Chandrayaan-3, India's third mission to Moon, is likely to be launched in 2022, ISRO chief K Sivan has said.

Unlike its predecessor, Chandrayaan-3 will not have an orbiter.

Several projects of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) including Chandrayaan-3, which was scheduled to be launched in late 2020, and Gaganyaan, the country's first manned space mission, were hit by the pandemic-induced lockdown.

Chandrayaan-2, aimed at landing a rover on unchartered Lunar South Pole, was launched on July 22, 2019 on board the country's most powerful geosynchronous launch vehicle. However, the lander Vikram hard-landed on September 7, 2019, crashing India's dream to become the first nation to successfully land on the lunar surface in its maiden attempt.

Chandrayaan-3 is critical for ISRO as it will demonstrate India's capabilities to make landing for further interplanetary missions.

ISRO is targetting December to launch the first unmanned mission under the Gaganyaan project. The mission was originally scheduled to launch in December last year.

It will be followed by another unmanned mission and the third leg is the main module.

Gaganyaan envisages to send three Indians to space by 2022. The four test pilots selected for the mission are currently undergoing training in Russia.

Chandrayaan-3, India's third mission to Moon, is likely to be launched in 2022, ISRO chief K Sivan has said. Unlike its predecessor, Chandrayaan-3 will not have an orbiter.

Chandrayaan-3, India's third mission to Moon, is likely to be launched in 2022, ISRO chief K Sivan has said. Unlike its predecessor, Chandrayaan-3 will not have an orbiter. Several projects of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) including Chandrayaan-3, which was scheduled to be launched in late 2020, and Gaganyaan, the country's first manned space mission, were hit by the pandemic-induced lockdown. Chandrayaan-2, aimed at landing a rover on unchartered Lunar South Pole, was launched on July 22, 2019 on board the country's most powerful geosynchronous launch vehicle. However, the lander Vikram hard-landed on September 7, 2019, crashing India's dream to become the first nation to successfully land on the lunar surface in its maiden attempt. Chandrayaan-3 is critical for ISRO as it will demonstrate India's capabilities to make landing for further interplanetary missions. ISRO is targetting December to launch the first unmanned mission under the Gaganyaan project. The mission was originally scheduled to launch in December last year. It will be followed by another unmanned mission and the third leg is the main module. Gaganyaan envisages to send three Indians to space by 2022. The four test pilots selected for the mission are currently undergoing training in Russia.

Chandrayaan-3 launch delayed further to 2022

A team of scientists is working on a technology that could one day stop asteroids from smashing into Earth. The high-precision timers being built by hand in the lab of Latvian start-up Eventech are currently being used to track satellites.

This year, the company won a European Space Agency (ESA) contract to develop timers that will study the possibility of re-directing an asteroid before it comes too close to our planet for comfort.

Although Latvia only became a full member of the ESA in 2016, its engineers have been tracking satellites since the Soviet-era. The University of Latvia even has its own satellite laser ranging station in a forest south of Riga.

NASA plans to launch the first part of the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) mission -- known as the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) -- on July 22, 2021 on a Falcon 9 rocket belonging to tech tycoon Elon Musk's Space X.

The 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) camera-equipped probe will fly to an asteroid named Didymos and smash into it, trying to blow it off its current course that will see it pass near&nbsp;Earth sometime in 2123.

Eventech's deep space event timers are being developed for the follow-up HERA mission, which is planned to launch five years later, to determine if the first mission succeeded.

Eventech's timers are part of a space technology tradition in the Baltic state stretching back to Soviet times when Sputnik -- the first man-made satellite to orbit the Earth -- was launched in 1957.

They measure the time needed for an impulse of light to travel to an object in orbit and back.

Eventech devices can record the measurement to within a picosecond -- or one trillionth of a second -- which allows astronomers to convert a time measure into a distance measurement with up to two millimetres of precision.

Around 10 of the timers are produced every year and they are used in observatories around the world.

They track Earth's increasingly crowded atmosphere, filled with a new crop of private satellites alongside traditional scientific and military ones.

Eventech's engineers said they use analogue parts as much as possible, mainly because microchips take nanoseconds to compute the signal, which is too long for incoming measurements ranging in picoseconds.

Even the physical length of the motherboard can affect how fast the signal travels from one circuit to another.

While these timers are used for calculations on Earth, a different appliance for deep space missions is being developed in another corner of the same lab to track planetary objects from a moving space probe.

(with inputs)

A team of scientists is working on a technology that could one day stop asteroids from smashing into Earth. The high-precision timers being built by hand in the lab of Latvian start-up Eventech are currently being used to track satellites.

A team of scientists is working on a technology that could one day stop asteroids from smashing into Earth. The high-precision timers being built by hand in the lab of Latvian start-up Eventech are currently being used to track satellites. This year, the company won a European Space Agency (ESA) contract to develop timers that will study the possibility of re-directing an asteroid before it comes too close to our planet for comfort. Although Latvia only became a full member of the ESA in 2016, its engineers have been tracking satellites since the Soviet-era. The University of Latvia even has its own satellite laser ranging station in a forest south of Riga. NASA plans to launch the first part of the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) mission -- known as the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) -- on July 22, 2021 on a Falcon 9 rocket belonging to tech tycoon Elon Musk's Space X. The 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) camera-equipped probe will fly to an asteroid named Didymos and smash into it, trying to blow it off its current course that will see it pass near Earth sometime in 2123. Eventech's deep space event timers are being developed for the follow-up HERA mission, which is planned to launch five years later, to determine if the first mission succeeded. Eventech's timers are part of a space technology tradition in the Baltic state stretching back to Soviet times when Sputnik -- the first man-made satellite to orbit the Earth -- was launched in 1957. They measure the time needed for an impulse of light to travel to an object in orbit and back. Eventech devices can record the measurement to within a picosecond -- or one trillionth of a second -- which allows astronomers to convert a time measure into a distance measurement with up to two millimetres of precision. Around 10 of the timers are produced every year and they are used in observatories around the world. They track Earth's increasingly crowded atmosphere, filled with a new crop of private satellites alongside traditional scientific and military ones. Eventech's engineers said they use analogue parts as much as possible, mainly because microchips take nanoseconds to compute the signal, which is too long for incoming measurements ranging in picoseconds. Even the physical length of the motherboard can affect how fast the signal travels from one circuit to another. While these timers are used for calculations on Earth, a different appliance for deep space missions is being developed in another corner of the same lab to track planetary objects from a moving space probe. (with inputs)

A lab in Latvia is developing a device to help Earth dodge asteroids

Four Indian astronauts who are training in Russia to conduct India's first manned space mission have successfully completed their training, Roscosmos reported on Thursday night.

The training individuals are four pilots of Indian Air Force (IAF). The astronauts are being considered for India's first manned space mission, which had an initial possible launch date of 2022, which may now be delayed to the ongoing pandemic. The training is taking place at&nbsp;Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Moscow.

The astronauts passed a test in short-term weightless mode aboard the IL-76MDK special laboratory in June in Moscow. Later, in July, they were trained to lift aboard a helicopter while evacuating from the descent module landing point.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-should-focus-on-protecting-economy-says-ex-rbi-governor-318737">Also read|&nbsp;India should focus on protecting economy, says ex-RBI governor</a>

The astronauts were in good health and determined to continue their training, it said. "To date, Indian cosmonauts have completed training on crew actions in the event of an abnormal descent module landing: in wooded and marshy areas in winter (completed in February 2020), on the water surface (completed in June 2020), in the steppe in summer (completed in July 2020)," Glavkosmos,&nbsp;a subsidiary of Russian space organisation Roscosmos said.

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The Indian cosmonauts are undergoing training at the GCTC following the courses of the space training program and of the systems of the Soyuz MS spacecraft — <a href="https://t.co/Q9vw69Ezre">https://t.co/Q9vw69Ezre</a> 
 
🧑‍🚀🇮🇳 All of the Indian cosmonauts are in good health and are determined to continue training <a href="https://t.co/SieXQN0hkT">pic.twitter.com/SieXQN0hkT</a>
— РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) <a href="https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1291387344852070412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"The GCTC instructors praise the effort and high motivation of the Indian cosmonauts. They also note their extremely serious and very professional attitude to the training process," it added.

The programme also included training in a centrifuge and in a hyperbaric chamber to prepare their organisms for sustaining spaceflight factors, such as G-force, hypoxia and pressure drops, it said, adding that these training are to be held in the near future.

After the astronauts complete the training — which is due to be over in the first half of 2021 — the four candidates will be given module-specific training by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in India.

Four Indian astronauts who are training in Russia to conduct India's first manned space mission have successfully completed their training, Roscosmos reported on Thursday night.

Four Indian astronauts who are training in Russia to conduct India's first manned space mission have successfully completed their training, Roscosmos reported on Thursday night. The training individuals are four pilots of Indian Air Force (IAF). The astronauts are being considered for India's first manned space mission, which had an initial possible launch date of 2022, which may now be delayed to the ongoing pandemic. The training is taking place at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Moscow. The astronauts passed a test in short-term weightless mode aboard the IL-76MDK special laboratory in June in Moscow. Later, in July, they were trained to lift aboard a helicopter while evacuating from the descent module landing point. Also read| India should focus on protecting economy, says ex-RBI governor The astronauts were in good health and determined to continue their training, it said. "To date, Indian cosmonauts have completed training on crew actions in the event of an abnormal descent module landing: in wooded and marshy areas in winter (completed in February 2020), on the water surface (completed in June 2020), in the steppe in summer (completed in July 2020)," Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russian space organisation Roscosmos said. The Indian cosmonauts are undergoing training at the GCTC following the courses of the space training program and of the systems of the Soyuz MS spacecraft — https://t.co/Q9vw69Ezre 🧑‍🚀🇮🇳 All of the Indian cosmonauts are in good health and are determined to continue training pic.twitter.com/SieXQN0hkT — РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) August 6, 2020 × "The GCTC instructors praise the effort and high motivation of the Indian cosmonauts. They also note their extremely serious and very professional attitude to the training process," it added. The programme also included training in a centrifuge and in a hyperbaric chamber to prepare their organisms for sustaining spaceflight factors, such as G-force, hypoxia and pressure drops, it said, adding that these training are to be held in the near future. After the astronauts complete the training — which is due to be over in the first half of 2021 — the four candidates will be given module-specific training by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in India.

Astronauts for India's first manned space mission, Gangayaan, complete training in Russia

Astronomers have discovered a "space butterfly" coloured with brilliant blues and clouds of purple and red thousands of light years away.

The space phenomenon, named for its resemblance to a butterfly, is actually a planetary nebula -- a giant cloud of gas that forms around an ancient star that hasn't yet exploded.&nbsp;

The European Space Observatory's (ESO) aptly named Very Large Telescope, recently captured a vibrant image of the interstellar object.

It's known as NGC 2899 (NGC stands for New General Catalogue, which lists nebulae and other astral bodies like this one). It's located somewhere between 3,000 and 6,500 light years away from Earth in the constellation Vela, which is visible in the Southern Hemisphere.

This planetary nebula isn't long for this universe. Ultraviolet radiation lights up the shells of gas surrounding the star and causes them to shine quite brightly.

The Very Large Telescope that captured the image is the "world's most advanced optical instrument," according to the ESO. 
&nbsp;

Astronomers have discovered a "space butterfly" coloured with brilliant blues and clouds of purple and red thousands of light years away. The space phenomenon, named for its resemblance to a butterfly, is actually a planetary nebula -- a giant cloud of gas that forms around an ancient star that hasn't yet exploded.

Astronomers have discovered a "space butterfly" coloured with brilliant blues and clouds of purple and red thousands of light years away. The space phenomenon, named for its resemblance to a butterfly, is actually a planetary nebula -- a giant cloud of gas that forms around an ancient star that hasn't yet exploded. The European Space Observatory's (ESO) aptly named Very Large Telescope, recently captured a vibrant image of the interstellar object. It's known as NGC 2899 (NGC stands for New General Catalogue, which lists nebulae and other astral bodies like this one). It's located somewhere between 3,000 and 6,500 light years away from Earth in the constellation Vela, which is visible in the Southern Hemisphere. This planetary nebula isn't long for this universe. Ultraviolet radiation lights up the shells of gas surrounding the star and causes them to shine quite brightly. The Very Large Telescope that captured the image is the "world's most advanced optical instrument," according to the ESO.

Astronomers capture 'space butterfly' from thousands of light years away

SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, was set to launch two Americans into orbit on Wednesday from Florida on a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was due to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center at 4:33 p.m. EDT (2033 GMT), launching Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a 19-hour ride aboard the company's newly designed Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station.

They were to blast off from the same launch pad used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were scheduled to visit Florida's Cape Canaveral to view the launch in person.

Prospects for an on-time liftoff hinged on the weather, with forecasters late on Monday citing a 40% chance that storms over eastern Florida could force a postponement. If that happens, the next launch window would be Saturday afternoon.

A successful mission would achieve NASA's top priority, as articulated by agency chief Jim Bridenstine, of resuming launches of "American astronauts on American rockets from American soil." Over the past nine years, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.

For Musk, Thursday's launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent. It would also mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles - owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA - have carried Americans into orbit.

The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the shuttle program. 
Musk, the South African-born high-tech entrepreneur who made his fortune in Silicon Valley, is also the CEO of electric carmaker and battery manufacturer Tesla Inc.

Hurley, 53, and Behnken, 49, NASA employees under contract to fly with SpaceX, are expected to remain at the space station for several weeks, assisting a short-handed crew aboard the orbital laboratory.

Aerospace giant Boeing Co, producing its own space launch vehicles in competition with SpaceX for NASA business, is expected to launch its CST-100 Starliner vehicle with astronauts aboard for the first time next year.

NASA has awarded nearly $8 billion to SpaceX and Boeing combined for development of the rival space launch systems. 
Bridenstine declared the manned SpaceX flight a "go" last week after NASA and the company convened for final engineering checks.

The Hawthorne, California-based rocket company, founded by Musk in 2002 and formerly known as Space Exploration Technologies, has never previously flown humans into orbit, only cargo.

SpaceX successfully tested Crew Dragon without astronauts last year in its first orbital mission to the space station, but that vehicle was destroyed the following month during a ground test when a valve for its in-flight abort system failed, causing an explosion. The ensuing nine-month investigation ended in January.

SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, was set to launch two Americans into orbit on Wednesday from Florida on a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, was set to launch two Americans into orbit on Wednesday from Florida on a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was due to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center at 4:33 p.m. EDT (2033 GMT), launching Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a 19-hour ride aboard the company's newly designed Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station. They were to blast off from the same launch pad used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were scheduled to visit Florida's Cape Canaveral to view the launch in person. Prospects for an on-time liftoff hinged on the weather, with forecasters late on Monday citing a 40% chance that storms over eastern Florida could force a postponement. If that happens, the next launch window would be Saturday afternoon. A successful mission would achieve NASA's top priority, as articulated by agency chief Jim Bridenstine, of resuming launches of "American astronauts on American rockets from American soil." Over the past nine years, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. For Musk, Thursday's launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent. It would also mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles - owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA - have carried Americans into orbit. The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the shuttle program. Musk, the South African-born high-tech entrepreneur who made his fortune in Silicon Valley, is also the CEO of electric carmaker and battery manufacturer Tesla Inc. Hurley, 53, and Behnken, 49, NASA employees under contract to fly with SpaceX, are expected to remain at the space station for several weeks, assisting a short-handed crew aboard the orbital laboratory. Aerospace giant Boeing Co, producing its own space launch vehicles in competition with SpaceX for NASA business, is expected to launch its CST-100 Starliner vehicle with astronauts aboard for the first time next year. NASA has awarded nearly $8 billion to SpaceX and Boeing combined for development of the rival space launch systems. Bridenstine declared the manned SpaceX flight a "go" last week after NASA and the company convened for final engineering checks. The Hawthorne, California-based rocket company, founded by Musk in 2002 and formerly known as Space Exploration Technologies, has never previously flown humans into orbit, only cargo. SpaceX successfully tested Crew Dragon without astronauts last year in its first orbital mission to the space station, but that vehicle was destroyed the following month during a ground test when a valve for its in-flight abort system failed, causing an explosion. The ensuing nine-month investigation ended in January.

NASA set to resume human spaceflight from US soil with historic SpaceX launch

Here is all that you need to know about ISRO’s first half-humanoid, Vyommitra. She will be sent to unmanned space mission in December 2020 on Gaganyaan. Watch to know more.

Meet Vyommitra, India's first female humanoid robot

It's evident that India is within reach of the moon. That too the unexplored side of the moon.

The Vikram module of Chandrayaan-2 is scheduled to make a soft landing in the South Polar region of the moon early on Saturday.

If successful, this mission, will secure India's stature as space superpower proving that we have a capacity to soft-land&nbsp;on the moon.

With this, India would become the first country to map&nbsp;the lunar surface in the unexplored side of the moon and study its atmosphere.

Isro says&nbsp;that the last 15 minutes of the touch down with the Vikram lander will be '15 minutes of terror'.

If Vikram module of Chandrayaan-2 passes critical minutes of the touchdown, the lander will measure the quakes in the moon and the rover will analyse the soil.

Such studies will enhance our understanding of the moon.

Besides this, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter will circle around the moon for one year and collect information on minerals in the moon and search for water.

This would be the most sophisticated search for water in the moon. Chandrayaan-2 is equipped with infra-red imagers and radars. Put simply, Chandrayaan - 2 heralds a new era in India's space exploration.

Overall, this mission has the potential to make India a leader in lunar research. And this is a huge achievement.&nbsp;

The US, the then Soviet Union and China had a headstart in space missions. In a little over 5 decades since the establishment of ISRO, India is on its way to lead the world when it comes to the moon.

Then comes the issue of cost-efficiency. This mission has cost India only $150 million which is&nbsp;cheaper than the budget of Hollywood film 'Interstellar'.

Successful landing would be a testimony to ISRO's growing expertise. In science, India has been a heavyweight - contrary to popular perception.

Chandrayaan-2 will be a glittering achievement in that proud tradition. 
 
(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

It's evident that India is within reach of the moon. That too the unexplored side of the moon. The Vikram module of Chandrayaan-2 is scheduled to make a soft landing in the South Polar region of the moon early on Saturday.

It's evident that India is within reach of the moon. That too the unexplored side of the moon. The Vikram module of Chandrayaan-2 is scheduled to make a soft landing in the South Polar region of the moon early on Saturday. If successful, this mission, will secure India's stature as space superpower proving that we have a capacity to soft-land on the moon. With this, India would become the first country to map the lunar surface in the unexplored side of the moon and study its atmosphere. Isro says that the last 15 minutes of the touch down with the Vikram lander will be '15 minutes of terror'. If Vikram module of Chandrayaan-2 passes critical minutes of the touchdown, the lander will measure the quakes in the moon and the rover will analyse the soil. Such studies will enhance our understanding of the moon. Besides this, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter will circle around the moon for one year and collect information on minerals in the moon and search for water. This would be the most sophisticated search for water in the moon. Chandrayaan-2 is equipped with infra-red imagers and radars. Put simply, Chandrayaan - 2 heralds a new era in India's space exploration. Overall, this mission has the potential to make India a leader in lunar research. And this is a huge achievement. The US, the then Soviet Union and China had a headstart in space missions. In a little over 5 decades since the establishment of ISRO, India is on its way to lead the world when it comes to the moon. Then comes the issue of cost-efficiency. This mission has cost India only $150 million which is cheaper than the budget of Hollywood film 'Interstellar'. Successful landing would be a testimony to ISRO's growing expertise. In science, India has been a heavyweight - contrary to popular perception. Chandrayaan-2 will be a glittering achievement in that proud tradition. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Chandrayaan-2 moon landing - Sky is the limit

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch a spacecraft using homegrown technology on Monday, and it is scheduled to touch down on the moon September 6 or 7.

Giant leap for India: Chandryaan-2 to explore moon's south pole

Giant leap for India: Chandrayaan-2 to explore moon's south pole

Billionaire <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-boring-company-to-unveil-its-first-underground-tunnel-185202">Elon Musk</a>'s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-unveils-his-first-los-angeles-area-tunnel-185381">SpaceX</a> is scheduled on Saturday to launch a long-delayed US military navigation satellite, which if successful would mark the rocket company's first national security space mission for the United States.

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying a roughly $500 million GPS satellite built by Lockheed Martin Corp was due to blast off from Florida's Cape Canaveral around 9 am (1400 GMT), privately held SpaceX said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-launches-64-satellites-at-once-181346">A successful launch</a> - SpaceX's fourth attempt in a week after technical and weather delays - would be a significant victory for Musk's rocket company, which has spent years trying to break into the lucrative market for military space launches long-dominated by Lockheed and Boeing Co.

SpaceX sued the US Air Force in 2014 in protest over the military's award of a multibillion-dollar, non-compete contract for 36 rocket launches to United Launch Alliance, a partnership of Boeing and Lockheed. It dropped the lawsuit in 2015 after the Air Force agreed to open up the competition.

The next year, SpaceX won an $83 million Air Force contract to launch the GPS III satellite, which will have a lifespan of 15 years.

The launch would be the first of 32 satellites in production by Lockheed under contracts worth a combined $12.6 billion for the Air Force GPS III program, Lockheed spokesman Chip Eschenfelder said.

Air Force spokesman William Russell said: "Once fully operational, this latest generation of GPS satellites will bring new capabilities to users, including three times greater accuracy and up to eight times the anti-jamming capabilities."

The launch was originally scheduled for 2014 but has been hobbled by production delays, the Air Force said.

It would mark SpaceX's first so-called National Security Space mission, as defined by the US military, SpaceX said.

The next GPS III satellite is due to launch in mid-2019, Eschenfelder said, while subsequent satellites undergo testing in the company's Colorado processing facility.

Billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX is scheduled on Saturday to launch a long-delayed US military navigation satellite, which if successful would mark the rocket company's first national security space mission for the United States.

Billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX is scheduled on Saturday to launch a long-delayed US military navigation satellite, which if successful would mark the rocket company's first national security space mission for the United States. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying a roughly $500 million GPS satellite built by Lockheed Martin Corp was due to blast off from Florida's Cape Canaveral around 9 am (1400 GMT), privately held SpaceX said. A successful launch - SpaceX's fourth attempt in a week after technical and weather delays - would be a significant victory for Musk's rocket company, which has spent years trying to break into the lucrative market for military space launches long-dominated by Lockheed and Boeing Co. SpaceX sued the US Air Force in 2014 in protest over the military's award of a multibillion-dollar, non-compete contract for 36 rocket launches to United Launch Alliance, a partnership of Boeing and Lockheed. It dropped the lawsuit in 2015 after the Air Force agreed to open up the competition. The next year, SpaceX won an $83 million Air Force contract to launch the GPS III satellite, which will have a lifespan of 15 years. The launch would be the first of 32 satellites in production by Lockheed under contracts worth a combined $12.6 billion for the Air Force GPS III program, Lockheed spokesman Chip Eschenfelder said. Air Force spokesman William Russell said: "Once fully operational, this latest generation of GPS satellites will bring new capabilities to users, including three times greater accuracy and up to eight times the anti-jamming capabilities." The launch was originally scheduled for 2014 but has been hobbled by production delays, the Air Force said. It would mark SpaceX's first so-called National Security Space mission, as defined by the US military, SpaceX said. The next GPS III satellite is due to launch in mid-2019, Eschenfelder said, while subsequent satellites undergo testing in the company's Colorado processing facility.

SpaceX to retry launch in first US national security space mission

Pakistan will send a human to space for the first time in 2022 with China's help, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced Thursday, the same year <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-to-send-human-in-space-by-2022-chandrayan-2-to-be-completed-in-2019-space-agency-chief-173487">India plans to launch</a> its manned space mission.

Pakistan's first space mission has been planned for 2022 and the federal Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan approved the plan on Thursday, ahead of his maiden visit to Beijing from November 3.

An agreement between Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and a Chinese company has already been signed, Chaudhry said.&nbsp;

In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ambitious mission of sending an Indian astronaut to space by 2022, which would make India the fourth nation in the world to do so.

"We have resolved that by 2022, when India celebrates 75 years of Independence or maybe even before that, certainly some of our young boys and girls will unfurl the Tricolour in space," Modi said from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 72nd Independence Day.&nbsp;

Pakistan and China already have robust defence ties and Islamabad is one of the top buyers of Chinese military hardware.

Earlier this year, Pakistan launched two indigenously built satellites into orbit, using a Chinese launch vehicle.

The satellites were launched onboard a Chinese Long March (LM-2C) rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre located at the Gobi desert, China.

One of the satellites launched was a remote sensing satellite (PRSS1) ? a dual-purpose Earth observational and optical satellite.&nbsp;

The second test satellite launched was a PAK-TES-1A, developed by Space and Upper Atmospheric Research Commission (Suparco) to enhance satellite manufacture capabilities in the country which would help end Pakistan's dependency on commercial satellites for information related to weather, environment and agriculture.

The satellites were transported to China as Pakistan lacks the infrastructure to launch objects, the Express Tribune quoted an official as saying.&nbsp; 
China launched its first manned space mission in 2003, becoming the third country in the world to independently develop manned spaceflight, after Russia and the United States.

Prime Minister Khan is embarking on his first visit to China on November 3 and will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, Geo News quoted the Foreign Office as saying.&nbsp;

During the visit the two sides will review the entire range of bilateral relations which have enjoyed a long history of mutual trust and mutual support. The two sides will also sign several agreements in diverse fields, the Foreign Office statement added.

This will be the premier's first official visit to China after assuming office in August.

The visit signifies the closeness and traditional warmth which characterises Pakistan-China all weather strategic cooperative partnership, the statement added.

After his visit to Beijing, Khan will visit Shanghai to participate in the irst China International Import Expo in Shanghai. The premier will be a keynote speaker at the inauguration of the expo.

He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

&nbsp;

Pakistan will send a human to space for the first time in 2022 with China's help, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced Thursday, the same year India plans to launch its manned space mission.

Pakistan will send a human to space for the first time in 2022 with China's help, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced Thursday, the same year India plans to launch its manned space mission. Pakistan's first space mission has been planned for 2022 and the federal Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan approved the plan on Thursday, ahead of his maiden visit to Beijing from November 3. An agreement between Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and a Chinese company has already been signed, Chaudhry said. In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ambitious mission of sending an Indian astronaut to space by 2022, which would make India the fourth nation in the world to do so. "We have resolved that by 2022, when India celebrates 75 years of Independence or maybe even before that, certainly some of our young boys and girls will unfurl the Tricolour in space," Modi said from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 72nd Independence Day. Pakistan and China already have robust defence ties and Islamabad is one of the top buyers of Chinese military hardware. Earlier this year, Pakistan launched two indigenously built satellites into orbit, using a Chinese launch vehicle. The satellites were launched onboard a Chinese Long March (LM-2C) rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre located at the Gobi desert, China. One of the satellites launched was a remote sensing satellite (PRSS1) ? a dual-purpose Earth observational and optical satellite. The second test satellite launched was a PAK-TES-1A, developed by Space and Upper Atmospheric Research Commission (Suparco) to enhance satellite manufacture capabilities in the country which would help end Pakistan's dependency on commercial satellites for information related to weather, environment and agriculture. The satellites were transported to China as Pakistan lacks the infrastructure to launch objects, the Express Tribune quoted an official as saying. China launched its first manned space mission in 2003, becoming the third country in the world to independently develop manned spaceflight, after Russia and the United States. Prime Minister Khan is embarking on his first visit to China on November 3 and will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, Geo News quoted the Foreign Office as saying. During the visit the two sides will review the entire range of bilateral relations which have enjoyed a long history of mutual trust and mutual support. The two sides will also sign several agreements in diverse fields, the Foreign Office statement added. This will be the premier's first official visit to China after assuming office in August. The visit signifies the closeness and traditional warmth which characterises Pakistan-China all weather strategic cooperative partnership, the statement added. After his visit to Beijing, Khan will visit Shanghai to participate in the irst China International Import Expo in Shanghai. The premier will be a keynote speaker at the inauguration of the expo. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

First Pakistani astronauts to be in space in 2022

Since the &#39;Space Race&#39; era of exploration&nbsp;between United States and Soviet Union, space technology has witnessed major developments.

Astronomers have carried out the study of space with telescopes and have progressed to take forward&nbsp;physical exploration, both by unmanned robotic probes and human spaceflights.

Early space explorations were carried out for military, communications and security purposes&nbsp;but now space colonisation, or space humanisation, is also emerging as a new frontier.

If you want to know how we fare in terms of space travel in the future, have a look at some of the most kickass upcoming space missions:

<h2>Asteroid mining technology</h2>

This year, the world will witness the first flight in connection with the long-term goal of asteroid mining.&nbsp;The Prospector-X test flight&nbsp;is a precursor to the Prospector-1 mission&nbsp;and will test the company&rsquo;s water-based propulsion, avionics and navigation systems. If successful, the Prospector-1 mission will take place before the end of the decade.&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J0vkqQN44I4" width="970"></iframe>

<h2>Blue Origin&nbsp;</h2>

Jeff Bezos&rsquo;s Blue Origin private space firm has a manned test flight dated for early this year. It will be a sub-orbital hop rather than a full-fledged journey into orbit. They also have a space capsule offering&nbsp;large windows and space for up to six people.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-YJhymiZjqc" width="970"></iframe>

<h2>Cassini&#39;s grand finale</h2>

NASA&rsquo;s&nbsp;Cassini probe has been orbiting Saturn since 2004, and&nbsp;the space agency is set for a finale this year.&nbsp;Cassini will&nbsp;undertake 22&nbsp;orbits between the inner rings and the planet, capturing information and images. Once the&nbsp;orbits are complete, the probe will burn&nbsp;in Saturn&rsquo;s upper atmosphere.&nbsp;Cassini has made many important discoveries since its launch. It spotted liquid-hydrocarbon lakes on Titan and geysers of water ice blasting from the south polar region of Saturn&rsquo;s moon Enceladus.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/59Br_aZ5i3c" width="970"></iframe>

<h2>Chinese probe to&nbsp;land on moon and return with samples</h2>

This is perhaps the most ambitious mission undertaken by the Chinese space agency. So far, China has sent a rover to the moon, but returning back with samples is risky. Chang&rsquo;e 5 mission will see a lunar lander touching down on the moon, gathering samples and bringing them back to Earth. Returning back is difficult as the probe needs to be protected during re-entry.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lBM5swBrKdY" width="970"></iframe>

<h2>Dawn&#39;s mission&nbsp;</h2>

NASA&#39;s Dawn spacecraft will complete its task this year. The $467-million Dawn mission was launched in September 2007 to study Vesta and Ceres, the two largest objects in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The spacecraft has revealed a lot&nbsp;about dry, rocky Vesta and icy Ceres&nbsp;and has found evidence of water ice being&nbsp;common just beneath the dwarf planet&#39;s surface.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5OFgJwdZxRc" width="970"></iframe>

<h2>Exoplanet hunter</h2>

NASA will continue the search for exoplanets this year. It is teaming up with SpaceX to launch the TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) space telescope. TESS will monitor more than 200,000 stars for temporary drops in brightness caused by planetary transits. These planets range from gas giants to potential Earth-like planets. It will spend the early years looking for alien planets that cross the faces of their parent stars.&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsPStvGgNuk" width="970"></iframe>

<h2>ESA to launch exoplanet telescope</h2>

The year will witness&nbsp;two space telescopes being launched.&nbsp;CHEOPS, one of the telescopes, will be looking at nearby stars&nbsp;already known to host exoplanets. This will give new information about existing planets.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mwf-zJ0bRb8" width="970"></iframe>

<h2>Falcon Heavy</h2>

Expected to launch in spring/summer, Falcon Heavy will be the most powerful rocket in the world. It will be&nbsp;capable of carrying 60 tons (54 metric tons) to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and 24.5 tons (22.2 metric tons) to the geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u26-CIDaazQ" width="970"></iframe>

<h2>Green alternative to chemical propulsion</h2>

NASA will be launching the Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM)&nbsp;for a new form of green propulsion, as an alternative to hydrazine, the fuel used today. It will lead to&nbsp;fuel loading becoming much safer, faster and less expensive. The alternative also has a higher density than hydrazine with a better thrust and a lower freezing point.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0rKYHLAThYc" width="970"></iframe>

<h2>Launching satellites from a Boeing 747</h2>

We have had plenty of satellites being launched into space from a jet aircraft, but firing satellites from a Boeing is completely unheard of. Virgin Galactic will be testing its new LauncherOne&nbsp;programme, which aims to carry&nbsp;a 200 kg payload&nbsp;into a &#39;sun synchronous orbit&#39;&nbsp;for less than $10 million.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L2OT8Fvo1zw" width="970"></iframe>

<h2>Private moon landing</h2>

For an award prize of&nbsp;$30 million, two companies will be fighting to land a robotic craft on the moon, a first for a private entity.&nbsp;Google&lsquo;s Lunar X Prize, in the form of Israel&rsquo;s SpaceIL and the USA&rsquo;s Moon Express programmes are looking to award the company which can achieve this feat. To win, they will not just land the spacecraft but will travel 500 metres and transmit HD video/pictures back to Earth.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cuXxBoSYmfc" width="970"></iframe>

<h2>Space debris</h2>

The mission is set to launch this year and will test a device that is aimed at capturing&nbsp;orbiting space debris. There will also be a system of spacing junk with an attached dragsail that will allow&nbsp;the existing&nbsp;debris to be pushed out of the orbit. If successful, we might just have less&nbsp;space junk floating around our planet.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ADVlDRmuooA" width="970"></iframe>

(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

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From mining asteroids to private space flights and even space tourism, here's what you can expect in space exploration in 2017

Since the 'Space Race' era of exploration between United States and Soviet Union, space technology has witnessed major developments. Astronomers have carried out the study of space with telescopes and have progressed to take forward physical exploration, both by unmanned robotic probes and human spaceflights. Early space explorations were carried out for military, communications and security purposes but now space colonisation, or space humanisation, is also emerging as a new frontier. If you want to know how we fare in terms of space travel in the future, have a look at some of the most kickass upcoming space missions: Asteroid mining technology This year, the world will witness the first flight in connection with the long-term goal of asteroid mining. The Prospector-X test flight is a precursor to the Prospector-1 mission and will test the company’s water-based propulsion, avionics and navigation systems. If successful, the Prospector-1 mission will take place before the end of the decade. Blue Origin Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin private space firm has a manned test flight dated for early this year. It will be a sub-orbital hop rather than a full-fledged journey into orbit. They also have a space capsule offering large windows and space for up to six people. Cassini's grand finale NASA’s Cassini probe has been orbiting Saturn since 2004, and the space agency is set for a finale this year. Cassini will undertake 22 orbits between the inner rings and the planet, capturing information and images. Once the orbits are complete, the probe will burn in Saturn’s upper atmosphere. Cassini has made many important discoveries since its launch. It spotted liquid-hydrocarbon lakes on Titan and geysers of water ice blasting from the south polar region of Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Chinese probe to land on moon and return with samples This is perhaps the most ambitious mission undertaken by the Chinese space agency. So far, China has sent a rover to the moon, but returning back with samples is risky. Chang’e 5 mission will see a lunar lander touching down on the moon, gathering samples and bringing them back to Earth. Returning back is difficult as the probe needs to be protected during re-entry. Dawn's mission NASA's Dawn spacecraft will complete its task this year. The $467-million Dawn mission was launched in September 2007 to study Vesta and Ceres, the two largest objects in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The spacecraft has revealed a lot about dry, rocky Vesta and icy Ceres and has found evidence of water ice being common just beneath the dwarf planet's surface. Exoplanet hunter NASA will continue the search for exoplanets this year. It is teaming up with SpaceX to launch the TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) space telescope. TESS will monitor more than 200,000 stars for temporary drops in brightness caused by planetary transits. These planets range from gas giants to potential Earth-like planets. It will spend the early years looking for alien planets that cross the faces of their parent stars. ESA to launch exoplanet telescope The year will witness two space telescopes being launched. CHEOPS, one of the telescopes, will be looking at nearby stars already known to host exoplanets. This will give new information about existing planets. Falcon Heavy Expected to launch in spring/summer, Falcon Heavy will be the most powerful rocket in the world. It will be capable of carrying 60 tons (54 metric tons) to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and 24.5 tons (22.2 metric tons) to the geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Green alternative to chemical propulsion NASA will be launching the Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) for a new form of green propulsion, as an alternative to hydrazine, the fuel used today. It will lead to fuel loading becoming much safer, faster and less expensive. The alternative also has a higher density than hydrazine with a better thrust and a lower freezing point. Launching satellites from a Boeing 747 We have had plenty of satellites being launched into space from a jet aircraft, but firing satellites from a Boeing is completely unheard of. Virgin Galactic will be testing its new LauncherOne programme, which aims to carry a 200 kg payload into a 'sun synchronous orbit' for less than $10 million. Private moon landing For an award prize of $30 million, two companies will be fighting to land a robotic craft on the moon, a first for a private entity. Google‘s Lunar X Prize, in the form of Israel’s SpaceIL and the USA’s Moon Express programmes are looking to award the company which can achieve this feat. To win, they will not just land the spacecraft but will travel 500 metres and transmit HD video/pictures back to Earth. Space debris The mission is set to launch this year and will test a device that is aimed at capturing orbiting space debris. There will also be a system of spacing junk with an attached dragsail that will allow the existing debris to be pushed out of the orbit. If successful, we might just have less space junk floating around our planet. (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

Out-of-the-world space expeditions

China launched its longest manned space mission today as it blasted off Shenzhou 11 on Long March rocket at 7:30 am (2330 GMT) from the remote launch site in Jiuquan, in the Gobi desert, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

With this launch, China has&nbsp;moved a step closer to its ambition of establishing its permanent space station by 2022. Two&nbsp;astronauts have been sent into orbit to spend a month aboard a space laboratory.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

For the Chinese astronauts ---- Jing Haipeng (50) and Chen Dong (37) -- this will be the longest stay in space, state media reported. They will dock with the Tiangong 2 space laboratory, or &quot;Heavenly Palace 2&quot;, that was sent into space last month, according to Reuters.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The two astronauts appeared in good spirits hours before the lift-off, PTI reported.

&nbsp;

&ldquo;Although the job is challenging, risky and dangerous, there is nothing more I would rather do,&rdquo; Jing, who is commander of this mission, was quoted as saying by PTI. &nbsp;This will be Jing&rsquo;s third spaceflight following his Shenzhou-7 mission in September 2008 and Shenzhou-9 mission in March 2012. &nbsp;He will celebrate his 50th birthday in orbit.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&ldquo;(For this mission) we have improved our ability to deal with emergencies, first-aid and space experiments,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&ldquo;I will treasure every moment in space and ensure I record my experience in my diary and enjoy the out-of-this-world scenery,&rdquo; Chen said.

&nbsp;

Early on Monday, Fan Changlong, a vice chairman of China&#39;s powerful Central Military Commission, met Jing Haipeng and Chen and wished them well, state news agency Xinhua reported.

&nbsp;

&quot;You are going to travel in space to pursue the space dream of the Chinese nation,&quot; Fan was quoted as saying by Reuters.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;With all the scientific and rigorous training, discreet preparation, and rich experience accumulated from previous missions, you will accomplish the glorious and tough task... We wish you success and look forward to your triumphant return.&quot;

&nbsp;

China insists its space programme is for peaceful purposes.

&nbsp;

Shenzhou 11, whose name translates as &quot;Divine Vessel&quot;, will also carry three experiments designed by Hong Kong middle school students and selected in a science competition, including one that will take silk worms into space.

&nbsp;

The US Defense Department has highlighted China&#39;s increasing space capabilities, saying it was pursuing activities aimed at preventing other nations using space-based assets in a crisis.

&nbsp;

China has been working to develop its space program for military, commercial and scientific purposes, but is still playing catch-up to established space powers the United States and Russia.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With this launch, China moved a step closer to its ambition of establishing its permanent space station by 2022

China launched its longest manned space mission today as it blasted off Shenzhou 11 on Long March rocket at 7:30 am (2330 GMT) from the remote launch site in Jiuquan, in the Gobi desert, Reuters reported. With this launch, China has moved a step closer to its ambition of establishing its permanent space station by 2022. Two astronauts have been sent into orbit to spend a month aboard a space laboratory. For the Chinese astronauts ---- Jing Haipeng (50) and Chen Dong (37) -- this will be the longest stay in space, state media reported. They will dock with the Tiangong 2 space laboratory, or "Heavenly Palace 2", that was sent into space last month, according to Reuters. The two astronauts appeared in good spirits hours before the lift-off, PTI reported. “Although the job is challenging, risky and dangerous, there is nothing more I would rather do,” Jing, who is commander of this mission, was quoted as saying by PTI. This will be Jing’s third spaceflight following his Shenzhou-7 mission in September 2008 and Shenzhou-9 mission in March 2012. He will celebrate his 50th birthday in orbit. “(For this mission) we have improved our ability to deal with emergencies, first-aid and space experiments,” he said. “I will treasure every moment in space and ensure I record my experience in my diary and enjoy the out-of-this-world scenery,” Chen said. Early on Monday, Fan Changlong, a vice chairman of China's powerful Central Military Commission, met Jing Haipeng and Chen and wished them well, state news agency Xinhua reported. "You are going to travel in space to pursue the space dream of the Chinese nation," Fan was quoted as saying by Reuters. "With all the scientific and rigorous training, discreet preparation, and rich experience accumulated from previous missions, you will accomplish the glorious and tough task... We wish you success and look forward to your triumphant return." China insists its space programme is for peaceful purposes. Shenzhou 11, whose name translates as "Divine Vessel", will also carry three experiments designed by Hong Kong middle school students and selected in a science competition, including one that will take silk worms into space. The US Defense Department has highlighted China's increasing space capabilities, saying it was pursuing activities aimed at preventing other nations using space-based assets in a crisis. China has been working to develop its space program for military, commercial and scientific purposes, but is still playing catch-up to established space powers the United States and Russia. (WION with inputs from agencies)

China's Shenzhou 11 blasts off on longest manned space mission

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