Ancient Frog Species Faces Modern Threats The Helmeted Water Toad (Calyptocephalella gayi), a species that coexisted with dinosaurs, is now endangered in its native Chile. This “living fossil” is among the world’s largest frogs, reaching lengths over 30 cm and weights up to 1 kg. Despite minimal genetic changes over millions of years, its survival is now at risk. Declining Populations and Conservation Status Since 1990, the Helmeted Water Toad’s population has decreased by at least 30%. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists it as “vulnerable.” Its habitat ranges from Coquimbo in the north to the southern…
Author: Kanika Sharma
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NASA Astronauts Face Extended Stay on ISS Until March NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore will remain on the International Space Station (ISS) until at least late March. Their return, initially planned for February, marks a significant extension of their original eight-day mission, which has now spanned over nine months. The astronauts traveled to the ISS in June aboard a Boeing Starliner capsule for a test mission. However, the spacecraft was deemed unfit for their return journey, prompting a delay in their departure. Crew-10 Mission Delays Return NASA confirmed that Williams and Wilmore, along with astronauts Nick Hague and…
ISRO Marks Ten Years of Progress Towards Human Spaceflight December 18, 2014, was a milestone for ISRO when the Indian Coast Guard successfully recovered a Crew Module from the Bay of Bengal, about 1,600 km from SDSC-SHAR. This recovery followed the maiden flight of the LVM3-X, which lifted a 3,775 kg Crew Module to a suborbital altitude of 126 km. The module used thrusters for orientation and parachutes for a smooth splashdown. Developed as part of pre-project activities for the Human Spaceflight Project, this mission laid the groundwork for Gaganyaan, officially approved in 2019. Now, a decade later, ISRO is…
Europe Advances Secure Satellite Constellation IRIS² to Compete with Starlink The European Commission has awarded key contracts to progress the delayed IRIS² satellite constellation, a €10.6 billion ($11.13 billion) project. This initiative aims to secure the position of Europe in space communications, responding to Elon Musk’s Starlink and other emerging internet networks. A Resilient Communications Network for Europe IRIS², a multi-orbit system featuring over 280 satellites, will provide encrypted communication for EU governments and public agencies. Additionally, it will support commercial services, strengthening Europe’s technological capabilities. Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), highlighted the importance of…
ULA Prepares Vulcan Rocket Upgrade to Compete with SpaceX’s Starship United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, plans to upgrade its Vulcan rocket to better compete with SpaceX’s Starship in the growing low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite market. Tory Bruno, ULA’s CEO, shared these plans during a military space conference in Orlando, highlighting the need to adapt to the evolving demands of this lucrative market. Targeting the Expanding LEO Market ULA aims to position its Vulcan rocket as a strong contender in the LEO satellite launch industry, where SpaceX has gained dominance by launching thousands…
Ingenuity’s Historic Mission and Crash Landing NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter, a trailblazer in extraterrestrial flight, may have crashed, but it is far from forgotten. After nearly three years on Mars, Ingenuity suffered rotor damage during its 72nd flight on 18 January 2024, ending its ability to fly. However, the team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) believes the helicopter can still contribute to scientific research as a stationary weather station. Ingenuity’s mission began as a test to prove powered flight was possible in Mars’ thin atmosphere. It far exceeded expectations, achieving 72 flights when only five were planned. Even after…
James Webb Telescope Unveils Ancient Galaxy “Firefly Sparkle” NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a remarkable young galaxy named Firefly Sparkle, offering a rare glimpse into the universe’s early days. This newly spotted galaxy, with its gleaming star clusters resembling bioluminescent fireflies, provides insights into what our Milky Way may have looked like in its infancy. A Peek Into the Early Universe Firefly Sparkle dates back approximately 600 million years after the Big Bang, when the universe was just 5% of its current age. Researchers estimate its mass to be equivalent to 10 million suns. Surrounding it are two…
Tesla Resumes Search for Showroom Space in New Delhi Tesla has reignited efforts to establish a showroom in New Delhi, according to two sources, signalling a renewed interest in the Indian market. This follows the company’s earlier decision to pause its plans after shelving investment discussions earlier this year. Previous Investment Plans Put on Hold In April, Elon Musk had planned a visit to India, during which he was expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announce an investment of $2-3 billion. However, Musk cancelled the trip abruptly as Tesla faced declining sales and announced a 10% staff reduction…
Aditya-L1 Reveals Key Insights into Solar Activity with CME Observation Indian researchers using the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) onboard the Aditya-L1 mission have unveiled new insights into a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), a solar event with significant implications for space weather. This breakthrough comes as part of India’s first space-based solar mission, marking a significant achievement in understanding the Sun’s behaviour and its impact on Earth. Aditya-L1: India’s Pioneering Solar Mission Aditya-L1, launched on September 2, 2023, reached its designated halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point L1 on January 6, 2024. Positioned 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, this…
Apple Faces $1.2 Billion Lawsuit Over Alleged Failure to Curb Child Abuse Material Apple faces lawsuit as victims of child sexual abuse in the US are suing Apple for $1.2 billion in damages, claiming the company failed to prevent the distribution of illegal material on its platforms. Lawsuit Sparked by Disturbing Experiences The lawsuit is led by a 27-year-old woman who endured abuse as an infant, with photos of the crime being shared online by a family member. While the perpetrator was later convicted and imprisoned, the victim and her mother have continued to receive notifications from authorities about new…
