Science
SpaceX's private Fram2 crew returns to Earth after polar-orbiting mission | Splashdown highlights
Four private astronauts returned to Earth in a SpaceX capsule on Friday after roughly four days orbiting the planet in a novel polar trajectory, walking out of their spacecraft with little assistance to cap off the Elon Musk-led company's sixth fully private space mission. Since launching Monday night from Florida, the four-person crew, led by and paid for by Maltese investor Chun Wang, traveled in a circular orbit around Earth from pole to pole, passing over the icy masses every 40 or so minutes in a particular orbit that no humans have flown before.
LIVE | SpaceX's history-making Fram2 astronaut mission returns to Earth
A SpaceX private flight to Earth’s poles, bought by a Bitcoin investor for himself and three polar explorers, ends with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. It is the first rocket ride to carry people over the North and South poles.
From Navy Pilot to Astronaut: The Journey of Sunita Williams
Born: September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, USA, parents: Indian-American father: Deepak Pandya and Slovenian mother: Bonnie Pandya, studied at U.S. Naval Academy (1987), Master’s in Engineering Management (1995)
IISc team's bacteria-based method may help repair cracked bricks on Moon
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have developed a method using Sporosarcina pasteurii bacteria to repair cracks in bricks used on the Moon. The bacteria-based slurry strengthens the bricks by converting urea into calcium carbonate and guar gum, making the structures more resilient to extreme lunar temperatures.
Explorer, filmmaker, scientist, and a Bitcoin investor: Meet the SpaceX Fram2 crew making space history
Four private astronauts have embarked on a historic journey, becoming the first humans to orbit both the North and South Poles aboard SpaceX’s Fram2 mission. Led by entrepreneur Chun Wang, the crew includes Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge, and Australian polar guide Eric Philips. Over three to five days, they will conduct 22 research experiments, including the first X-ray in space. This mission pushes the boundaries of human spaceflight.
Elon Musk's SpaceX launches first human spacecraft led by Chinese investor on crewed polar orbit
SpaceX plans to launch a crew of four private astronauts led by crypto entrepreneur Chun Wang on a mission to orbit Earth via a novel trajectory. The mission, named Fram2, will involve 22 research experiments and mark SpaceX’s latest advancement in private spaceflight. It is noteworthy for its lack of government backing, relying solely on private investment.
India always contributed to global understanding of universe: Ex-ISRO chief Somanath
Former ISRO chairman S Somanath highlights India's rich history of scientific and philosophical contributions, from ancient texts to modern advancements. Speaking at IIM Ahmedabad, he stresses the need for stronger collaboration between research, academia, and industry to further India's development.
India always contributed to global understanding of universe: Ex-ISRO chief Somanath
Former ISRO chairman S Somanath, during the 60th annual convocation of IIM Ahmedabad, highlighted India's rich knowledge tradition, from the Vedas to modern scientific advances. He emphasized the need for stronger connections between research organizations, academia, and industry to solve societal challenges.
ISRO's semi-cryogenic engine hits the launch pad in a stellar leap for India’s space ambitions
In a significant step for India's space missions, ISRO successfully tested its semi-cryogenic engine at its Tamil Nadu facility. The engine, part of efforts to upgrade LVM3, proved its functionality in a brief test. This technological milestone also marks strong collaboration with Indian industries, reinforcing ISRO's capabilities and positioning India as a leader in space exploration.
ISRO successfully completes 1000-hr life test of Stationary Plasma Thruster for satellites
ISRO has successfully completed a 1,000-hour life test for its 300mN Stationary Plasma Thruster, designed for the Electric Propulsion System in satellites. This advancement promises significant mass savings and enhanced transponder capacity for communication satellites, utilizing Xenon propellant and achieving a Specific Impulse at least six times greater than conventional systems.
Myanmar, Bangkok Earthquake: The science behind the 7.7 magnitude tremor & its devastating impact
Myanmar has experienced consecutive powerful earthquakes, with the first being a 7.7 magnitude quake and subsequent aftershocks, leading to widespread damage and over 1,000 deaths. The country's location along the active Sagaing Fault contributes to its vulnerability. The recent seismic events underline the need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
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Union minister Jitendra Singh says Rs 1,000-crore funding scheme to support space sector startups
A Rs 1,000 crore funding scheme has been launched for Indian space startups, managed by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited, to promote growth and global competitiveness in the sector. The initiative is part of the government's increased budgetary allocation for the Department of Space and aims to bolster private sector participation and research activities.
Need to scale up commercial applications of space tech to drive economic growth: Former ISRO chief S Somnath
India's space sector is undergoing significant transformation with a major focus on scaling up commercial applications of space technology to drive economic growth. Former ISRO Chairperson S Somnath and Chairman IN-SPACe Dr. Pawan Goenka emphasized the need for monetizing space technology in various industries and fostering collaboration among government, private sector, and startups to unlock its full potential.
Sunita Williams homecoming: Moment NASA astronauts exit SpaceX Dragon capsule
Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams beamed with joy as she stepped out of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, waving and smiling after spending over nine months in space. Williams, along with fellow Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth after an unexpectedly extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore splashdown on Earth in SpaceX capsule after 9 months in space
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth in a SpaceX capsule on Tuesday with a soft splashdown off Florida's coast, nine months after their faulty Boeing Starliner craft upended what was to be a week-long stay on the International Space Station. Their return caps a protracted space mission that was fraught with uncertainty and technical troubles and turned a rare instance of NASA's contingency planning - and the latest failures of Starliner - into a global spectacle. Wilmore and Williams, two veteran NASA astronauts and retired U.S. Navy test pilots, had launched into space as Starliner's first crew in June for what was expected to be an eight-day test mission. But issues with Starliner's propulsion system led to cascading delays to their return home, culminating in a NASA decision to have them take a SpaceX craft back this year as part of the agency's crew rotation schedule.
LIVE | Sunita Williams' return: NASA astronauts land on Earth | SpaceX Dragon | Crew-9
NASA's two stuck astronauts headed back to Earth with SpaceX on Tuesday to close out a dramatic marathon mission that began with a bungled Boeing test flight more than nine months ago. Butch Wilmore and Indian-origin Sunita Williams bid farewell to the International Space Station - their home since last spring - departing aboard a SpaceX capsule alongside two other astronauts. The capsule undocked shortly after 1 am Eastern and aimed for a splashdown off the Florida coast five hours later, weather permitting. The two expected to be gone just a week or so after launching on Boeing's new Starliner crew capsule on June 5. So many problems cropped up on the way to the space station that NASA eventually sent Starliner back empty and transferred the test pilots to SpaceX, pushing their homecoming into February.
