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

Italian luxury fashion giant Prada has unveiled a specialized inner-layer garment designed for NASA astronauts heading to the Moon. Developed in collaboration with Axiom Space, the suit features advanced cooling and ventilation technology aimed at supporting astronauts during future lunar missions. The project marks a major step in Prada's ambitions beyond fashion, positioning the brand at the intersection of luxury, innovation, and space exploration. As commercial space travel and lunar missions gain momentum, luxury brands are increasingly looking beyond Earth for new opportunities.

Prada Unveils Moon Mission Garment For NASA Astronauts In Space Industry Push

The International Space Station has been quietly leaking air into space for nearly seven years. What started as a minor issue in 2019 has now turned into a significantly concerning issue on the orbiting lab. Despite multiple repair attempts, patches, and continuous monitoring, the leak has never been permanently fixed. The problem has gained renewed focus when new leaks were detected in the same region. But the question remains, why is the leak still not fixed despite causing trouble for nearly a decade now?On Friday (Jun 5), astronauts were briefly placed on alert and instructed to follow “safe haven” procedures, moving into the docked SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to prepare for a potential emergency evacuation if conditions worsened. While the situation was stabilised and no evacuation was ultimately required, the incident underscored a troubling reality: this is not a resolved issue, but an ongoing one.The leak originates from the Russian Zvezda module, specifically in a transfer tunnel used for docking spacecraft. Over time, engineers have identified not one but multiple microscopic cracks in the station’s structure that expand and shift under stress. The ISS is not dealing with a single failure, but an evolving one.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/the-science-behind-why-you-keep-scrolling-and-how-it-rewires-your-brain-1781455009989">The science behind why you keep scrolling – and how it rewires your brain</a><h2>Why is ISS experiencing leaks?</h2>In the unforgiving space environment for materials, the lab experiences extreme temperature changes, from roughly -150 degrees Celcius in shadow to over 120 degrees Celsius in sunlight. Constant pressurisation cycle and decades of use also result in metal fatigue. In addition, small imperfections in welds or structure can slowly grow into cracks, and those cracks can turn into leaks. Being more than 25 years in orbit, way beyond its intended design life, the ISS is showing its age.<h2>Why is repairing leaks on ISS so complex?</h2>Repairing damage on a space lab is far more complex than repairing any other structure when on land. On Earth, engineers could disassemble parts, replace components, or apply precise fixes under controlled conditions. In orbit, none of that is possible. Astronauts must work in microgravity, where liquids like sealants behave unpredictably. Repairs are often carried out from inside the station using epoxy-like materials, which can temporarily plug leaks but cannot restore structural integrity. External repairs require spacewalks, which are risky, expensive, and limited in scope.Complicating matters further is the uncertainty around the exact cause. Even after years of investigation, engineers have not reached a definitive conclusion. It is not known whether it is a manufacturing defect, stress from repeated docking, or simply long-term degradation. Without a clear root cause, any fix becomes a form of trial and error rather than a permanent solution.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/wion-decodes-why-does-coffee-calm-some-people-instead-of-waking-them-up-here-s-what-science-says-1780995139137">WION Decodes | Why does coffee calm some people instead of waking them up? Here’s what science says</a><h2>Not just a technical issue</h2>The issue is not merely a technical issue, but also a political one. The leak is located in the Russian segment of the ISS, which would require coordination between NASA and Roscosmos. Differences in assessment and approach can slow decision-making. Meanwhile, the station is expected to be retired around 2030, which raises a question of whether it is even worth investing in a complex and high-risk permanent fix.As a result, space agencies have resorted to adopting a strategy of risk management. The leaking section can be isolated by closing hatches, and astronauts are trained to respond quickly in case of worsening conditions. The station continues to function safely, even with a small, controlled loss of air.WATCH | G7 Summit 2026: World Leaders Gather For The High Stakes Summit In Evian-Les-Bains <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/g7-summit-2026-world-leaders-gather-for-the-high-stakes-summit-in-evian-les-bains-1781592997144/embed/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/g7-summit-2026-world-leaders-gather-for-the-high-stakes-summit-in-evian-les-bains-1781592997144/embed/embed</a>

The International Space Station is facing renewed concern over a persistent air leak first detected in 2019. Why haven’t the space agencies fixed it for nearly seven years? Here’s everything you need to know.

The International Space Station has been quietly leaking air into space for nearly seven years. What started as a minor issue in 2019 has now turned into a significantly concerning issue on the orbiting lab. Despite multiple repair attempts, patches, and continuous monitoring, the leak has never been permanently fixed. The problem has gained renewed focus when new leaks were detected in the same region. But the question remains, why is the leak still not fixed despite causing trouble for nearly a decade now? On Friday (Jun 5), astronauts were briefly placed on alert and instructed to follow “safe haven” procedures, moving into the docked SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to prepare for a potential emergency evacuation if conditions worsened. While the situation was stabilised and no evacuation was ultimately required, the incident underscored a troubling reality: this is not a resolved issue, but an ongoing one. The leak originates from the Russian Zvezda module, specifically in a transfer tunnel used for docking spacecraft. Over time, engineers have identified not one but multiple microscopic cracks in the station’s structure that expand and shift under stress. The ISS is not dealing with a single failure, but an evolving one. Also read | The science behind why you keep scrolling – and how it rewires your brain Why is ISS experiencing leaks? In the unforgiving space environment for materials, the lab experiences extreme temperature changes, from roughly -150 degrees Celcius in shadow to over 120 degrees Celsius in sunlight. Constant pressurisation cycle and decades of use also result in metal fatigue. In addition, small imperfections in welds or structure can slowly grow into cracks, and those cracks can turn into leaks. Being more than 25 years in orbit, way beyond its intended design life, the ISS is showing its age. Why is repairing leaks on ISS so complex? Repairing damage on a space lab is far more complex than repairing any other structure when on land. On Earth, engineers could disassemble parts, replace components, or apply precise fixes under controlled conditions. In orbit, none of that is possible. Astronauts must work in microgravity, where liquids like sealants behave unpredictably. Repairs are often carried out from inside the station using epoxy-like materials, which can temporarily plug leaks but cannot restore structural integrity. External repairs require spacewalks, which are risky, expensive, and limited in scope. Complicating matters further is the uncertainty around the exact cause. Even after years of investigation, engineers have not reached a definitive conclusion. It is not known whether it is a manufacturing defect, stress from repeated docking, or simply long-term degradation. Without a clear root cause, any fix becomes a form of trial and error rather than a permanent solution. Also read | WION Decodes | Why does coffee calm some people instead of waking them up? Here’s what science says Not just a technical issue The issue is not merely a technical issue, but also a political one. The leak is located in the Russian segment of the ISS, which would require coordination between NASA and Roscosmos. Differences in assessment and approach can slow decision-making. Meanwhile, the station is expected to be retired around 2030, which raises a question of whether it is even worth investing in a complex and high-risk permanent fix. As a result, space agencies have resorted to adopting a strategy of risk management. The leaking section can be isolated by closing hatches, and astronauts are trained to respond quickly in case of worsening conditions. The station continues to function safely, even with a small, controlled loss of air. WATCH | G7 Summit 2026: World Leaders Gather For The High Stakes Summit In Evian-Les-Bains https://www.wionews.com/videos/g7-summit-2026-world-leaders-gather-for-the-high-stakes-summit-in-evian-les-bains-1781592997144/embed/embed

The International Space Station is facing renewed concern over a persistent air leak first detected in 2019. Why haven’t the space agencies fixed it for nearly seven years? Here’s everything you need to know.

WION Decodes | ISS has been leaking for nearly 7 years – Why haven’t we fixed it?

NASA has said that repair efforts aboard the ISS have been paused. Bethany Stevens added that the astronauts who were sheltering wearing space suits had been told to come out.&nbsp;Update: Roscosmos has said that the first leak spot has been sealed. Interfax reported that they have now moved onto the second leak spot.&nbsp;NASA has asked astronauts on the International Space Station to take shelter as a leak worsens and prepare for potential evacuation. There has been an ongoing, persistent air leak, which has turned more serious now. NASA said the leak was taking place on the Russian segment of the station, and a cosmonaut is working to fix it. The leak is located in the PrK module, a small Russian transfer tunnel connected to the Zvezda service module. It connects the main part of the station to a docking port used by Russian Progress cargo spacecraft. This leak has reportedly persisted for over five years, and the apparent source is a series of microscopic structural cracks in the hull and welded joints.&nbsp;NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said in an X post, "The Zvezda service module transfer tunnel, known as PrK, has suffered from cracks and leaks for some time, and has been mitigated by Roscosmos as much as possible to date." She added, "The cracks have always been a concern that NASA watches very closely. NASA and Roscosmos have been working to determine the root cause of the cracks, and Roscosmos manages the issue through operational mitigation measures and periodic partial-repair efforts."&nbsp;Bethany further said that the new leaks have led to Russian cosmonauts 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;If the astronauts are evacuated, it will be the second one this year. In January, veteran NASA astronaut Mike Fincke fell sick, leading to first-ever medical evacuation from the ISS.<h2>What is the leak on International Space Station?</h2>&nbsp;NASA and Roscosmos have always had a disagreement over the root cause of the leak on the ISS. The Russian space agency believes the cracks are caused by structural fatigue from high micro-vibrations, probably from cargo ships docking or thruster burns. Meanwhile, NASA suspects a mix of environmental exposure, mechanical stress, and original material properties. &nbsp;

Astronauts on the International Space Station have been asked to prepare for potential evacuation because of a leak that has been a cause for concern for over five years. 

NASA has said that repair efforts aboard the ISS have been paused. Bethany Stevens added that the astronauts who were sheltering wearing space suits had been told to come out. Update: Roscosmos has said that the first leak spot has been sealed. Interfax reported that they have now moved onto the second leak spot. NASA has asked astronauts on the International Space Station to take shelter as a leak worsens and prepare for potential evacuation. There has been an ongoing, persistent air leak, which has turned more serious now. NASA said the leak was taking place on the Russian segment of the station, and a cosmonaut is working to fix it. The leak is located in the PrK module, a small Russian transfer tunnel connected to the Zvezda service module. It connects the main part of the station to a docking port used by Russian Progress cargo spacecraft. This leak has reportedly persisted for over five years, and the apparent source is a series of microscopic structural cracks in the hull and welded joints. NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said in an X post, "The Zvezda service module transfer tunnel, known as PrK, has suffered from cracks and leaks for some time, and has been mitigated by Roscosmos as much as possible to date." She added, "The cracks have always been a concern that NASA watches very closely. NASA and Roscosmos have been working to determine the root cause of the cracks, and Roscosmos manages the issue through operational mitigation measures and periodic partial-repair efforts." Bethany further said that the new leaks have led to Russian cosmonauts 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." If the astronauts are evacuated, it will be the second one this year. In January, veteran NASA astronaut Mike Fincke fell sick, leading to first-ever medical evacuation from the ISS. What is the leak on International Space Station? NASA and Roscosmos have always had a disagreement over the root cause of the leak on the ISS. The Russian space agency believes the cracks are caused by structural fatigue from high micro-vibrations, probably from cargo ships docking or thruster burns. Meanwhile, NASA suspects a mix of environmental exposure, mechanical stress, and original material properties.

Astronauts on the International Space Station have been asked to prepare for potential evacuation because of a leak that has been a cause for concern for over five years.&nbsp;

ISS leak updates: Roscosmos says first leak has been fixed, NASA says repair efforts have been paused

Super El Niño is certain to happen now, NASA has confirmed. The American space agency said that a swell of warm water hundreds of kilometres wide was spotted in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of South America, via satellite images. Experts say this is a sure-shot sign that Super El Niño will arrive later this year. Previously, climatologists had flagged the possibility of a monster El Niño arriving this year, which will be nothing like ever seen in the past decades. It is predicted to be on the same scale as the one seen in 1877, the worst one ever recorded since data keeping started. Scientists say the upcoming Super El Niño will be like looking into the future 10 years later. NASA said in a statement, "Waves of higher, warmer water move eastward across the Pacific Ocean a few months before an El Niño emerges. Several have shown up in 2026 satellite data." The data was captured by the Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich satellite launched in 2020.&nbsp;El Niño cycle is a common weather system where strong trade winds, instead of moving east to west, start flowing in the opposite direction. Instead of pushing warm surface water away from South America toward Asia and Australia, it causes it to slosh and pool back eastward towards South America. This temporary disruption to Earth's normal ocean and atmospheric systems occurs every two to seven years.&nbsp;<h2>What NASA satellite saw about El Niño</h2>&nbsp;NASA and other agencies have started noticing signs of one of the strongest El Niño patterns ever recorded. The phenomenon will affect every part of the world, with global average temperatures expected to rise by 3°C this summer. Besides the extreme heat, Super El Niño will also bring extreme rain and flooding to some parts. The NASA satellite tracks warm Kelvin waves to finds signs of an impending El Niño. Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, lead program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said, "Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich can track massive Kelvin waves as they cross the Pacific, capture changes in Earth's ocean thermodynamics, improve forecasts of weather extremes, and help communities prepare for potential coastal hazards."&nbsp;<h2>World Meteorological Organization issues warning about El Niño - "World needs to prepare"</h2>A new WMO El Niño/La Niña Update this week stated that there is an 80 per cent likelihood of an El Niño event during June–August 2026. "“The science is clear: El Niño is arriving on our doorstep in the coming months with 90% certainty. &nbsp;The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is. El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world. &nbsp;Impacts will hit even harder, travel even farther, and cross borders with devastating speed," it said in a statement. Talking about what to expect, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said, “We need to prepare for a potentially strong El Niño event, which will exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both on land and in the ocean."<h2>What NASA said about Kelvin Waves</h2>&nbsp;NASA explains that El Niño develops when multiple Kelvin waves appear over several months, and the warm water accumulates off the shores of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The first Kelvin wave this year was seen in January around Micronesia and lasted a few weeks. Then a new wave formed in March. "While this year's event started a bit later than the big El Niños of 2015 and 1997, it's beginning to catch up," Josh Willis, a sea level researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said.&nbsp;Western North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, North Africa, and most parts of Asia will see extreme temperatures. Warmer–than–normal conditions can be expected in the Southern Hemisphere also.&nbsp; &nbsp;

NASA has confirmed that Super El Niño is coming for the world this year. Its Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich satellite has spotted a large pool of warm water in the Pacific Ocean near South America, confirming that the worst is coming.

Super El Niño is certain to happen now, NASA has confirmed. The American space agency said that a swell of warm water hundreds of kilometres wide was spotted in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of South America, via satellite images. Experts say this is a sure-shot sign that Super El Niño will arrive later this year. Previously, climatologists had flagged the possibility of a monster El Niño arriving this year, which will be nothing like ever seen in the past decades. It is predicted to be on the same scale as the one seen in 1877, the worst one ever recorded since data keeping started. Scientists say the upcoming Super El Niño will be like looking into the future 10 years later. NASA said in a statement, "Waves of higher, warmer water move eastward across the Pacific Ocean a few months before an El Niño emerges. Several have shown up in 2026 satellite data." The data was captured by the Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich satellite launched in 2020. El Niño cycle is a common weather system where strong trade winds, instead of moving east to west, start flowing in the opposite direction. Instead of pushing warm surface water away from South America toward Asia and Australia, it causes it to slosh and pool back eastward towards South America. This temporary disruption to Earth's normal ocean and atmospheric systems occurs every two to seven years. What NASA satellite saw about El Niño NASA and other agencies have started noticing signs of one of the strongest El Niño patterns ever recorded. The phenomenon will affect every part of the world, with global average temperatures expected to rise by 3°C this summer. Besides the extreme heat, Super El Niño will also bring extreme rain and flooding to some parts. The NASA satellite tracks warm Kelvin waves to finds signs of an impending El Niño. Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, lead program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said, "Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich can track massive Kelvin waves as they cross the Pacific, capture changes in Earth's ocean thermodynamics, improve forecasts of weather extremes, and help communities prepare for potential coastal hazards." World Meteorological Organization issues warning about El Niño - "World needs to prepare" A new WMO El Niño/La Niña Update this week stated that there is an 80 per cent likelihood of an El Niño event during June–August 2026. "“The science is clear: El Niño is arriving on our doorstep in the coming months with 90% certainty. The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is. El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world. Impacts will hit even harder, travel even farther, and cross borders with devastating speed," it said in a statement. Talking about what to expect, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said, “We need to prepare for a potentially strong El Niño event, which will exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both on land and in the ocean." What NASA said about Kelvin Waves NASA explains that El Niño develops when multiple Kelvin waves appear over several months, and the warm water accumulates off the shores of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The first Kelvin wave this year was seen in January around Micronesia and lasted a few weeks. Then a new wave formed in March. "While this year's event started a bit later than the big El Niños of 2015 and 1997, it's beginning to catch up," Josh Willis, a sea level researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said. Western North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, North Africa, and most parts of Asia will see extreme temperatures. Warmer–than–normal conditions can be expected in the Southern Hemisphere also.

NASA has confirmed that Super El Niño is coming for the world this year. Its Sentinel–6 Michael Freilich satellite has spotted a large pool of warm water in the Pacific Ocean near South America, confirming that the worst is coming.

NASA satellite spots strongest sign of Super El Nino, confirming all predictions - What to expect?

NASA's Perseverance rover has captured a stunning panoramic view of Mars with clear skies in the background. The photo is of a location named "Falbreen" and was produced after piecing together 96 different images. It shows the rocky surface of the Red Planet, with tall hills in the background and extremely clear blue skies (enhanced-colour version). The actual natural photo shows the rusty red colour of the planet's sky. The stunning and sharp 360-degree panorama was taken on May 26, 2025 and released by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Captured by the Mastcam-Z instrument, it covers an expanse spreading up to 65 kilometres. Mastcam-Z can zoom in on specific regions targeted by the rover and is also enabled to take 3D images and video.&nbsp; The real catch of the photo is just how clear and devoid of dust the Martian sky was at the time the photo was taken. "The relatively dust-free skies provide a clear view of the surrounding terrain," Jim Bell, Mastcam-Z’s principal investigator at Arizona State University in Tempe, said. Talking about the enhanced version, Bell said, "In this particular mosaic, we have enhanced the colour contrast, which accentuates the differences in the terrain and sky."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/six-red-dwarf-stars-ate-rocky-worlds-like-earth-the-fingerprints-exposed-them-1780395245368">Six red dwarf stars ate rocky worlds like Earth. The 'fingerprints' exposed them</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260603/image-1780461159341.webp"></figure>Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260603/image-1780461170216.webp"></figure>Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS<h2>What does the new photo from Mars show?</h2> The latest photo from Mars is filled with several features and items spread across the terrain.1. The 43rd Abrasion Patch: Left of centre and near the bottom, a bright white, 2-inch circle can be seen. The top of this object was ground by Perseverance on May 22, 2025, using its diamond-dust-tipped Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT). Dust was removed from the top layer to analyse the fresh rock beneath. The team on Earth got a closer look to decide whether to take a core sample and store it in the rover's sample tubes.&nbsp;2. Float rock: A large rock is visible on top of a dark, crescent-shaped sand ripple to the right of centre in the image. It's a float rock, named so because it is believed to have formed in one location and then transported to a new location by processes such as landslide, water or wind. NASA says it was about 14 feet away from the rover at the time the image was captured.&nbsp;3. Geologic Contact Line: About halfway up the horizon, the landscape splits in half, and a clear boundary dividing the image can be seen. The lighter, flat rocks closer to the rover are rich in the mineral olivine, while the darker rocks further away transition into older, clay-bearing units. &nbsp;&nbsp;4. Rover Tracks: On the far right edge, the tracks left by Perseverance's wheels are visible. They turn left about 300 feet away and disappear behind a previous science stop named "Kenmore." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Perseverance rover has been exploring a region named Falbreen on Mars. Last year, it captured a panorama of the landscape, revealing a clear red sky minus any dust. The colour-enhanced version shows blue skies, similar to what is seen on Earth.

NASA's Perseverance rover has captured a stunning panoramic view of Mars with clear skies in the background. The photo is of a location named "Falbreen" and was produced after piecing together 96 different images. It shows the rocky surface of the Red Planet, with tall hills in the background and extremely clear blue skies (enhanced-colour version). The actual natural photo shows the rusty red colour of the planet's sky. The stunning and sharp 360-degree panorama was taken on May 26, 2025 and released by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Captured by the Mastcam-Z instrument, it covers an expanse spreading up to 65 kilometres. Mastcam-Z can zoom in on specific regions targeted by the rover and is also enabled to take 3D images and video. The real catch of the photo is just how clear and devoid of dust the Martian sky was at the time the photo was taken. "The relatively dust-free skies provide a clear view of the surrounding terrain," Jim Bell, Mastcam-Z’s principal investigator at Arizona State University in Tempe, said. Talking about the enhanced version, Bell said, "In this particular mosaic, we have enhanced the colour contrast, which accentuates the differences in the terrain and sky." Also Read: Six red dwarf stars ate rocky worlds like Earth. The 'fingerprints' exposed them Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS What does the new photo from Mars show? The latest photo from Mars is filled with several features and items spread across the terrain. 1. The 43rd Abrasion Patch: Left of centre and near the bottom, a bright white, 2-inch circle can be seen. The top of this object was ground by Perseverance on May 22, 2025, using its diamond-dust-tipped Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT). Dust was removed from the top layer to analyse the fresh rock beneath. The team on Earth got a closer look to decide whether to take a core sample and store it in the rover's sample tubes. 2. Float rock: A large rock is visible on top of a dark, crescent-shaped sand ripple to the right of centre in the image. It's a float rock, named so because it is believed to have formed in one location and then transported to a new location by processes such as landslide, water or wind. NASA says it was about 14 feet away from the rover at the time the image was captured. 3. Geologic Contact Line: About halfway up the horizon, the landscape splits in half, and a clear boundary dividing the image can be seen. The lighter, flat rocks closer to the rover are rich in the mineral olivine, while the darker rocks further away transition into older, clay-bearing units. 4. Rover Tracks: On the far right edge, the tracks left by Perseverance's wheels are visible. They turn left about 300 feet away and disappear behind a previous science stop named "Kenmore."

Perseverance rover has been exploring a region named Falbreen on Mars. Last year, it captured a panorama of the landscape, revealing a clear red sky minus any dust. The colour-enhanced version shows blue skies, similar to what is seen on Earth.

Check out these 4 features in the new 360-degree Mars photo taken by NASA's Perseverance rover

For decades, astronomers have worked on the assumption that galaxies came first. In the conventional picture, stars form within galaxies, exhaust their fuel and collapse into black holes, which gradually grow by consuming surrounding matter and merging with other black holes. Yet a new discovery by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is challenging that sequence, offering evidence that some supermassive black holes may have formed before the galaxies around them.&nbsp;The findings, published in Nature and the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, centre on a distant object known as Abell2744-QSO1, or QSO1, a ‘Little Red Dot’ that existed just 700 million years after the Big Bang. Researchers say the object could represent one of the clearest examples yet of a supermassive black hole forming without first emerging from a stellar collapse process.<h2>A Tiny Object With an Enormous Black Hole</h2>QSO1 is only about 1,300 light-years across, but its light has travelled for more than 13 billion years to reach Earth. The object is magnified by the gravitational lensing effect of the galaxy cluster Abell 2744, also known as Pandora’s Cluster, making it easier to study than many similar early-universe objects.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/blue-origin-s-new-glenn-programme-hit-by-months-of-delays-after-launch-pad-explosion-1780145007586">Blue Origin's New Glenn programme hit by months of delays after launch pad explosion</a>&nbsp;Initial observations suggested that QSO1 consisted largely of hydrogen and helium gas orbiting a black hole estimated to be tens of millions of times the mass of the Sun. However, researchers needed a direct way to confirm that estimate.“Before now, all of the mass measurements of black holes in the early universe have been indirect, based on assumptions from what we know about them in the local universe,” said Francesco D’Eugenio of the University of Cambridge. “We didn’t know if those assumptions really apply to the distant universe.”<h2>Webb Maps the Motion of Gas</h2>Using the Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) aboard Webb, scientists mapped the motion of hydrogen gas around the black hole. The gas displayed Keplerian motion, orbiting the central object in the same way planets orbit the Sun.“This is important because it tells us that most of the mass of QSO1 is concentrated in the black hole at the centre,” said researcher Ignas Juodžbalis. “If the mass were more distributed, as it would be if there were a lot of stars, the gas would not have this perfect Keplerian rotation.”&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-is-hiding-inside-the-antennae-galaxies-scientists-uncover-evidence-of-a-possible-supermassive-black-hole-1780132935399">What is hiding inside Antennae galaxies? Scientists uncover evidence of a possible supermassive black hole</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The observations enabled the first direct measurement of a black hole mass within the universe’s first billion years. Researchers calculated the object’s mass at roughly 50 million times that of the Sun.<h2>A Challenge to Existing Theories</h2>Perhaps the most striking result is that the black hole accounts for at least two-thirds of QSO1’s total mass, far higher than in nearby galaxies, where black holes typically represent only a tiny fraction of the host galaxy’s mass. The surrounding gas was also found to be almost entirely hydrogen and helium, with a metallicity below 0.5 per cent of the Sun, making QSO1 one of the most chemically pristine galactic environments ever observed.&nbsp;“It seems that we have found a black hole that does not have a substantial host galaxy and that has predated stellar processes,” said Juodžbalis. “This is very exciting because it is evidence for primordial black holes or direct collapse black holes, which have been theorised but not confirmed.” Calling the discovery “a paradigm shift”, co-author Roberto Maiolino said: “It’s a total revisiting of the classical scenarios of how black holes form and grow.”

Researchers say the object could represent one of the clearest examples yet of a supermassive black hole forming without first emerging from a stellar collapse process.

For decades, astronomers have worked on the assumption that galaxies came first. In the conventional picture, stars form within galaxies, exhaust their fuel and collapse into black holes, which gradually grow by consuming surrounding matter and merging with other black holes. Yet a new discovery by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is challenging that sequence, offering evidence that some supermassive black holes may have formed before the galaxies around them. The findings, published in Nature and the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, centre on a distant object known as Abell2744-QSO1, or QSO1, a ‘Little Red Dot’ that existed just 700 million years after the Big Bang. Researchers say the object could represent one of the clearest examples yet of a supermassive black hole forming without first emerging from a stellar collapse process. A Tiny Object With an Enormous Black Hole QSO1 is only about 1,300 light-years across, but its light has travelled for more than 13 billion years to reach Earth. The object is magnified by the gravitational lensing effect of the galaxy cluster Abell 2744, also known as Pandora’s Cluster, making it easier to study than many similar early-universe objects. ALSO READ: Blue Origin's New Glenn programme hit by months of delays after launch pad explosion Initial observations suggested that QSO1 consisted largely of hydrogen and helium gas orbiting a black hole estimated to be tens of millions of times the mass of the Sun. However, researchers needed a direct way to confirm that estimate. “Before now, all of the mass measurements of black holes in the early universe have been indirect, based on assumptions from what we know about them in the local universe,” said Francesco D’Eugenio of the University of Cambridge. “We didn’t know if those assumptions really apply to the distant universe.” Webb Maps the Motion of Gas Using the Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) aboard Webb, scientists mapped the motion of hydrogen gas around the black hole. The gas displayed Keplerian motion, orbiting the central object in the same way planets orbit the Sun. “This is important because it tells us that most of the mass of QSO1 is concentrated in the black hole at the centre,” said researcher Ignas Juodžbalis. “If the mass were more distributed, as it would be if there were a lot of stars, the gas would not have this perfect Keplerian rotation.” ALSO READ: What is hiding inside Antennae galaxies? Scientists uncover evidence of a possible supermassive black hole The observations enabled the first direct measurement of a black hole mass within the universe’s first billion years. Researchers calculated the object’s mass at roughly 50 million times that of the Sun. A Challenge to Existing Theories Perhaps the most striking result is that the black hole accounts for at least two-thirds of QSO1’s total mass, far higher than in nearby galaxies, where black holes typically represent only a tiny fraction of the host galaxy’s mass. The surrounding gas was also found to be almost entirely hydrogen and helium, with a metallicity below 0.5 per cent of the Sun, making QSO1 one of the most chemically pristine galactic environments ever observed. “It seems that we have found a black hole that does not have a substantial host galaxy and that has predated stellar processes,” said Juodžbalis. “This is very exciting because it is evidence for primordial black holes or direct collapse black holes, which have been theorised but not confirmed.” Calling the discovery “a paradigm shift”, co-author Roberto Maiolino said: “It’s a total revisiting of the classical scenarios of how black holes form and grow.”

Researchers say the object could represent one of the clearest examples yet of a supermassive black hole forming without first emerging from a stellar collapse process.

Which came first—the black hole or the galaxy? Webb discovery questions a key theory of galaxy formation

NASA has officially launched its twenty-billion-dollar lunar base. NASA is already ordering landers, rovers and drones for a sprawling moon base, less than two months after the Artemis II's record-breaking lunar flyaround. The space agency outlined the first phase of its moon base plans, awarding hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to four U.S. companies. With China moving aggressively to capture the Moon's resource-rich south pole, the second space race has escalated into a high-stakes geopolitical battle. Discover how engineers plan to build humanity's most expensive home amidst cosmic radiation, freezing temperatures, and ruthless superpower rivalry.

NASA Just Started Building on the Moon to Stop China | American Moon BASE by 2030

A report has warned that China's "space habitation and lunar ambitions" can pose a security threat to the United States. It states that the two countries could fight "over control of lunar resources and territory" as Beijing prepares to land humans on the Moon, as does the US, Defense One reported. The paper by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies paints a bleak outlook for the space race, which is being led by the two countries. According to the author, active-duty US Space Force (USSF) personnel would need to be stationed on the Moon and the space station to defend against China’s alleged military-focused space initiatives. Retired USSF Colonel Kyle Pumroy also slammed the US human spaceflight and Moon programs that he says have suffered because of "inconsistency in vision, policy, and funding", and this has led "China to gain steady ground over time."&nbsp;Pumroy says it is crucial to immediately develop a military human spaceflight program which allows for Guardians in space. China's space agency has taken huge strides in the cosmos, completing the Tiangong Space Station in 2022 and landing rovers on the Moon. Its next step is to send humans to the Moon, a target the US is also working towards. While Donald Trump has asserted that the US would leave China behind, the latter's progress in space missions means that it is not far behind either.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sun-released-a-record-breaking-radio-burst-for-19-days-nasa-and-esa-probes-reveal-what-happened-1779873159921">Record-breaking solar radio burst lasted 19 days. NASA and ESA probes reveal what happened</a><h2>Report claims “hard power” needed in new space race</h2>However, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans military activities in space and states that no country can stake a claim to the Moon. But Pumroy says the US might have to abandon it as China has a "record of ignoring treaty agreements and territorial aggression". He claims the habitat it wants to build on the Moon is aligned with the country's military. “When territorial conquest, the potential for economic gain, and national interests overlap, societies seek to establish favourable norms and standards and do so using various degrees of hard power,” he wrote, adding "hard power will ultimately matter in this new space race."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unexplainable-activity-in-w-constellation-cassiopeia-finally-has-an-answer-160-years-later-1779719224496">Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later</a>&nbsp;The Space Force was established in 2019 and the Guardians (its members) manage space launches, maintain GPS, weather and communication satellites, and work on other related things. However, the paper says that a military human spaceflight program with Title 10 authorities should instead be created. This would grant the Department of Defense the authority to organise, train, and deploy military forces globally.

Space would need to be defended as China and the US pursue their ambitions in orbit and on the Moon. The report states that the US should urgently work to prepare a force that can be stationed on the Moon and stop China from asserting authority over the lunar body. 

A report has warned that China's "space habitation and lunar ambitions" can pose a security threat to the United States. It states that the two countries could fight "over control of lunar resources and territory" as Beijing prepares to land humans on the Moon, as does the US, Defense One reported. The paper by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies paints a bleak outlook for the space race, which is being led by the two countries. According to the author, active-duty US Space Force (USSF) personnel would need to be stationed on the Moon and the space station to defend against China’s alleged military-focused space initiatives. Retired USSF Colonel Kyle Pumroy also slammed the US human spaceflight and Moon programs that he says have suffered because of "inconsistency in vision, policy, and funding", and this has led "China to gain steady ground over time." Pumroy says it is crucial to immediately develop a military human spaceflight program which allows for Guardians in space. China's space agency has taken huge strides in the cosmos, completing the Tiangong Space Station in 2022 and landing rovers on the Moon. Its next step is to send humans to the Moon, a target the US is also working towards. While Donald Trump has asserted that the US would leave China behind, the latter's progress in space missions means that it is not far behind either. Also Read: Record-breaking solar radio burst lasted 19 days. NASA and ESA probes reveal what happened Report claims “hard power” needed in new space race However, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans military activities in space and states that no country can stake a claim to the Moon. But Pumroy says the US might have to abandon it as China has a "record of ignoring treaty agreements and territorial aggression". He claims the habitat it wants to build on the Moon is aligned with the country's military. “When territorial conquest, the potential for economic gain, and national interests overlap, societies seek to establish favourable norms and standards and do so using various degrees of hard power,” he wrote, adding "hard power will ultimately matter in this new space race." Also Read: Unexplainable 'ghost' activity in Cassiopeia finally has an answer 160 years later The Space Force was established in 2019 and the Guardians (its members) manage space launches, maintain GPS, weather and communication satellites, and work on other related things. However, the paper says that a military human spaceflight program with Title 10 authorities should instead be created. This would grant the Department of Defense the authority to organise, train, and deploy military forces globally.

Space would need to be defended as China and the US pursue their ambitions in orbit and on the Moon. The report states that the US should urgently work to prepare a force that can be stationed on the Moon and stop China from asserting authority over the lunar body.&nbsp;

Treaty poopers: Think Tank warns US needs actual 'Guardians of the Galaxy' before China claims the Moon

NASA announced the first three Moon Base missions to begin building sustained operations: Moon Base I: Targeted for launch no earlier than fall 2026, this mission will use Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander to deliver NASA payloads.


NASA Announces Three Commercial Lunar Missions

Voyager 1 will soon reach the ‘one light-day’ mark from Earth, which will be no doubt a major milestone for the probe and humans. It will be 25.9 billion kilometres from home while moving at 300,000 kilometres per second. Here are some facts about Voyager 1.

Voyager 1 will soon reach the ‘one light-day’ mark from Earth, which will be no doubt a major milestone for the probe and humans. It will be 25.9 billion kilometres from home while moving at 300,000 kilometres per second. Here are some facts about Voyager 1.

6 mind-blowing facts as Voyager 1 nears ‘one light-day’ from Earth

NASA’s deep space mission has successfully crossed Mars, capturing unprecedented close-up visuals of the Red Planet like never before. The latest data and images reveal new details about Mars’ surface, atmosphere, and geological features, offering valuable insights into its past and potential for future exploration. Scientists say the mission marks a significant milestone in interplanetary research and deep space exploration.


NASA's Deep Space Mission Crosses Mars, Captures Mars Like Never Before

NASA is racing to closely monitor a newly detected asteroid that made a sudden close approach to Earth, triggering fresh attention from astronomers worldwide. Scientists reportedly scrambled to calculate the object’s trajectory after its late discovery raised concerns over how difficult some near-Earth objects can be to detect in time. While there is no confirmed collision threat, the incident has once again highlighted the growing global focus on planetary defence and asteroid tracking systems.


NASA Rushes To Track Surprise Asteroid After Close Earth Flyby

NASA is racing to closely monitor a newly detected asteroid that made a sudden close approach to Earth, triggering fresh attention from astronomers worldwide. Scientists reportedly scrambled to calculate the object’s trajectory after its late discovery raised concerns over how difficult some near-Earth objects can be to detect in time. While there is no confirmed collision threat, the incident has once again highlighted the growing global focus on planetary defence and asteroid tracking systems.

NASA is preparing to share new details about its Moon Base programme, aimed at establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. The space agency will provide updates during a news conference scheduled for May 26 at its headquarters in Washington. The briefing will include information on upcoming missions, partnerships and progress in building infrastructure on the lunar surface.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We&#39;re building a Moon Base! <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAMoonBase?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAMoonBase</a> will serve as a habitat where astronauts live and work during long-term science missions. Join us at 2pm ET on Tuesday, May 26, for a live news event where we’ll share updates on our lunar exploration plans: <a href="https://t.co/IJXA7xYwju">https://t.co/IJXA7xYwju</a> <a href="https://t.co/jAnkXDg3NY">pic.twitter.com/jAnkXDg3NY</a>&mdash; NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/2057163010460782722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What is NASA’s Moon Base project</h2>The Moon Base initiative is designed to create a long-term habitat where astronauts can live and work on the Moon. Unlike earlier missions that focused on short visits, this programme aims to support continuous human presence.&nbsp; The base is expected to serve as a centre for:Scientific researchTechnology developmentCommercial activitiesNASA has described it as a step towards building a permanent outpost beyond Earth.<h2>Why the Moon’s south pole is important</h2>NASA plans to focus its efforts on the Moon’s south pole. This region is believed to contain water ice in permanently shadowed areas.Scientists say this resource could be used to:Produce drinking waterGenerate oxygen for breathingCreate fuel for spacecraftThese capabilities could make long-term human presence on the Moon more practical and sustainable.<h2>Key officials and mission updates</h2>The upcoming briefing will include participation from senior NASA officials, including Administrator Jared Isaacman.The agency is expected to discuss:Progress in lunar missionsNew partnerships with industryPlans for future explorationNASA has also said that astronauts will be sent on increasingly complex missions as part of the programme.<h2>Link to future Mars missions</h2>The Moon Base project is part of NASA’s broader space exploration strategy. The agency sees the Moon as a testing ground for future missions to Mars. By developing technologies and experience on the Moon, NASA aims to prepare for longer and more challenging missions beyond Earth. This approach positions the Moon as a stepping stone towards deeper space exploration.<h2>Growing interest in lunar exploration</h2>The Moon Base plan reflects increasing global interest in space exploration. Governments and private companies are investing in lunar missions and infrastructure. NASA’s programme is expected to play a key role in shaping future international and commercial activities on the Moon.<h2>What happens next</h2>The Moon Base initiative will develop in phases, with updates expected as missions progress. The May 26 briefing will provide a clearer picture of timelines and next steps. As plans move forward, the project could mark a shift from short-term missions to long-term human presence in space, opening new possibilities for research and exploration.&nbsp;

NASA is preparing to share new details about its Moon Base programme, aimed at establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. The space agency will provide updates during a news conference scheduled for May 26 at its headquarters in Washington.

NASA is preparing to share new details about its Moon Base programme, aimed at establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. The space agency will provide updates during a news conference scheduled for May 26 at its headquarters in Washington. The briefing will include information on upcoming missions, partnerships and progress in building infrastructure on the lunar surface.

NASA is preparing to share new details about its Moon Base programme, aimed at establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. The space agency will provide updates during a news conference scheduled for May 26 at its headquarters in Washington.

NASA to unveil Moon Base plans: What it means for long-term space missions

Among the most highly anticipated files were original NASA transcripts and audio clips from the Apollo and Gemini missions. Notably, the files include a transcript of Gemini VII astronaut Frank Borman reporting a 'bogey' consisting of 'hundreds of little particles' in 1965, and Apollo 12 astronauts 

Among the most highly anticipated files were original NASA transcripts and audio clips from the Apollo and Gemini missions. Notably, the files include a transcript of Gemini VII astronaut Frank Borman reporting a ‘bogey’ consisting of ‘hundreds of little particles’ in 1965, and Apollo 12 astronauts discussing unexplained objects.

UFO Files: Declassified NASA transcripts reveal astronaut sightings on the Moon

The US Department of War’s PURSUE initiative released a classified 1972 Apollo 17 photograph showing unexplained lights above the moon. Declassified on WAR.GOV, the anomaly remains unresolved, baffling military and NASA aerospace experts.


The US Department of War’s PURSUE initiative released a classified 1972 Apollo 17 photograph showing unexplained lights above the moon. Declassified on WAR.GOV, the anomaly remains unresolved, baffling military and NASA aerospace experts.

‘The Apollo 17 anomaly’: What the US military revealed about the 1972 lunar mission

A NASA astronaut captured a stunning sight from the space station. Chris Williams saw a bright streak of light in the upper atmosphere, which slowly split into multiple small fireballs. The brightly lit objects continued to move in one direction, creating a surreal visual spectacle above Earth from space. Williams witnessed this visual over Africa on April 27th at about 10:40 pm GMT from the space station Cupola. Sharing photos and a video on his X handle, he wrote, "I was scanning the sky to try to catch a glimpse of the approaching Progress MS-34 vehicle bringing new supplies. Just as we were passing over West Africa, I saw a bright object directly below us, streaking through the upper atmosphere." He added that its tail &nbsp;grew and then "split apart into a shower of smaller pieces." Williams thinks it was likely some piece of orbital debris or a satellite breaking apart while entering the atmosphere. "It was quite a light show!" he added.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mind-blown-see-47-million-galaxies-in-the-largest-3d-map-of-the-universe-each-dot-in-this-photo-is-a-galaxy-1776433522489">See 47 million galaxies in the largest 3D map of the universe. Each dot in this photo is a galaxy</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-create-galaxies-in-lab-watch-and-hear-them-evolve-in-video-1776424893000">Scientists create galaxies in laboratory - Watch and hear them born and evolve | VIDEO</a><h2>Video of meteor-like objects seen from space</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">On April 27th at about 10:40 PM GMT, I was in the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> Cupola and saw something really neat. I was scanning the sky to try to catch a glimpse of the approaching Progress MS-34 vehicle bringing new supplies. Just as we were passing over West Africa, I saw a bright… <a href="https://t.co/5hgtCnC6XB">pic.twitter.com/5hgtCnC6XB</a>&mdash; Chris Williams (@Astro_ChrisW) <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_ChrisW/status/2049950775736951244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Streak of light seen from space remains unidentified</h2>There is no official word on exactly what Williams saw, although most people agree that it was some kind of orbital debris or a piece of rocket. One user wrote, "It looks like it was the actual Blok-I Soyuz upper stage from the #ProgressMS34 launch. It reentered over Niger at 22:41 UTC on Apr. 27." Others were simply amazed at the timing. "So cool! Damn timing was spit on to capture video! I've never seen anything like that from a Birdseye view perspective," a comment read, while another added, "Timing is everything. Good shot!"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>Comparisons to alien invasion</h2>However, others had fun comparing the visuals to what an alien visit would look like. "I think you caught a glimpse of the Autobots arriving to Earth," a user commented. Another shared an IMDB link to the 2011 movie, Battle: Los Angeles, which was about an alien invasion, and wrote, "I'VE SEEN THAT!!!" One more user compared it to the same movies, as another wrote, "Fingers crossed for space alien invasion." More people commented on "aliens" and Transformers" arriving. However, it was definitely some space debris, either a rocket or a satellite disintegrating in the upper atmosphere.

A NASA astronaut saw a streak of brightly lit objects entering Earth in a straight line from the space station. There is no official information on what it was. However, the amazing photos and a video led to speculations ranging from a rocket to an alien invasion.

A NASA astronaut captured a stunning sight from the space station. Chris Williams saw a bright streak of light in the upper atmosphere, which slowly split into multiple small fireballs. The brightly lit objects continued to move in one direction, creating a surreal visual spectacle above Earth from space. Williams witnessed this visual over Africa on April 27th at about 10:40 pm GMT from the space station Cupola. Sharing photos and a video on his X handle, he wrote, "I was scanning the sky to try to catch a glimpse of the approaching Progress MS-34 vehicle bringing new supplies. Just as we were passing over West Africa, I saw a bright object directly below us, streaking through the upper atmosphere." He added that its tail grew and then "split apart into a shower of smaller pieces." Williams thinks it was likely some piece of orbital debris or a satellite breaking apart while entering the atmosphere. "It was quite a light show!" he added. Also Read: See 47 million galaxies in the largest 3D map of the universe. Each dot in this photo is a galaxy Also Read: Scientists create galaxies in laboratory - Watch and hear them born and evolve | VIDEO Video of meteor-like objects seen from space

A NASA astronaut saw a streak of brightly lit objects entering Earth in a straight line from the space station. There is no official information on what it was. However, the amazing photos and a video led to speculations ranging from a rocket to an alien invasion.

From autobots to alien invasion, wild theories float as astronaut at space station sees fireballs entering Earth

NASA is preparing to launch a spacecraft not from the ground but from a plane after it is carried to space on a Pegasus XL rocket. The mission is intended to prevent a telescope from falling to Earth, something that will happen by June this year if nothing is done about it. The space agency has only about two months to avert this danger and so has come up with this offbeat plan. The telescope in question is the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. It was launched on November 20, 2004, and has been observing the universe for 22 years. However, its orbit is now thinning and increasing the drag on it, putting the telescope in danger of falling to Earth. This happens because of the Earth's atmosphere, which doesn't just vanish when we cross into space. It is present, albeit it is much thinner. This exerts a slight but steady drag, slowly pulling orbiting spacecraft closer to Earth. Solar storms can worsen the conditions, increasing the drag. Our Sun is in a period of solar maximum, which has led to several flares and geomagnetic storms, and Neil Gehrels is apparently paying the price.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-space-will-define-future-wars-drdo-chief-calls-for-urgent-national-push-sounds-alarm-on-defence-gap-1776954533825">‘Space will define future wars’: DRDO chief calls for urgent national push, sounds alarm on defence gap</a>&nbsp;According to NASA, the chances of the telescope crashing by June 2026 stood at 50 per cent in November 2025, and there is a 90 per cent chance of that happening before 2027. So it had to come up with a plan fast. It entrusted the responsibility of ensuring it does not happen to Katalyst, a company that has built a $30 million robotic spacecraft, which will carry Swift and place it in a more stable orbit. Named LINK, it has been undergoing testing at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center since April 14. S. Bradley Cenko, Swift’s principal investigator at NASA Goddard, said in a statement that "NASA awarded Katalyst a contract to attempt to boost Swift with the company’s LINK satellite", and "the teams are creating the best opportunity possible to extend Swift’s lifetime."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/why-are-some-galaxies-invisible-astronomers-identify-70-dark-galaxy-candidates-with-no-visible-stars-using-fast-1777446541189">Why are some galaxies invisible? Astronomers identify 70 dark galaxy candidates with no visible stars using FAST</a><h2>LINK will be launched from space into space</h2>In the meantime, the Swift team turned off instruments on the observatory to reduce power consumption. They repositioned its solar panels to reduce drag, handing scientists more time to fix the problem. There is no official word on when LINK will launch, although engineers have come up with an interesting plan. Instead of shooting from the ground to space, the spacecraft will be carried on a Pegasus XL rocket developed by Northrop Grumman and will be launched from a plane. This is because the set-up at the US spaceports does not allow for a simple trajectory to reach Swift. Scientists are hoping to extend the lifespan of the space observatory and create a blueprint in the process for how humans operate in space.&nbsp;“Swift is still producing valuable scientific data," &nbsp;Ghonhee Lee, Katalyst’s chief executive officer, said, adding, "NASA is leading the shift toward more flexible ways of operating in space by working with companies like Katalyst to get more out of its missions and deliver the best return for taxpayers." &nbsp;

Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is crashing: The space telescope could fall because its orbit no longer supports it. NASA has a plan to save it and extend its life. It involves a spacecraft that will fly towards it and carry it into a safer orbit. 

NASA is preparing to launch a spacecraft not from the ground but from a plane after it is carried to space on a Pegasus XL rocket. The mission is intended to prevent a telescope from falling to Earth, something that will happen by June this year if nothing is done about it. The space agency has only about two months to avert this danger and so has come up with this offbeat plan. The telescope in question is the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. It was launched on November 20, 2004, and has been observing the universe for 22 years. However, its orbit is now thinning and increasing the drag on it, putting the telescope in danger of falling to Earth. This happens because of the Earth's atmosphere, which doesn't just vanish when we cross into space. It is present, albeit it is much thinner. This exerts a slight but steady drag, slowly pulling orbiting spacecraft closer to Earth. Solar storms can worsen the conditions, increasing the drag. Our Sun is in a period of solar maximum, which has led to several flares and geomagnetic storms, and Neil Gehrels is apparently paying the price. Also Read: ‘Space will define future wars’: DRDO chief calls for urgent national push, sounds alarm on defence gap According to NASA, the chances of the telescope crashing by June 2026 stood at 50 per cent in November 2025, and there is a 90 per cent chance of that happening before 2027. So it had to come up with a plan fast. It entrusted the responsibility of ensuring it does not happen to Katalyst, a company that has built a $30 million robotic spacecraft, which will carry Swift and place it in a more stable orbit. Named LINK, it has been undergoing testing at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center since April 14. S. Bradley Cenko, Swift’s principal investigator at NASA Goddard, said in a statement that "NASA awarded Katalyst a contract to attempt to boost Swift with the company’s LINK satellite", and "the teams are creating the best opportunity possible to extend Swift’s lifetime." Also Read: Why are some galaxies invisible? Astronomers identify 70 dark galaxy candidates with no visible stars using FAST LINK will be launched from space into space In the meantime, the Swift team turned off instruments on the observatory to reduce power consumption. They repositioned its solar panels to reduce drag, handing scientists more time to fix the problem. There is no official word on when LINK will launch, although engineers have come up with an interesting plan. Instead of shooting from the ground to space, the spacecraft will be carried on a Pegasus XL rocket developed by Northrop Grumman and will be launched from a plane. This is because the set-up at the US spaceports does not allow for a simple trajectory to reach Swift. Scientists are hoping to extend the lifespan of the space observatory and create a blueprint in the process for how humans operate in space. “Swift is still producing valuable scientific data," Ghonhee Lee, Katalyst’s chief executive officer, said, adding, "NASA is leading the shift toward more flexible ways of operating in space by working with companies like Katalyst to get more out of its missions and deliver the best return for taxpayers."

Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is crashing: The space telescope could fall because its orbit no longer supports it. NASA has a plan to save it and extend its life. It involves a spacecraft that will fly towards it and carry it into a safer orbit.&nbsp;

THIS space telescope could crash any time. NASA will launch a spacecraft from plane to save it

Another NASA scientist died when his Tesla drove around for hours and then crashed, killing him. Joshua LeBlanc, who was reportedly working on nuclear propulsion technology, is the latest in the list of nuclear and space engineers who either went missing or died.

Another NASA scientist died when his Tesla drove around for hours and then crashed, killing him. Joshua LeBlanc, who was reportedly working on nuclear propulsion technology, is the latest in the list of nuclear and space engineers who either went missing or died.

NASA nuclear engineer latest in list of missing or dead scientists, adding to troubling trend

The FBI has taken up the case of American scientists who have either gone missing or died over the past four years. Meanwhile, a former official has warned that their work could have made them a target, as China, Russia and even Pakistan are always trying to steal technology. 

The FBI has taken up the case of American scientists who have either gone missing or died over the past four years. Meanwhile, a former official has warned that their work could have made them a target, as China, Russia and even Pakistan are always trying to steal technology.&nbsp;

American scientists missing or dead: Former FBI official warns Iran, Pakistan, China 'trying to steal technology'

The mystery of 11 scientists, either dead or missing, all of whom worked on space and nuclear technology, has triggered debate over whether they are linked. NASA has commented on the matter. Meanwhile, similar reports are now coming from China.

The mystery of 11 scientists, either dead or missing, all of whom worked on space and nuclear technology, has triggered debate over whether they are linked. NASA has commented on the matter. Meanwhile, similar reports are now coming from China.

Amid mystery of 11 dead or missing American scientists, China sees similar cases

Scientists at NASA say the Curiosity Rover has detected complex organic molecules on Mars that may provide fresh clues about the Red Planet’s ancient habitability. While the discovery does not confirm past life, researchers say the findings strengthen evidence that Mars once had conditions capable of supporting microbial organisms.

NASA: Curiosity Rover Detects Molecules That Could Suggest Possible Life on Mars

Nasa: Curiosity Rover Finds Molecules That May Hint at Life on Mars

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