<p>Russian space agency Roscosmos has said that the International Space Station (ISS) had to swerve to dodge a fragment of a US rocket.</p>

<p>According to state news agency TASS, Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said ''The ISS avoided a conjunction with the US space debris, the Pegasus carrier rocket remnants.''</p>

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<p>Thrusters of Progress MS-18 space freighter helped in the readjustment of the station's orbit.</p>

<p>It was dropped by 310 metres (339 yards) for nearly three minutes to avoid a close encounter.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/european-space-agency-detects-closest-pair-of-supermassive-black-holes-433356" hreflang="en">European Space Agency detects closest pair of supermassive black holes</a></strong></p>

<p>Due to the debris risk, NASA astronauts Thomas Marshburn and Kayla Barron had to cancel their spacewalk at the ISS.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">NASA received a debris notification for the space station. Due to the lack of opportunity to properly assess the risk it could pose to the astronauts, teams have decided to delay the Nov. 30 spacewalk until more information is available. <a href="https://t.co/HJCXFWBd3Y">https://t.co/HJCXFWBd3Y</a> <a href="https://t.co/swj5hqusSo">pic.twitter.com/swj5hqusSo</a></p>
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<p>Earlier, Russia destroyed one of its own satellites during a missile test, generating a cloud of debris that NASA said had "increased the risk to the station."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/incredible-milestone-astronomers-identify-over-360-previous-unknown-exoplanets-432362" hreflang="en">'Incredible milestone': Astronomers identify over 360 previous unknown exoplanets</a></strong></p>

<p>The debris cloud forced the seven crew on the ISS to temporarily take shelter in their return ships.</p>

<p>Ever since the incident took place, calls to monitor and regulate space debris, or space junk, have grown.</p>

<p>Space debris consists of discarded launch vehicles or parts of a spacecraft that float around in space and risk colliding with satellites or the ISS.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Russian space agency Roscosmos has said that the International Space Station (ISS) had to swerve to dodge a fragment of a US rocket. According to state news agency TASS, Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said ''The ISS avoided a conjunction with the US space debris, the Pegasus carrier rocket remnants.

Russian space agency Roscosmos has said that the International Space Station (ISS) had to swerve to dodge a fragment of a US rocket. According to state news agency TASS, Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said ''The ISS avoided a conjunction with the US space debris, the Pegasus carrier rocket remnants.'' Thrusters of Progress MS-18 space freighter helped in the readjustment of the station's orbit. It was dropped by 310 metres (339 yards) for nearly three minutes to avoid a close encounter. Also read | European Space Agency detects closest pair of supermassive black holes Due to the debris risk, NASA astronauts Thomas Marshburn and Kayla Barron had to cancel their spacewalk at the ISS. NASA received a debris notification for the space station. Due to the lack of opportunity to properly assess the risk it could pose to the astronauts, teams have decided to delay the Nov. 30 spacewalk until more information is available. https://t.co/HJCXFWBd3Y pic.twitter.com/swj5hqusSo — International Space Station (@Space_Station) November 30, 2021 × Earlier, Russia destroyed one of its own satellites during a missile test, generating a cloud of debris that NASA said had "increased the risk to the station." Also read | 'Incredible milestone': Astronomers identify over 360 previous unknown exoplanets The debris cloud forced the seven crew on the ISS to temporarily take shelter in their return ships. Ever since the incident took place, calls to monitor and regulate space debris, or space junk, have grown. Space debris consists of discarded launch vehicles or parts of a spacecraft that float around in space and risk colliding with satellites or the ISS. (With inputs from agencies)

Roscosmos says International Space Station swerves to dodge fragment of US rocket

<p>NASA awarded hundreds of millions of dollars to three companies to develop commercial space stations that will eventually replace the International Space Station, which is set to retire around the end of this decade.</p>

<p>For the development of their orbital outposts, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, the aerospace company Nanoracks and Northrop Grumman won contracts worth $130 million, $160 million and $125.6 million, respectively.</p>

<p>An earlier $140 million contract was awarded to a fourth company, Axiom Space.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/all-aboard-these-companies-are-building-spacecraft-to-send-people-to-space-377036">All aboard! These companies are building spacecraft to send people to space</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In order to cut costs and focus on its ambitious goals, the US space agency has increasingly turned to private industry to develop hardware it once made itself. NASA's goals include building habitats on the Moon and preparing for a crewed mission to Mars.</p>

<p>"We are partnering with US companies to develop the space destinations where people can visit, live, and work, enabling NASA to continue forging a path in space for the benefit of humanity while fostering commercial activity in space," said NASA chief Bill Nelson in a statement.</p>

<p>"These awards will help ensure the United States has a continuous human presence" in low Earth orbit, said Phil McAlister, NASA's director of commercial spaceflight. "A gap would be bad."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/want-to-become-a-space-tourist-here-is-all-you-need-to-do-399437">Want to become a space tourist? Here is all you need to do</a></strong></p>

<p>The companies have not given an estimate of how much the space stations will cost to develop, but they have unveiled their plans.</p>

<p>However, McCalister said NASA would not contribute more than 40 per cent of the funding to the projects.</p>

<p>"The sum invested today by NASA to launch this program is small compared to the money that will be required," said Brent Sherwood, Blue Origin's senior vice president of advanced development programs.</p>

<p>As part of a collaboration with Sierra Space, Blue Origin is creating Orbital Reef, which will eventually house 10 people. Microgravity research and manufacturing will be carried out in the "mixed-use business park in space".</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/jeff-bezos-firm-blue-origin-unveils-plan-to-build-commercial-space-station-424048"><strong>Jeff Bezos firm Blue Origin unveils plan to build commercial space station</strong></a></p>

<p>Developed with Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin, Nanoracks' space station will be called "Starlab."</p>

<p>Nanoracks aims to be operational in 2027 and will include a biology lab, plant habitation lab, a physical science and materials research lab, and an open workbench area.</p>

<p>Northrop Grumman, which developed a cargo delivery system called Cygnus, currently supports the International Space Station by making deliveries. It plans to build its own station module by module. This will ensure that science, tourism, and industrial experimentation will all be included.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Blue Origin unveils plans for Orbital Reef, a 'business park' in outer space</strong></p>

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<p>Twenty-one years have passed since the first long-term residents were welcomed to the space station. It has become a symbol of international cooperation, particularly between the US and Russia.</p>

<p>As of now, the International Space Station is rated safe until 2028, and new administrator Nelson has stated that he hopes it will last until 2030, by which time NASA wants the commercial sector to take the lead and replace it.</p>


NASA awarded hundreds of millions of dollars to three companies to develop commercial space stations that will eventually replace the International Space Station, which is set to retire around the end of this decade.

NASA awarded hundreds of millions of dollars to three companies to develop commercial space stations that will eventually replace the International Space Station, which is set to retire around the end of this decade. For the development of their orbital outposts, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, the aerospace company Nanoracks and Northrop Grumman won contracts worth $130 million, $160 million and $125.6 million, respectively. An earlier $140 million contract was awarded to a fourth company, Axiom Space. Also read | All aboard! These companies are building spacecraft to send people to space In order to cut costs and focus on its ambitious goals, the US space agency has increasingly turned to private industry to develop hardware it once made itself. NASA's goals include building habitats on the Moon and preparing for a crewed mission to Mars. "We are partnering with US companies to develop the space destinations where people can visit, live, and work, enabling NASA to continue forging a path in space for the benefit of humanity while fostering commercial activity in space," said NASA chief Bill Nelson in a statement. "These awards will help ensure the United States has a continuous human presence" in low Earth orbit, said Phil McAlister, NASA's director of commercial spaceflight. "A gap would be bad." Also read | Want to become a space tourist? Here is all you need to do The companies have not given an estimate of how much the space stations will cost to develop, but they have unveiled their plans. However, McCalister said NASA would not contribute more than 40 per cent of the funding to the projects. "The sum invested today by NASA to launch this program is small compared to the money that will be required," said Brent Sherwood, Blue Origin's senior vice president of advanced development programs. As part of a collaboration with Sierra Space, Blue Origin is creating Orbital Reef, which will eventually house 10 people. Microgravity research and manufacturing will be carried out in the "mixed-use business park in space". Also read | Jeff Bezos firm Blue Origin unveils plan to build commercial space station Developed with Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin, Nanoracks' space station will be called "Starlab." Nanoracks aims to be operational in 2027 and will include a biology lab, plant habitation lab, a physical science and materials research lab, and an open workbench area. Northrop Grumman, which developed a cargo delivery system called Cygnus, currently supports the International Space Station by making deliveries. It plans to build its own station module by module. This will ensure that science, tourism, and industrial experimentation will all be included. Watch | Blue Origin unveils plans for Orbital Reef, a 'business park' in outer space Twenty-one years have passed since the first long-term residents were welcomed to the space station. It has become a symbol of international cooperation, particularly between the US and Russia. As of now, the International Space Station is rated safe until 2028, and new administrator Nelson has stated that he hopes it will last until 2030, by which time NASA wants the commercial sector to take the lead and replace it.

Want to space travel? NASA awards $415.6 million for new space hubs where people can visit, live, work

<p>US-Russia spat seems to have reached space now. In a new development, Russian space agency Roscosmos has threatened to sue a NASA astronaut. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The agency claims the astronaut drilled a two-mm hole in a Soyuz MS-09 vehicle, which was docked with the International Space Station (ISS) in 2018. &nbsp;</p>

<p>After completing its investigation recently, the agency deemed the action as a sabotage. It cited Serena Auñón-Chancellor, an ISS crew member during the incident, as the culprit. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-nasa-mission-to-test-out-armageddon-scenario-blasts-off-431550" hreflang="en">Watch | NASA mission to test out Armageddon scenario blasts off</a></strong></p>

<p>As the allegations were handed over to law enforcement of the Russia, Roscosmos announced the possibility of criminal charges. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the hope of returning home early, Auñón-Chancellor purposefully made the hole, reported the Izvestia newspaper while citing sources on Friday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Auñón-Chancellor seems to have wanted to leave due to a blood clot or a fight with her boyfriend onboard the ISS, Russian news outlet said citing sources. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-postpones-iss-spacewalk-because-of-space-debris-433087" hreflang="en">NASA postpones ISS spacewalk because of space debris</a></strong></p>

<p>When Auñón-Chancellor was in space, she got married to Jeff Chancellor. The couple is still married to this day. It is unclear who is the 'boyfriend' as stated by sources. &nbsp;</p>

<p>After a pressure drop was identified due to an air leak, the hole was spotted on August 30, 2018. &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


US-Russia spat seems to have reached space now. In a new development, Russian space agency Roscosmos has threatened to sue a NASA astronaut. The agency claims the astronaut drilled a two-mm hole in a Soyuz MS-09 vehicle, which was docked with the International Space Station (ISS) in 2018.

US-Russia spat seems to have reached space now. In a new development, Russian space agency Roscosmos has threatened to sue a NASA astronaut. The agency claims the astronaut drilled a two-mm hole in a Soyuz MS-09 vehicle, which was docked with the International Space Station (ISS) in 2018. After completing its investigation recently, the agency deemed the action as a sabotage. It cited Serena Auñón-Chancellor, an ISS crew member during the incident, as the culprit. Also Read: Watch | NASA mission to test out Armageddon scenario blasts off As the allegations were handed over to law enforcement of the Russia, Roscosmos announced the possibility of criminal charges. With the hope of returning home early, Auñón-Chancellor purposefully made the hole, reported the Izvestia newspaper while citing sources on Friday. Auñón-Chancellor seems to have wanted to leave due to a blood clot or a fight with her boyfriend onboard the ISS, Russian news outlet said citing sources. Also Read: NASA postpones ISS spacewalk because of space debris When Auñón-Chancellor was in space, she got married to Jeff Chancellor. The couple is still married to this day. It is unclear who is the 'boyfriend' as stated by sources. After a pressure drop was identified due to an air leak, the hole was spotted on August 30, 2018. (With inputs from agencies)

Love gone sour? Russia sues Austronaut who drilled spacecraft to reportedly be separate from partner

<p>According to a statement released on November 19 by the US Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the lab is collaborating with NASA to establish a "durable, high-power, sun-independent" fission reactor on the moon within the next 10 years.</p>

<p>The two organisations are presently soliciting ideas from outside partners to help them get this ambitious initiative off the ground, with a deadline of February 19, 2022.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-aims-to-replace-iss-with-one-or-more-commercial-space-station-by-2030-433367"><strong>Also read | NASA aims to replace ISS with one or more commercial space station by 2030</strong></a></p>

<p>According to agency experts, this hypothetical reactor would contribute to transforming the moon into an interplanetary base for human space exploration, including future manned journeys to Mars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A call for reactor concepts is open until mid-February on behalf of NASA and a DOE contractor.</p>

<p>The request comes in the wake of a re-energized lunar programme.</p>

<p>As part of the Artemis missions, humans will return to the lunar surface for the first time in over 50 years.</p>

<p>As human ambitions expand beyond the earth, so do ideas for human infrastructure beyond our pale blue dot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA is interested in a nuclear fission reactor as a power source.</p>

<p>Nuclear fission releases energy as a consequence of dividing a heavy atomic nucleus into lighter nuclei.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


According to a statement released on November 19 by the US Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the lab is collaborating with NASA to establish a "durable, high-power, sun-independent" fission reactor on the moon within the next 10 years.

According to a statement released on November 19 by the US Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the lab is collaborating with NASA to establish a "durable, high-power, sun-independent" fission reactor on the moon within the next 10 years. The two organisations are presently soliciting ideas from outside partners to help them get this ambitious initiative off the ground, with a deadline of February 19, 2022. Also read | NASA aims to replace ISS with one or more commercial space station by 2030 According to agency experts, this hypothetical reactor would contribute to transforming the moon into an interplanetary base for human space exploration, including future manned journeys to Mars. A call for reactor concepts is open until mid-February on behalf of NASA and a DOE contractor. The request comes in the wake of a re-energized lunar programme. As part of the Artemis missions, humans will return to the lunar surface for the first time in over 50 years. As human ambitions expand beyond the earth, so do ideas for human infrastructure beyond our pale blue dot. NASA is interested in a nuclear fission reactor as a power source. Nuclear fission releases energy as a consequence of dividing a heavy atomic nucleus into lighter nuclei. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA wants you to help in establishing a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030

<p>The US space agency is planning to replace the International Space Station (ISS) with one or more commercial space stations by 2030.</p>

<p>NASA's auditing body, the Office of Audits, has produced a report detailing the agency's commitment to replace the orbiting lab with commercial space stations.</p>

<p>Astronauts have lived and worked onboard the ISS orbiting roughly 250 miles above the Earth's surface for more than 20 years.</p>

<p>"The ISS costs about $3 billion a year, roughly a third of NASA's annual human space flight budget, and while current plans call for the Station's retirement in 2024, an extension to 2030 is likely," the US space agency said in the audit report.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-bigger-than-eiffel-tower-to-enter-earths-orbit-soon-433338">Asteroid bigger than Eiffel Tower to enter Earth's orbit soon</a></strong></p>

<p>Anticipating its retirement, NASA has committed to replacing the ISS with one or more commercially owned and operated space destinations.</p>

<p>"In the fiscal year (FY) that ended September 30, 2021, Congress authorised $17 million to that end -- a fraction of the $150 million the Agency said it needed. NASA's plans for long-term, deep space human exploration missions depend on continuous access to a research laboratory in low-Earth orbit," it added.</p>

<p>The Artemis mission, aimed at returning humans to the Moon and ultimately landing astronauts on Mars, is not feasible without continued human health research and technology demonstrations being conducted on the ISS and its eventual replacement.</p>

<p>"As long as humans intend to travel in space, NASA expects research and testing will be needed in the microgravity environment of low-Earth orbit," the audio report mentioned.</p>

<p>While overall ISS operations and maintenance costs remained steady at about $1.1 billion a year from FY2016 through FY2020, systems maintenance and upgrade costs trended upward 35 per cent in the same 5-year period, rising to approximately $169 million in FY2020 due primarily to upgrades.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, NASA and Roscosmos are investigating the cause and long-term impacts of cracks and leaks that were recently discovered in the Station's Service Module Transfer Tunnel, which connects the Service Module to one of eight docking ports on the Station.</p>

<p>"Causes being explored include structural fatigue, internal damage, external damage, and material defects. Notably, based on the models NASA used to assess the structure, the cracks should not have occurred, suggesting the possibility of an earlier-than-projected obsolescence for at least one element of the Station," the US space agency noted.</p>


The US space agency is planning to replace the International Space Station (ISS) with one or more commercial space stations by 2030. NASA's auditing body, the Office of Audits, has produced a report detailing the agency's commitment to replace the orbiting lab with commercial space stations.

The US space agency is planning to replace the International Space Station (ISS) with one or more commercial space stations by 2030. NASA's auditing body, the Office of Audits, has produced a report detailing the agency's commitment to replace the orbiting lab with commercial space stations. Astronauts have lived and worked onboard the ISS orbiting roughly 250 miles above the Earth's surface for more than 20 years. "The ISS costs about $3 billion a year, roughly a third of NASA's annual human space flight budget, and while current plans call for the Station's retirement in 2024, an extension to 2030 is likely," the US space agency said in the audit report. Also Read | Asteroid bigger than Eiffel Tower to enter Earth's orbit soon Anticipating its retirement, NASA has committed to replacing the ISS with one or more commercially owned and operated space destinations. "In the fiscal year (FY) that ended September 30, 2021, Congress authorised $17 million to that end -- a fraction of the $150 million the Agency said it needed. NASA's plans for long-term, deep space human exploration missions depend on continuous access to a research laboratory in low-Earth orbit," it added. The Artemis mission, aimed at returning humans to the Moon and ultimately landing astronauts on Mars, is not feasible without continued human health research and technology demonstrations being conducted on the ISS and its eventual replacement. "As long as humans intend to travel in space, NASA expects research and testing will be needed in the microgravity environment of low-Earth orbit," the audio report mentioned. While overall ISS operations and maintenance costs remained steady at about $1.1 billion a year from FY2016 through FY2020, systems maintenance and upgrade costs trended upward 35 per cent in the same 5-year period, rising to approximately $169 million in FY2020 due primarily to upgrades. Meanwhile, NASA and Roscosmos are investigating the cause and long-term impacts of cracks and leaks that were recently discovered in the Station's Service Module Transfer Tunnel, which connects the Service Module to one of eight docking ports on the Station. "Causes being explored include structural fatigue, internal damage, external damage, and material defects. Notably, based on the models NASA used to assess the structure, the cracks should not have occurred, suggesting the possibility of an earlier-than-projected obsolescence for at least one element of the Station," the US space agency noted.

NASA aims to replace ISS with one or more commercial space station by 2030

<p>NASA has done it again! The space agency on the forefront of space research has wowed everyone with another of its mesmerising post that unravels wonders of space.</p>

<p>Space is beautiful as much as it is mysterious. We may not have been able to fathom all corners of the space (if there are such corners at all) But what we have been able to spot never ceases to amaze us. The pristine beauty and the magnificence of whatever we are able to see get us transfixed each time.</p>

<p>NASA has posted a video of a 'cosmic reef'. This cosmic reef resembles the reefs we have underwater here on Earth. And at the very beginning of its post, NASA asks us to guess whether the video is 'interstellar or underwater'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Underwater or interstellar? Nicknamed the “Cosmic Reef” for its undersea world resemblance, this massive star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud is located 163,000 light-years away. This region features a giant red nebula, NGC 2014, and a smaller blue nebula, NGC 2020, housed in a bustling stellar birthplace..." says NASA in its post on Instragram.</p>

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<p>Like always, the post has wowed the online public. At the time of publishing this story, the video had been liked by more than 80 thousand people.</p>


NASA has done it again! The space agency on the forefront of space research has wowed everyone with another of its mesmerising post that unravels wonders of space.

NASA has done it again! The space agency on the forefront of space research has wowed everyone with another of its mesmerising post that unravels wonders of space. Space is beautiful as much as it is mysterious. We may not have been able to fathom all corners of the space (if there are such corners at all) But what we have been able to spot never ceases to amaze us. The pristine beauty and the magnificence of whatever we are able to see get us transfixed each time. NASA has posted a video of a 'cosmic reef'. This cosmic reef resembles the reefs we have underwater here on Earth. And at the very beginning of its post, NASA asks us to guess whether the video is 'interstellar or underwater'. "Underwater or interstellar? Nicknamed the “Cosmic Reef” for its undersea world resemblance, this massive star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud is located 163,000 light-years away. This region features a giant red nebula, NGC 2014, and a smaller blue nebula, NGC 2020, housed in a bustling stellar birthplace..." says NASA in its post on Instragram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hubble Space Telescope (@nasahubble) × Like always, the post has wowed the online public. At the time of publishing this story, the video had been liked by more than 80 thousand people.

Interstellar or underwater? NASA shares brilliant video of a cosmic reef

<p>National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday postponed a spacewalk outside International Space Station (ISS) due to space debris. Two of its astronauts, Thomas Marshburn and Kayla Barron were to undertake the spacewalk. It was to go on for more than six hours to replace a faulty communication antenna.</p>

<p>"NASA received a debris notification for the space station," the space agency tweeted.</p>

<p>"Due to the lack of opportunity to properly assess the risk it could pose to the astronauts, teams have decided to delay the Nov. 30 spacewalk until more information is available."</p>

<p>Russia destroyed one of its own satellites during a missile test early in November. This generated a cloud of debris that NASA said "increased the risk to the station."</p>

<p>The debris cloud forced the seven crew on the ISS to temporarily take shelter in their return ships. NASA said the biggest risk had been in the first 24 hours after the test.</p>

<p>It was not clear if NASA's postponement of Tuesday's spacewalk was due to debris from the Russian space missile test.</p>

<p>The Russians have rejected US accusations that their test had endangered the space station.</p>

<p>US officials said they were not informed in advance of the anti-satellite missile test -- only the fourth ever to hit a spacecraft from the ground -- which generated more than 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The spacewalk had been due to be Barron's debut walk, and the fifth for Marshburn.</p>

<p>The pair arrived at the ISS on November 11 aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance with NASA's Crew-3 mission for a six-month stay.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday postponed a spacewalk outside International Space Station (ISS) due to space debris. Two of its astronauts, Thomas Marshburn and Kayla Barron were to undertake the spacewalk.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday postponed a spacewalk outside International Space Station (ISS) due to space debris. Two of its astronauts, Thomas Marshburn and Kayla Barron were to undertake the spacewalk. It was to go on for more than six hours to replace a faulty communication antenna. "NASA received a debris notification for the space station," the space agency tweeted. "Due to the lack of opportunity to properly assess the risk it could pose to the astronauts, teams have decided to delay the Nov. 30 spacewalk until more information is available." Russia destroyed one of its own satellites during a missile test early in November. This generated a cloud of debris that NASA said "increased the risk to the station." The debris cloud forced the seven crew on the ISS to temporarily take shelter in their return ships. NASA said the biggest risk had been in the first 24 hours after the test. It was not clear if NASA's postponement of Tuesday's spacewalk was due to debris from the Russian space missile test. The Russians have rejected US accusations that their test had endangered the space station. US officials said they were not informed in advance of the anti-satellite missile test -- only the fourth ever to hit a spacecraft from the ground -- which generated more than 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris. The spacewalk had been due to be Barron's debut walk, and the fifth for Marshburn. The pair arrived at the ISS on November 11 aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance with NASA's Crew-3 mission for a six-month stay. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA postpones ISS spacewalk because of space debris

<p>SpaceX founder Elon Musk has asked NASA to ''avenge the dinosaurs'' in its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission.</p>

<p>It comes after the US space agency did a test run should humanity ever need to stop a giant space rock from wiping out life on Earth.</p>

<p>The mission aims to deliberately smash a spacecraft into an asteroid in a demonstration of the world's first planetary defense system.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-nasa-mission-to-test-out-armageddon-scenario-blasts-off-431550" hreflang="en">Watch | NASA mission to test out Armageddon scenario blasts off</a></strong></p>

<p>Its target is an asteroid "moonlet" the size of a football stadium that orbits a chunk of rock five times larger in a binary asteroid system named Didymos, the Greek word for twin.</p>

<p>The impact should take place in the fall of 2022 when the binary asteroid system is 6.8 million miles (11 million kilometers) from Earth, almost the nearest point they ever get.</p>

<p>According to Matthew Stuttard, head of R&amp;D for Airbus Defence and Space Ltd in the Space Systems division, ''hitting an asteroid dead on with a direct hit is something that has never been done before, so it would be a first human achievement.''</p>

<p><strong>Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-is-winning-space-tourism-race-between-bezos-branson-and-musk-396420" hreflang="en">Who is winning space tourism race between Bezos, Branson and Musk?</a></strong></p>

<p>"You need a fantastic guidance and navigation system because you're travelling so fast and the asteroid is travelling so fast towards you... It's a very small target, even though it's the size of a pyramid, it's a very small target in the vastness of space to go and rendezvous with and to hit dead on."</p>

<p>The SpaceX rocket carrying DART mission's spacecraft had lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Tuesday.</p>

<p>DART is the latest of several NASA missions of recent years to explore and interact with asteroids, primordial rocky remnants from the solar system's formation 4.6 billion years ago.</p>

<p>There are 10,000 known near-Earth asteroids 460 feet in size or greater, but none has a significant chance to hit in the next 100 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


SpaceX founder Elon Musk has asked NASA to ''avenge the dinosaurs'' in its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission. It comes after the US space agency did a test run should humanity ever need to stop a giant space rock from wiping out life on Earth.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk has asked NASA to ''avenge the dinosaurs'' in its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission. It comes after the US space agency did a test run should humanity ever need to stop a giant space rock from wiping out life on Earth. The mission aims to deliberately smash a spacecraft into an asteroid in a demonstration of the world's first planetary defense system. Also read | Watch | NASA mission to test out Armageddon scenario blasts off Its target is an asteroid "moonlet" the size of a football stadium that orbits a chunk of rock five times larger in a binary asteroid system named Didymos, the Greek word for twin. The impact should take place in the fall of 2022 when the binary asteroid system is 6.8 million miles (11 million kilometers) from Earth, almost the nearest point they ever get. According to Matthew Stuttard, head of R&D for Airbus Defence and Space Ltd in the Space Systems division, ''hitting an asteroid dead on with a direct hit is something that has never been done before, so it would be a first human achievement.'' Also see | Who is winning space tourism race between Bezos, Branson and Musk? "You need a fantastic guidance and navigation system because you're travelling so fast and the asteroid is travelling so fast towards you... It's a very small target, even though it's the size of a pyramid, it's a very small target in the vastness of space to go and rendezvous with and to hit dead on." The SpaceX rocket carrying DART mission's spacecraft had lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Tuesday. DART is the latest of several NASA missions of recent years to explore and interact with asteroids, primordial rocky remnants from the solar system's formation 4.6 billion years ago. There are 10,000 known near-Earth asteroids 460 feet in size or greater, but none has a significant chance to hit in the next 100 years. (With inputs from agencies)

SpaceX founder Elon Musk asks NASA to 'avenge the dinosaurs' in its DART mission

<p>There are great benefits here on earth as a result of space exploration activities and continued human presence in Low Earth Orbit, according to Colonel Pam Melroy, NASA’s deputy administrator.</p>

<p>“Climate change is an existential crisis, the best place to monitor earth, is from space… There are a lot of problems to solve… We go to space to benefit life on earth and those who spend their effort on it, see a direct line of sight.”</p>

<p>The top American official was in discussion with heads of space agencies from the Quad countries (Japan, Australia, India, US), hosted as part of the Sydney Dialogue, by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Traditionally government agencies carried out space activities, but there has been increased activity in low earth orbit (LEO) in the last decade. In the midst of this, ordinary people and astronauts are going to space. Increasing access to space can create new services on earth and improve life here” agrees Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa, President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA).</p>

<p>On the need for greater collaboration between Quad countries, he added that the Future Lunar exploration has to be a joint effort, as there exists the possibility of having a manned space station in the vicinity of the moon, which can enable sustained exploration in the region and also on the Lunar surface. The Japanese Space agency head emphasised&nbsp;the need for multi-national missions to Mars that would be led by Quad countries, owing to the high costs of manned missions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite being a recent entrant, the Australian Space Agency hopes to build upon its long legacy of having performed and facilitated deep space communications, remote operations and space medicine, life sciences, to further their spacefaring ambitions.</p>

<p>It is noteworthy that, unlike the other three Quad countries, Australia doesn’t yet have a standalone, independent space-faring programme and that they work with other agencies and countries to jointly perform missions.</p>

<p>However, the Australian Space Agency wants to grow big and grow quick. “We are looking to nurture and foster industry, by investing on R&amp;D , by offering grants, special programmes, working with other space agencies and instilling confidence abut there being a market” says Enrico Palermo, Head, Australian Space Agency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asked about Australia having its own human spaceflight programme, Palermo expressed optimism and said that they would have a shot eventually, considering the increasing easy accessibility to space and rapid miniaturisation of technological and aerospace components.</p>

<p>Elaborating on Australia’s geographic advantages, open ranges, experience in space medicine and life sciences, deep space communication networks, he said that Australia would end up in a position to have an Astronaut programme.</p>

<p>He also made a mention of Australia’s communication and tracking support being offered to India’s Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight programme and NASA’s Artemis, Manned Lunar exploration programme.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“NASA is an engine to drive commercial development and space exploration is the fuel for this engine… Pushing ourselves to do something super challenging is the fuel,” said&nbsp;Melroy, a former NASA astronaut.</p>

<p>According to her, NASA would be a facilitator that would provide funding, strike partnerships, open doors and nurture private players to go forward in the exploration of deep space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Sustained presence in Low Earth Orbit had helped us understand and develop more efficient combustion engines, key processes in the human body, insights for medicine development etc.” she said, regarding some of the breakthroughs facilitated by astronauts’ presence in the International Space station labs.</p>

<p>On NASA’s future plans, Melroy said, "we intend to handoff LEO (500-200km orbit) to commercial partners, so that we can put more investment into expanding out into the solar system.</p>

<p>“If we continue to do everything on our own, it would be very tough to find the resources for it” she said on the importance of having private companies undertaking important spacefaring and support missions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is significant to note that the Indian government had announced reforms in the country’s space sector, in 2020, to enable private players to perform end-to-end spacefaring activities including designing, owning, building of rockets, satellites, launching of rockets and spacecrafts, providing support and ground services.</p>

<p>The Indian space sector has been dominated by the state-run ISRO since the very inception of India’s space programme, while private companies were only vendors and suppliers of components and services.</p>

<p>However, the latest reforms in India are aimed at opening up this lucrative industry, that is estimated to be worth $440 billion&nbsp;worldwide.&nbsp;</p>


There are great benefits here on earth as a result of space exploration activities and continued human presence in Low Earth Orbit, according to Colonel Pam Melroy, NASA’s deputy administrator.

There are great benefits here on earth as a result of space exploration activities and continued human presence in Low Earth Orbit, according to Colonel Pam Melroy, NASA’s deputy administrator. “Climate change is an existential crisis, the best place to monitor earth, is from space… There are a lot of problems to solve… We go to space to benefit life on earth and those who spend their effort on it, see a direct line of sight.” The top American official was in discussion with heads of space agencies from the Quad countries (Japan, Australia, India, US), hosted as part of the Sydney Dialogue, by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. “Traditionally government agencies carried out space activities, but there has been increased activity in low earth orbit (LEO) in the last decade. In the midst of this, ordinary people and astronauts are going to space. Increasing access to space can create new services on earth and improve life here” agrees Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa, President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA). On the need for greater collaboration between Quad countries, he added that the Future Lunar exploration has to be a joint effort, as there exists the possibility of having a manned space station in the vicinity of the moon, which can enable sustained exploration in the region and also on the Lunar surface. The Japanese Space agency head emphasised the need for multi-national missions to Mars that would be led by Quad countries, owing to the high costs of manned missions. Despite being a recent entrant, the Australian Space Agency hopes to build upon its long legacy of having performed and facilitated deep space communications, remote operations and space medicine, life sciences, to further their spacefaring ambitions. It is noteworthy that, unlike the other three Quad countries, Australia doesn’t yet have a standalone, independent space-faring programme and that they work with other agencies and countries to jointly perform missions. However, the Australian Space Agency wants to grow big and grow quick. “We are looking to nurture and foster industry, by investing on R&D , by offering grants, special programmes, working with other space agencies and instilling confidence abut there being a market” says Enrico Palermo, Head, Australian Space Agency. Asked about Australia having its own human spaceflight programme, Palermo expressed optimism and said that they would have a shot eventually, considering the increasing easy accessibility to space and rapid miniaturisation of technological and aerospace components. Elaborating on Australia’s geographic advantages, open ranges, experience in space medicine and life sciences, deep space communication networks, he said that Australia would end up in a position to have an Astronaut programme. He also made a mention of Australia’s communication and tracking support being offered to India’s Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight programme and NASA’s Artemis, Manned Lunar exploration programme. “NASA is an engine to drive commercial development and space exploration is the fuel for this engine… Pushing ourselves to do something super challenging is the fuel,” said Melroy, a former NASA astronaut. According to her, NASA would be a facilitator that would provide funding, strike partnerships, open doors and nurture private players to go forward in the exploration of deep space. “Sustained presence in Low Earth Orbit had helped us understand and develop more efficient combustion engines, key processes in the human body, insights for medicine development etc.” she said, regarding some of the breakthroughs facilitated by astronauts’ presence in the International Space station labs. On NASA’s future plans, Melroy said, "we intend to handoff LEO (500-200km orbit) to commercial partners, so that we can put more investment into expanding out into the solar system. “If we continue to do everything on our own, it would be very tough to find the resources for it” she said on the importance of having private companies undertaking important spacefaring and support missions. It is significant to note that the Indian government had announced reforms in the country’s space sector, in 2020, to enable private players to perform end-to-end spacefaring activities including designing, owning, building of rockets, satellites, launching of rockets and spacecrafts, providing support and ground services. The Indian space sector has been dominated by the state-run ISRO since the very inception of India’s space programme, while private companies were only vendors and suppliers of components and services. However, the latest reforms in India are aimed at opening up this lucrative industry, that is estimated to be worth $440 billion worldwide.

“We go to space to benefit life on earth”, says NASA deputy administrator at Quad space officials' meet

<p>The world is witnessing a space race of sorts again with entry of private companies in the domain previously exclusive to government space agencies. Questions are often raised about whether we need to spend billions on space when we have pressing issues here on Earth. But it has been seen the technological and scientific frontiers heralded by space exploration has often led to advancement of science and tech on Earth.</p>

<p>"There’s great benefits here on earth as a result of space exploration activities and continued human presence in Low Earth Orbit," says Colonel Pam Melroy, a former NASA Astronaut who is currently NASA’s deputy administrator.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Climate change is an existential crisis, the best place to monitor earth, is from space… There are a lot of problems to solve… We go to space to benefit life on Earth and those who spend their effort on it see a direct line of sight.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>The top American official was in discussion with heads of space agencies from the Quad countries (Japan, Australia, India, US), hosted as part of the Sydney Dialogue, by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Traditionally government agencies carried out space activities, but there has been increased activity in low earth orbit (LEO) in the last decade. In the midst of this, ordinary people and astronauts are going to space. Increasing access to space can create new services on Earth and improve life here,” agrees Dr Hiroshi Yamakawa, president, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA).&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the need for greater collaboration between Quad countries, he added that the future lunar exploration has to be a joint effort, as there exists the possibility of having a manned space station in the vicinity of the Moon, which can enable sustained exploration in the region and also on the lunar surface. The Japanese space agency head emphasised the need for multi-national missions to Mars that would be led by Quad countries, owing to the high costs of manned missions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite being a recent entrant, the Australian Space Agency hopes to build upon its long legacy of having performed and facilitated deep space communications, remote operations and space medicine, life sciences, to further its spacefaring ambitions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is noteworthy that, unlike the other Quad countries, Australia doesn’t yet have a standalone, independent space-faring programme and that they work with other agencies and countries to jointly perform missions. However, the Australian Space Agency wants to grow big and grow quick.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We are looking to nurture and foster industry, by investing on R&amp;D, by offering grants, special programmes, working with other space agencies and instilling confidence about there being a market” says Enrico Palermo, Head, Australian Space Agency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asked about Australia having its own human spaceflight programme, Palermo expressed optimism and said that they would have a shot eventually, considering the increasing easy access to space and rapid miniaturization of technological, aerospace components. Elaborating on Australia’s geographic advantages, open ranges, experience in space medicine and life sciences, deep space communication networks, he said that Australia would end up in a position to have an astronaut programme. He also made a mention of Australia’s communication and tracking support being offered to India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and NASA’s Artemis, manned lunar exploration programme.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“NASA is an engine to drive commercial development and space exploration is the fuel for this engine… Pushing ourselves to do something super challenging is the fuel..” Says the former NASA Astronaut. According to her, NASA would be a facilitator that would provide funding, strike partnerships, open doors and nurture private players to go forward in the exploration of deep space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Sustained presence in low Earth orbit had helped us understand and develop more efficient combustion engines, key processes in the human body, insights for medicine development etc.” she said.</p>

<p>On NASA’s future plans, Melroy said that the agency intends to handoff LEO (500-200 km orbits) to commercial partners, so that it can put more investment into expanding out into the solar system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“If we continue to do everything on our own, it would be very tough to find the resources for it” she said on the importance of having private companies undertaking important spacefaring and support missions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is significant to note that the Indian government had announced reforms in the country’s space sector, in 2020, to enable private players to perform end-to-end spacefaring activities including designing, owning, building rockets, satellites, launching rockets and spacecrafts, providing support and ground services etc. The Indian Space sector has been dominated by the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation, since the very inception of India’s space programme, while private companies were only vendors and suppliers of components and services. However, the latest reforms in India are aimed at opening up this lucrative industry, which is estimated to be worth $440 billion worldwide.&nbsp;</p>


The world is witnessing a space race of sorts again with entry of private companies in the domain previously exclusive to government space agencies. Questions are often raised about whether we need to spend billions on space when we have pressing issues here on Earth.

The world is witnessing a space race of sorts again with entry of private companies in the domain previously exclusive to government space agencies. Questions are often raised about whether we need to spend billions on space when we have pressing issues here on Earth. But it has been seen the technological and scientific frontiers heralded by space exploration has often led to advancement of science and tech on Earth. "There’s great benefits here on earth as a result of space exploration activities and continued human presence in Low Earth Orbit," says Colonel Pam Melroy, a former NASA Astronaut who is currently NASA’s deputy administrator. “Climate change is an existential crisis, the best place to monitor earth, is from space… There are a lot of problems to solve… We go to space to benefit life on Earth and those who spend their effort on it see a direct line of sight.” The top American official was in discussion with heads of space agencies from the Quad countries (Japan, Australia, India, US), hosted as part of the Sydney Dialogue, by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. “Traditionally government agencies carried out space activities, but there has been increased activity in low earth orbit (LEO) in the last decade. In the midst of this, ordinary people and astronauts are going to space. Increasing access to space can create new services on Earth and improve life here,” agrees Dr Hiroshi Yamakawa, president, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA). On the need for greater collaboration between Quad countries, he added that the future lunar exploration has to be a joint effort, as there exists the possibility of having a manned space station in the vicinity of the Moon, which can enable sustained exploration in the region and also on the lunar surface. The Japanese space agency head emphasised the need for multi-national missions to Mars that would be led by Quad countries, owing to the high costs of manned missions. Despite being a recent entrant, the Australian Space Agency hopes to build upon its long legacy of having performed and facilitated deep space communications, remote operations and space medicine, life sciences, to further its spacefaring ambitions. It is noteworthy that, unlike the other Quad countries, Australia doesn’t yet have a standalone, independent space-faring programme and that they work with other agencies and countries to jointly perform missions. However, the Australian Space Agency wants to grow big and grow quick. “We are looking to nurture and foster industry, by investing on R&D, by offering grants, special programmes, working with other space agencies and instilling confidence about there being a market” says Enrico Palermo, Head, Australian Space Agency. Asked about Australia having its own human spaceflight programme, Palermo expressed optimism and said that they would have a shot eventually, considering the increasing easy access to space and rapid miniaturization of technological, aerospace components. Elaborating on Australia’s geographic advantages, open ranges, experience in space medicine and life sciences, deep space communication networks, he said that Australia would end up in a position to have an astronaut programme. He also made a mention of Australia’s communication and tracking support being offered to India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and NASA’s Artemis, manned lunar exploration programme. “NASA is an engine to drive commercial development and space exploration is the fuel for this engine… Pushing ourselves to do something super challenging is the fuel..” Says the former NASA Astronaut. According to her, NASA would be a facilitator that would provide funding, strike partnerships, open doors and nurture private players to go forward in the exploration of deep space. “Sustained presence in low Earth orbit had helped us understand and develop more efficient combustion engines, key processes in the human body, insights for medicine development etc.” she said. On NASA’s future plans, Melroy said that the agency intends to handoff LEO (500-200 km orbits) to commercial partners, so that it can put more investment into expanding out into the solar system. “If we continue to do everything on our own, it would be very tough to find the resources for it” she said on the importance of having private companies undertaking important spacefaring and support missions. It is significant to note that the Indian government had announced reforms in the country’s space sector, in 2020, to enable private players to perform end-to-end spacefaring activities including designing, owning, building rockets, satellites, launching rockets and spacecrafts, providing support and ground services etc. The Indian Space sector has been dominated by the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation, since the very inception of India’s space programme, while private companies were only vendors and suppliers of components and services. However, the latest reforms in India are aimed at opening up this lucrative industry, which is estimated to be worth $440 billion worldwide.

Being in space has given us better science and tech on Earth, say top officials of Quad space agencies

DART spacecraft soared into the night sky at 10:21 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday from Vandenberg U.S. Space Force Base.

NASA launches DART mission to test asteroid defense concept

NASA has sent a spacecraft to space that will crash into an asteroid. Why? NASA is undertaking some target practice to avoid Armageddon in the future. Palki Sharma tells you all you need to know.

Gravitas: NASA wants to crash a spacecraft to save earth from Armageddon

<p>Do you think dinosaurs ever stood a chance against the asteroid that wiped off the mighty creatures? If they were sentient beings and could have protected themselves. Does humanity stand a chance when it comes to something like that...an asteroid so massive it can wipe out the entire planet?</p>

<p>The answer is yes, we actually might. Scientists at NASA are planning a mission to deliberately crash a spacecraft into an asteroid -- as a test run, in case a giant space rock is heading towards us to wipe out life on Earth one day.</p>

<p>Just to be clear, the asteroids in question pose no threat to our planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-avert-armageddon-nasa-to-collide-spacecraft-into-asteroid-to-alter-its-orbit-431319">To avert Armageddon, NASA to collide spacecraft into asteroid to alter its orbit</a></strong></p>

<p>DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) is not science fiction, but a real proof-of-concept experiment launching Tuesday night at 10:21 pm Pacific Time (0621 GMT Wednesday) on a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.</p>

<p>"All systems and weather are looking good for tonight's Falcon 9 launch," Elon Musk's company tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All systems and weather are looking good for tonight’s Falcon 9 launch of <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a>’s DART into an asteroid-intercepting interplanetary trajectory → <a href="https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK">https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK</a> <a href="https://t.co/BBrMndhpkQ">pic.twitter.com/BBrMndhpkQ</a></p>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1463211847281090560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>This mission will slightly alter Dimorphos' trajectory, a "moonlet" that is about 525 feet (160 meters) wide and circles a much larger asteroid known as Didymos (2,500 feet in diameter). The two, orbit the Sun together.</p>

<p>The impact will likely occur in the fall of 2022 when the binary asteroid system will be 6.8 million miles away (11 million kilometres), which is the nearest they will ever be to Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"What we're trying to learn is how to deflect a threat," NASA's top scientist Thomas Zuburchen said of the $330 million project, the first of its kind.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hubble-telescope-captures-violent-process-of-star-formation-431507" hreflang="en">Hubble telescope captures violent process of star formation</a></strong></p>

<p>While the asteroids in question pose no threat to Earth, nevertheless, they belong to a class of bodies known as Near-Earth Objects (NEO), asteroids and comets that approach within 30 million miles of our planet.</p>

<p>Specifically, NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office is more interested in space objects larger than 460 feet in size, which can destroy entire cities and regions with more energy than an average nuclear bomb.</p>

<p>At present, there are 10,000 near-Earth asteroids larger than 460 feet, but none has a significant chance of hitting the Earth within a century.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, one major caveat: It is important to note that scientists believe there are still 15,000 more such objects just waiting to be found.</p>

<p>While planetary scientists can simulate miniature impacts in laboratories and use the results to generate sophisticated models about how to divert an asteroid, models are never as effective as real-world experiments.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/strange-rock-thought-to-be-gold-turns-out-far-more-valuable-431237" hreflang="en">Strange rock thought to be gold turns out far more valuable</a></strong></p>

<p>Didymos-Dimorphos is considered an "ideal natural laboratory," since Earth-based telescopes can easily measure the brightness variation of the pair and calculate how long it takes the moonlet to orbit its big brother.</p>

<p>And since the current orbit period is known, the change in this period will reveal the impact's effect, which is scheduled between September 26 and October 1, 2022.</p>

<p>DART investigation team leader Andy Rivkin said the current orbital period is 11 hours 55 minutes, but the kick is expected to shave around 10 minutes off that time.</p>

<p>In addition, since these asteroids do not intersect our planet's orbit, they are considered to be safer to study.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;A giant asteroid just whizzed past Earth, and no one had a clue!</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/a-giant-asteroid-just-whizzed-past-earth-and-no-one-had-a-clue-239162/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>To put it into perspective, the DART probe, which is a box as big as a large fridge with solar panels the size of limousines on either side, will crash into Dimorphos at approximately 15,000 miles an hour.</p>

<p><strong>What else can be done to protect the Earth from space objects?</strong></p>

<p>While the so-called "kinetic impactor" method isn't the only way to divert an asteroid, it is the only one that can be deployed today.</p>

<p>Another possibility includes flying a spacecraft nearby to produce a small gravitational force.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A third option is to explode a nuclear device close by, but not on the object, as in the movies Armageddon and Deep Impact. However, this would likely create even more hazardous objects.</p>


Do you think dinosaurs ever stood a chance against the asteroid that wiped off the mighty creatures? If they were sentient beings and could have protected themselves.

Do you think dinosaurs ever stood a chance against the asteroid that wiped off the mighty creatures? If they were sentient beings and could have protected themselves. Does humanity stand a chance when it comes to something like that...an asteroid so massive it can wipe out the entire planet? The answer is yes, we actually might. Scientists at NASA are planning a mission to deliberately crash a spacecraft into an asteroid -- as a test run, in case a giant space rock is heading towards us to wipe out life on Earth one day. Just to be clear, the asteroids in question pose no threat to our planet. Also read | To avert Armageddon, NASA to collide spacecraft into asteroid to alter its orbit DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) is not science fiction, but a real proof-of-concept experiment launching Tuesday night at 10:21 pm Pacific Time (0621 GMT Wednesday) on a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. "All systems and weather are looking good for tonight's Falcon 9 launch," Elon Musk's company tweeted. All systems and weather are looking good for tonight’s Falcon 9 launch of @NASA’s DART into an asteroid-intercepting interplanetary trajectory → https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK pic.twitter.com/BBrMndhpkQ — SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 23, 2021 × This mission will slightly alter Dimorphos' trajectory, a "moonlet" that is about 525 feet (160 meters) wide and circles a much larger asteroid known as Didymos (2,500 feet in diameter). The two, orbit the Sun together. The impact will likely occur in the fall of 2022 when the binary asteroid system will be 6.8 million miles away (11 million kilometres), which is the nearest they will ever be to Earth. "What we're trying to learn is how to deflect a threat," NASA's top scientist Thomas Zuburchen said of the $330 million project, the first of its kind. Also read | Hubble telescope captures violent process of star formation While the asteroids in question pose no threat to Earth, nevertheless, they belong to a class of bodies known as Near-Earth Objects (NEO), asteroids and comets that approach within 30 million miles of our planet. Specifically, NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office is more interested in space objects larger than 460 feet in size, which can destroy entire cities and regions with more energy than an average nuclear bomb. At present, there are 10,000 near-Earth asteroids larger than 460 feet, but none has a significant chance of hitting the Earth within a century. However, one major caveat: It is important to note that scientists believe there are still 15,000 more such objects just waiting to be found. While planetary scientists can simulate miniature impacts in laboratories and use the results to generate sophisticated models about how to divert an asteroid, models are never as effective as real-world experiments. Also read: Strange rock thought to be gold turns out far more valuable Didymos-Dimorphos is considered an "ideal natural laboratory," since Earth-based telescopes can easily measure the brightness variation of the pair and calculate how long it takes the moonlet to orbit its big brother. And since the current orbit period is known, the change in this period will reveal the impact's effect, which is scheduled between September 26 and October 1, 2022. DART investigation team leader Andy Rivkin said the current orbital period is 11 hours 55 minutes, but the kick is expected to shave around 10 minutes off that time. In addition, since these asteroids do not intersect our planet's orbit, they are considered to be safer to study. Watch | A giant asteroid just whizzed past Earth, and no one had a clue! To put it into perspective, the DART probe, which is a box as big as a large fridge with solar panels the size of limousines on either side, will crash into Dimorphos at approximately 15,000 miles an hour. What else can be done to protect the Earth from space objects? While the so-called "kinetic impactor" method isn't the only way to divert an asteroid, it is the only one that can be deployed today. Another possibility includes flying a spacecraft nearby to produce a small gravitational force. A third option is to explode a nuclear device close by, but not on the object, as in the movies Armageddon and Deep Impact. However, this would likely create even more hazardous objects.

NASA, SpaceX to launch spacecraft today and kick an asteroid off course. Are we in danger?

<p>A NASA mission to deliberately smash a spacecraft into an asteroid to see if its course can be altered blasted off Tuesday from California.</p>

<p>The SpaceX rocket carrying the experiment lifted off at 10:21 pm Pacific Time (0621 GMT Wednesday) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, NASA TV's live stream showed. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-spacex-to-launch-spacecraft-today-and-kick-an-asteroid-off-course-are-we-in-danger-431513">NASA, SpaceX to launch spacecraft today and kick an asteroid off course. Are we in danger?</a></strong></p>

<p>After the launch, taking to Twitter NASA announced "Asteroid Dimorphos: we're coming for you!"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Asteroid Dimorphos: we're coming for you!<br />
<br />
Riding a <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> Falcon 9 rocket, our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DARTMission?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DARTMission</a> blasted off at 1:21am EST (06:21 UTC), launching the world's first mission to test asteroid-deflecting technology. <a href="https://t.co/FRj1hMyzgH">pic.twitter.com/FRj1hMyzgH</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1463392778398973953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>SpaceX also tweeted a live feed of the launch:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Watch Falcon 9 launch <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a>’s DART mission – humanity’s first planetary defense test to redirect an asteroid <a href="https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK">https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK</a> <a href="https://t.co/XMKYOGAjbB">https://t.co/XMKYOGAjbB</a></p>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1463388253625589765?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The DART mission is a planetary defence-driven test of technologies to prevent an impact of an asteroid on Earth. In this demonstration, a kinetic impactor technique will be used to change the motion of an asteroid in space for the first time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Under the leadership of APL, the program is managed by NASA's Solar System Exploration Program at Marshall Space Flight Center for NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, as well as the Science Mission Directorate's Planetary Science Division.</p>

<p>The DART spacecraft was designed to impact an asteroid as a test of the technology. It must be noted that the asteroid being impacted is not a threat to Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Watch the spacecraft's journey here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On our way!<br />
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55 minutes into its flight, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DARTMission?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DARTMission</a> spacecraft has separated from the <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> Falcon 9 second stage, and will soon begin to orient itself toward the Sun. <a href="https://t.co/hI6NoQ11zw">pic.twitter.com/hI6NoQ11zw</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1463407550087503875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>However, if an Earth-threatening asteroid is discovered in the future, NASA believes this asteroid system is a great place to test whether intentionally crashing into an asteroid can change its trajectory.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-avert-armageddon-nasa-to-collide-spacecraft-into-asteroid-to-alter-its-orbit-431319">To avert Armageddon, NASA to collide spacecraft into asteroid to alter its orbit</a></strong></p>

<p>The spacecraft contains sophisticated navigation and imaging instruments, including the Italian Space Agency's Light Italian CubeSat for Imaging of Asteroids (LICIACube), which will monitor the crash and its after-effects.</p>

<p>"The CubeSat is going to give us, we hope, the shot, the most spectacular image of DART's impact and the ejecta plume coming off the asteroid. That will be a truly historic, spectacular image," said Tom Statler, DART program scientist.</p>

<p>The DART probe, which is a box as big as a large fridge with solar panels the size of limousines on either side, will crash into Dimorphos at approximately 15,000 miles an hour.</p>

<p>DART investigation team leader Andy Rivkin said the current orbital period is 11 hours 55 minutes, but the kick is expected to shave around 10 minutes off that time.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hubble-telescope-captures-violent-process-of-star-formation-431507" hreflang="en">Hubble telescope captures violent process of star formation</a></strong></p>

<p>Because the moonlet's internal composition and porosity are unknown, it is unclear how much energy will be transferred by the impact.</p>

<p>Apparently, the more debris generated, the greater the force exerted on Dimorphos.</p>

<p>"Every time we show up at an asteroid, we find stuff we don't expect," said Rivkin.</p>

<p>There are 10,000 known near-Earth asteroids 460 feet in size or greater.&nbsp;Despite the fact that no known asteroid larger than 140 meters could potentially strike Earth for the next 100 years, only about 40 per cent of all asteroids have been discovered and/or identified&nbsp;as of October 2021.</p>

<p>Scientists estimate that a 460-foot asteroid strikes the Earth every 20,000 years, and asteroids wider than six miles, like the one which caused the extinction of most life on Earth (including dinosaurs) 66 million years ago, occur every 100-200 million years.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A NASA mission to deliberately smash a spacecraft into an asteroid to see if its course can be altered blasted off Tuesday from California. The SpaceX rocket carrying the experiment lifted off at 10:21 pm Pacific Time (0621 GMT Wednesday) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, NASA TV's live stream showed.

A NASA mission to deliberately smash a spacecraft into an asteroid to see if its course can be altered blasted off Tuesday from California. The SpaceX rocket carrying the experiment lifted off at 10:21 pm Pacific Time (0621 GMT Wednesday) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, NASA TV's live stream showed. Also read | NASA, SpaceX to launch spacecraft today and kick an asteroid off course. Are we in danger? After the launch, taking to Twitter NASA announced "Asteroid Dimorphos: we're coming for you!" Asteroid Dimorphos: we're coming for you! Riding a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, our #DARTMission blasted off at 1:21am EST (06:21 UTC), launching the world's first mission to test asteroid-deflecting technology. pic.twitter.com/FRj1hMyzgH — NASA (@NASA) November 24, 2021 × SpaceX also tweeted a live feed of the launch: Watch Falcon 9 launch @NASA’s DART mission – humanity’s first planetary defense test to redirect an asteroid https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK https://t.co/XMKYOGAjbB — SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 24, 2021 × The DART mission is a planetary defence-driven test of technologies to prevent an impact of an asteroid on Earth. In this demonstration, a kinetic impactor technique will be used to change the motion of an asteroid in space for the first time. Under the leadership of APL, the program is managed by NASA's Solar System Exploration Program at Marshall Space Flight Center for NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, as well as the Science Mission Directorate's Planetary Science Division. The DART spacecraft was designed to impact an asteroid as a test of the technology. It must be noted that the asteroid being impacted is not a threat to Earth. Watch the spacecraft's journey here: On our way! 55 minutes into its flight, the #DARTMission spacecraft has separated from the @SpaceX Falcon 9 second stage, and will soon begin to orient itself toward the Sun. pic.twitter.com/hI6NoQ11zw — NASA (@NASA) November 24, 2021 × However, if an Earth-threatening asteroid is discovered in the future, NASA believes this asteroid system is a great place to test whether intentionally crashing into an asteroid can change its trajectory. Also read | To avert Armageddon, NASA to collide spacecraft into asteroid to alter its orbit The spacecraft contains sophisticated navigation and imaging instruments, including the Italian Space Agency's Light Italian CubeSat for Imaging of Asteroids (LICIACube), which will monitor the crash and its after-effects. "The CubeSat is going to give us, we hope, the shot, the most spectacular image of DART's impact and the ejecta plume coming off the asteroid. That will be a truly historic, spectacular image," said Tom Statler, DART program scientist. The DART probe, which is a box as big as a large fridge with solar panels the size of limousines on either side, will crash into Dimorphos at approximately 15,000 miles an hour. DART investigation team leader Andy Rivkin said the current orbital period is 11 hours 55 minutes, but the kick is expected to shave around 10 minutes off that time. Also read | Hubble telescope captures violent process of star formation Because the moonlet's internal composition and porosity are unknown, it is unclear how much energy will be transferred by the impact. Apparently, the more debris generated, the greater the force exerted on Dimorphos. "Every time we show up at an asteroid, we find stuff we don't expect," said Rivkin. There are 10,000 known near-Earth asteroids 460 feet in size or greater. Despite the fact that no known asteroid larger than 140 meters could potentially strike Earth for the next 100 years, only about 40 per cent of all asteroids have been discovered and/or identified as of October 2021. Scientists estimate that a 460-foot asteroid strikes the Earth every 20,000 years, and asteroids wider than six miles, like the one which caused the extinction of most life on Earth (including dinosaurs) 66 million years ago, occur every 100-200 million years. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | NASA mission to test out Armageddon scenario blasts off

NASA spacecraft to crash into Asteroid, mission might save planet Earth

<p>In what can be called the first case of humanity’s interference in the gravitational dance of the solar system, NASA is going to launch a mission to deliberately collide a spacecraft into an asteroid in order to alter its orbit. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The agency will carry out the mission on Wednesday. The aim of the mission is to test drive a planetary defence system, which can prevent from extinction. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/indian-astronomers-discover-stars-hotter-than-sun-430818" hreflang="en">Indian astronomers discover stars hotter than Sun</a></strong></p>

<p>It will provide the first real data about what it is needed to deflect an Armageddon-inducing asteroid away from Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission is the first attempt to test if such asteroid deflection is a realistic strategy. It will look into the possibility that whether a spacecraft can autonomously navigate to a target asteroid and intentionally collide with it along with measuring the amount of deflection. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The 610 kg DART spacecraft will blast off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Wednesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/strange-rock-thought-to-be-gold-turns-out-far-more-valuable-431237" hreflang="en">Strange rock thought to be gold turns out far more valuable</a></strong></p>

<p>Its target is the Didymos system, a harmless pair of asteroids, which consists of a 163-metre “moonlet” asteroid called Dimorphos orbiting a larger 780-metre asteroid called Didymos. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jay Tate, director, National Near Earth Objects Information Centre in Knighton in Powys, Wales, said, “This is the first step to actually try a way of preventing near-Earth object impact. If it works, it would be a big deal, because it would prove that we have the technical capability of protecting ourselves.” &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In what can be called the first case of humanity’s interference in the gravitational dance of the solar system, NASA is going to launch a mission to deliberately collide a spacecraft into an asteroid in order to alter its orbit.

In what can be called the first case of humanity’s interference in the gravitational dance of the solar system, NASA is going to launch a mission to deliberately collide a spacecraft into an asteroid in order to alter its orbit. The agency will carry out the mission on Wednesday. The aim of the mission is to test drive a planetary defence system, which can prevent from extinction. Also Read: Indian astronomers discover stars hotter than Sun It will provide the first real data about what it is needed to deflect an Armageddon-inducing asteroid away from Earth. The NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission is the first attempt to test if such asteroid deflection is a realistic strategy. It will look into the possibility that whether a spacecraft can autonomously navigate to a target asteroid and intentionally collide with it along with measuring the amount of deflection. The 610 kg DART spacecraft will blast off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Wednesday. Also Read: Strange rock thought to be gold turns out far more valuable Its target is the Didymos system, a harmless pair of asteroids, which consists of a 163-metre “moonlet” asteroid called Dimorphos orbiting a larger 780-metre asteroid called Didymos. Jay Tate, director, National Near Earth Objects Information Centre in Knighton in Powys, Wales, said, “This is the first step to actually try a way of preventing near-Earth object impact. If it works, it would be a big deal, because it would prove that we have the technical capability of protecting ourselves.” (With inputs from agencies)

To avert Armageddon, NASA to collide spacecraft into asteroid to alter its orbit

<p>NASA's Mars rover is investigating an undisturbed ancient time capsule on the Red planet.</p>

<p>Known as the Jezero crater, it was the site of a lake 3.7 billion years ago. The long-gone river once fed a lake, depositing sediment in a fan-shaped delta visible from space.&nbsp;The ancient river has bolstered the search of signs of life on Mars.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-shares-perseverance-rovers-breathtaking-recording-of-ingenuity-flight-on-mars-430781">NASA shares Perseverance rover's breathtaking recording of Ingenuity flight on Mars</a></strong></p>

<p>NASA's Perseverance rover has released images from Mars that reveal how water helped shape the Red Planet's landscape billions of years ago.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-offer-hint-on-how-suns-death-might-unfold-428057" hreflang="en">Astronomers offer hint on how Sun's death might unfold</a></strong></p>

<p>It had taken a break from solar conjunction which refers to a period when the sun is between the Earth and Mars.</p>

<p>NASA astrobiologist Amy Williams and her team in Florida found similarities between features of the cliffs seen from the crater floor and patterns in Earth's river deltas.</p>

<p>The shape of the bottom three layers showed a presence and steady flow of water early on, indicating Mars was "warm and humid enough to support a hydrologic cycle."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-element-is-found-in-both-our-teeth-and-in-a-galaxy-which-is-12-billion-light-years-away-426901">Also read |&nbsp;This element is found in both our teeth and in a galaxy which is 12 billion light years away</a></strong></p>

<p>The top and most recent layers feature boulders measuring more than a metre in diameter scattered about, probably carried there by violent flooding.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But it is the fine-grained sediment of the base layer that will likely be the target of sampling for signs of long-extinct life,&nbsp;if it existed,&nbsp;on Mars.</p>

<p>The findings will help researchers figure out where to send the rover for soil and rocks that may contain precious "biosignatures" of putative Martian life forms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"From orbital images, we knew it had to be water that formed the delta," Williams said in a press release.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"But having these images is like reading a book instead of just looking at the cover."</p>

<p>Finding out whether life may have existed on Mars is the main mission of Perseverence, a project that took decades and cost billions of dollars to develop.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's Mars rover is investigating an undisturbed ancient time capsule on the Red planet. Known as the Jezero crater, it was the site of a lake 3.7 billion years ago.

NASA's Mars rover is investigating an undisturbed ancient time capsule on the Red planet. Known as the Jezero crater, it was the site of a lake 3.7 billion years ago. The long-gone river once fed a lake, depositing sediment in a fan-shaped delta visible from space. The ancient river has bolstered the search of signs of life on Mars. Also Read | NASA shares Perseverance rover's breathtaking recording of Ingenuity flight on Mars NASA's Perseverance rover has released images from Mars that reveal how water helped shape the Red Planet's landscape billions of years ago. Also read | Astronomers offer hint on how Sun's death might unfold It had taken a break from solar conjunction which refers to a period when the sun is between the Earth and Mars. NASA astrobiologist Amy Williams and her team in Florida found similarities between features of the cliffs seen from the crater floor and patterns in Earth's river deltas. The shape of the bottom three layers showed a presence and steady flow of water early on, indicating Mars was "warm and humid enough to support a hydrologic cycle." Also read | This element is found in both our teeth and in a galaxy which is 12 billion light years away The top and most recent layers feature boulders measuring more than a metre in diameter scattered about, probably carried there by violent flooding. But it is the fine-grained sediment of the base layer that will likely be the target of sampling for signs of long-extinct life, if it existed, on Mars. The findings will help researchers figure out where to send the rover for soil and rocks that may contain precious "biosignatures" of putative Martian life forms. "From orbital images, we knew it had to be water that formed the delta," Williams said in a press release. "But having these images is like reading a book instead of just looking at the cover." Finding out whether life may have existed on Mars is the main mission of Perseverence, a project that took decades and cost billions of dollars to develop. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Mars rover probing undisturbed ancient time capsule on Red planet

<p>NASA's Ingenuity helicopter has already earned its place in history by being first man-made craft to fly successfully on the surface of another planet. Till now we only knew this through news shared by NASA which got confirmation of the flight from the telemetry data. But now, Perseverance rover has recorded the magnificent flight of the helicopter. And NASA has shared the video with everyone online.</p>

<p>Recently, Ingenuity made its 13th flight. In the videos released by NASA, the rotocraft can be seen to fly nearly 700 feet horizontally at a height of about 26 feet from the martian surface. Perseverance used its Mastcam-Z to record the flight from 1000 feet away. The flight took place on September 4.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Check out the video</p>

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<p>NASA scientists recently made changes in Ingenuity's program to make it move a little faster. This was done to compensate for Martian atmosphere which is thinner than that of Earth. Ingenuity's navigation system is automated and uses Artificial Intelligence to make adjustment with respect to variables like wind speed and pressure changes.</p>

<p>Ingenuity took images of some interesting rock structures during its 13th flight. Ingenuity helicopter and its flight was initially meant to be just a technology demonstration. But after its brilliant success, its mission has been expanded to include study of martian rock deposits.</p>


NASA's Ingenuity helicopter has already earned its place in history by being first man-made craft to fly successfully on the surface of another planet. Till now we only knew this through news shared by NASA which got confirmation of the flight from the telemetry data.

NASA's Ingenuity helicopter has already earned its place in history by being first man-made craft to fly successfully on the surface of another planet. Till now we only knew this through news shared by NASA which got confirmation of the flight from the telemetry data. But now, Perseverance rover has recorded the magnificent flight of the helicopter. And NASA has shared the video with everyone online. Recently, Ingenuity made its 13th flight. In the videos released by NASA, the rotocraft can be seen to fly nearly 700 feet horizontally at a height of about 26 feet from the martian surface. Perseverance used its Mastcam-Z to record the flight from 1000 feet away. The flight took place on September 4. Check out the video × NASA scientists recently made changes in Ingenuity's program to make it move a little faster. This was done to compensate for Martian atmosphere which is thinner than that of Earth. Ingenuity's navigation system is automated and uses Artificial Intelligence to make adjustment with respect to variables like wind speed and pressure changes. Ingenuity took images of some interesting rock structures during its 13th flight. Ingenuity helicopter and its flight was initially meant to be just a technology demonstration. But after its brilliant success, its mission has been expanded to include study of martian rock deposits.

NASA shares Perseverance rover's breathtaking recording of Ingenuity flight on Mars

<p>NASA has said that the International Space Station is still at risk from the debris of a weapons test by&nbsp;Russia.</p>

<p>Russia had destroyed one of its own satellites and generated a cloud of debris near the International Space Station (ISS) and its seven-strong crew.</p>

<p>They were directed to take shelter in their docked spaceship capsules for two hours after the test as a precaution to allow for a quick getaway had it been necessary.</p>

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<p>It generated more than 1,500 pieces of "trackable orbital debris" and would likely spawn hundreds of thousands of smaller fragments. They tracked by the US Space Command.</p>

<p>"NASA will continue monitoring the debris in the coming days and beyond to ensure the safety of our crew in orbit," NASA chief Bill Nelson said in the statement.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/auditors-say-nasas-artemis-programme-likely-to-be-delayed-by-several-years-430217" hreflang="en">Auditors say NASA's Artemis programme likely to be delayed by several years</a></strong></p>

<p>The incident came just four days after the latest group of four space station astronauts,&nbsp;Americans Raja Chair, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron of NASA and European Space Agency crewmate Matthias Maurer of Germany,&nbsp;arrived at the orbiting platform to begin a six-month science mission.</p>

<p>Didier Schmitt, a senior figure at the European Space Agency (ESA) said Moscow's action increased the risk of a collision in space.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-mars-rover-probing-undisturbed-ancient-time-capsule-on-red-planet-428788" hreflang="en">NASA's Mars rover probing undisturbed ancient time capsule on Red planet</a></strong></p>

<p>However, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the test had not posed a threat to the International Space Station.</p>

<p>The target was a non-operational spacecraft, Tselina-D, that had been in orbit since 1982.</p>

<p>The United States was the first country to conduct anti-satellite tests in space, in 1959 when satellites were rare and new.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


NASA has said that the International Space Station is still at risk from the debris of a weapons test by Russia. Russia had destroyed one of its own satellites and generated a cloud of debris near the International Space Station (ISS) and its seven-strong crew.

NASA has said that the International Space Station is still at risk from the debris of a weapons test by Russia. Russia had destroyed one of its own satellites and generated a cloud of debris near the International Space Station (ISS) and its seven-strong crew. They were directed to take shelter in their docked spaceship capsules for two hours after the test as a precaution to allow for a quick getaway had it been necessary. It generated more than 1,500 pieces of "trackable orbital debris" and would likely spawn hundreds of thousands of smaller fragments. They tracked by the US Space Command. "NASA will continue monitoring the debris in the coming days and beyond to ensure the safety of our crew in orbit," NASA chief Bill Nelson said in the statement. Also read | Auditors say NASA's Artemis programme likely to be delayed by several years The incident came just four days after the latest group of four space station astronauts, Americans Raja Chair, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron of NASA and European Space Agency crewmate Matthias Maurer of Germany, arrived at the orbiting platform to begin a six-month science mission. Didier Schmitt, a senior figure at the European Space Agency (ESA) said Moscow's action increased the risk of a collision in space. Also read | NASA's Mars rover probing undisturbed ancient time capsule on Red planet However, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the test had not posed a threat to the International Space Station. The target was a non-operational spacecraft, Tselina-D, that had been in orbit since 1982. The United States was the first country to conduct anti-satellite tests in space, in 1959 when satellites were rare and new. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA says International Space Station is still at risk from debris of Russian weapons test

<p>In a major setback to NASA, its plan to send humans to the moon could be delayed by several years according to a new report.</p>

<p>The prediction has been made by the auditors of the US space agency's Artemis programme.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It highlights how NASA's most ambitious and costly activity is facing hurdles such as schedule, procurement, technical, and funding risks.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-mars-rover-probing-undisturbed-ancient-time-capsule-on-red-planet-428788" hreflang="en">NASA's Mars rover probing undisturbed ancient time capsule on Red planet</a></strong></p>

<p>The report states ''Given the time needed to develop and fully test the HLS and new spacesuits, we project NASA will exceed its current timetable for landing humans on the Moon in late 2024 by several years.''</p>

<p>It will cost as much as $93 billion by the fiscal year 2025, according to the report's estimates, with a cost per launch of $4.1 billion for the first four missions.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-offer-hint-on-how-suns-death-might-unfold-428057" hreflang="en">Astronomers offer hint on how Sun's death might unfold</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has said that the Starship developed by his company and selected by NASA for the Americans' return to the Moon would attempt its first orbital flight early next year.</p>

<p>It is significant because NASA is betting on Starship to become the lander used as part of its Artemis program to take humans back to the Moon, in 2025 at the earliest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It comes after NASA chief Bill Nelson said ''We lost nearly seven months in litigation and that likely has pushed the first human landing likely to no earlier than 2025.''</p>

<p>NASA announced in May that it plans to land Americans back on the moon by 2024 with the Artemis initiative, named after Apollo's twin sister who was goddess of the hunt and the moon.</p>

<p><br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a major setback to NASA, its plan to send humans to the moon could be delayed by several years according to a new report. The prediction has been made by the auditors of the US space agency's Artemis programme.

In a major setback to NASA, its plan to send humans to the moon could be delayed by several years according to a new report. The prediction has been made by the auditors of the US space agency's Artemis programme. It highlights how NASA's most ambitious and costly activity is facing hurdles such as schedule, procurement, technical, and funding risks. Also read | NASA's Mars rover probing undisturbed ancient time capsule on Red planet The report states ''Given the time needed to develop and fully test the HLS and new spacesuits, we project NASA will exceed its current timetable for landing humans on the Moon in late 2024 by several years.'' It will cost as much as $93 billion by the fiscal year 2025, according to the report's estimates, with a cost per launch of $4.1 billion for the first four missions. Also read | Astronomers offer hint on how Sun's death might unfold Meanwhile, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has said that the Starship developed by his company and selected by NASA for the Americans' return to the Moon would attempt its first orbital flight early next year. It is significant because NASA is betting on Starship to become the lander used as part of its Artemis program to take humans back to the Moon, in 2025 at the earliest. It comes after NASA chief Bill Nelson said ''We lost nearly seven months in litigation and that likely has pushed the first human landing likely to no earlier than 2025.'' NASA announced in May that it plans to land Americans back on the moon by 2024 with the Artemis initiative, named after Apollo's twin sister who was goddess of the hunt and the moon. (With inputs from agencies)

Auditors say NASA's Artemis programme likely to be delayed by several years

<p>Snoopy, the iconic character from creator Charles M Schulz’s comic strip 'Peanuts', seems to be flying aboard National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Artemis mission to visit moon early next year. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AstronautSnoopy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AstronautSnoopy</a> is no stranger to space. The Peanuts character skimmed the lunar surface as the name of the Apollo 10 lunar module &amp; even caught a ride on the space shuttle.<br />
<br />
Now Snoopy is going to the Moon as a zero gravity indicator aboard <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Artemis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Artemis</a> I: <a href="https://t.co/wUHfUgYWYm">https://t.co/wUHfUgYWYm</a> <a href="https://t.co/t8DFQq6gHi">pic.twitter.com/t8DFQq6gHi</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1459181106016698373?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a tweet, NASA said, “AstronautSnoopy is no stranger to space. The Peanuts character skimmed the lunar surface as the name of the Apollo 10 lunar module &amp; even caught a ride on the space shuttle. Now Snoopy is going to the Moon as a zero-gravity indicator aboard Artemis.” &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astronomers-identify-moons-small-chunk-tracking-earths-orbit-around-sun-428748" hreflang="en">Astronomers identify moon’s small chunk tracking Earth’s orbit around Sun</a></strong></p>

<p>The Snoopy’s iconic form will be flying aboard the shuttle in NASA’s first lunar mission in several decades as a micro-gravity indicator. &nbsp;</p>

<p>When the spacecraft leaves Earth’s gravitational field and enters the microgravity of space, the Snoopy plush dressed in NASA's Orion Crew Survival System pressure suit will begin to float aboard Artemis 1 Orion. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-releases-breathtaking-video-of-davinci-mission-to-venus-428811" hreflang="en">NASA releases breathtaking video of DAVINCI mission to Venus</a></strong></p>

<p>For future manned missions, there will be a manikin and two "phantom" human torsos along with Snoopy, who will collect data for the flight to the moon. &nbsp;</p>

<p>“Zero gravity indicators are small items carried aboard spacecraft that provide a visual indicator when a spacecraft has reached the weightlessness of microgravity. Without astronauts aboard Orion, Snoopy will help share the journey with the world as he rides along in the cabin with a manikin and two other “passengers,” NASA added. &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Snoopy, the iconic character from creator Charles M Schulz’s comic strip 'Peanuts', seems to be flying aboard National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Artemis mission to visit moon early next year.

Snoopy, the iconic character from creator Charles M Schulz’s comic strip 'Peanuts', seems to be flying aboard National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Artemis mission to visit moon early next year. #AstronautSnoopy is no stranger to space. The Peanuts character skimmed the lunar surface as the name of the Apollo 10 lunar module & even caught a ride on the space shuttle. Now Snoopy is going to the Moon as a zero gravity indicator aboard #Artemis I: https://t.co/wUHfUgYWYm pic.twitter.com/t8DFQq6gHi — NASA (@NASA) November 12, 2021 × In a tweet, NASA said, “AstronautSnoopy is no stranger to space. The Peanuts character skimmed the lunar surface as the name of the Apollo 10 lunar module & even caught a ride on the space shuttle. Now Snoopy is going to the Moon as a zero-gravity indicator aboard Artemis.” Also Read: Astronomers identify moon’s small chunk tracking Earth’s orbit around Sun The Snoopy’s iconic form will be flying aboard the shuttle in NASA’s first lunar mission in several decades as a micro-gravity indicator. When the spacecraft leaves Earth’s gravitational field and enters the microgravity of space, the Snoopy plush dressed in NASA's Orion Crew Survival System pressure suit will begin to float aboard Artemis 1 Orion. Also Read: NASA releases breathtaking video of DAVINCI mission to Venus For future manned missions, there will be a manikin and two "phantom" human torsos along with Snoopy, who will collect data for the flight to the moon. “Zero gravity indicators are small items carried aboard spacecraft that provide a visual indicator when a spacecraft has reached the weightlessness of microgravity. Without astronauts aboard Orion, Snoopy will help share the journey with the world as he rides along in the cabin with a manikin and two other “passengers,” NASA added. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Astronaut’ Snoopy to visit moon aboard NASA’s Artemis mission as zero-gravity indicator in 2022

<p>Earth's neighbour Venus has the most harrowing surface conditions of all planets in the solar system. It is a 'greenhouse planet' with surface temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. Scientists and researchers are always curious as to whether Venus was ever habitable. While we have a lot of information based on out research and observations over decades, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is going one step ahead and sending a mission to Venus.</p>

<p>The DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) mission to Venus will lift off towards the end of this decade. After the launch in 2029, the mission will be carried out in two segments the spacecraft will do a couple flybys of Venus. After that, probe will be dropped into the upper atmosphere of the planet. Venus' atmosphere is 90 times denser than Earth's.</p>

<p>Venus' clouds are mainly composed of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid. The probe will descend through the atmosphere and will take readings of the composition. It will also trace for signatures of Oxygen that will hint towards presence of water.</p>

<p>NASA has released a breathtaking video of the DAVINCI mission. Check it out</p>

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<p>It is also postulated by scientists that microbes able to withstand high temperatures are present in Venus' upper atmosphere. DAVINCI mission is sure to shed more light on this.</p>


Earth's neighbour Venus has the most harrowing surface conditions of all planets in the solar system. It is a 'greenhouse planet' with surface temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius.

Earth's neighbour Venus has the most harrowing surface conditions of all planets in the solar system. It is a 'greenhouse planet' with surface temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. Scientists and researchers are always curious as to whether Venus was ever habitable. While we have a lot of information based on out research and observations over decades, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is going one step ahead and sending a mission to Venus. The DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) mission to Venus will lift off towards the end of this decade. After the launch in 2029, the mission will be carried out in two segments the spacecraft will do a couple flybys of Venus. After that, probe will be dropped into the upper atmosphere of the planet. Venus' atmosphere is 90 times denser than Earth's. Venus' clouds are mainly composed of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid. The probe will descend through the atmosphere and will take readings of the composition. It will also trace for signatures of Oxygen that will hint towards presence of water. NASA has released a breathtaking video of the DAVINCI mission. Check it out × It is also postulated by scientists that microbes able to withstand high temperatures are present in Venus' upper atmosphere. DAVINCI mission is sure to shed more light on this.

NASA releases breathtaking video of DAVINCI mission to Venus

<p>Elon Musk's SpaceX has sent four astronauts to the International Space Station in its fifth crewed mission.</p>

<p>The company's Dragon capsule roared into outer space atop a Falcon 9 rocket, including the 600th person to reach space in 60 years, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crew3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crew3</a>... 2... 1... and liftoff!<br />
<br />
Three <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_Astronauts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA_Astronauts</a> and one <a href="https://twitter.com/esa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESA</a> astronaut are on their way to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> aboard the <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> Crew Dragon Endurance: <a href="https://t.co/dxobsFb4Pa">pic.twitter.com/dxobsFb4Pa</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1458616859385868290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to mission commander Raja Chari, ''It was a great ride, better than we imagined.''</p>

<p>The crew launch marked SpaceX’s fourth for NASA and the company’s fifth passenger flight overall, including a September charter flight for four that skipped the space station.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-offer-hint-on-how-suns-death-might-unfold-428057" hreflang="en">Astronomers offer hint on how Sun's death might unfold</a></strong></p>

<p>The Dragon capsule’s toilet leaked during their three days in orbit, necessitating a quick redesign of the flushing system in the newest capsule, named Endurance by its crew.</p>

<p>SpaceX launch director Mark Soltys told the crew, ''Enjoy your holidays among the stars. We’ll be waving as you fly by.''</p>

<p>"Crew-3" includes two members of NASA's latest graduating class of astronauts, Indian-origin Raja Chari, 44, a US Air Force combat jet and test pilot serving as mission commander, and mission specialist Kayla Barron, 34, a US Navy submarine officer and nuclear engineer.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-plumber-in-space-toilet-leak-pushes-astronauts-to-use-diapers-on-way-back-to-earth-427309" hreflang="en">No plumber in space? Toilet leak pushes astronauts to use diapers on way back to Earth</a></strong></p>

<p>Chari's father, Sreenivas is from Telangana in India, while his mother, Peggy Egbert is from Iowa in the United States.</p>

<p>The list of 600 travelers ranges from those who have barely scratched space, like actor William Shatner last month, to US and Russian astronauts who have spent a year or more in orbit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This year’s surge in space tourists helped push the tally over the 600 mark. That averages out to 10 people per year since Yuri Gagarin’s pioneering flight in 1961.</p>

<p>NASA has extolled space station missions in low-Earth orbit as critical training grounds and incubators for technologies that will help achieve the goals of a sustainable lunar presence and eventual human flights to Mars.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Elon Musk's SpaceX has sent four astronauts to the International Space Station in its fifth crewed mission. The company's Dragon capsule roared into outer space atop a Falcon 9 rocket, including the 600th person to reach space in 60 years, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Elon Musk's SpaceX has sent four astronauts to the International Space Station in its fifth crewed mission. The company's Dragon capsule roared into outer space atop a Falcon 9 rocket, including the 600th person to reach space in 60 years, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. #Crew3... 2... 1... and liftoff! Three @NASA_Astronauts and one @ESA astronaut are on their way to the @Space_Station aboard the @SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance: pic.twitter.com/dxobsFb4Pa — NASA (@NASA) November 11, 2021 × According to mission commander Raja Chari, ''It was a great ride, better than we imagined.'' The crew launch marked SpaceX’s fourth for NASA and the company’s fifth passenger flight overall, including a September charter flight for four that skipped the space station. Also read | Astronomers offer hint on how Sun's death might unfold The Dragon capsule’s toilet leaked during their three days in orbit, necessitating a quick redesign of the flushing system in the newest capsule, named Endurance by its crew. SpaceX launch director Mark Soltys told the crew, ''Enjoy your holidays among the stars. We’ll be waving as you fly by.'' "Crew-3" includes two members of NASA's latest graduating class of astronauts, Indian-origin Raja Chari, 44, a US Air Force combat jet and test pilot serving as mission commander, and mission specialist Kayla Barron, 34, a US Navy submarine officer and nuclear engineer. Also read | No plumber in space? Toilet leak pushes astronauts to use diapers on way back to Earth Chari's father, Sreenivas is from Telangana in India, while his mother, Peggy Egbert is from Iowa in the United States. The list of 600 travelers ranges from those who have barely scratched space, like actor William Shatner last month, to US and Russian astronauts who have spent a year or more in orbit. This year’s surge in space tourists helped push the tally over the 600 mark. That averages out to 10 people per year since Yuri Gagarin’s pioneering flight in 1961. NASA has extolled space station missions in low-Earth orbit as critical training grounds and incubators for technologies that will help achieve the goals of a sustainable lunar presence and eventual human flights to Mars. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | Indian-origin astronaut leads SpaceX's mission to International Space Station

NASA to monitor space station operation, SpaceX launch 4 more astronauts into orbit on flight to space station

Four more astronauts rocketed into space

<p>NASA's Hubble Telescope has unveiled new images that could offer a sneak preview of the demise of the Sun.</p>

<p>The sun,&nbsp;essentially a hot ball of hydrogen and helium,&nbsp;is an average-sized star that formed more than 4.5 billion years ago and is roughly halfway through its lifespan.</p>

<p>Its diameter is about 864,000 miles (1.4 million km). Its surface temperature is about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5,500 degrees Celsius).</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-element-is-found-in-both-our-teeth-and-in-a-galaxy-which-is-12-billion-light-years-away-426901" hreflang="en">This element is found in both our teeth and in a galaxy which is 12 billion light years away</a></strong></p>

<p>Known as NGC 2438, the planetary nebula is the Sun-like stars. It is located roughly 1,370 light-years away from the Earth.</p>

<p>Planetary nebulae are massive gas clouds ejected from dying stars like that resemble the Sun.</p>

<p>During the end of its lifespan, the sun will run out of hydrogen to fuse in the core. This will make the Sun unstable and it will collapse into a white dwarf.</p>

<p>The sun appears to be far less active than similar stars in terms of brightness variations caused by sunspots and other phenomena.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earths-planetary-defence-nasa-unveils-spacecraft-that-targets-asteroids-426828" hreflang="en">Earth's 'planetary defence': NASA unveils spacecraft that targets asteroids</a></strong></p>

<p>“Temperature and rotation period are thought to be the major ingredients for the dynamo inside the star, which generates its magnetic field, and eventually the number and size of the spots causing the brightness to vary. Finding such stars with very similar parameters as our sun but being five times more variable was surprising,” Reinhold said.</p>

<p>Elevated magnetic activity associated with sunspots can lead to solar flares, coronal mass ejections - large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the outermost part of the sun’s atmosphere - and other electromagnetic phenomena that can affect Earth, for example disrupting satellites and communications and endangering astronauts.</p>

<p>Solar monotony may be good news.</p>

<p>“A much more active sun might have also affected Earth on geological time scales - paleoclimatology. A ‘too active’ star would definitively change the conditions for life on the planet, so living with a quite boring star is not the worst option,” Reinhold said.</p>

<p>The researchers compared data on similar stars to historical records of the sun’s activity. These records included about 400 years of observational data on sunspots and about 9,000 years of data based on chemical element variants in tree rings and ice cores caused by solar activity. These records indicated the sun has not been much more active than it is now.</p>

<p>The findings, Reinhold said, do not rule out that the sun may be in a quiet phase and may become more variable in the future.</p>


NASA's Hubble Telescope has unveiled new images that could offer a sneak preview of the demise of the Sun. The sun, essentially a hot ball of hydrogen and helium, is an average-sized star that formed more than 4.

NASA's Hubble Telescope has unveiled new images that could offer a sneak preview of the demise of the Sun. The sun, essentially a hot ball of hydrogen and helium, is an average-sized star that formed more than 4.5 billion years ago and is roughly halfway through its lifespan. Its diameter is about 864,000 miles (1.4 million km). Its surface temperature is about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5,500 degrees Celsius). Also read | This element is found in both our teeth and in a galaxy which is 12 billion light years away Known as NGC 2438, the planetary nebula is the Sun-like stars. It is located roughly 1,370 light-years away from the Earth. Planetary nebulae are massive gas clouds ejected from dying stars like that resemble the Sun. During the end of its lifespan, the sun will run out of hydrogen to fuse in the core. This will make the Sun unstable and it will collapse into a white dwarf. The sun appears to be far less active than similar stars in terms of brightness variations caused by sunspots and other phenomena. Also read | Earth's 'planetary defence': NASA unveils spacecraft that targets asteroids “Temperature and rotation period are thought to be the major ingredients for the dynamo inside the star, which generates its magnetic field, and eventually the number and size of the spots causing the brightness to vary. Finding such stars with very similar parameters as our sun but being five times more variable was surprising,” Reinhold said. Elevated magnetic activity associated with sunspots can lead to solar flares, coronal mass ejections - large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the outermost part of the sun’s atmosphere - and other electromagnetic phenomena that can affect Earth, for example disrupting satellites and communications and endangering astronauts. Solar monotony may be good news. “A much more active sun might have also affected Earth on geological time scales - paleoclimatology. A ‘too active’ star would definitively change the conditions for life on the planet, so living with a quite boring star is not the worst option,” Reinhold said. The researchers compared data on similar stars to historical records of the sun’s activity. These records included about 400 years of observational data on sunspots and about 9,000 years of data based on chemical element variants in tree rings and ice cores caused by solar activity. These records indicated the sun has not been much more active than it is now. The findings, Reinhold said, do not rule out that the sun may be in a quiet phase and may become more variable in the future.

Astronomers offer hint on how Sun's death might unfold

<p>NASA on Sunday posted images captured by its Landsat 9 satellite. The satellite has taken its first light images of Earth. Landsat 9 is a joint mission between NASA and US Geological Survey (USGS). The mission was launched on September 27 this year.</p>

<p>The images that have been released have been captured on October 31. The images are likely to tell people how to better manage resources and make them realise effect climate change is having on Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement that Landsat programme “has the proven power to not only improve lives but also save lives"</p>

<p>"What a sight! #Landsat 9 captured its first images Oct. 31, and they’re striking! These data-rich images show us glaciers, actively burning fires and more, continuing a 50-year partnership between @NASA and @USGS. This image of the remote coastal islands and inlets of the Kimberley region of Western Australia was Landsat 9’s very first," says NASA in its Instagram post that depicts one of the photos taken by Landsat 9.</p>

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<p>Landsat 9 has several improvements and has an edge over its predecessors Landsat 8 and Landsat 9</p>

<p>Landsat 9 has the capability to differentiate more than 16000 shades of given wavelength colour as opposed to Landsat 7 which can differentiate only 256 colours.</p>


NASA on Sunday posted images captured by its Landsat 9 satellite. The satellite has taken its first light images of Earth. Landsat 9 is a joint mission between NASA and US Geological Survey (USGS).

NASA on Sunday posted images captured by its Landsat 9 satellite. The satellite has taken its first light images of Earth. Landsat 9 is a joint mission between NASA and US Geological Survey (USGS). The mission was launched on September 27 this year. The images that have been released have been captured on October 31. The images are likely to tell people how to better manage resources and make them realise effect climate change is having on Earth. NASA administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement that Landsat programme “has the proven power to not only improve lives but also save lives" "What a sight! #Landsat 9 captured its first images Oct. 31, and they’re striking! These data-rich images show us glaciers, actively burning fires and more, continuing a 50-year partnership between @NASA and @USGS. This image of the remote coastal islands and inlets of the Kimberley region of Western Australia was Landsat 9’s very first," says NASA in its Instagram post that depicts one of the photos taken by Landsat 9. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA Earth Observatory (@nasaearth) × Landsat 9 has several improvements and has an edge over its predecessors Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 Landsat 9 has the capability to differentiate more than 16000 shades of given wavelength colour as opposed to Landsat 7 which can differentiate only 256 colours.

NASA posts first images taken by Earth-observing spacecraft Landsat 9

<p>Four astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth from the International Space Station early Monday after spending more than six months in space, NASA announced.</p>

<p>The four members of the Crew-2 mission, including a French and a Japanese astronaut, will therefore return to Earth before the arrival of a replacement crew, whose take-off was delayed several times due to unfavourable weather conditions.</p>

<p>NASA said in a statement late Friday that Crew-2 members are due to return to Earth "no earlier than 7:14 am EST Monday, November&nbsp;8, with a splashdown off the coast of Florida."</p>

<p>"As we're preparing to leave, it's kind of a bittersweet feeling, we might never come back to see the ISS, and it's really a magical place," French astronaut Thomas Pesquet said earlier Friday during a press conference from the space station.</p>

<p>"I'm very thankful that people dreamt the ISS some time ago and then went ahead and worked hard to make it happen and to build it for the benefit of everyone," Pesquet added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-chinas-greyzone-warfare-is-designed-to-subdue-the-enemy-427343"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;How China's 'greyzone warfare' is designed to subdue the enemy</strong></a></p>

<p>Endeavour, the Crew Dragon spacecraft, is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station at 1805 GMT Sunday to begin the journey home.</p>

<p>Once detached from the ISS, the capsule will begin a journey of several hours, the duration of which can vary greatly depending on the trajectory, and will then land off the coast of Florida.</p>

<p>A backup undocking and splashdown opportunity is available Monday, if weather conditions are not favourable, NASA said.</p>

<p>The two missions are being carried out by NASA in collaboration with SpaceX, which now provides regular launches to the ISS from the United States.</p>

<p>Crew-3 is scheduled to take off for the ISS aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where astronauts have been in quarantine for days.</p>

<p>US astronaut Megan McArthur was confident that not getting the replacement crew to ISS before the current crew departs was just a temporary setback.</p>

<p>"Of course that's not optimal," McArthur told reporters during the Friday press conference. "But we are prepared to manage that. Spaceflight is full of lots of little challenges."</p>


Four astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth from the International Space Station early Monday after spending more than six months in space, NASA announced. The four members of the Crew-2 mission, including a French and a Japanese astronaut, will therefore return to Earth before the arrival of a replacement crew, whose take-off was delayed several times due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Four astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth from the International Space Station early Monday after spending more than six months in space, NASA announced. The four members of the Crew-2 mission, including a French and a Japanese astronaut, will therefore return to Earth before the arrival of a replacement crew, whose take-off was delayed several times due to unfavourable weather conditions. NASA said in a statement late Friday that Crew-2 members are due to return to Earth "no earlier than 7:14 am EST Monday, November 8, with a splashdown off the coast of Florida." "As we're preparing to leave, it's kind of a bittersweet feeling, we might never come back to see the ISS, and it's really a magical place," French astronaut Thomas Pesquet said earlier Friday during a press conference from the space station. "I'm very thankful that people dreamt the ISS some time ago and then went ahead and worked hard to make it happen and to build it for the benefit of everyone," Pesquet added. Also read | How China's 'greyzone warfare' is designed to subdue the enemy Endeavour, the Crew Dragon spacecraft, is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station at 1805 GMT Sunday to begin the journey home. Once detached from the ISS, the capsule will begin a journey of several hours, the duration of which can vary greatly depending on the trajectory, and will then land off the coast of Florida. A backup undocking and splashdown opportunity is available Monday, if weather conditions are not favourable, NASA said. The two missions are being carried out by NASA in collaboration with SpaceX, which now provides regular launches to the ISS from the United States. Crew-3 is scheduled to take off for the ISS aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where astronauts have been in quarantine for days. US astronaut Megan McArthur was confident that not getting the replacement crew to ISS before the current crew departs was just a temporary setback. "Of course that's not optimal," McArthur told reporters during the Friday press conference. "But we are prepared to manage that. Spaceflight is full of lots of little challenges."

Astronauts to return from space station next week, says NASA

<p>NASA has unveiled a spacecraft that will act as Earth's 'planetary defence' against asteroids.</p>

<p>The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) is a test mission that will be launched by the US space agency on November 24&nbsp;aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.</p>

<p>According to Lindley Johnson, NASA's Planetary Defence Officer, ''Although there isn't a currently known asteroid that's on an impact course with the Earth, we do know that there is a large population of near-Earth asteroids out there.''</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dragon-black-holes-that-defy-norms-of-physics-can-mess-with-your-future-426577" hreflang="en">'Dragon' black holes that defy norms of physics can mess with your future</a></strong></p>

<p>"The key to planetary defence is finding them well before they are an impact threat," Johnson said.</p>

<p>"We don't want to be in a situation where an asteroid is headed towards Earth and then have to test this capability."</p>

<p>The spacecraft weighs 1,210 pounds and will change the course of asteroids at a speed of 15,000 miles per hour (24,000 kph).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-a-first-nasas-mars-curiosity-rover-detects-organic-molecules-on-the-surface-of-red-planet-426481" hreflang="en">In a first, NASA's Mars Curiosity rover detects organic molecules on the surface of Red Planet</a></strong></p>

<p>DART will target a double asteroid Didymos and its moon Dimorphos that are approximately 6.8 million miles away from the Earth.</p>

<p>''We are targeting to be as nearly head-on as possible to cause the biggest deflection,'' said Nancy Chabot of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, who built the DART spacecraft.</p>

<p>The amount of deflection will depend to a certain extent on the composition of Dimorphos and scientists are not entirely certain how porous the asteroid is.</p>

<p>The mission will enhance modelling and predictive capabilities to help scientists better prepare for an actual asteroid threat should one ever be discovered.</p>

<p>More than 27,000 near-Earth asteroids have been catalogued by NASA.</p>

<p>An asteroid discovered in 1999 known as Bennu that is 1,650 feet wide will pass within half the distance of the Earth to the Moon in the year 2135 but the probability of an impact is considered very slight.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA has unveiled a spacecraft that will act as Earth's 'planetary defence' against asteroids. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) is a test mission that will be launched by the US space agency on November 24 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

NASA has unveiled a spacecraft that will act as Earth's 'planetary defence' against asteroids. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) is a test mission that will be launched by the US space agency on November 24 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. According to Lindley Johnson, NASA's Planetary Defence Officer, ''Although there isn't a currently known asteroid that's on an impact course with the Earth, we do know that there is a large population of near-Earth asteroids out there.'' Also read | 'Dragon' black holes that defy norms of physics can mess with your future "The key to planetary defence is finding them well before they are an impact threat," Johnson said. "We don't want to be in a situation where an asteroid is headed towards Earth and then have to test this capability." The spacecraft weighs 1,210 pounds and will change the course of asteroids at a speed of 15,000 miles per hour (24,000 kph). Also read | In a first, NASA's Mars Curiosity rover detects organic molecules on the surface of Red Planet DART will target a double asteroid Didymos and its moon Dimorphos that are approximately 6.8 million miles away from the Earth. ''We are targeting to be as nearly head-on as possible to cause the biggest deflection,'' said Nancy Chabot of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, who built the DART spacecraft. The amount of deflection will depend to a certain extent on the composition of Dimorphos and scientists are not entirely certain how porous the asteroid is. The mission will enhance modelling and predictive capabilities to help scientists better prepare for an actual asteroid threat should one ever be discovered. More than 27,000 near-Earth asteroids have been catalogued by NASA. An asteroid discovered in 1999 known as Bennu that is 1,650 feet wide will pass within half the distance of the Earth to the Moon in the year 2135 but the probability of an impact is considered very slight. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth's 'planetary defence': NASA unveils spacecraft that targets asteroids

<p>The Sun threw a spell in our way, brighter than a shimmering ghost and quicker than the flick of a black cat's tail, just in time for Halloween.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to NASA, a large solar flare emerged from the Sun on October 28, sparking a "strong geomagnetic storm watch."</p>

<p>In a video, a flare was identified as an X-1 flare, the most powerful classification.</p>

<p>On October 28, the Sun produced a large solar flare that peaked around 11:35am EDT.</p>

<p>The incident was recorded on film by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which keeps a continual eye on the Sun.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>"This imagery captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory covers a busy few days of activity between Oct. 25-28 that ended with a significant solar flare. From late afternoon Oct. 25 through mid-morning October 26, an active region on the left limb of the Sun "flickered with a series of small flares and petal-like eruptions of solar material," wrote NASA Goddard.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explosion-on-sun-equivalent-to-millions-of-hydrogen-bombs-causes-biggest-solar-flare-in-4-years-396003"><strong>Also read | Explosion on Sun equivalent to millions of hydrogen bombs causes biggest solar flare in 4 years</strong></a><br />
<br />
"Meanwhile, the Sun was sporting more active regions at its lower center, directly facing Earth. On Oct. 28, the biggest of these released a significant flare, which peaked at 11:35 a.m. EDT. Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through the Earth’s atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however — when intense enough — they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel," the caption for the video read.</p>

<p>The storm is being compared to the 1859 Carrington Event, when a geomagnetic storm disrupted telegraph operations for many days.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>What are solar flares?</strong></p>

<p>A solar flare is a rapid and intense explosion on the Sun’s surface which happens in the aftermath of massive amounts of energy which is stored in magnetic fields being released suddenly.</p>

<p>As the explosion happens, radiation is released into the universe, directly affecting the planets in our solar system. These radiations comprise of radio waves, x-rays, and gamma rays.</p>

<p>NASA claims that the energy released by this explosion is equivalent to millions of 100-megaton hydrogen bombs going off at the same time. Even then, it constitutes just one-tenth of the Sun’s total energy.</p>

<p>A flare's harmful radiation cannot penetrate through Earth's atmosphere to harm humans on the ground, but they can disrupt the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals flow if they are strong enough.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Sun threw a spell in our way, brighter than a shimmering ghost and quicker than the flick of a black cat's tail, just in time for Halloween. According to NASA, a large solar flare emerged from the Sun on October 28, sparking a "strong geomagnetic storm watch.

The Sun threw a spell in our way, brighter than a shimmering ghost and quicker than the flick of a black cat's tail, just in time for Halloween. According to NASA, a large solar flare emerged from the Sun on October 28, sparking a "strong geomagnetic storm watch." In a video, a flare was identified as an X-1 flare, the most powerful classification. On October 28, the Sun produced a large solar flare that peaked around 11:35am EDT. The incident was recorded on film by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which keeps a continual eye on the Sun. × "This imagery captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory covers a busy few days of activity between Oct. 25-28 that ended with a significant solar flare. From late afternoon Oct. 25 through mid-morning October 26, an active region on the left limb of the Sun "flickered with a series of small flares and petal-like eruptions of solar material," wrote NASA Goddard. Also read | Explosion on Sun equivalent to millions of hydrogen bombs causes biggest solar flare in 4 years "Meanwhile, the Sun was sporting more active regions at its lower center, directly facing Earth. On Oct. 28, the biggest of these released a significant flare, which peaked at 11:35 a.m. EDT. Solar flares are powerful bursts of radiation. Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through the Earth’s atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground, however — when intense enough — they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel," the caption for the video read. The storm is being compared to the 1859 Carrington Event, when a geomagnetic storm disrupted telegraph operations for many days. What are solar flares? A solar flare is a rapid and intense explosion on the Sun’s surface which happens in the aftermath of massive amounts of energy which is stored in magnetic fields being released suddenly. As the explosion happens, radiation is released into the universe, directly affecting the planets in our solar system. These radiations comprise of radio waves, x-rays, and gamma rays. NASA claims that the energy released by this explosion is equivalent to millions of 100-megaton hydrogen bombs going off at the same time. Even then, it constitutes just one-tenth of the Sun’s total energy. A flare's harmful radiation cannot penetrate through Earth's atmosphere to harm humans on the ground, but they can disrupt the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals flow if they are strong enough. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Active October Sun emits a powerful X-class solar flare

<p>Space is full of surprises and wonders. The beauty is unparalleled and sometimes we come across such a beauty that we can't help but be mesmerised and ascribe some meaning to the resplendent celestial structure.</p>

<p>Trust NASA to send such pictures our way! The space agency regularly posts photos it clicks via its social media channels. And on of its photos has us go gaga again.</p>

<p>The image is of 'Hand of God'. The photo shows a golden structure on the background of deep black of the space that has arranged itself to resemble a hand. And it would have been surprising if this would've got called anything but 'hand of God'. The structure appears to pop out of nothingness, just like a Supreme Being wanting to convey his blessings and nothing more. Take a look at the image.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/devils-eye-nasa-posts-eerie-image-of-helix-nebula-in-the-halloween-season-426198">Devil's eye? NASA posts eerie image of Helix Nebula this Halloween season</a></strong></p>

<p>NASA explains that the golden structure is a nebula of energy and particles blown by a pulsar. The pulsar has been left behind after explosion of a star. This pulsar is known as PSR B1509-58. It is about 19 kilometres in diamters. Mind boggling thing is that it is spinning around itself 7 times per second. It is 17,000 lightyears away from Earth.</p>

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<p>Netizens are obviously awestruck at the images.</p>

<p>"It should be called "hand of Midas"!" says a user referring to the fairy tale of a king whose touch turned everything to gold.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-ingenuity-helicopter-latest-mars-flying-tougher-415112">NASA's Ingenuity helicopter is finding it tougher to fly on Mars</a></strong></p>

<p>"How do you measure something that is only 19 kms in diameter from 17,000 light years away? That cray cray," exclaims another user.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-astronaut-iss-cracks-serious-issue-415124">Cracks on ISS a 'serious issue', says former NASA astronaut</a></strong></p>

<p>"For me it looks like fire from Lord Shiva's third eye,, and he is wearing an earring and his hairstyle holding ganga," a third user delves into Indian mythology.</p>

<p>No wonder the beautIful image has gone viral and has got about 25,000 likes already.</p>


Space is full of surprises and wonders. The beauty is unparalleled and sometimes we come across such a beauty that we can't help but be mesmerised and ascribe some meaning to the resplendent celestial structure.

Space is full of surprises and wonders. The beauty is unparalleled and sometimes we come across such a beauty that we can't help but be mesmerised and ascribe some meaning to the resplendent celestial structure. Trust NASA to send such pictures our way! The space agency regularly posts photos it clicks via its social media channels. And on of its photos has us go gaga again. The image is of 'Hand of God'. The photo shows a golden structure on the background of deep black of the space that has arranged itself to resemble a hand. And it would have been surprising if this would've got called anything but 'hand of God'. The structure appears to pop out of nothingness, just like a Supreme Being wanting to convey his blessings and nothing more. Take a look at the image. Also Read | Devil's eye? NASA posts eerie image of Helix Nebula this Halloween season NASA explains that the golden structure is a nebula of energy and particles blown by a pulsar. The pulsar has been left behind after explosion of a star. This pulsar is known as PSR B1509-58. It is about 19 kilometres in diamters. Mind boggling thing is that it is spinning around itself 7 times per second. It is 17,000 lightyears away from Earth. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory (@nasachandraxray) × Netizens are obviously awestruck at the images. "It should be called "hand of Midas"!" says a user referring to the fairy tale of a king whose touch turned everything to gold. Also Read | NASA's Ingenuity helicopter is finding it tougher to fly on Mars "How do you measure something that is only 19 kms in diameter from 17,000 light years away? That cray cray," exclaims another user. Also Read | Cracks on ISS a 'serious issue', says former NASA astronaut "For me it looks like fire from Lord Shiva's third eye,, and he is wearing an earring and his hairstyle holding ganga," a third user delves into Indian mythology. No wonder the beautIful image has gone viral and has got about 25,000 likes already.

NASA posts image of 'Hand of God', netizens are awestruck

<p>Space is full of wonders beyond our imagination. Though we have gazed far and deep into reaches of the black expanse, a lot remains unknown and what is known continues to surprise and mesmerise us. It's a good thing NASA and other space agencies are keeping track of it all.</p>

<p>A new image posted by NASA has transfixed everyone. The image shows a celestial structure that is like an eye in the sky looking at us from above. The eye does not appear benevolently watchful but has a mesmerising glow to it. The eyelashes are blue while the iris is blazing red.</p>

<p>Who is watching? God? or the Devil himself?</p>

<p>The eerie beauty is imparted to the photo by Helix Nebula which has been captured by Spitzer telescope. Helix Nebula is 700 light-years away from Earth and located in the Aquarius constellation.</p>

<p>NASA has posted the image on its Instagram account.</p>

<p>"The two-light-year diameter shroud of dust and gas around a central white dwarf, is an example of a planetary nebula, one of the final stages in the evolution of a Sun-like star. The dust makes this cosmic eye gleam red," says NASA in its Instagram post.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-posts-image-of-hand-of-god-netizens-are-awestruck-416265">NASA posts image of 'Hand of God', netizens are awestruck</a></strong></p>

<p>NASA further explains that nebular material was ejected from the star thousands of years ago.</p>

<p>"...the close-in dust could be generated by collisions in a reservoir of objects, like our own solar system’s Kuiper Belt or cometary Oort cloud. Formed in the distant planetary system, the comet-like bodies have otherwise survived the dramatic late stages of the star’s evolution...," says NASA</p>

<p>Check out the image</p>

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<p>The image has gone crazy viral on Instagram and has been liked by more than 1000000 people.</p>


Space is full of wonders beyond our imagination. Though we have gazed far and deep into reaches of the black expanse, a lot remains unknown and what is known continues to surprise and mesmerise us.

Space is full of wonders beyond our imagination. Though we have gazed far and deep into reaches of the black expanse, a lot remains unknown and what is known continues to surprise and mesmerise us. It's a good thing NASA and other space agencies are keeping track of it all. A new image posted by NASA has transfixed everyone. The image shows a celestial structure that is like an eye in the sky looking at us from above. The eye does not appear benevolently watchful but has a mesmerising glow to it. The eyelashes are blue while the iris is blazing red. Who is watching? God? or the Devil himself? The eerie beauty is imparted to the photo by Helix Nebula which has been captured by Spitzer telescope. Helix Nebula is 700 light-years away from Earth and located in the Aquarius constellation. NASA has posted the image on its Instagram account. "The two-light-year diameter shroud of dust and gas around a central white dwarf, is an example of a planetary nebula, one of the final stages in the evolution of a Sun-like star. The dust makes this cosmic eye gleam red," says NASA in its Instagram post. Also Read | NASA posts image of 'Hand of God', netizens are awestruck NASA further explains that nebular material was ejected from the star thousands of years ago. "...the close-in dust could be generated by collisions in a reservoir of objects, like our own solar system’s Kuiper Belt or cometary Oort cloud. Formed in the distant planetary system, the comet-like bodies have otherwise survived the dramatic late stages of the star’s evolution...," says NASA Check out the image View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA (@nasa) × The image has gone crazy viral on Instagram and has been liked by more than 1000000 people.

Devil's eye? NASA posts eerie image of Helix Nebula in Halloween season

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