PROPULSION
Statue of Liberty-sized asteroid zooms towards Earth at breakneck speed; NASA issues warning
NASA has issued a warning about asteroid 2024 MT1, a large object heading towards Earth at 65,215 km/h. Despite its size—about as big as the Statue of Liberty—NASA assures no immediate collision threat. Monitored closely by NASA's JPL, it will pass 937,000 miles away on July 8, 2024. Classified as potentially hazardous, efforts like NASA's DART mission aim to redirect such asteroids. Astronomers are eager to study it, hoping to learn more about early solar system formation.
NASA captures detailed images of passing asteroids, enhancing insights on planetary defence
NASA's JPL recently used radar to capture images of two passing asteroids. Asteroid 2011 UL21, discovered by Catalina Sky Survey in 2011, passed safely at 4.1 million miles on June 27. It's nearly a mile wide and has a small moonlet orbiting it. Asteroid 2024 MK passed closer on June 29, at 184,000 miles, with angular features and surface details seen in radar scans. These observations aid planetary defense efforts, providing crucial data on NEOs and their characteristics.
NASA, Boeing continue evaluating Starliner's propulsion system performance
NASA stated on Thursday that it will continue assessing the performance of Starliner’s propulsion system in collaboration with Boeing before the shuttle’s return from the International Space Station (ISS). NASA and Boeing have not provided a new return date, which was previously rescheduled for June 26, following an initial postponement from June 14.
Asteroid to come near to Earth: Where, when and how to watch it free of cost? NASA unravels mysteries
According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, asteroid 2011 UL21 may come to the Earth at the speed of around 58,000 miles per hour. It may come within 4.1 million miles of Earth. We can say that the asteroid may be approximately 17 times farther away from Earth than the moon.
Boeing Starliner faces technical issues: How will astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams return to Earth?
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, facing technical challenges, prepares to bring astronauts Wilmore and Williams back from the ISS. Delays have plagued the return, with no set date yet. Issues with the propulsion system, including overheating thrusters and helium leaks, are under scrutiny. Despite the setbacks, NASA and Boeing are actively working on solutions, including software updates. Crew Dragon stands by as a backup, underscoring the complexities of space missions.
Titagarh Rail Systems opens innovation engineering centre in Bengaluru
Kolkata-based Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd inaugurated an engineering centre in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The centre focuses on innovation and design for TCMS and advanced propulsion systems.
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Boeing targets June 1 for Starliner's debut crew launch amid helium leak probe
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, developed to ferry NASA astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), has been delayed years and is more than $1.5 billion over budget. Persistent Starliner development challenges have illustrated Boeing's struggle to compete with Elon Musk's SpaceX on tighter budgets.
Boeing Starliner's helium leak adds another delay to debut crew flight
NASA has postponed Boeing's Starliner capsule's first crewed flight to May 25 to address a helium leak in the propulsion system. The launch was originally scheduled for May 25, but the next date is still under discussion. The helium leak was discovered alongside an Atlas booster issue before the spacecraft's launch. Two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, will ride Starliner as its first crew to the International Space Station.
First 'extreme' solar storm in 20 years brings spectacular auroras
Powerful solar storms caused celestial light shows and threats to satellites and power grids. Social media shared aurora pictures. Tasmania and Europe experienced spectacular skies. Starlink's Elon Musk commented on the storm. University of Reading's Mathew Owens advised using eclipse glasses to view the aurora.
Solar storm strikes Earth, sparking stunning auroras and potential disruptions
A massive solar storm, the strongest in over 20 years, hit Earth, causing stunning auroras and raising concerns about satellite and power grid disruptions. The storm, triggered by several coronal mass ejections from the Sun, was upgraded to an "extreme" geomagnetic storm. Social media was abuzz with photos of the auroras from various parts of the world. Authorities warned satellite operators, airlines, and power grids to take precautions. The storm's effects are expected to be mainly felt in the planet's northern and southern latitudes.
ISRO's breakthrough '3D-printed' rocket engine saves 97 pc raw materials, 60 pc production time
The new engine, now a single piece, saves 97 per cent of raw materials and reduces production time by 60 per cent, ISRO said. ISRO achieved the major milestone with the successful hot testing of a liquid rocket engine manufactured through AM technology for a duration of 665 seconds on May 9, a release from the space agency said.
ISRO developing semi-cryogenic engine working on liquid oxygen kerosene
ISRO develops a 2,000 kN semi-cryogenic engine using LOX Kerosene propellant at IPRC, Mahendragiri. LPSC leads with ISRO support, achieving pre-burner ignition test at SIET and PRLD. Triethyle Alumnide is used for ignition.
Isro develops light-weight, innovative nozzle for rocket engines, terms it 'breakthrough'
VSSC in Thiruvananthapuram achieves a rocket engine breakthrough with a Carbon-Carbon (C-C) nozzle, enhancing payload capacity and rocket engine parameters. This innovation promises significant improvements for ISRO's launcher, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
China's new Type 004 aircraft carrier: Can it challenge US naval dominance in Asia?
China's construction of the Type 004 aircraft carrier, potentially powered by nuclear energy, signifies a significant step in its naval expansion. This development could reshape the maritime balance of power in Asia and challenge US naval dominance. The carrier's advanced capabilities could enable China to project a more formidable presence in international waters, impacting regional power dynamics. However, increased tensions are expected, especially in areas like the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, prompting Southeast Asian nations to develop countermeasures.
IAF chopper drops ISRO's 'Pushpak' Vimaan from 4.5 km altitude
ISRO said that after the RLV-LEX-01 mission, which was accomplished last year, the RLV-LEX-02 demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of RLV off-nominal initial conditions at the release from a Chinook helicopter. The RLV was made to undertake more difficult manoeuvres with dispersions, correct both cross-range and down range and land on the runway in a fully autonomous mode.
Pushpak 'Viman' lands successfully; How ISRO's new launch vehicle can pave the way for affordable space exploration
ISRO achieves a milestone in reusable launch vehicle technology with the successful landing experiment of RLV LEX-02. The mission simulated high-speed landing conditions of an RLV returning from space, demonstrating autonomous landing capability. ISRO re-validated its technologies in navigation, control systems, and landing gear. The mission, accomplished by VSSC, LPSC, and IISU, builds on the success of RLV-LEX-01, demonstrating the reuse capability of flight hardware and systems. ISRO aims to enable low-cost access to space through these advancements.
Trials for submarines to start in a few months, want to work together on ammo: Spain
Spain's submarine, in contention for a Rs 43,000 crore procurement order by the Indian Navy, has been declared technically compliant. The joint bid by L&T and Navantia (Spain) will soon move to the trials stage, with trials of the Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP) set to commence in a few months. Spain is also keen on cooperating with India in producing ammunition and missiles, with several areas of cooperation identified.
Spacetech startup for propulsion systems Spacefields raises first institutional funding
The fresh capital will be used towards development and testing of critical hardware and various subsystems, research and development in energetic materials and to expand the company’s team, founder and CEO Masook told ET.
Green propulsion system demonstrates in-orbit functionality: Defence ministry
An indigenously-developed 'green' propulsion system, developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, has successfully demonstrated in-orbit functionality on a payload launched by the PSLV C-58 mission. The technology has resulted in a non-toxic and environment-friendly propulsion system for low orbit space, ideal for space missions with high thrust requirements.
Greenland has lost more ice than previously thought: Study
Climate change has led Greenland's ice sheet to lose 20% more ice than previously anticipated, according to a study released Wednesday that utilized satellite photos to track glacier retreat over the last four decades. The researchers in the US compiled compiled nearly 240,000 satellite images of glacier terminus positions -- where glaciers meet the ocean -- from 1985 to 2022.
IT firms to face-off for $16 billion of deals; Zomato pauses Blinkit integration
Indian IT firms are expected to put up a tough fight for these contracts, many of which are now serviced by global multinationals. Experts attribute this competition to technology clients turning more cost-conscious in a turbulent macro-economic environment.
Spacetech startup Bellatrix Aerospace to commercialise propulsion systems
Bellatrix achieved a significant milestone with the launch of its propulsion systems – Rudra and Arka – on board the national space agency’s PSLV C-58 launch vehicle on January 1. This gives the company its first space qualification.
Isro gears up for Spadex mission, aims to transport both lunar samples and astronauts
Isro achieves a milestone with Chandrayaan-3, showcasing prowess by returning a module from the Moon. With steps toward lunar sample retrieval and astronaut missions, Isro gears up for the Spadex mission, aiming to master in-orbit docking. This technological stride not only propels India's space exploration but also promises global collaboration prospects.
Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module brought back to Earth's orbit: Isro
This mission plan was also worked out to prevent the propulsion module from crashing on the Moon’s surface or entering the Earth’s geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) belt at 36,000 km and orbits below that.
ISRO brings back Chandrayaan-3 Propulsion Module to Earth's orbit
Following the lunar hop by Vikram (lander), this was another accomplishment that shows that ISRO can restart engines on the moon and operate equipment, both of which were not foreseen, the national space agency stated in a release.
NASA's Ingenuity rockets to new heights on Mars as Earth tests drive future helicopter innovations
NASA's ongoing Mars exploration reached new heights as the Ingenuity helicopter set records for airspeed and flight endurance on the Red Planet. Simultaneously, groundbreaking rotor tests on Earth at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory unveiled advancements for potential use in future Mars helicopters. These tests showcased longer, stronger carbon fiber blades, paving the way for larger and more capable Martian aircraft. December anticipates further milestones as Ingenuity prepares for high-speed flights, promising continued groundbreaking achievements in Martian aerial exploration.
NASA receives laser beam from 10 million miles away. Here is everything you need to know
A NASA spacecraft beamed into space a near-infrared laser nearly 10 million miles or about 40 times farther than the distance between the moon and the Earth. Know in detail the experiment and its significance.
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