A comet from another star system is making a fleeting pass through our cosmic neighbourhood. NASA’s Hubble and ESA’s Juice spacecraft have captured stunning new images of comet 3I/Atlas glowing, jetting and speeding at 130,000 mph. As it nears its closest approach on December 19, the world’s telescopes are watching one last time before this alien traveller disappears forever.

3I/ATLAS Getting Active Ahead of Its Close Encounter With Earth

NASA’s HiRISE camera is about to reveal the sharpest-ever images of 3I/ATLAS, a strange cosmic visitor racing through our solar system. Scientists are divided: comet, rock, or something far more mysterious? As theories intensify worldwide, Elon Musk weighs in with his own reaction. Watch this breakdown of the speculation, science, and global curiosity surrounding 3I/ATLAS.

Musk Responds to Speculation That 3I/ATLAS is an Alien Spaceship

Elon Musk Reacts to Rumors That 3I/ATLAS Is an Alien Spaceship

<p>Conspiracy theories about alien spacecraft visiting Earth have been abound for decades. In the 1960s and 70s, UFOs were seen hovering over military bases in the United States, leading people to speculate that an alien invasion might be on the horizon.</p>

<p>While all such reports have been dismissed since then, every now and then someone speaks up about the stories, claiming them to be true. A UFO expert has now claimed that the spaceships visited "every major nuclear missile base" in those years, and they still do.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The revelation was made by Robert Hastings based on several interviews he conducted with several Army personnel, as per The Daily Mail. "The ones that are currently operational, have been visited repeatedly year after year according to the sources that I have interviewed," he says in his recent book UFOs and Nuke.</p>

<p>He had earlier claimed that more than 120 former service members admitted to having encountered flying objects near nuclear weapon storage and testing grounds. Hastings says in his new book that these extraterrestrial beings seem to be "greatly interested in our nuclear weapons."</p>

<p>"Perhaps they have a use for our planet, let's say for scientific purposes, and know that global nuclear warfare will disrupt their data-gathering and/or experiments," he writes.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-mars-photo-shows-the-dying-spot-of-a-chopperand-a-missions-kick-off-point-772289">New Mars photo shows the dying spot of a chopper...and a mission's kick-off point</a></p>

<p>Hastings further alleges in his book that these sightings have never been properly investigated because of dubious layers of classification.</p>

<p>These claims come just weeks after new government records showed other UFO sightings near military sites. This includes 17 nights in December 2023 when several UFOs were spotted over Joint Base Langley-Eustis.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nothing has been revealed yet about those UFOs to date, despite the Pentagon, police and even NASA's high-altitude research plane, the WB-57F, being involved in the investigation, Daily Mail reported.</p>

<h2>'Alien&nbsp;intelligence understands atomics'</h2>

<p>In June this year, a study on UFO sightings concluded that "this intelligence understands atomics, and they understand atomic weaponry."</p>

<p>The study, conducted by a retired US Air Force staff sergeant, data analyst affiliated with Harvard's UFO-hunting Galileo Project Ian Porrit and a research team, analysed over 500 of the most credible UFO cases reported during the Cold War. The group focused on official military and police reports of UFOs from 1945 to 1975. Only those with strong backing, like multiple witnesses and signal evidence, were taken into account and anything ambiguous was avoided.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports of UFOs spotted above non-nuclear army bases and nearby civilian centres were also taken into account in the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers noted that from 1948 through 1975, &nbsp;America's rise to nuclear power was carefully monitored by extraterrestrials or some other intelligence.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Conspiracy theories about alien spacecraft visiting Earth have been abound for decades. In the 1960s and 70s, UFOs were seen hovering over military bases in the United States, leading people to speculate that an alien invasion might be on the horizon.

Conspiracy theories about alien spacecraft visiting Earth have been abound for decades. In the 1960s and 70s, UFOs were seen hovering over military bases in the United States, leading people to speculate that an alien invasion might be on the horizon. While all such reports have been dismissed since then, every now and then someone speaks up about the stories, claiming them to be true. A UFO expert has now claimed that the spaceships visited "every major nuclear missile base" in those years, and they still do. The revelation was made by Robert Hastings based on several interviews he conducted with several Army personnel, as per The Daily Mail. "The ones that are currently operational, have been visited repeatedly year after year according to the sources that I have interviewed," he says in his recent book UFOs and Nuke. He had earlier claimed that more than 120 former service members admitted to having encountered flying objects near nuclear weapon storage and testing grounds. Hastings says in his new book that these extraterrestrial beings seem to be "greatly interested in our nuclear weapons." "Perhaps they have a use for our planet, let's say for scientific purposes, and know that global nuclear warfare will disrupt their data-gathering and/or experiments," he writes. Also Read: New Mars photo shows the dying spot of a chopper...and a mission's kick-off point Hastings further alleges in his book that these sightings have never been properly investigated because of dubious layers of classification. These claims come just weeks after new government records showed other UFO sightings near military sites. This includes 17 nights in December 2023 when several UFOs were spotted over Joint Base Langley-Eustis. × Nothing has been revealed yet about those UFOs to date, despite the Pentagon, police and even NASA's high-altitude research plane, the WB-57F, being involved in the investigation, Daily Mail reported. 'Alien intelligence understands atomics' In June this year, a study on UFO sightings concluded that "this intelligence understands atomics, and they understand atomic weaponry." The study, conducted by a retired US Air Force staff sergeant, data analyst affiliated with Harvard's UFO-hunting Galileo Project Ian Porrit and a research team, analysed over 500 of the most credible UFO cases reported during the Cold War. The group focused on official military and police reports of UFOs from 1945 to 1975. Only those with strong backing, like multiple witnesses and signal evidence, were taken into account and anything ambiguous was avoided. Reports of UFOs spotted above non-nuclear army bases and nearby civilian centres were also taken into account in the study. The researchers noted that from 1948 through 1975, America's rise to nuclear power was carefully monitored by extraterrestrials or some other intelligence.

Aliens have been watching over US nuclear missile bases for decades, UFO expert claims

<p>A team of Swiss researchers have proposed using an autonomous, robotic hydraulic excavator for building a dry stone wall which will work as a blast shield and protect the launch pad on the moon.</p>

<p>The excavator will be using the in situ materials and the rocks from the lunar surface will be collected for making the ringed wall, which will have a radius of between 50 and 100 metres.</p>

<p>The scientists don't plan to adopt the costly practice of transferring the building material from&nbsp;Earth&nbsp;to&nbsp;the moon.</p>

<p>"The robot would be used to both collect the boulders as well as to construct the wall," said study lead author Jonas Walther, while speaking to Space.com.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/moon-is-going-far-away-from-the-earth-will-it-disappear-soon-from-night-sky-746236">Moon is going far away from the Earth. Will it disappear soon from night sky?</a></p>

<p>The research was conducted by Walther for his master's thesis at ETH Zürich. Walther is now working with the Swiss company Venturi Lab which has been working with other companies on lunar rover design.</p>

<h2><strong>Lunar infrastructure - a quintessential step for humans in future?</strong></h2>

<p>According to scientists, the lunar infrastructure will be required if humans someday permanently settle on the moon to protect them from the exhaust and debris from rockets which are landing or taking off.</p>

<p>Gas, small particles and dust from rocket exhaust can prove to be hazardous, which was demonstrated when the&nbsp;Surveyor 3&nbsp;probe was brought back by the&nbsp;Apollo 12&nbsp;crew from the Oceanus Procellarum and the scientists found that it suffered damage by dust blown away by the Lunar Module Intrepid.</p>

<p>The scientists also fear that the rocket exhaust from&nbsp;SpaceX's giant&nbsp;Starship&nbsp;vehicle - through which astronauts will be sent on NASA's&nbsp;Artemis 3 mission - will harm the lunar environment in the area of hundreds of metres and extend it into kilometres.</p>

<p>Hence, they feel there is a need to set up a blast shield to protect any future ground infrastructure.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;NASA's Ranger 7 Photographed the Moon, 60 Years Ago</strong></p>

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<p>"Some dry stone walls on Earth have endured for thousands of years," said Walther, while speaking about how strong it is.</p>

<p>However, scientists feel that such shields won't have to last on the lunar surface for a very long time and the vastly reduced weathering on the moon means that the wall will only have to resist the blasts of rockets taking off or landing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the estimate of the weather team, the blast shield will have to face pressure from gases released by SpaceX's Starship rockets, which will be 1,135 Pascals.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A team of Swiss researchers have proposed using an autonomous, robotic hydraulic excavator for building a dry stone wall which will work as a blast shield and protect the launch pad on the moon.

A team of Swiss researchers have proposed using an autonomous, robotic hydraulic excavator for building a dry stone wall which will work as a blast shield and protect the launch pad on the moon. The excavator will be using the in situ materials and the rocks from the lunar surface will be collected for making the ringed wall, which will have a radius of between 50 and 100 metres. The scientists don't plan to adopt the costly practice of transferring the building material from Earth to the moon. "The robot would be used to both collect the boulders as well as to construct the wall," said study lead author Jonas Walther, while speaking to Space.com. Also Read: Moon is going far away from the Earth. Will it disappear soon from night sky? The research was conducted by Walther for his master's thesis at ETH Zürich. Walther is now working with the Swiss company Venturi Lab which has been working with other companies on lunar rover design. Lunar infrastructure - a quintessential step for humans in future? According to scientists, the lunar infrastructure will be required if humans someday permanently settle on the moon to protect them from the exhaust and debris from rockets which are landing or taking off. Gas, small particles and dust from rocket exhaust can prove to be hazardous, which was demonstrated when the Surveyor 3 probe was brought back by the Apollo 12 crew from the Oceanus Procellarum and the scientists found that it suffered damage by dust blown away by the Lunar Module Intrepid. The scientists also fear that the rocket exhaust from SpaceX's giant Starship vehicle - through which astronauts will be sent on NASA's Artemis 3 mission - will harm the lunar environment in the area of hundreds of metres and extend it into kilometres. Hence, they feel there is a need to set up a blast shield to protect any future ground infrastructure. Watch: NASA's Ranger 7 Photographed the Moon, 60 Years Ago "Some dry stone walls on Earth have endured for thousands of years," said Walther, while speaking about how strong it is. However, scientists feel that such shields won't have to last on the lunar surface for a very long time and the vastly reduced weathering on the moon means that the wall will only have to resist the blasts of rockets taking off or landing. According to the estimate of the weather team, the blast shield will have to face pressure from gases released by SpaceX's Starship rockets, which will be 1,135 Pascals. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans are now planning to build stone walls on Moon using robots. Here's why

A new question intrigued the space enthusiasts. Do Astronauts age slower in space? If it is true, how is it possible?

Do astronauts age slower when in space?

<p>Odysseus, which etched&nbsp;its name in the history books by becoming the first American US spaceship to have landed on the moon in over 50 years, might have tipped over on the surface of the Earth's natural satellite. Steve Altemus, the CEO of Intuitive Machines, the private company that prepared the spaceship, reportedly said,&nbsp;"We might have fractured that landing gear and tipped over gently."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Odysseus concluded its seven-day voyage to lunar orbit and ultimately carried out maneuvers to softly touch down near Malapert A in the Moon's South Pole region at 5:24 p.m. CST on February 22, according to NASA. The US space agency said that the lander is in good health, harnessing solar power, and relaying data to the company's mission control in Houston.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/snakes-are-quick-learners-this-helped-them-bigtime-during-evolution-study-693176">Snakes have ability to evolve more quickly than their close relatives, reveals study</a></p>

<p>Sharing an update on the moon mission,&nbsp;Intuitive Machines said that the lunar lander is "alive and well".</p>

<p>"Flight controllers are communicating and commanding the vehicle to download science data. The lander has good telemetry and solar charging. We continue to learn more about the vehicle’s specific information (Lat/Lon), overall health, and attitude (orientation)," it said.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-posts-intriguing-image-of-cats-eye-in-the-sky-693132">NASA posts intriguing image of 'cat's eye' in the sky</a></p>

<p>The historic lunar lander also captured a wide field of view image of Schomberger crater on the Moon "approximately 125 miles (200 km) uprange from the intended landing site, at approximately about 6 miles (10 km) altitude."&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/how-to-overcome-money-dysmorphia-693277">How to overcome money dysmorphia?</a></strong></p>

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<p>In a historic event on December 11, 1972,&nbsp;the United States' Lunar Module, aptly named "Challenger," descended upon the rugged terrain of the Taurus-Littrow region of the Moon. This mission marked the culmination of years of scientific ambition, and technological innovation.&nbsp;The Challenger Lunar Module was a crucial component of NASA's Apollo program, which aimed to land humans on the lunar surface and return them safely to Earth.</p>
</section>

<p>NASA congratulated Intuitive Machines'&nbsp;on its uncrewed lunar lander landing and also for bringing NASA science to the Moon's surface. "These instruments will prepare us for future human exploration of the Moon under #Artemis," the US space agency had said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Odysseus, which etched its name in the history books by becoming the first American US spaceship to have landed on the moon in over 50 years, might have tipped over on the surface of the Earth's natural satellite.

Odysseus, which etched its name in the history books by becoming the first American US spaceship to have landed on the moon in over 50 years, might have tipped over on the surface of the Earth's natural satellite. Steve Altemus, the CEO of Intuitive Machines, the private company that prepared the spaceship, reportedly said, "We might have fractured that landing gear and tipped over gently." Odysseus concluded its seven-day voyage to lunar orbit and ultimately carried out maneuvers to softly touch down near Malapert A in the Moon's South Pole region at 5:24 p.m. CST on February 22, according to NASA. The US space agency said that the lander is in good health, harnessing solar power, and relaying data to the company's mission control in Houston. Also Read | Snakes have ability to evolve more quickly than their close relatives, reveals study Sharing an update on the moon mission, Intuitive Machines said that the lunar lander is "alive and well". "Flight controllers are communicating and commanding the vehicle to download science data. The lander has good telemetry and solar charging. We continue to learn more about the vehicle’s specific information (Lat/Lon), overall health, and attitude (orientation)," it said. Also Read | NASA posts intriguing image of 'cat's eye' in the sky The historic lunar lander also captured a wide field of view image of Schomberger crater on the Moon "approximately 125 miles (200 km) uprange from the intended landing site, at approximately about 6 miles (10 km) altitude." Watch | How to overcome money dysmorphia? × In a historic event on December 11, 1972, the United States' Lunar Module, aptly named "Challenger," descended upon the rugged terrain of the Taurus-Littrow region of the Moon. This mission marked the culmination of years of scientific ambition, and technological innovation. The Challenger Lunar Module was a crucial component of NASA's Apollo program, which aimed to land humans on the lunar surface and return them safely to Earth. NASA congratulated Intuitive Machines' on its uncrewed lunar lander landing and also for bringing NASA science to the Moon's surface. "These instruments will prepare us for future human exploration of the Moon under #Artemis," the US space agency had said. (With inputs from agencies)

US spaceship Odysseus may have 'tipped over' on Moon surface, likely 'fractured' landing equipment

<p>NASA on Monday (Nov 18) said that they made use of a state-of-the-art laser communication system&nbsp;to send a high-definition cat video from a spaceship to the Earth, covering a distance of 31 million kilometres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 15-second video features an orange tabby named Taters. This is the video which has been streamed from deep space and this shows that it is possible to transmit the higher-data-rate communications which is required for supporting complex missions like sending humans to Mars.</p>

<p>The video was sent to Earth by using a laser transceiver which was available on the Psyche probe. The probe has been moving in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter to explore a mysterious metal-rich object. &nbsp;</p>

<p>When the video was sent, the spaceship was 80 times the distance between the Moon and the Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-nasa-releases-footage-of-tomatoes-lost-in-space-for-eight-months-670397">NASA releases footage of tomatoes lost in space for eight months</a></p>

<p>The Hale Telescope kept at Caltech's Palomar Observatory in San Diego County received the encoded near-infrared signal which was then sent to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We just streamed the first ultra-HD video brought to you via laser from deep space. And it’s a video of Taters, a tabby cat.<br />
<br />
This test will pave the way for high-data-rate communications in support of the next giant leap: sending humans to Mars. <a href="https://t.co/tf2hWxaHWO">https://t.co/tf2hWxaHWO</a> <a href="https://t.co/c1FwybYsxA">pic.twitter.com/c1FwybYsxA</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1736900843813605759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The tech demo's project manager at JPL Bill Klipstein said, "One of the goals is to demonstrate the ability to transmit broadband video across millions of miles. Nothing on Psyche generates video data, so we usually send packets of randomly generated test data."</p>

<p>"But to make this significant event more memorable, we decided to work with designers at JPL to create a fun video, which captures the essence of the demo as part of the Psyche mission," he added.</p>

<p>Traditionally, space missions have relied on radio waves for sending and receiving data, however, working with lasers is likely to increase the data rate by 10 to 100 times.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Video sent in 101 seconds&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>It took 101 seconds to send the ultra-HD video to Earth at the maximum bit rate of 267 megabits per second in the system, which is faster than home broadband connections.</p>

<p>Project's receiver electronics lead at JPL Ryan Rogalin said, "In fact, after receiving the video at Palomar, it was sent to JPL over the internet, and that connection was slower than the signal coming from deep space."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;NASA uses laser technology to send the first-ever cat footage from deep space</strong></p>

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<p>Explaining why they streamed a cat video, JPL said that there is a historic connection. When the interest of Americans started growing in television in the 1920s, they broadcasted a statue of Felix the Cat as a test image.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also, cats continue to dominate the number-one position in the world of viral internet videos and meme culture.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA on Monday (Nov 18) said that they made use of a state-of-the-art laser communication system to send a high-definition cat video from a spaceship to the Earth, covering a distance of 31 million kilometres.

NASA on Monday (Nov 18) said that they made use of a state-of-the-art laser communication system to send a high-definition cat video from a spaceship to the Earth, covering a distance of 31 million kilometres. The 15-second video features an orange tabby named Taters. This is the video which has been streamed from deep space and this shows that it is possible to transmit the higher-data-rate communications which is required for supporting complex missions like sending humans to Mars. The video was sent to Earth by using a laser transceiver which was available on the Psyche probe. The probe has been moving in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter to explore a mysterious metal-rich object. When the video was sent, the spaceship was 80 times the distance between the Moon and the Earth. Also read: NASA releases footage of tomatoes lost in space for eight months The Hale Telescope kept at Caltech's Palomar Observatory in San Diego County received the encoded near-infrared signal which was then sent to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California. We just streamed the first ultra-HD video brought to you via laser from deep space. And it’s a video of Taters, a tabby cat. This test will pave the way for high-data-rate communications in support of the next giant leap: sending humans to Mars. https://t.co/tf2hWxaHWO pic.twitter.com/c1FwybYsxA — NASA (@NASA) December 19, 2023 × The tech demo's project manager at JPL Bill Klipstein said, "One of the goals is to demonstrate the ability to transmit broadband video across millions of miles. Nothing on Psyche generates video data, so we usually send packets of randomly generated test data." "But to make this significant event more memorable, we decided to work with designers at JPL to create a fun video, which captures the essence of the demo as part of the Psyche mission," he added. Traditionally, space missions have relied on radio waves for sending and receiving data, however, working with lasers is likely to increase the data rate by 10 to 100 times. Video sent in 101 seconds It took 101 seconds to send the ultra-HD video to Earth at the maximum bit rate of 267 megabits per second in the system, which is faster than home broadband connections. Project's receiver electronics lead at JPL Ryan Rogalin said, "In fact, after receiving the video at Palomar, it was sent to JPL over the internet, and that connection was slower than the signal coming from deep space." Watch: NASA uses laser technology to send the first-ever cat footage from deep space Explaining why they streamed a cat video, JPL said that there is a historic connection. When the interest of Americans started growing in television in the 1920s, they broadcasted a statue of Felix the Cat as a test image. Also, cats continue to dominate the number-one position in the world of viral internet videos and meme culture. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: NASA sends high-definition cat video from spaceship to Earth via laser, covering 31mn km

In an exclusive interview with WION's Moohita Kaur Garg, Harvard Professor and UFO expert Avi Loeb provides a unique perspective on why hasn't humanity heard the figurative knocking on its celestial doors. He answers the age-old question: Have aliens been among us all along?

Are Peruvian Alien Mummies Real or a Clever Hoax? Expert Weighs In!

<p>In a historic event, Aeolus, a British-built weather monitoring satellite, has been deftly guided to perform an assisted crash into the Atlantic Ocean, marking the first time a defunct satellite has undergone such a controlled re-entry on Earth.</p>

<p>Mission controllers at the European Space Agency (ESA) successfully directed Aeolus, which had been providing crucial weather data to European centres&nbsp;since 2018, to its final resting place.</p>

<p>This deliberate re-entry was undertaken to minimise the risk of debris striking populated areas and to set a precedent for responsible satellite disposal in the future, reported the Guardian.</p>

<h2><strong>ESA's pioneering effort</strong></h2>

<p>Aeolus, responsible for revolutionising wind profiling, was never designed for a controlled re-entry at the conclusion of its mission.</p>

<p>Nonetheless, ESA opted to utilise the remaining fuel onboard to steer the satellite towards a specific crash site in the ocean.</p>

<p>This groundbreaking re-entry manoeuvre marked the first-ever attempt of its kind, demonstrating ESA's commitment to responsible space debris management.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-joins-hands-with-lockheed-martin-to-develop-nuclear-powered-rocket-619857">NASA &amp; Lockheed Martin join hands to send humanity to Mars on a nuclear-powered rocket</a></p>

<h2><strong>Minimising debris risks and gaining insights&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Normally, a satellite like Aeolus would naturally re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up during the process.</p>

<p>By intentionally crashing it into the ocean, ESA aimed to further reduce the already minimal risk of debris striking people or property on the ground.</p>

<p>Additionally, the agency sought to gather valuable data for future satellite re-entries, paving the way for best practices that other spacefaring nations and organisations can adopt.</p>

<h2><strong>Aeolus: A weather monitoring pioneer</strong></h2>

<p>Weighing 1,360kg upon launch, Aeolus was constructed by Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Its launch in August 2018 marked a significant milestone as it became the first spacecraft capable of monitoring Earth's wind currents from space. Equipped with an advanced Doppler wind lidar, the satellite contributed to improving weather forecasts and climate models during its operational period.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/rise-of-ultrafast-air-travel-nasas-supersonic-x-59-and-suborbital-rockets-lead-the-way-619405">Ultrafast air travel soon? NASA's supersonic X-59 and suborbital rockets lead the way</a></p>

<h2><strong>Extended mission success</strong></h2>

<p>Originally planned for a three-year lifespan, Aeolus surpassed expectations by continuing its mission for nearly two additional years. However, on June 19, the spacecraft commenced its gradual descent from its operational altitude, culminating in its first major re-entry manoeuvring on Monday.</p>

<p>Annually, approximately 100 tonnes of space debris in the form of spent satellites, rocket bodies, and other fragments descend into Earth's atmosphere. Responsible satellite disposal, as demonstrated by the Aeolus mission, is vital to mitigate the potential risks posed by such debris to both human populations and space infrastructure.</p>

<p>The controlled re-entry of the Aeolus weather monitoring satellite into the Atlantic Ocean marks a historic achievement in responsible space debris management. ESA's pioneering effort sets a precedent for other spacefaring nations and organisations to follow suit, ensuring safer skies and a sustainable future for space exploration.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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In a historic event, Aeolus, a British-built weather monitoring satellite, has been deftly guided to perform an assisted crash into the Atlantic Ocean, marking the first time a defunct satellite has undergone such a controlled re-entry on Earth.

In a historic event, Aeolus, a British-built weather monitoring satellite, has been deftly guided to perform an assisted crash into the Atlantic Ocean, marking the first time a defunct satellite has undergone such a controlled re-entry on Earth. Mission controllers at the European Space Agency (ESA) successfully directed Aeolus, which had been providing crucial weather data to European centres since 2018, to its final resting place. This deliberate re-entry was undertaken to minimise the risk of debris striking populated areas and to set a precedent for responsible satellite disposal in the future, reported the Guardian. ESA's pioneering effort Aeolus, responsible for revolutionising wind profiling, was never designed for a controlled re-entry at the conclusion of its mission. Nonetheless, ESA opted to utilise the remaining fuel onboard to steer the satellite towards a specific crash site in the ocean. This groundbreaking re-entry manoeuvre marked the first-ever attempt of its kind, demonstrating ESA's commitment to responsible space debris management. Also read | NASA & Lockheed Martin join hands to send humanity to Mars on a nuclear-powered rocket Minimising debris risks and gaining insights Normally, a satellite like Aeolus would naturally re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up during the process. By intentionally crashing it into the ocean, ESA aimed to further reduce the already minimal risk of debris striking people or property on the ground. Additionally, the agency sought to gather valuable data for future satellite re-entries, paving the way for best practices that other spacefaring nations and organisations can adopt. Aeolus: A weather monitoring pioneer Weighing 1,360kg upon launch, Aeolus was constructed by Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Its launch in August 2018 marked a significant milestone as it became the first spacecraft capable of monitoring Earth's wind currents from space. Equipped with an advanced Doppler wind lidar, the satellite contributed to improving weather forecasts and climate models during its operational period. Also read | Ultrafast air travel soon? NASA's supersonic X-59 and suborbital rockets lead the way Extended mission success Originally planned for a three-year lifespan, Aeolus surpassed expectations by continuing its mission for nearly two additional years. However, on June 19, the spacecraft commenced its gradual descent from its operational altitude, culminating in its first major re-entry manoeuvring on Monday. Annually, approximately 100 tonnes of space debris in the form of spent satellites, rocket bodies, and other fragments descend into Earth's atmosphere. Responsible satellite disposal, as demonstrated by the Aeolus mission, is vital to mitigate the potential risks posed by such debris to both human populations and space infrastructure. The controlled re-entry of the Aeolus weather monitoring satellite into the Atlantic Ocean marks a historic achievement in responsible space debris management. ESA's pioneering effort sets a precedent for other spacefaring nations and organisations to follow suit, ensuring safer skies and a sustainable future for space exploration. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

World's first: Defunct British weather satellite safely guided to assisted crash in the Atlantic

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