Science

NASA’s Artemis campaign aims to propel astronauts, scientific experiments, and essential payloads into deep space, utilising the Space Launch System (SLS). The upcoming Artemis IV mission will introduce the Block 1B variant of the SLS, equipped with an upgraded Exploration Upper Stage (EUS). The enhanced system will enable the transportation of larger payloads, including the

China has officially announced the names for its next-generation lunar spacesuit and crewed moon rover, both essential for its planned human moon landing before 2030. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) revealed that the spacesuit will be called “Wangyu,” meaning “gazing into the cosmos,” while the rover has been named “Tansuo,” which translates to “explore.”

SpaceX has carried out static fire tests for both stages of its Starship launch system as preparations for the next integrated flight test progress. The Super Heavy booster and Starship’s second stage were test-fired at the company’s Starbase facility in Texas. The full-duration static fire of the Super Heavy booster involved all 33 Raptor engines,

The second launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is being targeted for late spring, as efforts are being made to enhance its landing capabilities. The 320-foot-tall rocket was first launched on January 16, 2025, from Florida’s Space Coast, successfully deploying a test version of the Blue Ring spacecraft into orbit. However, the booster stage

Images captured by NASA’s Curiosity rover have shown rare iridescent clouds drifting across the Martian sky. These formations, observed in the planet’s twilight, were seen at high altitudes where sunlight still reaches them despite nightfall on the surface. The images were taken on January 17, using one of the rover’s onboard cameras, with individual frames

A specialised form of cellulose produced by bacteria has been found to enhance wound healing and regeneration in plants. Research indicates that when applied as a bandage to plant wounds, this bacterial cellulose significantly improves recovery rates, potentially offering new solutions for agricultural applications. The material, already used in medical treatments for humans, has shown

NASA’s Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) is being prepared to analyse the Moon’s subsurface for resource extraction, with its technology expected to aid future Artemis missions. The experiment, which will assess lunar soil and identify potential resources, has been developed to support sustained human exploration. The instruments onboard will work together to drill, collect,

A new robotic system capable of planetary exploration through tethered jumping has been developed by researchers at the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The robot, named SPLITTER (Space and Planetary Limbed Intelligent Tether Technology Exploration Robot), has been designed as a modular, multi-robot system composed of two

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have successfully developed and booted an aerospace-grade semiconductor chip, marking a significant step towards self-reliance in space technology. The chip, named ‘IRIS’ (Indigenous RISCV Controller for Space Applications), has been designed based on the SHAKTI processor and is intended for

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been allocated emergency observation time to study asteroid 2024 YR4, which has been classified as potentially hazardous. The space rock was identified in December 2024 and has been placed on the asteroid watch list due to its estimated 2.3% chance of colliding with Earth in December 2032. The

A significant solar storm that occurred in May 2024 led to the formation of two temporary radiation belts around Earth, as confirmed by satellite data. The discovery was made when a dormant satellite resumed operations after months of inactivity. The storm, which was among the most intense geomagnetic disturbances since 1989, resulted in widespread auroral

A new generation of robotic insects has been developed with the ability to fly significantly longer than previous models. Researchers have created a design that enhances endurance, agility, and structural efficiency, allowing these robotic insects to support artificial pollination on a much larger scale. The advancement is expected to improve agricultural yields while reducing environmental

A potential record-breaking exoplanet system has been identified, moving at a speed of at least 1.2 million miles per hour (540 kilometers per second). The discovery suggests a low-mass star is traveling through the Milky Way with a planet in orbit, marking a significant find in the study of high-velocity celestial bodies. If confirmed, this

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has dismissed reports suggesting issues in its maiden space docking mission, SpaDeX. On February 8, ISRO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space, V Narayanan, clarified that no technical faults had been encountered in the docking process. He stated that the mission was progressing systematically and that further experiments were

Efforts to develop nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) for future space missions have taken a significant step forward. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), in collaboration with NASA, has conducted tests on nuclear reactor fuel designed for space travel. The trials, held at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, assessed the fuel’s ability to withstand extreme

A fossilised skull found in Antarctica has provided fresh insight into the evolution of waterfowl, with scientists reporting that it belonged to a bird that lived approximately 69 million years ago. The specimen, identified as Vegavis iaai, is considered a close relative of modern ducks and geese. Researchers state that the skull, which is nearly

A fossilised jawbone discovered in South Africa has been classified as belonging to a previously unidentified human relative. The specimen, estimated to be 1.4 million years old, has been attributed to the genus Paranthropus, known for its distinctive dental structure. Unlike its robust counterparts, the newly identified species exhibits a smaller jaw and teeth, suggesting

A dramatic rise in temperature was recorded at the North Pole, with levels surpassing the freezing point due to an extreme winter warming event. Reports indicate that temperatures climbed 20 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average, raising concerns among climate scientists about its impact on Arctic ice loss and long-term warming trends. The event, which

A new space mission designed to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere and track space weather in three dimensions is set to launch this month. NASA’s Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission, consisting of four small satellites, is scheduled to be sent into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on February 27.

Greek authorities have responded to an intensifying earthquake swarm near Santorini by closing schools and deploying emergency teams. The tremors, which began last week, have been growing in frequency and magnitude, raising concerns over potential stronger quakes in the region. While experts have ruled out immediate volcanic activity, the situation remains unpredictable due to the