mid-2030s in an attempt to form civilisational states. Just days before this announcement, Brazil became the twelfth nation to sign the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, a set of principles guiding the exploration and exploitation of lunar and other space resources. The Artemis Accords, inspired by the U.S. Artemis program, aim to return Americans to the moon by the mid-2020s—a timeline delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.…
