US-based Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) and Blue Origin have announced a collaboration with India for a human spaceflight program targeting citizens from countries with limited space access. Six seats on a New Shepard mission will be available, with Indians eligible to apply and be selected through public voting. This initiative aims to democratize space travel and enhance global participation.
International Asteroid Day, observed on June 30, commemorates the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia, where an asteroid explosion flattened 830 square miles of forest. Established by the UN in 2016, this day raises awareness about asteroid impact threats and promotes planetary defense efforts. NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) monitors Near-Earth Objects and develops mitigation technologies. The successful Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission demonstrated asteroid deflection, showcasing humanity’s ability to prevent potential future impacts.
University of Tokyo professor Shoji Takeuchi has developed a robot with "living skin," gaining attention for its human-like features. Engineered with 3D-printed lab-grown meat, biological muscle tissue, and advanced adhesion technology, the robot mimics human skin-ligament structures. Future goals include adding features like sweat glands and achieving more lifelike movement, promising applications in medicine and robotics.
Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, aboard Boeing's Starliner, remain at the ISS as engineers address thruster and helium leak issues. Nasa's Steve Stich assures their safety and no rush to return. Ground tests are planned. Despite challenges, the astronauts are assisting ISS operations, and provisions are sufficient for an extended stay.
Nasa called off a spacewalk at the International Space Station after a water leak from an astronaut's spacesuit's cooling system. Astronauts Tracy Dyson and Mike Barratt were preparing to exit the space station through the airlock hatch when an unexpected issue arose. As Dyson activated her spacesuit's battery power, she noticed a malfunction in the cooling system, causing water to leak from the suit. Barratt described the situation saying, "There's literally water everywhere here now."
US-based SERA teamed up with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin to make space flights accessible to regular citizens. The initiative aimed at providing ordinary individuals from across the globe with the opportunity to become astronauts and contribute to space science. The program, described as "a human spaceflight programme for citizens of all nations," will be funded by SERA.
The test was conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Challakere in Chitradurga district, some 220km from Bengaluru. The RLV project is an important programme that will demonstrate one of the technologies needed to meet India’s ambitions of sustained human presence in space. The RLV-LEX-03, built upon RLV-LEX-02, was aimed at improving the vehicle’s performance, guidance, and landing capabilities.
A Long March 2-C rocket launched the French-Chinese SVOM satellite to study gamma-ray bursts, cosmic events from star explosions or mergers, aiming to provide valuable data on the universe's evolution.
Nasa has reported an additional postponement in the Boeing Starliner's journey back to Earth from the International Space Station, along with its first crew of astronauts. On Friday, the agency stated that additional time is required to evaluate the technical problems faced during the mission. The return date remains undetermined, creating ambiguity about when the two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, will conclude their voyage on Boeing's inaugural crewed mission.
New research has confirmed that Earth's inner core, a moon-sized chunk of solid iron and nickel located over 3,000 miles below the surface, has been spinning unusually slowly for the past 14 years. This slowdown could potentially lengthen Earth's days, though any changes would likely be imperceptible to humans.
The summer solstice, around June 20-21, marks the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. The event occurs due to Earth's axial tilt of 23.5 degrees, with the North Pole closest to the Sun and the Sun directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 23.5°N.
Nearly 2,000 children die every day from health problems linked to air pollution, which is now the second biggest risk factor for early death worldwide, a report said Wednesday. "Every day almost 2,000 children under five years die because of health impacts linked to air pollution," UNICEF's Kitty van der Heijden said in a statement.
With 6,000 of the 8,100 objects currently in low Earth orbit belonging to Starlink, the environmental impact of these satellites is raising concerns among scientists. The findings reveal that the reentry of satellites in 2022 resulted in a 29.5% increase in atmospheric aluminum above natural levels, injecting approximately 17 metric tons of aluminum oxides into the mesosphere.
A study by marine biologists reveals insights into bioluminescence, with focus on octocorals. These soft-bodied corals possess the ability to produce light through internal chemical reactions. Despite its widespread occurrence, the origins and original function of bioluminescence remains unknown. 
The Sun is nearing a magnetic field polarity reversal, occurring roughly every 11 years. This flip marks a crucial stage in the solar cycle and impacts space weather. It can lead to increased solar activity, resulting in geomagnetic storms and enhanced cosmic ray shielding. Scientists are monitoring this to improve predictions and understanding of solar dynamics.
A new study reveals that Earth's inner core began slowing its rotation in 2010, potentially altering the length of a day by fractions of a second. Analyzing seismic data and nuclear tests, researchers provided "unambiguous evidence" of this slowdown, sparking debate on core dynamics and Earth's rotation.
Nato scientists are analysing sound waves to improve the West's capability to detect Russian submarines, as global warming transforms underwater acoustics, in the icy region of Arctic waters. The lead scientist aboard the Nato research vessel Alliance Gaultier Real told that, "The only reliable source of information is acoustic waves."
Astronomers discovered new details about the star system HM Sge, including temperature rise and fading phenomenon, using data from Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope and Sofia. The system erupted in April 1975, showcasing the capabilities of Hubble UV spectroscopy.
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has entered into a strategic partnership with the University of Surrey, UK. This collaboration aims to boost innovation in crucial technology sectors. Both institutions will focus on semiconductor technology and medical research. They will explore opportunities in developing new materials, designing, and fabricating semiconductor devices.
Heat exposure can stress the heart by increasing blood flow to its walls and causing obstructed blood flow in adults with heart disease. Staying cool is essential to mitigate these effects. The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, highlights the importance of managing heat-induced stress on the heart.
A recent study found that Viagra, known for treating erectile dysfunction, can also help prevent memory problems related to vascular dementia by increasing cerebral blood flow and enhancing blood vessel function.