<p>Humans might live in mushroom colonies, built using fungus, algae and water on the Moon in the coming years. This is if NASA's new plan is executed perfectly.</p>

<p>The space agency plans to conquer the Moon and build colonies where humans can live and conduct more experiments. It is supposed to act as a springboard to reach further into space, especially Mars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, NASA is faced with the dilemma of building these structures since it might not be possible to send bricks and steel to the Moon, and even if it can, whether or not they can sustain the lunar environment is an altogether different question. Besides, sending just one pound of material to the moon costs a whopping million dollars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is where fungus comes into the picture, as per fresh plans to settle humans there, which is expected to prove cost-effective as well as resilient.</p>

<p>Al Jazeera reported that NASA is planning to use mycotecture, a method that uses fungal spores and algae, to not build, but grow structures in space.</p>

<p>NASA is collaborating with others to make it a reality. Chris Maurer, founder of the architecture firm Redhouse, a company partnering with the space agency, told Al Jazeera, "You can’t take boards or bricks. So what are you going to build with?"</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-are-on-a-mission-to-find-15-million-year-old-ice-oldest-in-the-world-762792">Scientists are on a mission to find 1.5-million-year-old ice, oldest in the world</a></p>

<p>The answer lies in the lunar soil, water and mould, which will be sent to the Moon in sealed and inflatable form. The fungal spores, when combined with algae and water, will literally start growing into habitable structures which will provide the perfect place for humans to stay.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Experts say these mushroom buildings will protect astronauts from dangerous space events, such as the widespread harmful radiation and micrometeorites.</p>

<p>Radiation, Maurer says, is the primary reason why man has never returned to the Moon since the epic Apollo missions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He says fungus-based structures will prove to be a game-changer in man's quest to go back to the moon, and further into space. Just eight centimetres of the material can block over 99 per cent of radiation. The magnum of this plan can be gauged by the fact that in contrast 10 feet of lunar dust does the same job.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the first step, NASA will test small-scale models on the moon by 2028.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA wants to build bases on the Moon which astronauts will use as stepping stones to travel towards their next destination - Mars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Similar mushroom structures will be used to build&nbsp;on Mars as well in which humans will be able to dwell safely.&nbsp;</p>


Humans might live in mushroom colonies, built using fungus, algae and water on the Moon in the coming years. This is if NASA's new plan is executed perfectly. The space agency plans to conquer the Moon and build colonies where humans can live and conduct more experiments.

Humans might live in mushroom colonies, built using fungus, algae and water on the Moon in the coming years. This is if NASA's new plan is executed perfectly. The space agency plans to conquer the Moon and build colonies where humans can live and conduct more experiments. It is supposed to act as a springboard to reach further into space, especially Mars. However, NASA is faced with the dilemma of building these structures since it might not be possible to send bricks and steel to the Moon, and even if it can, whether or not they can sustain the lunar environment is an altogether different question. Besides, sending just one pound of material to the moon costs a whopping million dollars. This is where fungus comes into the picture, as per fresh plans to settle humans there, which is expected to prove cost-effective as well as resilient. Al Jazeera reported that NASA is planning to use mycotecture, a method that uses fungal spores and algae, to not build, but grow structures in space. NASA is collaborating with others to make it a reality. Chris Maurer, founder of the architecture firm Redhouse, a company partnering with the space agency, told Al Jazeera, "You can’t take boards or bricks. So what are you going to build with?" Also Read: Scientists are on a mission to find 1.5-million-year-old ice, oldest in the world The answer lies in the lunar soil, water and mould, which will be sent to the Moon in sealed and inflatable form. The fungal spores, when combined with algae and water, will literally start growing into habitable structures which will provide the perfect place for humans to stay. Experts say these mushroom buildings will protect astronauts from dangerous space events, such as the widespread harmful radiation and micrometeorites. Radiation, Maurer says, is the primary reason why man has never returned to the Moon since the epic Apollo missions. He says fungus-based structures will prove to be a game-changer in man's quest to go back to the moon, and further into space. Just eight centimetres of the material can block over 99 per cent of radiation. The magnum of this plan can be gauged by the fact that in contrast 10 feet of lunar dust does the same job. As the first step, NASA will test small-scale models on the moon by 2028. NASA wants to build bases on the Moon which astronauts will use as stepping stones to travel towards their next destination - Mars. Similar mushroom structures will be used to build on Mars as well in which humans will be able to dwell safely.

NASA wants to 'grow' fungus and algae houses on Moon for astronauts

Researchers have newly found an underground cave system on the moon, that could be established as the lunar base for the astronauts visiting the moon during future missions. Watch in for more details!

How caves could revolutionise Moon missions?

<p>Chang'e-6, China's latest mission to the Moon, seems to be carrying a secret rover.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the successful launch of the spacecraft on Friday (May 3), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) released new photos of the lander, and internet sleuths were quick to spot a small grey object with wheels strapped to the side. The object looks like a mini rover. Its purpose?&nbsp;Unknown.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/warren-buffett-likens-ai-to-nuclear-weapons-warns-genie-part-way-out-of-the-bottle-718910">Warren Buffett likens AI to nuclear weapons, warns 'genie part way out of the bottle'</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>'Previously undisclosed mini rover'</strong></h2>

<p>Taking to X, previously Twitter, Andrew Jones, a journalist closely tracking China's space programme, wrote in a post, "Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander lol. Via CAST: <a href="https://t.co/gS0Jy5L9hw">https://t.co/gS0Jy5L9hw</a> <a href="https://t.co/9vvTnribpl">pic.twitter.com/9vvTnribpl</a></p>
— Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) <a href="https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1786353438806217036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>What will the mini rover do? No one knows yet.</p>

<p>As per a Live Science report, a translated statement from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics revealed that the small robot has an infrared imaging spectrometer. Its purpose, however, remains unclear. But, given its small size and the conditions it will face on the Moon, SpaceNews predicts that whatever the mission, it will fall short.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ancient-fossil-shows-birds-are-officially-dinosaurs-718968">Ancient fossil shows birds are officially dinosaurs</a></strong></p>

<p>"Given the diminutive size of the vehicle and short lifetime of the mission lander, it is likely the rover will have limited operational time and objectives."</p>

<h2><strong>Previous sneaky space missions by China</strong></h2>

<p>According to SpaceNews, this is not the first time China has sneaked undisclosed payloads onto its spacecraft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Previously, in 2021, during China's Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, the nation's spacecraft ejected a disposable spacecraft that took pictures of Tianwen-1 on its way to the red planet.</p>

<p>The Tianwen-1 orbiter was also equipped with another detachable camera that took selfies while in orbit around Mars.</p>

<p>Further, the Zhurong rover, that was&nbsp;part of the Tianwen-1 mission, also dropped a camera on&nbsp;the red planet.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Chang'e-6, China's latest mission to the Moon, seems to be carrying a secret rover. After the successful launch of the spacecraft on Friday (May 3), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) released new photos of the lander, and internet sleuths were quick to spot a small grey object with wheels strapped to the side.

Chang'e-6, China's latest mission to the Moon, seems to be carrying a secret rover. After the successful launch of the spacecraft on Friday (May 3), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) released new photos of the lander, and internet sleuths were quick to spot a small grey object with wheels strapped to the side. The object looks like a mini rover. Its purpose? Unknown. Also read | Warren Buffett likens AI to nuclear weapons, warns 'genie part way out of the bottle' 'Previously undisclosed mini rover' Taking to X, previously Twitter, Andrew Jones, a journalist closely tracking China's space programme, wrote in a post, "Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander". Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander lol. Via CAST: https://t.co/gS0Jy5L9hw pic.twitter.com/9vvTnribpl — Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) May 3, 2024 × What will the mini rover do? No one knows yet. As per a Live Science report, a translated statement from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics revealed that the small robot has an infrared imaging spectrometer. Its purpose, however, remains unclear. But, given its small size and the conditions it will face on the Moon, SpaceNews predicts that whatever the mission, it will fall short. Also read | Ancient fossil shows birds are officially dinosaurs "Given the diminutive size of the vehicle and short lifetime of the mission lander, it is likely the rover will have limited operational time and objectives." Previous sneaky space missions by China According to SpaceNews, this is not the first time China has sneaked undisclosed payloads onto its spacecraft. Previously, in 2021, during China's Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, the nation's spacecraft ejected a disposable spacecraft that took pictures of Tianwen-1 on its way to the red planet. The Tianwen-1 orbiter was also equipped with another detachable camera that took selfies while in orbit around Mars. Further, the Zhurong rover, that was part of the Tianwen-1 mission, also dropped a camera on the red planet. (With inputs from agencies)

Has China sent a secret rover to Moon? Internet sleuths spot small device piggybacking Chang'e-6

China will send a robotic spacecraft in coming days on a round trip to the moon's far side in the first of three technically demanding missions that will pave the way for an inaugural Chinese crewed landing and a base on the lunar south pole.

China set to launch high-stakes mission to moon's 'hidden' side

The chief of US space agency NASA has told lawmakers in Washington that China is using civilian programmes to hide military objectives in space. Watch to know more.

NASA Chief Bill Nelson warns of China`s space militarisation, Urges accelerated moon mission

<p>Odysseus, an American lunar lander that had a doomed, wonky descent on the moon, sent its final image&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;before its power banks depleted, said Intuitive Machines (IM), the private company behind the project that saw America reach the Moon after over 50 years.</p>

<h2><strong>The final image</strong></h2>

<p>The photograph "showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop, a subtle reminder of humanity's presence in the universe," said IM. As per the company, the image was actually captured more than a week back on February 22, the day Odysseus touched down near the Moon's south pole. However, it was only received on Thursday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/quite-the-photographer-us-lunar-spacecraft-odysseus-shares-new-pictures-it-is-expected-to-go-dark-soon-694602">'Quite the photographer': US lunar spacecraft Odysseus shares new pictures</a></strong></p>

<p>"Goodnight, Odie. We hope to hear from you again," said the company to the spaceship that achieved America's first lunar touchdown since the manned Apollo 17 mission in 1972.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Before its power was depleted, Odysseus completed a fitting farewell transmission. Received today, this image from February 22nd showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop, a subtle reminder of humanity’s presence in the universe.<br />
<br />
Goodnight, Odie. We hope to hear from you… <a href="https://t.co/RwOWsH1TSz">pic.twitter.com/RwOWsH1TSz</a></p>
— Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) <a href="https://twitter.com/Int_Machines/status/1763336637432385813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Is Odysseus out of commission forever?</strong></h2>

<p>With the onset of the long lunar night, flight controllers cannot attempt to awaken the lander for another two or three weeks. However, nothing is certain. Recently, Japan's SLIM spaceship, which in January had landed upside down, was successfully resurrected.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Odysseus moon landing: Historic mission reaches lunar surface</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/odysseus-moon-landing-historic-mission-reaches-lunar-surface-692967/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>Toppled over craft</strong></h2>

<p>Odysseus reached the Moon last Thursday (Feb 22) after an 11th-hour navigational glitch and white-knuckle descent that ended with it landing in a sideways or sharply tilted position. This toppled position has impeded the spacecraft's communications and solar-charging capability.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-spaceship-odysseus-may-have-tipped-over-on-moon-surface-likely-fractured-landing-equipment-693303">US spaceship Odysseus may have 'tipped over' on Moon surface, likely 'fractured' landing equipment</a></strong></p>

<p>On Friday, Intuitive Machines said that two of the spacecraft's communication antennae were pointed the wrong way and thus were knocked out of commission. Likewise, Odysseus' solar panels were facing the wrong direction, thereby limiting the vehicle's ability to recharge its batteries.</p>

<p>As per the company, the navigational issues were due to human error.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Odysseus, an American lunar lander that had a doomed, wonky descent on the moon, sent its final image on Thursday before its power banks depleted, said Intuitive Machines (IM), the private company behind the project that saw America reach the Moon after over 50 years.

Odysseus, an American lunar lander that had a doomed, wonky descent on the moon, sent its final image on Thursday before its power banks depleted, said Intuitive Machines (IM), the private company behind the project that saw America reach the Moon after over 50 years. The final image The photograph "showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop, a subtle reminder of humanity's presence in the universe," said IM. As per the company, the image was actually captured more than a week back on February 22, the day Odysseus touched down near the Moon's south pole. However, it was only received on Thursday. Also read | 'Quite the photographer': US lunar spacecraft Odysseus shares new pictures "Goodnight, Odie. We hope to hear from you again," said the company to the spaceship that achieved America's first lunar touchdown since the manned Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Before its power was depleted, Odysseus completed a fitting farewell transmission. Received today, this image from February 22nd showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop, a subtle reminder of humanity’s presence in the universe. Goodnight, Odie. We hope to hear from you… pic.twitter.com/RwOWsH1TSz — Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) February 29, 2024 × Is Odysseus out of commission forever? With the onset of the long lunar night, flight controllers cannot attempt to awaken the lander for another two or three weeks. However, nothing is certain. Recently, Japan's SLIM spaceship, which in January had landed upside down, was successfully resurrected. Watch: Odysseus moon landing: Historic mission reaches lunar surface Toppled over craft Odysseus reached the Moon last Thursday (Feb 22) after an 11th-hour navigational glitch and white-knuckle descent that ended with it landing in a sideways or sharply tilted position. This toppled position has impeded the spacecraft's communications and solar-charging capability. Watch | US spaceship Odysseus may have 'tipped over' on Moon surface, likely 'fractured' landing equipment On Friday, Intuitive Machines said that two of the spacecraft's communication antennae were pointed the wrong way and thus were knocked out of commission. Likewise, Odysseus' solar panels were facing the wrong direction, thereby limiting the vehicle's ability to recharge its batteries. As per the company, the navigational issues were due to human error. (With inputs from agencies)

'Goodnight Odie': Wonky US Moon lander Odysseus goes dark with power banks depleted

Malayalam actress Lena recently revealed that she is married to Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair who was named as one of the astronauts in the first manned Indian space mission Gaganyaan. Lena revealed that she married the Air Force officer on January 17, this year in a traditional ceremony.

Malayalam actor Lena makes surprising revelation

<p>Odysseus, the toppled US Spacecraft at the end of its fifth day (Tuesday, Feb 28) on the lunar surface, was still operational, reported Texas-based Intuitive Machines (IM). However, as per their estimates, the spacecraft was in its final hours before it was expected to go dark.</p>

<h2><strong>Day five update</strong></h2>

<p>Intuitive Machines in an update posted on Tuesday said that Flight Controllers from its control centre in Houston remained in contact with the lander which has "efficiently sent payload science data and imagery in furtherance of the company's mission objectives."</p>

<p>"Flight controllers are working on final determination of battery life on the lander, which may continue up to an additional 10-20 hours," it added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ill-fated-odysseus-lander-sends-grainy-images-from-moon-hours-before-going-dark-694156">Ill-fated Odysseus lander sends grainy images from Moon hours before going dark</a></strong></p>

<p>Posting pictures captured by Odysseus on X, it said: "The images included here are the closest observations of any spaceflight mission to the south pole region of the Moon."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Flight Controllers continue to communicate with Odysseus. This morning, Odysseus efficiently sent payload science data and imagery in furtherance of the Company’s mission objectives. Flight controllers are working on final determination of battery life on the lander, which may… <a href="https://t.co/EbZ1NNOrvO">pic.twitter.com/EbZ1NNOrvO</a></p>
— Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) <a href="https://twitter.com/Int_Machines/status/1762490074048958522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Odysseus is quite the photographer, capturing this image approximately 30 meters above the lunar surface, while his main engine throttled down more than 24,000 mph. Another day of exploration on the south pole region of the Moon," it added.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Odysseus moon landing: Historic mission reaches lunar surface</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/odysseus-moon-landing-historic-mission-reaches-lunar-surface-692967/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>Toppled over craft</strong></h2>

<p>Odysseus reached the Moon last Thursday (Feb 22) after an 11th-hour navigational glitch and white-knuckle descent that ended with it landing in a sideways or sharply tilted position. This toppled position has impeded the spacecraft's communications and solar-charging capability.</p>

<p>On Friday, Intuitive Machines said that two of the spacecraft's communication antennae were pointed the wrong way and thus were knocked out of commission. Likewise, Odysseus' solar panels were facing the wrong direction, thereby limiting the vehicle's ability to recharge its batteries.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-spaceship-odysseus-may-have-tipped-over-on-moon-surface-likely-fractured-landing-equipment-693303">US spaceship Odysseus may have 'tipped over' on Moon surface, likely 'fractured' landing equipment</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the company, the navigational issues were due to human error.</p>

<p>The mission, which was intended to operate on the lunar surface for about seven to 10 days, is expected to go dark soon. On Tuesday morning, IM said that it expects to lose contact with Odysseus, however, as per the latest update, it may continue to operate for "up to an additional 10-20 hours."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Odysseus, the toppled US Spacecraft at the end of its fifth day (Tuesday, Feb 28) on the lunar surface, was still operational, reported Texas-based Intuitive Machines (IM).

Odysseus, the toppled US Spacecraft at the end of its fifth day (Tuesday, Feb 28) on the lunar surface, was still operational, reported Texas-based Intuitive Machines (IM). However, as per their estimates, the spacecraft was in its final hours before it was expected to go dark. Day five update Intuitive Machines in an update posted on Tuesday said that Flight Controllers from its control centre in Houston remained in contact with the lander which has "efficiently sent payload science data and imagery in furtherance of the company's mission objectives." "Flight controllers are working on final determination of battery life on the lander, which may continue up to an additional 10-20 hours," it added. Also read | Ill-fated Odysseus lander sends grainy images from Moon hours before going dark Posting pictures captured by Odysseus on X, it said: "The images included here are the closest observations of any spaceflight mission to the south pole region of the Moon." Flight Controllers continue to communicate with Odysseus. This morning, Odysseus efficiently sent payload science data and imagery in furtherance of the Company’s mission objectives. Flight controllers are working on final determination of battery life on the lander, which may… pic.twitter.com/EbZ1NNOrvO — Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) February 27, 2024 × "Odysseus is quite the photographer, capturing this image approximately 30 meters above the lunar surface, while his main engine throttled down more than 24,000 mph. Another day of exploration on the south pole region of the Moon," it added. Watch: Odysseus moon landing: Historic mission reaches lunar surface Toppled over craft Odysseus reached the Moon last Thursday (Feb 22) after an 11th-hour navigational glitch and white-knuckle descent that ended with it landing in a sideways or sharply tilted position. This toppled position has impeded the spacecraft's communications and solar-charging capability. On Friday, Intuitive Machines said that two of the spacecraft's communication antennae were pointed the wrong way and thus were knocked out of commission. Likewise, Odysseus' solar panels were facing the wrong direction, thereby limiting the vehicle's ability to recharge its batteries. Watch | US spaceship Odysseus may have 'tipped over' on Moon surface, likely 'fractured' landing equipment As per the company, the navigational issues were due to human error. The mission, which was intended to operate on the lunar surface for about seven to 10 days, is expected to go dark soon. On Tuesday morning, IM said that it expects to lose contact with Odysseus, however, as per the latest update, it may continue to operate for "up to an additional 10-20 hours." (With inputs from agencies)

'Quite the photographer': US lunar spacecraft Odysseus shares new pictures

Japan made history on Friday by becoming only the the fifth nation to land a spacecraft on the Moon. The director of the Japanese space agency, Jaxa, said the landing itself was deemed successful “as the spacecraft sent telemetry data, meaning most equipment on board was operating”.

Japan's 'Moon Sniper' achieves historic lunar landing

Japan's 'Moon Sniper' craft makes successful lunar landing

Japan aims to become the fifth country to put a spacecraft on the moon when it attempts a precision landing on Friday, in what would be a boost for a space program that has suffered a wave of setbacks and been eclipsed by rival China.

Japan's 'Moon Sniper' attempts historic lunar landing

<p>JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is just a day away from its historic 'Moon Sniper' landing on the lunar surface. The Japanese space agency is using pinpoint technology for its landing and all eyes are on it after recent string of failures of other lunar missions. Japan is hoping for the success of its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission. If the mission succeeds, Japan will be the fifth nation to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, a very tricky affair to start with.</p>

<p>Before this, only the United States, Russia, China and India have been successful.</p>

<p>Soft landing on the Moon may be tricky but the Japanese space agency has taken efforts for success of its mission. The spacecraft is equipped with a rolling robot which lends unprecedented precision to the landing attempt.</p>

<h2><strong>When will JAXA land on the Moon?</strong></h2>

<p>The descent of the SLIM craft will begin its descent is slated to start on midnight on Saturday (8:30 pm IST on Friday). If all goes well, the touchdown will take place 20 minutes after that.</p>

<h2><strong>What's different about JAXA Moon landing?</strong></h2>

<p>Unlike other missions, which target a large area of the lunar surface, JAXA is targetting 100 metres. This is far less than the usual targets of several kilometres in previous missions.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Why is NASA pushing back Moon mission timelines?</strong></p>

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<p>JAXA is keen to taste success after two failed lunar missions and a recent rocket failures including explosions after lift-off.</p>

<p>SLIM is aiming to land in crater on the Moon where the Moon's Mantle is estimated to be accessible from its surface. Mantle is th deep inner layer beneath the crust of the lunar surface.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/devil-comet-and-a-newly-discovered-comet-will-be-visible-in-night-sky-in-2024-681043">Two rare comets will come close to Earth in 2024. Devil Comet is one of them</a></strong></p>

<p>"The rocks exposed here are crucial in the search for the origins of the Moon and the Earth," Tomokatsu Morota, an associate professor at the University of Tokyo specialising in lunar and planetary exploration, told AFP.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mars-rock-resembling-iconic-star-trek-symbol-snapped-by-nasas-curiosity-rover-680856">Mars rock resembling iconic Star Trek symbol snapped by NASA’s Curiosity rover</a></strong></p>

<p>Japan is not new to pinpoint landings. It has achieved the feat on an asteroid. But doing so on lunar surface presents greater challenges due to relatively strong gravity of the Moon.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is just a day away from its historic 'Moon Sniper' landing on the lunar surface. The Japanese space agency is using pinpoint technology for its landing and all eyes are on it after recent string of failures of other lunar missions.

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is just a day away from its historic 'Moon Sniper' landing on the lunar surface. The Japanese space agency is using pinpoint technology for its landing and all eyes are on it after recent string of failures of other lunar missions. Japan is hoping for the success of its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission. If the mission succeeds, Japan will be the fifth nation to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, a very tricky affair to start with. Before this, only the United States, Russia, China and India have been successful. Soft landing on the Moon may be tricky but the Japanese space agency has taken efforts for success of its mission. The spacecraft is equipped with a rolling robot which lends unprecedented precision to the landing attempt. When will JAXA land on the Moon? The descent of the SLIM craft will begin its descent is slated to start on midnight on Saturday (8:30 pm IST on Friday). If all goes well, the touchdown will take place 20 minutes after that. What's different about JAXA Moon landing? Unlike other missions, which target a large area of the lunar surface, JAXA is targetting 100 metres. This is far less than the usual targets of several kilometres in previous missions. Watch | Why is NASA pushing back Moon mission timelines? × JAXA is keen to taste success after two failed lunar missions and a recent rocket failures including explosions after lift-off. SLIM is aiming to land in crater on the Moon where the Moon's Mantle is estimated to be accessible from its surface. Mantle is th deep inner layer beneath the crust of the lunar surface. Also Read | Two rare comets will come close to Earth in 2024. Devil Comet is one of them "The rocks exposed here are crucial in the search for the origins of the Moon and the Earth," Tomokatsu Morota, an associate professor at the University of Tokyo specialising in lunar and planetary exploration, told AFP. Also Read | Mars rock resembling iconic Star Trek symbol snapped by NASA’s Curiosity rover Japan is not new to pinpoint landings. It has achieved the feat on an asteroid. But doing so on lunar surface presents greater challenges due to relatively strong gravity of the Moon. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan Moon mission: All eyes on JAXA with 'pinpoint' landing just a day away

<p>The ill-fated Moon lander launched by a private US firm earlier this month will soon be entering Earth’s atmosphere, where it is expected to turn into ashes before reaching the ground, the parent company of the lander said Saturday (Jan 13).</p>

<p>Astrobotic in a post on social media shared its new assessment, dashing hopes of a hard landing on the Moon. "Our latest assessment now shows the spacecraft is on a path towards Earth, where it will likely burn up in the Earth's atmosphere," the Pittsburgh-based company posted on X. "The team is currently assessing options and we will update as soon as we are able," the post added.</p>

<p>The Peregrine lander was launched by Astrobotic on January 8 on a brand new Vulcan rocket built by United Launch Alliance. However, it wasn’t long before they realised a fuel leakage had jeopardised the planned soft landing on the Moon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The spacecraft is believed to have experienced an onboard explosion soon after getting separated from the rocket.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite these setbacks, some observers had hoped for a ‘hard landing’ on the Moon, just like other similar lunar missions sent by an Israeli nonprofit and a Japanese company.</p>

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<p>However, the new assessment shared by Astrobotic indicates that even the reduced target won’t be achieved.</p>

<p>The spaceship not only carries scientific equipment but also transports cargo for Astrobotic's private clients, including a sports drink can, a physical Bitcoin, as well as human and animal ashes and DNA.&nbsp;Notably, the box-shaped robot has now been faring in space for more than five days and is currently 242,000 miles (390,000 kilometres) from our planet, according to Astrobotic.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Trending on WION: Scientists welcome new antibiotic that kills drug-resistant bacteria CRAB</strong></p>

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<p>NASA invested over $100 million in this venture through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services programme, aiming to foster a commercial lunar economy and cut down its own expenses.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite setbacks, NASA's strategy of "more shots on goal" remains evident, with the upcoming launch by Intuitive Machines in February. Astrobotic will have another opportunity in November, sending NASA's VIPER rover with its Griffin lander to the lunar south pole.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The ill-fated Moon lander launched by a private US firm earlier this month will soon be entering Earth’s atmosphere, where it is expected to turn into ashes before reaching the ground, the parent company of the lander said Saturday (Jan 13).

The ill-fated Moon lander launched by a private US firm earlier this month will soon be entering Earth’s atmosphere, where it is expected to turn into ashes before reaching the ground, the parent company of the lander said Saturday (Jan 13). Astrobotic in a post on social media shared its new assessment, dashing hopes of a hard landing on the Moon. "Our latest assessment now shows the spacecraft is on a path towards Earth, where it will likely burn up in the Earth's atmosphere," the Pittsburgh-based company posted on X. "The team is currently assessing options and we will update as soon as we are able," the post added. The Peregrine lander was launched by Astrobotic on January 8 on a brand new Vulcan rocket built by United Launch Alliance. However, it wasn’t long before they realised a fuel leakage had jeopardised the planned soft landing on the Moon. The spacecraft is believed to have experienced an onboard explosion soon after getting separated from the rocket. Despite these setbacks, some observers had hoped for a ‘hard landing’ on the Moon, just like other similar lunar missions sent by an Israeli nonprofit and a Japanese company. Also read: China’s Weibo blocks ‘Taiwan election’ hashtag after it starts trending with 163.2mn post views However, the new assessment shared by Astrobotic indicates that even the reduced target won’t be achieved. The spaceship not only carries scientific equipment but also transports cargo for Astrobotic's private clients, including a sports drink can, a physical Bitcoin, as well as human and animal ashes and DNA. Notably, the box-shaped robot has now been faring in space for more than five days and is currently 242,000 miles (390,000 kilometres) from our planet, according to Astrobotic. Watch: Trending on WION: Scientists welcome new antibiotic that kills drug-resistant bacteria CRAB × NASA invested over $100 million in this venture through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services programme, aiming to foster a commercial lunar economy and cut down its own expenses. Despite setbacks, NASA's strategy of "more shots on goal" remains evident, with the upcoming launch by Intuitive Machines in February. Astrobotic will have another opportunity in November, sending NASA's VIPER rover with its Griffin lander to the lunar south pole. (With inputs from agencies)

Doomed private US Moon lander now destined for Earth, to ‘burn up’ in atmosphere

<p>Astrobotic, the company that launched the United States' first private lunar lander mission, said on Tuesday (Jan&nbsp;9) that the mission was a failure. With this, America's hopes of placing the first spacecraft on Moon since the Apollo era were dashed.</p>

<p>Astrobotic's Peregrine Lunar Lander lifted off on Monday sitting atop United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan rocket. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.</p>

<p>The lander had some initial success after separating from its launch vehicle. But Astrobotic reported malfunctions just a few hours later. The operators at the company were not able to turn Peregrine's solar panels towards the Sun for its batteries.</p>

<p>This happened due to a propulsion problem which also caused damage to the spacecraft's exterior.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, the company said that there was "no chance of soft landing" on the Moon.</p>

<p>The lander still has about 40 hours of fuel left, and the company has said that it was planning to operate the craft till the fuel runs out.</p>

<p>Taking to X, the company in an update later said:&nbsp;"Astrobotic's current hypothesis about the Peregrine spacecraft's propulsion anomaly is that a valve between the helium pressurant and the oxidizer failed to reseal after actuation during initialization."</p>

<p>"This led to a rush of high-pressure helium that spiked the pressure in the oxidizer tank beyond its operating limit and subsequently ruptured the tank," it added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Update #8 for Peregrine Mission One: <a href="https://t.co/gyH4W6B3cc">pic.twitter.com/gyH4W6B3cc</a></p>
— Astrobotic (@astrobotic) <a href="https://twitter.com/astrobotic/status/1744835489838854215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>NASA had paid Astrobotic more than USD 100 million to land scientific instruments on the Moon to find out information about surface composition and radiation in the Moon's mid-latitude region.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Why is NASA pushing back Moon mission timelines?</strong></p>

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<p>NASA is preparing to go back to the Moon but lately, the United States has turned to private sector to stimulate the lunar economy and to cut costs. The latest setback to the Peregrine lander may bring into question the strategy.</p>

<p>Astrobot however maintained that it will continue to receive valuable data which will help its next mission.</p>

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<p>The company is preparing to send the Griffin lander which will transport a NASA rover to the Moon's south pole. The mission is slated for later months of this year.</p>

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<p>Peregrine is the latest private company to try and fail at a soft lunar landing.</p>

<p>The Beresheet lander from Israel was first attempt by a non-government firm to land on Moon. But the attempt failed in 2019. Japan's Hakuto mission operated by iSpace crashed in April last year.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Astrobotic, the company that launched the United States' first private lunar lander mission, said on Tuesday (Jan 9) that the mission was a failure. With this, America's hopes of placing the first spacecraft on Moon since the Apollo era were dashed.

Astrobotic, the company that launched the United States' first private lunar lander mission, said on Tuesday (Jan 9) that the mission was a failure. With this, America's hopes of placing the first spacecraft on Moon since the Apollo era were dashed. Astrobotic's Peregrine Lunar Lander lifted off on Monday sitting atop United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan rocket. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The lander had some initial success after separating from its launch vehicle. But Astrobotic reported malfunctions just a few hours later. The operators at the company were not able to turn Peregrine's solar panels towards the Sun for its batteries. This happened due to a propulsion problem which also caused damage to the spacecraft's exterior. On Tuesday, the company said that there was "no chance of soft landing" on the Moon. The lander still has about 40 hours of fuel left, and the company has said that it was planning to operate the craft till the fuel runs out. Taking to X, the company in an update later said: "Astrobotic's current hypothesis about the Peregrine spacecraft's propulsion anomaly is that a valve between the helium pressurant and the oxidizer failed to reseal after actuation during initialization." "This led to a rush of high-pressure helium that spiked the pressure in the oxidizer tank beyond its operating limit and subsequently ruptured the tank," it added. Update #8 for Peregrine Mission One: pic.twitter.com/gyH4W6B3cc — Astrobotic (@astrobotic) January 9, 2024 × NASA had paid Astrobotic more than USD 100 million to land scientific instruments on the Moon to find out information about surface composition and radiation in the Moon's mid-latitude region. Watch | Why is NASA pushing back Moon mission timelines? × NASA is preparing to go back to the Moon but lately, the United States has turned to private sector to stimulate the lunar economy and to cut costs. The latest setback to the Peregrine lander may bring into question the strategy. Astrobot however maintained that it will continue to receive valuable data which will help its next mission. Also Read | A failed star is witnessing mysterious auroras, leaving scientists perplexed The company is preparing to send the Griffin lander which will transport a NASA rover to the Moon's south pole. The mission is slated for later months of this year. Also Read | Radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth came from seven interacting galaxies Peregrine is the latest private company to try and fail at a soft lunar landing. The Beresheet lander from Israel was first attempt by a non-government firm to land on Moon. But the attempt failed in 2019. Japan's Hakuto mission operated by iSpace crashed in April last year. (With inputs from agencies)

'No chance of landing': First-ever US private lunar lander mission fails, firm blames valve fault

A robotic lander built by a private company was bound for the moon on Monday (January 8) in an attempt to make the first U.S. lunar soft landing in half a century, after launching into space aboard a new Vulcan rocket debuted by a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

US: Private moon mission hits technical snag, first lunar mission to face issues in 50 years

<p>Japanese space startup Ispace Inc is set to embark on its second lunar mission as early as 2024 despite the setback of its failed attempt in April to land a rover on the moon.&nbsp;The upcoming mission is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, possibly in the northern hemisphere winter of 2024, according to statements from the Tokyo-based company.</p>

<p>Ispace's CEO Takeshi Hakamada spoke of the importance of the experience and data gained from the initial mission, even while&nbsp;not achieving a successful moon landing.</p>

<p>“We may not have landed on the moon the first time, but the experience and data we gained are vital,” Chief Executive Officer Takeshi Hakamada reportedly said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The payload of the lander, named 'Resilience,' includes various components such as a water electrolyser, a module for experimenting with food production, a deep space probe, a commemorative metal plate based on the Japanese anime series <em>Gundam</em>, and a micro-rover developed by Ispace, media reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The rover has a weight of around 5 kilogrammes and is 26 centimetres tall. It is also equipped with a high-definition camera to capture lunar surface images along with a shovel for collecting lunar rocks.</p>

<h2><strong>Mission improvements</strong></h2>

<p>Acknowledging the challenges faced during the first attempt, Ispace said that improvements would be incorporated into the Mission 2 flight model.</p>

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<p>These enhancements include necessary "software validation, expanding the landing simulation range, and additional field testing of radar sensors" to improve mission accuracy. Ispace's announcement follows the success of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's H2-A rocket launch in September.</p>

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<p>Ispace, founded in 2010, is competing with other companies, such as Intuitive Machines Inc. and Astrobotic Technology Inc., in the race to place the first commercial lander on the moon. Despite the growing interest in commercial space endeavours, challenges still persist with a lack of rockets with sufficient payload capacity leading to delays and cancellations of launch plans.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Japanese space startup Ispace Inc is set to embark on its second lunar mission as early as 2024 despite the setback of its failed attempt in April to land a rover on the moon.

Japanese space startup Ispace Inc is set to embark on its second lunar mission as early as 2024 despite the setback of its failed attempt in April to land a rover on the moon. The upcoming mission is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, possibly in the northern hemisphere winter of 2024, according to statements from the Tokyo-based company. Ispace's CEO Takeshi Hakamada spoke of the importance of the experience and data gained from the initial mission, even while not achieving a successful moon landing. “We may not have landed on the moon the first time, but the experience and data we gained are vital,” Chief Executive Officer Takeshi Hakamada reportedly said. Also Read | India's EAM Jaishankar discusses pro-Khalistani extremism with UK leaders The payload of the lander, named 'Resilience,' includes various components such as a water electrolyser, a module for experimenting with food production, a deep space probe, a commemorative metal plate based on the Japanese anime series Gundam, and a micro-rover developed by Ispace, media reports said. The rover has a weight of around 5 kilogrammes and is 26 centimetres tall. It is also equipped with a high-definition camera to capture lunar surface images along with a shovel for collecting lunar rocks. Mission improvements Acknowledging the challenges faced during the first attempt, Ispace said that improvements would be incorporated into the Mission 2 flight model. Also Read | Situation may worsen in Iceland's sinking town, lava likely to flow from fissures for weeks, warn experts These enhancements include necessary "software validation, expanding the landing simulation range, and additional field testing of radar sensors" to improve mission accuracy. Ispace's announcement follows the success of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's H2-A rocket launch in September. Watch | Israel raids Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital for second day × Ispace, founded in 2010, is competing with other companies, such as Intuitive Machines Inc. and Astrobotic Technology Inc., in the race to place the first commercial lander on the moon. Despite the growing interest in commercial space endeavours, challenges still persist with a lack of rockets with sufficient payload capacity leading to delays and cancellations of launch plans. (With inputs from agencies)

Second moon mission by Japan's Ispace to take flight as early as 2024 after April setback

<p>NASA's Juno mission has made a significant observation of mineral salts and organic compounds on the surface of Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon. This data was gathered by the Jovian InfraRed Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) spectrometer during a close flyby of Ganymede. The findings are crucial as these observations will now be able to throw light on Ganymede's origin and its deep-ocean composition.</p>

<p>The results of the observation were published in the journal Nature Astronomy on October 30.</p>

<p>Ganymede is even larger than the planet Mercury. This moon, one among more than 80 moons of the planet Jupiter, has attracted scientific interest due to its vast internal ocean hidden beneath an icy crust.</p>

<p>The observation is a breakthrough for scientists as previous observations from NASA's Galileo spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope had only hinted at the presence of salts and organic compounds. At the time, the spatial resolution of those observations was insufficient to draw definitive conclusions.&nbsp;</p>

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<h2><strong>Juno flies over&nbsp;Jupiter's moon,</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Ganymede</strong></h2>

<p>On June 7, 2021, the Juno spacecraft flew over Ganymede at an altitude of 650 miles.</p>

<p>The JIRAM instrument captured infrared images and spectra of the moon's surface. JIRAM, built by the Italian Space Agency, was originally designed to study Jupiter's atmosphere but has also been used to explore the surfaces of Jupiter's Galilean moons - Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.</p>

<p>The JIRAM data collected during the flyby achieved a remarkable spatial resolution for infrared spectroscopy which exceeded 0.62 miles per pixel.</p>

<p>Using this data, Juno scientists identified and analysed unique spectral features of non-water-ice materials, including hydrated sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and possibly aliphatic aldehydes.</p>

<p>Federico Tosi, a Juno co-investigator from Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics in Rome and lead author of the paper in a statement said,&nbsp;“The presence of ammoniated salts suggests that Ganymede may have accumulated materials cold enough to condense ammonia during its formation."</p>

<p>“The carbonate salts could be remnants of carbon dioxide-rich ices," Tosi added.&nbsp;</p>

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<h2><strong>Abundance of salts and organics</strong></h2>

<p>During the June 2021 flyby, JIRAM identified the greatest abundance of salts and organics in the dark and bright terrains at latitudes protected by Ganymede's magnetic field.</p>

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<p>Scott Bolton, Juno’s principal investigator from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio said, “This suggests we are seeing the remnants of a deep ocean brine that reached the surface of this frozen world.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's Juno mission has made a significant observation of mineral salts and organic compounds on the surface of Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon. This data was gathered by the Jovian InfraRed Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) spectrometer during a close flyby of Ganymede.

NASA's Juno mission has made a significant observation of mineral salts and organic compounds on the surface of Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon. This data was gathered by the Jovian InfraRed Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) spectrometer during a close flyby of Ganymede. The findings are crucial as these observations will now be able to throw light on Ganymede's origin and its deep-ocean composition. The results of the observation were published in the journal Nature Astronomy on October 30. Ganymede is even larger than the planet Mercury. This moon, one among more than 80 moons of the planet Jupiter, has attracted scientific interest due to its vast internal ocean hidden beneath an icy crust. The observation is a breakthrough for scientists as previous observations from NASA's Galileo spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope had only hinted at the presence of salts and organic compounds. At the time, the spatial resolution of those observations was insufficient to draw definitive conclusions. Also Read | FDA weighs risks and benefits of CRISPR therapy for sickle cell disease Juno flies over Jupiter's moon, Ganymede On June 7, 2021, the Juno spacecraft flew over Ganymede at an altitude of 650 miles. The JIRAM instrument captured infrared images and spectra of the moon's surface. JIRAM, built by the Italian Space Agency, was originally designed to study Jupiter's atmosphere but has also been used to explore the surfaces of Jupiter's Galilean moons - Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. The JIRAM data collected during the flyby achieved a remarkable spatial resolution for infrared spectroscopy which exceeded 0.62 miles per pixel. Using this data, Juno scientists identified and analysed unique spectral features of non-water-ice materials, including hydrated sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and possibly aliphatic aldehydes. Federico Tosi, a Juno co-investigator from Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics in Rome and lead author of the paper in a statement said, “The presence of ammoniated salts suggests that Ganymede may have accumulated materials cold enough to condense ammonia during its formation." “The carbonate salts could be remnants of carbon dioxide-rich ices," Tosi added. Also Read | Anger is not your enemy all the time, may help you solve problems faster Abundance of salts and organics During the June 2021 flyby, JIRAM identified the greatest abundance of salts and organics in the dark and bright terrains at latitudes protected by Ganymede's magnetic field. Watch | Israel-Palestine war: Hamas plans to release non-Israeli hostages × Scott Bolton, Juno’s principal investigator from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio said, “This suggests we are seeing the remnants of a deep ocean brine that reached the surface of this frozen world.” (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Juno observes mineral salts, organic treasures on Jupiter’s moon Ganymede

For India, even the Moon is not enough after successfully landing on the lunar surface ISRO the Indian space agency has now given itself an ambitious target of sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.

Gaganyaan: India's first mission to send astronauts to space

India space agency ISRO just announced that they're all set for a crucial rocket flight test this Saturday. As part of this ISRO will launch a rocket and shut it down mid-flight to test how a save a potential astronaut carrying a capsule from it. Keep watching this interview with ISRO Chief Dr S Somnath to know more.

Dr S Somnath: ISRO all geared up for 'TV-D1' test flight mission

<p>China's ambitious Chang’e-8 moon mission, which is set for&nbsp;launch in 2028, is opening up doors for international players for equipment that will be used in the space mission. But what's noteworthy is the magnanimity of the space being provided to global players in the&nbsp;Chang’e-8&nbsp;lunar exploration project by China.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mission’s deputy chief designer, Wang Qiong, gave details about the mission and its planning on Monday (Oct 2). He said that the Chang’e-8 moon mission will have a whopping 200kg (440lb) of payload capacity for countries who are keen on aiding China with equipment.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>So, what all equipment is included?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>While speaking at the 74th International Astronautical Congress on Monday (Oct 2) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wang said that these instruments could be the ones that are attached to the lander.</p>

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<p>Moreover, equipment like robots, rovers, and flight vehicles, which have the capability of functioning independently after landing, are also included.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Letters of intent&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Open for the international community to contribute, the Chang’e-8 moon&nbsp;exploration project by China is looking to uphold principles of "equality, mutual benefit, peaceful use, and win-win cooperation."</p>

<p>The deadline for submitting letters of intent has also been defined. It must be given to the China National Space Administration by the end of this year.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>China said that preference will be given to innovative projects such as bots that can pick objects, such as lunar soil, from the moon's surface during the mission. Additionally, other scientific instruments which complement the Chinese equipment will be given priority.</p>

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<p>Going a step further, CNSA is also open to mission-level cooperation for the Chang’e-8 moon mission. Under this, China and its partners would launch and operate their probes separately. However, once in orbit, there would be spacecraft-to-spacecraft interaction, Wang added.</p>

<h2><strong>A new milestone&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The previous payload contribution from other countries in China's lunar exploration has been significantly less and thus makes this new opportunity a first-ever of this magnitude.&nbsp;For instance, the Chang’e-6 mission, set for a potential launch next year, will carry less than 20kg of equipment from France, Sweden, Italy, and Pakistan. If successful, it would be the first mission to collect and bring back samples from the far side of the moon</p>

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China's ambitious Chang’e-8 moon mission, which is set for launch in 2028, is opening up doors for international players for equipment that will be used in the space mission.

China's ambitious Chang’e-8 moon mission, which is set for launch in 2028, is opening up doors for international players for equipment that will be used in the space mission. But what's noteworthy is the magnanimity of the space being provided to global players in the Chang’e-8 lunar exploration project by China. Mission’s deputy chief designer, Wang Qiong, gave details about the mission and its planning on Monday (Oct 2). He said that the Chang’e-8 moon mission will have a whopping 200kg (440lb) of payload capacity for countries who are keen on aiding China with equipment. So, what all equipment is included? While speaking at the 74th International Astronautical Congress on Monday (Oct 2) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wang said that these instruments could be the ones that are attached to the lander. Also Read | Setback for Putin as Russia withdraws Black Sea Fleet from Crimea: Report Moreover, equipment like robots, rovers, and flight vehicles, which have the capability of functioning independently after landing, are also included. Letters of intent Open for the international community to contribute, the Chang’e-8 moon exploration project by China is looking to uphold principles of "equality, mutual benefit, peaceful use, and win-win cooperation." The deadline for submitting letters of intent has also been defined. It must be given to the China National Space Administration by the end of this year. Also Read | Fukushima nuclear plant releases treated radioactive wastewater's second batch China said that preference will be given to innovative projects such as bots that can pick objects, such as lunar soil, from the moon's surface during the mission. Additionally, other scientific instruments which complement the Chinese equipment will be given priority. Watch | India's drug regulators crackdown on $42 billion drug industry × Going a step further, CNSA is also open to mission-level cooperation for the Chang’e-8 moon mission. Under this, China and its partners would launch and operate their probes separately. However, once in orbit, there would be spacecraft-to-spacecraft interaction, Wang added. A new milestone The previous payload contribution from other countries in China's lunar exploration has been significantly less and thus makes this new opportunity a first-ever of this magnitude. For instance, the Chang’e-6 mission, set for a potential launch next year, will carry less than 20kg of equipment from France, Sweden, Italy, and Pakistan. If successful, it would be the first mission to collect and bring back samples from the far side of the moon 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. ×

Chang’e-8 moon mission: China to offer 440lb of payload to interested countries

<p>Russia's Luna-25 lunar probe failed due to abnormal operation aboard its control system, the State Space Corporation Roscosmos disclosed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The interagency commission is wrapping up its work to find the reasons for the abnormal operation of the Luna-25 automatic station in the lunar orbit. It has been established that Luna-25 most likely crashed due to the abnormal operation of the onboard control system resulting from a failure of the accelerometer unit in the BIUS-L device (the angle velocity measuring instrument) after commands with different priorities of their fulfilment possibly entered into one array of data," Roscosmos said in a statement.</p>

<h2><strong>Russian space mission failed: What exactly happened?</strong></h2>

<p>While the Russian space agency said that the&nbsp;malfunction appears to have been caused by a failure in the accelerometer unit within the BIUS-L device, it finally resulted in&nbsp;conflicting commands with varying priorities entering the data stream, TASS reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Chandrayaan-3 vs Russia's Luna-25 race to the moon</strong></p>

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<p>This, TASS report added,&nbsp;resulted in a lack of signals from the accelerometers, preventing the system from determining the correct moment to apply corrective impulses and switch off the propulsion unit, ultimately leading to the probe's temporary shutdown.</p>

<h2><strong>What next?</strong></h2>

<p>The investigation commission will now provide recommendations to prevent such incidents in future lunar missions.</p>

<p>The Luna-25 probe was launched aboard a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from the Vostochny spaceport, with its mission ending when it crashed into the Moon's surface after losing contact.</p>

<p>According to preliminary data, Luna-25 ceased to exist after crashing into the Moon’s surface. The event led to the dashing of Russian hopes to&nbsp;beat India to the unexplored south pole of the moon.</p>

<p>The two countries share an intimate history of space cooperation with India's first person in space, Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma going to space aboard a Soviet spacecraft in the 1980s.</p>

<p><img alt="Indian Air Force's Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, flight engineer Gennady Strekalov and commander Yury Malyshev alongside screengrabs of the-then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's interaction with Rakesh Sharma" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-07-09T123411.047.png" /><br />
<em>Indian Air Force's Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (centre), flight engineer Gennady Strekalov (L) and commander Yury Malyshev (R) alongside the screengrabs of the-then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's interaction with Rakesh Sharma |&nbsp;spacefacts.de/YouTube&nbsp;via Indian National Congress</em></p>

<p>An Indian spacecraft, the Vikram lander of Indian Space Research Organisation's Chandrayaan-3 mission,&nbsp;landed there on August 23.</p>

<h2><b>What does it mean?</b></h2>

<p>The failure of Russian lunar mission coincided&nbsp;with the success of Indian&nbsp;mission to Moon.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-3-is-a-success-a-soft-landing-for-vikram-lander-a-giant-leap-for-indias-space-odyssey-628404">Chandrayaan-3 is success: A soft landing for Vikram lander, giant leap for India's space odyssey</a></strong></p>

<p>The failure underscored the decline of Russia’s space power since the Soviet Union heydays of&nbsp;Cold War competition when Moscow was the first to launch a satellite to orbit the Earth – Sputnik 1, in 1957 – and Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to travel into space in 1961.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Russia's Luna-25 lunar probe failed due to abnormal operation aboard its control system, the State Space Corporation Roscosmos disclosed. "The interagency commission is wrapping up its work to find the reasons for the abnormal operation of the Luna-25 automatic station in the lunar orbit.

Russia's Luna-25 lunar probe failed due to abnormal operation aboard its control system, the State Space Corporation Roscosmos disclosed. "The interagency commission is wrapping up its work to find the reasons for the abnormal operation of the Luna-25 automatic station in the lunar orbit. It has been established that Luna-25 most likely crashed due to the abnormal operation of the onboard control system resulting from a failure of the accelerometer unit in the BIUS-L device (the angle velocity measuring instrument) after commands with different priorities of their fulfilment possibly entered into one array of data," Roscosmos said in a statement. Russian space mission failed: What exactly happened? While the Russian space agency said that the malfunction appears to have been caused by a failure in the accelerometer unit within the BIUS-L device, it finally resulted in conflicting commands with varying priorities entering the data stream, TASS reported. Also watch | Gravitas: Chandrayaan-3 vs Russia's Luna-25 race to the moon × This, TASS report added, resulted in a lack of signals from the accelerometers, preventing the system from determining the correct moment to apply corrective impulses and switch off the propulsion unit, ultimately leading to the probe's temporary shutdown. What next? The investigation commission will now provide recommendations to prevent such incidents in future lunar missions. The Luna-25 probe was launched aboard a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from the Vostochny spaceport, with its mission ending when it crashed into the Moon's surface after losing contact. According to preliminary data, Luna-25 ceased to exist after crashing into the Moon’s surface. The event led to the dashing of Russian hopes to beat India to the unexplored south pole of the moon. The two countries share an intimate history of space cooperation with India's first person in space, Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma going to space aboard a Soviet spacecraft in the 1980s. Indian Air Force's Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (centre), flight engineer Gennady Strekalov (L) and commander Yury Malyshev (R) alongside the screengrabs of the-then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's interaction with Rakesh Sharma | spacefacts.de/YouTube via Indian National Congress An Indian spacecraft, the Vikram lander of Indian Space Research Organisation's Chandrayaan-3 mission, landed there on August 23. What does it mean? The failure of Russian lunar mission coincided with the success of Indian mission to Moon. Also read | Chandrayaan-3 is success: A soft landing for Vikram lander, giant leap for India's space odyssey The failure underscored the decline of Russia’s space power since the Soviet Union heydays of Cold War competition when Moscow was the first to launch a satellite to orbit the Earth – Sputnik 1, in 1957 – and Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to travel into space in 1961. (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.

Here's how Russia's Moon mission lost out to India's Chandrayaan-3

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms- The Indian Embassy in South Korea recently shared an exciting development. South Korea's Lunar Orbiter Danuri captured images of Vikram Lander's landing site on the moon's surface. The embassy wrote on X sharing the wonderful snap taken by South Korea's lunar orbiter Danuri of Shiv Shakti Point which is the landing site of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the moon's surface.

Chandrayaan-3 landing site 'Shiv Shakti' clicked by South Korea's Danuri orbiter

India's moon mission has captivated the attention of the entire world and now ISRO says that the Pragyan Rover and the Vikram Lander, the stars on the moon of the Chandrayaan-3 mission have been put into sleep mode on the moon. This is after the mission completed all its objectives but that's not the end of the historic Mission. See how the Lander and the Rover have entered sleep mode waiting for the next Dawn on the moon.

Chandrayaan-3: Vikram Rover hops on the moon, bids good night

The Vikram lander on Chandrayaan-3 observed a "natural" seismic event on the Moon, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday. According to the space agency, the motions of the rover and other payloads have been recorded by one lander payload, the Instrument for the Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA).

Chandrayaan-3's Vikram Lander detects unknown seismic activity on the moon

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