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AstroRad Vest May Improve Astronaut Radiation Protection Why in the News ? A recent Science Advances study found that NASA-tested AstroRad, a radiation-protection vest developed by StemRad and Lockheed Martin, could significantly reduce astronauts’ exposure to intense solar radiation during future lunar and Mars missions. Radiation Challenge in Human Spaceflight Earth’s magnetic field protects humans …
Read MoreNASA Selects PRAXIS Mission To Explore Planetary Rings Directly Why in the News ? NASA has selected PRAXIS (Planetary Rings Autonomous EXploration with In-situ Sampling) under its Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) 2026 Phase-I programme. The mission proposes an AI-powered robotic explorer to directly sample particles from planetary rings, a first in space exploration. PRAXIS Mission: …
Read MoreEÄRENDIL-1 MISSION Why in the News? Regulatory Approval: The S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted a two-year operating licence to Reflect Orbital for the Eärendil-1 Mission. Space Innovation: The mission will demonstrate the feasibility of using an orbital reflector (space mirror) to redirect sunlight to Earth after sunset. EÄRENDIL-1 MISSION Proof-of-Concept Mission: Eärendil-1 is …
Read MoreCHANDRAYAAN-3 ‘HOP’ EXPERIMENT REVEALS MOON’S SURFACE LAYERS Why in the News? New Discovery: Data from Chandrayaan-3 revealed that the Moon’s upper surface contains two distinct subsurface layers within a few centimetres, advancing critical technologies for future lunar missions and demonstrating capabilities comparable to those used in brahmos missiles guidance systems. Hop Experiment: The findings emerged …
Read MoreNASA Loses Contact with Long-Serving MAVEN Mars Orbiter Why in the News? NASA has lost communication with its MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars since 2014, after it went silent in early December, raising concerns over a key mission studying Martian atmospheric loss and conducting environmental impact assessments similar …
Read MoreBaikonur Cosmodrome: Russia’s Historic Space Launch Hub Why in the News ? A Soyuz-2.1a rocket mishap on November 27, 2025 at Baikonur Cosmodrome damaged Launch Site 31/6, halting crewed missions. Engineers are now assessing repairs, renewing focus on the spaceport’s strategic relevance, safety concerns, and Russia’s long-term dependence on Kazakhstan-based launch facilities. Baikonur’s Origins and …
Read MoreMartian Crater Named After Geologist M.S. Krishnan Why in the News? The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has approved naming a 3.5-billion-year-old Martian crater after Indian geologist M.S. Krishnan, along with several Kerala-based names assigned to smaller Martian landforms, marking a major global recognition for Indian geoscientific heritage. This achievement highlights India’s growing presence in international …
Read MoreMoss Spores Show Exceptional Survival in Space Why in the News? A new study published in iScience on November 20 reveals that moss spores of Physcomitrium patents survived harsh real-space exposure outside the International Space Station (ISS). The findings expand understanding of plant resilience, astrobiology, and potential applications in extraterrestrial habitats, which could have implications …
Read MoreBlue Origin Launches New Glenn for NASA Mission Why in News? Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket for the first-ever NASA mission, marking the rocket’s second flight and a crucial milestone in challenging SpaceX’s dominance in the global launch market. The mission, named Escapade, aims to study Mars’ atmospheric interactions, contributing to our …
Read MoreBrightest-Ever Flare Detected from Distant Supermassive Black Hole Why in the News ? Astronomers have detected the brightest flare ever observed from a supermassive black hole, shining with the light of 10 trillion suns. The event, recorded by the Palomar Observatory in California, occurred when a massive star was torn apart by the black hole’s …
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