Simulating Extraterrestrial Conditions for Astronaut Training India has begun its first human analogue space mission, the Ladakh Human Analogue Mission (LHAM). The mission officially started on 1 November 2024 and is led by ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre in partnership with AAKA Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, and IIT Bombay. It is supported by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh. The goal is to simulate interplanetary conditions to prepare astronauts for future missions beyond Earth. By creating realistic environments similar to those on the Moon and Mars, the mission aims to understand the physical and psychological challenges astronauts…
Author: Arushi Pandey
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Indian Village Celebrates Sunita Williams’ Return from Space The village of Jhulasan in Gujarat, western India, became a vibrant centre of celebration on Wednesday. Residents gathered to mark the safe return of astronaut Sunita Williams after more than nine months in space. Though born in the US, Williams has deep ties to Jhulasan, the birthplace of her father, Deepak Pandya. Jhulasan Proudly Welcomes Sunita Williams As news of her return spread, the village erupted in joy. Firecrackers lit up the skies, and locals expressed immense pride in Williams, whose achievements reflect not only personal success but also the promise of…
A New Approach to Fighting Malaria An international team of scientists has developed genetically modified mosquitoes designed to halt the spread of malaria, one of the deadliest diseases worldwide. The Transmission Zero team used gene drive technology to create malaria-resistant mosquitoes that pass on their resistance to future generations. Professor George Christophides, who led the research at Imperial College London, explained the initiative’s goal. “The program was set up to genetically engineer mosquitoes to make them unable to transmit malaria,” he told Reuters. “That’s why we’re called Transmission Zero—zero transmission—and then to engineer them also to spread that modification in…
Swedish Battery Maker Northvolt Files for Bankruptcy Swedish electric vehicle (EV) battery maker Northvolt has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, marking one of the country’s largest corporate failures. The company, once seen as Europe’s best chance to compete with Asian battery giants, failed to secure the financial backing needed to continue operations. Northvolt’s Financial Struggles Northvolt had already sought U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024 as it struggled to ramp up production at its flagship factory in northern Sweden. However, financial difficulties persisted, leading to its Swedish bankruptcy filing. At the time of its January 2025 financial disclosure,…
New Bill Targets AI Transparency and Deepfake Regulation The Government of Spain has taken a strong stance against AI-generated misinformation by approving a bill that imposes hefty fines on companies that fail to label AI-generated content. The move aims to curb the spread of deepfakes—AI-generated videos, photos, or audio presented as real—while ensuring transparency in AI use. The bill aligns with the European Union’s AI Act, which enforces strict regulations on high-risk AI systems. “AI is a very powerful tool that can improve our lives or spread misinformation and attack democracy,” said Digital Transformation Minister Oscar Lopez. Spain is one…
Novo Nordisk’s CagriSema Shows 15.7% Weight Loss in Type 2 Diabetes Trial Novo Nordisk announced on Monday that its experimental obesity drug, CagriSema, helped overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes lose an average of 15.7% of their body weight over 68 weeks. This latest phase III trial data is crucial for understanding the potential of Novo Nordisk’s CagriSema, especially after an earlier trial in people without diabetes showed lower-than-expected weight loss results. Promising Results from REDEFINE 2 Trial The new data comes from the REDEFINE 2 trial, which involved around 1,200 participants with type 2 diabetes and a…
Rising Palm Oil Prices May Persist as Biodiesel Demand Grows Palm oil, long known for its affordability, is becoming more expensive as Indonesia, the world’s largest producer, diverts more of its supply to biodiesel production. Industry expert Dorab Mistry warns that the era of rising palm oil prices has begun. He attributes this to Indonesia’s focus on biofuel, which limits exports and pushes prices higher. Indonesia increased the required palm oil blend in biodiesel to 40% this year and is considering raising it to 50% by 2026. Additionally, the government is exploring a 3% palm oil-based jet fuel blend. These…
Next-Generation Launch Vehicle to Feature Reusable Booster and Improved Stages The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is actively developing LOX-Methane engines and stages for its Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). This advanced launch system will incorporate a reusable booster stage alongside two expendable upper stages. To enhance mission flexibility, multiple restarts will be crucial for both booster recovery and upper-stage operations. To support this requirement, the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO is working on a spark torch igniter for future LOX-Methane stages. This igniter offers key advantages, including multi-restart capability, improved ignition reliability, and cleaner combustion products. Successful…
SpaceX Clarifies Starlink’s Role in FAA System Upgrades SpaceX has rejected claims that its Starlink satellite unit is attempting to take over a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) telecommunications contract. In a statement on X, the company clarified that Starlink is being considered as a partial solution for modernising the FAA’s aging air traffic control systems, not as a full replacement for existing contracts. “Starlink is a possible partial fix to an aging system. There is no effort or intent for Starlink to ‘take over’ any existing contract,” SpaceX stated. The company confirmed that it is working with L3Harris and the…
Expanding Beyond Texas for Starship Development SpaceX is set to invest at least $1.8 billion to develop new launchpads and processing facilities on Florida’s Space Coast. This expansion marks a significant move beyond Texas as the company awaits regulatory approvals. According to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the project will bring an estimated 600 full-time jobs to the region by 2030. The company has been working on early-stage Starship development and testing in Texas, aiming to build a next-generation rocket capable of carrying larger satellite payloads and supporting human missions to the moon. Now, it is looking to establish launch sites…