Airbus CEO Raises Anti-Trust Concerns Over SpaceX’s Dominance in Space Industry Elon Musk’s SpaceX has revolutionised the space industry with its low-cost, reusable rockets and a rapidly expanding Starlink satellite constellation. However, this dominance would raise anti-trust concerns if SpaceX operated in Europe, said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. Speaking at an aerospace event, Faury noted that SpaceX’s concentrated business model contrasts sharply with Europe’s more distributed approach to aerospace and space operations. SpaceX’s Competitive Edge: A Contrast to Europe’s Aerospace Model SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has significantly lowered launch costs by introducing reusable technology, a move that allowed SpaceX to…
Author: Arushi Pandey
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Toxic Smog Covers Northern India, Severely Reducing Visibility Northern India was blanketed by thick smog on Thursday, reducing visibility drastically in several areas. The smog resulted from a combination of high pollution levels, high humidity, low wind speeds, and a drop in temperature, according to local officials. Severe Pollution in Lahore and New Delhi Lahore, in neighbouring Pakistan, ranked as the most polluted city globally, a common occurrence each winter in the region. The severe air quality is intensified by dust, emissions, and smoke from fires illegally set in the Indian farming states of Punjab and Haryana. In New Delhi,…
Federal Support for Semiconductor Manufacturing The U.S. Commerce Department announced on Wednesday a commitment of up to $18.2 million to Akash Systems to advance semiconductor manufacturing in West Oakland, California. This funding is part of the $52.7 billion semiconductor subsidy program aimed at revitalising chip manufacturing within the U.S. The subsidy will help Akash Systems, a California-based semiconductor company, construct a 40,000-square-foot cleanroom dedicated to advanced semiconductor production. The grant will be combined with funding from Akash, venture capital firms, and private investors, amounting to a $121 million project to scale the production of Diamond Cooling substrates and related systems.…
ESA’s (European Space Agency) First Formation Flying Mission Prepares to Launch The ESA’s PROBA-3 mission, the world’s first mission designed for precision formation flying, is set for launch later this year. Comprising two spacecraft working in unison, PROBA-3 will study the sun’s corona, a highly dynamic outer region of the sun that influences Earth through events such as solar flares and mass ejections. Additionally, PROBA-3 will showcase formation flying technologies and conduct rendezvous experiments, laying the groundwork for future space exploration and observation missions. Redwire’s Role in PROBA-3: Integration, Testing, and Key Components Redwire, a critical partner in the PROBA-3…
Dutch Court Decision Could Set Global Precedent for CO2 Reductions, Hopes Environmental Group A significant court ruling expected in The Hague on 12 November could impact large carbon emitters around the world. Friends of the Earth Netherlands, an environmental group, awaits the verdict with high hopes. The case has “phenomenal potential” to hold major polluters accountable, according to the group’s director, Donald Pols. Landmark Case Against Shell The case stems from a landmark 2021 decision in which a Dutch court ordered energy giant Shell to cut its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. This unprecedented ruling…
China’s New J-35A Stealth Fighter to Debut at Zhuhai Air Show China is set to reveal its latest stealth fighter, the J-35A, at the upcoming China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai. This biennial event, starting Tuesday, November 14, will showcase China’s rapidly expanding aerospace industry and its ambition to become a global player in both military and civil aviation. Unveiling the J-35A: A Strategic Military Priority The J-35A, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, will be displayed publicly for the first time. Described by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) as a “medium-sized stealth multi-purpose fighter,” the J-35A…
Australia to Ban Social Media for Under-16s in World-First Legislation The government of Australia plans to legislate a complete ban on social media access for children under 16, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday. This strict new policy, which the government describes as “world-leading,” could become law by late next year. Age Verification Trial to Prevent Social Media Access As part of this effort, Australia is testing an age-verification system designed to prevent children from joining social media platforms. This age restriction package includes some of the world’s strictest measures to date, positioning Australia as a leader in online…
Supermassive Black Holes Challenge Theories of Early Universe Formation At the heart of the Milky Way lies Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole with a mass about four million times greater than our sun. This powerful object, like those at the centre of most galaxies, grows by consuming nearby material. However, recent findings from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggest that these black holes existed far earlier than previously thought, raising new questions about their rapid growth. The Surprising Discovery of Early Supermassive Black Holes Since its launch in 2022, the JWST has revealed supermassive black holes in the…
World’s First Wooden Satellite LignoSat Launched by Japan In a historic first, researchers from Japan have launched a wooden satellite, called LignoSat, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, the innovative satellite aims to explore wood’s potential as a sustainable material for future space missions, including lunar and Mars exploration. https://youtu.be/ThTs3eW6V7g A Timber Satellite in Space LignoSat, a compact satellite no larger than a palm, is currently on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX mission. After arriving at the ISS, it will be released into an orbit approximately 400 kilometres…
Two Tourists Arrested for Trespassing at Baikonur in Kazakhstan Two Tourists Arrested for Trespassing at Baikonur in Kazakhstan. A 21-year-old French tourist and a 26-year-old German tourist were arrested for unauthorised entry into the Baikonur Cosmodrome, a restricted space launch facility in Kazakhstan used by Russia. According to Russian state media, the two men entered the cosmodrome without permission, intending to catch a glimpse of the Russian Energiya rocket. Kazakh authorities detained the pair briefly before escorting them out of the area. Increased Trespassing Incidents at Baikonur This incident follows a series of recent trespassing attempts at Baikonur. In July,…
