Astronauts Face Challenges During Extended Space Missions NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are experiencing an extended stay in space, with their return to Earth delayed by nine months. While such delays can be challenging, they are seen as part of the sacrifices astronauts make to explore the final frontier. Former Astronaut Reflects on Delays in Space Travel Former astronaut Mike Massimino, an engineering professor at Columbia University, shared his thoughts on the delay. Speaking to Reuters, he praised Williams and Wilmore, calling them his “heroes.” Massimino understands the challenges of unexpected delays, having faced them during his second…
Author: Arushi Pandey
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Starlink Revenue Set to Soar to $11.8 Billion in 2025 SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is projected to generate $11.8 billion in revenue by 2025, according to a recent analysis by market research firm Quilty Space. The increase is fuelled by surging consumer demand and expanding contracts with the US military, showcasing Starlink’s dominant role in the satellite communications market. This marks a significant rise from an estimated $7.7 billion in revenue for 2024, highlighting the rapid growth of the company. A substantial portion of this revenue stems from a $537 million Pentagon contract to provide satellite services for Ukraine’s…
European Startup The Exploration Co Raises $160 Million for Reusable Space Capsule The Franco-German space startup The Exploration Co announced on Monday that it has secured $160 million in Series B funding. The investment will support the development of its reusable cargo capsule, Nyx, marking a significant milestone in European space innovation. The funding round, led by Balderton Capital and Plural, is reportedly the largest space-related investment of its kind in Europe. This comes as Europe ramps up its efforts to strengthen its private space sector, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA). Nyx: A Key to Europe’s Space Future…
Japan’s Space Industry Faces Setbacks Amid Lofty Goals Japan’s space aspirations encountered another hurdle on Wednesday when Space One’s Kairos small rocket experienced a flight termination shortly after liftoff. This marks the company’s second unsuccessful attempt in nine months to become Japan’s first private firm to deliver a satellite to orbit. The Kairos Mission: A Second Failed Attempt The Kairos rocket lifted off at 11:00 a.m. local time from Spaceport Kii in Wakayama prefecture. Live footage captured the 18-metre (59-foot) solid-propellant rocket ascending before it lost stability and deviated from its trajectory. Space One terminated the mission after determining it…
Shenzhou-19 Crew Advances Scientific Research Aboard Tiangong Space Station China’s Shenzhou-19 crew has successfully carried out numerous scientific and technological tasks during their 47-day stay aboard the Tiangong space station. The astronauts continue to make steady progress in their six-month mission, focusing on experiments and maintenance essential for long-term space operations. Fruit Fly Experiment in Space One notable experiment involves studying the biological effects and molecular mechanisms of fruit flies in a weak magnetic field. The crew, wearing soft glove covers, transferred and collected fruit flies while maintaining careful precision. They also replaced the gas purification module and managed the…
Completion of Roman’s Payload NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has achieved a major milestone in its mission preparation. The team at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center successfully integrated the telescope and its two primary instruments onto the instrument carrier, completing the Roman payload. Work is now underway to attach the payload to the spacecraft, a crucial step toward the telescope’s launch in 2027. “We’re at an exciting stage,” said Jody Dawson, Roman systems engineer at NASA Goddard. “All components are at Goddard, and integration is progressing rapidly. We expect to join the telescope and instruments with the spacecraft before…
Billionaire Jared Isaacman May Pause Space Missions as He Prepares to Lead NASA Jared Isaacman, tech billionaire and President-elect Donald Trump’s NASA nominee, announced a potential pause in his private space missions as he transitions to government service. Isaacman is known for his leadership in the Polaris program, a series of private astronaut missions in collaboration with SpaceX. NASA Role Could Put Private Missions on Hold Speaking at the Spacepower 2024 conference in Orlando, Isaacman shared uncertainties about the future of the Polaris program. He remarked, “The future of the Polaris program is a little bit of a question mark…
China’s Commercial Space Industry Prioritises Efficiency and Cost Reduction The successful inaugural launch from China’s first commercial launch facility in Wenchang, the Hainan spaceport, marks a pivotal moment for the nation’s private aerospace sector. With increasing demand for satellite deployments, companies are striving to enhance production efficiency and slash costs. Landmark Launch at Hainan Commercial Spaceport On November 30, the Long March-12 carrier rocket launched from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang International Aerospace City. This was the first mission from China’s spaceport dedicated to commercial space activities. With plans for monthly launches starting in 2025, the site…
Iran’s Record-Breaking Space Launch Showcases Advanced Technology Iran successfully launched its heaviest payload into space on Friday using the Simorgh carrier rocket. The payload included the advanced Samān-1 transfer module, designed to position satellites in higher-altitude orbits. State television reported that the launch also carried a CubeSat and a research payload. Details of the Successful Launch The payloads were placed in an elliptical orbit, with a high point of 410 km (255 miles) and a low point of 300 km (186 miles). According to Iranian media, the launch marked a significant milestone for the country’s space programme. The Simorgh rocket,…
NASA Announces Delays in Artemis Moon Mission Timeline NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced new delays in the Artemis programme, postponing the return of astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972. Speaking at NASA headquarters, Nelson revealed updated timelines for the next two missions, citing technical reviews and policy uncertainties under the upcoming Trump administration. Revised Timelines for Artemis Missions The Artemis II mission, which will send astronauts around the Moon and back, is now scheduled for April 2026. Artemis III, the mission involving a lunar landing using SpaceX’s Starship, is targeted for mid-2027, assuming the lander is…
