Author: Resham Bhambani

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…

Brightness of Chinese Broadband Satellites Raises Concerns Among Astronomers The first set of Chinese broadband satellites has been observed to be significantly brighter than their Western counterparts, creating a new challenge for astronomers. According to a study posted on the arXiv preprint server on 30 September, these satellites pose a risk of interference with ground-based observatories. Qianfan Satellite Brightness Exceeds Recommendations The study focused on 18 Qianfan satellites, also known as “Thousand Sails,” launched in August. These satellites are the initial batch of a planned constellation that may eventually consist of more than 14,000 units. Observations showed that the brightness…

China Launches Reusable Satellite, Shijian-19, into Space China launches reusable satellite, the Shijian-19, on Friday. The satellite was sent into orbit using a Long March-2D rocket. Successful Launch from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center The Long March-2D rocket lifted off at 18:30 Beijing Time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The Shijian-19 satellite aims to enhance China’s technological capabilities in space by achieving advancements in several critical areas. Breakthrough Technologies for Enhanced Space Research The Shijian-19 satellite has incorporated breakthroughs in reusability, microgravity support, high payload capacity, and re-entry testing services. These innovations will boost China’s returnable satellite…

Shenzhou-18 Crew Advances Research in Space as Mission Progresses The Shenzhou-18 crew, now in the second half of their mission, continues to carry out significant studies, research, and daily activities aboard China’s space station, Tiangong. Ongoing Research and Experiments The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) recently shared new footage of the Shenzhou-18 crew, highlighting their ongoing efforts in space science experiments, station environment monitoring, and overall station management. The mission, which began on April 25, has seen astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu in orbit for over four months. Last week, the crew focused on improving the habitability…