Jared Isaacman Pulled as NASA Administrator Pick The White House unexpectedly withdrew its nomination of Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator on Saturday, 31 May, removing a key ally of Elon Musk from consideration to lead the US space agency. Former President Donald Trump announced the decision via Truth Social, citing a review of Isaacman’s prior associations. “I will soon announce a new nominee who will be mission aligned, and put America First in space,” Trump stated. Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut, was due for a Senate confirmation vote next week. His removal came without detailed explanation and surprised…
Author: Kanika Sharma
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Elon Musk Faces Setbacks but Remains on Track for Mars Just two days after the latest test-flight failure of the SpaceX Starship, Elon Musk announced a bold timeline. He expects the massive rocket to make its first uncrewed journey to Mars by the end of 2026. This plan hinges on Starship overcoming several major technical challenges in the coming months. Musk shared his vision in a video released by SpaceX. In it, he outlined the development path for Starship, the rocket designed to carry humans and cargo to the red planet. The announcement came one day after Musk confirmed his…
US States Sue Funding Reductions in STEM Research Sixteen US states, including New York, California, and Illinois, have filed a lawsuit challenging sweeping cuts to federal science funding under the Trump administration. The legal action aims to block limits placed on National Science Foundation (NSF) funding and the removal of diversity programmes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Filed on Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, the lawsuit argues that the administration lacks the authority to cap funding or eliminate initiatives mandated by Congress. The states claim these changes will undermine American leadership in scientific research. Lawsuit Follows Broader Pushback…
Tokyo Startup ISC Aims for First U.S.-Japan Joint Commercial Launch A Tokyo startup, Innovative Space Carrier (ISC), announced plans to test-launch a prototype reusable rocket in the United States this December. The launch will use an American-made engine, with the goal of becoming the first commercial space mission jointly operated by US and Japanese companies. ISC’s test flight will take place at Spaceport America in New Mexico. The rocket, named ASCA 1.0, will perform a 100-metre flight and landing, using the Hadley engine developed by US manufacturer Ursa Major. This move addresses Japan’s current shortage of domestic launch vehicles and…
Germany Plans Full Military Readiness by 2029 Amid Russia Threat Chief of Defence of Germany, General Carsten Breuer, has directed the country’s armed forces to be fully equipped by 2029. The decision, outlined in a document signed on 19 May, highlights concerns that Russia could be ready to launch attacks on NATO territory within the next five years. New Directive Sets Clear Priorities The document, titled Directive Priorities for the Bolstering of Readiness, outlines the key areas the military will focus on. These include acquiring essential weapons and material, improving air defences, and boosting ammunition stockpiles. Breuer’s directive follows Germany’s…
Heightened Tensions Spur Investment Jitters in Taiwan Foreign investors are increasingly concerned about the risk of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. While such a scenario once seemed unthinkable, the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency has changed that perception. Many now consider it a remote but possible risk they must prepare for, even if effective safeguards remain elusive. Taiwan, a democratically-governed island, remains a flashpoint in US-China relations. These tensions have worsened since Trump re-entered the White House and reignited trade disputes. His policies have introduced new tariffs that have unsettled global markets and deepened geopolitical unease. The…
Japan Hosts Its Largest-Ever Defence Exhibition to Boost Global Cooperation Japan opened its biggest defence exhibition to date on Wednesday, marking a significant move towards greater international collaboration. The event reflects the country’s shift from a pacifist stance to a more active role in global security partnerships. A Showcase of Advanced Military Technology The Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Japan exhibition took place near Tokyo. It featured a wide range of military technology, including missiles, warships, and cutting-edge research into laser systems and electromagnetic railguns. Defence Minister Gen Nakatani stated that the event symbolised Japan’s expanding efforts in defence…
Starlink High-Speed Internet Aims to Bypass Political Disruptions Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has officially launched operations in Bangladesh. The move is part of the country’s broader push to provide consistent and reliable internet access, even during periods of political unrest. Muhammad Yunus, who currently heads Bangladesh’s interim government, highlighted the benefits of this new service. He stated that Starlink offers a communication channel that cannot easily be shut down, even in times of instability. Starlink confirmed the launch with a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying: “Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet is now available in…
Enthusiastic Crowds Greet Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in Taipei Everywhere Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang goes in Taiwan, adoring fans and eager reporters follow. From book signings to handing out autographs on baseballs, his presence generates immense excitement. Huang, originally from Tainan, Taiwan, moved to the United States at the age of nine. This week, he returned to Taipei for the Computex trade show and has been closely followed since his private jet landed on Friday. On Saturday night, a crowd gathered outside a Taipei restaurant where Huang hosted a dinner for key tech executives, including leaders from chipmaker TSMC. One…
Private Firm Expands Use of Cleaner Fuel with Methane-Powered Rocket China’s LandSpace Technology successfully launched six satellites into orbit on Saturday using its methane-powered rocket, the Zhuque-2E Y2. The launch took place at 12:12 p.m. local time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. This marks the fifth mission in the Zhuque-2 series and highlights the startup’s growing focus on cleaner, cost-effective rocket fuels. https://youtube.com/shorts/p2jQCmBe9FE?feature=share Methane, combined with liquid oxygen, is considered safer, cleaner, and more affordable than traditional hydrocarbon fuels. These qualities make it ideal for use in reusable rockets—a major goal for LandSpace. Building Towards Reusable…