Science

A rock formation on Mars with a unique pale green hue and dark speckles has been closely examined by NASA’s Perseverance rover. The rock, named Serpentine Lake, was imaged using the SHERLOC WATSON camera, a tool designed for analysing surface textures and detecting organic materials. The rover has been navigating the crater rim, where scientists

Satellites equipped with solar sails may soon improve early warnings for space weather events that could disrupt technological infrastructure on Earth. These sails, which harness light from the sun for propulsion, are being explored as a cost-effective alternative to traditional propulsion systems. Scientists believe this advancement could enhance monitoring of solar activity and provide earlier

The emission properties of three long-period pulsars have been observed through the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Detailed findings of the study highlight various pulsar emission behaviours, including null phases, asymmetric emissions, and microstructure pulses. The research, conducted as part of the Commensal Radio Astronomy FAST Survey (CRAFTS), aimed to deepen the understanding of

NASA’s Artemis campaign aims to propel astronauts, scientific experiments, and essential payloads into deep space, utilising the Space Launch System (SLS). The upcoming Artemis IV mission will introduce the Block 1B variant of the SLS, equipped with an upgraded Exploration Upper Stage (EUS). The enhanced system will enable the transportation of larger payloads, including the

The second launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is being targeted for late spring, as efforts are being made to enhance its landing capabilities. The 320-foot-tall rocket was first launched on January 16, 2025, from Florida’s Space Coast, successfully deploying a test version of the Blue Ring spacecraft into orbit. However, the booster stage

Images captured by NASA’s Curiosity rover have shown rare iridescent clouds drifting across the Martian sky. These formations, observed in the planet’s twilight, were seen at high altitudes where sunlight still reaches them despite nightfall on the surface. The images were taken on January 17, using one of the rover’s onboard cameras, with individual frames

Scientists have identified a potential link between genetic mutations and epigenetic clocks, shedding new light on the mechanisms behind biological aging. This discovery could reshape how aging is understood and measured. The study explores how DNA mutations accumulating over time may directly influence epigenetic changes, which are often used to estimate biological age. Researchers have

A celestial object, possibly a small star with a massive exoplanet, has been observed moving through the Milky Way at an extraordinary speed of over 1.2 million mph. The discovery has led researchers to believe that this could be the fastest planetary system ever detected. The object was first identified in 2011 through microlensing, a

Researchers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have provided insights into the rapid star formation within the Phoenix galaxy cluster, a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists for years. The cluster, located 5.8 billion light-years from Earth, contains a supermassive black hole of roughly 10 billion solar masses, which typically suppresses star formation by heating surrounding

NASA’s Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) is being prepared to analyse the Moon’s subsurface for resource extraction, with its technology expected to aid future Artemis missions. The experiment, which will assess lunar soil and identify potential resources, has been developed to support sustained human exploration. The instruments onboard will work together to drill, collect,

A new robotic system capable of planetary exploration through tethered jumping has been developed by researchers at the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The robot, named SPLITTER (Space and Planetary Limbed Intelligent Tether Technology Exploration Robot), has been designed as a modular, multi-robot system composed of two

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have successfully developed and booted an aerospace-grade semiconductor chip, marking a significant step towards self-reliance in space technology. The chip, named ‘IRIS’ (Indigenous RISCV Controller for Space Applications), has been designed based on the SHAKTI processor and is intended for

A significant solar storm that occurred in May 2024 led to the formation of two temporary radiation belts around Earth, as confirmed by satellite data. The discovery was made when a dormant satellite resumed operations after months of inactivity. The storm, which was among the most intense geomagnetic disturbances since 1989, resulted in widespread auroral

A significant increase in global rocket launches was observed in 2024, with 259 recorded liftoffs. This marked the fourth consecutive year of growth in spaceflight activity, with launch attempts occurring approximately every 34 hours. Multiple factors contributed to this rise, including increased commercial satellite deployments, national security initiatives, and a growing emphasis on independent launch

A super-Earth has been confirmed in the habitable zone of a nearby star, raising possibilities for future studies on potentially life-supporting planets. The discovery follows over two decades of observations and has been credited to a team of international researchers. Initially detected two years ago, the planet, named HD 20794 d, is situated 20 light

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has dismissed reports suggesting issues in its maiden space docking mission, SpaDeX. On February 8, ISRO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space, V Narayanan, clarified that no technical faults had been encountered in the docking process. He stated that the mission was progressing systematically and that further experiments were

A key milestone in India’s space technology development has been reached with the successful vacuum ignition test of the CE20 cryogenic engine. Conducted on February 7 at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, the test simulated real space conditions for engine restart. The CE20 engine, designed for the upper

Efforts to develop nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) for future space missions have taken a significant step forward. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), in collaboration with NASA, has conducted tests on nuclear reactor fuel designed for space travel. The trials, held at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, assessed the fuel’s ability to withstand extreme

A fossilised jawbone discovered in South Africa has been classified as belonging to a previously unidentified human relative. The specimen, estimated to be 1.4 million years old, has been attributed to the genus Paranthropus, known for its distinctive dental structure. Unlike its robust counterparts, the newly identified species exhibits a smaller jaw and teeth, suggesting

A dramatic rise in temperature was recorded at the North Pole, with levels surpassing the freezing point due to an extreme winter warming event. Reports indicate that temperatures climbed 20 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average, raising concerns among climate scientists about its impact on Arctic ice loss and long-term warming trends. The event, which