Category: Science

SpaceX launches first all-European commercial crew to ISS | WATCH

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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A SpaceX rocket blasted off Thursday carrying the first all-European commercial crew to the International Space Station, a landmark mission for a region looking to mount a comeback following a series of setbacks.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket topped with its Crew Dragon capsule lifted off at 4:49 p.m. local time from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, according to a webcast of the mission managed by SpaceX and Axiom Space Inc.

The crew is expected to dock at the orbiting research laboratory, some 250 miles (402km) above Earth, at roughly 5:15 am New York time on January 20.

Falcon 9 launches Ax-3, Dragon’s 12th human spaceflight mission pic.twitter.com/VaswQz7npo

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 18, 2024

The Ax-3 mission is Axiom’s third crewed mission into low-Earth orbit. The Houston-based company is focused on developing private space stations.

Commanding Thursday’s flight is Michael López-Alegría, who led the Ax-1 mission in 2022, Axiom’s first mission to the ISS. Pilot Walter Villadei from the Italian Air Force and mission specialists Marcus Wandt of Sweden and Alper Gezeravci of Turkey will also participate in the two-week mission.

William Gerstenmaier, vice president of build and flight reliability at SpaceX, joked with the crew after the launch: “You’re demonstrating the ultimate in reuse: a reused commander, a reused Dragon, and a reused Falcon. Or maybe flight experience is a better word. Enjoy space!”

The launch comes as Europe’s space industry has struggled to get off the ground due to delays. The Ariane 6 rocket, which is four years behind schedule, is expected to blast off this summer, while the Vega-C rocket is set to lift off during the fourth quarter after a mission failure at the end of 2022.

“This year will look much better,” Josef Aschbacher, the director general of the European Space Agency, said last week at an annual press briefing.

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Indian astronauts may wear Russian spacesuits for ISRO’s Gaganyaan Mission: Report

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Gaganyaan Mission is a historic milestone as India prepares to embark on its first manned spaceflight. Recent reports from the Hindustan Times indicate that the astronauts on this mission are likely to use Russian-made spacesuits, despite the development of indigenous Intra Vehicular Activity (IVA) suits by the Vikram Sarabhai Space.

According to documents reviewed by the English daily, while ISRO has made significant progress in the development of its IVA suits, the space agency has opted for Russian spacesuits for the Gaganyaan mission. The decision, as stated in one of the documents, is driven by programmatic requirements and a commitment to ensure the safety of the crew during the mission.

ISRO scientists have verified that the three designated astronauts have undergone suit trials in Russia. Scientists from ISRO, as communicated to HT, clarified that the indication of using Russian-made suits for the Gaganyaan mission is not a definitive confirmation of the final choice.

Earlier this month, ISRO Chairman S Somanath mentioned that 2024 is designated as the “year for Gaganyaan.” The upcoming months will witness rigorous testing and technology demonstrations to validate ISRO’s human spaceflight capability.

The mission aims to launch a crew of three members into orbit at 400km for a three-day mission, followed by a safe return to Earth.

The Gaganyaan Mission is part of ISRO’s broader human spaceflight programme, designed to showcase India’s ability to undertake crewed space missions. Key objectives of the programme include the development of a human-rated launch vehicle capable of safely transporting the crew into space, a Life Support System to create an Earth-like environment for the astronauts, and comprehensive crew management aspects for training, recovery, and rehabilitation.

To ensure the success of the Gaganyaan mission, ISRO has planned a series of precursor missions and tests. These include the Integrated AirDrop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT), and Test Vehicle (TV) flights.

In preparation for the forthcoming manned mission, ISRO will conduct multiple rounds of tests. Following the TV-D1 test flight demonstration conducted in October of the previous year, the space agency plans to execute a test flight involving Vyomitra, a humanoid astronaut robot, and an unmanned flight. Officials from the Department of Space suggest that these tests will precede the scheduled manned mission, potentially set for 2025.

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ISRO wins CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023 award for its breakthrough feats

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In an historic year for India’s space exploration endeavours, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been honoured with the Indian of the Year 2023 award for outstanding achievements. The award, presented by Dr Jitendra Singh, recognised the remarkable contributions made by ISRO in pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

The year will undoubtedly be etched into the history books as a period when India’s space agency demonstrated unparalleled prowess and resilience in the face of challenges.

The pinnacle of ISRO’s achievements in 2023 was the successful first-ever soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s uncharted south polar region, a moment reminiscent of the Apollo missions.

On August 23, 2023, India became the fourth nation globally to achieve this feat, joining the elite ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, and China. The mission not only showcased India’s engineering capabilities but also served as a beacon of inspiration for a nation with aspirations of becoming a key player in space exploration.

Chandrayaan-3, however, was just the beginning of ISRO’s ambitious agenda. In a swift follow-up, the space agency launched Aditya-L1, India’s first space-based solar observatory. This mission, aimed at studying the Sun’s outermost layer, the corona, holds significant implications for space weather forecasting.

Additionally, ISRO’s commitment to human space exploration was evident with the successful maiden flight test of the Gaganyaan mission. This accomplishment underscored India’s readiness to venture into manned space travel.

Furthermore, the nation joined the ambitious Artemis Accords led by the United States, solidifying its commitment to collaborative lunar exploration efforts.

Setting ambitious goals for the future, ISRO has targeted establishing its space station by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040. This ambitious leap requires a multi-pronged approach, involving both private and state players in a collaborative effort.

In another move, ISRO opened its doors to private players in 2023 through the new space policy, fostering partnerships and providing expertise to startups in the space industry.

Collaborations with companies like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos marked significant strides towards realising India’s potential as a key player in the global space industry.

Despite operating on a comparatively smaller budget, ISRO’s achievements in 2023 have been nothing short of remarkable. The organisation has not only demonstrated the feasibility of cost-effective space missions but has also generated high-value scientific data and technological advancements.

As ISRO sets its sights on future missions, including the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite and the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, the world eagerly anticipates the next chapter in India’s space exploration saga. The year 2023 stands as a testament to ISRO’s innovation, determination, and visionary approach, setting a new benchmark for what humanity can achieve beyond the stars.

Currently in its 13th edition, CNN-News18 Indian of the Year is an initiative that recognises Indians who have made significant contributions to various fields and have had a profound impact on the nation. Since its inception in 2006, CNN-News18 Indian of the Year has firmly positioned itself as the biggest awards in the world of news television, celebrated for its unassailable credibility.

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How safe is drinking bottled water as new study talks about the risk of consuming it

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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An average litre of bottled water contains about a quarter million invisible pieces of nanoplastics, which are way smaller than microplastics, according to a study.

The scientists have detected and categorised these nanoplastics for the first time with the help of a microscope using dual lasers, The Associated Press reported.

Researchers at Columbia and Rutgers universities looked at five samples each of three common bottled water brands and found out that particle levels ranged from 110,000 to 400,000 per litre of bottled water, averaging at around 240,000, according to the study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

While human hair is about 83 microns wide, scientists found particles less than a micron in size.

There are 25,400 microns in an inch. It is also called micrometres as it is a millionth of a meter.

The latest research discovered about 10 to 100 times more nanoplastics than microplastics in a litre of bottled water.

Earlier studies looked at slightly bigger microplastics that range from the visible five millimetres — less than a quarter of an inch — to one micron.

Columbia physical chemist Naixin Qian, who led the study, said most of the plastic particles seem to be coming from the bottle itself and the reverse osmosis membrane filter used to keep out other contaminants.

Without revealing the names of the three brands, she stated that researchers want to study more brands. However, she highlighted that these brands were common.

Is nanoplastic harmful to health?

Phoebe Stapleton, a toxicologist at Rutgers, said that this is currently under review. “We don’t know if it’s dangerous or how dangerous,” Stapleton said.

However, the co-author of the study noted that these nanoplastics are getting into the tissues, while the new research is looking at what they are doing in the cells.

“There currently is both a lack of standardised (measuring) methods and no scientific consensus on the potential health impacts of nano- and microplastic particles. Therefore, media reports about these particles in drinking water do nothing more than unnecessarily scare consumers,” The Associated Press quoted a statement by the International Bottled Water Association.

Last year, a report by the United Nations Environment Programme stated that the “world is drowning under the weight of plastic pollution, with more than 430 million tonnes of plastic produced annually.”

Two-thirds of the total are short-lived products that soon become waste, which are filling the ocean and even working their way into the human food chain.

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ISRO’s first sun mission Aditya L1 enters final orbit: PM Modi hails ‘another landmark’

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Aditya L1, India’s maiden mission to study the Sun, has reached its destination after successfully injecting it into its final orbit on Saturday (January 6). ISRO performed the final manoeuvre to inject the spacecraft into orbit around 4 pm IST.

Positioned around 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, Lagrange Point 1 is a unique location in space where the gravitational forces between the Sun and Earth are in a delicate equilibrium. The L1 point is about 1% of the total distance between the Earth and the Sun. The Sun’s extreme temperatures make a “touchdown” impossible.

A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses. This will provide a greater advantage of observing the solar activities and their effect on space weather in real-time.

Meanwhile, congratulatory messages have started pouring in for ISRO from all quarters.

“India creates yet another landmark. India’s first solar observatory Aditya-L1 reaches its destination. It is a testament to the relentless dedication of our scientists in realising the most complex and intricate space missions. I join the nation in applauding this extraordinary feat. We will continue to pursue new frontiers of science for the benefit of humanity,” PM Modi posted on X.

Union Minister of State Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said, “What a glorious turn of year for Bharat. Under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, yet another success story was scripted by Team ISRO. Aditya L1 reaches its final orbit to discover the mysteries of the Sun-Earth connection.”

#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Director of Space Applications Centre, Nilesh M Desai speaks on Aditya L1 mission pic.twitter.com/tN2svLq1RF

— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2024

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched India’s first-ever solar mission, Aditya L1, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on September 2.

The Aditya L1 spacecraft will observe the photosphere, the chromosphere, and the corona of the Sun and will send vital information back to the Earth. The mission further aims to study the magnetic field topology and magnetic field measurements in the solar corona and the drivers for space weather such as the origin, composition, and dynamics of solar wind.

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Aditya L1, ISRO’s solar mission, to enter final orbit today: Here are key things to know

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Aditya L1, India’s maiden mission to study the Sun, is inching closer to its destination and will be injected into its final orbit on Saturday evening (January 6). ISRO will perform the final manoeuvre to inject the spacecraft — the first space-based Indian observatory to study the Sun — into its final destination orbit, some 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth.

According to ISRO officials, the spacecraft will be placed in a halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system.

The L1 point is about 1% of the total distance between the Earth and the Sun.

Here are key things to know about Aditya-L1 mission:

• Launched in September of the previous year, the spacecraft has completed four earth-bound maneuvers and a significant Trans-Lagrangean Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) maneuver, marking critical milestones in its journey.
• Positioned around 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, Lagrange Point 1 is a unique location in space where the gravitational forces between the Sun and Earth are in a delicate equilibrium. This point represents merely 1% of the entire distance between these celestial bodies.
• Following the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the Moon’s South Pole, India’s esteemed space agency, ISRO, embarked on its maiden solar mission, Aditya-L1, launching it from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• Aditya-L1 marks ISRO’s inaugural solar mission, aimed at studying the Sun. This mission is a significant step forward in India’s space exploration endeavors.
• The Aditya-L1 mission commenced from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, a renowned spaceport from which various missions, including Chandrayaan missions.
• The Aditya L1 spacecraft will observe the photosphere, the chromosphere, and the corona of Sun. Photosphere is the visible surface of the Sun, while chromosphere is an irregular layer above the photosphere. Corona is the Sun’s outer atmosphere.
• The spacecraft carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere, and the corona using electromagnetic particle and magnetic field detectors.

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Aditya L1, India’s first mission to study Sun, set to be placed in final orbit on Saturday

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Aditya L1, India’s maiden mission to study the Sun, is inching closer to its destination and will be injected into its final orbit on Saturday evening (January 6).

“Aditya-L1 would reach its L1 point on January 6 at 4 pm. We would do the final manoeuvre to strategically place it in that halo orbit.” Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath said.

The spacecraft shall be able to view the Sun without any eclipses after it is positioned into the ‘halo orbit’ around Lagrange Point 1 (L1).

The spacecraft, launched on September 2 last year, has so far undergone four earth-bound manoeuvres and a Trans-Lagrangean Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) manoeuvre, reports said.

Lagrange Point 1 is one of the five positions in space where the gravitational effects of the Sun and the Earth roughly balance each other. It is around 1.5 million kilometres away from the Earth. This is just 1% of the total distance between the two bodies.

Post the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the South Pole of the moon, India’s space agency ISRO launched its first solar mission — Aditya-L1 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

“Aditya L1 has already reached the L1 point and the manoeuvre (on January 6) will put it in the desired orbit. Without getting into the orbit, the spacecraft will continue to travel towards the Sun,” an ISRO official told The Indian Express.

Lagrange Point 1, like other points, is a relatively stable position. However, it will be difficult to keep the Aditya L1 spacecraft firmly fixed at that location.

The three-dimensional ‘halo orbit’ provides the spacecraft an opportunity to view the Sun from different angles.

Annapurni Subramaniam, director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, told the national daily that Aditya L1 spacecraft will make it to a ‘halo orbit’ around the L1 point.

“As the Earth moves around the Sun, the L1 point will also move. So, does the halo orbit,” Subramaniam said.

Aditya L1, India’s first space-based mission to study the Sun, carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere and the outermost layers of the Sun (the corona) using electromagnetic particle and magnetic field detectors.

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India kicks off collaboration with Elon Musk — SpaceX to launch GSAT-20 soon

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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ISRO’s commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), has forged a collaboration with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch GSAT-20, a high-capacity communications satellite. The joint initiative, announced on Wednesday, January 3, signifies a significant step forward in India’s space capabilities.

The satellite will be propelled into space using SpaceX’s renowned Falcon-9 rocket.

This marks India’s inaugural partnership with Elon Musk‘s venture, signifying a pivotal step towards enhancing the nation’s broadband communication capabilities, particularly in remote and underserved regions.

In an official statement, NSIL highlighted the satellite’s primary objective of bolstering India’s broadband infrastructure, addressing connectivity gaps in distant and isolated areas.

The launch is slated for the second quarter of the current year, with GSAT-20 weighing a substantial 4,700 kg, surpassing the current highest spacecraft launching capacity of 4,000 kg maintained by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Elon Musk, the man behind SpaceX and Tesla, has expressed a keen interest in introducing his Starlink satellite broadband service to the Indian market.

Additionally, discussions are underway regarding a potential investment proposal for Tesla to establish a manufacturing facility in the country for electric vehicles.

However, Musk has encountered resistance from certain sectors within India’s domestic industry.

NSIL asserted its commitment to the project, emphasising that it will retain complete ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the GSAT-20 high-throughput satellite.

This cutting-edge satellite is projected to offer an impressive capacity of 48 gigabits per second, showcasing the nation’s determination to bridge the digital divide and embrace advanced technologies for comprehensive connectivity solutions.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow