Agnikul Cosmos to Launch 3D-Printed Agnibaan Rocket Indian aerospace startup Agnikul Cosmos has announced the launch of its 3D-printed, semi-cryogenic Agnibaan rocket. The launch window is set between May 28 and June 5. The Chennai-based company shared the update on social media platform X, stating, “NOTAM issued. It is launch time.” Launch Details and Location The launch is scheduled to take place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This launch follows a previously aborted attempt on April 7, when the maiden launch of the Agnibaan rocket was called…
Author: Team Interstellar
Read More
SkyServe, a space technology company based in Bengaluru and Cupertino, has reached a major milestone in Earth observation with its recent development of Smart Earth Imaging in orbit. The company hails this advancement as the “Smartphone Moment” for Earth observation. SkyServe’s Smart Earth Imaging In collaboration with space logistics firm D-Orbit, SkyServe successfully tested its edge computing software stack, STORM, on a satellite launched by SpaceX earlier this year. The satellite, equipped with STORM, performed intelligent tasks such as error correction in imagery, cloud and water cover removal, and vegetation identification. These tasks were processed over the Egypt-Sinai Peninsula within…
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant technological milestone with the successful 665-second hot testing of its liquid rocket engine on May 9, 2024. This engine, associated with the PS4 upper stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), was notably manufactured using advanced Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology. Traditionally, the PS4 engine is produced through a combination of conventional machining and welding techniques. Employed in the fourth stage of PSLV, the engine generates a thrust of 7.33 kN under vacuum conditions and plays a crucial role in the Reaction Control System (RCS) of the PSLV’s first stage.…
Last year, a notable assembly of global leaders, business magnates, and scholars convened at Bletchley Park, UK, for the inaugural AI Safety Summit. The event aimed to harmonise regulations on AI technology, which some argue could pose significant risks to humanity. The summit saw prominent figures such as Tesla’s Elon Musk and OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman engage with various critics. The gathering culminated in the signing of the “Bletchley Declaration” by major nations including China and the USA, demonstrating a rare moment of collaboration amidst rising global tensions. Six months following this event, the second AI Safety Summit is scheduled…
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…
During a significant speech in Mexico City this Tuesday, NASA Chief Bill Nelson stressed the critical need for global cooperation in combating climate change and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Highlighting the severe impact of methane leaks on global warming, Nelson emphasized that while solutions are available, they demand urgent and expansive implementation. “Methane leaks, in particular, pose a daunting challenge due to their potent impact on global warming, far exceeding that of carbon dioxide in the short term,” Nelson said, advocating for international efforts to address these and other environmental issues collectively. He underscored the pivotal role that satellites play…
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…
South Korea’s KSTAR has once again demonstrated significant progress in nuclear fusion technology as the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) reactor set a new global record by sustaining a plasma loop at a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius for 48 seconds. This achievement surpasses KSTAR’s own previous record of 31 seconds set in 2021 and marks an incremental advance in the quest for unlimited clean energy. Nuclear fusion, the process that powers stars, involves the fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium under extreme conditions, releasing vast amounts of energy without the byproducts of greenhouse gases or long-lasting radioactive…
China has achieved a significant milestone in its lunar exploration programme with the successful launch of the Queqiao-2 satellite, hailed as a “complete success” by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). This development marks a critical step in enhancing communication for China’s future lunar probe missions, according to reports from state media. Launched on March 20, the Queqiao-2 satellite, named after a mythical magpie bridge, is designed to act as a communication bridge between Earth and the far side of the Moon. This side of the Moon, permanently out of direct sight from Earth due to its synchronous rotation, cannot…
In a significant advancement for Indian space enthusiasts, pilot Gopichand Thotakura is poised to become the first Indian space tourist, joining the elite crew of Blue Origin’s New Shepard-25 (NS-25) mission. This voyage will see him travel beyond the Earth’s atmosphere alongside five other crew members, crossing the Karman line that demarcates the boundary between our planet’s atmosphere and outer space. Gopichand Thotakura is not just an entrepreneur but also a seasoned pilot with a rich history of aviation that spans various types of aircraft, including bush planes, aerobatic planes, seaplanes, gliders, and hot air balloons. A graduate of Embry-Riddle…
