ISRO Demonstrates Satellite ‘Dogfight’ Using Leftover Fuel from SPADEX Mission India has taken a bold step in space manoeuvre technology by conducting a satellite operation that resembled a ‘dogfight’ using leftover fuel. This complex in-orbit test by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was carried out using two satellites from its SPADEX mission, SDX 01 and SDX 02. ISRO Reuses Fuel for Complex Manoeuvre The SPADEX mission was originally designed to test autonomous docking and rendezvous in space. After achieving those goals, ISRO discovered that nearly 50% of the satellites’ fuel remained, thanks to precise launch execution and fuel-efficient operations.…
Author: Aditya Lenka
Aditya Lenka
A multi-faceted professional with a diverse range of skills and experiences. He currently works as a Producer, Digital Marketer, and Journalist for several well-known media outlets, namely StratNewsGlobal, BharatShakti, and Interstellar. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Aditya has covered a wide range of topics and events across India, bringing a unique perspective to his work.When he's not busy producing content, Aditya enjoys exploring new places and cuisines, having traveled extensively throughout India. He's also an avid writer and poet, often penning his thoughts and musings in his free time. And when he wants to unwind and relax, Aditya spends time with his two loyal companions, Zorro and Pablo, his beloved dogs.Aditya's dynamic personality and varied interests make him a unique individual, always eager to learn and experience new things.
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Microsoft Shuts Down Skype After 21 Years to Focus on Teams Skype, the iconic internet calling service that once transformed global communication, will ring for the last time on Monday, 5 May. Microsoft is retiring the platform to streamline its communication tools and shift its focus to Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Skype Fades as Teams Takes the Lead Microsoft announced the decision in February, saying it would help simplify the company’s product offerings. By retiring Skype, Microsoft aims to consolidate its efforts behind Teams, its all-in-one business communication platform. First launched in 2003, Skype revolutionised how people made calls across borders.…
ITER World’s Strongest Magnet: A Key Step in the Fusion Journey A long-delayed international nuclear fusion project is now assembling the world’s most powerful magnet, marking a crucial milestone. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), based in southern France, is a collaborative effort involving more than 30 countries, including the United States, China, Japan, Russia, and the European Union. The magnet system is central to ITER’s goal of generating clean energy. It is designed to form an invisible cage, known as a magnetic confinement, to contain superheated plasma. This plasma is where fusion occurs, as atomic particles combine under extreme…
UK Startup Advances Electric Propulsion for Satellites Magdrive, a UK-based startup, is pioneering a new era in spacecraft propulsion with its electric, metal-fuelled thrusters. Rogue, designed to enhance satellite manoeuvrability, the lightweight system could significantly change how spacecraft operate in low Earth orbit (LEO). The Rogue thruster weighs only 2.5 kilograms and uses pulsed plasma propulsion powered by solid metal propellant. Energy is stored in onboard supercapacitors, drawing power from a solar array. This allows for efficient thrust generation without relying on traditional liquid fuels. Metal-Fuelled Thrusters Provide Enhanced Manoeuvrability and Longer Missions According to Magdrive CEO and co-founder Mark…
Fossils Reveal Fierce Terrestrial Crocodiles Roamed Caribbean Islands Long after dinosaurs vanished from Earth, mammals rose to dominate. But they were not without rivals. In South America, ancient land-dwelling crocodiles known as sebecids emerged as apex predators. New fossil evidence suggests these powerful predators survived far longer than once believed—thanks to the Caribbean islands acting as a final refuge. A Predator from a Forgotten Age Scientists have discovered sebecid fossils in the Dominican Republic dating back 5 to 7 million years. This is significantly more recent than previously known sebecid remains, which were last recorded in Colombia around 10.5 to…
Shenzhou-19 Astronauts Transfer Space Experiment Samples for Scientific Study Samples from space experiments, brought back to Earth by the Shenzhou-19 mission, have now been handed over to scientists in Beijing. These materials are set to play a key role in advancing research in several scientific fields. Largest Batch of Biological Samples Returned by Shenzhou-19 The Shenzhou-19 spacecraft landed safely on Wednesday, returning from a six-month mission with a total of 37.25 kilograms of samples. The mission carried out 25 experiments in areas such as space life science, materials science, and emerging technologies. Out of these, 20 samples came from biological…
New Unit Reflects Rising Strategic Role of Space in New Zealand The New Zealand Air Force will establish a dedicated space squadron to support space-based defence and global security efforts, a senior official confirmed on Wednesday. The move highlights the increasing importance of space in national and international defence strategies. Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, Chief of the Air Force, said that although the Air Force already has a team focused on space, formalising it into a squadron underscores its growing role. “Space is now part of our present and will only become more critical in the future,” Webb told Reuters.…
First Launch Marks Start of Project Kuiper Amazon has launched the first 27 satellites for its Project Kuiper, marking the beginning of a major broadband initiative. These satellites were sent into low-Earth orbit from Florida on Monday. The project aims to create a global internet network, challenging SpaceX’s established Starlink service. The satellites lifted off at 7 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. They were carried by an Atlas V rocket, provided by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The launch followed a delay caused by bad weather earlier in April. Kuiper…
Global Military Spending Hits Record $2.72 Trillion in 2024 World military expenditure surged to $2.72 trillion in 2024, marking a 9.4% increase from 2023, according to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This rise is the sharpest year-on-year increase since the end of the Cold War. Rapid Growth Across All Regions SIPRI’s data showed that military spending rose in every world region due to heightened geopolitical tensions. Europe and the Middle East saw particularly rapid increases, reflecting growing concerns over regional security. “Over 100 countries around the world raised their military spending in 2024,” SIPRI reported.…
Fossil of Oldest-Known Ant Unearthed in Brazil Scientists have discovered the fossil of the oldest-known ant, a winged insect with fierce scythe-like jaws. It lived about 113 million years ago during the dinosaur era and was preserved in limestone found in northeastern Brazil. The species, named Vulcanidris cratensis, belonged to a group called hell ants, known for their menacing jaws. These ants thrived during the Cretaceous Period across a wide range but have no living descendants today. A previously found hell ant species, Haidomyrmex, was named after Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. A Fearsome Ancient Predator Vulcanidris cratensis…