NASA has handed over its new 'Athena' system to the Chief Science Data Officer. This hybrid supercomputer-cloud platform reads massive datasets to simulate planetary dynamics, allowing NASA to design the ideal spacecraft before launch. 

NASA has handed over its new 'Athena' system to the Chief Science Data Officer. This hybrid supercomputer-cloud platform reads massive datasets to simulate planetary dynamics, allowing NASA to design the ideal spacecraft before launch.&nbsp;

Why NASA’s latest supercomputer could be as crucial as rockets for future spaceflight

Astronomers confirm a 4 percent chance that asteroid 2024 YR4, which is a 60 metre space rock, that could strike the Moon on 22 Dec 2032. An impact would blast debris into space and could send meteors toward Earth, threaten satellites and create a dazzling meteor show. 

NASA Tracks Asteroid Heading for Direct Lunar Impact, Countdown to Rare Lunar Collision Event

Cold Earth candidate HD 137010 b is similar to our planet in size. It orbits around its star in 355 days, meaning it is almost the same distance from its star as Earth is from the Sun. However, it is colder than Mars because its star is colder than the Sun. 

Cold Earth candidate HD 137010 b is similar to our planet in size. It orbits around its star in 355 days, meaning it is almost the same distance from its star as Earth is from the Sun. However, it is colder than Mars because its star is colder than the Sun.&nbsp;

Retired Kepler Telescope was hiding a 'cold Earth' candidate 146 light-years away. Here is why it matters

NASA's James Webb Telescope reveals the sharpest-ever map of dark matter, confirming its role as the universe's "invisible scaffolding." Discover how dark matter's gravity shaped galaxies and paved the way for life on Earth.

NASA's James Webb Telescope reveals the sharpest-ever map of dark matter, confirming its role as the universe's "invisible scaffolding." Discover how dark matter's gravity shaped galaxies and paved the way for life on Earth.

How dark matter acts like the universe's web: NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope sees 800,000 galaxies

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has retired after a remarkable 27-year career marked by three space missions, 608 days in orbit, nine spacewalks and record-setting achievements aboard the International Space Station. In this video we look back at her milestones, leadership, contributions to future exploration, and lasting legacy inspiring generations of space explorer.

NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Retires: Looking Back At Her Legacy 

The James Webb Space Telescope has taken a closer look at the Eye of Sauron or Eye of God. Layers of gas shed by a dying star can be seen in new images of the Helix nebula, with a white dwarf, the remnant of the core of a dead star, clearly visible. This white dwarf is shedding a ton of hot material that is crashing into the cold shell of gas and dust. Everything that this dead star is releasing will become the source for the formation of new planets and stars. This is exactly what will happen to our Sun also one day, billions of years from now, when it will die. Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) got a good look at a tiny portion of the nebula to reveal knots in it that appear like comets, along with gas and stellar winds. Inside an expanding shell of gas are cloudy pillars that look like flames. The nebula's unique shape comes from how the hot gas interacts with the cold shell.&nbsp;Fast-moving fiery gas collides with the slower, colder shells of gas and dust that were shed by the star way back. Deep inside the heart of this nebula lies the white dwarf. It is extremely bright because of the intense radiation being released by it. This acts as a cosmic spotlight, illuminating stellar material discarded in the past that is present in layers. Near the white dwarf is hot ionised gas, with cooler molecular hydrogen farther out. Dust clouds contain pockets where, in the future, more complex molecules will form, providing the raw material for planets and star systems.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-reveal-some-asteroids-could-become-even-more-lethal-as-they-enter-earth-1768826705999">Scientists reveal some asteroids could become even more lethal as they enter Earth</a><h2>Eye of Sauron nebula</h2>Sharing details of the image of the Eye of God, &nbsp;NASA said that the blue hue shows the hottest gas in this field, energised by intense ultraviolet light from the white dwarf. The cool has is represented in the yellow regions where hydrogen atoms join into molecules. At the edges of the nebula, the reddish colour shows the coolest material. The Helix Nebula, or NGC 7293, resides in the constellation Aquarius, 650 light-years from Earth. It looks like a giant eye in space, thus lending it this iconic name.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Eye of Sauron nebula, the Helix nebula, has a giant white dwarf, and the Webb telescope has just got a good look at it. New images taken by the NASA telescope show stellar winds and gas clouds that will birth future stars and planets.

The James Webb Space Telescope has taken a closer look at the Eye of Sauron or Eye of God. Layers of gas shed by a dying star can be seen in new images of the Helix nebula, with a white dwarf, the remnant of the core of a dead star, clearly visible. This white dwarf is shedding a ton of hot material that is crashing into the cold shell of gas and dust. Everything that this dead star is releasing will become the source for the formation of new planets and stars. This is exactly what will happen to our Sun also one day, billions of years from now, when it will die. Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) got a good look at a tiny portion of the nebula to reveal knots in it that appear like comets, along with gas and stellar winds. Inside an expanding shell of gas are cloudy pillars that look like flames. The nebula's unique shape comes from how the hot gas interacts with the cold shell. Fast-moving fiery gas collides with the slower, colder shells of gas and dust that were shed by the star way back. Deep inside the heart of this nebula lies the white dwarf. It is extremely bright because of the intense radiation being released by it. This acts as a cosmic spotlight, illuminating stellar material discarded in the past that is present in layers. Near the white dwarf is hot ionised gas, with cooler molecular hydrogen farther out. Dust clouds contain pockets where, in the future, more complex molecules will form, providing the raw material for planets and star systems. Also Read: Scientists reveal some asteroids could become even more lethal as they enter Earth Eye of Sauron nebula Sharing details of the image of the Eye of God, NASA said that the blue hue shows the hottest gas in this field, energised by intense ultraviolet light from the white dwarf. The cool has is represented in the yellow regions where hydrogen atoms join into molecules. At the edges of the nebula, the reddish colour shows the coolest material. The Helix Nebula, or NGC 7293, resides in the constellation Aquarius, 650 light-years from Earth. It looks like a giant eye in space, thus lending it this iconic name.

The Eye of Sauron nebula, the Helix nebula, has a giant white dwarf, and the Webb telescope has just got a good look at it. New images taken by the NASA telescope show stellar winds and gas clouds that will birth future stars and planets.

Webb peers deep inside the Eye of God, spotting core of a dead star

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has retired from her duties after 27 years with the space agency. Her retirement is effective December 27, NASA said in a statement. Williams is a former Navy pilot and joined NASA in 1998. "Suni Williams has been a trailblazer in human spaceflight, shaping the future of exploration through her leadership aboard the space station and paving the way for commercial missions to low Earth orbit,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in the statement. The Indian-American took her first trip to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on December 9, 2006. She performed her first extra-vehicular activity, or a spacewalk, during the same mission. However, her trip to the ISS in 2024 aboard the Boeing Starliner is what caught the most attention. She was only supposed to stay there for a week in June, but could only return in March 2025 after the Starliner faced difficulties.<h2>Sunita Williams spacetime and spacewalks</h2>Williams was stranded in space along with Butch Wilmore after they launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024,&nbsp;for its first crewed flight. However, the spacecraft experienced troubles, and they became Expedition 71/72 crewmembers. NASA contemplated several ways to return them, but nothing worked. The Starliner was finally brought back empty. The duo was stuck for nine months before they finally returned in March 2025 as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission. Williams' illustrious career includes 62 hours and 6 minutes of total spacewalk time, the most of any female astronaut, and fourth on NASA’s all-time list. She has logged 608 days in space over her three flights.<h2>Sunita Williams joins NASA</h2>Sunita Williams was chosen as an astronaut by NASA in June 1998. After completing her training, she worked in Moscow with the Russian Space Agency on the Russian contribution to the space station. She also lived underwater for nine days as a NEEMO2 crew member in the Aquarius habitat. She took her first trip to space as part of Expedition 14/15, from December 9, 2006, to June 22, 2007, as Flight Engineer. She set a record for female astronauts at the time for four spacewalks totalling 29 hours and 17 minutes.&nbsp;In 2012, Williams launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, along with Russian Soyuz commander Yuri Malenchenko and Flight Engineer Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. She spent four months on the space station and carried out scientific research. This time, she performed three spacewalks to replace a component that relays power from the space station’s solar arrays to its systems, and repair an ammonia leak on a station radiator. &nbsp;

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has retired, saying goodbye to her glorious journey of 27 years. She took three flights to space, spent more than 600 days and did a few spacewalks.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has retired from her duties after 27 years with the space agency. Her retirement is effective December 27, NASA said in a statement. Williams is a former Navy pilot and joined NASA in 1998. "Suni Williams has been a trailblazer in human spaceflight, shaping the future of exploration through her leadership aboard the space station and paving the way for commercial missions to low Earth orbit,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in the statement. The Indian-American took her first trip to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on December 9, 2006. She performed her first extra-vehicular activity, or a spacewalk, during the same mission. However, her trip to the ISS in 2024 aboard the Boeing Starliner is what caught the most attention. She was only supposed to stay there for a week in June, but could only return in March 2025 after the Starliner faced difficulties. Sunita Williams spacetime and spacewalks Williams was stranded in space along with Butch Wilmore after they launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, for its first crewed flight. However, the spacecraft experienced troubles, and they became Expedition 71/72 crewmembers. NASA contemplated several ways to return them, but nothing worked. The Starliner was finally brought back empty. The duo was stuck for nine months before they finally returned in March 2025 as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission. Williams' illustrious career includes 62 hours and 6 minutes of total spacewalk time, the most of any female astronaut, and fourth on NASA’s all-time list. She has logged 608 days in space over her three flights. Sunita Williams joins NASA Sunita Williams was chosen as an astronaut by NASA in June 1998. After completing her training, she worked in Moscow with the Russian Space Agency on the Russian contribution to the space station. She also lived underwater for nine days as a NEEMO2 crew member in the Aquarius habitat. She took her first trip to space as part of Expedition 14/15, from December 9, 2006, to June 22, 2007, as Flight Engineer. She set a record for female astronauts at the time for four spacewalks totalling 29 hours and 17 minutes. In 2012, Williams launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, along with Russian Soyuz commander Yuri Malenchenko and Flight Engineer Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. She spent four months on the space station and carried out scientific research. This time, she performed three spacewalks to replace a component that relays power from the space station’s solar arrays to its systems, and repair an ammonia leak on a station radiator.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has retired, saying goodbye to her glorious journey of 27 years. She took three flights to space, spent more than 600 days and did a few spacewalks.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams bids adieu to her space endeavours after 27 years

NASA data shows our Sun will expand into a red giant in about 5 billion years, likely engulfing inner planets like Mercury, Venus, and possibly Earth, marking a fiery end for our planet.


NASA's Warning: Red Giant Threat To Humanity

NASA data shows our Sun will expand into a red giant in about 5 billion years, likely engulfing inner planets like Mercury, Venus, and possibly Earth, marking a fiery end for our planet.

NASA's Warning: Red Giants Devour Planets-Earth's Fate Sealed?

Four astronauts have safely splashed down on Earth after making an early exit from the International Space Station. The mission was cut short by nearly a month after one crew member fell seriously ill, prompting a precautionary return.


NASA: Four astronauts make early ISS exit after crew member falls sick

New data shows 2025 ranked among the hottest years ever recorded, according to NASA’s latest statement—yet the official release notably omits direct mention of climate change.


NASA data shows second hottest year but silence on human impact

Crew-11 astronauts Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke (NASA), Kimiya Yui (JAXA), and Oleg Platonov (Roscosmos) undocked from the ISS after 167 days, a month shorter than the planned February return. 


ISS Astronauts Home Early After 167 Days: Health Issue Forces Return 

The Dragon capsule Endeavour with Crew 11 astronauts has splashed down after they were evacuated from the International Space Station on medical grounds. The splashdown happened around 3:45 am ET after the spacecraft undocked from the ISS at 5:20 pm on January 14. NASA will hold a press conference at 5:45 am EST, briefing the media about the circumstances in which the crew was returned early. This is the first time a medical evacuation was carried out from the space station. &nbsp;US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yu are back on Earth after being launched into space in August 2025. They were supposed to spend six months in orbit, but a few hours before a scheduled spacewalk, one of the astronauts fell sick and NASA decided to bring them back early.<h2>NASA press conference on crew return</h2>NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will hold a press conference later, where he is expected to announce what exactly went wrong and why the space agency decided to return the crew early. On January 8, Mike Fincke, the ISS commander, and flight engineer Zena Cardman were supposed to carry out a spacewalk to make certain fittings. However, one of the four fell sick, and it was cancelled. NASA did not reveal which astronaut had faced the issue or what it was. Dr James Polk, NASA's chief health and medical officer, said the agency was “erring on the side of caution for the crew member” even though it isn't an emergency.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-crew-evacuated-from-iss-what-time-will-astronauts-return-who-is-left-and-media-briefing-schedule-1768452717556">NASA crew evacuated from ISS: What time will astronauts return, who is left and media briefing schedule</a>&nbsp;The early return means that the space station is left without a new crew. The next batch of astronauts is supposed to fly to the space station on February 15. However, the ceremonial keys to the ISS were handed over to Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchov, who is there along with fellow cosmonaut Sergei Mikaev and NASA astronaut Chris Williams.&nbsp; &nbsp;

NASA's Crew 11 splashed down at 3:45 am EST safely, bringing back four astronauts: two Americans, one Russian and one Japanese. NASA will hold a press conference later to reveal the nature of the medical issue on board. It has not yet revealed which one of them faced a health issue.

The Dragon capsule Endeavour with Crew 11 astronauts has splashed down after they were evacuated from the International Space Station on medical grounds. The splashdown happened around 3:45 am ET after the spacecraft undocked from the ISS at 5:20 pm on January 14. NASA will hold a press conference at 5:45 am EST, briefing the media about the circumstances in which the crew was returned early. This is the first time a medical evacuation was carried out from the space station. US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yu are back on Earth after being launched into space in August 2025. They were supposed to spend six months in orbit, but a few hours before a scheduled spacewalk, one of the astronauts fell sick and NASA decided to bring them back early. NASA press conference on crew return NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will hold a press conference later, where he is expected to announce what exactly went wrong and why the space agency decided to return the crew early. On January 8, Mike Fincke, the ISS commander, and flight engineer Zena Cardman were supposed to carry out a spacewalk to make certain fittings. However, one of the four fell sick, and it was cancelled. NASA did not reveal which astronaut had faced the issue or what it was. Dr James Polk, NASA's chief health and medical officer, said the agency was “erring on the side of caution for the crew member” even though it isn't an emergency. Also Read: NASA crew evacuated from ISS: What time will astronauts return, who is left and media briefing schedule The early return means that the space station is left without a new crew. The next batch of astronauts is supposed to fly to the space station on February 15. However, the ceremonial keys to the ISS were handed over to Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchov, who is there along with fellow cosmonaut Sergei Mikaev and NASA astronaut Chris Williams.

NASA's Crew 11 splashed down at 3:45 am EST safely, bringing back four astronauts: two Americans, one Russian and one Japanese. NASA will hold a press conference later to reveal the nature of the medical issue on board. It has not yet revealed which one of them faced a health issue.

Dragon Endeavour splashes down with Crew 11 following first medical evacuation from ISS

2025 Ranks Among Hottest Year Ever Recorded; NASA Statement Omits Climate Change

NASA has carried out a medical evacuation for the first time in the history of the International Space Station on January 14. Crew 11 is on its way to splashing down after its time on the observatory in orbit was cut short after one of the astronauts faced a health issue. The crew comprises US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yu. NASA has not confirmed which of them faced the problem and the nature of the health scare. Crew-11's Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, undocked at 5:20 pm EST. The spacecraft will face around an 11-hour deorbit trajectory, and is expected to splash down on Thursday (January 15) at 3:41 am EST. A post-landing press conference is scheduled for 5:45 am EST, in which the space agency is expected to share all details of the problem that occurred on the space station.<h2>NASA medical evacuation from ISS</h2>The crew was launched on August 1, 2025, and was supposed to spend six months in space. On January 8, a spacewalk was supposed to take place, to be carried out by Mike Fincke, the ISS commander, and flight engineer Zena Cardman. However, a few hours before it was to start, a medical problem arose, after which it was cancelled. Later, the space agency announced that it would be returning the crew in the next few days because of a health problem. Dr James Polk, NASA's chief health and medical officer, said at the time that it was not an emergency, but they were "erring on the side of caution for the crew member".Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-evacuating-iss-crew-on-medical-grounds-for-the-first-time-1767929858137">NASA evacuating ISS crew on medical grounds for the first time</a><h2>Who is left on the ISS? Is the space station empty?</h2>NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the end of the mission and that the spacewalk had been cancelled. A change of command ceremony took plance and Fincke handed over the symbolic ISS key to Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchov. "I'm proud of the swift effort across the agency thus far to ensure the safety of our astronauts," Isaacman said. The early return means that the ISS is without a new crew as the next one will not launch before February 15. The ISS now has only three people on board - Kud-Sverchov and fellow cosmonaut Sergei Mikaev, as well as NASA astronaut Chris Williams.&nbsp; &nbsp;

NASA ISS medical evacuation: Dragon capsule Endeavour undocked from the space station on the evening of January 14 and will splash down late at night on January 15. NASA returned a crew early on medical grounds for the first time. 

NASA has carried out a medical evacuation for the first time in the history of the International Space Station on January 14. Crew 11 is on its way to splashing down after its time on the observatory in orbit was cut short after one of the astronauts faced a health issue. The crew comprises US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yu. NASA has not confirmed which of them faced the problem and the nature of the health scare. Crew-11's Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, undocked at 5:20 pm EST. The spacecraft will face around an 11-hour deorbit trajectory, and is expected to splash down on Thursday (January 15) at 3:41 am EST. A post-landing press conference is scheduled for 5:45 am EST, in which the space agency is expected to share all details of the problem that occurred on the space station. NASA medical evacuation from ISS The crew was launched on August 1, 2025, and was supposed to spend six months in space. On January 8, a spacewalk was supposed to take place, to be carried out by Mike Fincke, the ISS commander, and flight engineer Zena Cardman. However, a few hours before it was to start, a medical problem arose, after which it was cancelled. Later, the space agency announced that it would be returning the crew in the next few days because of a health problem. Dr James Polk, NASA's chief health and medical officer, said at the time that it was not an emergency, but they were "erring on the side of caution for the crew member". Also Read: NASA evacuating ISS crew on medical grounds for the first time Who is left on the ISS? Is the space station empty? NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the end of the mission and that the spacewalk had been cancelled. A change of command ceremony took plance and Fincke handed over the symbolic ISS key to Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchov. "I'm proud of the swift effort across the agency thus far to ensure the safety of our astronauts," Isaacman said. The early return means that the ISS is without a new crew as the next one will not launch before February 15. The ISS now has only three people on board - Kud-Sverchov and fellow cosmonaut Sergei Mikaev, as well as NASA astronaut Chris Williams.

NASA ISS medical evacuation: Dragon capsule Endeavour undocked from the space station on the evening of January 14 and will splash down late at night on January 15. NASA returned a crew early on medical grounds for the first time.&nbsp;

NASA crew evacuated from ISS: What time will astronauts return, who is left and media briefing schedule

Space agency NASA said on Wednesday that a crew of four astronauts aboard the international space station (ISS) will return earlier than expected owing to a medical emergency in a SpaceX spacecraft.

SpaceX to Carry Out Nasa’s First-Ever Medical Evacuation From ISS

Four astronauts will return from the International Space Station more than a month ahead of schedule after an unnamed crew member experienced a medical issue.


NASA Crew to Make Rare Early Return After Medical Issue

NASA is preparing to conduct the first-ever medical evacuation from space, a historic milestone in human spaceflight and astronaut safety. This operation aims to safely transport an ill or injured astronaut back to Earth using advanced technologies and emergency protocols.

NASA to Conduct the First Ever Medical Evacuation From Space

In a rare move, NASA is cutting a mission aboard the International Space Station short after an astronaut had a medical issue. The space agency said the U.S.-Japanese-Russian crew of four will return to Earth in the coming days, earlier than planned. NASA canceled its first spacewalk of the year because of the health issue. The space agency did not identify the astronaut or the medical issue, citing patient privacy. The crew member is now stable.

Mayday in Orbit: NASA's First Emergency Space Medevac | The Race to Save the ISS Crew

NASA is evacuating a crew from the International Space Station for the first time in the history of the laboratory orbiting Earth. The space agency said that the step was being taken because an astronaut had faced a medical issue. Crew-11 went to the ISS in August 2025 and was to spend six months in space. It consists of US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yu. NASA said on Thursday (January 8) that the US-Russian crew will return earlier than planned. This comes after it cancelled a spacewalk scheduled for the same day because of health concerns. It has not revealed the nature of the medical problem or the name of the astronaut. Dr James Polk, NASA's chief health and medical officer, said they were "erring on the side of caution for the crew member" even though it is not an emergency.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/first-spacewalk-of-2026-postponed-after-astronaut-suffers-medical-emergency-1767877990727">First spacewalk of 2026 postponed after astronaut suffers medical emergency</a><h2>Two spacewalks were scheduled for January 2026</h2>Polk added that this is the first medical evacuation in the history of the space station. In the past, astronauts have been treated for issues like toothaches and ear pain aboard the ISS. Thursday's spacewalk was to be carried out by Fincke, the ISS commander, and Zena Cardman, a flight engineer. They were to prepare an outer portion of the ISS for a future rollout of solar panels that would have helped the station function through its end years before it is de-orbited in 2030. Cardman was to perform his first spacewalk on his maiden trip to the ISS. It would have been the 10th spacewalk for Fincke. "I'm proud of the swift effort across the agency thus far to ensure the safety of our astronauts," NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-saw-something-bizarre-happening-88kms-above-earth-from-space-what-was-it-1767858927469">NASA saw something bizarre happening 88 km above Earth from space. What was it?</a><h2>How many astronauts are at the space station right now?</h2>Another spacewalk was due to take place on January 15, involving two other astronauts who were not named yet. They were to replace a high-definition camera, set up a new docking aid for spacecraft visiting the ISS, besides a few other things. However, now that NASA has announced plans to return the entire crew, this spacewalk is also effectively cancelled. The four astronauts were launched by SpaceX in August. Besides them, three other astronauts - NASA's Chris Williams and Russia's Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov - are at the ISS after arriving in November aboard a Soyuz rocket for an eight-month mission.&nbsp;

For the first time in the history of the International Space Station, NASA is returning a crew early for medical reasons. An astronaut has suffered a health episode, following which NASA made this decision. The nature of the issue or the name of the astronaut has not been disclosed.  

NASA is evacuating a crew from the International Space Station for the first time in the history of the laboratory orbiting Earth. The space agency said that the step was being taken because an astronaut had faced a medical issue. Crew-11 went to the ISS in August 2025 and was to spend six months in space. It consists of US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yu. NASA said on Thursday (January 8) that the US-Russian crew will return earlier than planned. This comes after it cancelled a spacewalk scheduled for the same day because of health concerns. It has not revealed the nature of the medical problem or the name of the astronaut. Dr James Polk, NASA's chief health and medical officer, said they were "erring on the side of caution for the crew member" even though it is not an emergency. Also Read: First spacewalk of 2026 postponed after astronaut suffers medical emergency Two spacewalks were scheduled for January 2026 Polk added that this is the first medical evacuation in the history of the space station. In the past, astronauts have been treated for issues like toothaches and ear pain aboard the ISS. Thursday's spacewalk was to be carried out by Fincke, the ISS commander, and Zena Cardman, a flight engineer. They were to prepare an outer portion of the ISS for a future rollout of solar panels that would have helped the station function through its end years before it is de-orbited in 2030. Cardman was to perform his first spacewalk on his maiden trip to the ISS. It would have been the 10th spacewalk for Fincke. "I'm proud of the swift effort across the agency thus far to ensure the safety of our astronauts," NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said. Also Read: NASA saw something bizarre happening 88 km above Earth from space. What was it? How many astronauts are at the space station right now? Another spacewalk was due to take place on January 15, involving two other astronauts who were not named yet. They were to replace a high-definition camera, set up a new docking aid for spacecraft visiting the ISS, besides a few other things. However, now that NASA has announced plans to return the entire crew, this spacewalk is also effectively cancelled. The four astronauts were launched by SpaceX in August. Besides them, three other astronauts - NASA's Chris Williams and Russia's Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov - are at the ISS after arriving in November aboard a Soyuz rocket for an eight-month mission.

For the first time in the history of the International Space Station, NASA is returning a crew early for medical reasons. An astronaut has suffered a health episode, following which NASA made this decision. The nature of the issue or the name of the astronaut has not been disclosed. &nbsp;

NASA evacuating ISS crew on medical grounds for the first time

NASA has cancelled the first spacewalk of 2026 that was supposed to happen on Thursday (January 8). According to reports, a medical issue involving one of the crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) led to the decision. The space agency has not disclosed the name of the astronaut and the nature of the problem. The health concern is said to have risen on Wednesday afternoon, and the astronaut is stable, NASA wrote in a blog post. "The situation is stable. NASA will share additional details, including a new date for the upcoming spacewalk, later," the post said. Astronauts Mike Fincke, the ISS commander, and Zena Cardman, a flight engineer, were scheduled to conduct the spacewalk lasting around 6 and a half hours. No information regarding the next date for the spacewalk has been given.&nbsp;Meanwhile, NASA is also considering returning Crew 11 early. "Safely conducting our missions is our highest priority, and we are actively evaluating all options, including the possibility of an earlier end to Crew-11's mission," a NASA spokesperson said in a statement. Crew-11 crew consists of US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yu.<h2>NASA astronauts spacewalk postponed&nbsp;</h2>The two astronauts were supposed to emerge from the station’s Quest airlock at approximately 8 am ET on Thursday. While this was &nbsp;Cardman’s first spacewalk, Fincke was due to go on his 10th. It would have tied him with Peggy Whitson for the most spacewalks by a NASA astronaut. The duo was supposed to prepare the 2A power channel where a roll-out solar array could be installed in future. The power is supposed to keep the ISS running in the last stretch of its time in space before it is de-orbited in 2030. The Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) and its larger version, the ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA), are flexible solar power sources for spacecraft. They are alternatives to existing solar array technologies and are compact and more affordable.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nasa-saw-something-bizarre-happening-88kms-above-earth-from-space-what-was-it-1767858927469">NASA saw something bizarre happening 88 km above Earth from space. What was it?</a>&nbsp;A second spacewalk is also due to happen a week from now. Two other NASA astronauts will exit the space station on January 15 to replace a high-definition camera, install a new docking aid for spacecraft coming to the ISS, and relocate several cooling hoses. However, the postponement of today's spacewalk could lead to a delay in the second one as well. The astronauts for the second spacewalk are yet to be named.&nbsp;

NASA spacewalk postponed: Two astronauts were supposed to exit the space station on January 8 and perform a spacewalk to install a modification kit and routing cables for a future roll-out solar array. However, a medical issue has led to the spacewalk being cancelled.

NASA has cancelled the first spacewalk of 2026 that was supposed to happen on Thursday (January 8). According to reports, a medical issue involving one of the crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) led to the decision. The space agency has not disclosed the name of the astronaut and the nature of the problem. The health concern is said to have risen on Wednesday afternoon, and the astronaut is stable, NASA wrote in a blog post. "The situation is stable. NASA will share additional details, including a new date for the upcoming spacewalk, later," the post said. Astronauts Mike Fincke, the ISS commander, and Zena Cardman, a flight engineer, were scheduled to conduct the spacewalk lasting around 6 and a half hours. No information regarding the next date for the spacewalk has been given. Meanwhile, NASA is also considering returning Crew 11 early. "Safely conducting our missions is our highest priority, and we are actively evaluating all options, including the possibility of an earlier end to Crew-11's mission," a NASA spokesperson said in a statement. Crew-11 crew consists of US astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yu. NASA astronauts spacewalk postponed The two astronauts were supposed to emerge from the station’s Quest airlock at approximately 8 am ET on Thursday. While this was Cardman’s first spacewalk, Fincke was due to go on his 10th. It would have tied him with Peggy Whitson for the most spacewalks by a NASA astronaut. The duo was supposed to prepare the 2A power channel where a roll-out solar array could be installed in future. The power is supposed to keep the ISS running in the last stretch of its time in space before it is de-orbited in 2030. The Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) and its larger version, the ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA), are flexible solar power sources for spacecraft. They are alternatives to existing solar array technologies and are compact and more affordable. Also Read: NASA saw something bizarre happening 88 km above Earth from space. What was it? A second spacewalk is also due to happen a week from now. Two other NASA astronauts will exit the space station on January 15 to replace a high-definition camera, install a new docking aid for spacecraft coming to the ISS, and relocate several cooling hoses. However, the postponement of today's spacewalk could lead to a delay in the second one as well. The astronauts for the second spacewalk are yet to be named.

NASA spacewalk postponed: Two astronauts were supposed to exit the space station on January 8 and perform a spacewalk to install a modification kit and routing cables for a future roll-out solar array. However, a medical issue has led to the spacewalk being cancelled.

First spacewalk of 2026 postponed after astronaut suffers medical emergency

NASA detected something strange above Earth from the International Space Station, which proved that what goes on at the ground level doesn't necessarily remain restricted there. This strange phenomenon is linked to Hurricane Helene, which slammed the Florida coast in September 2024. An instrument on the ISS detected an unknown phenomenon rushing through Earth's atmosphere, around 88 kilometres above the planet. NASA was baffled to see something that was not visible from the ground, yet was picked up from space. What it saw were atmospheric waves, and to see them high above Earth shows that strong weather events not only devastate land, but also have an effect on the different layers of the atmosphere. The phenomenon was observed in the mesosphere, the third layer of Earth's atmosphere that extends from 50 to 85 km.&nbsp;As Helene smashed into Florida, a NASA instrument aboard the ISS saw hints of a type of atmospheric wave that typically forms when events like hurricanes occur, Earth.com reported. The Atmospheric Wave Instrument (AWE) was installed outside the ISS in 2023 to detect “atmospheric glow,” a light displayed by gases at high altitudes. When Helene hit, AWE observed a pattern that appeared to be like ripples high above Earth. NASA said that this happened because of the storm, which was so strong that it stirred the air so far above.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/earth-might-freeze-not-burn-up-due-to-extreme-heat-scientists-warn-new-ice-age-is-waiting-1767610266625">Scientists warn intense heat due to climate change could freeze Earth, ushering in a new Ice Age</a>&nbsp;The pattern travelled towards the West, meaning the disturbance did not remain restricted to the storm zone. The ISS orbits 400 kilometres above the surface, and caught something that did not show up in ordinary weather measurements. This makes it the perfect vantage point for making similar observations in the future.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/major-catastrophe-unfolding-in-antarctica-as-hundreds-of-earthquakes-slam-doomsday-glacier-1767680441864">Major catastrophe unfolding in Antarctica as hundreds of earthquakes slam Doomsday Glacier</a><h2>How AWE on ISS and a set of telescopes can find more new phenomena</h2>AWE was made with the aim of understanding what goes on in the upper atmosphere when storms hit the ground. Learning of this impact in the thin air at higher altitudes can prove crucial to gauging the ripple effects and how they impact a region that ultimately affects the conditions that matter for satellites. Even a slight shift in the density of air in the upper atmosphere could lead satellites to run into problems. AWE can help learn more about these observations and help prevent any problems that might impact satellites. AWE, alongside Advanced Mesospheric Temperature Mapper (AMTM), a set of telescopes that can detect details that ordinary sensors miss, can continue to monitor such never-before-seen phenomena higher up.&nbsp;

NASA saw a strange occurrence in the upper atmosphere in 2024 when a hurricane slammed into Florida. Scientists are intrigued by the detection since it can impact satellites and also proves how weather on the ground can ripple to such high levels.

NASA detected something strange above Earth from the International Space Station, which proved that what goes on at the ground level doesn't necessarily remain restricted there. This strange phenomenon is linked to Hurricane Helene, which slammed the Florida coast in September 2024. An instrument on the ISS detected an unknown phenomenon rushing through Earth's atmosphere, around 88 kilometres above the planet. NASA was baffled to see something that was not visible from the ground, yet was picked up from space. What it saw were atmospheric waves, and to see them high above Earth shows that strong weather events not only devastate land, but also have an effect on the different layers of the atmosphere. The phenomenon was observed in the mesosphere, the third layer of Earth's atmosphere that extends from 50 to 85 km. As Helene smashed into Florida, a NASA instrument aboard the ISS saw hints of a type of atmospheric wave that typically forms when events like hurricanes occur, Earth.com reported. The Atmospheric Wave Instrument (AWE) was installed outside the ISS in 2023 to detect “atmospheric glow,” a light displayed by gases at high altitudes. When Helene hit, AWE observed a pattern that appeared to be like ripples high above Earth. NASA said that this happened because of the storm, which was so strong that it stirred the air so far above. Also Read: Scientists warn intense heat due to climate change could freeze Earth, ushering in a new Ice Age The pattern travelled towards the West, meaning the disturbance did not remain restricted to the storm zone. The ISS orbits 400 kilometres above the surface, and caught something that did not show up in ordinary weather measurements. This makes it the perfect vantage point for making similar observations in the future. Also Read: Major catastrophe unfolding in Antarctica as hundreds of earthquakes slam Doomsday Glacier How AWE on ISS and a set of telescopes can find more new phenomena AWE was made with the aim of understanding what goes on in the upper atmosphere when storms hit the ground. Learning of this impact in the thin air at higher altitudes can prove crucial to gauging the ripple effects and how they impact a region that ultimately affects the conditions that matter for satellites. Even a slight shift in the density of air in the upper atmosphere could lead satellites to run into problems. AWE can help learn more about these observations and help prevent any problems that might impact satellites. AWE, alongside Advanced Mesospheric Temperature Mapper (AMTM), a set of telescopes that can detect details that ordinary sensors miss, can continue to monitor such never-before-seen phenomena higher up.

NASA saw a strange occurrence in the upper atmosphere in 2024 when a hurricane slammed into Florida. Scientists are intrigued by the detection since it can impact satellites and also proves how weather on the ground can ripple to such high levels.

NASA saw something bizarre happening 88 km above Earth from space. What was it?

NASA James Webb and Hubble space telescopes have made some startling discoveries. The Chandra X-ray telescope captured a famous supernova remnant over several years. Here are some new findings made by these astonishing pieces of technology. 

NASA's James Webb and Hubble space telescopes have made some startling discoveries. The Chandra X-ray telescope captured a famous supernova remnant over several years. Here are some new findings made by these astonishing pieces of technology.&nbsp;

Latest NASA findings: 5 discoveries made by Webb, Hubble and Chandra Space Telescopes

NASA and the Pentagon have just changed the space game. They are building a nuclear thermal rocket that makes current technology look like a steam engine. By blasting liquid hydrogen through a nuclear reactor, we can now reach Mars faster than ever before. Is this the key to winning the space race?


The atomic engine: US unveils nuclear rocket to dominate space!

Lunar regolith is created by billions of years of meteoroid impacts that pulverise the Moon’s surface rock. 

Lunar regolith is created by billions of years of meteoroid impacts that pulverise the Moon’s surface rock.&nbsp;

'Fine like powder, but sharp like glass': How moon dust could affect astronauts’ lungs and health?

Space rockets may soon use nuclear-powered engines based on nuclear thermal propulsion, or NTP technology. While no nuclear engine will fly this year, the field is approaching a major milestone, with the first in-space demonstration of an NTP engine currently planned for early 2026. If successful, this could open the door to practical nuclear-powered missions later in the 2020s and into the 2030s. NTP is often presented as a promising technology for faster and more capable deep-space missions, especially to Mars. At the same time, it raises concerns about safety, radiation, and the potential proliferation of nuclear material in space and on Earth. As development accelerates, it is time to understand both the prospects and the problems associated with nuclear thermal propulsion.<h2>What is nuclear thermal propulsion or NTP?</h2>Nuclear thermal propulsion uses nuclear fission rather than chemical combustion to produce thrust. Instead of burning fuel and oxidiser, an NTP engine pumps liquid hydrogen through a small nuclear reactor built into the engine. Inside the reactor, uranium atoms undergo fission, releasing extreme levels of heat. This heat raises the temperature of the hydrogen, which is then expelled through a nozzle to generate thrust for the rocket.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-russian-crew-returns-to-earth-after-epic-168-million-kilometer-journey-1765336718719/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-russian-crew-returns-to-earth-after-epic-168-million-kilometer-journey-1765336718719/embed</a><h2>What are the advantages of NTP?</h2>Nuclear thermal engines can be roughly twice as efficient as the best chemical rockets in use today. This means a spacecraft can travel farther using less propellant, and carry heavier payloads for the same amount of fuel. Because hydrogen is very light, it accelerates more easily than the heavier exhaust gases produced by chemical rockets, such as water vapour.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/live-updates/science/axiom-4-mission-live-updates-indian-astronaut-shubhanshu-shukla-landing-time-check-latest-news-nasa-spacex-isro-iss-1750927403236">HIGHLIGHTS | Axiom 4 Mission Landing: Shubhanshu Shukla makes first remarks on ISS, says 'been a wonderful ride'</a><h2>NTP engines' two-step process to enable thrust outside Earth</h2>NTP process in rocket engines would not be used for lift-off from Earth. Instead, missions would follow a two-step process. First, the spacecraft would be launched into orbit using a conventional chemical rocket. The nuclear thermal engine would only be activated once the vehicle is safely in space. This approach significantly reduces the risk associated with launching nuclear material from Earth, at least in theory.<h2>NTP engines to help Mars missions and wider launch windows</h2>For missions to Mars, NTP could reduce travel time by up to about 25 per cent. Shorter journeys would reduce astronauts’ exposure to cosmic radiation and the health effects of long periods in microgravity. NTP systems are also less dependent on precise planetary alignments, allowing wider launch windows. In addition, the higher performance of nuclear propulsion could make it easier for crew to abort missions if needed.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/watch-stunning-visuals-show-spacexs-crew-10-dragon-capsule-docking-at-international-space-station-8862579">Watch | Stunning visuals show SpaceX’s Crew-10 Dragon capsule docking at International Space Station</a><h2>What NASA is doing now on nuclear engines</h2>The most advanced current effort is a joint programme between NASA and the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), called DRACO. Short for Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, DRACO aims to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket in space for the first time. The current plan is for the engine to be activated in Earth orbit in early 2026, although the schedule could slip into 2027. Lockheed Martin is developing the spacecraft. BWX Technologies is responsible for the reactor and fuel.&nbsp;<h2>What is India doing on nuclear propulsion rockets?</h2>India’s space agency, ISRO, is working on nuclear power systems and related foundational technologies to support nuclear propulsion. But an active nuclear thermal rocket programme could be years away. In the UK, private companies such as Pulsar Fusion are exploring nuclear fusion-based rocket concepts. Fusion propulsion promises very high performance, but the technology for it far less mature than fission-based NTP.<h2>Risks of nuclear engines for rockets</h2>Using uranium as rocket fuel raises security and safety concerns. NASA and the US Department of Energy are therefore working to use low-enriched uranium rather than highly enriched fuel, to cut both proliferation risks and security cost. Ground tests have shown that newer fuel types can survive the extreme temperatures and radiation inside an NTP reactor without significant damage.Radiation remains the most obvious risk for both spacecraft and people. Shielding sensitive components and orienting the reactor away from crew areas are the solutions.&nbsp;Launch failures are another major concern, amid fears of nuclear material releasing into the Earth's atmosphere or space. To address this, engineers are developing robust fuel forms designed to remain intact even in severe accidents.<h2>Nuclear-powered rockets: Challenges and prospects ahead</h2>NTP reactors operate at extremely high temperatures, pushing materials to their limits and making engineering especially challenging.&nbsp;Storing and managing liquid hydrogen in space for long periods is also technically difficult. Beyond engineering, nuclear propulsion faces political, regulatory, and international policy hurdles over nuclear safety, environmental protection, and non-proliferation.NTP offers significant potential benefits for deep-space exploration. But complex technical, safety, and political challenges remain. The planned in-space test in early 2026 will help decide whether NTP rockets can move from theory to real use in future space missions.

Nuclear thermal propulsion or NPT technology could power future rockets, with NASA planning the first in-space test in early 2026. The technology is both promising and potentially horrifying. Here is why

Space rockets may soon use nuclear-powered engines based on nuclear thermal propulsion, or NTP technology. While no nuclear engine will fly this year, the field is approaching a major milestone, with the first in-space demonstration of an NTP engine currently planned for early 2026. If successful, this could open the door to practical nuclear-powered missions later in the 2020s and into the 2030s. NTP is often presented as a promising technology for faster and more capable deep-space missions, especially to Mars. At the same time, it raises concerns about safety, radiation, and the potential proliferation of nuclear material in space and on Earth. As development accelerates, it is time to understand both the prospects and the problems associated with nuclear thermal propulsion. What is nuclear thermal propulsion or NTP? Nuclear thermal propulsion uses nuclear fission rather than chemical combustion to produce thrust. Instead of burning fuel and oxidiser, an NTP engine pumps liquid hydrogen through a small nuclear reactor built into the engine. Inside the reactor, uranium atoms undergo fission, releasing extreme levels of heat. This heat raises the temperature of the hydrogen, which is then expelled through a nozzle to generate thrust for the rocket. https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-russian-crew-returns-to-earth-after-epic-168-million-kilometer-journey-1765336718719/embed What are the advantages of NTP? Nuclear thermal engines can be roughly twice as efficient as the best chemical rockets in use today. This means a spacecraft can travel farther using less propellant, and carry heavier payloads for the same amount of fuel. Because hydrogen is very light, it accelerates more easily than the heavier exhaust gases produced by chemical rockets, such as water vapour. Also read: HIGHLIGHTS | Axiom 4 Mission Landing: Shubhanshu Shukla makes first remarks on ISS, says 'been a wonderful ride' NTP engines' two-step process to enable thrust outside Earth NTP process in rocket engines would not be used for lift-off from Earth. Instead, missions would follow a two-step process. First, the spacecraft would be launched into orbit using a conventional chemical rocket. The nuclear thermal engine would only be activated once the vehicle is safely in space. This approach significantly reduces the risk associated with launching nuclear material from Earth, at least in theory. NTP engines to help Mars missions and wider launch windows For missions to Mars, NTP could reduce travel time by up to about 25 per cent. Shorter journeys would reduce astronauts’ exposure to cosmic radiation and the health effects of long periods in microgravity. NTP systems are also less dependent on precise planetary alignments, allowing wider launch windows. In addition, the higher performance of nuclear propulsion could make it easier for crew to abort missions if needed. Also read: Watch | Stunning visuals show SpaceX’s Crew-10 Dragon capsule docking at International Space Station What NASA is doing now on nuclear engines The most advanced current effort is a joint programme between NASA and the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), called DRACO. Short for Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, DRACO aims to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket in space for the first time. The current plan is for the engine to be activated in Earth orbit in early 2026, although the schedule could slip into 2027. Lockheed Martin is developing the spacecraft. BWX Technologies is responsible for the reactor and fuel. What is India doing on nuclear propulsion rockets? India’s space agency, ISRO, is working on nuclear power systems and related foundational technologies to support nuclear propulsion. But an active nuclear thermal rocket programme could be years away. In the UK, private companies such as Pulsar Fusion are exploring nuclear fusion-based rocket concepts. Fusion propulsion promises very high performance, but the technology for it far less mature than fission-based NTP. Risks of nuclear engines for rockets Using uranium as rocket fuel raises security and safety concerns. NASA and the US Department of Energy are therefore working to use low-enriched uranium rather than highly enriched fuel, to cut both proliferation risks and security cost. Ground tests have shown that newer fuel types can survive the extreme temperatures and radiation inside an NTP reactor without significant damage. Radiation remains the most obvious risk for both spacecraft and people. Shielding sensitive components and orienting the reactor away from crew areas are the solutions. Launch failures are another major concern, amid fears of nuclear material releasing into the Earth's atmosphere or space. To address this, engineers are developing robust fuel forms designed to remain intact even in severe accidents. Nuclear-powered rockets: Challenges and prospects ahead NTP reactors operate at extremely high temperatures, pushing materials to their limits and making engineering especially challenging. Storing and managing liquid hydrogen in space for long periods is also technically difficult. Beyond engineering, nuclear propulsion faces political, regulatory, and international policy hurdles over nuclear safety, environmental protection, and non-proliferation. NTP offers significant potential benefits for deep-space exploration. But complex technical, safety, and political challenges remain. The planned in-space test in early 2026 will help decide whether NTP rockets can move from theory to real use in future space missions.

Nuclear thermal propulsion or NPT technology could power future rockets, with NASA planning the first in-space test in early 2026. The technology is both promising and potentially horrifying. Here is why

Nuclear engines for space rockets soon? First in-space test planned in early 2026. Promises vs risks

NASA recently carried out a tricky manoeuvre from 212 million kilometres away, when a drill on the Perseverance rover got stuck in a rock sample. The rover is currently exploring the Jezero crater on Mars. Recently, while poking at the rocks, a part of its drill got lodged in a rock. Scientists back on Earth found themselves in a bind, racking their brains about how to dislodge a drill from another planet. The problem could have caused Perseverance to lose a precious tool, as letting go of it would have been easier. However, that would have left it without a way to retrieve the rock samples. But the engineers pulled an incredible feat and managed to pull it out. A NASA spokesperson told Mashable on Wednesday, "The team was working to extract a drill bit from the most recent sample collection attempt, which was successfully accomplished as of late Tuesday night."&nbsp;They added that the rover was designed for such an eventuality, and even if it had to lose a drill bit, it had others on board. NASA did not reveal exactly how it was able to get the drill out of the Martian rock. Jezero Crater has been an area of interest on Mars because scientists believe a river once flowed into a delta here. The crater is believed to have formed after a collision 4.6 billion years ago. There are layered rocks in an area called the Witch Hazel Hill in this region of Mars that consist of alternating light and dark bands.&nbsp;<h2>Drill on Perseverance was stuck since April</h2>Earlier this month, the rover dug into one of the light-toned layers filled with tiny rock pieces. Recently, it was checking out the dark ones when pictures beamed back showed that the drill was stuck. NASA believes this happened on April 22.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/1-2-billion-light-years-away-a-triple-black-hole-collision-is-occurring-for-the-first-time-1767166848929">1.2 billion light-years away, a triple black hole collision is occurring for the first time</a>&nbsp;Perseverance has been collecting samples from Mars, filling up a tube with dirt and rocks. NASA plans on bringing these samples back to Earth as part of a return mission and is aiming to do so by 2030. However, its original plan has effectively failed because of high costs, and now it is looking at alternative ways to bring the samples to Earth.

Perseverance rover got one of its drills stuck in a rock on Mars, and NASA only got to know about it months later. There were chances that the rover would lose the drill, but the space agency said that it had successfully retrieved it. 

NASA recently carried out a tricky manoeuvre from 212 million kilometres away, when a drill on the Perseverance rover got stuck in a rock sample. The rover is currently exploring the Jezero crater on Mars. Recently, while poking at the rocks, a part of its drill got lodged in a rock. Scientists back on Earth found themselves in a bind, racking their brains about how to dislodge a drill from another planet. The problem could have caused Perseverance to lose a precious tool, as letting go of it would have been easier. However, that would have left it without a way to retrieve the rock samples. But the engineers pulled an incredible feat and managed to pull it out. A NASA spokesperson told Mashable on Wednesday, "The team was working to extract a drill bit from the most recent sample collection attempt, which was successfully accomplished as of late Tuesday night." They added that the rover was designed for such an eventuality, and even if it had to lose a drill bit, it had others on board. NASA did not reveal exactly how it was able to get the drill out of the Martian rock. Jezero Crater has been an area of interest on Mars because scientists believe a river once flowed into a delta here. The crater is believed to have formed after a collision 4.6 billion years ago. There are layered rocks in an area called the Witch Hazel Hill in this region of Mars that consist of alternating light and dark bands. Drill on Perseverance was stuck since April Earlier this month, the rover dug into one of the light-toned layers filled with tiny rock pieces. Recently, it was checking out the dark ones when pictures beamed back showed that the drill was stuck. NASA believes this happened on April 22. Also Read: 1.2 billion light-years away, a triple black hole collision is occurring for the first time Perseverance has been collecting samples from Mars, filling up a tube with dirt and rocks. NASA plans on bringing these samples back to Earth as part of a return mission and is aiming to do so by 2030. However, its original plan has effectively failed because of high costs, and now it is looking at alternative ways to bring the samples to Earth.

Perseverance rover got one of its drills stuck in a rock on Mars, and NASA only got to know about it months later. There were chances that the rover would lose the drill, but the space agency said that it had successfully retrieved it.&nbsp;

NASA just saved a precious drill stuck on Mars since 8 months from 212 million kilometres away

The official number of exoplanets or planets outside our solar system, tracked by NASA has reached 6,000. 

The official number of exoplanets or planets outside our solar system, tracked by NASA has reached 6,000.&nbsp;

Star Wars-style sunsets, diamond rain and doomed planets: 6 of the most extraordinary exoplanets of 2025

NASA has transformed the cycle of the stars into music for the first time, with an imaginative fusion of science and art. The initiative turns astronomical observations into music, allowing people to ‘hear’ the cosmos in a way that complements traditional images. Using a process known as data sonification, scientists take measurements from space telescopes and map them to audible tones, pitch and rhythm. This method translates data normally seen in images into sound, providing both an alternative way to experience space and a potential new tool for scientific insight.&nbsp;The project began by translating raw telescope data into sonic signatures. Stars emit light, energy, and electromagnetic waves continuously. For example, a brighter source might be represented by a louder or higher pitched note. Although sound does not travel through the vacuum of space, this process uses precise mathematical mapping to produce audio that reflects real observational data.&nbsp;&nbsp;"This composition was made by the stars - literally! 🎼Two new orchestral works have been made by using real data from the @chandraxray and @NASAWebb telescopes - transforming the life cycle of stars into music.", NASA Marshall said in a post on X.&nbsp;<h2>From telescopes to symphonies</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>Composer Sophie Kastner worked closely with NASA to compose three movements of music. The current effort brings together data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, James Webb Space Telescope to produce musical compositions that trace the life cycle of stars. These compositions focus on iconic cosmic regions such as the Galactic Centre, the Crab Nebula and the Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This composition was made by the stars - literally! 🎼 Two new orchestral works have been made by using real data from the <a href="https://twitter.com/chandraxray?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chandraxray</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAWebb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAWebb</a> telescopes - transforming the life cycle of stars into music. Play these pieces yourself by visiting <a href="https://t.co/WuEcBcZ2HZ">https://t.co/WuEcBcZ2HZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/22xk3ALaGC">pic.twitter.com/22xk3ALaGC</a>&mdash; NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_Marshall/status/2005002254726631583?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“I approached the form from a different perspective than the original sonifications. Instead of scanning horizontally, I focused on small sections of the image and created short vignettes to accompany those events, as if crafting a film score. The Galactic Centre image was rich with information, prompting me to direct the listener's attention to smaller moments within the extensive dataset”, Kastner said, describing her approach.&nbsp;<h2>Broadening access and scientific engagement</h2>&nbsp;According to NASA's official website, one key aim of the sonification work is to make astrophysical data accessible to a wider audience, including those who are blind or visually impaired. By offering an auditory experience, these sonifications open a new sensory gateway to the universe that can engage both the public and researchers in novel ways.&nbsp;

Although sound does not travel through the vacuum of space, this process uses precise mathematical mapping to produce audio that reflects real observational data. 

NASA has transformed the cycle of the stars into music for the first time, with an imaginative fusion of science and art. The initiative turns astronomical observations into music, allowing people to ‘hear’ the cosmos in a way that complements traditional images. Using a process known as data sonification, scientists take measurements from space telescopes and map them to audible tones, pitch and rhythm. This method translates data normally seen in images into sound, providing both an alternative way to experience space and a potential new tool for scientific insight. The project began by translating raw telescope data into sonic signatures. Stars emit light, energy, and electromagnetic waves continuously. For example, a brighter source might be represented by a louder or higher pitched note. Although sound does not travel through the vacuum of space, this process uses precise mathematical mapping to produce audio that reflects real observational data. "This composition was made by the stars - literally! 🎼Two new orchestral works have been made by using real data from the @chandraxray and @NASAWebb telescopes - transforming the life cycle of stars into music.", NASA Marshall said in a post on X. From telescopes to symphonies Composer Sophie Kastner worked closely with NASA to compose three movements of music. The current effort brings together data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, James Webb Space Telescope to produce musical compositions that trace the life cycle of stars. These compositions focus on iconic cosmic regions such as the Galactic Centre, the Crab Nebula and the Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula.

Although sound does not travel through the vacuum of space, this process uses precise mathematical mapping to produce audio that reflects real observational data.&nbsp;

Cosmic music: NASA converts the life cycle of stars into sound using real space data

The massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula in 2025 triggered giant tsunami waves, which have been captured from space. The tremors shook the Pacific, and the ocean was in the grips of tsunami waves, even though no huge waves were reported on the coasts. NASA's new Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite got to see the monster wave. It was launched in 2022, and this was the largest earthquake the satellite has captured. Using the data from SWOT and deep-ocean tsunami buoys, researchers mapped the earthquake's rupture zone. It stretched to around 402 kilometres, and the intensity caused parts of the seafloor to lift up by 13 feet. The findings were published in <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/ssa/tsr/article/5/4/341/718867/SWOT-Satellite-Altimetry-Observations-and-Source">Seismic Record</a>&nbsp;in November 2025.&nbsp;Scientists combined data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) tsunami warning system and NASA's SWOT satellite to understand how the 2025 Kamchatka tsunami was formed. NOAA's DART (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis) has sensors on he seafloor that can detect changes in water pressure. The data is sent to buoys on the surface and satellites in almost real time. The researchers aimed to understand how the seafloor shifted during the Kamchatka earthquake.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/russia-earthquake-8-8-and-japan-tsunami-ryo-tatsuki-july-prediction-1753842991629">'Ryo Tatsuki was right': 8.7 earthquake in Russia sets social media abuzz with Japan's Baba Vanga's prophecy</a><h2>NASA satellite captured a 120-kilometre-wide wave</h2>SWOT was passing over the region when the earthquake struck and captured a 120-kilometre-wide wave in the ocean, recording the tsunami's shape and motion from space. When the data was further processed, they gained a clear view of the tsunami waves and how they spread rapidly. This analysis also helped them figure out something else about a magnitude 9 earthquake that struck the same region in 1952. When the data was compared, they found that the 73-year-old earthquake did not release all the built-up stress in the fault, and this is what triggered the earthquake in 2025. The 1952 tremors were more lethal than the latest quake. This finding also questioned the basic model according to which massive earthquakes in the same region occur over hundreds of years.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Russia's Kamchatka earthquake triggered a monster tsunami wave in the Pacific, which was captured from space. A NASA satellite saw the wave in real time and captured it over an area of 120 kilometres. It also revealed something about a 1952 earthquake.

The massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula in 2025 triggered giant tsunami waves, which have been captured from space. The tremors shook the Pacific, and the ocean was in the grips of tsunami waves, even though no huge waves were reported on the coasts. NASA's new Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite got to see the monster wave. It was launched in 2022, and this was the largest earthquake the satellite has captured. Using the data from SWOT and deep-ocean tsunami buoys, researchers mapped the earthquake's rupture zone. It stretched to around 402 kilometres, and the intensity caused parts of the seafloor to lift up by 13 feet. The findings were published in Seismic Record in November 2025. Scientists combined data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) tsunami warning system and NASA's SWOT satellite to understand how the 2025 Kamchatka tsunami was formed. NOAA's DART (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis) has sensors on he seafloor that can detect changes in water pressure. The data is sent to buoys on the surface and satellites in almost real time. The researchers aimed to understand how the seafloor shifted during the Kamchatka earthquake. Also Read: 'Ryo Tatsuki was right': 8.7 earthquake in Russia sets social media abuzz with Japan's Baba Vanga's prophecy NASA satellite captured a 120-kilometre-wide wave SWOT was passing over the region when the earthquake struck and captured a 120-kilometre-wide wave in the ocean, recording the tsunami's shape and motion from space. When the data was further processed, they gained a clear view of the tsunami waves and how they spread rapidly. This analysis also helped them figure out something else about a magnitude 9 earthquake that struck the same region in 1952. When the data was compared, they found that the 73-year-old earthquake did not release all the built-up stress in the fault, and this is what triggered the earthquake in 2025. The 1952 tremors were more lethal than the latest quake. This finding also questioned the basic model according to which massive earthquakes in the same region occur over hundreds of years.

Russia's Kamchatka earthquake triggered a monster tsunami wave in the Pacific, which was captured from space. A NASA satellite saw the wave in real time and captured it over an area of 120 kilometres. It also revealed something about a 1952 earthquake.

NASA captures 120km-wide tsunami wave triggered by Kamchatka earthquake from space

NASA's Hubble Telescope has discovered the largest known planet-forming disk located 1,000 light-years from Earth. It spans over 600 billion kilometres, around 40 times the diameter of our solar system. Scientists said it is way more "active and chaotic" than they expected. IRAS 23077+6707, nicknamed “Dracula’s Chivito,” has a young star at its centre, which scientists believe may be either a hot, massive star or could even be a pair of stars. This protoplanetary disk is "unexpectedly chaotic and turbulent, with wisps of material stretching much farther above and below the disk than astronomers have seen in any similar system", NASA wrote in its blog. This messy environment and the extraordinary size of the disk nearly obscured the star.&nbsp;Lead author of the study, &nbsp;Kristina Monsch of the Center for Astrophysics, said, "We’re seeing this disk nearly edge-on, and its wispy upper layers and asymmetric features are especially striking. Both Hubble and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have glimpsed similar structures in other disks, but IRAS 23077+6707 provides us with an exceptional perspective." This discovery is unique, and a “new laboratory for studying planet formation and the environments where it happens.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/british-space-scientist-is-sure-alien-life-will-be-discovered-by-this-year-why-would-it-just-1766486452730">British space scientist is sure alien life will be discovered by THIS year: 'Why would it just...'</a><h2>Planetary disk is lopsided and building new planets</h2>This disk is also asymmetrical, with different features on either side. It has vertically imposing filament-like features on just one side, while the other side appears to have a sharp edge and no visible filaments. This suggests that it is interacting in a different way with its surroundings. “We were stunned to see how asymmetric this disk is,” co-investigator Joshua Bennett Lovell said. “Hubble has given us a front row seat to the chaotic processes that are shaping disks as they build new planets — processes that we don’t yet fully understand but can now study in a whole new way.”Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-update-parker-solar-probe-saw-interstellar-comet-when-it-was-invisible-from-earth-1766463450282"> 3I/ATLAS update: Parker Solar Probe saw interstellar comet when it was invisible from Earth</a>&nbsp;NASA said that Dracula’s Chivito could represent a scaled-up version of our early solar system since its disk mass is estimated at 10 to 30 times that of Jupiter. Our solar system was also once a chaotic region, with cosmic material swirling around, and several bodies crashing into each other. But over time, things settled down, and we got our current home. This is how IRAS 23077+6707 is also expected to develop over millions or billions of years. “In theory, IRAS 23077+6707 could host a vast planetary system. While planet formation may differ in such massive environments, the underlying processes are likely similar," Monsch said.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A disk 40 times the diameter of our solar system has been discovered by the Hubble Telescope, which is likely an image of what our solar system once looked like. Named Dracula’s Chivito, it is located 1,000 light-years from Earth and is extremely chaotic.

NASA's Hubble Telescope has discovered the largest known planet-forming disk located 1,000 light-years from Earth. It spans over 600 billion kilometres, around 40 times the diameter of our solar system. Scientists said it is way more "active and chaotic" than they expected. IRAS 23077+6707, nicknamed “Dracula’s Chivito,” has a young star at its centre, which scientists believe may be either a hot, massive star or could even be a pair of stars. This protoplanetary disk is "unexpectedly chaotic and turbulent, with wisps of material stretching much farther above and below the disk than astronomers have seen in any similar system", NASA wrote in its blog. This messy environment and the extraordinary size of the disk nearly obscured the star. Lead author of the study, Kristina Monsch of the Center for Astrophysics, said, "We’re seeing this disk nearly edge-on, and its wispy upper layers and asymmetric features are especially striking. Both Hubble and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have glimpsed similar structures in other disks, but IRAS 23077+6707 provides us with an exceptional perspective." This discovery is unique, and a “new laboratory for studying planet formation and the environments where it happens.” Also Read: British space scientist is sure alien life will be discovered by THIS year: 'Why would it just...' Planetary disk is lopsided and building new planets This disk is also asymmetrical, with different features on either side. It has vertically imposing filament-like features on just one side, while the other side appears to have a sharp edge and no visible filaments. This suggests that it is interacting in a different way with its surroundings. “We were stunned to see how asymmetric this disk is,” co-investigator Joshua Bennett Lovell said. “Hubble has given us a front row seat to the chaotic processes that are shaping disks as they build new planets — processes that we don’t yet fully understand but can now study in a whole new way.” Also Read: 3I/ATLAS update: Parker Solar Probe saw interstellar comet when it was invisible from Earth NASA said that Dracula’s Chivito could represent a scaled-up version of our early solar system since its disk mass is estimated at 10 to 30 times that of Jupiter. Our solar system was also once a chaotic region, with cosmic material swirling around, and several bodies crashing into each other. But over time, things settled down, and we got our current home. This is how IRAS 23077+6707 is also expected to develop over millions or billions of years. “In theory, IRAS 23077+6707 could host a vast planetary system. While planet formation may differ in such massive environments, the underlying processes are likely similar," Monsch said.

A disk 40 times the diameter of our solar system has been discovered by the Hubble Telescope, which is likely an image of what our solar system once looked like. Named Dracula’s Chivito, it is located 1,000 light-years from Earth and is extremely chaotic.

Hubble spots 600bn km wide scaled-up version of our early solar system: Dracula’s Chivito shocks scientists

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