Blue Origin Postpones Debut Launch of New Glenn Rocket Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, delayed the highly anticipated maiden launch of its New Glenn rocket on Monday. The decision was made to address a vehicle subsystem issue, as announced on the platform X. The company is now reviewing potential opportunities for the next launch attempt. Troubleshooting Delays Countdown The New Glenn rocket, standing an impressive 30 stories tall, was set for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Fueled with methane and liquid oxygen propellants, the launch was initially scheduled for 1:00 am ET (0600 GMT). However, the…
Author: Aishwarya Parikh
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Meta Overhauls Content Moderation Policies Amid Political Shifts Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, announced a significant shift in its content moderation policies on Tuesday. The company is scrapping its US fact-checking program and loosening restrictions on controversial topics like immigration and gender identity. This change comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, and Meta faces pressure from conservative voices. Key Changes in Moderation Strategy Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the overhaul as a return to the platform’s roots in free expression. The company will replace its fact-checking program with a “Community Notes”…
2024’s Climate Disasters: How Catastrophes Redefined Our World In 2024, our planet endured a series of climate catastrophes that reshaped lives, landscapes, and livelihoods. Every corner of the globe, big or small, experienced 2024’s climate disasters, underscoring the urgent need to address the escalating climate crisis. https://youtu.be/_Sr0y9L-px0?si=dFX6lrT8jlJL9UAU A Year of Unprecedented Disasters In Kerala’s Wayanad district, landslides devastated tea estates and villages, claiming over 200 lives in their sleep. Torrential rains triggered massive hillsides to collapse, sending torrents of mud, water, and boulders through communities. This was one of Kerala’s deadliest landslides, a grim reminder of the havoc extreme weather…
India’s Space Milestone: TM2Space to Launch AI Laboratory in Orbit In a landmark development for India’s space sector, Hyderabad-based company TakeMe2Space (TM2Space) has announced the launch of MOI-TD (My Orbital Infrastructure – Technology Demonstrator). This mission, set to take off aboard ISRO’s PSLV C60 rocket, will mark India’s first artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory in space. The initiative underscores India’s advancing space capabilities and places TM2Space at the forefront of global space innovation. Revolutionising Space Research with AI TM2Space specialises in advanced satellite solutions and orbital infrastructure. With MOI-TD, the company aims to transform space research by enabling real-time data processing…
Chinese Astronauts Set New Spacewalk Record, Advancing Beijing’s Space Programme Two Chinese astronauts achieved a world-record spacewalk of more than nine hours this week, marking a significant milestone for China’s rapidly growing space programme. The achievement highlights Beijing’s increasing presence in space exploration. Record-Breaking Spacewalk Details Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong conducted the spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station on Tuesday. Their mission lasted at least four minutes longer than the previous record set in 2001 by NASA astronauts James Voss and Susan Helms. Wearing their Feitian spacesuits, the Shenzhou-19 astronauts completed tasks such as installing space-debris protection devices on…
Expedition Uncovers 27 New Species in Peru’s Amazon An “amphibious mouse” with partially webbed feet that preys on aquatic insects is among 27 new species discovered during a 2022 expedition in Peru’s Amazon, according to Conservation International. This remarkable discovery highlights the ecological richness of Alto Mayo, a protected area in the region. Incredible Discoveries in Alto Mayo The expedition, led by Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program, revealed a variety of new species. Among them are the amphibious mouse, a spiny mouse with stiff fur, a dwarf squirrel just 14 cm long, eight types of fish, three amphibians, and 10…
Oxford’s Space Lab Studies Ageing in Microgravity Human tissue samples from Space Innovation Lab (SIL) of Oxford are now aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The aim is to uncover why the ageing process accelerates in space and explore potential ways to slow it down. Investigating Ageing in Space and on Earth The experiment compares how organoids—miniaturised and simplified versions of human organs grown in a lab—respond to conditions in microgravity versus Earth’s gravity. These findings could help scientists understand how space travel impacts ageing at a cellular level. Dr. Ghada Alsaleh, the lead researcher at Oxford’s SIL, highlighted the…
Japan and India Collaborate on Space Junk Removal Using Lasers Space startups from Japan and India announced on Tuesday a joint initiative to tackle orbital debris using laser-equipped satellites. The partnership addresses the growing issue of space congestion as Earth’s orbit becomes increasingly crowded. Innovative Solutions for Orbital Debris Tokyo-based Orbital Lasers and Indian robotics firm InspeCity will explore business opportunities for in-space services. These include de-orbiting inactive satellites and extending the lifespan of operational spacecraft. Orbital Lasers, a spin-off from Japanese satellite leader SKY Perfect JSAT, is developing a system to stabilise space junk. The technology uses laser energy…
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore: Pioneers Aboard Starliner NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, originally set for a brief stay on the International Space Station (ISS), are marking six months in space on December 5. The duo were the first to fly aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2024, but technical issues drastically altered their mission. Starliner was meant to return the astronauts to Earth within a short timeframe. However, propulsion system failures, including five malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks, forced an unmanned return to Earth in September. The spacecraft successfully landed in New Mexico, leaving the astronauts…
Adani Green’s Renewable Energy Plans Face Major Setback A Vision for the World’s Largest Renewable Energy Project Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has long championed the push for clean energy, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious renewable energy goals. His company, Adani Green Energy, embarked on an unparalleled venture to build the world’s largest renewable energy park in Gujarat. Set to cover an area five times the size of Paris, the project aims to generate 50 gigawatts (GW) of power by 2030, representing 10% of India’s clean energy targets. Adani Green received significant support from global investors, including France’s TotalEnergies…