It takes approximately 50 minutes to fully reload an S-400 launcher, though highly trained crews can reduce this to 30 minutes. The process requires a specialised 22T6 transloader crane, creating a dangerous vulnerability window during combat.

How long does it take to reload an S-400 launcher?

From Muttiah Muralitharan to Malcolm Marshall, here's a look at top five bowlers fastest to take 300 wickets in Test cricket. This list also includes Ravichandran Ashwin, Dennis Lillee and Richard Hadlee

Meet top 5 bowlers fastest to 300 Test wickets

To intercept an ICBM, an S-400 missile would need to exceed Mach 20 (24,000 km/h) to catch the hypersonic re-entry vehicle. The current 40N6E missile peaks at Mach 14, forcing Russia to build the S-500 Prometheus for true intercontinental defence.

How fast would an S-400 missile need to be to intercept an ICBM?

An ICBM is significantly faster than any S-400 missile. Strategic ICBMs reach staggering velocities of Mach 20 to Mach 25 (30,000 km/h) in space, easily outpacing the S-400's fastest interceptor, the 40N6E, which peaks at Mach 14 (17,000 km/h).

ICBM vs S-400 missile: Which one is actually faster?

The S-400's famous 400-km range only applies to aircraft. Against ballistic missiles, its protection envelope shrinks to a 60-km radius (11,300 sq km) due to the extreme speed of incoming threats, forcing it into a strict point-defence role.

How much territory could an S-400 actually protect from a ballistic missile?

'Thermonuclear blast': A star is about to explode in deep space and it will be visible from Earth

Verge of a Rare Outburst

Location of T CrB

Best Time to Observe

Locate the 'Blaze Star'

Observing with Telescopes

Nova Event

Why Find It in Advance

T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), known as the "Blaze Star," is expected to undergo a rare thermonuclear explosion. Astronomers had predicted this event between April and September 2024, but it has yet to occur, making its eruption imminent.

'Over 300,000 kmph': Russia builds plasma rocket engine capable of travelling faster than the speed of light

Plasma Electric Rocket Engine

Plasma Engine Works

High-Speed and Power Generation

Potential Advantages

Technical and Development Challenges

Russia’s Timeline 

Global Interest

Russia has developed a plasma electric rocket engine capable of significantly reducing travel time to Mars. Current missions take nearly a year, but this new propulsion system could complete the journey in just 30 to 60 days.

'36 billion suns inside': NASA's Hubble Telescope discovers one of the largest black hole hiding inside an Einstein Ring

Massive Black Hole Found

Cosmic Horseshoe

Einstein’s Theory Confirmed

Data from Hubble

Among the Largest Black Holes

Uncertainty Over Its Formation

Euclid Telescope

Astronomers have detected a black hole with a mass equivalent to 36 billion suns at the centre of the Cosmic Horseshoe, a system of two galaxies in the Leo constellation. This discovery places it among the largest black holes ever recorded.


'Risk of multiple fractures': NASA's Sunita Williams to face major health challenges upon return to Earth

Return to Gravity

Muscle Atrophy

Bone Density Reduction

Cardiovascular Changes

Vision Problems

Weakened Immune System

Rehabilitation and Monitoring

Astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months due to technical issues with their spacecraft. As they prepare to return, Williams will face significant challenges readjusting to Earth's gravity after an extended stay in microgravity.


Ancient volcano unleashed global chaos 79,500 years ago! Could it happen again?

Los Chocoyos Supereruption

Ice Core Analysis

Short-Term Climate

No Long-Term Ice Age

Role of Supereruptions in Climate Change

Future Risks

Ongoing Research

The eruption led to immediate and severe disruptions in global climate systems. However, new research suggests that while the initial effects were significant, the planet’s climate recovered much faster than previously believed.


'Blood moon': First lunar eclipse in three years to occur this month! Date and details inside

irst Total Lunar Eclipse Since 2022

Visibility

Timings for North American Observers

Moon Turns Red

Atmospheric Influence

Safe to Observe

Next Total Lunar Eclipse

The first total lunar eclipse in three years is set to take place on 13-14 March 2025. This marks the return of a rare astronomical event where the Moon will appear deep red in the night sky, commonly known as a ‘Blood Moon.’


'Will vanish for 500,000 years': Scientists capture final glimpse of the ‘Great Comet of 2025’

Comet C/2024 G3

Location and Visibility

Brightest Comet of 2025

Perihelion and Orbital Path

Signs of Disintegration

Capturing the Final Images

Features of the Comet’s Structure

Scientists have captured the final images of Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS), also known as the ‘Great Comet of 2025,’ before it leaves the inner solar system for approximately 500,000 years.


'Game changer': NASA to launch SPHEREx Telescope on March 4

SPHEREx Set for Launch

Sky Mapping Mission

Building Blocks of Life

Understanding Cosmic Inflation

Role of Interstellar Dust

Planetary Formation

Astronomical Observations

NASA's SPHEREx space telescope is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 4 March from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The telescope will enter Earth's orbit to conduct a full-sky survey.

'Successful touchdown': Blue Ghost becomes the second commercial spacecraft to land on Moon

Blue Ghost Lands on the Moon

Second Private Company

Landing Site

NASA Payloads

Lunar Mission Duration

Mission Performance

Separate Journey

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander successfully touched down on the Moon’s near side at 3:34 a.m. Eastern Time on March 2, 2025. The spacecraft, developed by the Texas-based company, is the second private mission to achieve a successful lunar landing.


'Travelling at 88,000 kmph': NASA's Europa Clipper to pass 800 km above Mars today en route to Jupiter's icy moon

Mars Flyby

Mission Objective

Largest Planetary Spacecraft

Gravity Assist 

Speed and Timing

Testing Scientific Instruments

Earth Flyby in 2026

NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft will pass just 550 miles (884 km) above Mars today (1 March). This manoeuvre is designed to fine-tune its trajectory as part of its journey to Jupiter’s moon, Europa. The speed of the spacecraft will be close to 88,000 km/h.

'Only 11,000 years left': Scientists predict the start of next ice age! But climate change isn't the cause

Earth’s Tilt and Ice Ages 

Projected Timeline

Ice Sheet Formation 

Key Finding

Natural Cycles 

Implications

Long-Term Climate Modelling 

A new study confirms that changes in Earth’s tilt relative to the Sun have influenced the growth and retreat of ice sheets over the past 800,000 years, driving the onset and end of eight ice ages.


''First-ever cosmic race': Which of the three private lunar spacecraft will land first on the Moon

Three Private Landers

Athena Joins the Race

Blue Ghost to Attempt First Landing

Athena’s Landing Follows Soon After

Resilience Takes a Longer Route

 Lunar Exploration

Who Will Make History?

For the first time in history, three private lunar landers are simultaneously heading towards the Moon. Intuitive Machines’ Athena, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost, and Tokyo-based ispace’s Resilience were launched on separate missions to explore the lunar surface.


'More valuable than Gold': Satellite galaxies hold clues to the value of 'Dark Matter' in deep space

Scarcer on Earth Than Gold

Dark Matter Distribution

Single Pulsars

Wobble in the Milky Way

 Direct Acceleration Measurements

Pulsars as Natural Laboratories

Future Research

Scientists estimate that less than 1 kilogram of dark matter exists in a volume equivalent to Earth’s size. Despite dark matter outweighing ordinary matter by a 5:1 ratio in the universe.

'2.5 million light-years away': NASA's Hubble Space Telescope discovers 36 dwarf galaxies orbiting Andromeda

 Andromeda’s Brightest Satellite Galaxies

Unexpected Diversity

Insights Into Galaxy Formation

Future Observations 

Star Formation

Orbital Alignment

Andromeda’s History

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has identified 36 dwarf galaxies orbiting the Andromeda Galaxy. The images were compiled over more than 1,000 orbits of Earth to create a detailed study of these satellites.

China to launch first Pakistani astronaut in space, will visit Tiangong Space Station

Historic Bilateral Space Collaboration

Mission Details

Tiangong Space Station

Capacity

Operational Milestones

Experiments onboard

Future Plans

In a landmark development, China is set to send the first Pakistani astronaut into space, marking a significant milestone in Sino-Pakistani relations and space exploration, according to a report by Reuters.

'Last chance to watch': Six planets to align in the night sky as planetary parade ends

Rare Planetary Alignment

Six Planets Visible 

Significance of the Event

Seven Planets in Alignment

Understanding Planetary Alignments 

Another Celestial Event

Nova Explosion 

A planetary parade will be visible in the evening sky on 28 February, as multiple planets in the solar system align. Sky gazers across the United States can observe this event shortly after dusk.

'Going to space': Katy Perry to make history as first celebrity singer to embark on a cosmic journey with Blue Origin

Blue Origin’s NS-31 Mission

All-Female Space Crew

Lauren Sanchez

Two Journalists Among Crew Members

Purpose of the Mission

New Shepard Rocket

Katy Perry’s Advocacy

Singer Katy Perry will be part of Blue Origin’s upcoming NS-31 mission, scheduled for spring 2025. The flight will feature an all-female crew aboard the New Shepard spacecraft, marking a historic milestone in space travel.

'Overly sterile': Scientists say a dirtier ISS might be healthier for astronauts

Sterile Environment

Limited Microbial Diversity

Extensive Sampling

Impact of Cleaning Products

Microbial Distribution

 Lack of Environmental Microbes

Future Space Missions

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) often experience immune dysfunction, skin rashes, and other inflammatory conditions. A study published in Cell suggests these issues may be linked to the highly sanitised nature of the spacecraft.


'Only for...': NASA launches 2025 internship program but there's a catch

Internship Opportunities

Application Deadlines

Eligibility

Criteria for Pathways

International Internship Opportunities

Internships Beyond Engineering

 Interns’ Role in NASA’s Mission

NASA has announced internship opportunities for students in 2025, providing a chance to gain experience in space and technology. The programme is open to students from various academic backgrounds, not limited to engineering.


'Rs 1.2 crore per annum package': What is NASA's Sunita Williams' total net worth?

Return to Earth 

NASA’s Astronaut Pay Scale 

Additional Perks and Benefits 

Estimated Net Worth 

Career

Personal Life and Residence

Awaiting a Safe Return

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, along with Butch Wilmore, is set to return to Earth in mid-March 2025 after being stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.


'Don't do it Donald': NASA's James Webb Telescope could face 20% budget cut under Trump administration

Advancing Space Exploration 

National Prestige and Leadership 

Economic and Technological Benefits 

Exoplanets and Alien Life 

Climate and Earth Science

Return on Investment

Public Interest and Inspiration 

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is humanity’s most powerful space observatory, capable of studying the earliest galaxies and exoplanets. Cutting its funding could slow down groundbreaking discoveries in astronomy and astrophysics.


'15k astro units': NASA's Pleiades supercomputer discovers mini galaxy on the outskirts of our solar system

 NASA Supercomputer

Scientists using NASA’s Pleiades supercomputer have discovered a spiral structure within the Oort Cloud, a distant shell of icy bodies at the edge of the solar system. The finding offers new insights into the cloud’s composition and organisation.

science technology

Photos

How long does it take to reload an S-400 launcher?

Meet top 5 bowlers fastest to 300 Test wickets

How fast would an S-400 missile need to be to intercept an ICBM?

ICBM vs S-400 missile: Which one is actually faster?

How much territory could an S-400 actually protect from a ballistic missile?