Author: Resham Bhambani

CAS Space Expands with Advanced Rockets and Tourism Plans Chinese commercial launch provider CAS Space expands into international markets to drive long-term growth. Originally a commercial spinoff of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the company has established itself with its Kinetica-1 (Lijian-1) rocket, which has achieved four successful launches since its 2022 debut. The company’s main customer is Changguang Satellite Technology (CGST), a CAS subsidiary focused on building an Earth observation satellite constellation. Expanding Capabilities with New Rockets and Tourist Flights CAS Space’s upcoming Kinetica-2 rocket, scheduled for a September 2025 launch, will offer increased payload capacity—up to 7,800…

China’s Shenzhou-19 Mission Embarks on Scientific Experiments and Lunar Habitat Preparations China launched its Shenzhou-19 crewed spacecraft on Wednesday, sending three astronauts to the permanently inhabited Tiangong space station. The six-month mission includes dozens of scientific experiments, some focused on constructing human habitats in space. This milestone mission reflects China’s steady advancement in space exploration, following the recent completion of Tiangong in 2022. https://youtu.be/ZI3RGvTt-ns?si=vHiweV8HV8avIl0j Shenzhou-19 Launch Details and Mission Objectives Shenzhou-19, atop a Long March-2F rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China at 4:27 a.m. Beijing Time. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that the…

China’s Shenzhou-19 Set for Launch with New Crew of Three Astronauts https://youtu.be/ZI3RGvTt-ns?si=vHiweV8HV8avIl0j China’s Shenzhou-19 crewed spacecraft is scheduled to launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Wednesday at 04:27 (Beijing Time), as reported by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). This launch marks a new milestone in China’s manned space program. Mission Overview and Key Details During a media briefing on Tuesday, CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqiang outlined details of the mission. The Shenzhou-19 spacecraft, China’s 33rd manned space mission, will carry astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze. Cai Xuzhe, the mission commander, previously flew…

Address at Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2024 During the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2024, ISRO Chief Dr. S. Somanath underscored the increasing importance of space situational awareness in today’s rapidly evolving space environment. Addressing an audience on “Space Situational Awareness – Monitoring and Protecting National Interest,” he stressed that understanding the dynamic state of space is vital as the number of objects continues to grow with new satellite launches for communication, earth observation, and scientific exploration. Rising Challenges in Space Monitoring Dr. Somanath highlighted the complexity of the modern space landscape, shaped by advancements in satellite technology. Improved resolution and spectral capabilities…

ESA in Talks with SpaceX to Join Global Effort to Tackle Space Debris The European Space Agency (ESA) is in discussions with SpaceX to join an international initiative aimed at reducing space debris, according to ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher. This move is part of ongoing efforts to tackle the growing issue of space junk, which poses a threat to active satellites and future space missions. ESA’s Zero Debris Charter ESA is leading a global effort to curb the creation of new space debris through its Zero Debris charter, which seeks to stop the generation of orbital junk by 2030.…

NASA and China Discuss Moon Rock Sharing for Scientific Research NASA and Chinese officials are discussing a potential agreement to allow US scientists to study moon rocks collected by China from the far side of the moon. This collaboration could mark a significant step in US-China space relations, despite existing challenges and restrictions. China’s Lunar Achievements In June, China became the first nation to collect samples from the far side of the moon. The Chang’e-6 mission retrieved rocks from the South Pole-Aitken Basin, a large impact crater on the moon’s surface. China has since offered these samples to the international…

Chinese Researchers Develop Bricks from Simulated Lunar Soil for Future Moon Base Chinese scientists have created bricks using a material that mimics the composition of lunar soil, with the hope that these bricks can one day be used to build a base on the moon. The development is seen as a significant step towards constructing sustainable structures on the lunar surface. Simulated Lunar Soil Bricks: Stronger and More Durable Zhou Cheng, a professor at the National Center of Technology Innovation for Digital Construction and the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, introduced the “lunar soil bricks.” These bricks, made from…

Elon Musk Pledges to Give $1 Million a Day to Support U.S. Constitution Billionaire Elon Musk announced on Saturday that he will give away $1 million each day until the U.S. presidential election in November to someone who signs his online petition supporting the U.S. Constitution. Musk wasted no time, awarding the first $1 million check to John Dreher, a random attendee at an event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying support for Republican candidate Donald Trump. “John had no idea. So anyway, you’re welcome,” Musk said as he handed over the check at the event. Musk’s Growing Influence in the…

Endangered Loa Water Frogs Return to Their Natural Habitat Begin In a critical step to save the endangered Loa water frogs, conservationists recently transported a dozen of the amphibians from Santiago to Calama. These frogs, which were once on the verge of extinction, are now part of a major conservation effort to restore their habitat in one of the driest deserts in the world. The frogs were flown in temperature-controlled containers, carefully monitored by scientists as they begin the journey back to their natural environment in the Loa River. The species faced near extinction in 2019 due to water extraction…

New Mars Battery Could Revolutionise Space Exploration Humans are preparing to explore Mars in the coming years. However, the planet’s harsh conditions and limited resources make it crucial to minimise weight and optimise equipment for sustainable missions. Tackling the Energy Challenge on Mars One of the biggest challenges is ensuring a consistent and reliable energy source for Mars bases, rovers, and other essential equipment. Transporting heavy infrastructure to the Red Planet is difficult and costly, so researchers are focusing on innovative solutions that reduce weight while maintaining efficiency. A team of scientists from the University of Science and Technology of…