EARTH
SpaceX's Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic first
SpaceX's Starship made a significant return to Earth after completing its mission in space. The spacecraft was caught midair by mechanical arms, marking a historic achievement for the team. Despite this success, the first-stage booster experienced an explosion shortly after liftoff from Texas. SpaceX is preparing for future Starship launches from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA plans to utilize Starship for upcoming Artemis missions, focusing on lunar exploration.
Humanity’s farthest spacecraft Voyager 1 nears one light-day from Earth: Its 26 billion km journey equals 650,000 trips around Earth
NASA's Voyager 1 was launched in September 1977 and is approaching one light-day away from Earth. This distance translates to approximately 26 billion kilometers, revealing the vastness of space. In practical terms, a message sent to Voyager 1 will take a full day to arrive. Voyager 1 is currently traveling at about 38,000 miles per hour through interstellar space.
SpaceX launches 15th Starship flight with hopes of achieving first round trip
SpaceX successfully launched its Starship spacecraft on a mission that aimed for both orbit and return. Unfortunately, the lower-stage Super Heavy booster rocket failed to complete its return flight. Starship's upper-stage vessel reached orbit and deployed 26 satellites into space. This launch marks SpaceX's 15th Starship test flight, contributing to their satellite connectivity business. The company hopes to achieve a fully reusable rocket system for future missions.
Why SpaceX needs just two successful catches to change the future of rocket launches
SpaceX is preparing for its Starship Flight 15 mission which aims to recover both rocket stages after launch. This mission will test the reusability of rockets and the efficiency of SpaceX's recovery systems. Starship is set to deploy 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites into low Earth orbit during this flight. Successfully catching both stages could lead to reduced launch costs and increased satellite deployment.
SpaceX launch today: Elon Musk’s Starship Flight 15 double catch attempt - launch time, how to watch and why it matters
SpaceX launch: SpaceX is preparing for Starship Flight 15 on November 13, with Elon Musk’s company attempting to catch both the Super Heavy booster and Ship using mechanical arms at its Texas launch site for the first time. The test could move SpaceX closer to fully reusable rockets and support NASA’s future Moon mission plans.
NASA fired an electron beam into Earth’s atmosphere in 1969; it created an artificial aurora
In January 1969, a rocket launched from Virginia carried an electron accelerator built to make artificial auroral rays in the upper atmosphere. Cameras on the ground recorded the light. The experiment gave scientists a controlled way to study how energetic electrons interact with atmospheric gases and Earth’s magnetic field.
Meteors dazzle the night sky as the Northern Taurids peak: Here’s all you need to know about the cosmic event and what to look forward to if you missed it
The night sky dazzled on November 12 as the Northern Taurid meteor shower reached its peak, offering amazing visibility for avid skywatchers. This annual event, formed from the debris of Comet Encke, showcases jaw-dropping fireballs that are visible without a telescope. Looking ahead, Mars and Jupiter will align on November 15, followed by the Leonid meteor shower peaking from November 17-18.
First rain before winter
The first rain before winter brings a refreshing change, transforming the landscape and evoking nostalgic feelings. It offers a sense of freedom, as this rain falls without purpose, allowing everyone to delight in the experience of being wet. As winter approaches, this moment serves as a joyful farewell to warmer days.
Skyroot Aerospace partners with Brazil's Concert Technologies for satellite launch vehicle development
Skyroot Aerospace and Brazil's Concert Technologies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration. This agreement focuses on developing a satellite launch vehicle for payloads of at least 100 kilograms. The partnership aims to provide affordable access to space for both countries in conjunction with the global space industry. They plan to evaluate technological requirements and commercial prospects over the next two years.
Kareena Kapoor Khan faces legal notice over a 30-carat royal pendant that showed the Quranic verse of Ayat-ul-Kursi. What does this verse mean?
Kareena Kapoor is facing legal issues due to an Instagram post displaying her, rather than any action she personally engaged in. The dispute started when a picture revealed the actress sporting a 30-carat necklace inscribed with the Quranic verse Ayat-ul-Kursi. The photo garnered attention after she posted one of her Diwali outfits, featuring a sophisticated beige kaftan created by Punit Balana.
Since 2023, over 3,000 volunteers have searched satellite images for clouds; their answers are helping scientists check what computers miss
Thousands of volunteers are analyzing satellite images to assist in accurate cloud classification and detection. The CloudCatcher project aims to enhance the understanding of cloud patterns and their effects on climate. Human input provides valuable data to refine the capabilities of automated systems used in cloud detection. This collaboration showcases the growing trend of involving the public in environmental research efforts.
China's rare earth export value surges 46.4% to $584.3 million despite decline in volumes
China's exports of rare earth ores and metals increased significantly in value during the January to October 2026 period. Despite the value increase, export volumes saw a decline of 8.7 percent in the same timeframe. China's export value for refined petroleum products also rose sharply, while quantities fell slightly during these months. In contrast, the export of fertilizers experienced a notable decline both in value and volume.
Arunachal Pradesh inaugurates geothermal-powered drying unit to boost farmers' incomes
Arunachal Pradesh Science and Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul inaugurated a geothermal-powered drying unit in Dirang, West Kameng district, to promote renewable energy, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers' incomes. Developed with support from India, Norway and Iceland, the facility will use natural geothermal heat to preserve local agricultural and livestock products. Pul also urged the Centre to expedite the Seismic Microzonation Project to strengthen earthquake preparedness in the state.
Keralam CM uses Ramayana movie to promote 'Jatayu paara', world's largest bird sculpture
Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan has promoted Jatayu Earth's Centre while the Ramayana film is being screened. This centre is home to the world's largest bird sculpture inspired by the epic fight between Jatayu and Ravana. Satheesan noted the film has renewed admiration for Jatayu across India as viewers learn about this legendary figure. He invites all to visit Jatayu paara and experience the legendary story firsthand.
Rare earth magnet scheme: Coal India, IRP seek no sops; other contenders include ReNew, Prozeal
The scheme will run for seven years from the date of award, including a two-year gestation period for setting up an integrated manufacturing facility, and five years for incentive disbursement on the sale of REPM. These magnets are among the most powerful in the world and are widely used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, high-end electronics, aerospace and defence systems.
White dwarf WD J1328-1450 has a double debris disc; one ring may be hiding a Pluto-sized survivor
Astronomers have discovered a white dwarf named WD J1328-1450, located 1,600 light-years away, has two separate rings of gaseous planetary debris. Unusual signals detected around the star suggest that two planetary bodies may be maintaining the rings, with the outer object potentially reaching Pluto-like or even Moon-like dimensions. The discovery offers a rare glimpse into what planetary systems may look like after their stars die.
Quote of the day by Carl Sagan: 'We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever' - A thought-provoking lesson on human life, mortality and our place in the universe by the American scientist
Carl Sagan’s famous quote from his 1980 book Cosmos compares human life to the brief existence of butterflies, highlighting how small our time on Earth is compared with the vast age of the universe. The American astronomer used his work to explore humanity’s place in the cosmos, the evolution of life and the possibility of extraterrestrial existence. Understand the meaning behind his observation and how his scientific work still shapes our understanding of the universe.
Laika became the first dog to orbit Earth 69 years ago. Decades later, a scientist revealed what really happened hust hours after launch
Laika became the first animal to orbit Earth when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 in November 1957. While the mission made history, the stray dog died just hours after liftoff. A Russian scientist revealed the actual circumstances of her death in 2002, challenging the Soviet Union's earlier account of the mission.
NASA's Artemis II rocket punched 3,100-mile-long holes in Earth's atmosphere, disrupted GPS signals: Study
NASA's Artemis II mission created large disturbances in the ionosphere that disrupted GPS signals across the United States. These disturbances were significantly more intense than those from prior rocket launches, causing potential issues for technologies reliant on precise positioning. Researchers noted that even minor positioning errors could impact autonomous vehicles, which rely on GPS data. The mission set new records for human distance from Earth during a lunar flyby.
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