NASA Astronaut Hospitalised After Extended ISS Mission Return NASA astronaut hospitalised due to an unspecified medical condition soon after returning from an extended mission on the International Space Station (ISS), NASA confirmed on Friday. The astronaut, who remains unnamed for privacy reasons, was flown to a hospital in Pensacola, Florida, after safely landing off Florida’s coast in SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule. Crew’s Extended ISS Mission The astronaut, alongside US crewmates Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, returned to Earth after 235 days in orbit, a longer-than-usual ISS mission duration. Their time on the ISS surpassed…
Author: Aditya Lenka
China Warns of Foreign Spies Amid Intensifying Space Arms Race China Warns of Foreign Spies targeting its space programme, as the competition for dominance in space escalates. According to a statement released on the ministry’s official WeChat account, safeguarding space security has become a critical strategy for China’s future development, as space emerges as a key battleground for military advancement. Rising Threats from Foreign Intelligence China’s security ministry pointed out that certain foreign nations, especially those with established space combat forces, have been conducting surveillance and espionage activities aimed at China’s aerospace developments. While specific countries were not named, the…
Union Cabinet Approves ₹1,000 Crore Venture Capital Fund to Boost Space Sector in India The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital (VC) Fund dedicated to advancing the space sector in India. This initiative, proposed by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), aims to fuel growth and innovation in space technology, strengthen national capabilities, and support India’s vision of becoming a leading space economy. Financial Plan for the VC Fund The fund’s deployment is planned over five years, with annual allocations ranging from ₹150 crore to ₹250 crore depending…
NASA’s Crew-8 Begins Return to Earth After Weather Delays NASA’s Crew-8 mission is finally on its way back to Earth after the SpaceX Dragon capsule undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) early Thursday morning. The capsule, carrying NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, began its descent following weeks of weather-related delays. https://youtu.be/NbLj4yrHIps Delays Due to Severe Weather The crew’s return had been postponed multiple times, with the first delay occurring on October 7 due to Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm that struck Florida. Unfavourable weather conditions around the splashdown…
The Hidden Allies of Plants: Role of Fungi in Pest Protection When looking at a single plant, it may seem like you’re holding just one organism. However, each plant actually hosts a complex network of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. For example, a dahlia shoot may harbor 20 to 30 species, both on its surface (epiphytes) and within (endophytes). If the plant is attached to its roots, this number can double due to the presence of more species, especially mycorrhizal types, which form crucial symbiotic relationships. How Fungi Protect Plants from Insects Endophytes and mycorrhizal fungi play a key role…
Functional Mushrooms: The Future of Health Food Functional mushrooms are quickly gaining popularity in the health food industry. Varieties like Cordyceps, Reishi, and Lion’s Mane provide benefits beyond basic nutrition. Rich in bioactive compounds, these mushrooms actively support long-term well-being as people increasingly seek natural health remedies. Cordyceps: Boosting Energy and Endurance Cordyceps, traditionally harvested in the mountains of Tibet and Nepal, has enhanced energy levels for centuries. It increases oxygen use and improves stamina, making it a favorite among athletes. Research shows that Cordyceps strengthens lung function, boosts the immune system, and may even slow aging. As a result,…
Ancient Meteorite Impact: A Catastrophe That Boosted Early Life The asteroid that struck Earth 66 million years ago and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs is infamous. However, a much larger meteorite—up to 200 times bigger—hit Earth 3.26 billion years ago, triggering even more widespread destruction. Surprisingly, new research reveals that this cataclysmic event may have actually played a role in supporting early life on Earth. A Massive Impact with Unexpected Benefits Scientists have studied ancient rocks in the Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa, where evidence of this massive impact has been preserved. The meteorite, a carbonaceous chondrite rich…
Bitcoin Hits Three-Month High as Dollar Strengthens Ahead of US Election Bitcoin reached its highest value in three months during early trading in Asia on Monday. Meanwhile, the US dollar continued to rise, as global markets braced for the upcoming US presidential election in two weeks. Trump’s Election Prospects Boost Dollar and Bitcoin As polls increasingly suggest a potential win for former President Donald Trump in the upcoming November 5 election, the US dollar has seen a boost. Trump’s proposed policies on tariffs and taxes are anticipated to keep US interest rates elevated, which could weaken the currencies of America’s…
Spirit AeroSystems Furloughs 700 Workers Amid Boeing Strike Spirit AeroSystems announced on Friday that it will furlough 700 employees for 21 days as the ongoing strike at Boeing, which began in mid-September, continues to strain the supplier’s finances and inventory capacity. The furloughs, first reported by Reuters, will impact workers involved in Boeing’s 767 and 777 widebody jet programs, which have been halted due to the strike by over 33,000 U.S. factory workers. The decision comes as Spirit Aero faces a growing backlog of fuselages with no space for additional storage. Spirit CEO Pat Shanahan acknowledged the toll on affected…
Ananth Technologies Hands Over Satellites to ISRO for Space Docking Experiment Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies (ATL) delivered two 400 kg class satellites to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday. These satellites will play a crucial role in ISRO’s Space Docking Experiment, which is scheduled for later this year. The mission is seen as a significant step towards future Indian space initiatives, such as the country’s Indian space station and the Chandrayaan-4 mission, aimed at retrieving lunar samples. The satellites will be launched aboard the PSLV-C60 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) mission, planned for December 2024. The PSLV rocket for this…