NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered holes on the Martian surface which are different from the ones made by meteors. Mars has several such holes, but the ones recently discovered are strange and different from anything else seen in other parts of the planet. The discovery was made in the Valle Grande, a broad valley cutting through Mount Sharp that sits inside the Gale Crater. NASA said that while meteorites regularly punch holes into the red, dusty planet, they are not sure how the pits in Valle Grande formed.&nbsp;NASA says the holes are broad and shallow, and different from anything seen in the past. Dr Michelle Minitti, MAHLI Deputy Principal Investigator, detailed the discovery in a blog post. She said this particular section of rocks has been affected by certain processes which they will try to understand in the near future.<h2>How similar holes form on Earth</h2> On our planet, small holes form in the bedrock when a tough stone or anything else that is harder gets stuck in a bed of softer rock. They eventually get washed away or removed after breaking apart, leaving behind impressions. But NASA scientists did not find the objects that would have left these holes on Mars. "The pits of this week were much broader and shallower than past features and were not accompanied by obvious objects that were once in the pits," Minitti wrote.&nbsp;The holes were photographed closely by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), while the Mastcam camera took several overlapping images of the surrounding region. The space agency will use these images to create a three-dimensional map of the pits and measure their shapes and depth to understand how they were formed.<h2>What the holes can tell about the history of Mars</h2>&nbsp;The rover also showed that the nearby layers of rock bed changed rapidly in appearance. Certain tough grey areas resist erosion in a different manner compared to their surroundings. Scientists think this could be evidence that the conditions under which these layers of rock were laid down millions or billions of years ago underwent rapid transformation.&nbsp;This region on Mars is of particular interest to NASA because the Gale Crater here is believed to have been formed by an asteroid impact around three billion years ago. Mount Sharp is located right at the centre of the crater and is 5.5 km high. The sedimentary layers in the mountain are believed to hide the record of the environmental conditions when each layer was deposited.

Inside the Gale Crater on Mars are strange holes that NASA says were not made by meteorites or other such impacts. Ideally, the hard objects that made these impressions should be present, but NASA found nothing. The pits are now another mystery on Mars.

NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered holes on the Martian surface which are different from the ones made by meteors. Mars has several such holes, but the ones recently discovered are strange and different from anything else seen in other parts of the planet. The discovery was made in the Valle Grande, a broad valley cutting through Mount Sharp that sits inside the Gale Crater. NASA said that while meteorites regularly punch holes into the red, dusty planet, they are not sure how the pits in Valle Grande formed. NASA says the holes are broad and shallow, and different from anything seen in the past. Dr Michelle Minitti, MAHLI Deputy Principal Investigator, detailed the discovery in a blog post. She said this particular section of rocks has been affected by certain processes which they will try to understand in the near future. How similar holes form on Earth On our planet, small holes form in the bedrock when a tough stone or anything else that is harder gets stuck in a bed of softer rock. They eventually get washed away or removed after breaking apart, leaving behind impressions. But NASA scientists did not find the objects that would have left these holes on Mars. "The pits of this week were much broader and shallower than past features and were not accompanied by obvious objects that were once in the pits," Minitti wrote. The holes were photographed closely by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), while the Mastcam camera took several overlapping images of the surrounding region. The space agency will use these images to create a three-dimensional map of the pits and measure their shapes and depth to understand how they were formed. What the holes can tell about the history of Mars The rover also showed that the nearby layers of rock bed changed rapidly in appearance. Certain tough grey areas resist erosion in a different manner compared to their surroundings. Scientists think this could be evidence that the conditions under which these layers of rock were laid down millions or billions of years ago underwent rapid transformation. This region on Mars is of particular interest to NASA because the Gale Crater here is believed to have been formed by an asteroid impact around three billion years ago. Mount Sharp is located right at the centre of the crater and is 5.5 km high. The sedimentary layers in the mountain are believed to hide the record of the environmental conditions when each layer was deposited.

Inside the Gale Crater on Mars are strange holes that NASA says were not made by meteorites or other such impacts. Ideally, the hard objects that made these impressions should be present, but NASA found nothing. The pits are now another mystery on Mars.

'Hole' new mystery on Mars: NASA finds strange pits inside Gale Crater and no explanation

A scientist has flagged an occurrence that happened this summer when a huge iceberg separated from Petermann Glacier on Greenland’s northwest coast, collided with Joe Island, but made it out of it without any major damage. Adam Garbo, a doctoral student in glaciology at the University of Ottawa, was scanning through images from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 mission when he came across this calving event.&nbsp;A team of international researchers has been using remote sensing techniques to monitor Petermann Glacier and its floating ice tongue. They noticed that the tabular iceberg, or ice island, was a little over 76 square kilometres when it broke apart from the glacier. It was the largest iceberg to break from Petermann since 2012, when a 130 square kilometre iceberg broke off from it.&nbsp;As they watched Petermann, they monitored several major rifts that could cut off from its ice tongue. However, they were surprised to see that the calving happened from a different fracture and was much smaller than what they were waiting for. They were still waiting for 94 square kilometres and 84 square kilometres of ice islands to break off from bigger fractures.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/mont-blanc-has-lost-its-permafrost-triggering-concerns-about-the-glaciers-1789029083781">Mont Blanc has lost its permafrost, triggering concerns about the glaciers</a><h2>Satellites captured it clashing into Joe Island</h2>NASA USGS Landsat satellites showed the iceberg moving down Petermann Fjord toward Nares Strait. It travelled nearly three kilometres each day for a week. It then slammed into a small rocky outcrop called Joe Island, an event which was captured by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) aboard Landsat 9 on August 23 and 24.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/killing-the-himalayas-slowly-human-urine-is-melting-a-glacier-on-mount-everest-1788513947987">Killing the Himalayas slowly: Human urine is melting a glacier on Mount Everest</a>&nbsp;Joe Island is located near the entrance to Petermann Fjord, and many of the ice islands that collide with it break up since they are generally thinner and more fragile. However, this new island came out largely intact. "We were certainly watching closely as it interacted with Joe Island and were impressed that it survived the interaction without further fragmentation," Garbo said.&nbsp;Scientists estimate that the ice island was less than 490 feet thick during its first calving and is now moving southwest through Nares Strait. It is expected to continue its journey for weeks before running aground. It will likely break into fragments, release freshwater into the ocean and also pose a danger to ships.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A large chunk of ice separated from the tongue of Petermann Glacier in Greenland, drifted for kilometres and then crashed into an island. Almost all icebergs that reach this fjord opening break apart after the collision. But this one kept going on fully intact. 

A scientist has flagged an occurrence that happened this summer when a huge iceberg separated from Petermann Glacier on Greenland’s northwest coast, collided with Joe Island, but made it out of it without any major damage. Adam Garbo, a doctoral student in glaciology at the University of Ottawa, was scanning through images from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 mission when he came across this calving event. A team of international researchers has been using remote sensing techniques to monitor Petermann Glacier and its floating ice tongue. They noticed that the tabular iceberg, or ice island, was a little over 76 square kilometres when it broke apart from the glacier. It was the largest iceberg to break from Petermann since 2012, when a 130 square kilometre iceberg broke off from it. As they watched Petermann, they monitored several major rifts that could cut off from its ice tongue. However, they were surprised to see that the calving happened from a different fracture and was much smaller than what they were waiting for. They were still waiting for 94 square kilometres and 84 square kilometres of ice islands to break off from bigger fractures. Also Read: Mont Blanc has lost its permafrost, triggering concerns about the glaciers Satellites captured it clashing into Joe Island NASA USGS Landsat satellites showed the iceberg moving down Petermann Fjord toward Nares Strait. It travelled nearly three kilometres each day for a week. It then slammed into a small rocky outcrop called Joe Island, an event which was captured by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) aboard Landsat 9 on August 23 and 24. Also Read: Killing the Himalayas slowly: Human urine is melting a glacier on Mount Everest Joe Island is located near the entrance to Petermann Fjord, and many of the ice islands that collide with it break up since they are generally thinner and more fragile. However, this new island came out largely intact. "We were certainly watching closely as it interacted with Joe Island and were impressed that it survived the interaction without further fragmentation," Garbo said. Scientists estimate that the ice island was less than 490 feet thick during its first calving and is now moving southwest through Nares Strait. It is expected to continue its journey for weeks before running aground. It will likely break into fragments, release freshwater into the ocean and also pose a danger to ships.

A large chunk of ice separated from the tongue of Petermann Glacier in Greenland, drifted for kilometres and then crashed into an island. Almost all icebergs that reach this fjord opening break apart after the collision. But this one kept going on fully intact.&nbsp;

NASA satellite captures 76-sq-km iceberg floating away from Greenland glacier. Then it slammed into an island

NASA has launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, its newest flagship observatory designed to unlock some of the universe's biggest mysteries. Lifted into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Florida, the $4 billion telescope will study dark matter, dark energy, distant exoplanets and the evolution of the cosmos. Originally built for a US spy satellite programme before being repurposed for scientific exploration, Roman is expected to deliver panoramic views of the universe with unprecedented speed. Scientists hope the mission will transform our understanding of space and become a successor to both Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope.

NASA launches new telescope to map cosmos 

NASA successfully launched its newest space telescope—the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope—aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral in Florida on Sunday. The new space telescope will help scientists probe the nature of dark matter, dark energy, and other mysteries of the universe.The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is about the size of a tour bus, lifted off on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket. The 18,000-pound spacecraft is now on a million-mile journey that will take it to its new home in space, where it will survey vast areas of the universe to study dark energy, dark matter and exoplanets, with a field of view far larger than that of the Hubble.&nbsp;Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will be finally placed in its final orbit around the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point known as L2, where the competing gravitational pulls of the Earth and the Sun will keep it steady while using minimal fuel. The James Webb Space Telescope also orbits at this point, which gives the spacecraft an unobstructed view of the sky.&nbsp;Roman was initially designed as a spy telescope for the National Reconnaissance Office but was donated to NASA later. It was named after Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer who was known as the ‘Mother of Hubble’ for championing the iconic Hubble Space Telescope. Her namesake observatory will have the sharpness of Hubble, but its field of view is 100 times larger, which will enable it to cover huge swaths of the sky at once.&nbsp;<h2>Telescope to help uncover cosmic mysteries</h2>&nbsp;Roman is on a kind of ghost hunt, searching for more evidence of dark matter—mysterious, invisible stuff whose gravitational influence appears to hold galaxies together and define the overarching structure of the cosmos. It will also study how gravity subtly affects the path of light along great distances throughout a massive survey of the sky.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’ll take ‘Launching Soon’ for 1000, Ken. Want to be ready for an entire Jeopardy category on NASA&#39;s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope? Here&#39;s everything you need to know about our latest deep space telescope in just 7 minutes. <a href="https://t.co/SFqamPTsJd">pic.twitter.com/SFqamPTsJd</a>&mdash; Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (@NASARoman) <a href="https://x.com/NASARoman/status/2092659814459465995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;Roman will also search for planets outside our solar system. More than 6,000 exoplanets have been identified since astronomers confirmed their existence in the 1990s. NASA expects to identify more than 100,000 of them with Roman’s help by identifying dips in starlight caused by a planet passing in front of its own star.&nbsp;<h2>Roman to send 1.4 terabytes of raw data each day</h2>&nbsp;The telescope will beam back 1.4 terabytes of raw science data each day, using a refrigerator-sized high-gain antenna. The data will be available immediately to scientists and the public.Because of the massive amounts of data, NASA is making it available to anyone through a cloud-based system called Roman Nexus. This will make this mission unique, as anyone can look at the raw data and find new discoveries.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Astronomers will also use Roman’s observations to uncover dark energy, the strange force that is believed to drive the expansion of the universe.Scientists' understanding of dark energy comes from observations of a kind of exploding star known as a Type Ia supernova. These supernovas appear to shine at known and predictable brightness throughout the cosmos, giving them the nickname of 'standard candles'. By cataloguing even more of these supernovas, scientists hope to develop a better understanding of how dark energy works, which could fundamentally change the way astronomers view the universe.

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope was initially designed as a spy telescope for the National Reconnaissance Office but was donated to NASA later. It was named after Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer who was known as the ‘Mother of Hubble’.

NASA successfully launched its newest space telescope—the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope—aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral in Florida on Sunday. The new space telescope will help scientists probe the nature of dark matter, dark energy, and other mysteries of the universe. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is about the size of a tour bus, lifted off on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket. The 18,000-pound spacecraft is now on a million-mile journey that will take it to its new home in space, where it will survey vast areas of the universe to study dark energy, dark matter and exoplanets, with a field of view far larger than that of the Hubble. Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will be finally placed in its final orbit around the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point known as L2, where the competing gravitational pulls of the Earth and the Sun will keep it steady while using minimal fuel. The James Webb Space Telescope also orbits at this point, which gives the spacecraft an unobstructed view of the sky. Roman was initially designed as a spy telescope for the National Reconnaissance Office but was donated to NASA later. It was named after Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer who was known as the ‘Mother of Hubble’ for championing the iconic Hubble Space Telescope. Her namesake observatory will have the sharpness of Hubble, but its field of view is 100 times larger, which will enable it to cover huge swaths of the sky at once. Telescope to help uncover cosmic mysteries Roman is on a kind of ghost hunt, searching for more evidence of dark matter—mysterious, invisible stuff whose gravitational influence appears to hold galaxies together and define the overarching structure of the cosmos. It will also study how gravity subtly affects the path of light along great distances throughout a massive survey of the sky.

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope was initially designed as a spy telescope for the National Reconnaissance Office but was donated to NASA later. It was named after Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer who was known as the ‘Mother of Hubble’.

NASA successfully launches Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, to unravel new mysteries of universe

US President Donald Trump on Friday (August 29) announced the creation of a "Space Academy" in order to train future civilian and military recruits for an arena where America faces rivalry with China. Addressing the Johnson Space Centre of NASA in Houston, Trump stated that the institution would be modelled on the famed US military academy at West Point. "It's called the U.S. Space Academy. That's a big deal," Trump said because he signed an executive order creating the new school. "It'll serve both the United States Space Force as well as NASA and the civilian spaceflight industry, and it'll attract, train, and graduate the very best of our nation."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/209-billion-for-venezuela-delcy-rodriguez-reveals-what-caracas-stands-to-gain-from-inside-trump-s-oil-deal-1787975072331">$209 billion for Venezuela? Delcy Rodriguez reveals what Caracas stands to gain from Trump's oil deal</a><h3>US Space Force as the sixth branch of the US armed forces</h3>Trump has applauded the US Space Force, crediting it as the sixth branch of the US armed forces that played an important role in the recent American military operations in Venezuela and Iran. However, he did not confirm the site of the new academy that will be built. During the same event, he awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honour to the astronauts of NASA's Artemis 2 mission, which completed a lunar flyby in April. The move reflects how space has increasingly become a strategic priority for major powers, both militarily and technologically. The US is currently in a race with China to put astronauts back on the Moon before the decade is out — more than five decades after the first Moon landing. Just last week, Trump spoke of ushering in a "golden age" of space exploration, signalling plans to ramp up rocket launches, including missions aimed at Mars and the Moon.

During the same event, he awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honour to the astronauts of NASA's Artemis 2 mission, which completed a lunar flyby in April. 

US President Donald Trump on Friday (August 29) announced the creation of a "Space Academy" in order to train future civilian and military recruits for an arena where America faces rivalry with China. Addressing the Johnson Space Centre of NASA in Houston, Trump stated that the institution would be modelled on the famed US military academy at West Point. "It's called the U.S. Space Academy. That's a big deal," Trump said because he signed an executive order creating the new school. "It'll serve both the United States Space Force as well as NASA and the civilian spaceflight industry, and it'll attract, train, and graduate the very best of our nation." Also read: $209 billion for Venezuela? Delcy Rodriguez reveals what Caracas stands to gain from Trump's oil deal US Space Force as the sixth branch of the US armed forces Trump has applauded the US Space Force, crediting it as the sixth branch of the US armed forces that played an important role in the recent American military operations in Venezuela and Iran. However, he did not confirm the site of the new academy that will be built. During the same event, he awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honour to the astronauts of NASA's Artemis 2 mission, which completed a lunar flyby in April. The move reflects how space has increasingly become a strategic priority for major powers, both militarily and technologically. The US is currently in a race with China to put astronauts back on the Moon before the decade is out — more than five decades after the first Moon landing. Just last week, Trump spoke of ushering in a "golden age" of space exploration, signalling plans to ramp up rocket launches, including missions aimed at Mars and the Moon.

During the same event, he awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honour to the astronauts of NASA's Artemis 2 mission, which completed a lunar flyby in April.&nbsp;

Donald Trump announces new 'US Space Academy' amid space race with China

A team of researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have come up with a strange way to end plastic pollution - turn it into edible and tasty cookies. They used specially engineered yeast for it and 3D printed the cookies out of plastic waste. The yeast breaks down components of plastic compounds and agricultural material, such as plant stalks, into proteins, fats, acids, and flavourings. Everything is combined together and fed into a 3D printer to make cookies of any shape. The project was funded by NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge.&nbsp;The cookies were made in the shape of the Greek letter µ, lending it the name "µBites", or micro bites. The researchers are yet to taste the cookies as they are waiting for university approval. However, they are confident that the cookies are fine and tasty. “I think it has a pleasant, appealing aroma. And it will taste good, too,” Lahiru Jayakody, a microbiologist at SIU who led the research, told New Scientist.<h2>How was plastic turned into a cookie?</h2> The process depends heavily on the yeast. They used CRISPR gene-editing technology to reprogram yeast strains to eat polyethene terephthalate (PET). This is the most widely found form of plastic, present in water bottles, food packaging and clothes. First, the plastic is broken down into smaller bits through a process called oxidative hydrothermal dissolution. This makes it easier for the microbes to digest it, turning it into a slurry of proteins, fats, and acids. Fibre, starch, and sweetener are added to bring taste and body to the mixture. The 3D printer then turns it into cookies.&nbsp;<h2>Challenges and problems with the plastic-to-cookie method</h2> While the revolutionary invention could address not only the problem of plastic waste, but also food shortages, the costs attached to it make it unviable for now. According to a report by The Guardian, it will cost around $60 to produce a kilogram of cookies. Besides, there is so much plastic waste in the world, with more of it continuously adding to the current load, that 3D printing might never be a solution. "We produce 400 million tons a year of plastic waste. You’re not going to turn it all into cookies. So it’s not a solution to the plastic-waste crisis," Jason Hallett at Imperial College London told New Scientist.&nbsp;However, since NASA is involved in the project, the cookies might become a culinary option for astronauts who could one day visit distant planets like Mars.&nbsp;

A cookie made out of plastic waste is the next breakthrough in addressing pollution and may be food crisis. However, it might not be feasible given the mounds of plastic pollution. Meanwhile, it could be an option for astronauts. 

A team of researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have come up with a strange way to end plastic pollution - turn it into edible and tasty cookies. They used specially engineered yeast for it and 3D printed the cookies out of plastic waste. The yeast breaks down components of plastic compounds and agricultural material, such as plant stalks, into proteins, fats, acids, and flavourings. Everything is combined together and fed into a 3D printer to make cookies of any shape. The project was funded by NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge. The cookies were made in the shape of the Greek letter µ, lending it the name "µBites", or micro bites. The researchers are yet to taste the cookies as they are waiting for university approval. However, they are confident that the cookies are fine and tasty. “I think it has a pleasant, appealing aroma. And it will taste good, too,” Lahiru Jayakody, a microbiologist at SIU who led the research, told New Scientist. How was plastic turned into a cookie? The process depends heavily on the yeast. They used CRISPR gene-editing technology to reprogram yeast strains to eat polyethene terephthalate (PET). This is the most widely found form of plastic, present in water bottles, food packaging and clothes. First, the plastic is broken down into smaller bits through a process called oxidative hydrothermal dissolution. This makes it easier for the microbes to digest it, turning it into a slurry of proteins, fats, and acids. Fibre, starch, and sweetener are added to bring taste and body to the mixture. The 3D printer then turns it into cookies. Challenges and problems with the plastic-to-cookie method While the revolutionary invention could address not only the problem of plastic waste, but also food shortages, the costs attached to it make it unviable for now. According to a report by The Guardian, it will cost around $60 to produce a kilogram of cookies. Besides, there is so much plastic waste in the world, with more of it continuously adding to the current load, that 3D printing might never be a solution. "We produce 400 million tons a year of plastic waste. You’re not going to turn it all into cookies. So it’s not a solution to the plastic-waste crisis," Jason Hallett at Imperial College London told New Scientist. However, since NASA is involved in the project, the cookies might become a culinary option for astronauts who could one day visit distant planets like Mars.

A cookie made out of plastic waste is the next breakthrough in addressing pollution and may be food crisis. However, it might not be feasible given the mounds of plastic pollution. Meanwhile, it could be an option for astronauts.&nbsp;

Would you eat a 3D printed cookie made from plastic waste? NASA astronauts might have to

The four astronauts who made history aboard the Artemis II lunar flyby mission are set to receive the United States’ highest space honour, NASA has announced. Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will receive the Congressional Space Medal of Honor on 28 August at a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.&nbsp;According to NASA, only 30 astronauts have previously received the prestigious honor. The recipients include Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, and John Glenn, who became the first American to orbit Earth before later serving four terms in the US Senate. Despite the medal’s name, the four Artemis II astronauts were selected by President Donald Trump after NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman recommended them for the award.&nbsp;The Artemis II crew made history during their 10-day mission, which began on 1 April. The astronauts traveled farther from Earth than any humans before them, surpassing the distance record set by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970. During their journey around the Moon, Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen reached 252,756 miles (406,771km) from Earth. That exceeded Apollo 13’s previous record of 248,655 miles and marked another major milestone in the US effort to return humans to the Moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars.&nbsp;Reflecting on the mission after the crew safely returned to Earth, Wiseman said: “This was not easy,” Wiseman said to reporters after the Artemis II mission safely ended with a textbook splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. “Before you launch, it feels like it’s the greatest dream on Earth. And when you’re out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It’s a special thing to be a human, and it’s a special thing to be on planet Earth.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ramageddon-memory-cost-crisis-squeezes-it-firms-as-ai-demand-fuels-global-chip-crunch-1787487274970">RAMageddon: Memory cost crisis squeezes IT firms as AI demand fuels global chip crunch</a>&nbsp;The medal ceremony is taking place four months after Trump welcomed the Artemis II astronauts to the White House. During that event, the president, who turned 80 in June, praised the crew and said: “I would have had no trouble making it, I’m physically very, very good.” NASA has listed the ceremony as beginning at 11am, with a livestream of the event available through NASA’s website. The recognition comes as the Trump administration seeks significant reductions to NASA’s budget. The administration has proposed a 23% overall cut to NASA funding for the 2027 fiscal year, which begins on 1 October, including a proposed 46% reduction in space science spending.&nbsp;However, a House commerce, justice and science subcommittee led by Trump’s Republican Party has advanced an alternative NASA funding proposal that would preserve several science programmes targeted for cuts by the administration. The Congressional Space Medal of Honor has previously been awarded to astronauts who died in the Apollo 1 fire and in the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters, as well as other pioneering spacefarers.&nbsp;Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken were the most recent astronauts selected for the honor before the Artemis II crew. In 2020, Hurley and Behnken became the first astronauts to launch into orbit aboard a commercial spacecraft. They received their medals in 2023 during the presidency of Joe Biden.

Artemis II astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will receive the Congressional Space Medal of Honor on 28 August

The four astronauts who made history aboard the Artemis II lunar flyby mission are set to receive the United States’ highest space honour, NASA has announced. Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will receive the Congressional Space Medal of Honor on 28 August at a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. According to NASA, only 30 astronauts have previously received the prestigious honor. The recipients include Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, and John Glenn, who became the first American to orbit Earth before later serving four terms in the US Senate. Despite the medal’s name, the four Artemis II astronauts were selected by President Donald Trump after NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman recommended them for the award. The Artemis II crew made history during their 10-day mission, which began on 1 April. The astronauts traveled farther from Earth than any humans before them, surpassing the distance record set by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970. During their journey around the Moon, Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen reached 252,756 miles (406,771km) from Earth. That exceeded Apollo 13’s previous record of 248,655 miles and marked another major milestone in the US effort to return humans to the Moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars. Reflecting on the mission after the crew safely returned to Earth, Wiseman said: “This was not easy,” Wiseman said to reporters after the Artemis II mission safely ended with a textbook splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. “Before you launch, it feels like it’s the greatest dream on Earth. And when you’re out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It’s a special thing to be a human, and it’s a special thing to be on planet Earth.” Also Read: RAMageddon: Memory cost crisis squeezes IT firms as AI demand fuels global chip crunch The medal ceremony is taking place four months after Trump welcomed the Artemis II astronauts to the White House. During that event, the president, who turned 80 in June, praised the crew and said: “I would have had no trouble making it, I’m physically very, very good.” NASA has listed the ceremony as beginning at 11am, with a livestream of the event available through NASA’s website. The recognition comes as the Trump administration seeks significant reductions to NASA’s budget. The administration has proposed a 23% overall cut to NASA funding for the 2027 fiscal year, which begins on 1 October, including a proposed 46% reduction in space science spending. However, a House commerce, justice and science subcommittee led by Trump’s Republican Party has advanced an alternative NASA funding proposal that would preserve several science programmes targeted for cuts by the administration. The Congressional Space Medal of Honor has previously been awarded to astronauts who died in the Apollo 1 fire and in the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters, as well as other pioneering spacefarers. Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken were the most recent astronauts selected for the honor before the Artemis II crew. In 2020, Hurley and Behnken became the first astronauts to launch into orbit aboard a commercial spacecraft. They received their medals in 2023 during the presidency of Joe Biden.

Artemis II astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will receive the congressional space medal of honour

Artemis II crew to receive congressional space medal of honour from President Trump

President Donald Trump has unveiled a major new push to accelerate America’s commercial space ambitions, with the United States targeting more than 1,000 rocket launches and spacecraft re-entries from American soil every year by 2030.

The new policy directs US government agencies to examine federal land for additional launch and re-entry sites while encouraging greater private-sector participation in space transportation.

Trump’s plans extend beyond Earth orbit. NASA has been directed to support commercial transportation to and from the Moon, robotic missions to Mars and eventually commercial human transportation to the Red Planet.

The announcement comes as the US-China space race intensifies, with both countries pursuing ambitious lunar programs. The United States is aiming to return astronauts to the lunar surface before 2030 and establish a more sustained presence on the Moon.

Trump Unveils Major US Space Push | 1,000+ Rocket Launches by 2030 | Moon & Mars Missions Accelerate

The Swift observatory will crash later this year, NASA has confirmed, as the LINK mission sent to save it nearly a month ago is facing problems in orbit. The quest to save the 22-year-old-telescope was called off on Wednesday, ending Swift's journey of watching the most powerful explosions, gamma-ray bursts, in the universe. The commercial robotic repair vehicle was built by Katalyst Space for $30 million to help salvage the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. LINK was supposed to grab it and carry it to a higher orbit. However, a few weeks after being launched on July 3, it went into an uncontrollable spin.&nbsp;NASA tried to fix the problem from Earth, slowing down the spin, but ultimately couldn't save it as pointing and positioning persisted. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement, "This is not the outcome we were working toward, but it does not change why this mission was worth attempting." NASA has not confirmed the exact data Swift will fall down.&nbsp;In a joint statement, Katalyst and NASA said, "Following continued monitoring and assessment of the LINK spacecraft, Katalyst Space and NASA together have concluded that ​due to ongoing attitude control issues, the mission will not include the capture ​and boost of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/swift-and-link-spacecraft-captured-behind-each-other-video-1786966222732">NASA's falling telescope and its saviour spacecraft captured behind each other - Video</a><h2>Why was Swift falling?</h2> Swift was launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts in space. But recently, its low Earth orbit began to rapidly decay. It started dragging down because of solar storms and faced an imminent end before early 2027. It was located at 600 km above the surface of Earth, but then dropped to around 360 km, with much of the drag occurring in the last two years. NASA had the choice to either let it go or try to save the telescope. This had to be done before it fell to 300 kilometres, else it would become unsavable.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-launches-link-to-catch-swift-observatory-in-space-1783079815337">NASA launches LINK to catch 22-year-old Swift observatory in space - Details</a><h2>Making LINK to save Swift</h2> Katalyst was awarded the project and the company "designed, built, tested, and integrated a robotic spacecraft" in just eight months. But it did not work as expected. Two of LINK’s three reaction wheels have failed, and it has been spinning uncontrollably. A flight software update was expected to help. On August 10, NASA said that the "new attitude control algorithms are designed to maintain LINK’s stability using the spacecraft’s remaining actuators." &nbsp;

A NASA observatory is set to crash in the coming weeks after the mission sent to save it was declared a failure on Wednesday. Swift has been dragging down for months because of a decaying orbit. Saviour mission LINK has been spinning and no fix has worked.

The Swift observatory will crash later this year, NASA has confirmed, as the LINK mission sent to save it nearly a month ago is facing problems in orbit. The quest to save the 22-year-old-telescope was called off on Wednesday, ending Swift's journey of watching the most powerful explosions, gamma-ray bursts, in the universe. The commercial robotic repair vehicle was built by Katalyst Space for $30 million to help salvage the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. LINK was supposed to grab it and carry it to a higher orbit. However, a few weeks after being launched on July 3, it went into an uncontrollable spin. NASA tried to fix the problem from Earth, slowing down the spin, but ultimately couldn't save it as pointing and positioning persisted. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement, "This is not the outcome we were working toward, but it does not change why this mission was worth attempting." NASA has not confirmed the exact data Swift will fall down. In a joint statement, Katalyst and NASA said, "Following continued monitoring and assessment of the LINK spacecraft, Katalyst Space and NASA together have concluded that due to ongoing attitude control issues, the mission will not include the capture and boost of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory." Also Read: NASA's falling telescope and its saviour spacecraft captured behind each other - Video Why was Swift falling? Swift was launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts in space. But recently, its low Earth orbit began to rapidly decay. It started dragging down because of solar storms and faced an imminent end before early 2027. It was located at 600 km above the surface of Earth, but then dropped to around 360 km, with much of the drag occurring in the last two years. NASA had the choice to either let it go or try to save the telescope. This had to be done before it fell to 300 kilometres, else it would become unsavable. Also Read: NASA launches LINK to catch 22-year-old Swift observatory in space - Details Making LINK to save Swift Katalyst was awarded the project and the company "designed, built, tested, and integrated a robotic spacecraft" in just eight months. But it did not work as expected. Two of LINK’s three reaction wheels have failed, and it has been spinning uncontrollably. A flight software update was expected to help. On August 10, NASA said that the "new attitude control algorithms are designed to maintain LINK’s stability using the spacecraft’s remaining actuators."

A NASA observatory is set to crash in the coming weeks after the mission sent to save it was declared a failure on Wednesday. Swift has been dragging down for months because of a decaying orbit. Saviour mission LINK has been spinning and no fix has worked.

Swift telescope set to crash on Earth as NASA declares saviour mission LINK has failed

The Swift Observatory and NASA's LINK spacecraft, sent to save it, have been captured moving in space, revealing an occurrence scientists had been waiting for with bated breath. LINK was launched into low-Earth orbit in July this year to save the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. This telescope has been watching the most powerful explosions - &nbsp;gamma-ray bursts - in space for nearly 22 years. But now it is dragging down as its orbit has started decaying. Instead of letting a perfectly good observatory crash onto Earth, NASA decided to save it.&nbsp;The space agency had earlier said that the chances of the telescope crashing by June 2026 stood at 50 per cent, which hasn't happened. There is a 90 per cent probability of it happening before 2027. The commercial robotic repair vehicle built by Katalyst Space is supposed to grab the telescope and move it higher. If it fails, Swift could crash later this year, putting on a fiery display.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-launches-link-to-catch-swift-observatory-in-space-1783079815337">NASA launches LINK to catch 22-year-old Swift observatory in space - Details</a><h2>Problems with LINK spacecraft</h2>But LINK has been sent to save the day. After being launched on July 3, LINK has been facing issues. Two of LINK’s three reaction wheels have failed, and it has been spinning uncontrollably, causing the communication to break. NASA uploaded a flight software update to fix the issue and said on August 10 that the “new attitude control algorithms are designed to maintain LINK’s stability using the spacecraft’s remaining actuators.”<h2>Watch LINK and Swift in same orbit</h2>

Things seem to be fine, as seen in a video captured by amateur astronomers in Puerto Rico with the Sociedad de Astronomía del Caribe. A video shows LINK and Swift in the same, or probably a similar, trajectory, with LINK about a minute ahead of Swift. While there is still hope to salvage the observatory, if it drops below roughly 300 km, then it would be impossible to save it. This is expected to happen in October.&nbsp;

Astronomers have captured a video of LINK and the Swift observatory moving in the same orbit in space. The robotic repair vehicle is supposed to catch Swift and move it to a higher orbit; otherwise, it will definitely crash.   

The Swift Observatory and NASA's LINK spacecraft, sent to save it, have been captured moving in space, revealing an occurrence scientists had been waiting for with bated breath. LINK was launched into low-Earth orbit in July this year to save the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. This telescope has been watching the most powerful explosions - gamma-ray bursts - in space for nearly 22 years. But now it is dragging down as its orbit has started decaying. Instead of letting a perfectly good observatory crash onto Earth, NASA decided to save it. The space agency had earlier said that the chances of the telescope crashing by June 2026 stood at 50 per cent, which hasn't happened. There is a 90 per cent probability of it happening before 2027. The commercial robotic repair vehicle built by Katalyst Space is supposed to grab the telescope and move it higher. If it fails, Swift could crash later this year, putting on a fiery display. Also Read: NASA launches LINK to catch 22-year-old Swift observatory in space - Details Problems with LINK spacecraft But LINK has been sent to save the day. After being launched on July 3, LINK has been facing issues. Two of LINK’s three reaction wheels have failed, and it has been spinning uncontrollably, causing the communication to break. NASA uploaded a flight software update to fix the issue and said on August 10 that the “new attitude control algorithms are designed to maintain LINK’s stability using the spacecraft’s remaining actuators.” Watch LINK and Swift in same orbit

Astronomers have captured a video of LINK and the Swift observatory moving in the same orbit in space. The robotic repair vehicle is supposed to catch Swift and move it to a higher orbit; otherwise, it will definitely crash. &nbsp;&nbsp;

NASA's falling telescope and its saviour spacecraft captured behind each other - Video

In a historic expansion of international space cooperation, NASA has formally invited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to collaborate on the development of a sustained human presence on the Moon. Building on the momentum of the Artemis Accords and India's successful lunar missions, the proposed partnership aims to pool expertise in lunar infrastructure, life-support systems, and deep-space communication.


NASA invites ISRO to help build a base on moon

American Space Agency NASA has invited its Indian counterpart, ISRO, to join its Moon Base program, which aims to build humanity's first Lunar outpost: a place where astronauts will live, work, and explore near the Moon’s South Pole(about 400,000 km from Earth). While America's 1969 mission Apollo 11 is the first to land astronauts on the Moon(near the equatorial region), India's 2023 mission Chandrayaan-3 is the first robotic craft to soft-land and explore near the Lunar south pole. NASA's invitation to ISRO was issued during the 9th meeting of the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) hosted by India at the ISRO Headquarters in Bengaluru this month.&nbsp;As for Lunar ambitions, America is working to return astronauts to the moon by the end of this decade or by the start of the next, while India hopes to land its own astronauts on the Moon by 2024 or later. India is also working on sending its astronauts to space on a homegrown mission by the end of this decade.&nbsp; Meanwhile, China is working towards a manned lunar landing mission by the end of this decade and has long-term Lunar exploration and habitation goals. In partnership with Russia, China plans to build a permanent robotic and human research base called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) at the Lunar south pole by 2035.The India-US meet was attended by Dr. V.&nbsp;Narayanan,&nbsp;Chairman, ISRO &amp; Secretary, Department of Space and Sergio&nbsp;Gor, US Ambassador to India. In their address, Narayanan and Gor highlighted the significance of further strengthening the bilateral space cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired on the Indian side by M.&nbsp;Sankaran, Director, UR Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO and on the U.S. side by Dr. Wesley Brooks, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and Kathleen&nbsp;Karika, NASA Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations.&nbsp;<h2>What is NASA's Moon Base program?</h2>NASA is embarking on one of the most ambitious endeavours in human history: building humanity’s first outpost on another celestial body. Located near the lunar South Pole, the Moon Base will be built step by step through a series of robotic and human missions that help astronauts learn how to live and operate in one of the most demanding and dangerous environments humans have ever set out to explore. The discoveries made and lessons learned there will help shape the future of exploration, from the Moon to Mars.Through a series of crewed and uncrewed missions, NASA and its partners will build the infrastructure needed to support an enduring human presence on the lunar surface while advancing science, technology, and exploration.NASA plans to establish the Moon Base near the lunar South Pole, a region that offers unique opportunities for exploration, discovery, and long-term human presence. Notably, the Lunar South Pole region is known to hold reserves of water ice, which can serve basic human needs and be converted to cryogenic rocket fuels: liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. This remote frontier may hold resources that can help support future explorers and answer important questions about the history of the Moon, Earth, and the solar system.NASA’s Moon Base strategy is built on commercial participation at an unprecedented scale, combining the strengths of government, private innovation, and global collaboration.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-cm-vijay-leads-mass-anti-drug-pledge-for-school-students-1786431072899">Tamil Nadu CM Vijay leads mass anti-drug pledge for school students</a><h2>The timeline of NASA's Lunar Base Program</h2>Until 2029, NASA is looking to gain reliable access to the lunar surface and build a deeper understanding of the harsh environment there. Robotic missions will explore the lunar South Pole, demonstrate new technologies, and gather the knowledge needed to guide future development. By expanding experience landing and operating on the Moon, NASA will identify promising locations for future infrastructure, improve mission capabilities, and reduce risk before astronauts arrive.Between 2029 and 2032, NASA aims to build and expand on what is learned during Phase One. This includes deploying the first infrastructure needed to support long-term operations on the Moon: Early power systems, cargo transportation, logistics, and communications capabilities. These will expand humanity’s footprint on the Moon and enable increasingly complex missions.Beyond 2032, NASA aims to begin assembling a permanent lunar outpost where astronauts can live and work for extended periods. Habitats, power systems, communications, transportation, and other critical capabilities will come together to support an enduring human presence near the Moon’s South Pole. As the Moon Base grows and evolves, it will enable increasingly ambitious scientific research, technology demonstrations, and exploration, while helping prepare humanity for future journeys deeper into the solar system.

NASA has invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme near the lunar South Pole. Here is what the project aims to achieve and its timeline beyond 2029.

American Space Agency NASA has invited its Indian counterpart, ISRO, to join its Moon Base program, which aims to build humanity's first Lunar outpost: a place where astronauts will live, work, and explore near the Moon’s South Pole(about 400,000 km from Earth). While America's 1969 mission Apollo 11 is the first to land astronauts on the Moon(near the equatorial region), India's 2023 mission Chandrayaan-3 is the first robotic craft to soft-land and explore near the Lunar south pole. NASA's invitation to ISRO was issued during the 9th meeting of the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) hosted by India at the ISRO Headquarters in Bengaluru this month. As for Lunar ambitions, America is working to return astronauts to the moon by the end of this decade or by the start of the next, while India hopes to land its own astronauts on the Moon by 2024 or later. India is also working on sending its astronauts to space on a homegrown mission by the end of this decade. Meanwhile, China is working towards a manned lunar landing mission by the end of this decade and has long-term Lunar exploration and habitation goals. In partnership with Russia, China plans to build a permanent robotic and human research base called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) at the Lunar south pole by 2035. The India-US meet was attended by Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO & Secretary, Department of Space and Sergio Gor, US Ambassador to India. In their address, Narayanan and Gor highlighted the significance of further strengthening the bilateral space cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired on the Indian side by M. Sankaran, Director, UR Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO and on the U.S. side by Dr. Wesley Brooks, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and Kathleen Karika, NASA Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations. What is NASA's Moon Base program? NASA is embarking on one of the most ambitious endeavours in human history: building humanity’s first outpost on another celestial body. Located near the lunar South Pole, the Moon Base will be built step by step through a series of robotic and human missions that help astronauts learn how to live and operate in one of the most demanding and dangerous environments humans have ever set out to explore. The discoveries made and lessons learned there will help shape the future of exploration, from the Moon to Mars. Through a series of crewed and uncrewed missions, NASA and its partners will build the infrastructure needed to support an enduring human presence on the lunar surface while advancing science, technology, and exploration. NASA plans to establish the Moon Base near the lunar South Pole, a region that offers unique opportunities for exploration, discovery, and long-term human presence. Notably, the Lunar South Pole region is known to hold reserves of water ice, which can serve basic human needs and be converted to cryogenic rocket fuels: liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. This remote frontier may hold resources that can help support future explorers and answer important questions about the history of the Moon, Earth, and the solar system. NASA’s Moon Base strategy is built on commercial participation at an unprecedented scale, combining the strengths of government, private innovation, and global collaboration. Also Read: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay leads mass anti-drug pledge for school students The timeline of NASA's Lunar Base Program Until 2029, NASA is looking to gain reliable access to the lunar surface and build a deeper understanding of the harsh environment there. Robotic missions will explore the lunar South Pole, demonstrate new technologies, and gather the knowledge needed to guide future development. By expanding experience landing and operating on the Moon, NASA will identify promising locations for future infrastructure, improve mission capabilities, and reduce risk before astronauts arrive. Between 2029 and 2032, NASA aims to build and expand on what is learned during Phase One. This includes deploying the first infrastructure needed to support long-term operations on the Moon: Early power systems, cargo transportation, logistics, and communications capabilities. These will expand humanity’s footprint on the Moon and enable increasingly complex missions. Beyond 2032, NASA aims to begin assembling a permanent lunar outpost where astronauts can live and work for extended periods. Habitats, power systems, communications, transportation, and other critical capabilities will come together to support an enduring human presence near the Moon’s South Pole. As the Moon Base grows and evolves, it will enable increasingly ambitious scientific research, technology demonstrations, and exploration, while helping prepare humanity for future journeys deeper into the solar system.

NASA has invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme near the lunar South Pole. Here is what the project aims to achieve and its timeline beyond 2029.

NASA invites ISRO to build a base on the Moon

#Gravitas August 12 will bring a rare cosmic line-up that has sparked wild doomsday theories online. The first event is a total solar eclipse, followed by the Perseid meteor shower. According to NASA, it is considered the best meteor shower of the year. Furthermore, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will appear stretched across the sky in a rare planetary parade. 


Trinity of cosmic events send ominous warning to the world 

Space scientists at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland have warned that we have been underestimating the worst-case scenarios for solar storms and their impact on Earth. According to a study published in the journal Nature, "erroneous measurements" of solar storms have likely distorted estimates about how much energy can be transferred into Earth’s polar ionosphere. While we think there is some kind of upper limit to it, the researchers say there may not be one.&nbsp;Study coauthor Maria Walach said in a statement that "fortunately, very extreme cases are rare, but this also means we have limited data to work with and only time will tell what happens at the very extreme one-in-a-thousand-year kind of event." &nbsp;She added, "If there is no upper limit to our planet’s response to the solar wind, modelling for extreme cases needs to take this into account, and we should be vigilant for space weather effects."&nbsp;The problem does not arise from faulty equipment, but from how scientists measure their space weather measurements, Walach says. Instruments in space that detect solar storms long before they reach Earth are located at a point where they fail to gauge the dissipating effects of solar storms.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/tracked-by-nasa-since-1998-missing-asteroid-reappears-as-mysterious-dark-comet-1784286114510">Tracked by NASA since 1998, missing asteroid reappears as mysterious dark comet</a>&nbsp;NASA’s IMAP sits at the Lagrange point one (L1) and provides consistent early warning data on solar particles and CMEs released by the Sun. It is stationary and locked in an orbit, where it relies on measurements taken before these particles hit the Earth's magnetosheath. It basically overestimates the actual solar wind, which is later “influenced by local plasma and field conditions,” the researchers wrote.<h2>Instruments measuring solar winds</h2>The researchers compared over a million solar wind measurements taken by NASA’s THEMIS all-sky imager, MMS, and DoubleStar. They were seen in contrast to ordinary readings of the magnetosheath and magnetosphere. The team concluded that "there is currently no statistical evidence to suggest an upper limit to the energy transferred from the solar wind to the polar ionosphere."&nbsp;&nbsp;Extreme solar storms can cause satellites to tumble down on Earth, and GPS signals are affected, which is rare. “Our planet’s magnetic field does a really great job of protecting us against many space weather effects,” Walach noted. So until we have an actual major storm, it is hard to say to what extent the magnetosphere can withstand the impact from the sun's energy.

The most intense forms of solar storms are rare, and so we do not know exactly how Earth's magnetic field will behave when one arrives. It is highly likely that we still do not know how strong solar winds and energy can get, meaning we have been underestimating them.

Space scientists at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland have warned that we have been underestimating the worst-case scenarios for solar storms and their impact on Earth. According to a study published in the journal Nature, "erroneous measurements" of solar storms have likely distorted estimates about how much energy can be transferred into Earth’s polar ionosphere. While we think there is some kind of upper limit to it, the researchers say there may not be one. Study coauthor Maria Walach said in a statement that "fortunately, very extreme cases are rare, but this also means we have limited data to work with and only time will tell what happens at the very extreme one-in-a-thousand-year kind of event." She added, "If there is no upper limit to our planet’s response to the solar wind, modelling for extreme cases needs to take this into account, and we should be vigilant for space weather effects." The problem does not arise from faulty equipment, but from how scientists measure their space weather measurements, Walach says. Instruments in space that detect solar storms long before they reach Earth are located at a point where they fail to gauge the dissipating effects of solar storms. Also Read: Tracked by NASA since 1998, missing asteroid reappears as mysterious dark comet NASA’s IMAP sits at the Lagrange point one (L1) and provides consistent early warning data on solar particles and CMEs released by the Sun. It is stationary and locked in an orbit, where it relies on measurements taken before these particles hit the Earth's magnetosheath. It basically overestimates the actual solar wind, which is later “influenced by local plasma and field conditions,” the researchers wrote. Instruments measuring solar winds The researchers compared over a million solar wind measurements taken by NASA’s THEMIS all-sky imager, MMS, and DoubleStar. They were seen in contrast to ordinary readings of the magnetosheath and magnetosphere. The team concluded that "there is currently no statistical evidence to suggest an upper limit to the energy transferred from the solar wind to the polar ionosphere." Extreme solar storms can cause satellites to tumble down on Earth, and GPS signals are affected, which is rare. “Our planet’s magnetic field does a really great job of protecting us against many space weather effects,” Walach noted. So until we have an actual major storm, it is hard to say to what extent the magnetosphere can withstand the impact from the sun's energy.

The most intense forms of solar storms are rare, and so we do not know exactly how Earth's magnetic field will behave when one arrives. It is highly likely that we still do not know how strong solar winds and energy can get, meaning we have been underestimating them.

NASA warns humans have underestimated the strongest solar storms - 'There could be no upper limit'

A new study led by NASA and the University of Leicester suggests that extreme solar storms could have a far greater impact on Earth than scientists previously believed. Researchers warn that powerful space weather events may disrupt satellites, communications, GPS, power grids, and other critical infrastructure on an unprecedented scale.
The findings challenge long-held assumptions about Earth's natural protection against solar storms and raise new concerns about the resilience of modern technology.

NASA, UK scientists warn of Earth's response to solar storm

Nagaland's capital, Kohima, has been placed on high alert after fresh cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were confirmed. Authorities have declared infected and surveillance zones while banning the movement of pigs, piglets, pork, and pig products to contain the outbreak.
African Swine Fever is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. Although it does not infect humans, it poses a serious threat to the livestock industry and the livelihoods of thousands of pig farmers in Nagaland.

African swine fever outbreak puts Nagaland on high alert | Pig movement banned in Kohima

Indian origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon began his maiden space mission on Tuesday (July 14) after lifting off aboard Roscosmos' Soyuz MS 29 spacecraft for an eight-month stay at the International Space Station (ISS).&nbsp;The spacecraft lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8.17 pm IST and is expected to reach the ISS after a three-hour journey before docking with the station's Russian Prichal module.&nbsp;Menon launched alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. After reaching the orbital laboratory, the trio will join the Expedition 74/75 crew, which includes astronauts from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos.&nbsp;Confirming the launch, NASA shared a message on X."Onwards and upwards!@astro_anil, Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina lifted off from Baikonur at 10:47 am ET (1447 UTC).&nbsp;They'll arrive at the@Space_Station later today; live docking coverage is scheduled to begin at 1:10 pm ET (1710 UTC)," NASA wrote on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://x.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a> astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina lifted off atop the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft at 10:47 a.m. EDT today for a 1:56 p.m. docking to the International Space Station. More... <a href="https://t.co/OgfE3jFh0Y">https://t.co/OgfE3jFh0Y</a> <a href="https://t.co/D0IWMdUbZP">pic.twitter.com/D0IWMdUbZP</a>&mdash; International Space Station (@Space_Station) <a href="https://x.com/Space_Station/status/2077045618392834361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Who is Anil Menon?</h2>Dr Anil Menon is a physician, mechanical engineer and colonel in the United States Space Force. He was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Indian and Ukrainian immigrant parents. His background combines medicine, engineering and aerospace experience, making him one of NASA's multidisciplinary astronauts.&nbsp;Menon earned a bachelor's degree in neurobiology from Harvard University before completing a master's degree in mechanical engineering and a Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University. He later finished residencies in emergency medicine and aerospace medicine at Stanford University and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Before joining NASA's astronaut corps, Menon served as SpaceX's first flight surgeon. He helped oversee the NASA SpaceX Demo 2 mission, the first crewed flight of the Dragon spacecraft. He also played a key role in building SpaceX's human spaceflight medical programme and supported NASA and SpaceX missions as a crew flight surgeon.<h2>What will Menon do on the ISS?</h2>During his stay aboard the International Space Station, Menon will carry out scientific research and technology demonstrations designed to support future human space missions while also benefiting life on Earth.&nbsp;According to NASA, he will continue research to improve the space production of semiconductor crystals, helping support large-scale manufacturing of components used in high-performance computers, artificial intelligence and advanced medical devices.Menon will also perform ultrasound using augmented reality and artificial intelligence methods that could reduce the need for medical support from Earth during future space missions.&nbsp;He will take part as a test subject in research examining how spaceflight affects blood flow, helping scientists develop ways to protect future astronauts. In addition, he will test bioprinting vascular constructs in microgravity to improve understanding of the ageing process and support future therapeutic developments.

Anil Menon lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina.

Indian origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon began his maiden space mission on Tuesday (July 14) after lifting off aboard Roscosmos' Soyuz MS 29 spacecraft for an eight-month stay at the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8.17 pm IST and is expected to reach the ISS after a three-hour journey before docking with the station's Russian Prichal module. Menon launched alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. After reaching the orbital laboratory, the trio will join the Expedition 74/75 crew, which includes astronauts from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos. Confirming the launch, NASA shared a message on X. "Onwards and upwards!@astro_anil, Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina lifted off from Baikonur at 10:47 am ET (1447 UTC). They'll arrive at the@Space_Station later today; live docking coverage is scheduled to begin at 1:10 pm ET (1710 UTC)," NASA wrote on X.

Anil Menon lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina.

'Onwards and upwards': Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon lifts off for 240 day space mission

Indian origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon is set to begin his first space mission to the International Space Station on July 14. The mission will mark his maiden journey into space and will see him spend about eight months aboard the orbiting laboratory, where he will carry out a series of scientific experiments focused on long-duration space travel.&nbsp;According to NASA, Menon will lift off aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS 29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on July 14. He will serve as a flight engineer alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The crew will join Expedition 74 before later becoming part of Expedition 75 aboard the International Space Station.&nbsp;NASA will broadcast live launch and docking coverage on its YouTube channel beginning at 9:45 a.m. EDT on Tuesday.<h2>Who is Anil Menon?</h2>Dr Anil Menon is a physician, mechanical engineer and colonel in the United States Space Force. He was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Indian and Ukrainian immigrant parents. His background combines medicine, engineering and aerospace experience, making him one of NASA's multidisciplinary astronauts.&nbsp;Menon earned a bachelor's degree in neurobiology from Harvard University before completing a master's degree in mechanical engineering and a Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University. He later finished residencies in emergency medicine and aerospace medicine at Stanford University and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/typhoon-bavi-triggers-deadly-landslides-kills-at-least-15-in-philippines-as-taiwan-braces-for-impact-1783681076513">Typhoon Bavi triggers deadly landslides, kills at least 15 in Philippines as Taiwan braces for impact</a>&nbsp;Before joining NASA's astronaut corps, Menon served as SpaceX's first flight surgeon. He helped oversee the NASA SpaceX Demo 2 mission, the first crewed flight of the Dragon spacecraft. He also played a key role in building SpaceX's human spaceflight medical programme and supported NASA and SpaceX missions as a crew flight surgeon.&nbsp;Alongside his space work, Menon continues to practise emergency medicine at Memorial Hermann's Texas Medical Centre and teaches residents in the University of Texas medical residency programme.<h2>What will Menon do on the ISS?</h2>During his stay aboard the International Space Station, Menon will carry out scientific research and technology demonstrations designed to support future human space missions while also benefiting life on Earth.&nbsp;According to NASA, he will continue research to improve the space production of semiconductor crystals, helping support large-scale manufacturing of components used in high-performance computers, artificial intelligence and advanced medical devices.Menon will also perform ultrasound using augmented reality and artificial intelligence methods that could reduce the need for medical support from Earth during future space missions.&nbsp;He will take part as a test subject in research examining how spaceflight affects blood flow, helping scientists develop ways to protect future astronauts. In addition, he will test bioprinting vascular constructs in microgravity to improve understanding of the ageing process and support future therapeutic developments.

On his first space mission, Anil Menon will spend around eight months on the ISS carrying out scientific experiments on long-duration space travel.

Indian origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon is set to begin his first space mission to the International Space Station on July 14. The mission will mark his maiden journey into space and will see him spend about eight months aboard the orbiting laboratory, where he will carry out a series of scientific experiments focused on long-duration space travel. According to NASA, Menon will lift off aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS 29 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on July 14. He will serve as a flight engineer alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The crew will join Expedition 74 before later becoming part of Expedition 75 aboard the International Space Station. NASA will broadcast live launch and docking coverage on its YouTube channel beginning at 9:45 a.m. EDT on Tuesday. Who is Anil Menon? Dr Anil Menon is a physician, mechanical engineer and colonel in the United States Space Force. He was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Indian and Ukrainian immigrant parents. His background combines medicine, engineering and aerospace experience, making him one of NASA's multidisciplinary astronauts. Menon earned a bachelor's degree in neurobiology from Harvard University before completing a master's degree in mechanical engineering and a Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University. He later finished residencies in emergency medicine and aerospace medicine at Stanford University and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Also Read: Typhoon Bavi triggers deadly landslides, kills at least 15 in Philippines as Taiwan braces for impact Before joining NASA's astronaut corps, Menon served as SpaceX's first flight surgeon. He helped oversee the NASA SpaceX Demo 2 mission, the first crewed flight of the Dragon spacecraft. He also played a key role in building SpaceX's human spaceflight medical programme and supported NASA and SpaceX missions as a crew flight surgeon. Alongside his space work, Menon continues to practise emergency medicine at Memorial Hermann's Texas Medical Centre and teaches residents in the University of Texas medical residency programme. What will Menon do on the ISS? During his stay aboard the International Space Station, Menon will carry out scientific research and technology demonstrations designed to support future human space missions while also benefiting life on Earth. According to NASA, he will continue research to improve the space production of semiconductor crystals, helping support large-scale manufacturing of components used in high-performance computers, artificial intelligence and advanced medical devices. Menon will also perform ultrasound using augmented reality and artificial intelligence methods that could reduce the need for medical support from Earth during future space missions. He will take part as a test subject in research examining how spaceflight affects blood flow, helping scientists develop ways to protect future astronauts. In addition, he will test bioprinting vascular constructs in microgravity to improve understanding of the ageing process and support future therapeutic developments.

On his first space mission, Anil Menon will spend around eight months on the ISS carrying out scientific experiments on long-duration space travel.

Who is Anil Menon? Indian-origin NASA astronaut set for July 14 launch on eight month ISS mission

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has confirmed that the US space agency possesses images of unidentified objects which scientists have not yet been able to explain. Speaking on The Jack Gordon Podcast, Isaacman said some imagery collected by NASA could not currently be explained away as comets or other known natural phenomena."We have captured imagery... based on the data that we have within that imagery, we don't know what it is," Isaacman said, adding that President Donald Trump has been supportive of greater transparency around such material.<h2>There's life out there</h2>While Isaacman stopped short of saying that the unexplained images could be proof of aliens, he said he believes humanity could eventually discover that life is common across the universe, though he acknowledged there is no definitive evidence yet."I think there's a very real possibility we're going to arrive at a conclusion in our lifetime that perhaps there's life everywhere out there and that it isn't as infrequent as we might think it to possibly be," he said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/do-not-open-until-2276-inside-the-us-time-capsule-that-won-t-be-opened-for-250-years-america-anniversary-1783040677941">Do not open until 2276: Inside the US time capsule that won't be opened for 250 years</a><h2>NASA may have proof of alien life</h2>While Isaacman said NASA has images that remain unexplained, he rejected one of the most persistent UFO conspiracy theories. When asked whether the US government had recovered crashed alien spacecraft or extraterrestrial bodies, he said he had never seen evidence to support those claims.However, Isaacman revealed that NASA may already have proof of aliens. "We got samples on Mars right now. If we bring them back, there is a very high probability that they will point to, at some point, microbial life at least on Mars," he said.NASA has long viewed Mars sample analysis as one of the best opportunities to determine whether the Red Planet once hosted microscopic life, although plans to return those samples have faced delays and funding challenges.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/humans-to-live-on-the-moon-by-2029-nasa-awards-600mn-in-contracts-unveils-next-phase-of-lunar-base-plans-1782868223488">Humans to live on the Moon by 2029? NASA awards $600mn in contracts, unveils next phase of lunar base plans</a><h2>'Are we alone?'</h2>Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and civilian astronaut appointed to lead NASA, said the search for life elsewhere remains one of the agency's biggest scientific goals."I can't hate the subject. In fact, I'm incredibly fascinated about it because that is at the heart of what we're trying to do at NASA, answer the question: Are we alone?" said the NASA director. He also defended future human exploration of space, arguing that humanity's long-term future should not be confined to Earth. "I do not believe it is our destiny to remain on one planet," Isaacman said. &nbsp;

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says the agency has captured images of unidentified objects that scientists still cannot explain. He also claimed that Mars samples could provide evidence of ancient alien life and help answer humanity's biggest question: Are we alone?

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has confirmed that the US space agency possesses images of unidentified objects which scientists have not yet been able to explain. Speaking on The Jack Gordon Podcast, Isaacman said some imagery collected by NASA could not currently be explained away as comets or other known natural phenomena. "We have captured imagery... based on the data that we have within that imagery, we don't know what it is," Isaacman said, adding that President Donald Trump has been supportive of greater transparency around such material. There's life out there While Isaacman stopped short of saying that the unexplained images could be proof of aliens, he said he believes humanity could eventually discover that life is common across the universe, though he acknowledged there is no definitive evidence yet. "I think there's a very real possibility we're going to arrive at a conclusion in our lifetime that perhaps there's life everywhere out there and that it isn't as infrequent as we might think it to possibly be," he said. Also read | Do not open until 2276: Inside the US time capsule that won't be opened for 250 years NASA may have proof of alien life While Isaacman said NASA has images that remain unexplained, he rejected one of the most persistent UFO conspiracy theories. When asked whether the US government had recovered crashed alien spacecraft or extraterrestrial bodies, he said he had never seen evidence to support those claims. However, Isaacman revealed that NASA may already have proof of aliens. "We got samples on Mars right now. If we bring them back, there is a very high probability that they will point to, at some point, microbial life at least on Mars," he said. NASA has long viewed Mars sample analysis as one of the best opportunities to determine whether the Red Planet once hosted microscopic life, although plans to return those samples have faced delays and funding challenges. Also read | Humans to live on the Moon by 2029? NASA awards $600mn in contracts, unveils next phase of lunar base plans 'Are we alone?' Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and civilian astronaut appointed to lead NASA, said the search for life elsewhere remains one of the agency's biggest scientific goals. "I can't hate the subject. In fact, I'm incredibly fascinated about it because that is at the heart of what we're trying to do at NASA, answer the question: Are we alone?" said the NASA director. He also defended future human exploration of space, arguing that humanity's long-term future should not be confined to Earth. "I do not believe it is our destiny to remain on one planet," Isaacman said.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says the agency has captured images of unidentified objects that scientists still cannot explain. He also claimed that Mars samples could provide evidence of ancient alien life and help answer humanity's biggest question: Are we alone?

Did NASA chief just confirm aliens? US Space agency's director Jared Isaacman REVEALS: 'We have images...'

NASA's next flagship space telescope could change not only how scientists search for life beyond Earth, but also how spacecraft are maintained in orbit.The agency's proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is being designed so that robots not astronauts can repair, upgrade and refuel it throughout its lifetime. If successful, it would become the first major NASA observatory built from the beginning with robotic servicing in mind. The approach could extend the telescope's working life, reduce mission costs and allow new instruments to be added years after launch.<h2>Why is NASA choosing robots?</h2>Unlike the Hubble Space Telescope, which astronauts visited five times using the Space Shuttle, NASA no longer has a vehicle capable of carrying astronauts to every future space observatory. The Habitable Worlds Observatory is expected to operate near the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange Point, about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. That location is ideal for observing distant planets but is far beyond the reach of today's routine human space missions.Instead of relying on astronauts, NASA wants specialised robotic spacecraft to dock with the telescope, replace faulty components, refuel it and even install upgraded scientific instruments.<h2>A telescope built to search for another Earth</h2>The Habitable Worlds Observatory is expected to become NASA's most ambitious planet-hunting mission since the James Webb Space Telescope. Its main goal is to directly observe Earth-like exoplanets orbiting nearby stars and analyse their atmospheres for gases such as oxygen, methane and water vapour—possible signs that a planet could support life. The observatory will also study galaxies, black holes, stars and the evolution of the universe, making it a general-purpose space telescope alongside its search for potentially habitable worlds.<h2>Why robotic servicing could change future missions</h2>Designing spacecraft for robotic maintenance represents a major shift in space engineering. Instead of treating telescopes as single-use missions, future observatories could be upgraded much like satellites or even computers. New cameras, spectrometers and other scientific instruments could be installed years after launch, allowing missions to stay scientifically relevant for much longer. NASA has already demonstrated some robotic servicing technologies through missions such as OSAM-1 and continues to work with industry on autonomous space robotics. If the Habitable Worlds Observatory follows its planned roadmap, it could become the first observatory designed to evolve throughout its lifetime keeping humanity's search for alien worlds active for decades without needing astronauts to make the journey.

NASA's proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory will be designed for robotic repairs instead of astronaut servicing. The telescope aims to search for Earth-like planets while allowing robots to refuel, repair and upgrade it, potentially extending its mission for decades.


NASA's next flagship space telescope could change not only how scientists search for life beyond Earth, but also how spacecraft are maintained in orbit. The agency's proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is being designed so that robots not astronauts can repair, upgrade and refuel it throughout its lifetime. If successful, it would become the first major NASA observatory built from the beginning with robotic servicing in mind. The approach could extend the telescope's working life, reduce mission costs and allow new instruments to be added years after launch. Why is NASA choosing robots? Unlike the Hubble Space Telescope, which astronauts visited five times using the Space Shuttle, NASA no longer has a vehicle capable of carrying astronauts to every future space observatory. The Habitable Worlds Observatory is expected to operate near the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange Point, about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. That location is ideal for observing distant planets but is far beyond the reach of today's routine human space missions. Instead of relying on astronauts, NASA wants specialised robotic spacecraft to dock with the telescope, replace faulty components, refuel it and even install upgraded scientific instruments. A telescope built to search for another Earth The Habitable Worlds Observatory is expected to become NASA's most ambitious planet-hunting mission since the James Webb Space Telescope. Its main goal is to directly observe Earth-like exoplanets orbiting nearby stars and analyse their atmospheres for gases such as oxygen, methane and water vapour—possible signs that a planet could support life. The observatory will also study galaxies, black holes, stars and the evolution of the universe, making it a general-purpose space telescope alongside its search for potentially habitable worlds. Why robotic servicing could change future missions Designing spacecraft for robotic maintenance represents a major shift in space engineering. Instead of treating telescopes as single-use missions, future observatories could be upgraded much like satellites or even computers. New cameras, spectrometers and other scientific instruments could be installed years after launch, allowing missions to stay scientifically relevant for much longer. NASA has already demonstrated some robotic servicing technologies through missions such as OSAM-1 and continues to work with industry on autonomous space robotics. If the Habitable Worlds Observatory follows its planned roadmap, it could become the first observatory designed to evolve throughout its lifetime keeping humanity's search for alien worlds active for decades without needing astronauts to make the journey.

NASA's proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory will be designed for robotic repairs instead of astronaut servicing. The telescope aims to search for Earth-like planets while allowing robots to refuel, repair and upgrade it, potentially extending its mission for decades.

‘Robots will do the job’: NASA's next alien-hunting telescope won't need astronauts for repairs

NASA's chief is adding some lunar motivation to Team USA's FIFA World Cup campaign, saying that if the United States wins the 2026 tournament, the space agency will send a football to the Moon, according to Phys.org. Speaking on Tuesday during an event outlining NASA's plans for a future lunar base, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman made the unusual pledge. "That's the challenge, okay, so Team USA, get the job done," Isaacman said. "We're going to get the soccer ball there. So, a little bit of motivation for the United States here on this one".&nbsp;The United States is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada. Team USA advanced to the Round of 32 as Group D winners and is set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 in Santa Clara, California. The US men's national team has never won the FIFA World Cup, while the women's team holds the record with four world titles. Isaacman's promise has now added a unique incentive to the men's campaign.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/argentina-survives-scare-from-cape-verde-win-3-2-in-extra-time-to-qualify-for-round-of-16-1783125870201">Argentina survive scare from Cape Verde, win 3-2 in extra-time to qualify for Round of 16</a><h2>How it would work</h2>If the United States wins the tournament, the football would travel aboard a future lunar mission carrying scientific instruments as part of NASA's Moon base programme. "If the United States wins the World Cup, we will absolutely find space," said Carlos Garcia-Galan, NASA program manager for the Moon base. He said the ball is light enough to make the trip, but joked about the "tough road" the players face first. "It's all on the US men's national team, so good luck," Garcia-Galan said.&nbsp;The proposal pays tribute to Apollo 14 astronaut Alan Shepard, who famously smuggled a golf club and two golf balls to the Moon in 1971 before taking a few swings on the lunar surface. "We're going to one-up Alan Shepard," Isaacman said. NASA has embraced World Cup excitement before, having previously sent a FIFA football to the International Space Station, where astronauts have also watched World Cup matches while in orbit.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says the agency will send a football to the Moon if Team USA wins the 2026 FIFA World Cup, honoring Apollo astronaut Alan Shepard's iconic lunar golf shot

NASA's chief is adding some lunar motivation to Team USA's FIFA World Cup campaign, saying that if the United States wins the 2026 tournament, the space agency will send a football to the Moon, according to Phys.org. Speaking on Tuesday during an event outlining NASA's plans for a future lunar base, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman made the unusual pledge. "That's the challenge, okay, so Team USA, get the job done," Isaacman said. "We're going to get the soccer ball there. So, a little bit of motivation for the United States here on this one". The United States is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada. Team USA advanced to the Round of 32 as Group D winners and is set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 in Santa Clara, California. The US men's national team has never won the FIFA World Cup, while the women's team holds the record with four world titles. Isaacman's promise has now added a unique incentive to the men's campaign. Also Read: Argentina survive scare from Cape Verde, win 3-2 in extra-time to qualify for Round of 16 How it would work If the United States wins the tournament, the football would travel aboard a future lunar mission carrying scientific instruments as part of NASA's Moon base programme. "If the United States wins the World Cup, we will absolutely find space," said Carlos Garcia-Galan, NASA program manager for the Moon base. He said the ball is light enough to make the trip, but joked about the "tough road" the players face first. "It's all on the US men's national team, so good luck," Garcia-Galan said. The proposal pays tribute to Apollo 14 astronaut Alan Shepard, who famously smuggled a golf club and two golf balls to the Moon in 1971 before taking a few swings on the lunar surface. "We're going to one-up Alan Shepard," Isaacman said. NASA has embraced World Cup excitement before, having previously sent a FIFA football to the International Space Station, where astronauts have also watched World Cup matches while in orbit.

NASA says it will send a football to the Moon if Team USA wins the 2026 FIFA World Cup, honouring Alan Shepard's famous lunar golf shot

This is what NASA is planning if team USA wins the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Deets inside

NASA launched the LINK craft to catch a falling telescope with three robotic arms in space on Friday. The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has been watching major explosions in space for 22 years. But a thinning orbit has caused a drag on it, putting it at risk of crashing on Earth. NASA earlier said that the chances of the telescope crashing by June 2026 stood at 50 per cent, and there is a 90 per cent probability of it happening before 2027. LINK will carry the telescope to a higher and more stable orbit and place it there. The intention is to increase its lifespan because of the work it does. This is the first time a space agency has carried out such a mission.&nbsp;Swift has been gradually falling towards Earth. Its initial orbit in 2004 was located at 600 km above the surface of Earth. But now it has dropped to around 360 km. The majority of this drag happened in the last two years. Some of Earth's atmosphere stretches into space, which pulls on spacecraft and satellites. Increasing solar storms in the past year, with the current solar maximum, have pushed the observatory further down. Satellites crash onto Earth and burn up in the atmosphere, but Swift was a project NASA wanted to save.&nbsp;It has three telescopes aboard that peer into the earliest time of the universe. It witnesses powerful explosions caused by stellar deaths and their material crashing into each other. These events generate more energy than our Sun will produce over its entire life cycle. These explosions need to be captured quickly since they are extremely brief. Swift has been doing this job perfectly since it was launched. So NASA wants to save this space observatory.Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/space-telescope-could-crash-any-time-can-a-30mn-robotic-tugboat-save-the-500mn-wonder-1777553597858"> THIS space telescope could crash any time. NASA will launch a spacecraft from plane to save it</a><h2>Designing a robot that can save Swift&nbsp;</h2>The task of saving it was awarded to Katalyst Space Technologies, which had its task cut out - launch a mission within a year before Swift falls down to 300 km. Chief Executive Ghonhee Lee said that at this point, it would become impossible to save it. The company "designed, built, tested, and integrated a robotic spacecraft" in just eight months. It has cameras and guidance systems and is driven by small thrusters.<h2>LINK will take at least 4 months to do its job&nbsp;</h2>It will spend a few weeks switching on and testing its systems to ensure everything is working properly. Although the Pegasus XL rocket placed LINK near Swift, it will be three to four weeks before it places itself alongside the observatory. It will photograph it from all angles, and later use its three arms to hold it and carry it upwards. It will be a slow process and will take three to four months.&nbsp;

NASA has launched a mission to save the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and prevent it from falling. It wants to save the observatory instead of letting it crash because of the crucial work it is doing in watching stellar deaths in ancient cosmos.

NASA launched the LINK craft to catch a falling telescope with three robotic arms in space on Friday. The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has been watching major explosions in space for 22 years. But a thinning orbit has caused a drag on it, putting it at risk of crashing on Earth. NASA earlier said that the chances of the telescope crashing by June 2026 stood at 50 per cent, and there is a 90 per cent probability of it happening before 2027. LINK will carry the telescope to a higher and more stable orbit and place it there. The intention is to increase its lifespan because of the work it does. This is the first time a space agency has carried out such a mission. Swift has been gradually falling towards Earth. Its initial orbit in 2004 was located at 600 km above the surface of Earth. But now it has dropped to around 360 km. The majority of this drag happened in the last two years. Some of Earth's atmosphere stretches into space, which pulls on spacecraft and satellites. Increasing solar storms in the past year, with the current solar maximum, have pushed the observatory further down. Satellites crash onto Earth and burn up in the atmosphere, but Swift was a project NASA wanted to save. It has three telescopes aboard that peer into the earliest time of the universe. It witnesses powerful explosions caused by stellar deaths and their material crashing into each other. These events generate more energy than our Sun will produce over its entire life cycle. These explosions need to be captured quickly since they are extremely brief. Swift has been doing this job perfectly since it was launched. So NASA wants to save this space observatory. Also Read: THIS space telescope could crash any time. NASA will launch a spacecraft from plane to save it Designing a robot that can save Swift The task of saving it was awarded to Katalyst Space Technologies, which had its task cut out - launch a mission within a year before Swift falls down to 300 km. Chief Executive Ghonhee Lee said that at this point, it would become impossible to save it. The company "designed, built, tested, and integrated a robotic spacecraft" in just eight months. It has cameras and guidance systems and is driven by small thrusters. LINK will take at least 4 months to do its job It will spend a few weeks switching on and testing its systems to ensure everything is working properly. Although the Pegasus XL rocket placed LINK near Swift, it will be three to four weeks before it places itself alongside the observatory. It will photograph it from all angles, and later use its three arms to hold it and carry it upwards. It will be a slow process and will take three to four months.

NASA has launched a mission to save the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and prevent it from falling. It wants to save the observatory instead of letting it crash because of the crucial work it is doing in watching stellar deaths in ancient cosmos.

NASA launches LINK to catch 22-year-old Swift observatory in space - Details

NASA has revealed how antimatter propulsion could revolutionise space travel and dramatically reduce journey times to Mars. Scientists believe the technology could one day make interplanetary missions faster, more efficient and more practical for future human exploration.

$2.5 trillion space hype: Where's the rocket? 

NASA is preparing for a $30 million robotic rescue mission to save the ageing Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from falling back into Earth's atmosphere. In a post on social media, NASA called it -“The ultimate battle against time and gravity".The operation will be carried out by the startup Katalyst Space Technologies using its three-armed spacecraft named Link, which will chase the Swift Observatory once it takes off from an atoll in the Pacific's Marshall Islands aboard an aeroplane-launched Pegasus rocket. Lift off could occur as early as Tuesday. Link will chase Swift for about a month, latch onto it, and mechanically push the telescope into a higher, stable orbit. This will extend its operational life by five to ten years.Katalyst Space CEO Ghonhee Lee said, "This is the first American space robot to go up and do anything like this," he added, “NASA has all these big senior observatories … all of them can benefit from a service like this. So what we're proving with this mission is this is a new play in the playbook that's available.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-calls-donald-trump-loser-first-major-post-presidency-attack-1782650232709">Joe Biden calls Donald Trump a 'loser' in first major attack since leaving office</a>The Swift Observatory has spent two decades scanning the cosmos, acting as space astronomy's "first responder for gamma-ray bursts, which are the universe's most violent and luminous explosions. It can autonomously reorient its entire body within 20 to 75 seconds. This allows it to capture afterglow. No other off-Earth observatory, not even the famed Hubble Space Telescope or James Webb Space Telescope, can perform such a feat of astronomy.The Swift Observatory is suffering from Orbital decay. The intense solar activity of recent times has expanded the outer atmosphere of Earth, which acts as an atmospheric drag, causing Swift to sink faster than expected. It had already dropped an altitude of 600 kilometres to 370 kilometers. It faces an imminent destruction threat by the end of 2026 if left untreated. The Swift Observatory had an original cost of $250 million for the development of the telescope, and during its launch in 2004. It has a total lifetime operation cost of $500 million. NASA spent $6 million to keep the telescope running in fiscal year 2024, with planned budget step-downs to $4.5 million for 2026. Experts suggest NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is also at risk and could be next.&nbsp;

NASA is backing a $30 million robotic mission to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from orbital decay, potentially extending its operational life by up to 10 years.

NASA is preparing for a $30 million robotic rescue mission to save the ageing Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from falling back into Earth's atmosphere. In a post on social media, NASA called it -“The ultimate battle against time and gravity".The operation will be carried out by the startup Katalyst Space Technologies using its three-armed spacecraft named Link, which will chase the Swift Observatory once it takes off from an atoll in the Pacific's Marshall Islands aboard an aeroplane-launched Pegasus rocket. Lift off could occur as early as Tuesday. Link will chase Swift for about a month, latch onto it, and mechanically push the telescope into a higher, stable orbit. This will extend its operational life by five to ten years. Katalyst Space CEO Ghonhee Lee said, "This is the first American space robot to go up and do anything like this," he added, “NASA has all these big senior observatories … all of them can benefit from a service like this. So what we're proving with this mission is this is a new play in the playbook that's available.” Also Read: Joe Biden calls Donald Trump a 'loser' in first major attack since leaving office The Swift Observatory has spent two decades scanning the cosmos, acting as space astronomy's "first responder for gamma-ray bursts, which are the universe's most violent and luminous explosions. It can autonomously reorient its entire body within 20 to 75 seconds. This allows it to capture afterglow. No other off-Earth observatory, not even the famed Hubble Space Telescope or James Webb Space Telescope, can perform such a feat of astronomy. The Swift Observatory is suffering from Orbital decay. The intense solar activity of recent times has expanded the outer atmosphere of Earth, which acts as an atmospheric drag, causing Swift to sink faster than expected. It had already dropped an altitude of 600 kilometres to 370 kilometers. It faces an imminent destruction threat by the end of 2026 if left untreated. The Swift Observatory had an original cost of $250 million for the development of the telescope, and during its launch in 2004. It has a total lifetime operation cost of $500 million. NASA spent $6 million to keep the telescope running in fiscal year 2024, with planned budget step-downs to $4.5 million for 2026. Experts suggest NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is also at risk and could be next.

NASA is backing a $30 million robotic mission to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from orbital decay, potentially extending its operational life by up to 10 years.

NASA's $30 million mission aims to rescue the Swift Observatory from orbital decay

NASA has revealed how antimatter propulsion could revolutionise space travel and dramatically reduce journey times to Mars. Scientists believe the technology could one day make interplanetary missions faster, more efficient and more practical for future human exploration.


NASA eyes antimatter rockets for future space missions

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered remarkable clues about interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, a cosmic visitor that may be up to 12 billion years old, far older than our Solar System. Scientists say the ancient object could offer a rare glimpse into a distant era of the universe when stars were forming at a furious pace.

NASA Uncovers Stunning 12-Billion-Year-Old Secret of Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA satellite observations have confirmed that Super El Niño is underway, signs of which are present in the elevated sea levels across parts of the equatorial Pacific. Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich, which earlier spotted signs of the phenomenon taking shape, has now confirmed this development. The NOAA earlier declared the El Niño on June 11. NASA says the latest satellite imagery is a "complementary sign" of the climate event. The height of the sea surface is an indicator of a warming ocean, since when this happens, the water expands in volume, NASA said. "Warmer–than–normal temperatures, hence higher sea surface heights, in parts of the equatorial Pacific Ocean are associated with El Niño," it added.&nbsp;NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has created a map of the ocean after processing data collected by the Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich. The satellite is primarily under the European Space Agency (ESA). The image mapped the ocean on June 8. The red areas show higher than average sea levels, while white areas are normal, and blue areas are low. Kelvin waves, the precursor to El Niño, were earlier recorded by the same satellite. It is a massive pool of warm water in the Pacific, hundreds of miles wide. The "blobs" travel from the western Pacific to the eastern Pacific, pushing a huge volume of superheated surface water.&nbsp;Dr Severine Fournier, deputy project scientist for the Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich satellite, raised alarm by saying that conditions in the western Pacific on June 8 were similar to those seen in 1997, when an exceptionally strong El Niño was witnessed. The World Meteorological Organisation has already warned that above-normal temperatures will sweep "nearly all parts of the globe".Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-satellite-spots-strongest-sign-of-super-el-nino-confirming-all-predictions-what-to-expect-1780666935157">NASA satellite spots strongest sign of Super El Nino, confirming all predictions - What to expect?</a><h2>Super El Niño impact&nbsp;on India</h2>&nbsp;This El Niño is expected to be the worst one in nearly 150 years. Experts have warned of extreme heat in almost every part of the world. India is already facing the heat, with some regions witnessing temperatures touching 45 degrees Celsius. The monsoon season has started, and only recently revived after being stalled for two weeks. India's nearly $4 trillion economy heavily depends on the June to September rainy season. It is expected to cover the entire country by mid-July.Also Read:&nbsp;<h2>Super El Niño impact on world</h2>Meanwhile, severe drought is expected in countries like Indonesia and Australia, with the US Southwest seeing extreme rain. In the UK, a severe heat warning is in place for four days. Temperatures could touch 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country. A rare red weather warning is in place for central and southern England and Wales, from 9 am on Wednesday until 9 pm on Thursday. Experts say a significant area of trapped high pressure building in Europe, known as a ‘heat dome’, &nbsp;is responsible for the extreme hot weather.&nbsp;

A NASA satellite has captured a visible change in the Pacific Ocean. The warmest waters have shown an upswelling, a rise. The space agency explained that this happens because of the heat. Super El Niño has gripped Earth this year and is expected to be one of the most devastating ever. 

NASA satellite observations have confirmed that Super El Niño is underway, signs of which are present in the elevated sea levels across parts of the equatorial Pacific. Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich, which earlier spotted signs of the phenomenon taking shape, has now confirmed this development. The NOAA earlier declared the El Niño on June 11. NASA says the latest satellite imagery is a "complementary sign" of the climate event. The height of the sea surface is an indicator of a warming ocean, since when this happens, the water expands in volume, NASA said. "Warmer–than–normal temperatures, hence higher sea surface heights, in parts of the equatorial Pacific Ocean are associated with El Niño," it added. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has created a map of the ocean after processing data collected by the Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich. The satellite is primarily under the European Space Agency (ESA). The image mapped the ocean on June 8. The red areas show higher than average sea levels, while white areas are normal, and blue areas are low. Kelvin waves, the precursor to El Niño, were earlier recorded by the same satellite. It is a massive pool of warm water in the Pacific, hundreds of miles wide. The "blobs" travel from the western Pacific to the eastern Pacific, pushing a huge volume of superheated surface water. Dr Severine Fournier, deputy project scientist for the Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich satellite, raised alarm by saying that conditions in the western Pacific on June 8 were similar to those seen in 1997, when an exceptionally strong El Niño was witnessed. The World Meteorological Organisation has already warned that above-normal temperatures will sweep "nearly all parts of the globe". Also Read: NASA satellite spots strongest sign of Super El Nino, confirming all predictions - What to expect? Super El Niño impact on India This El Niño is expected to be the worst one in nearly 150 years. Experts have warned of extreme heat in almost every part of the world. India is already facing the heat, with some regions witnessing temperatures touching 45 degrees Celsius. The monsoon season has started, and only recently revived after being stalled for two weeks. India's nearly $4 trillion economy heavily depends on the June to September rainy season. It is expected to cover the entire country by mid-July. Also Read: Super El Niño impact on world Meanwhile, severe drought is expected in countries like Indonesia and Australia, with the US Southwest seeing extreme rain. In the UK, a severe heat warning is in place for four days. Temperatures could touch 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country. A rare red weather warning is in place for central and southern England and Wales, from 9 am on Wednesday until 9 pm on Thursday. Experts say a significant area of trapped high pressure building in Europe, known as a ‘heat dome’, is responsible for the extreme hot weather.

A NASA satellite has captured a visible change in the Pacific Ocean. The warmest waters have shown an upswelling, a rise. The space agency explained that this happens because of the heat. Super El Niño has gripped Earth this year and is expected to be one of the most devastating ever.&nbsp;

NASA satellite photo shows Super El Niño has triggered a very specific change in the Pacific

A major scare unfolded at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 4 and 5 when Roscosmos came up with shocking plans to fix a persistent leak. NASA ordered its five astronauts to take shelter in a docked Dragon spacecraft in case things turned for the worse at the space module. Reports from Ars Technica and The Register suggest that the plans involved a drill and a saw, leaving NASA shocked. Bethany Stevens, press secretary of the space agency, informed in an X post on June 5 that the Russian cosmonauts were carrying out "a more extensive repair operation on Friday, June 5." She added, "Out of an abundance of caution, NASA has directed all four of the agency's SpaceX Crew-12 members and NASA astronaut Chris Williams to assume an elevated safety posture in the Dragon spacecraft while the repair is underway."&nbsp;So far, there has been no official word on exactly what transpired at the ISS. The leak has been a problem since at least 2019. It is located in a short tunnel section known as PrK, which connects the Russian Zvezda module to the station’s aft docking port. Officials told the two outlets that Roscosmos was ready to take drastic steps to fix the leak on June 4 and the next day.<h2>Russian space agency's drill stop plan scared NASA</h2>Roscosmos used a sealant called Germetall-1 earlier this year to fix the cracks and managed to tame the problem. However, the air started leaking again in May, and the issue aggravated in June. The space agency told NASA about its extensive plans for structural repairs. On June 4, it informed its American counterparts that they would use a drill and a “drill stop” device for physical repairs. The stop was to prevent drilling all the way through the module’s structure. NASA was concerned about the measure and threatened to put the astronauts in suits. "They didn’t care," an official told Ars Technica. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/breaking-nasa-tells-astronauts-on-space-station-to-prepare-for-potential-evacuation-over-leak-1780668462256">ISS leak updates: Roscosmos says first leak has been fixed, NASA says repair efforts have been paused</a><h2>Russian cosmonauts wanted to saw off a bracket, triggering panic</h2>The agencies continued to butt heads into Friday morning when Russian cosmonauts came up with an even more aggressive solution - using a saw to remove a load-bearing bracket. The source said that Roscosmos kept ignoring ground communication with NASA officials. At this point, NASA directed US astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, French astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, all part of Crew 12, and US astronaut Chris Williams, who had flown in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, to get into SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft.&nbsp;“We felt there was a very high probability of a bad outcome happening if they sawed that bracket off,” a NASA source said. This prompted Russia to back off and drop the saw plan as well. Roscosmos has now agreed to decommission the PrK module and will no longer try to pressurise it.<h2>What is the International Space Station leak?</h2> The leak at the space station has been a headache for both space agencies. The ISS has been in commission for over two decades, and the wear and tear has started showing, with corrosion being the primary reason for the crack in the PrK module. This portion leads from the main area of the Russian segment to a docking port. The tunnel needs to be pressurised for the cosmonauts to be able to access the Progress spacecraft. It starts leaking when pressure is cycled up or down. This has made the PrK vulnerable to breaking apart without warning and failing completely.&nbsp;

What happened at the International Space Station on June 4? What was the problem with the leak and the fix? NASA sources told two outlets that the Russian space agency had come up with horrific plans that could have created a major problem on the ISS. 

A major scare unfolded at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 4 and 5 when Roscosmos came up with shocking plans to fix a persistent leak. NASA ordered its five astronauts to take shelter in a docked Dragon spacecraft in case things turned for the worse at the space module. Reports from Ars Technica and The Register suggest that the plans involved a drill and a saw, leaving NASA shocked. Bethany Stevens, press secretary of the space agency, informed in an X post on June 5 that the Russian cosmonauts were carrying out "a more extensive repair operation on Friday, June 5." She added, "Out of an abundance of caution, NASA has directed all four of the agency's SpaceX Crew-12 members and NASA astronaut Chris Williams to assume an elevated safety posture in the Dragon spacecraft while the repair is underway." So far, there has been no official word on exactly what transpired at the ISS. The leak has been a problem since at least 2019. It is located in a short tunnel section known as PrK, which connects the Russian Zvezda module to the station’s aft docking port. Officials told the two outlets that Roscosmos was ready to take drastic steps to fix the leak on June 4 and the next day. Russian space agency's drill stop plan scared NASA Roscosmos used a sealant called Germetall-1 earlier this year to fix the cracks and managed to tame the problem. However, the air started leaking again in May, and the issue aggravated in June. The space agency told NASA about its extensive plans for structural repairs. On June 4, it informed its American counterparts that they would use a drill and a “drill stop” device for physical repairs. The stop was to prevent drilling all the way through the module’s structure. NASA was concerned about the measure and threatened to put the astronauts in suits. "They didn’t care," an official told Ars Technica. Also Read: ISS leak updates: Roscosmos says first leak has been fixed, NASA says repair efforts have been paused Russian cosmonauts wanted to saw off a bracket, triggering panic The agencies continued to butt heads into Friday morning when Russian cosmonauts came up with an even more aggressive solution - using a saw to remove a load-bearing bracket. The source said that Roscosmos kept ignoring ground communication with NASA officials. At this point, NASA directed US astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, French astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, all part of Crew 12, and US astronaut Chris Williams, who had flown in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, to get into SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft. “We felt there was a very high probability of a bad outcome happening if they sawed that bracket off,” a NASA source said. This prompted Russia to back off and drop the saw plan as well. Roscosmos has now agreed to decommission the PrK module and will no longer try to pressurise it. What is the International Space Station leak? The leak at the space station has been a headache for both space agencies. The ISS has been in commission for over two decades, and the wear and tear has started showing, with corrosion being the primary reason for the crack in the PrK module. This portion leads from the main area of the Russian segment to a docking port. The tunnel needs to be pressurised for the cosmonauts to be able to access the Progress spacecraft. It starts leaking when pressure is cycled up or down. This has made the PrK vulnerable to breaking apart without warning and failing completely.

What happened at the International Space Station on June 4? What was the problem with the leak and the fix? NASA sources told two outlets that the Russian space agency had come up with horrific plans that could have created a major problem on the ISS.&nbsp;

Russian space agency wanted to 'drill and saw' the ISS leak wall, NASA officials say

Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic has unveiled its Griffin-1 lunar lander, a part of NASA's Moon Base II mission. It is the initial phase of establishing a permanent human outpost on the Moon. The lander is currently scheduled to lift off towards the end of 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. "This is the first infrastructure-class lander going to the surface of the moon," Astrobotic CEO John Thornton said. Griffin will carry several payloads and research and technology demonstrations to the Moon as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, including the FLIP (Flex Lunar Innovation Platform) rover. Thornton said the lander will be "part of the cornerstone of building the moon base".&nbsp;Astrobotic is currently finishing integrating the payloads with the lander, and work is expected to finish by June 20. Astrobotic's own BEACON CubeRover, which it has developed in coordination with Mission Control Space Services, is part of the mission. The European Space Agency's LandCam-X, will also be carried to the Moon by Griffin and has been designed to help improve lunar landing precision and reliability.&nbsp;Gryphon-1 will be transported to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California next week, where environmental tests will be carried out. Later, it will be delivered to Florida, where the FLIP rover will be integrated into the lander prior to launch.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-theory-suggests-billions-of-mini-universes-could-be-scattered-in-our-own-cosmos-1781512244963">New theory suggests billions of 'mini universes' could be scattered in our own cosmos</a><h2>Astrobotic's second moon mission after the failed Peregrine&nbsp;</h2>This is the second lunar mission by Astrobotic. The smaller Peregrine lunar lander was launched in January 2024, but a propellant leak cut short its time in space, and it failed to reach its destination. Peregrine Mission One was the first-ever NASA CLPS flight. Griffin is 6 feet tall and twice as wide as Peregrine. NASA has joined hands with commercial companies for lunar landers, which will deliver technology demonstrations and other payloads to the surface of the moon. It is part of the larger Artemis program, which aims to land humans on the moon, build a base and eventually establish a permanent habitation.<h2>What is Griffin carrying to the Moon?</h2>According to Astrobotic, Griffin's payload capacity to the lunar surface stands at 625 kilograms, costing $1.2 million per kilogram. It will carry 10 payloads from six separate nations in total, with four additional NASA payloads aboard FLIP. Some other items are also being shipped to the Moon. This includes messages from children in Japan on a plaque from the Nippon Travel Agency; a payload from the Galactic Library to Preserve Humanity from Nanofiche carrying a super miniaturised collection of literature and art; and a MoonBox capsule filled with items from around the world sent to the Tokyo-based company Astrobotic on micro SD cards.&nbsp;

Astrobotic's Griffin-1 lunar lander will be launched in late 2026, carrying 10 payloads from different countries and four others from NASA. It also includes messages from Japanese children and a moon capsule. 

Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic has unveiled its Griffin-1 lunar lander, a part of NASA's Moon Base II mission. It is the initial phase of establishing a permanent human outpost on the Moon. The lander is currently scheduled to lift off towards the end of 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. "This is the first infrastructure-class lander going to the surface of the moon," Astrobotic CEO John Thornton said. Griffin will carry several payloads and research and technology demonstrations to the Moon as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, including the FLIP (Flex Lunar Innovation Platform) rover. Thornton said the lander will be "part of the cornerstone of building the moon base". Astrobotic is currently finishing integrating the payloads with the lander, and work is expected to finish by June 20. Astrobotic's own BEACON CubeRover, which it has developed in coordination with Mission Control Space Services, is part of the mission. The European Space Agency's LandCam-X, will also be carried to the Moon by Griffin and has been designed to help improve lunar landing precision and reliability. Gryphon-1 will be transported to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California next week, where environmental tests will be carried out. Later, it will be delivered to Florida, where the FLIP rover will be integrated into the lander prior to launch. Also Read: New theory suggests billions of 'mini universes' could be scattered in our own cosmos Astrobotic's second moon mission after the failed Peregrine This is the second lunar mission by Astrobotic. The smaller Peregrine lunar lander was launched in January 2024, but a propellant leak cut short its time in space, and it failed to reach its destination. Peregrine Mission One was the first-ever NASA CLPS flight. Griffin is 6 feet tall and twice as wide as Peregrine. NASA has joined hands with commercial companies for lunar landers, which will deliver technology demonstrations and other payloads to the surface of the moon. It is part of the larger Artemis program, which aims to land humans on the moon, build a base and eventually establish a permanent habitation. What is Griffin carrying to the Moon? According to Astrobotic, Griffin's payload capacity to the lunar surface stands at 625 kilograms, costing $1.2 million per kilogram. It will carry 10 payloads from six separate nations in total, with four additional NASA payloads aboard FLIP. Some other items are also being shipped to the Moon. This includes messages from children in Japan on a plaque from the Nippon Travel Agency; a payload from the Galactic Library to Preserve Humanity from Nanofiche carrying a super miniaturised collection of literature and art; and a MoonBox capsule filled with items from around the world sent to the Tokyo-based company Astrobotic on micro SD cards.

Astrobotic's Griffin-1 lunar lander will be launched in late 2026, carrying 10 payloads from different countries and four others from NASA. It also includes messages from Japanese children and a moon capsule.&nbsp;

Griffin-1 lander will carry time capsule and messages from Japanese children to the Moon

NASA introduced the four astronauts of the next Artemis moon programme mission on Tuesday, kicking off a year or more of mission-specific training for the Artemis III crew. They are expected to launch into Earth orbit next year to test rendezvous and docking procedures with moon landers being built by SpaceX and Blue Origin – a critical milestone before the US can send astronauts back to the moon for landing in 2028.&nbsp;NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the crew members at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston. They include Commander Randy “Komrade” Bresnik, pilot Luca Parmitano, mission specialist Frank Rubio, and mission specialist Andre Douglas.&nbsp;<h2>Who are the four astronauts on Artemis III mission?&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;Andre Douglas is a first-time space flier; Frank Rubio is a record-setting astronaut; while Randy Bresnik is a veteran flier and test pilot. Luca Parmitano is an Italian astronaut who is with the European Space Agency. Bob Hines was named the backup crew member.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-shot-our-apache-helicopter-near-hormuz-says-trump-promises-us-will-respond-to-attack-1781025820005">Iran shot our Apache helicopter near Hormuz, says Trump, promises ‘US will respond to attack’</a>&nbsp;Bresnik, 58, a former Marine fighter pilot and “TOPGUN” graduate who logged 149 days in space during a space shuttle flight in 2009 and a long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station in 2017.&nbsp;“We are certainly humbled, being that unifying link between the phenomenal Artemis II mission we just had two months ago and the Artemis IV mission that will follow ours, where we will again ... land humans on another celestial body,” Bresnik told the crowd at the Johnson Space Centre.&nbsp;<h2>Artemis III to serve as precursor mission to moon landing</h2>&nbsp;Artemis III will serve as a precursor mission to a moon landing and will test out how the NASA-built Orion spacecraft will dock with a lunar lander. The primary goal of the flight is to “reduce risk” heading into an actual lunar touchdown, which NASA hopes will take place as soon as 2028.&nbsp;Launching atop a Space Launch System rocket in an Orion capsule, the crew will practice chasing down one moon lander at a time to make sure rendezvous and docking procedures work as planned before a future moon landing when those procedures will have to be carried out in lunar orbit.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hope-pak-is-held-accountable-for-misdeeds-india-condemns-massacre-of-kashmiris-in-pok-1781008180684">‘Hope Pak is held accountable for misdeeds’: India condemns massacre of Kashmiris in PoK</a><h2>Crew will carry out a mission similar to NASA’s Apollo 9 flight in 1969</h2>&nbsp;The Artemis III crew will carry out a mission similar to NASA’s Apollo 9 flight in March 1969, when three astronauts tested the spindly lunar excursion module in Earth orbit. That flight came after a successful lunar orbit mission, Apollo 8, at the end of 1968.Then the Apollo 10 flight tested the lunar module in orbit around the moon before Apollo 11 finally made the first moon landing in the Sea of Tranquility in July 1969.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-sanctions-irgc-navy-unit-2-iranians-over-crippling-strait-of-hormuz-blockade-1780933198425">EU sanctions IRGC Navy unit, 2 Iranians over crippling Strait of Hormuz blockade</a>&nbsp;Jeremy Parsons, a senior manager in NASA’s “Moon to Mars” programme office, said, “every aspect” of the Artemis III mission “will give us insight into how to refine our plans for Artemis IV and beyond, and buy down risk.”Toward the end of Tuesday’s ceremony, Wiseman passed a symbolic baton to Bresnik, a handoff from one crew to the next in NASA’s drive to return astronauts to the surface of the moon.&nbsp;“Randy, in your comments, I really loved when you said that you all are the link from (Artemis) II to the surface, and that really resonated with me,” Wiseman said. “And you guys know, we’ve been carrying these batons around for way too long. So with that, the Artemis II crew, Komrade, hands you the baton. You’ve got the controls.”

The Artemis III crew will carry out a mission similar to NASA’s Apollo 9 flight in March 1969, when three astronauts tested the spindly lunar excursion module in Earth orbit. Then the Apollo 10 flight tested the lunar module in lunar orbit before Apollo 11 finally made the first moon landing.

NASA introduced the four astronauts of the next Artemis moon programme mission on Tuesday, kicking off a year or more of mission-specific training for the Artemis III crew. They are expected to launch into Earth orbit next year to test rendezvous and docking procedures with moon landers being built by SpaceX and Blue Origin – a critical milestone before the US can send astronauts back to the moon for landing in 2028. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the crew members at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston. They include Commander Randy “Komrade” Bresnik, pilot Luca Parmitano, mission specialist Frank Rubio, and mission specialist Andre Douglas. Who are the four astronauts on Artemis III mission? Andre Douglas is a first-time space flier; Frank Rubio is a record-setting astronaut; while Randy Bresnik is a veteran flier and test pilot. Luca Parmitano is an Italian astronaut who is with the European Space Agency. Bob Hines was named the backup crew member. Also Read: Iran shot our Apache helicopter near Hormuz, says Trump, promises ‘US will respond to attack’ Bresnik, 58, a former Marine fighter pilot and “TOPGUN” graduate who logged 149 days in space during a space shuttle flight in 2009 and a long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station in 2017. “We are certainly humbled, being that unifying link between the phenomenal Artemis II mission we just had two months ago and the Artemis IV mission that will follow ours, where we will again ... land humans on another celestial body,” Bresnik told the crowd at the Johnson Space Centre. Artemis III to serve as precursor mission to moon landing Artemis III will serve as a precursor mission to a moon landing and will test out how the NASA-built Orion spacecraft will dock with a lunar lander. The primary goal of the flight is to “reduce risk” heading into an actual lunar touchdown, which NASA hopes will take place as soon as 2028. Launching atop a Space Launch System rocket in an Orion capsule, the crew will practice chasing down one moon lander at a time to make sure rendezvous and docking procedures work as planned before a future moon landing when those procedures will have to be carried out in lunar orbit. Also Read: ‘Hope Pak is held accountable for misdeeds’: India condemns massacre of Kashmiris in PoK Crew will carry out a mission similar to NASA’s Apollo 9 flight in 1969 The Artemis III crew will carry out a mission similar to NASA’s Apollo 9 flight in March 1969, when three astronauts tested the spindly lunar excursion module in Earth orbit. That flight came after a successful lunar orbit mission, Apollo 8, at the end of 1968. Then the Apollo 10 flight tested the lunar module in orbit around the moon before Apollo 11 finally made the first moon landing in the Sea of Tranquility in July 1969. Also Read: EU sanctions IRGC Navy unit, 2 Iranians over crippling Strait of Hormuz blockade Jeremy Parsons, a senior manager in NASA’s “Moon to Mars” programme office, said, “every aspect” of the Artemis III mission “will give us insight into how to refine our plans for Artemis IV and beyond, and buy down risk.” Toward the end of Tuesday’s ceremony, Wiseman passed a symbolic baton to Bresnik, a handoff from one crew to the next in NASA’s drive to return astronauts to the surface of the moon. “Randy, in your comments, I really loved when you said that you all are the link from (Artemis) II to the surface, and that really resonated with me,” Wiseman said. “And you guys know, we’ve been carrying these batons around for way too long. So with that, the Artemis II crew, Komrade, hands you the baton. You’ve got the controls.”

The Artemis III crew will carry out a mission similar to NASA’s Apollo 9 flight in March 1969, when three astronauts tested the spindly lunar excursion module in Earth orbit. Then the Apollo 10 flight tested the lunar module in lunar orbit before Apollo 11 finally made the first moon landing.

NASA names four astronauts as crew members of Artemis III mission ahead of moon landing

nasa

Nasa, News on Nasa, stories on Nasa, articles on Nasa, Nasa stories at Wion, Nasa news, Nasa latest news

nasa

'Hole' new mystery on Mars: NASA finds strange pits inside Gale Crater and no explanation

NASA satellite captures 76-sq-km iceberg floating away from Greenland glacier

NASA launches new telescope to map cosmos

NASA launches Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to unravel mysteries of universe

Donald Trump announces new 'US Space Academy' amid space race with China

Would you eat a cookie made from plastic waste? NASA astronauts might have to

Artemis II crew to receive congressional space medal of honour from Donald Trump

Trump Unveils Major US Space Push | 1,000+ Rocket Launches by 2030 | Moon & Mars Missions Accelerate

Swift telescope set to crash on Earth as NASA declares LINK mission has failed

Falling telescope and its saviour spacecraft captured behind each other - Video

NASA invites ISRO to help build a base on moon

NASA invites ISRO to build a base on the Moon

Trinity of cosmic events send ominous warning to the world

NASA warns humans have underestimated the strongest solar storms - 'There could be no upper limit'

NASA, UK scientists warn of Earth's response to solar storm

African swine fever outbreak puts Nagaland on high alert | Pig movement banned in Kohima

African swine fever outbreak puts Nagaland on high alert | Pig movement banned in Kohima

'Onwards and upwards': NASA astronaut Anil Menon lifts off for 240 days in space

Who is Anil Menon? Indian-origin NASA astronaut set to head to space on July 14

Did NASA chief just confirm aliens? Isaacman REVEALS: 'We have images...'

How robots could keep NASA's next alien-hunting telescope running for years

NASA to send a football to the Moon if team USA wins the 2026 FIFA World Cup

NASA launches LINK to catch 22-year-old Swift observatory in space - Details

$2.5 trillion space hype: Where's the rocket?

NASA's $30 mn mission aims to rescue the Swift Observatory from orbital decay

NASA eyes antimatter rockets for future space missions