<p>Amid the ongoing debate about the existence of a so-called ‘Planet Nine’ which scientists believe has been lurking around in the murky depths of our solar system for years now, two scientists from Japan have a new theory that suggests the existence of a more modestly sized, Earth-like planet closer than the disputed Planet Nine.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Argument around existence of ‘Planet Nine’</strong></h2>

<p>Scientists have been debating about the presence of the so-called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-mysterious-planet-may-be-lurking-around-in-our-solar-system-621243">Planet Nine</a>, the supposedly massive terrestrial planet for some time now, after Pluto was unceremoniously stripped of its planetary status and declared a dwarf planet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>So far, the most distant single object ever to be found in our solar system is some 132 astronomical units from the Sun, to put this into perspective, Pluto is at an average distance of about 40 astronomical units from the Sun.</p>

<h2><strong>About the new theory</strong></h2>

<p>Planetary scientists Patryk Sofia Lykawka of Kindai University in Japan and Takashi Ito of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, in a recent paper, published in The Astronomical Journal, have put forth an alternative explanation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They suggest that there might be a more modestly sized, Earth-like planet revolving around the Sun, closer to the debated Planet Nine, on a tilted orbit.</p>

<p>Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) found beyond the orbit of Neptune, which scientists have recently taken note of due to their peculiar clustering behaviour have led them to suggest the presence of a hidden world and the idea of a 9th planet lurking beyond our range of visibility.</p>

<p>“We predict the existence of an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-earth-like-exoplanet-in-habitable-zone-around-its-star-558568">Earth-like planet</a> and several trans-Neptunian objects on peculiar orbits in the outer solar system, which can serve as observationally testable signatures of the putative planet’s perturbations,” the duo wrote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This comes as scientists have found a number of TNOs including icy rocks and dwarf planets beyond Neptune which are some 30 astronomical units from the Sun, which extend as far as we can see. This is the Kuiper belt and the objects it contains are called TNOs.</p>

<p>Lykawka and Ito said that they have found the properties of a hypothetical planet that could explain “three fundamental properties of the distant Kuiper Belt: a prominent population of TNOs with orbits beyond Neptune’s gravitational influence, a significant population of high-inclination objects, and the existence of some extreme objects with peculiar orbits.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>The two scientists suggested that the mass of this possible Earth-like planet would be between 1.5 and three times that of Earth. The most distant point from the Sun in this planet’s orbit would be between 250 and 500 astronomical units and an inclination of 30 degrees respective to the plane of the solar system.&nbsp;<br />
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Amid the ongoing debate about the existence of a so-called ‘Planet Nine’ which scientists believe has been lurking around in the murky depths of our solar system for years now, two scientists from Japan have a new theory that suggests the existence of a more modestly sized, Earth-like planet closer than the disputed Planet Nine.

Amid the ongoing debate about the existence of a so-called ‘Planet Nine’ which scientists believe has been lurking around in the murky depths of our solar system for years now, two scientists from Japan have a new theory that suggests the existence of a more modestly sized, Earth-like planet closer than the disputed Planet Nine. Argument around existence of ‘Planet Nine’ Scientists have been debating about the presence of the so-called Planet Nine, the supposedly massive terrestrial planet for some time now, after Pluto was unceremoniously stripped of its planetary status and declared a dwarf planet. So far, the most distant single object ever to be found in our solar system is some 132 astronomical units from the Sun, to put this into perspective, Pluto is at an average distance of about 40 astronomical units from the Sun. About the new theory Planetary scientists Patryk Sofia Lykawka of Kindai University in Japan and Takashi Ito of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, in a recent paper, published in The Astronomical Journal, have put forth an alternative explanation. They suggest that there might be a more modestly sized, Earth-like planet revolving around the Sun, closer to the debated Planet Nine, on a tilted orbit. Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) found beyond the orbit of Neptune, which scientists have recently taken note of due to their peculiar clustering behaviour have led them to suggest the presence of a hidden world and the idea of a 9th planet lurking beyond our range of visibility. “We predict the existence of an Earth-like planet and several trans-Neptunian objects on peculiar orbits in the outer solar system, which can serve as observationally testable signatures of the putative planet’s perturbations,” the duo wrote. This comes as scientists have found a number of TNOs including icy rocks and dwarf planets beyond Neptune which are some 30 astronomical units from the Sun, which extend as far as we can see. This is the Kuiper belt and the objects it contains are called TNOs. Lykawka and Ito said that they have found the properties of a hypothetical planet that could explain “three fundamental properties of the distant Kuiper Belt: a prominent population of TNOs with orbits beyond Neptune’s gravitational influence, a significant population of high-inclination objects, and the existence of some extreme objects with peculiar orbits.” The two scientists suggested that the mass of this possible Earth-like planet would be between 1.5 and three times that of Earth. The most distant point from the Sun in this planet’s orbit would be between 250 and 500 astronomical units and an inclination of 30 degrees respective to the plane of the solar system. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scientists believe an Earth-like planet might be hiding in our solar system

Here, we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: Days after becoming the first nation to land a craft near the moon's largely unexplored South Pole, India is all set to achieve another space exploration milestone. The Aditya L1 is the first Indian space mission to study the sun.

Aditya L-1: India's Sun Mission | Russia-Ukraine War

The ambitious first mission to study the Sun has been launched by the Indian Space Research Organization. The Aditya L1 mission was due to launch on Saturday from Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Center and travel for four months to Lagrange Point 1.

Aditya-L1: India's first sun mission launched successfully

<p>A mysterious explosion that occurred on the sun's far side has triggered a mass of plasma and radiation, which is soon expected to hit Mars. If this solar storm reaches the red planet, it has the potential to initiate subtle ultraviolet auroras and could even erode a portion of its atmosphere, experts suggest.</p>

<p>On August 26, satellites in Earth's orbit detected an unexpected explosion on the sun's far side. Upon further examination, it was determined that the explosion was classified as an M-class solar flare, the second-most potent form of solar eruption.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What caused the explosion?</strong></h2>

<p>Researchers remain uncertain about what caused the explosion, given the absence of sunspots—dark, magnetised patches on the sun's surface—from the area where the explosion originated.</p>

<p>In some instances, solar flares can propel coronal mass ejections (CMEs), fast-moving clouds of magnetised plasma and radiation, into space. A CME was observed after the M-class flare, but it wasn't closely monitored since it posed no threat to Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Recent revelations, however, indicate that the CME is likely to impact Mars on September 1.</p>

<h2><strong>Impact on Mars</strong></h2>

<p>Should the CME strike, it could give rise to auroras on Mars, although they would be weak. Auroras on Earth result from the interaction of solar storm radiation or solar wind with gases in the upper atmosphere, causing excited molecules to emit light. These events are usually confined to the poles due to Earth's weaker magnetosphere.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Massive explosion from Sun felt on Earth and Mars</strong></p>

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<p>Mars, on the other hand, has a thin atmosphere with significantly less gas compared to Earth, resulting in feeble auroral displays primarily in ultraviolet wavelengths. Its patchy, mushroom-shaped magnetic fields replace a conventional magnetosphere due to its inactive core.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This distinctive makeup allows Martian auroras to emerge across the planet. However, the weak magnetic protection makes the planet susceptible to having its faint atmosphere stripped away by significant CMEs.</p>

<h2><strong>Previous cases</strong></h2>

<p>Prominent auroras on Mars have been identified on several occasions. In 2022, the UAE's Mars Mission's Hope orbiter spotted peculiar worm-like auroras traversing the planet. NASA's MAVEN spacecraft detected auroras in Mars' northern hemisphere in 2014, while the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft observed similar phenomena in the southern hemisphere in 2004. Research from 2019 also suggests the presence of frequent, faint auroras—proton auroras—triggered by solar wind.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientist-claims-we-may-have-discovered-life-on-mars-50-years-ago-but-killed-it-accidentally-629871"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;A scientist claims that humans found life on Mars 50 years ago, and then killed it accidentally</strong></a></p>

<p>As the sun approaches the solar maximum, a phase of heightened activity within its roughly 11-year cycle, the likelihood of significant Martian auroras could increase in the coming years. The solar maximum, initially projected for 2025, might arrive sooner and be more potent than expected.</p>

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A mysterious explosion that occurred on the sun's far side has triggered a mass of plasma and radiation, which is soon expected to hit Mars. If this solar storm reaches the red planet, it has the potential to initiate subtle ultraviolet auroras and could even erode a portion of its atmosphere, experts suggest.

A mysterious explosion that occurred on the sun's far side has triggered a mass of plasma and radiation, which is soon expected to hit Mars. If this solar storm reaches the red planet, it has the potential to initiate subtle ultraviolet auroras and could even erode a portion of its atmosphere, experts suggest. On August 26, satellites in Earth's orbit detected an unexpected explosion on the sun's far side. Upon further examination, it was determined that the explosion was classified as an M-class solar flare, the second-most potent form of solar eruption. What caused the explosion? Researchers remain uncertain about what caused the explosion, given the absence of sunspots—dark, magnetised patches on the sun's surface—from the area where the explosion originated. In some instances, solar flares can propel coronal mass ejections (CMEs), fast-moving clouds of magnetised plasma and radiation, into space. A CME was observed after the M-class flare, but it wasn't closely monitored since it posed no threat to Earth. Recent revelations, however, indicate that the CME is likely to impact Mars on September 1. Impact on Mars Should the CME strike, it could give rise to auroras on Mars, although they would be weak. Auroras on Earth result from the interaction of solar storm radiation or solar wind with gases in the upper atmosphere, causing excited molecules to emit light. These events are usually confined to the poles due to Earth's weaker magnetosphere. Watch: Massive explosion from Sun felt on Earth and Mars × Mars, on the other hand, has a thin atmosphere with significantly less gas compared to Earth, resulting in feeble auroral displays primarily in ultraviolet wavelengths. Its patchy, mushroom-shaped magnetic fields replace a conventional magnetosphere due to its inactive core. This distinctive makeup allows Martian auroras to emerge across the planet. However, the weak magnetic protection makes the planet susceptible to having its faint atmosphere stripped away by significant CMEs. Previous cases Prominent auroras on Mars have been identified on several occasions. In 2022, the UAE's Mars Mission's Hope orbiter spotted peculiar worm-like auroras traversing the planet. NASA's MAVEN spacecraft detected auroras in Mars' northern hemisphere in 2014, while the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft observed similar phenomena in the southern hemisphere in 2004. Research from 2019 also suggests the presence of frequent, faint auroras—proton auroras—triggered by solar wind. Also read: A scientist claims that humans found life on Mars 50 years ago, and then killed it accidentally As the sun approaches the solar maximum, a phase of heightened activity within its roughly 11-year cycle, the likelihood of significant Martian auroras could increase in the coming years. The solar maximum, initially projected for 2025, might arrive sooner and be more potent than expected. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Mars is bracing for radiation emitted by a mysterious explosion on the sun

Days after the successful launch of India's Chandrayaan-3. Britain has announced some major plans for taking part in the space race. UK is planning to launch a rocket every month.

Is Britain finally joining the space race after Chandrayaan-3's success?

ISRO is ready to launch its first mission to the Sun 'ADITYA-L1 MISSION'. India's first mission to the Sun is set for launch in September. The spacecraft will be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point L1. What is Lagrange point?

Aditya-L1 mission: All about the Lagrange point L1, the location of ISRO's spacecraft on Sun

Chandrayaan 3, for the first time ever in the history of world space science, profiled the soil of the south pole of the moon, its temperature variation up to 10cm beneath the surface.

Chandrayaan 3 shares first observations about moon's soil temperature

From conquering the Moon to studying the Sun up close, India's space agency is set to redefine space exploration. This is what ISRO's visionary roadmap looks like as it aims to unlock the secrets of the universe one mission at a time Join @mollygambhir on #GravitasPlus for more.

Gravitas Plus: ISRO's Next Big Projects Will Blow Your Mind | Sun, Venus, and Beyond | Watch

Not everyone is happy with India's Chandrayaan-3 success. A portion of the British society wants India to return the aid given by UK over the years. @VikramChandra asks- What about the $45 trillion the British looted from India? Shouldn't the UK be the one repaying India?

Chandrayaan-3: India's success makes some Brits unhappy

On August 23, India's #Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the moon. India is the first country to have landed on the lunar south pole. @VikramChandra tells you how India managed to do what others could not, and what the success of Chandrayaan-3 means for India's space economy.

Chandrayaan-3: India makes historic landing near Moon's South Pole

Chandrayaan-3: India become the first country to land on lunar south pole

India scripted history. Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon's south pole. India became the first nation to do so while also becoming the fourth nation to land on the lunar surface after USSR, US & China.

Chrandrayaan-3: What will the Pragyan rover look for on the Moon's south pole?

The Vikram lander of India's Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission achieved a safe soft-landing on the south pole of the Moon on Wednesday (Aug 23) evening at its scheduled time of 6:04 PM (Indian Standard Time). The Chandrayaan-3 space mission's historic success has made India the first country in the world to land a spacecraft on Moon's south pole, and fourth country to land on Moon overall. Take a look.

Chandrayaan-3 is success: A soft landing for Vikram lander, giant leap for India's space odyssey

<p>The Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), achieved a successful soft landing at 6:04 PM (IST) on August 23.&nbsp;India made a historic achievement, becoming the first country to land a&nbsp;spacecraft on the Moon's southern pole. This milestone comes days after a Russian probe, Luna-25, crashed&nbsp;in the same area on&nbsp;August 21.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Just a few hours before India's historic Chandrayaan-3's soft landing on the moon, Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO and the world's wealthiest, expressed his admiration for the project's cost-effectiveness. Responding to a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which compared Chandrayaan-3's budget to that of the movie <em>Interstellar</em>, Musk stated that the mission is "good for India." The post on X highlighted that India's lunar mission budget amounted to a mere $75 million, while the creators of Interstellar had spent $165 million on the film.</p>

<h2><strong>ISRO has a real talent for achieving remarkable results without breaking the bank</strong></h2>

<p>Indeed, Chandrayaan-3's budget stands out for its frugality, a testament to the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) knack for achieving remarkable feats on a limited budget. This mission represents ISRO's third venture to the lunar surface, following the successful Chandrayaan-1 (2008), which contributed to the discovery of liquid water on the moon. However, Chandrayaan-2 (2019) faced a communication failure and ultimately crashed into the lunar surface.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/every-indian-household-is-celebrating-pm-modi-says-after-india-lands-on-moon-628412">'Every Indian household is celebrating,' PM Modi says after India lands on Moon</a></p>

<h2><strong>Budget breakdown and global comparisons</strong></h2>

<p>Reports on the day of Chandrayaan-3's launch, including one by Reuters, estimated the mission's budget at just under $75 million, roughly equivalent to ₹615 crore. Furthermore, an ANI report provided more specific details, indicating that the approved cost of Chandrayaan-3 was ₹250 crore (around $31 million), excluding launch vehicle expenses.</p>

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<p>ISRO's impressive cost-efficiency in space exploration is strikingly evident when compared to other space agencies worldwide. In 2022, India's space programme budget ranked seventh globally, with government spending totalling $1.93 billion. Even in lunar missions, Chandrayaan-3's budget remains notably lower than its counterparts. For instance, Russia's Luna-25, which tragically crashed on the moon shortly before Chandrayaan-3's successful mission, reportedly had a budget ranging between $190-200 million.</p>

<p>NASA, the United States' space agency, is projected to allocate as much as $93 billion for its Artemis moon exploration programme by 2025.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-is-on-the-moon-isro-chief-s-somanath-celebrates-chandrayaan-3s-triumph-on-lunar-landing-628420">‘India is on the moon’: ISRO chief S Somanath celebrates Chandrayaan-3's triumph on lunar landing</a></p>

<p>Despite limited resources, ISRO has cultivated an illustrious track record in space exploration. To date, the space agency has executed <a href="https://www.isro.gov.in/Mission.html">124 spacecraft missions and 93&nbsp;launch missions.</a>&nbsp;</p>

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The Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), achieved a successful soft landing at 6:04 PM (IST) on August 23. India made a historic achievement, becoming the first country to land a spacecraft on the Moon's southern pole.

The Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), achieved a successful soft landing at 6:04 PM (IST) on August 23. India made a historic achievement, becoming the first country to land a spacecraft on the Moon's southern pole. This milestone comes days after a Russian probe, Luna-25, crashed in the same area on August 21. Just a few hours before India's historic Chandrayaan-3's soft landing on the moon, Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO and the world's wealthiest, expressed his admiration for the project's cost-effectiveness. Responding to a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which compared Chandrayaan-3's budget to that of the movie Interstellar, Musk stated that the mission is "good for India." The post on X highlighted that India's lunar mission budget amounted to a mere $75 million, while the creators of Interstellar had spent $165 million on the film. ISRO has a real talent for achieving remarkable results without breaking the bank Indeed, Chandrayaan-3's budget stands out for its frugality, a testament to the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) knack for achieving remarkable feats on a limited budget. This mission represents ISRO's third venture to the lunar surface, following the successful Chandrayaan-1 (2008), which contributed to the discovery of liquid water on the moon. However, Chandrayaan-2 (2019) faced a communication failure and ultimately crashed into the lunar surface. Also read | 'Every Indian household is celebrating,' PM Modi says after India lands on Moon Budget breakdown and global comparisons Reports on the day of Chandrayaan-3's launch, including one by Reuters, estimated the mission's budget at just under $75 million, roughly equivalent to ₹615 crore. Furthermore, an ANI report provided more specific details, indicating that the approved cost of Chandrayaan-3 was ₹250 crore (around $31 million), excluding launch vehicle expenses. × ISRO's impressive cost-efficiency in space exploration is strikingly evident when compared to other space agencies worldwide. In 2022, India's space programme budget ranked seventh globally, with government spending totalling $1.93 billion. Even in lunar missions, Chandrayaan-3's budget remains notably lower than its counterparts. For instance, Russia's Luna-25, which tragically crashed on the moon shortly before Chandrayaan-3's successful mission, reportedly had a budget ranging between $190-200 million. NASA, the United States' space agency, is projected to allocate as much as $93 billion for its Artemis moon exploration programme by 2025. Also read | ‘India is on the moon’: ISRO chief S Somanath celebrates Chandrayaan-3's triumph on lunar landing Despite limited resources, ISRO has cultivated an illustrious track record in space exploration. To date, the space agency has executed 124 spacecraft missions and 93 launch missions. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | With a budget less than Hollywood's 'Interstellar', India's Chandrayaan-3 is a big success

History is about to be created. As Chandrayaan-3 is just a few hours away from lunar landing. Chandrayaan-3 will attempt a soft landing on the moon's south pole. Why is South Pole chosen for landing?

Chandrayaan-3: What makes the south pole of the Moon so special?

India is now only few hours away from making history. Its third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, is all set to make a soft and successful landing on the south polar region of the Moon around 6.04pm today, August 23.

Chandrayaan-3 mission:: ISRO says ‘all set to initiate’ Vikram lander's lunar touchdown

Chandrayaan-3 mission: ISRO mission to land on the moon in less than 3 hours

<p>Presently, India hopes to win this week’s space race by being the first country to set foot on the moon’s south pole. The race is about science, politics of national pride, and a brand-new frontier: money.</p>

<p>India’s Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled to touch down on the lunar south pole on Wednesday. Analysts and businesspeople anticipate a quick boost for the nation’s fledgling space industry if it is successful.</p>

<p>Before the lander plummeted from orbit and likely took with it the financing for a replacement mission, observers say, Russia’s Luna-25, which was launched less than two weeks ago, had been on pace to arrive first.</p>

<p>The unexpected race to reach a previously undiscovered area of the moon brings to mind the space race between the US and the USSR in the 1960s.</p>

<p>But now that space travel is a lucrative industry, the moon’s south pole is prized for the water ice that scientists believe could one day support a lunar colony, mining operations, and eventually journeys to Mars.</p>

<p>With the help of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has privatised space launches and is attempting to attract international investment as it aims to grow its market share in the launch industry five-fold over the course of the next ten years.</p>

<p>Analysts predict that India’s space industry will benefit from its reputation for cost-effective engineering if Chandrayaan-3 is a success. Only about $74 million was allocated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the project.</p>

<p>The inspector general of the US space agency has calculated that NASA is on schedule to spend nearly $93 billion on its Artemis lunar plan through 2025.</p>

<p>“The moment this mission is successful, it raises the profile of everyone associated with it,” said Ajey Lele, a consultant with the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi.</p>

<p><b>Russia’s setback &nbsp;</b></p>

<p>Russia was able to launch a moonshot despite sanctions from the West over its involvement in the Ukraine War and growing isolation. However, some authorities question its capacity to support a Luna-25 replacement. The amount Russia spent on the expedition is unknown.</p>

<p>According to Moscow-based author and independent space specialist Vadim Lukashevich, the exploration costs are consistently decreasing annually.</p>

<p>A replication of Luna-25 is “extremely unlikely” given Russia’s budget priorities, he continued.</p>

<p>Prior to 2021, when it said it would collaborate with China on its moon plan, Russia had been considering a position in NASA’s Artemis programme. Little data about the attempt has been made public.</p>

<p>2019 saw China’s first-ever soft landing on the moon’s far side, while the country has additional missions in progress. According to space research company Euroconsult, China will invest $12 billion in its space project in 2022.</p>

<p><b>NASA’s strategy guide&nbsp;</b></p>

<p>According to officials, NASA has provided the blueprint that India is using by opening up to private funding.</p>

<p>For instance, SpaceX, run by Elon Musk, is creating the Starship rocket to carry NASA’s astronauts to the moon’s surface as part of a $3 billion contract.</p>

<p>In addition to that contract, Musk has stated that SpaceX will invest about $2 billion in Starship this year.</p>

<p>By the end of the year, or in 2024, lunar landers being constructed by the American space companies Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines (LUNR.O) are anticipated to be sent to the moon’s south pole.</p>

<p>Additionally, privately funded alternatives to the International Space Station are being created by businesses like Axiom Space and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Axiom reported raising $350 million from Saudi and South Korean investors on Monday.</p>

<p>Space is still risky. India’s most recent moon mission failed in 2019, the same year an Israeli startup’s bid to make history by becoming the first privately funded moon mission also failed.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Reuters)</p>

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Presently, India hopes to win this week’s space race by being the first country to set foot on the moon’s south pole. The race is about science, politics of national pride, and a brand-new frontier: money.

Presently, India hopes to win this week’s space race by being the first country to set foot on the moon’s south pole. The race is about science, politics of national pride, and a brand-new frontier: money. India’s Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled to touch down on the lunar south pole on Wednesday. Analysts and businesspeople anticipate a quick boost for the nation’s fledgling space industry if it is successful. Before the lander plummeted from orbit and likely took with it the financing for a replacement mission, observers say, Russia’s Luna-25, which was launched less than two weeks ago, had been on pace to arrive first. The unexpected race to reach a previously undiscovered area of the moon brings to mind the space race between the US and the USSR in the 1960s. But now that space travel is a lucrative industry, the moon’s south pole is prized for the water ice that scientists believe could one day support a lunar colony, mining operations, and eventually journeys to Mars. With the help of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has privatised space launches and is attempting to attract international investment as it aims to grow its market share in the launch industry five-fold over the course of the next ten years. Analysts predict that India’s space industry will benefit from its reputation for cost-effective engineering if Chandrayaan-3 is a success. Only about $74 million was allocated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the project. The inspector general of the US space agency has calculated that NASA is on schedule to spend nearly $93 billion on its Artemis lunar plan through 2025. “The moment this mission is successful, it raises the profile of everyone associated with it,” said Ajey Lele, a consultant with the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi. Russia’s setback Russia was able to launch a moonshot despite sanctions from the West over its involvement in the Ukraine War and growing isolation. However, some authorities question its capacity to support a Luna-25 replacement. The amount Russia spent on the expedition is unknown. According to Moscow-based author and independent space specialist Vadim Lukashevich, the exploration costs are consistently decreasing annually. A replication of Luna-25 is “extremely unlikely” given Russia’s budget priorities, he continued. Prior to 2021, when it said it would collaborate with China on its moon plan, Russia had been considering a position in NASA’s Artemis programme. Little data about the attempt has been made public. 2019 saw China’s first-ever soft landing on the moon’s far side, while the country has additional missions in progress. According to space research company Euroconsult, China will invest $12 billion in its space project in 2022. NASA’s strategy guide According to officials, NASA has provided the blueprint that India is using by opening up to private funding. For instance, SpaceX, run by Elon Musk, is creating the Starship rocket to carry NASA’s astronauts to the moon’s surface as part of a $3 billion contract. In addition to that contract, Musk has stated that SpaceX will invest about $2 billion in Starship this year. By the end of the year, or in 2024, lunar landers being constructed by the American space companies Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines (LUNR.O) are anticipated to be sent to the moon’s south pole. Additionally, privately funded alternatives to the International Space Station are being created by businesses like Axiom Space and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Axiom reported raising $350 million from Saudi and South Korean investors on Monday. Space is still risky. India’s most recent moon mission failed in 2019, the same year an Israeli startup’s bid to make history by becoming the first privately funded moon mission also failed. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

How the money is influencing a new space race with India’s boom and Russia’s crunch 

If any factor regarding the lander module appears unfavourable, then the landing will be shifted to August 27, said the Space Applications Centre-ISRO about Chandrayaan-3 on Monday. Nilesh M Desai, director of Space Applications Centre-ISRO, Ahmedabad said that the decision regarding the landing will be taken based on the health of the lander module and the conditions on the Moon.

Chandrayaan 3: ISRO ready with Plan B, reserves landing day for Vikram Lander

Today, India is aiming to reach the moon but the country's space journey started more than 5 decades ago. Take a look at how Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO was formed. Also, we tell you the story of the first Indian in Space- Rakesh Sharma.

History of India's space journey

Anticipation is building for India's Moon landing after Russia's Luna-25 crash. Chandrayaan-3 which blasted off on the 14 of July is all set for a soft landing on the 23rd of August. How Exactly is the spacecraft going to do its maneuvers? If the touchdown takes place, India will become the fourth country to land on the moon, after the United States, Russia, and China. For India, a successful moon landing would mark its emergence as a space power as the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government looks to spur investment in private space launches and related satellite-based businesses. Will Chandrayaan-3 emerge as a successful mission?

Will Chandrayaan-3 land or crash? | Just one step away

Over the past few years, India has taken a huge leap in the world of space. With India's Mars Orbiter Mission #Mangalyaan, ISRO became the fourth space agency to reach the red planet, after Russia's Roscosmos, United States' NASA, and the European Space Agency. But the country did not stop there. Apart from the lunar expeditions, India is all set for its first mission to the sun with Aditya-L1. Take a look at different space programmes that set India apart from other space agencies.

From mars to moon and now sun: India's ambitious space missions

Vikram’s landing will be attempted a little after 6pm on August 23. If it pulls it off, India will join an elite list, becoming the fourth nation to manage a soft landing on Moon. It will join US, Russia, and China. Russia’s Luna-25 mission recently failed to make a landing on the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-3: Countdown to Moon landing begins, ISRO keeps a close watch

Making significant progress towards India's lunar exploration ambitions, Chandrayaan-3 is advancing smoothly and is poised to touch down at the moon's southern pole on August 23rd.

Isro's Chandrayaan 3 and the new age of lunar exploration

Chandrayaan-3 poised to unlock future energy source on the moon

All eyes are on India's Chandrayaan-3. As the spacecraft inches closer to the moon. Since the launch, NASA & ESA have been supporting ISRO.

Chandrayaan-3: The role of NASA & ESA in aiding ISRO during the Moon landing

India's Chandrayaan-3 on three spacecraft is inching closer to the surface of the Moon. It is nearly three days away from attempting a soft landing near the Lunar South Pole.

Chandrayaan-3 mission: What went wrong with the Chandrayaan-2?

<p>UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, who has been sent to the International Space Station on a six-month space mission, shared a fascinating video on X (previously known as Twitter) which demonstrated how he ate honey and bread for a quick snack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the viral video, Neyadi is showing how honey changes in space which has left many science lovers mesmerised. From a bottle of Emirati honey, he first squeezes&nbsp;a huge dollop of honey on a piece of bread. The honey is seen forming a ball after attaching itself to the slice of bread.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The scientist then leaves his snack floating in zero gravity and slowly gets hold of the floating bread and jiggles the honey on it. He then holds the bread and enjoys his honey sandwich.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the video, he also speaks about the benefits of eating honey and adds that it is good for the health of astronauts.</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Have you ever wondered how honey forms in space? 🍯<br />
I still have some Emirati honey left that I enjoy from time to time. Honey has many benefits, especially for the health of astronauts. <a href="https://t.co/RrjQYlNvLD">pic.twitter.com/RrjQYlNvLD</a></p>
— Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Alneyadi/status/1693208632920268949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The astronaut captioned the post as, ''Have you ever wondered how honey forms in space? I still have some Emirati honey left that I enjoy from time to time. Honey has many benefits, especially for the health of astronauts.''</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/beyond-the-stars-what-is-nasas-protocols-for-handling-deceased-astronauts-in-space-621687">Beyond the stars: What is NASA's protocol for astronauts who die in space?</a></p>

<h2><strong>Netizens amazed by science of space</strong></h2>

<p>Reacting to the video, a user wrote, ''It is amazing how it takes the shape of a ball while there is no gravity.'' Another said, ''What I'm seeing is that in space I can just leave my stuff anywhere and it's cool.''</p>

<p>A third person said, ''Eating in space would take me forever…I would just be playing with my food.''</p>

<p>Another user said, ''The movement of things in space is influenced by gravity and the tendril-like behavior makes it look like it's alive. So amazing.'' ''Woah! That's fascinating,'' stated a fifth.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;India &amp; US will undertake joint mission to international space station in 2024</strong></p>

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<p>Days back, another clip of the astronaut surfaced wherein he was seen talking with his son via video conference. The astronaut's son Abdulla Sultan Al Niyadi asked him what he liked best about planet Earth. ''You are the thing that I love most about Earth,'' said Al Neyadi, while talking about his son.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Emirati astronaut has been posting mesmerising pictures of Earth from space, which often went viral. &nbsp;</p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, who has been sent to the International Space Station on a six-month space mission, shared a fascinating video on X (previously known as Twitter) which demonstrated how he ate honey and bread for a quick snack.

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, who has been sent to the International Space Station on a six-month space mission, shared a fascinating video on X (previously known as Twitter) which demonstrated how he ate honey and bread for a quick snack. In the viral video, Neyadi is showing how honey changes in space which has left many science lovers mesmerised. From a bottle of Emirati honey, he first squeezes a huge dollop of honey on a piece of bread. The honey is seen forming a ball after attaching itself to the slice of bread. The scientist then leaves his snack floating in zero gravity and slowly gets hold of the floating bread and jiggles the honey on it. He then holds the bread and enjoys his honey sandwich. In the video, he also speaks about the benefits of eating honey and adds that it is good for the health of astronauts. Have you ever wondered how honey forms in space? 🍯 I still have some Emirati honey left that I enjoy from time to time. Honey has many benefits, especially for the health of astronauts. pic.twitter.com/RrjQYlNvLD — Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) August 20, 2023 × The astronaut captioned the post as, ''Have you ever wondered how honey forms in space? I still have some Emirati honey left that I enjoy from time to time. Honey has many benefits, especially for the health of astronauts.'' ALSO READ | Beyond the stars: What is NASA's protocol for astronauts who die in space? Netizens amazed by science of space Reacting to the video, a user wrote, ''It is amazing how it takes the shape of a ball while there is no gravity.'' Another said, ''What I'm seeing is that in space I can just leave my stuff anywhere and it's cool.'' A third person said, ''Eating in space would take me forever…I would just be playing with my food.'' Another user said, ''The movement of things in space is influenced by gravity and the tendril-like behavior makes it look like it's alive. So amazing.'' ''Woah! That's fascinating,'' stated a fifth. WATCH | India & US will undertake joint mission to international space station in 2024 Days back, another clip of the astronaut surfaced wherein he was seen talking with his son via video conference. The astronaut's son Abdulla Sultan Al Niyadi asked him what he liked best about planet Earth. ''You are the thing that I love most about Earth,'' said Al Neyadi, while talking about his son. The Emirati astronaut has been posting mesmerising pictures of Earth from space, which often went viral. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Watch | UAE astronaut's video of making honey sandwich in space leaves netizens mesmerised

With the successful second and final deboosting, Chandrayaan-3 has moved even closer to the Moon, marking the start of the countdown for its ambitious soft landing. On Sunday, ISRO announced that the orbit of the Lander Module (LM) had been successfully reduced, setting the stage for a soft landing attempt on the lunar surface around 6 pm on Wednesday, August 23. Notably, the health of the Lander Module (LM) was reported as normal by the Indian space agency on Saturday.

Chandrayaan-3: India awaits Vikram's successful landing as last 25 km left, 2 days for touchdown

Chandrayaan-3 is just two days away from the lunar landing. There are a few things that could go wrong with the Chandrayaan-3's lander at the very last moment. Here are a few of them:

5 things that can go wrong at the last moment before Chandrayaan-3’s landing

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled to land on the moon on August 23, 2023, at 18:04 IST. The spacecraft is currently three days away from its final destination, the moon’s south pole.

Chandrayaan-3’s Moon landing in 3 Days: India aims to make lunar history

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