<p>Mars was snapped with a swarm of “spiders” spread across its southern polar region, as captured by ESA’s Mars Express. The photos show a huge number of spiders walking in groups over the surface of Mars. But these weren’t actual spiders,&nbsp;rather a unique feature on the red planet.</p>

<p>The small, dark features on Mars are formed when spring sunshine falls on the layers of carbon dioxide that are deposited over the dark winter months.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Take a closer look at the Martian surface here.&nbsp;</em></p>
<img alt="Spider phenomenon on Mars" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5b386e59-a288-4251-9e7e-aff1a4855bf4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/signs-of-spider-phenom-3.jpg" />
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The sunlight causes carbon dioxide ice at the bottom of the layer to turn into gas, which subsequently builds up and breaks through slabs of overlying ice. The gas then bursts free during springtime on Mars, dragging dark material up to the surface&nbsp;and shattering&nbsp;layers of ice up to a meter thick.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/china-is-working-towards-dealing-with-space-debris-after-tiangong-space-station-was-damaged-by-debris-strike-714740">Tiangong space station damaged by space debris strike, China working on clean-up</a></p>

<p>“The emerging gas, laden with dark dust, shoots up through cracks in the ice in the form of tall fountains or geysers, before falling back down and settling on the surface. This creates dark spots between 45 m and 1 km across. This same process creates characteristic ‘spider-shaped’ patterns etched beneath the ice,” explained ESA’s official website.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These dark spots can be seen everywhere on the Mars Express image released by ESA. However, most can be seen as small spots in the dark region to the left, which sits just on the outskirts of a part of Mars nicknamed Inca City. The reason this region was named Inca City was because it features a linear and geometric network of ridges, almost similar to Inca ruins. It was discovered in 1972 by NASA’s Mariner 9 probe.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/huge-fossilised-footprint-of-dinosaur-found-in-china-belongs-to-a-megaraptor-714852">Huge fossilised footprint of dinosaur found in China belongs to a megaraptor</a></p>

<p>Scientists are still not sure how Inca City was formed, but it is believed that sand dunes could have turned to stone over a period of time. The material inside it, probably magma or sand, is seeping through fractured sheets of Martian rock.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Towards the middle section of the image, the landscape changes somewhat, with large roundish and oval swirls creating an effect reminiscent of marble. This effect is thought to occur when layered deposits are worn away over time.</p>

<p>The ground towards the right (north) becomes increasingly covered in smooth, light-colour dust. Some signs of spiders can be seen scattered across the plateaus there as well.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Mars was snapped with a swarm of “spiders” spread across its southern polar region, as captured by ESA’s Mars Express. The photos show a huge number of spiders walking in groups over the surface of Mars.

Mars was snapped with a swarm of “spiders” spread across its southern polar region, as captured by ESA’s Mars Express. The photos show a huge number of spiders walking in groups over the surface of Mars. But these weren’t actual spiders, rather a unique feature on the red planet. The small, dark features on Mars are formed when spring sunshine falls on the layers of carbon dioxide that are deposited over the dark winter months. Take a closer look at the Martian surface here. The sunlight causes carbon dioxide ice at the bottom of the layer to turn into gas, which subsequently builds up and breaks through slabs of overlying ice. The gas then bursts free during springtime on Mars, dragging dark material up to the surface and shattering layers of ice up to a meter thick. Also Read | Tiangong space station damaged by space debris strike, China working on clean-up “The emerging gas, laden with dark dust, shoots up through cracks in the ice in the form of tall fountains or geysers, before falling back down and settling on the surface. This creates dark spots between 45 m and 1 km across. This same process creates characteristic ‘spider-shaped’ patterns etched beneath the ice,” explained ESA’s official website. These dark spots can be seen everywhere on the Mars Express image released by ESA. However, most can be seen as small spots in the dark region to the left, which sits just on the outskirts of a part of Mars nicknamed Inca City. The reason this region was named Inca City was because it features a linear and geometric network of ridges, almost similar to Inca ruins. It was discovered in 1972 by NASA’s Mariner 9 probe. Also Read | Huge fossilised footprint of dinosaur found in China belongs to a megaraptor Scientists are still not sure how Inca City was formed, but it is believed that sand dunes could have turned to stone over a period of time. The material inside it, probably magma or sand, is seeping through fractured sheets of Martian rock. Towards the middle section of the image, the landscape changes somewhat, with large roundish and oval swirls creating an effect reminiscent of marble. This effect is thought to occur when layered deposits are worn away over time. The ground towards the right (north) becomes increasingly covered in smooth, light-colour dust. Some signs of spiders can be seen scattered across the plateaus there as well. (With inputs from agencies)

Spiders on Mars? European mission captures weird black spots near Inca City

<p>The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season is all set for an extraordinary final one month as teams look to stamp their authority on the competition. Mumbai Indians&nbsp;in&nbsp;particular&nbsp;will be looking to make a spectacular comeback into the IPL 2024 with&nbsp;key&nbsp;matches ahead.&nbsp;However,&nbsp;it is their off-field initiative that has caught the attention of the cricketing fraternity, setting the stage for 18,000 school students to attend an IPL match in Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium.</p>

<p>Since 2010, Mumbai Indians&nbsp;has been supporting&nbsp;ESA - Education and Sports for All. Through this initiative, Reliance Foundation has impacted the lives of over 18 million children. The initiative provides quality education and sporting opportunities to children across India.</p>

<p>Earlier launched as Education for All (EFA), it was transformed into Education and Sports for All (ESA) in&nbsp;2018&nbsp;with children from different NGOs participating&nbsp;every year&nbsp;in the program.</p>

<p>2024 was no exception&nbsp;as&nbsp;18,000 students from different schools and NGOs attended Mumbai&nbsp;Indians’&nbsp;IPL 2024 match against Delhi Capitals at&nbsp;Mumbai’s&nbsp;Wankhede Stadium.</p>

<p>“The children are bringing so much positivity and joy to the stadium.&nbsp;18000&nbsp;children are in the stands today from different NGOs. I believe that sport does not discriminate and talent can come from anywhere. Maybe one of these kids will reach the pinnacle of sport&nbsp;and&nbsp;I hope they take back a lot of cherished memories from this experience and the power and courage to believe in their dreams,”&nbsp;Chairperson,&nbsp;of Reliance Foundation said.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2024-dont-spread-nonsense-ambati-rayudu-goes-ballistic-over-fake-attributed-quotes-on-ruturaj-gaikwad-714818">IPL 2024: 'Don’t spread nonsense', Ambati Rayudu goes ballistic over fake attributed quotes on Ruturaj Gaikwad</a></p>

<p>“This is what the players long for positivity.&nbsp;That is what I have experienced&nbsp;year after year&nbsp;and&nbsp;it has gotten better and better.&nbsp;For me, children are the future. If we want a better tomorrow, we need to act today. RF has given opportunities to so many children across the globe. I hope she continues to do that in the field of education&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;sport,”&nbsp;Mumbai Indians legend Sachin Tendulkar said.</p>

<p>The amalgamation of Education and Sports, ESA (Education and Sports for All), that MI proudly wears on the sleeves of all their&nbsp;teams,&nbsp;seeks to make educational opportunities and sports experiences accessible to children from all backgrounds that inspire them in their dreams. Since its inception in 2010, ESA has remained at the core of Mumbai&nbsp;Indians'&nbsp;commitment to entertaining and inspiring young minds, providing life-changing opportunities to thousands of children.</p>


The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season is all set for an extraordinary final one month as teams look to stamp their authority on the competition. Mumbai Indians in particular will be looking to make a spectacular comeback into the IPL 2024 with key matches ahead.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season is all set for an extraordinary final one month as teams look to stamp their authority on the competition. Mumbai Indians in particular will be looking to make a spectacular comeback into the IPL 2024 with key matches ahead. However, it is their off-field initiative that has caught the attention of the cricketing fraternity, setting the stage for 18,000 school students to attend an IPL match in Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium. Since 2010, Mumbai Indians has been supporting ESA - Education and Sports for All. Through this initiative, Reliance Foundation has impacted the lives of over 18 million children. The initiative provides quality education and sporting opportunities to children across India. Earlier launched as Education for All (EFA), it was transformed into Education and Sports for All (ESA) in 2018 with children from different NGOs participating every year in the program. 2024 was no exception as 18,000 students from different schools and NGOs attended Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2024 match against Delhi Capitals at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. “The children are bringing so much positivity and joy to the stadium. 18000 children are in the stands today from different NGOs. I believe that sport does not discriminate and talent can come from anywhere. Maybe one of these kids will reach the pinnacle of sport and I hope they take back a lot of cherished memories from this experience and the power and courage to believe in their dreams,” Chairperson, of Reliance Foundation said. ALSO READ | IPL 2024: 'Don’t spread nonsense', Ambati Rayudu goes ballistic over fake attributed quotes on Ruturaj Gaikwad “This is what the players long for positivity. That is what I have experienced year after year and it has gotten better and better. For me, children are the future. If we want a better tomorrow, we need to act today. RF has given opportunities to so many children across the globe. I hope she continues to do that in the field of education as well as sport,” Mumbai Indians legend Sachin Tendulkar said. The amalgamation of Education and Sports, ESA (Education and Sports for All), that MI proudly wears on the sleeves of all their teams, seeks to make educational opportunities and sports experiences accessible to children from all backgrounds that inspire them in their dreams. Since its inception in 2010, ESA has remained at the core of Mumbai Indians' commitment to entertaining and inspiring young minds, providing life-changing opportunities to thousands of children.

IPL 2024: Mumbai Indians set off-field example with ESA initiative

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut recently provided a virtual tour of the International Space Station (ISS) to the public. The ISS, the largest space station ever built, orbits low Earth and is managed collaboratively by five space agencies: NASA, JAXA, Roscosmos, CSA, and ESA, along with their contractors. Andreas Mogensen returned to Earth in mid-March after a six-and-a-half-month stint on the ISS as part of NASA's Crew-7 mission.</p>

<p>During his time aboard, he recorded a video showing&nbsp;the station's interior, which he shared with his social media followers.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/gravitational-waves-detect-collision-of-neutron-star-with-a-mysterious-object-in-mass-gap-710785">Also read |&nbsp;Gravitational waves detect collision of neutron star with a mysterious object in 'mass gap'</a></p>

<p>In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 12, Mogensen revealed that one of the last things he did before leaving the ISS was to film the tour, describing it as both a personal keepsake and a way to share the wonder of the ISS with others. He expressed that the video would serve as a reminder of his time on the ISS and his crewmates whenever he missed them.</p>

<p><strong>Watch the video here:</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It’s been a month now since I left the International <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a>.<br />
<br />
One of the very last things that I did on undock day, was film a tour of the Space Station. It is as much a keepsake for me as it is a way for me to share the wonder of the International Space Station with you.… <a href="https://t.co/oFR0VXR06A">pic.twitter.com/oFR0VXR06A</a></p>
— Andreas Mogensen (@Astro_Andreas) <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Andreas/status/1778696040712929602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Andreas Mogensen initially offered a glimpse into the front section of the space station. Positioned above was a SpaceX Dragon craft, which carried him back to Earth on March 12. Within the clip, viewers could observe the approximately 114-by-22-foot Columbus module, provided by ESA as a science lab in 2008.</p>

<p>Additionally, they could see the smaller Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), known as Kibo, situated opposite the lab. Kibo was constructed shortly after Columbus.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/did-you-know-venus-is-leaking-bepicolombo-mission-finds-out-why-710834">Also read |&nbsp;Did you know Venus is leaking? BepiColombo mission finds out why ...</a></p>

<p>Andreas Mogensen gave a tour of more ISS features like workstations, storage units, restrooms, and the kitchen. He pointed out that the cupola, offering a 360-degree view of Earth and the station's size, is the most amazing spot on the ISS.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>


A European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut recently provided a virtual tour of the International Space Station (ISS) to the public. The ISS, the largest space station ever built, orbits low Earth and is managed collaboratively by five space agencies: NASA, JAXA, Roscosmos, CSA, and ESA, along with their contractors.

A European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut recently provided a virtual tour of the International Space Station (ISS) to the public. The ISS, the largest space station ever built, orbits low Earth and is managed collaboratively by five space agencies: NASA, JAXA, Roscosmos, CSA, and ESA, along with their contractors. Andreas Mogensen returned to Earth in mid-March after a six-and-a-half-month stint on the ISS as part of NASA's Crew-7 mission. During his time aboard, he recorded a video showing the station's interior, which he shared with his social media followers. Also read | Gravitational waves detect collision of neutron star with a mysterious object in 'mass gap' In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 12, Mogensen revealed that one of the last things he did before leaving the ISS was to film the tour, describing it as both a personal keepsake and a way to share the wonder of the ISS with others. He expressed that the video would serve as a reminder of his time on the ISS and his crewmates whenever he missed them. Watch the video here: It’s been a month now since I left the International @Space_Station. One of the very last things that I did on undock day, was film a tour of the Space Station. It is as much a keepsake for me as it is a way for me to share the wonder of the International Space Station with you.… pic.twitter.com/oFR0VXR06A — Andreas Mogensen (@Astro_Andreas) April 12, 2024 × Andreas Mogensen initially offered a glimpse into the front section of the space station. Positioned above was a SpaceX Dragon craft, which carried him back to Earth on March 12. Within the clip, viewers could observe the approximately 114-by-22-foot Columbus module, provided by ESA as a science lab in 2008. Additionally, they could see the smaller Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), known as Kibo, situated opposite the lab. Kibo was constructed shortly after Columbus. Also read | Did you know Venus is leaking? BepiColombo mission finds out why ... Andreas Mogensen gave a tour of more ISS features like workstations, storage units, restrooms, and the kitchen. He pointed out that the cupola, offering a 360-degree view of Earth and the station's size, is the most amazing spot on the ISS. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH: Astronaut shows around International Space Station in this VIRAL video

The launch of India's first semi-cryogenic rocket schedule for today has been delayed again. It uses commercially available aviation turbine fuel or Kerosene and medical-grade liquid oxygen.

India: Europe's ESA & ISRO to boost collaboration in space programmes: S Somanath

<p>Scientists for the first time have observed a rare phenomenon, called the "glory effect" on a planet that is outside our solar system. The glory effect is a set of rainbow-like colorful concentric rings which occur only under peculiar conditions. Such rings are seen often on Earth, and apart from that the effect has only been found once on another planet, Venus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In what seems to be the first extrasolar "glory", data by the European Space Agency's CHEOPS Exoplanet Characterization Satellite, along with several other ESA and NASA missions, showed that there could be rainbow rings between the unbearable heat on WASP-76b's day side that faces its sun and the endless night on its dark side.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-hubble-telescope-shows-stunning-image-of-tarantula-nebula-ignites-wonder-among-space-enthusiasts-708192">NASA's Hubble telescope shows stunning image of Tarantula Nebula, ignites wonder among space enthusiasts</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The hellish atmosphere of ultra-hot gas giant WASP-76b is estimated to be 637 light-years away from Earth. Scientists have said that&nbsp;this first extrasolar glory will reveal more about the nature of this exoplanet if confirmed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Olivier Demangeon, who is an astronomer at the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences) in Portugal and lead author of the study, said, "There's a reason no glory has been seen before outside our Solar System – it requires very peculiar conditions."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/the-rare-devils-comet-is-now-visible-in-the-night-sky-heres-how-to-watch-it-in-india-708094">Rare Devil's Comet is now visible in the night sky. Here's how to watch it in India</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🆕 Have astronomers detected the first ever extrasolar ‘glory’?<br />
<br />
🌈 Potential signs of the rainbow-like ‘glory effect’ have been detected on a hellish planet outside our Solar System.<br />
<br />
🤝 The team used data from <a href="https://twitter.com/ESA_CHEOPS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESA_CHEOPS</a> &amp; other missions 👉 <a href="https://t.co/hSQ8XKoEeW">https://t.co/hSQ8XKoEeW</a> <a href="https://t.co/wXXQRcUrJN">pic.twitter.com/wXXQRcUrJN</a></p>
— ESA Science (@esascience) <a href="https://twitter.com/esascience/status/1776158815731225003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"First, you need atmospheric particles that are close-to-perfectly spherical, completely uniform and stable enough to be observed over a long time. The planet's nearby star needs to shine directly at it, with the observer – here Cheops – at just the right orientation," Demangeon added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Matthew Standing, an ESA Research Fellow studying exoplanets, explained, "What's important to keep in mind is the incredible scale of what we're witnessing. WASP-76b is several hundred light-years away – an intensely hot gas giant planet where it likely rains molten iron. Despite the chaos, it looks like we've detected the potential signs of a glory. It's an incredibly faint signal."&nbsp;</p>


Scientists for the first time have observed a rare phenomenon, called the "glory effect" on a planet that is outside our solar system. The glory effect is a set of rainbow-like colorful concentric rings which occur only under peculiar conditions.

Scientists for the first time have observed a rare phenomenon, called the "glory effect" on a planet that is outside our solar system. The glory effect is a set of rainbow-like colorful concentric rings which occur only under peculiar conditions. Such rings are seen often on Earth, and apart from that the effect has only been found once on another planet, Venus. In what seems to be the first extrasolar "glory", data by the European Space Agency's CHEOPS Exoplanet Characterization Satellite, along with several other ESA and NASA missions, showed that there could be rainbow rings between the unbearable heat on WASP-76b's day side that faces its sun and the endless night on its dark side. Also read: NASA's Hubble telescope shows stunning image of Tarantula Nebula, ignites wonder among space enthusiasts The hellish atmosphere of ultra-hot gas giant WASP-76b is estimated to be 637 light-years away from Earth. Scientists have said that this first extrasolar glory will reveal more about the nature of this exoplanet if confirmed. Olivier Demangeon, who is an astronomer at the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences) in Portugal and lead author of the study, said, "There's a reason no glory has been seen before outside our Solar System – it requires very peculiar conditions." Also read: Rare Devil's Comet is now visible in the night sky. Here's how to watch it in India 🆕 Have astronomers detected the first ever extrasolar ‘glory’? 🌈 Potential signs of the rainbow-like ‘glory effect’ have been detected on a hellish planet outside our Solar System. 🤝 The team used data from @ESA_CHEOPS & other missions 👉 https://t.co/hSQ8XKoEeW pic.twitter.com/wXXQRcUrJN — ESA Science (@esascience) April 5, 2024 × "First, you need atmospheric particles that are close-to-perfectly spherical, completely uniform and stable enough to be observed over a long time. The planet's nearby star needs to shine directly at it, with the observer – here Cheops – at just the right orientation," Demangeon added. Matthew Standing, an ESA Research Fellow studying exoplanets, explained, "What's important to keep in mind is the incredible scale of what we're witnessing. WASP-76b is several hundred light-years away – an intensely hot gas giant planet where it likely rains molten iron. Despite the chaos, it looks like we've detected the potential signs of a glory. It's an incredibly faint signal."

Glory effect: Rare rainbow-like rings observed on a planet outside our solar system

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA) on Monday (Feb 19) released images of a dead satellite as it tumbles down to Earth in what could potentially be a fiery spectacle.</p>

<p>The dead satellite was part of ESA's scientific Earth-monitoring mission called ERS-2. It was launched on April 21, 1995, and after a 16-year career, it retired in 2011.</p>

<p>During the time it was active, the ERS-2 collected data on polar ice, changing land surfaces, sea-level rise, warming oceans and atmospheric chemistry. Additionally, the satellite was also pressed into service during natural disasters in remote regions.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/doomed-european-satellite-to-crash-on-earth-in-six-days-but-nobody-knows-where-690567">European satellite to crash into Earth in six days. The exact place is eerily a mystery</a></strong></p>

<p>The dead satellite weighs approximately 5,057 pounds (2,293.82 kg) and is expected to start disintegrating at about 50 miles (80.47 kilometres) above the ground. While most of it will burn up completely in the Earth's atmosphere, the ESA estimates that the "largest fragment of the satellite that could reach the ground is 115 pounds"&nbsp;or around 52 kg.</p>

<p>Check out the pictures of the "tumbling descent" here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ERS-2 spotted! 📸🛰️<br />
<br />
The ESA satellite is on a tumbling descent that will lead to its atmospheric reentry and break up this week.<br />
<br />
These images of ERS-2 were captured by <a href="https://twitter.com/heospace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@heospace</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/spacegovuk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@spacegovuk</a> using cameras on board other satellites.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ERS2reentry?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ERS2reentry</a> <a href="https://t.co/GTuubP6apJ">pic.twitter.com/GTuubP6apJ</a></p>
— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) <a href="https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1759518956891557949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>These images were captured by cameras on board other satellites by Australian company HEO on behalf of the UK Space Agency.</p>

<h2><strong>When will the dead satellite crash onto Earth?</strong></h2>

<p>As per estimates by the ESA's Space Debris Office, the ERS-2 satellite will make its re-entry around 19:24 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time, earlier called Greenwich Mean Time or GMT) on Wednesday (Feb&nbsp;21).</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/japan-launches-debris-removal-spacecraft-to-tackle-space-junk-691743">Japan launches debris removal spacecraft to tackle space junk</a></strong></p>

<p>However, it must be noted that the prediction is uncertain by +/- 9.91 hours. This unpredictability, as per the space agency, is primarily due to the "influence of unpredictable solar activity, which affects the density of Earth’s atmosphere and therefore the drag experienced by the satellite."</p>

<h2><strong>Can the dead satellite crash on someone?</strong></h2>

<p>The European Space Agency estimates put the probability of the dead satellite crashing on someone's head at one in a billion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The odds of a piece of satellite falling on someone’s head is estimated at one in a billion."</p>

<p>It says that given that approximately 71 per cent of the Earth's surface is covered with water, the odds are that "the satellite will make a big splash somewhere."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The European Space Agency (ESA) on Monday (Feb 19) released images of a dead satellite as it tumbles down to Earth in what could potentially be a fiery spectacle.

The European Space Agency (ESA) on Monday (Feb 19) released images of a dead satellite as it tumbles down to Earth in what could potentially be a fiery spectacle. The dead satellite was part of ESA's scientific Earth-monitoring mission called ERS-2. It was launched on April 21, 1995, and after a 16-year career, it retired in 2011. During the time it was active, the ERS-2 collected data on polar ice, changing land surfaces, sea-level rise, warming oceans and atmospheric chemistry. Additionally, the satellite was also pressed into service during natural disasters in remote regions. Also read | European satellite to crash into Earth in six days. The exact place is eerily a mystery The dead satellite weighs approximately 5,057 pounds (2,293.82 kg) and is expected to start disintegrating at about 50 miles (80.47 kilometres) above the ground. While most of it will burn up completely in the Earth's atmosphere, the ESA estimates that the "largest fragment of the satellite that could reach the ground is 115 pounds" or around 52 kg. Check out the pictures of the "tumbling descent" here: ERS-2 spotted! 📸🛰️ The ESA satellite is on a tumbling descent that will lead to its atmospheric reentry and break up this week. These images of ERS-2 were captured by @heospace for @spacegovuk using cameras on board other satellites.#ERS2reentry pic.twitter.com/GTuubP6apJ — ESA Operations (@esaoperations) February 19, 2024 × These images were captured by cameras on board other satellites by Australian company HEO on behalf of the UK Space Agency. When will the dead satellite crash onto Earth? As per estimates by the ESA's Space Debris Office, the ERS-2 satellite will make its re-entry around 19:24 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time, earlier called Greenwich Mean Time or GMT) on Wednesday (Feb 21). Also read | Japan launches debris removal spacecraft to tackle space junk However, it must be noted that the prediction is uncertain by +/- 9.91 hours. This unpredictability, as per the space agency, is primarily due to the "influence of unpredictable solar activity, which affects the density of Earth’s atmosphere and therefore the drag experienced by the satellite." Can the dead satellite crash on someone? The European Space Agency estimates put the probability of the dead satellite crashing on someone's head at one in a billion. "The odds of a piece of satellite falling on someone’s head is estimated at one in a billion." It says that given that approximately 71 per cent of the Earth's surface is covered with water, the odds are that "the satellite will make a big splash somewhere." (With inputs from agencies)

ESA shares pics of dead satellite tumbling towards Earth; can it fall on someone’s head? All you need to know

<p>Japan has successfully launched a spacecraft designed to inspect and potentially remove man-made space debris from around the Earth, said a statement from Astroscale Japan on Monday.<br />
<br />
The Active Debris Removal has been launched by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J). As per an AFP news agency report, it will rendezvous with and examine a Japanese H2A rocket remnant that has been in space for 15 years. The H2A rocket body, about the size of a bus, was launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2009. Its precise location and orbital position are not known.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-debris-cloud-has-been-growing-in-a-distant-star-system-due-to-a-massive-collision-between-two-exoplanets-691648">Debris cloud growing in a distant star system after massive collision between two exoplanets</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Debris removal</strong></h2>

<p>Launched from New Zealand, the ADRAS-J spacecraft has already made contact and is ready to begin operations, said project manager Eijiro Atarashi in a statement.</p>

<p>Using observation data from Earth, the estimated location of the H2A rocket body will be determined, and ADRAS-J will approach it "from a safe distance" to gather images and assess its condition and movements.</p>

<p>Selected by JAXA for its debris removal programme, ADRAS-J, as per Astroscale is the first spacecraft of its kind, which aims to remove large debris of Japanese origin in collaboration with private companies.</p>

<h2><strong>Space debris</strong></h2>

<p>As per the European Space Agency (ESA) estimates, there are around one million pieces of debris larger than a centimetre in orbit. These pieces of debris, which are big enough to "disable a spacecraft" pose a big threat.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-successfully-launches-new-h3-rocket-following-setback-last-year-691091">Japan successfully launches new H3 rocket following setback last year</a></strong></p>

<p>The build-up of space debris, including used satellites and rocket parts, has been a growing concern since the space age began. Proposed solutions include using lasers to push debris into new orbits and Astroscale's space "tow-truck," which employs a magnet to collect and move out-of-service satellites.</p>

<p>The ADRAS-J mission follows Japan's successful launch of its new flagship H3 rocket on Saturday, after years of delays and previous failed attempts. Additionally, Japan achieved a successful, albeit slightly off-kilter, unmanned probe landing on the Moon last month, making it the fifth country to accomplish a "soft" lunar landing.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Japan has successfully launched a spacecraft designed to inspect and potentially remove man-made space debris from around the Earth, said a statement from Astroscale Japan on Monday.

Japan has successfully launched a spacecraft designed to inspect and potentially remove man-made space debris from around the Earth, said a statement from Astroscale Japan on Monday. The Active Debris Removal has been launched by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J). As per an AFP news agency report, it will rendezvous with and examine a Japanese H2A rocket remnant that has been in space for 15 years. The H2A rocket body, about the size of a bus, was launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2009. Its precise location and orbital position are not known. Also read | Debris cloud growing in a distant star system after massive collision between two exoplanets Debris removal Launched from New Zealand, the ADRAS-J spacecraft has already made contact and is ready to begin operations, said project manager Eijiro Atarashi in a statement. Using observation data from Earth, the estimated location of the H2A rocket body will be determined, and ADRAS-J will approach it "from a safe distance" to gather images and assess its condition and movements. Selected by JAXA for its debris removal programme, ADRAS-J, as per Astroscale is the first spacecraft of its kind, which aims to remove large debris of Japanese origin in collaboration with private companies. Space debris As per the European Space Agency (ESA) estimates, there are around one million pieces of debris larger than a centimetre in orbit. These pieces of debris, which are big enough to "disable a spacecraft" pose a big threat. Also read | Japan successfully launches new H3 rocket following setback last year The build-up of space debris, including used satellites and rocket parts, has been a growing concern since the space age began. Proposed solutions include using lasers to push debris into new orbits and Astroscale's space "tow-truck," which employs a magnet to collect and move out-of-service satellites. The ADRAS-J mission follows Japan's successful launch of its new flagship H3 rocket on Saturday, after years of delays and previous failed attempts. Additionally, Japan achieved a successful, albeit slightly off-kilter, unmanned probe landing on the Moon last month, making it the fifth country to accomplish a "soft" lunar landing. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan launches debris removal spacecraft to tackle space junk

<p>European Space Agency (ESA) in an interesting feed on its social media handle&nbsp;on Tuesday (Jan 23) spoke about&nbsp;recreating the Moon's surface on Earth!&nbsp;</p>

<p>ESA made it official back in December, pledging to roll out not one, but two cutting-edge facilities&nbsp;to simulate lunar vibes and pave the way for groundbreaking exploration technology.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The anticipation is sky-high as these futuristic spaces, set to debut in 2024, promise to catapult us into a world where the Moon's mysteries become as familiar as our own backyard.</p>

<p>ESA&nbsp;experts, teaming up from the UK and Germany, spilled the beans on their secret ingredient - terrestrial rock&nbsp;samples sourced from a Greenland mine, mirroring the very essence of lunar materials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''To do this, we needed rock samples with similar properties to materials found on the Moon. Some of our experts from the LUNA and VULCAN facilities recently travelled to Greenland, to start a collaboration with a mine that will provide us with anorthosite, an igneous, light-coloured rock that has similar properties to material found on the Moon,'' the video caption read.</p>

<h2><strong>Why ESA is recreating Moon here?</strong></h2>

<p>ESA's moon-duplication mission isn't just about creating a cosmic spectacle. It's a launchpad for training future astronauts in an immersive lunar environment, mirroring every inch of the lunar surface's activities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/stellar-show-nasas-james-webb-telescope-captures-birth-of-new-suns-far-away-from-earth-683450">Stellar show! NASA's James Webb Telescope captures birth of new suns far away from Earth</a></p>

<p>''They will also be used to develop new technologies, including those that use local lunar materials to generate oxygen, water, and building materials, for instance,'' ESA added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>ESA is constructing not one but two mind-blowing testbeds at the European Astronaut Centre—one mimicking lunar mare regions and the other rocking a dusty lunar highland vibe, courtesy of a whopping 20 tonnes of anorthosite.</p>

<p>Space enthusiasts could not hold back their excitement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Why is NASA pushing back Moon mission timelines?</strong></p>

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<p>A user quipped, "Wow, this is amazing! Will this be open to the public? I ain't no astronaut but I want to see the moon."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


European Space Agency (ESA) in an interesting feed on its social media handle on Tuesday (Jan 23) spoke about recreating the Moon's surface on Earth! ESA made it official back in December, pledging to roll out not one, but two cutting-edge facilities to simulate lunar vibes and pave the way for groundbreaking exploration technology.

European Space Agency (ESA) in an interesting feed on its social media handle on Tuesday (Jan 23) spoke about recreating the Moon's surface on Earth! ESA made it official back in December, pledging to roll out not one, but two cutting-edge facilities to simulate lunar vibes and pave the way for groundbreaking exploration technology. The anticipation is sky-high as these futuristic spaces, set to debut in 2024, promise to catapult us into a world where the Moon's mysteries become as familiar as our own backyard. ESA experts, teaming up from the UK and Germany, spilled the beans on their secret ingredient - terrestrial rock samples sourced from a Greenland mine, mirroring the very essence of lunar materials. ''To do this, we needed rock samples with similar properties to materials found on the Moon. Some of our experts from the LUNA and VULCAN facilities recently travelled to Greenland, to start a collaboration with a mine that will provide us with anorthosite, an igneous, light-coloured rock that has similar properties to material found on the Moon,'' the video caption read. Why ESA is recreating Moon here? ESA's moon-duplication mission isn't just about creating a cosmic spectacle. It's a launchpad for training future astronauts in an immersive lunar environment, mirroring every inch of the lunar surface's activities. Also Read | Stellar show! NASA's James Webb Telescope captures birth of new suns far away from Earth ''They will also be used to develop new technologies, including those that use local lunar materials to generate oxygen, water, and building materials, for instance,'' ESA added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ESA - European Space Agency (@europeanspaceagency) × ESA is constructing not one but two mind-blowing testbeds at the European Astronaut Centre—one mimicking lunar mare regions and the other rocking a dusty lunar highland vibe, courtesy of a whopping 20 tonnes of anorthosite. Space enthusiasts could not hold back their excitement. Watch | Why is NASA pushing back Moon mission timelines? × A user quipped, "Wow, this is amazing! Will this be open to the public? I ain't no astronaut but I want to see the moon." (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH | European space agency to replicate Moon's surface on Earth

<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA) announced that the Hubble Space Telescope released an image of a "monster merger" of two galaxies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The image features Arp 122, which is a peculiar galaxy that in fact comprises two galaxies – NGC 6040, the tilted, warped spiral galaxy and LEDA 59642, the round, face-on spiral.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What's interesting is that NASA has said that both galaxies are in the midst of a collision — similar to the Andromeda–Milky Way prediction, which is said to occur in about 4.5 billion years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronauts-reveal-what-space-smells-like-and-its-stinkier-than-youd-expect-679866">Astronauts reveal what space smells like, and it’s stinkier than you’d expect</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>This prediction is expected between the two largest galaxies in the Local Group—the Milky Way, which contains the Solar System and Earth, and the Andromeda Galaxy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, the galactic collisions and mergers are a slow process and would take hundreds of millions of years to unfold.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA's report mentioned that the dramatic cosmic encounter is located roughly 570 million light-years from Earth, which is a very safe distance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added that at the lower-left corner is the elliptical galaxy NGC 6041, which is a central member of the galaxy cluster that Arp 122 resides in, but otherwise not participating in the merger.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/south-aegean-volcanic-arc-was-far-more-dangerous-and-explosive-suggests-new-evidence-680464">An eruption over 520,000 years ago shows South Aegean Volcanic Arc was far more dangerous</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The announcement read: "Galaxies are composed of stars and their solar systems, dust, gas, and invisible dark matter. In galactic collisions, therefore, these constituent components may experience enormous changes in the gravitational forces acting on them."&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added, "In time, this completely changes the structure of the two (or more) colliding galaxies, and sometimes ultimately results in a single, merged galaxy. That may well be what results from the collision pictured in this image."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Galaxies formed by mergers are considered to have a regular or elliptical structure, as the merging process disturbs more complicated structures. NASA said in its post: "It would be fascinating to know what Arp 122 will look like once this collision is complete… but that will not happen for a long, long time."&nbsp;</p>


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA) announced that the Hubble Space Telescope released an image of a "monster merger" of two galaxies.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA) announced that the Hubble Space Telescope released an image of a "monster merger" of two galaxies. The image features Arp 122, which is a peculiar galaxy that in fact comprises two galaxies – NGC 6040, the tilted, warped spiral galaxy and LEDA 59642, the round, face-on spiral. What's interesting is that NASA has said that both galaxies are in the midst of a collision — similar to the Andromeda–Milky Way prediction, which is said to occur in about 4.5 billion years. Also read: Astronauts reveal what space smells like, and it’s stinkier than you’d expect This prediction is expected between the two largest galaxies in the Local Group—the Milky Way, which contains the Solar System and Earth, and the Andromeda Galaxy. Notably, the galactic collisions and mergers are a slow process and would take hundreds of millions of years to unfold. NASA's report mentioned that the dramatic cosmic encounter is located roughly 570 million light-years from Earth, which is a very safe distance. It added that at the lower-left corner is the elliptical galaxy NGC 6041, which is a central member of the galaxy cluster that Arp 122 resides in, but otherwise not participating in the merger. Also read: An eruption over 520,000 years ago shows South Aegean Volcanic Arc was far more dangerous The announcement read: "Galaxies are composed of stars and their solar systems, dust, gas, and invisible dark matter. In galactic collisions, therefore, these constituent components may experience enormous changes in the gravitational forces acting on them." It added, "In time, this completely changes the structure of the two (or more) colliding galaxies, and sometimes ultimately results in a single, merged galaxy. That may well be what results from the collision pictured in this image." Galaxies formed by mergers are considered to have a regular or elliptical structure, as the merging process disturbs more complicated structures. NASA said in its post: "It would be fascinating to know what Arp 122 will look like once this collision is complete… but that will not happen for a long, long time."

Hubble captures ‘monster merger’ of two galaxies. Is this the future of Milky Way?

<p>The mother of all collisions for Earth has (till now) been the asteroid that struck millions of years ago bringing the age of the dinosaurs to an end. Let's hope that remains the only planet-scale collision our homeworld has ever had the ill-fate to suffer. But Universe is filled with celestial bodies hundreds of times bigger than Earth. And when you consider galactic collisions, the scale is mind-boggling.</p>

<p>NASA and the European Space Agency's (ESA) Hubble Space Telescope has captured one such collision or merger of two galaxies each of which contains milliions and millions of stars and planets.</p>

<p>On Monday (January 8), the ESA posted the image on its official handle on X (formerly Twitter).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The image shows 'Arp 122'. It's a galaxy that contains two galaxies that are in the process of merging. In the upper part of this merger, is the galaxy NGC 6040. It is a spiral galaxy that's currently being warped due to the merger. Immediately below it, we have LEDA 59642, another spiral galaxy that's visible in 'face-on' position.</p>

<p>Both the galaxies are colliding</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">📷 This NASA/ESA <a href="https://twitter.com/HUBBLE_space?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HUBBLE_space</a> Telescope image features Arp 122, a peculiar galaxy that in fact comprises two galaxies — NGC 6040, the tilted, warped spiral galaxy and LEDA 59642, the round, face-on spiral — that are in the midst of a collision.<br />
<br />
Galactic collisions and mergers… <a href="https://t.co/riQOmPKb4r">pic.twitter.com/riQOmPKb4r</a></p>
— ESA (@esa) <a href="https://twitter.com/esa/status/1744279587738042615?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Due to their immense size, it takes years and years for such mergers to complete. We are talking about millions and millions of years. This is because, galaxies have so many stars planets, gas and dust that to neatly accommodate it with millions of stars, planets, gas and dust of the other galaxy, it requires time. And truly huge distances in space make galactic merger a really slow and long-drawn process.</p>

<p>Our Milky Way Galaxy will merge with its neighbour Andromeda galaxy. When they merge, both galaxies will lose their spiral shape and the resultant galaxy will not have the beautiful spiral arms we associate with Milky Way Galaxy.</p>

<p>But 4 billion years are to pass before both galaxies will even begin to merge. And complete merger will takes hundreds of millions of years more.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The mother of all collisions for Earth has (till now) been the asteroid that struck millions of years ago bringing the age of the dinosaurs to an end. Let's hope that remains the only planet-scale collision our homeworld has ever had the ill-fate to suffer.

The mother of all collisions for Earth has (till now) been the asteroid that struck millions of years ago bringing the age of the dinosaurs to an end. Let's hope that remains the only planet-scale collision our homeworld has ever had the ill-fate to suffer. But Universe is filled with celestial bodies hundreds of times bigger than Earth. And when you consider galactic collisions, the scale is mind-boggling. NASA and the European Space Agency's (ESA) Hubble Space Telescope has captured one such collision or merger of two galaxies each of which contains milliions and millions of stars and planets. On Monday (January 8), the ESA posted the image on its official handle on X (formerly Twitter). The image shows 'Arp 122'. It's a galaxy that contains two galaxies that are in the process of merging. In the upper part of this merger, is the galaxy NGC 6040. It is a spiral galaxy that's currently being warped due to the merger. Immediately below it, we have LEDA 59642, another spiral galaxy that's visible in 'face-on' position. Both the galaxies are colliding 📷 This NASA/ESA @HUBBLE_space Telescope image features Arp 122, a peculiar galaxy that in fact comprises two galaxies — NGC 6040, the tilted, warped spiral galaxy and LEDA 59642, the round, face-on spiral — that are in the midst of a collision. Galactic collisions and mergers… pic.twitter.com/riQOmPKb4r — ESA (@esa) January 8, 2024 × Due to their immense size, it takes years and years for such mergers to complete. We are talking about millions and millions of years. This is because, galaxies have so many stars planets, gas and dust that to neatly accommodate it with millions of stars, planets, gas and dust of the other galaxy, it requires time. And truly huge distances in space make galactic merger a really slow and long-drawn process. Our Milky Way Galaxy will merge with its neighbour Andromeda galaxy. When they merge, both galaxies will lose their spiral shape and the resultant galaxy will not have the beautiful spiral arms we associate with Milky Way Galaxy. But 4 billion years are to pass before both galaxies will even begin to merge. And complete merger will takes hundreds of millions of years more. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Hubble Telescope captures a spectacular galactic collision

<p>Elon Musk-led SpaceX has signed a deal for launching up to four satellites of Europe, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported. These are flagship navigation and secure communication satellites. The report however said that European Commission, the European Union's (EU) executive arm, along with EU member states would still have to give their seal of approval for the deal to go ahead.</p>

<p>Recently, the European Space Agency (ESA) signed an agreement with SpaceX for two launches set to take place next year. Two Galileo satellites would be sent into orbit during each launch.</p>

<p>The WSJ quoted Javier Benedicto, the ESA's director of navigation, who said that the agreement called for SpaceX launching these satellites using its Falcon 9 rocket.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | SpaceX plans to launch 144 missions in 2024</strong></p>

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<p>There was no immediate official comment either from the European Commission or SpaceX.</p>

<p>Last month, European space officials stressed that crucial timing decisions were to be taken in a matter of weeks on the return to flight of Europe's flagship space launchers following a series of delays.</p>

<p>SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket was recently used by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to launch a spacecraft containing The Psyche probe. The rocket blasted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cap Canaveral. The probe will travel 2.2 billion miles (3.5 billion kilometres) through space and reach Psyche, which is the largest of the several metal-rich asteroids in our Solar System.</p>

<p>The asteroid is roughly 173 miles (279 km) across at its widest. It is located on the outer fringes of the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.</p>

<p>It is considered that Psych is a remnant of core of an ancient protoplanet. The Psyche probe is estimated to reach the asteroid in August 2029.</p>

<p>The launch of the Psych probe was streamed live on NASA TV and also on NASA's social media handles.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Elon Musk-led SpaceX has signed a deal for launching up to four satellites of Europe, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported. These are flagship navigation and secure communication satellites.

Elon Musk-led SpaceX has signed a deal for launching up to four satellites of Europe, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported. These are flagship navigation and secure communication satellites. The report however said that European Commission, the European Union's (EU) executive arm, along with EU member states would still have to give their seal of approval for the deal to go ahead. Recently, the European Space Agency (ESA) signed an agreement with SpaceX for two launches set to take place next year. Two Galileo satellites would be sent into orbit during each launch. The WSJ quoted Javier Benedicto, the ESA's director of navigation, who said that the agreement called for SpaceX launching these satellites using its Falcon 9 rocket. Watch | SpaceX plans to launch 144 missions in 2024 × There was no immediate official comment either from the European Commission or SpaceX. Last month, European space officials stressed that crucial timing decisions were to be taken in a matter of weeks on the return to flight of Europe's flagship space launchers following a series of delays. SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket was recently used by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to launch a spacecraft containing The Psyche probe. The rocket blasted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cap Canaveral. The probe will travel 2.2 billion miles (3.5 billion kilometres) through space and reach Psyche, which is the largest of the several metal-rich asteroids in our Solar System. The asteroid is roughly 173 miles (279 km) across at its widest. It is located on the outer fringes of the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is considered that Psych is a remnant of core of an ancient protoplanet. The Psyche probe is estimated to reach the asteroid in August 2029. The launch of the Psych probe was streamed live on NASA TV and also on NASA's social media handles. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

SpaceX seals deal with ESA for launch of satellites: Report

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA) has released photos which appear to show a fiery phoenix falling to Earth. The photo, actually is of its Aeolus satellite burning up due to friction with Earth's environment. The photo was taken during its 're-entry'.</p>

<p>A 're-entry' is when a decommissioned satellite enters the atmosphere at very high speed and burns up.</p>

<p>The satellite in question, the Aeolus satellite, was launched in 2018. Aeolus was equipped with powerful laser technology which made it capable of observing wind on global scale.</p>

<p>The satellite had a five-year mission during which Aeolus helped improve weather forecasts and climate models. The satellite retired in July this year. After its mission was over, Aeolus became just another piece of space junk orbiting around the Earth.</p>

<p>The space around Earth is choc-a-block with literally thousands of active satellites and a large number of defunct ones which contribute to the growing problem of space debris. The defunct satellites always pose of threat of collision with active ones and rendering them useless. The more time defunct satellites remain in orbit, greater is the chance of such collisions and other complications.</p>

<p>To avoid such a scene due to Aeolus, the ESA carried out what is known as 'assisted re-entry'. Instead of waiting for Aeolus to plummet towards the Earth on its own, the space agency gave little 'nudges' to the satellite in a manoeuvre called de-orbiting. Gravity took over then and the satellite was toast as it fell through the atmosphere.</p>

<p>The assisted re-entry enabled ESA to map where exactly remains of satellite would end up. Though the satellites burn up completely during re-entry, there is always a small chance of some piece of machinery crashing on Earth unburnt. And if this happens in populated areas, there is definitely a risk of civilian injuries or even deaths.</p>

<p>"By turning Aeolus's natural, uncontrolled re-entry into an assisted one, and choosing the best reentry orbit, the already very small risk from any surviving fragments landing near populated areas was made a further 150 times less risky," ESA said.</p>

<p>Additionally, the assisted re-entry shortened the period Aeolus would have remained in orbit around the Earth, in a defunct condition, potentially posing threat to active satellites.</p>

<p>You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>

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The European Space Agency (ESA) has released photos which appear to show a fiery phoenix falling to Earth. The photo, actually is of its Aeolus satellite burning up due to friction with Earth's environment.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has released photos which appear to show a fiery phoenix falling to Earth. The photo, actually is of its Aeolus satellite burning up due to friction with Earth's environment. The photo was taken during its 're-entry'. A 're-entry' is when a decommissioned satellite enters the atmosphere at very high speed and burns up. The satellite in question, the Aeolus satellite, was launched in 2018. Aeolus was equipped with powerful laser technology which made it capable of observing wind on global scale. The satellite had a five-year mission during which Aeolus helped improve weather forecasts and climate models. The satellite retired in July this year. After its mission was over, Aeolus became just another piece of space junk orbiting around the Earth. The space around Earth is choc-a-block with literally thousands of active satellites and a large number of defunct ones which contribute to the growing problem of space debris. The defunct satellites always pose of threat of collision with active ones and rendering them useless. The more time defunct satellites remain in orbit, greater is the chance of such collisions and other complications. To avoid such a scene due to Aeolus, the ESA carried out what is known as 'assisted re-entry'. Instead of waiting for Aeolus to plummet towards the Earth on its own, the space agency gave little 'nudges' to the satellite in a manoeuvre called de-orbiting. Gravity took over then and the satellite was toast as it fell through the atmosphere. The assisted re-entry enabled ESA to map where exactly remains of satellite would end up. Though the satellites burn up completely during re-entry, there is always a small chance of some piece of machinery crashing on Earth unburnt. And if this happens in populated areas, there is definitely a risk of civilian injuries or even deaths. "By turning Aeolus's natural, uncontrolled re-entry into an assisted one, and choosing the best reentry orbit, the already very small risk from any surviving fragments landing near populated areas was made a further 150 times less risky," ESA said. Additionally, the assisted re-entry shortened the period Aeolus would have remained in orbit around the Earth, in a defunct condition, potentially posing threat to active satellites. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

ESA posts blazing photo of satellite falling to Earth

All eyes are on India's Chandrayaan-3. As the spacecraft inches closer to the moon. Since the launch, NASA & ESA have been supporting ISRO.

Chandrayaan-3: The role of NASA & ESA in aiding ISRO during the Moon landing

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Aeolus wind satellite, after exceeding its planned life in orbit, is making its way back to Earth. The satellite, which has been orbiting our planet for nearly five years, is currently falling at a rate of around 1 km per day, with its descent accelerating.

Aeolus' Epic Fall: European satellite being made to crash intentionally on Earth

<p>The first fry in space has been made by researchers of&nbsp;the European Space Agency (ESA). A study was recently carried out in microgravity at a height of 2,000 feet to see whether potatoes can&nbsp;be cooked to an edible level. Despite the fact that buoyancy—the phenomenon that causes oil bubbles to exit a potato's surface—is known to not occur in space due to the absence of gravity, ESA teams were nonetheless able to cook fries in a laboratory setting.</p>

<p>The scientists clarified that without buoyancy, the bubbles wouldn't be drawn upward and adhere to the surface of the potato. As a result, the potato would be undercooked and "undesirable," and a film of steam would form around it.</p>

<h2><strong>How was this achieved?</strong></h2>

<p>The fried space food is being made as part of a study to examine how culinary methods like frying are affected by microgravity. ESA carried out two flying campaigns using a plane that flew in arcs to provide fleeting experiences of weightlessness for this study. The process through which the aircraft ascends from a height of at least 20,000 feet is known as "parabolic flight".&nbsp;It ascends to a specific altitude and then plummets back to the starting point, providing 22 seconds of weightlessness.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/french-fries-may-drive-anxiety-depression-new-research-suggests-585831"><strong>&nbsp;</strong>French fries may drive anxiety, depression, new research suggests</a></p>

<p>During the time that potatoes were being cooked in microgravity, a high-speed, high-resolution camera captured the dynamics of the bubbles, including their growth rate, size, distribution, and escape velocity from the potato's surface. The internal potato temperatures and the oil's boiling point were also measured.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🍳 What a better way to start your Sunday than with a fry-up?<br />
<br />
But have you ever tried frying in zero-g?<br />
<br />
As we prepare for missions to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Moon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Moon</a> and on to Mars, you will be happy to hear that one staple comfort food, fries, is not out of reach 🍟<br />
<br />
🔗 <a href="https://t.co/h55cTMO36w">https://t.co/h55cTMO36w</a> <a href="https://t.co/ukK4NWXTzT">pic.twitter.com/ukK4NWXTzT</a></p>
— ESA (@esa) <a href="https://twitter.com/esa/status/1665463438338928645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>"It is seen that even in the absence of buoyancy i.e., during parabolas, vapour bubbles still detach and depart from the surface of potato permitting hot oil to maintain contact with the potato surface and leading eventually to a fried product."</p>

<p>"The results of the present study provide primary experimental evidence that frying can occur in space," the paper further read.</p>

<p>Once this technology is completely perfected, astronauts will continue to eat like people on Earth do and will eat fried foods as a mainstay. Currently, astronauts can spend up to six months or even a year on the International Space Station (ISS), which is 400 kilometres above the Earth. They would have more alternatives and better food security when they set out on lengthy trips to the Moon and Mars if cooking skills had advanced.&nbsp;</p>

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The first fry in space has been made by researchers of the European Space Agency (ESA). A study was recently carried out in microgravity at a height of 2,000 feet to see whether potatoes can be cooked to an edible level.

The first fry in space has been made by researchers of the European Space Agency (ESA). A study was recently carried out in microgravity at a height of 2,000 feet to see whether potatoes can be cooked to an edible level. Despite the fact that buoyancy—the phenomenon that causes oil bubbles to exit a potato's surface—is known to not occur in space due to the absence of gravity, ESA teams were nonetheless able to cook fries in a laboratory setting. The scientists clarified that without buoyancy, the bubbles wouldn't be drawn upward and adhere to the surface of the potato. As a result, the potato would be undercooked and "undesirable," and a film of steam would form around it. How was this achieved? The fried space food is being made as part of a study to examine how culinary methods like frying are affected by microgravity. ESA carried out two flying campaigns using a plane that flew in arcs to provide fleeting experiences of weightlessness for this study. The process through which the aircraft ascends from a height of at least 20,000 feet is known as "parabolic flight". It ascends to a specific altitude and then plummets back to the starting point, providing 22 seconds of weightlessness. Also read | French fries may drive anxiety, depression, new research suggests During the time that potatoes were being cooked in microgravity, a high-speed, high-resolution camera captured the dynamics of the bubbles, including their growth rate, size, distribution, and escape velocity from the potato's surface. The internal potato temperatures and the oil's boiling point were also measured. 🍳 What a better way to start your Sunday than with a fry-up? But have you ever tried frying in zero-g? As we prepare for missions to the #Moon and on to Mars, you will be happy to hear that one staple comfort food, fries, is not out of reach 🍟 🔗 https://t.co/h55cTMO36w pic.twitter.com/ukK4NWXTzT — ESA (@esa) June 4, 2023 × "It is seen that even in the absence of buoyancy i.e., during parabolas, vapour bubbles still detach and depart from the surface of potato permitting hot oil to maintain contact with the potato surface and leading eventually to a fried product." "The results of the present study provide primary experimental evidence that frying can occur in space," the paper further read. Once this technology is completely perfected, astronauts will continue to eat like people on Earth do and will eat fried foods as a mainstay. Currently, astronauts can spend up to six months or even a year on the International Space Station (ISS), which is 400 kilometres above the Earth. They would have more alternatives and better food security when they set out on lengthy trips to the Moon and Mars if cooking skills had advanced. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

French fries in space: Astronauts puff up menu as ESA learns to fry food

In this video, we show you how the European Space Agency is training new astronauts for future missions to space.

European Space Agency training new astronauts for space missions

<p>The European Space Agency's (ESA) Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, which was launched on April 14, 2023, from the ESA spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana&nbsp;has experienced a glitch with its antenna.</p>

<p>The agency took to Twitter and shared an update on the deployment status of the ice-penetrating Radar for the Icy Moons Exploration (RIME) antenna and said that it could not yet be deployed as per the plan.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESAJuice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ESAJuice</a> deployment status update: our 16 m-long ice-penetrating RIME antenna is not yet fully deployed as planned. Work is ongoing to resolve an issue currently preventing it from being released from its mounting bracket.<br />
<br />
Details 👉 <a href="https://t.co/AIr13dQzMw">https://t.co/AIr13dQzMw</a> <a href="https://t.co/ABC2Ok8DXj">pic.twitter.com/ABC2Ok8DXj</a></p>
— ESA's Juice mission (@ESA_JUICE) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESA_JUICE/status/1651939141955772417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>"During the first week of commissioning, an issue arose with the 16-metre-long RIME antenna, which is preventing it from being released from its mounting bracket," the agency said in a <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Juice/Work_continues_to_deploy_Juice_RIME_antenna">statement</a>.</p>

<p>The ESA added that the work is ongoing "to free the radar" and teams at ESA’s mission control centre in Darmstadt, Germany, along with partners in science and industry, "have lots of ideas up their sleeves".&nbsp;</p>

<p>JUICE is ESA's first mission ever to find traces of alien life on Jupiter. It will reach Jupiter's orbit by July 2031 which is roughly 628 million kilometres (390 million miles) away from planet Earth.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another view of <a href="https://twitter.com/ariane5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ariane5</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VA260?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VA260</a> liftoff and ascent. For real-time mission updates, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/Arianespace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Arianespace</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ESA_JUICE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESA_JUICE</a> 👍 <a href="https://t.co/1YCuYhPr2h">pic.twitter.com/1YCuYhPr2h</a></p>
— ESA (@esa) <a href="https://twitter.com/esa/status/1646851886945820673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>First, it will do a fly-by of Earth and the Moon, then will slingshot around Venus in 2025 before swinging past Earth again in 2029.</p>

<p>Once the probe arrives in 2031, it will need to very carefully hit the brakes to enter Jupiter's orbit.</p>

<p>From there, JUICE will focus on Jupiter and its three icy, ocean-bearing moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.</p>

<p>Sharing an update on the status of the JUICE mission, ESA said that it is otherwise "performing excellently after the successful deployment and operation of its mission-critical solar arrays and medium gain antenna, as well as its 10.6-m magnetometer boom".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Juice is otherwise performing excellently and with two months of planned commissioning, there is plenty of time to work on any issues. More updates when we have them. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StayTuned?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StayTuned</a> 📸RIME antenna awaiting deployment on 14 April 2023 <a href="https://t.co/QVkyi8Uwd5">pic.twitter.com/QVkyi8Uwd5</a></p>
— ESA's Juice mission (@ESA_JUICE) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESA_JUICE/status/1651940546921807877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pictures captured by the Juice Monitoring Camera aboard the spacecraft show more signs of movement in the RIME antenna.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What is RIME instrument?</h2>

<p>As per ESA's website, the &nbsp;RIME instrument is an ice-penetrating radar designed to study the surface and subsurface structure of Jupiter’s icy moons down to a depth of 9 km.</p>

<p>It is one of 10 instruments on board ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice, set to probe the emergence of habitable worlds around gas giants and the formation of our Solar System.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>
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The European Space Agency's (ESA) Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, which was launched on April 14, 2023, from the ESA spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana has experienced a glitch with its antenna.

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, which was launched on April 14, 2023, from the ESA spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana has experienced a glitch with its antenna. The agency took to Twitter and shared an update on the deployment status of the ice-penetrating Radar for the Icy Moons Exploration (RIME) antenna and said that it could not yet be deployed as per the plan. #ESAJuice deployment status update: our 16 m-long ice-penetrating RIME antenna is not yet fully deployed as planned. Work is ongoing to resolve an issue currently preventing it from being released from its mounting bracket. Details 👉 https://t.co/AIr13dQzMw pic.twitter.com/ABC2Ok8DXj — ESA's Juice mission (@ESA_JUICE) April 28, 2023 × "During the first week of commissioning, an issue arose with the 16-metre-long RIME antenna, which is preventing it from being released from its mounting bracket," the agency said in a statement. The ESA added that the work is ongoing "to free the radar" and teams at ESA’s mission control centre in Darmstadt, Germany, along with partners in science and industry, "have lots of ideas up their sleeves". JUICE is ESA's first mission ever to find traces of alien life on Jupiter. It will reach Jupiter's orbit by July 2031 which is roughly 628 million kilometres (390 million miles) away from planet Earth. Another view of @ariane5 #VA260 liftoff and ascent. For real-time mission updates, follow @Arianespace and @ESA_JUICE 👍 pic.twitter.com/1YCuYhPr2h — ESA (@esa) April 14, 2023 × First, it will do a fly-by of Earth and the Moon, then will slingshot around Venus in 2025 before swinging past Earth again in 2029. Once the probe arrives in 2031, it will need to very carefully hit the brakes to enter Jupiter's orbit. From there, JUICE will focus on Jupiter and its three icy, ocean-bearing moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Sharing an update on the status of the JUICE mission, ESA said that it is otherwise "performing excellently after the successful deployment and operation of its mission-critical solar arrays and medium gain antenna, as well as its 10.6-m magnetometer boom". Juice is otherwise performing excellently and with two months of planned commissioning, there is plenty of time to work on any issues. More updates when we have them. #StayTuned 📸RIME antenna awaiting deployment on 14 April 2023 pic.twitter.com/QVkyi8Uwd5 — ESA's Juice mission (@ESA_JUICE) April 28, 2023 × Pictures captured by the Juice Monitoring Camera aboard the spacecraft show more signs of movement in the RIME antenna. What is RIME instrument? As per ESA's website, the RIME instrument is an ice-penetrating radar designed to study the surface and subsurface structure of Jupiter’s icy moons down to a depth of 9 km. It is one of 10 instruments on board ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice, set to probe the emergence of habitable worlds around gas giants and the formation of our Solar System. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

ESA's Jupiter-bound spacecraft JUICE experiences glitch with antenna in deep space

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA) launched its JUICE probe in&nbsp;second launch attempt that took place on Friday (April 14). The first attempt was called off on April 13 due to threat of lightning.&nbsp;The launch took place from European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana&nbsp;at 9:14 am local time (1214 GMT). JUICE probe was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket.</p>

<p>ESA posted video of the launch on its Twitter handle.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another view of <a href="https://twitter.com/ariane5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ariane5</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VA260?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VA260</a> liftoff and ascent. For real-time mission updates, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/Arianespace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Arianespace</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ESA_JUICE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESA_JUICE</a> 👍 <a href="https://t.co/1YCuYhPr2h">pic.twitter.com/1YCuYhPr2h</a></p>
— ESA (@esa) <a href="https://twitter.com/esa/status/1646851886945820673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The probe separated as planned at an altitude of 1,500 kilometres (930 miles), 27 minutes after launching from Europe's spaceport in Kourou.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Stephane Israel, the CEO of French firm Arianespace in charge of the rocket, said it meant the launch was "a success".</p>

<p>The JUICE mission is aimed at investigating Jupiter's icy moons and Jupiter itself. Scientists think that these moons cover oceans of liquid water underneath. According to our current understanding, where there is water, there might be life.</p>

<p>The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) plans to take a long and winding path to the gas giant, which is 628 million kilometres (390 million miles) from Earth.</p>

<p>It will use several gravitational boosts along the way, first by doing a fly-by of Earth and the Moon, then by sling-shotting around Venus in 2025 before swinging past Earth again in 2029.</p>

<p>When the probe finally enters Jupiter's orbit in July 2031, its 10 scientific instruments will analyse the Solar System's largest planet as well as its three icy moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The European Space Agency (ESA) launched its JUICE probe in second launch attempt that took place on Friday (April 14). The first attempt was called off on April 13 due to threat of lightning.

The European Space Agency (ESA) launched its JUICE probe in second launch attempt that took place on Friday (April 14). The first attempt was called off on April 13 due to threat of lightning. The launch took place from European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 9:14 am local time (1214 GMT). JUICE probe was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket. ESA posted video of the launch on its Twitter handle. Another view of @ariane5 #VA260 liftoff and ascent. For real-time mission updates, follow @Arianespace and @ESA_JUICE 👍 pic.twitter.com/1YCuYhPr2h — ESA (@esa) April 14, 2023 × The probe separated as planned at an altitude of 1,500 kilometres (930 miles), 27 minutes after launching from Europe's spaceport in Kourou. Stephane Israel, the CEO of French firm Arianespace in charge of the rocket, said it meant the launch was "a success". The JUICE mission is aimed at investigating Jupiter's icy moons and Jupiter itself. Scientists think that these moons cover oceans of liquid water underneath. According to our current understanding, where there is water, there might be life. The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) plans to take a long and winding path to the gas giant, which is 628 million kilometres (390 million miles) from Earth. It will use several gravitational boosts along the way, first by doing a fly-by of Earth and the Moon, then by sling-shotting around Venus in 2025 before swinging past Earth again in 2029. When the probe finally enters Jupiter's orbit in July 2031, its 10 scientific instruments will analyse the Solar System's largest planet as well as its three icy moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Watch: ESA successfully launches JUICE probe, onward to Jupiter now

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launch Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) on Friday (April 14). The launch took place from ESA spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. An Ariane 5 rocket lifted-off carrying JUICE probe at 9:14 am local time (1214 GMT). The path ahead is long and winding. The space probe will be in Jupiter's orbit by July 2031. Jupiter is 628 million kilometre away from our home planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The European Space Agency posted launch of JUICE on its social media handle. Check out the brilliant video.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another view of <a href="https://twitter.com/ariane5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ariane5</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VA260?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VA260</a> liftoff and ascent. For real-time mission updates, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/Arianespace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Arianespace</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ESA_JUICE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESA_JUICE</a> 👍 <a href="https://t.co/1YCuYhPr2h">pic.twitter.com/1YCuYhPr2h</a></p>
— ESA (@esa) <a href="https://twitter.com/esa/status/1646851886945820673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>JUICE will make detailed observations of the giant gas planet and its three large ocean-bearing moons – Ganymede, Callisto and Europa – with remote sensing, geophysical and in situ instruments. The mission will explore the&nbsp;moons as possible habitats besides studying Jupiter’s complex environment.</p>

<p>So what will JUICE do during it's mission? Let's get the dope.</p>

<h2><strong>What is JUICE's mission?</strong></h2>

<p>Finding aliens! Quite literally.</p>

<p>We may be less than a decade away from finding signs of life (or life itself) in our solar system! Finding alien life has been a scientific pre-occupation for us for decades. The question, 'Are we are alone in the Universe?' has been on our mind for a long time. To find the answer, we have applied our minds and focussed our powerful lenses which have been scanning distant corners or deep space for decades. Our giant radio receptors are ever alert to catch a transmission from an alien civilisation. We have also sent space probes (Voyager 1 and 2) packed with information in hopes that someday aliens will find them and come to know about us.</p>

<p>But the answer may be closer to home than we think. Alien life may be present in our Solar System itself.</p>

<h2><strong>Where can aliens be in our Solar System?</strong></h2>

<p>There are several candidates. Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system has several satellites which have had scientists interested. Europa, in particular has been in focus.</p>

<p>Europa is an icy world. The surface of the planet is covered by extremely thick ice sheets. Ice is lighter than water, so wherever there's ice, there is a possibility of water underneath.</p>

<p>Scientist think that Europa has oceans of liquid water under its massive ice sheets. And we know from our own planet that water means life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In theory at least, it is possible that Europa harbours life in liquid oceans below the surface. This may be a downer for those of us expecting insect like aliens with antennas on their head to exist in space. But even if we find definitive proof of sea creatures swimming in Europa's oceans, wouldn't it be insanely fantastic discovery?</p>

<p>In addition to Europa, JUICE will study Ganymede and Callisto, two more satellites of Jupiter.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How will JUICE search for&nbsp;life?</strong></h2>

<p>Whenever we talk of life under Europa's ice sheets, first image that comes to mind is that of a human-made machine dutifully drilling the ice. This may sound easy enough until we know that Europa's ice sheets are thought to be between 16 and 24 kilometres thick!</p>

<p>Drilling to such depths is hard enough task on Earth, forget doing it on a frozen world millions of kilometres away. Logistics will be a major problem.&nbsp;</p>

<p>So how will JUICE manage?</p>

<p>It will make remote observations. But this will not be just clicking a random picture from the orbit. JUICE has 10 state-of-the-art scientific instruments onboard. It's high resolution mapping of the surface at different wavelengths will tell us about composition of the ice at the surface.&nbsp;</p>

<p>JUICE will also look for biological signatures, that it, chemicals that form as a result of various biological processes. If such chemicals are found, it will boost the possibility of existence of life on Europa.</p>

<p>JUICE is not expected to actually find extraterrestrial life. It definitely won't drop a fishing net to catch some Europan salmon. But its readings and observations will enable us to assess habitability of the satellite.</p>

<h2><strong>Why is JUICE taking 8 years to reach Jupiter?</strong></h2>

<p>JUICE launch on April 14 doesn't give it a straight highway ticket from Earth to Jupiter. The space probe is taking a long-winding route that'll see it taking 'gravity assists' from Earth, Moon, and Venus.</p>

<p>A 'gravity assist' is a technique by which a spacecraft takes help of gravitational field of a planet to get a speed boost. For gravity assist, the spacecraft needs to pass through the planet's gravitational field at a carefully calibrated exact point in order to get a 'slingshot effect'. Smallest of the mistakes during this manoeuvre results in the spacecraft getting pulled towards the planet and getting destroyed in an unfortunate crash.</p>

<p>"By the time the first solar orbit is complete, Earth has caught up with JUICE and the first gravity-assist manoeuvre can be performed. At this point, the spacecraft is deflected towards Venus and it falls in the direction of the Sun, increasing speed...After passing Venus, JUICE makes subsequent flybys of Earth, Mars...and Earth again before its rendezvous with Jupiter in October 2029," says the European Space Agency on its website.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launch Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) on Friday (April 14). The launch took place from ESA spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launch Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) on Friday (April 14). The launch took place from ESA spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. An Ariane 5 rocket lifted-off carrying JUICE probe at 9:14 am local time (1214 GMT). The path ahead is long and winding. The space probe will be in Jupiter's orbit by July 2031. Jupiter is 628 million kilometre away from our home planet. The European Space Agency posted launch of JUICE on its social media handle. Check out the brilliant video. Another view of @ariane5 #VA260 liftoff and ascent. For real-time mission updates, follow @Arianespace and @ESA_JUICE 👍 pic.twitter.com/1YCuYhPr2h — ESA (@esa) April 14, 2023 × JUICE will make detailed observations of the giant gas planet and its three large ocean-bearing moons – Ganymede, Callisto and Europa – with remote sensing, geophysical and in situ instruments. The mission will explore the moons as possible habitats besides studying Jupiter’s complex environment. So what will JUICE do during it's mission? Let's get the dope. What is JUICE's mission? Finding aliens! Quite literally. We may be less than a decade away from finding signs of life (or life itself) in our solar system! Finding alien life has been a scientific pre-occupation for us for decades. The question, 'Are we are alone in the Universe?' has been on our mind for a long time. To find the answer, we have applied our minds and focussed our powerful lenses which have been scanning distant corners or deep space for decades. Our giant radio receptors are ever alert to catch a transmission from an alien civilisation. We have also sent space probes (Voyager 1 and 2) packed with information in hopes that someday aliens will find them and come to know about us. But the answer may be closer to home than we think. Alien life may be present in our Solar System itself. Where can aliens be in our Solar System? There are several candidates. Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system has several satellites which have had scientists interested. Europa, in particular has been in focus. Europa is an icy world. The surface of the planet is covered by extremely thick ice sheets. Ice is lighter than water, so wherever there's ice, there is a possibility of water underneath. Scientist think that Europa has oceans of liquid water under its massive ice sheets. And we know from our own planet that water means life. In theory at least, it is possible that Europa harbours life in liquid oceans below the surface. This may be a downer for those of us expecting insect like aliens with antennas on their head to exist in space. But even if we find definitive proof of sea creatures swimming in Europa's oceans, wouldn't it be insanely fantastic discovery? In addition to Europa, JUICE will study Ganymede and Callisto, two more satellites of Jupiter. How will JUICE search for life? Whenever we talk of life under Europa's ice sheets, first image that comes to mind is that of a human-made machine dutifully drilling the ice. This may sound easy enough until we know that Europa's ice sheets are thought to be between 16 and 24 kilometres thick! Drilling to such depths is hard enough task on Earth, forget doing it on a frozen world millions of kilometres away. Logistics will be a major problem. So how will JUICE manage? It will make remote observations. But this will not be just clicking a random picture from the orbit. JUICE has 10 state-of-the-art scientific instruments onboard. It's high resolution mapping of the surface at different wavelengths will tell us about composition of the ice at the surface. JUICE will also look for biological signatures, that it, chemicals that form as a result of various biological processes. If such chemicals are found, it will boost the possibility of existence of life on Europa. JUICE is not expected to actually find extraterrestrial life. It definitely won't drop a fishing net to catch some Europan salmon. But its readings and observations will enable us to assess habitability of the satellite. Why is JUICE taking 8 years to reach Jupiter? JUICE launch on April 14 doesn't give it a straight highway ticket from Earth to Jupiter. The space probe is taking a long-winding route that'll see it taking 'gravity assists' from Earth, Moon, and Venus. A 'gravity assist' is a technique by which a spacecraft takes help of gravitational field of a planet to get a speed boost. For gravity assist, the spacecraft needs to pass through the planet's gravitational field at a carefully calibrated exact point in order to get a 'slingshot effect'. Smallest of the mistakes during this manoeuvre results in the spacecraft getting pulled towards the planet and getting destroyed in an unfortunate crash. "By the time the first solar orbit is complete, Earth has caught up with JUICE and the first gravity-assist manoeuvre can be performed. At this point, the spacecraft is deflected towards Venus and it falls in the direction of the Sun, increasing speed...After passing Venus, JUICE makes subsequent flybys of Earth, Mars...and Earth again before its rendezvous with Jupiter in October 2029," says the European Space Agency on its website. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Explained | Get the dope on JUICE, Europe’s mission to find aliens

<p>Liftoff of the European Space Agency's (ESA) JUICE mission, which seeks to find whether Jupiter's icy moons are capable of hosting life, has been postponed by 24 hours because of bad weather. The launch was previously planned to take place at 1215 GMT on Thursday (April 13). ESA has said that the next attempt will take place on Friday within 30 seconds of the same time. The decision to postpone the launch was taken due to threat of lightning in the cloudy skies.</p>

<p>Stephane Israel, the CEO of French firm Arianespace in charge of the Ariane 5 rocket, told AFP that with just minutes to spare, "a large mass of clouds approached and we absolutely could not proceed with the launch due to the risk of lightning".</p>

<p>In order for a perfect liftoff, three parameters must get the green light: the launcher, the probe and the weather</p>

<p>On Friday, the risk of lightning will be monitored "until the last moment," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The delay was announced to the Jupiter control room in Kourou, where many people, including Belgium's King Philippe, had gathered to watch the launch.</p>

<p>The JUpiter ICy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission is still on track to arrive at the gas giant in July 2031. The six-tonne spacecraft, uncrewed will investigate Jupiter's icy moons.</p>

<p>The discovery of huge oceans of liquid water -- the main ingredient for life as we know it -- kilometres beneath their icy shells has made them prime candidates to potentially host life in our celestial backyard.</p>

<p>Once launched, JUICE will take a long and winding path to Jupiter, which is some 628 million kilometres (390 million miles) from Earth, using other planets for a gravitational boost along the way.</p>

<p>First, it will do a fly-by of Earth and the Moon, then will slingshot around Venus in 2025 before swinging past Earth again in 2029.<br />
Once the probe arrives in 2031, it will need to very carefully hit the brakes to enter Jupiter's orbit.</p>

<p>From there, JUICE will focus on Jupiter's and its three icy, ocean-bearing moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Liftoff of the European Space Agency's (ESA) JUICE mission, which seeks to find whether Jupiter's icy moons are capable of hosting life, has been postponed by 24 hours because of bad weather.

Liftoff of the European Space Agency's (ESA) JUICE mission, which seeks to find whether Jupiter's icy moons are capable of hosting life, has been postponed by 24 hours because of bad weather. The launch was previously planned to take place at 1215 GMT on Thursday (April 13). ESA has said that the next attempt will take place on Friday within 30 seconds of the same time. The decision to postpone the launch was taken due to threat of lightning in the cloudy skies. Stephane Israel, the CEO of French firm Arianespace in charge of the Ariane 5 rocket, told AFP that with just minutes to spare, "a large mass of clouds approached and we absolutely could not proceed with the launch due to the risk of lightning". In order for a perfect liftoff, three parameters must get the green light: the launcher, the probe and the weather On Friday, the risk of lightning will be monitored "until the last moment," he added. The delay was announced to the Jupiter control room in Kourou, where many people, including Belgium's King Philippe, had gathered to watch the launch. The JUpiter ICy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission is still on track to arrive at the gas giant in July 2031. The six-tonne spacecraft, uncrewed will investigate Jupiter's icy moons. The discovery of huge oceans of liquid water -- the main ingredient for life as we know it -- kilometres beneath their icy shells has made them prime candidates to potentially host life in our celestial backyard. Once launched, JUICE will take a long and winding path to Jupiter, which is some 628 million kilometres (390 million miles) from Earth, using other planets for a gravitational boost along the way. First, it will do a fly-by of Earth and the Moon, then will slingshot around Venus in 2025 before swinging past Earth again in 2029. Once the probe arrives in 2031, it will need to very carefully hit the brakes to enter Jupiter's orbit. From there, JUICE will focus on Jupiter's and its three icy, ocean-bearing moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

ESA JUICE mission delayed by 24 hours due to bad weather

<p>In a significant step toward enabling persons with physical disabilities to work and live in space, the European Space Agency on Wednesday announced the first-ever "parastronaut."&nbsp;The 22-nation organisation said&nbsp;that it had chosen former British Paralympic sprinter John McFall as one of the 17 new hires chosen for astronaut training.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He will participate in a feasibility study that will enable the ESA to determine the prerequisites for persons with impairments to participate in the next missions.</p>

<p>"It's been quite a whirlwind experience, given that as an amputee, I'd never thought that being an astronaut was a possibility, so excitement was a huge emotion," McFall said in an interview posted on ESA's website.</p>

<p>After the ESA filled its astronaut ranks for the first time since 2009, he will train with 11 reserves&nbsp;and five new career astronauts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>People who are completely capable of passing the ESA's customary rigorous psychological, cognitive, and other exams were invited to apply for positions last year. These individuals are only barred from becoming astronauts because of the limitations of the available hardware in light of their disability.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-successfully-tests-intermediate-range-ballistic-missile-agni-3-536888">&nbsp;India successfully tests intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-3</a></p>

<p>It got 257 applications for the "parastronaut" position, a parallel position for astronauts with disabilities.</p>

<p>His appointment was called "a major leap forward" by Disability equality charity Scope.&nbsp;</p>

<p>McFall, who had his right leg amputated at the age of 19 due to a motorcycle accident, went on to take home the bronze medal in the 100-metre race at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The doctor, who is 31 years old, will assist ESA engineers in creating the hardware modifications required to make professional spaceflight more accessible to more qualified people, the agency stated.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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In a significant step toward enabling persons with physical disabilities to work and live in space, the European Space Agency on Wednesday announced the first-ever "parastronaut.

In a significant step toward enabling persons with physical disabilities to work and live in space, the European Space Agency on Wednesday announced the first-ever "parastronaut." The 22-nation organisation said that it had chosen former British Paralympic sprinter John McFall as one of the 17 new hires chosen for astronaut training. He will participate in a feasibility study that will enable the ESA to determine the prerequisites for persons with impairments to participate in the next missions. "It's been quite a whirlwind experience, given that as an amputee, I'd never thought that being an astronaut was a possibility, so excitement was a huge emotion," McFall said in an interview posted on ESA's website. After the ESA filled its astronaut ranks for the first time since 2009, he will train with 11 reserves and five new career astronauts. People who are completely capable of passing the ESA's customary rigorous psychological, cognitive, and other exams were invited to apply for positions last year. These individuals are only barred from becoming astronauts because of the limitations of the available hardware in light of their disability. Also Read: India successfully tests intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-3 It got 257 applications for the "parastronaut" position, a parallel position for astronauts with disabilities. His appointment was called "a major leap forward" by Disability equality charity Scope. McFall, who had his right leg amputated at the age of 19 due to a motorcycle accident, went on to take home the bronze medal in the 100-metre race at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. The doctor, who is 31 years old, will assist ESA engineers in creating the hardware modifications required to make professional spaceflight more accessible to more qualified people, the agency stated. (With inputs from agencies)

European Space Agency names world's first 'parastronaut' in 'a major leap forward'

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuid29ccfw0OqhC7" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>European Space Agency (ESA) is intending to help millions of people by building space-based solar farms that will harvest energy from the Sun and transmit it down to receiving stations on Earth with the so-called&nbsp;SOLARIS plan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an attempt to understand it, ESA is likely to approve a three-year study this week to examine if the plan of building massive solar farms is feasible or not. They will check whether or not it would work, along with being cost-effective.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A BBC report said the idea will be considered at a Paris meeting on Tuesday by the research ministers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The main objective is to place enormous satellites in orbit, with the capability of producing the same amount of electricity as a power plant.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the SOLARIS initiative, ESA is planning to probe what are the key technologies needed to make this ambitious Space-Based Solar Power a working reality.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report added that the SOLARIS programme would be the first to provide the foundation for a workable strategy to construct a space-based renewable energy generation system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ESA's director general Josef Aschbacher told BBC News that he believed that solar power from space could be of ''enormous'' help, aimed at tackling the energy shortages in future.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said: ''We do need to convert into carbon neutral economies and therefore change the way we produce energy and especially reduce the fossil fuel part of our energy production."&nbsp;</p>

<p>''If you can do it from space, and I'm saying<em>&nbsp;if</em>&nbsp;we could, because we are not there yet, this would be absolutely fantastic because it would solve a lot of problems," he added.&nbsp;</p>

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European Space Agency (ESA) is intending to help millions of people by building space-based solar farms that will harvest energy from the Sun and transmit it down to receiving stations on Earth with the so-called SOLARIS plan.

European Space Agency (ESA) is intending to help millions of people by building space-based solar farms that will harvest energy from the Sun and transmit it down to receiving stations on Earth with the so-called SOLARIS plan. In an attempt to understand it, ESA is likely to approve a three-year study this week to examine if the plan of building massive solar farms is feasible or not. They will check whether or not it would work, along with being cost-effective. A BBC report said the idea will be considered at a Paris meeting on Tuesday by the research ministers. The main objective is to place enormous satellites in orbit, with the capability of producing the same amount of electricity as a power plant. With the SOLARIS initiative, ESA is planning to probe what are the key technologies needed to make this ambitious Space-Based Solar Power a working reality. The report added that the SOLARIS programme would be the first to provide the foundation for a workable strategy to construct a space-based renewable energy generation system. ESA's director general Josef Aschbacher told BBC News that he believed that solar power from space could be of ''enormous'' help, aimed at tackling the energy shortages in future. He said: ''We do need to convert into carbon neutral economies and therefore change the way we produce energy and especially reduce the fossil fuel part of our energy production." ''If you can do it from space, and I'm saying if we could, because we are not there yet, this would be absolutely fantastic because it would solve a lot of problems," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

European Space Agency intends to build solar farms in space that can give millions electricity

<p>Earth's magnetic field is like a silent protector. As we go about living our daily life, the magnetic lines of force stretch and wrap around Earth and form a protective shield that guards us against deadly cosmic radiation and even charged solar particles. Of many things from Earth's bounty nurturing&nbsp;life, its magnetic field is one of the most important one.</p>

<p>The silent protector has now spoken, not in a language that we would understand but in eerie tones that remind us that celestial processes mean business.&nbsp;</p>

<p>We need not worry. It is still the benevolent, protective shield that keeps us safe. But that doesn't reduce the scary quotient of the sound.</p>

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA) has released the clip. Listen in:</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1366087441&amp;color=ff5500&amp;hide_related=true&amp;show_comments=false&amp;show_teaser=false&amp;show_user=false" width="100%"></iframe>

<div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/esa" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="European Space Agency">European Space Agency</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/esa/the-scary-sound-of-earths-magnetic-field" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="The scary sound of Earth’s magnetic field">The scary sound of Earth’s magnetic field</a></div>
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<p>ESA says that researchers from the Technical University of Denmark caught magnetic signals using the agency's Swarm Satellite Mission. This mission is dedicated to studying Earth's magnetic field. These magnetic signals were then converted into sound.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | NASA spacecraft records epic 'Marsquakes', images show debris hurled up to 40 KM</strong></p>

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<p>"The team used data from ESA's Swarm satellites, as well as other sources, and used these magnetic signals to manipulate and control a sonic representation of the core field. The project has certainly been a rewarding exercise in bringing art and science together," said Klaus Nielsen, musician and supporter of the project. He was quoted by ESA.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-is-going-to-use-a-torch-to-find-water-on-moon-530179">NASA is going to use a 'torch' to find water on Moon</a></strong></p>

<p>"We gained access to a very interesting sound system consisting of over 30 loudspeakers dug into the ground at the Solbjerg Square in Copenhagen. "We have set it up so that each speaker represents a different location on Earth and demonstrates how our magnetic field has fluctuated over the last 100,000 years," he added.&nbsp;</p>

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Earth's magnetic field is like a silent protector. As we go about living our daily life, the magnetic lines of force stretch and wrap around Earth and form a protective shield that guards us against deadly cosmic radiation and even charged solar particles.

Earth's magnetic field is like a silent protector. As we go about living our daily life, the magnetic lines of force stretch and wrap around Earth and form a protective shield that guards us against deadly cosmic radiation and even charged solar particles. Of many things from Earth's bounty nurturing life, its magnetic field is one of the most important one. The silent protector has now spoken, not in a language that we would understand but in eerie tones that remind us that celestial processes mean business. We need not worry. It is still the benevolent, protective shield that keeps us safe. But that doesn't reduce the scary quotient of the sound. The European Space Agency (ESA) has released the clip. Listen in: European Space Agency · The scary sound of Earth’s magnetic field × ESA says that researchers from the Technical University of Denmark caught magnetic signals using the agency's Swarm Satellite Mission. This mission is dedicated to studying Earth's magnetic field. These magnetic signals were then converted into sound. Watch | NASA spacecraft records epic 'Marsquakes', images show debris hurled up to 40 KM × "The team used data from ESA's Swarm satellites, as well as other sources, and used these magnetic signals to manipulate and control a sonic representation of the core field. The project has certainly been a rewarding exercise in bringing art and science together," said Klaus Nielsen, musician and supporter of the project. He was quoted by ESA. Also Read | NASA is going to use a 'torch' to find water on Moon "We gained access to a very interesting sound system consisting of over 30 loudspeakers dug into the ground at the Solbjerg Square in Copenhagen. "We have set it up so that each speaker represents a different location on Earth and demonstrates how our magnetic field has fluctuated over the last 100,000 years," he added. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Want to know how Earth's magnetic field sounds like? Check this out

<p>A popular sheep will soon be off to space, and while "it might be a small step for a human, it's a giant leap for lambkind". Shaun, the title character from the animated television series "Shaun the Sheep" has been selected as the first 'astronaut' abroad the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency's (ESA) Artemis 1&nbsp;lunar mission. The clever sheep who is known for his misadventures will soon be flying off - in plushie form. Later this month he will travel far beyond the moon aboard NASA's unmanned Orion spacecraft before coming back to Earth in just over a month.&nbsp;As per an ESA statement, this voyage will be managed from the ground and will only have a woolly specialist as a passenger rather than a human crew.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Moon, Mars &amp; Beyond: NASA to embark upon new lunar odyssey</strong></p>

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<p>"This is an exciting time for Shaun and for us at ESA," said ESA’s Director for Human and Robotic Exploration Dr David Parker in a statement, adding, "We’re woolly very happy that he’s been selected for the mission and we understand that, although it might be a small step for a human, it’s a giant leap for lambkind".</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/mission-to-moon-how-us-and-japan-plan-to-once-again-send-humans-to-the-lunar-surface-481528">Mission to Moon: How US and Japan plan to once again send humans to the lunar surface</a></strong></p>

<p>Shaun, who has a "keen passion for exploring", flew on the special Airbus 'Zero G' A310 aircraft&nbsp;which simulates the "weightlessness" conditions found in space on one of its parabolic flights.</p>

<p><img alt="Shaun the Sheep in parabolic flight training" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8e8c881b-861c-406f-b8d1-34624fb56d96" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20%2813%29.png" /></p>

<p><sub><sup><em><strong>Shaun the Sheep in parabolic flight training. (Image credits: ESA)</strong></em></sup></sub></p>

<p>Apparently, the mischievous sheep has undergone rigorous instruction which has been well documented, and in the run-up to launch, the ESA blog will publish a number of entries on this training.</p>

<p>Shaun's real-life space voyage has been organised by ESA in collaboration with Aardman, the animation company that created the stop-motion sheep.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/why-did-nasa-abort-important-artemis-mission-rocket-test-launch-with-just-29-seconds-left-on-clock-490930">Why did NASA abort important 'Artemis Mission' rocket test launch with just 29 seconds left on clock?</a></strong></p>

<p>Lucy Wendover, Marketing Director at Aardman says, “Aardman is excited to be joining ESA in making history by launching the first ‘sheep’ into space."</p>

<p>Calling the mission "a great honour for our woolly adventurer!" she said that Shaun is leading the way in lunar exploration. What better way to celebrate Shaun's debut TV series' 15th anniversary than by travelling farther than any sheep has ever gone, she added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A popular sheep will soon be off to space, and while "it might be a small step for a human, it's a giant leap for lambkind". Shaun, the title character from the animated television series "Shaun the Sheep" has been selected as the first 'astronaut' abroad the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency's (ESA) Artemis 1 lunar mission.

A popular sheep will soon be off to space, and while "it might be a small step for a human, it's a giant leap for lambkind". Shaun, the title character from the animated television series "Shaun the Sheep" has been selected as the first 'astronaut' abroad the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency's (ESA) Artemis 1 lunar mission. The clever sheep who is known for his misadventures will soon be flying off - in plushie form. Later this month he will travel far beyond the moon aboard NASA's unmanned Orion spacecraft before coming back to Earth in just over a month. As per an ESA statement, this voyage will be managed from the ground and will only have a woolly specialist as a passenger rather than a human crew. Watch | Moon, Mars & Beyond: NASA to embark upon new lunar odyssey "This is an exciting time for Shaun and for us at ESA," said ESA’s Director for Human and Robotic Exploration Dr David Parker in a statement, adding, "We’re woolly very happy that he’s been selected for the mission and we understand that, although it might be a small step for a human, it’s a giant leap for lambkind". Also read | Mission to Moon: How US and Japan plan to once again send humans to the lunar surface Shaun, who has a "keen passion for exploring", flew on the special Airbus 'Zero G' A310 aircraft which simulates the "weightlessness" conditions found in space on one of its parabolic flights. Shaun the Sheep in parabolic flight training. (Image credits: ESA) Apparently, the mischievous sheep has undergone rigorous instruction which has been well documented, and in the run-up to launch, the ESA blog will publish a number of entries on this training. Shaun's real-life space voyage has been organised by ESA in collaboration with Aardman, the animation company that created the stop-motion sheep. Also read | Why did NASA abort important 'Artemis Mission' rocket test launch with just 29 seconds left on clock? Lucy Wendover, Marketing Director at Aardman says, “Aardman is excited to be joining ESA in making history by launching the first ‘sheep’ into space." Calling the mission "a great honour for our woolly adventurer!" she said that Shaun is leading the way in lunar exploration. What better way to celebrate Shaun's debut TV series' 15th anniversary than by travelling farther than any sheep has ever gone, she added. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'A giant leap for lambkind': Shaun the Sheep will be ESA, NASA's first 'astronaut' to the Moon

Italian Samantha Cristoforetti, embarks on Europe's 1st spacewalk by a female astronaut

<p>The Russian aggression on Ukraine has laid waste to many things: towns, lives, cultural heritages and a scientific inquiry. The European Space Agency has "officially" ended its association with Russia for a life-hunting Mars rover mission. As per Space.com, the mission that was scheduled to launch in the latter&nbsp;part of this decade, in the late 2020s was initially suspended over Russia's invasion of its neighbour. As part of a larger project, dubbed ExoMars, the European Space Agency (ESA) had been developing the alien life-seeking&nbsp;mission in collaboration with its Russian equivalent, Roscosmos. However, now ESA chief Josef Aschbacher has announced that this suspension will be upgraded to a termination.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;European Space Agency suspends joint space mission with Russia</strong></p>

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<p>Taking to Twitter, Aschbacher said, "today&nbsp;@ESA Council addressed the ExoMars Rover and Surface Platform mission, acknowledging that the circumstances which led to the suspension of the cooperation with Roscosmos – the war in Ukraine and the resulting sanctions – continue to prevail."</p>

<p>He added, "As a consequence, Council mandated me to officially terminate the currently suspended cooperation with Roscosmos on the ExoMars Rover and Surface Platform mission."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tensions-in-iss-russia-announces-that-it-will-be-ending-space-cooperation-with-nasa-esa-475422">Tensions in ISS: Russia announces that it will be ending space cooperation with NASA, ESA</a></strong></p>

<p>In the initial concept, the Roscosmos and Russian military-run Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan would have served as the launch location for the Rosalind Franklin rover. Additionally, a lander called&nbsp;Kazachok,&nbsp;created by the Russians was meant to land with Rosalind Franklin and launch Rosalind.</p>

<p>As per the ESA chief&nbsp;"new insights on the way forward with other partners" will be provided during a media briefing on 20 July.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/kalina-russias-advanced-laser-system-that-can-blind-enemy-satellites-496528">Kalina: Russia's advanced laser system that can blind enemy satellites</a></strong></p>

<p>This decision will of course have significant effects on the mission.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rosalind Franklin was supposed to launch in September, but mission team members have said that a launch before 2028 is now doubtful due to the requirement to locate a new rocket and a new landing platform.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The Russian aggression on Ukraine has laid waste to many things: towns, lives, cultural heritages and a scientific inquiry. The European Space Agency has "officially" ended its association with Russia for a life-hunting Mars rover mission.

The Russian aggression on Ukraine has laid waste to many things: towns, lives, cultural heritages and a scientific inquiry. The European Space Agency has "officially" ended its association with Russia for a life-hunting Mars rover mission. As per Space.com, the mission that was scheduled to launch in the latter part of this decade, in the late 2020s was initially suspended over Russia's invasion of its neighbour. As part of a larger project, dubbed ExoMars, the European Space Agency (ESA) had been developing the alien life-seeking mission in collaboration with its Russian equivalent, Roscosmos. However, now ESA chief Josef Aschbacher has announced that this suspension will be upgraded to a termination. Watch | European Space Agency suspends joint space mission with Russia Taking to Twitter, Aschbacher said, "today @ESA Council addressed the ExoMars Rover and Surface Platform mission, acknowledging that the circumstances which led to the suspension of the cooperation with Roscosmos – the war in Ukraine and the resulting sanctions – continue to prevail." He added, "As a consequence, Council mandated me to officially terminate the currently suspended cooperation with Roscosmos on the ExoMars Rover and Surface Platform mission." Also read | Tensions in ISS: Russia announces that it will be ending space cooperation with NASA, ESA In the initial concept, the Roscosmos and Russian military-run Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan would have served as the launch location for the Rosalind Franklin rover. Additionally, a lander called Kazachok, created by the Russians was meant to land with Rosalind Franklin and launch Rosalind. As per the ESA chief "new insights on the way forward with other partners" will be provided during a media briefing on 20 July. Also read | Kalina: Russia's advanced laser system that can blind enemy satellites This decision will of course have significant effects on the mission. Rosalind Franklin was supposed to launch in September, but mission team members have said that a launch before 2028 is now doubtful due to the requirement to locate a new rocket and a new landing platform. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Another casualty of Russia-Ukraine war: ESA-ROSCOSMOS's Mars life-hunting mission

European Space Agency (ESA) launched its latest Vega-C rocket from the European spaceport in French Guiana. The ESA wants to make Europe more competitive in the satellite market.

European Space Agency (ESA) launches new Vega-C rocket

<p>The James Webb Space Telescope has provided the first indication of how it will alter how people perceive the cosmos.The image depicts SMACS 0723, where a huge collection of galaxy clusters serves as a magnifying glass for the things behind them. This phenomenon, known as gravitational lensing, produced Webb's first deep field image of extremely old and far-off, dim galaxies.</p>

<p>These far-off galaxies and star clusters include several that have never been observed before. This image depicts the galaxy cluster 4.6 billion years ago.</p>

<p>The image was captured by Webb's near-infrared camera and is made up of snapshots acquired over a period of 12.5 hours at various light wavelengths.</p>

<p>So, given below is a list of six astounding facts about the James Webb Telescope that are gradually altering how humans explore space.</p>

<p>1: The most advanced observatory ever launched</p>

<p>The most advanced observatory ever launched is the $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope.On December 25, 2021, the JWST was launched using the Ariane 5 ECA rocket.The observatory, on-orbit supplies, and launch vehicle adaptor made up about 6200 kg of total cargo.</p>

<p>2: Returning to the beginning</p>

<p>The purpose of Webb is to collect and analyse infrared light, which has longer wavelengths than what the human eye can see. As a result, it will be able to gather infrared radiation from the earliest galaxies. More than 13 billion light years away, the early galaxies may only appear as dim smudges with the Webb telescope's current power. However, those smudges will aid scientists in learning more about the origins of the universe as we know it.</p>

<p>3: The golden mirror</p>

<p>The most amazing feature of the largest telescope in the world is its golden mirror. The primary mirror has a diameter of about 6.5 metres (21.3 ft).The primary mirror is made of beryllium and weighs 705 kg. It is coated in gold. The mirror's focal length is 131.4 metres. There are 18 parts in the main mirror.</p>

<p>4: The James Webb Space Telescope's objectives are as follows:</p>

<p>Find the first galaxies or brilliant objects that emerged from the Big Bang.</p>

<p>Analyze the development of galaxies from their formation to the present.</p>

<p>Watch how stars grow from their earliest beginnings to the creation of planetary systems.</p>

<p>We measure the physical and chemical characteristics of planetary systems, such as our own solar system, and look into whether or not there is a chance for life there.</p>

<p>5: The JWST observatory is equipped with the following instruments:</p>

<p>Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam)</p>

<p>Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec)</p>

<p>Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI)</p>

<p>Fine Guidance Sensors/Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (FGS/NIRISS)</p>

<p>6: Plenty more to see</p>

<p>But that's only the start. The range of scientific applications for Webb is astounding. To examine the atmospheres of planets circling stars outside of our solar system, for instance, Megan Mansfield, a NASA Sagan Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Arizona, will use Webb.</p>

<p>She is especially interested in learning about their atmospheres, namely "what they're made of, what their temperature is." She will learn a lot about the planet from that, including whether or not it can support life.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


The James Webb Space Telescope has provided the first indication of how it will alter how people perceive the cosmos.The image depicts SMACS 0723, where a huge collection of galaxy clusters serves as a magnifying glass for the things behind them.

The James Webb Space Telescope has provided the first indication of how it will alter how people perceive the cosmos.The image depicts SMACS 0723, where a huge collection of galaxy clusters serves as a magnifying glass for the things behind them. This phenomenon, known as gravitational lensing, produced Webb's first deep field image of extremely old and far-off, dim galaxies. These far-off galaxies and star clusters include several that have never been observed before. This image depicts the galaxy cluster 4.6 billion years ago. The image was captured by Webb's near-infrared camera and is made up of snapshots acquired over a period of 12.5 hours at various light wavelengths. So, given below is a list of six astounding facts about the James Webb Telescope that are gradually altering how humans explore space. 1: The most advanced observatory ever launched The most advanced observatory ever launched is the $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope.On December 25, 2021, the JWST was launched using the Ariane 5 ECA rocket.The observatory, on-orbit supplies, and launch vehicle adaptor made up about 6200 kg of total cargo. 2: Returning to the beginning The purpose of Webb is to collect and analyse infrared light, which has longer wavelengths than what the human eye can see. As a result, it will be able to gather infrared radiation from the earliest galaxies. More than 13 billion light years away, the early galaxies may only appear as dim smudges with the Webb telescope's current power. However, those smudges will aid scientists in learning more about the origins of the universe as we know it. 3: The golden mirror The most amazing feature of the largest telescope in the world is its golden mirror. The primary mirror has a diameter of about 6.5 metres (21.3 ft).The primary mirror is made of beryllium and weighs 705 kg. It is coated in gold. The mirror's focal length is 131.4 metres. There are 18 parts in the main mirror. 4: The James Webb Space Telescope's objectives are as follows: Find the first galaxies or brilliant objects that emerged from the Big Bang. Analyze the development of galaxies from their formation to the present. Watch how stars grow from their earliest beginnings to the creation of planetary systems. We measure the physical and chemical characteristics of planetary systems, such as our own solar system, and look into whether or not there is a chance for life there. 5: The JWST observatory is equipped with the following instruments: Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI) Fine Guidance Sensors/Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (FGS/NIRISS) 6: Plenty more to see But that's only the start. The range of scientific applications for Webb is astounding. To examine the atmospheres of planets circling stars outside of our solar system, for instance, Megan Mansfield, a NASA Sagan Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Arizona, will use Webb. She is especially interested in learning about their atmospheres, namely "what they're made of, what their temperature is." She will learn a lot about the planet from that, including whether or not it can support life. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NASA's James Webb telescope: Incredible facts you need to know

<p>NASA is gearing up to unveil the first cosmic images from the most powerful telescope ever launched into space: the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The space agency announced on Friday that the telescope's initial cosmic photographs will offer previously unattainable perspectives of far-off galaxies, brilliant nebulae, and a massive gas planet. A big reveal of the early observations by the $10 billion observatory which replaced the Hubble telescope, will be done in just a few days on July 12. The US, European, and Canadian space agencies are preparing to reveal the telescope's fresh insights into the universe's beginnings.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;All the times humanity tried to communicate with aliens</strong></p>

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<p>In an interview with AFP last week, Klaus Pontoppidan, an astronomer at the STSI Space Telescope Science Institute (STSI), which is in charge of Webb, said: "I'm looking very much forward to not having to keep these secrets anymore. That will be a great relief."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🎯 Target(s) acquired!<br />
<br />
The targets of Webb’s first images have been announced: <a href="https://t.co/6BNlHANxTd">https://t.co/6BNlHANxTd</a><br />
<br />
✨ SMACS 0723<br />
<br />
✨ WASP-96b<br />
<br />
✨ Southern Ring Nebula<br />
<br />
✨ Stephan’s Quintet<br />
<br />
✨ Carina Nebula<br />
<br />
Tune in July 12 as we reveal Webb’s first images &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnfoldTheUniverse?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UnfoldTheUniverse</a>. <a href="https://t.co/TLP2LenkPF">pic.twitter.com/TLP2LenkPF</a></p>
— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAWebb/status/1545413807996129280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Carina Nebula, a massive cloud of gas and dust located 7,600 light-years away, as well as the Southern Ring Nebula, which encircles a fading star 2,000 light-years away, were selected as part of the first batch of full-colour scientific photos by an international committee.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/first-images-from-james-webb-telescope-to-be-released-soon-489193">First colour images from James Webb telescope to be released soon</a></strong></p>

<p>Webb has also performed spectroscopy, which is the precise examination of light, on the distant gas giant WASP-96 b, which was found in 2014 and is located almost 1,150 light-years from Earth. Then comes Stephan's Quintet, a small galaxy 290 million light-years away.</p>

<p>And possibly the most fascinating of all...using a process, called "gravitational lensing," Webb has assembled an image of incredibly far away and faint galaxies. For this, it used foreground galaxy clusters named SMACS 0723 as a type of cosmic magnifying glass for galaxies behind it.</p>

<p>To entice us all the space agencies have even dropped a small teaser:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Who wants a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Webb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Webb</a> teaser? ✋ This engineering test image captured by Canada’s Fine Guidance Sensor on Webb provides a unique preview of the power of the space observatory. 😍<br />
<br />
Learn more: <a href="https://t.co/ZTOBWXECbB">https://t.co/ZTOBWXECbB</a><br />
<br />
Image: NASA, CSA, and FGS team <a href="https://t.co/s7CQIaMihK">pic.twitter.com/s7CQIaMihK</a></p>
— Canadian Space Agency (@csa_asc) <a href="https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1544781590726836224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-captures-mid-boggling-photo-of-ufo-like-object-on-mars-take-a-look-474921">NASA captures mind-boggling photo of UFO-like object on Mars. Take a look!</a></strong></p>

<p>Dan Coe, an astronomer at STSI, told AFP on Friday that the telescope has made scientific breakthroughs even in its maiden photographs.</p>

<p>"When I first saw the images... of this deep field of this galaxy cluster lensing, I looked at the images, and I suddenly learned three things about the universe that I didn't know before," he said.</p>

<p>"It's totally blown my mind."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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NASA is gearing up to unveil the first cosmic images from the most powerful telescope ever launched into space: the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The space agency announced on Friday that the telescope's initial cosmic photographs will offer previously unattainable perspectives of far-off galaxies, brilliant nebulae, and a massive gas planet.

NASA is gearing up to unveil the first cosmic images from the most powerful telescope ever launched into space: the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The space agency announced on Friday that the telescope's initial cosmic photographs will offer previously unattainable perspectives of far-off galaxies, brilliant nebulae, and a massive gas planet. A big reveal of the early observations by the $10 billion observatory which replaced the Hubble telescope, will be done in just a few days on July 12. The US, European, and Canadian space agencies are preparing to reveal the telescope's fresh insights into the universe's beginnings. Watch | All the times humanity tried to communicate with aliens In an interview with AFP last week, Klaus Pontoppidan, an astronomer at the STSI Space Telescope Science Institute (STSI), which is in charge of Webb, said: "I'm looking very much forward to not having to keep these secrets anymore. That will be a great relief." 🎯 Target(s) acquired! The targets of Webb’s first images have been announced: https://t.co/6BNlHANxTd ✨ SMACS 0723 ✨ WASP-96b ✨ Southern Ring Nebula ✨ Stephan’s Quintet ✨ Carina Nebula Tune in July 12 as we reveal Webb’s first images & #UnfoldTheUniverse. pic.twitter.com/TLP2LenkPF — NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) July 8, 2022 × The Carina Nebula, a massive cloud of gas and dust located 7,600 light-years away, as well as the Southern Ring Nebula, which encircles a fading star 2,000 light-years away, were selected as part of the first batch of full-colour scientific photos by an international committee. Also read | First colour images from James Webb telescope to be released soon Webb has also performed spectroscopy, which is the precise examination of light, on the distant gas giant WASP-96 b, which was found in 2014 and is located almost 1,150 light-years from Earth. Then comes Stephan's Quintet, a small galaxy 290 million light-years away. And possibly the most fascinating of all...using a process, called "gravitational lensing," Webb has assembled an image of incredibly far away and faint galaxies. For this, it used foreground galaxy clusters named SMACS 0723 as a type of cosmic magnifying glass for galaxies behind it. To entice us all the space agencies have even dropped a small teaser: Who wants a #Webb teaser? ✋ This engineering test image captured by Canada’s Fine Guidance Sensor on Webb provides a unique preview of the power of the space observatory. 😍 Learn more: https://t.co/ZTOBWXECbB Image: NASA, CSA, and FGS team pic.twitter.com/s7CQIaMihK — Canadian Space Agency (@csa_asc) July 6, 2022 × Also read | NASA captures mind-boggling photo of UFO-like object on Mars. Take a look! Dan Coe, an astronomer at STSI, told AFP on Friday that the telescope has made scientific breakthroughs even in its maiden photographs. "When I first saw the images... of this deep field of this galaxy cluster lensing, I looked at the images, and I suddenly learned three things about the universe that I didn't know before," he said. "It's totally blown my mind." (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

On this day, NASA will reveal 'secret' images taken by the most powerful telescope ever launched into space

<p>Scientists have decided to send a unique fingerprint painting in the Euclid spacecraft which is set for launch in 2023. The mission, which is aimed at exploring the evolution of the universe by the help of 3D mapping, will have the painting as a representation of human civilisation.</p>

<p>The painting will be depicting the Milky Way Galaxy and it was created by visual artist Lisa Pettibone along with 250 scientists and Euclid instrument scientist Tom Kitching. When asked about the motive of the painting, Kitching said - “After Euclid’s lifetime, it will just be floating in space. What if future beings found Euclid? How would they know anything about the humanity of the people?"</p>

<p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/is-it-possible-for-china-to-declare-moon-as-its-own-territory-beijing-rejects-nasas-claims-494743" hreflang="en">Is it possible for China to declare Moon as its own territory? Beijing rejects NASA's claims</a></p>

<p>The artist – Lisa Pettibone – said that the painting will add a “bit of humanity” in the Euclid project and added that the entire picture was done by the scientists by dipping their fingers in the paint.</p>

<p>“Although Euclid has always been beautiful in concept and materials, it didn’t really say anything about the people involved and humanity as a whole. We asked ourselves whether we could do something artistic that would speak to people,” Lisa said on the European Space Agency website.</p>

<p>“We wanted something authentic, not perfect, and not shaped too much. The result is a piece of art with a wonderful energy to it that captures all the energy of the people involved,” Lisa added.</p>

<p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/your-brain-is-hotter-than-previously-thought-494739" hreflang="en">Your brain is 'hotter' than previously thought, says this study</a></p>

<p>The picture will be fixed to Euclid after it was engraved onto a plaque by the use of lasers. It will also feature a short poem by poet Simon Barraclough in a typewriter font, ESA claimed.</p>

<p>“It is adding an element of humanity to a dark, vast space, where, as far as we can see, there is no other intelligent life,” Lisa said.</p>


Scientists have decided to send a unique fingerprint painting in the Euclid spacecraft which is set for launch in 2023. The mission, which is aimed at exploring the evolution of the universe by the help of 3D mapping, will have the painting as a representation of human civilisation.

Scientists have decided to send a unique fingerprint painting in the Euclid spacecraft which is set for launch in 2023. The mission, which is aimed at exploring the evolution of the universe by the help of 3D mapping, will have the painting as a representation of human civilisation. The painting will be depicting the Milky Way Galaxy and it was created by visual artist Lisa Pettibone along with 250 scientists and Euclid instrument scientist Tom Kitching. When asked about the motive of the painting, Kitching said - “After Euclid’s lifetime, it will just be floating in space. What if future beings found Euclid? How would they know anything about the humanity of the people?" Also read | Is it possible for China to declare Moon as its own territory? Beijing rejects NASA's claims The artist – Lisa Pettibone – said that the painting will add a “bit of humanity” in the Euclid project and added that the entire picture was done by the scientists by dipping their fingers in the paint. “Although Euclid has always been beautiful in concept and materials, it didn’t really say anything about the people involved and humanity as a whole. We asked ourselves whether we could do something artistic that would speak to people,” Lisa said on the European Space Agency website. “We wanted something authentic, not perfect, and not shaped too much. The result is a piece of art with a wonderful energy to it that captures all the energy of the people involved,” Lisa added. Also read | Your brain is 'hotter' than previously thought, says this study The picture will be fixed to Euclid after it was engraved onto a plaque by the use of lasers. It will also feature a short poem by poet Simon Barraclough in a typewriter font, ESA claimed. “It is adding an element of humanity to a dark, vast space, where, as far as we can see, there is no other intelligent life,” Lisa said.

A fingertip painting to be sent to space to guide aliens to human civilisation

<p>It has been a long-time ambition for scientists to know more about the cosmos and over the years, a lot of projects have been launched to study the celestial bodies with great precession. The European Space Agency (ESA) are all set to add another major chapter in that pursuit as they approved a new mission known as ‘Comet Inspector’. According to the ESA, it is stated for a 2028 launch with a new telescope – Ariel – which will be used to study exoplanets. Although there is no specific target for the project, the telescope will be stationed in order to keep an eye on any incoming comets.</p>

<p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-solar-power-station-in-space-to-beam-electricity-to-earth-yes-its-possible-489325" hreflang="en">A solar power station in space to beam electricity to Earth? Yes, it's possible</a></p>

<p>“We are taking a significant risk. But it’s a high reward,” Günther Hasinger, ESA’s director of science said in an official statement about the project that was first proposed back in 2019.</p>

<p>The ‘Comet Inspector’ will also help the ESA in identifying planets that can have an atmosphere that can support life. This will also help in warning the scientists about any comet or asteroid-like bodies that can be headed towards the earth. Earlier missions like the ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft have visited short-period comets but this will allow them to study it over a much longer period of time.</p>

<p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/light-at-the-end-of-tunnel-scientists-harness-new-therapy-to-kill-cancer-cells-489313" hreflang="en">Light at the end of tunnel: Scientists harness new therapy to kill cancer cells</a></p>

<p>“Comet Interceptor is going to give us a first real glimpse of a primordial body,” Alan Fitzsimmons, a comet researcher from Queen’s University Belfast, said according to a report on Natural journal.</p>

<p>“We have no idea what it will look like. That will truly be new, never-seen-before science,” he added.</p>

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It has been a long-time ambition for scientists to know more about the cosmos and over the years, a lot of projects have been launched to study the celestial bodies with great precession.

It has been a long-time ambition for scientists to know more about the cosmos and over the years, a lot of projects have been launched to study the celestial bodies with great precession. The European Space Agency (ESA) are all set to add another major chapter in that pursuit as they approved a new mission known as ‘Comet Inspector’. According to the ESA, it is stated for a 2028 launch with a new telescope – Ariel – which will be used to study exoplanets. Although there is no specific target for the project, the telescope will be stationed in order to keep an eye on any incoming comets. Also read | A solar power station in space to beam electricity to Earth? Yes, it's possible “We are taking a significant risk. But it’s a high reward,” Günther Hasinger, ESA’s director of science said in an official statement about the project that was first proposed back in 2019. The ‘Comet Inspector’ will also help the ESA in identifying planets that can have an atmosphere that can support life. This will also help in warning the scientists about any comet or asteroid-like bodies that can be headed towards the earth. Earlier missions like the ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft have visited short-period comets but this will allow them to study it over a much longer period of time. Also read | Light at the end of tunnel: Scientists harness new therapy to kill cancer cells “Comet Interceptor is going to give us a first real glimpse of a primordial body,” Alan Fitzsimmons, a comet researcher from Queen’s University Belfast, said according to a report on Natural journal. “We have no idea what it will look like. That will truly be new, never-seen-before science,” he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Comet Inspector': ESA approves new mission to watch for an interstellar comet

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