NASA ARTEMIS ROCKET LAUNCH

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.

NASA is hiring astronauts for future Moon missions: Who can apply, what tests must you pass and how to get selected?

NASA is recruiting its next class of astronauts, with selected candidates potentially preparing for future Moon missions and living at a lunar base. The agency is accepting applications from qualified US citizens, including candidates with master's-level nursing degrees. Here's a look at the eligibility criteria, experience requirements, $164,395 starting salary and application deadline.

SpaceX to attempt first Starship spacecraft recovery on land in 15th flight

SpaceX plans to launch its Starship rocket for the 15th time to test spacecraft recovery. The mission will attempt to catch the spacecraft at the Texas launch site rather than discarding it at sea. Elon Musk envisions regular Starship launches to expand the Starlink satellite network and future AI capabilities. NASA has provided significant funding for the Starship project under the Artemis moon program.

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.

Opening space sector unlocked new avenues for private players, startups: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said opening up India’s space sector to private companies and startups has created new opportunities for young innovators to build rockets and launch satellites. Speaking at the inauguration of the COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium in Mysuru, he highlighted India’s progress in space exploration, including the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing, the Aditya-L1 solar mission and its space docking capabilities.

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.

Two PSLV failures, one modified rocket stage: How ISRO is trying to restore launch vehicle reliability

ISRO has tested a modified third-stage motor of its PSLV after two consecutive launch failures involving anomalies in the same stage. The changes cover the motor's nozzle, mechanical connections, sealing arrangements and quality-control procedures. The space agency will analyse the test data before deciding on further testing.

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.

Astrobase to invest Rs 800 crore in Andhra Pradesh to expand rocket testing facility

The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board to add 339 acres to the facility. The expanded infrastructure will support launch vehicle stage development, static hot-fire testing, stage-level hop tests and reusability validation.

Help NASA build a home on the Moon and get $1 million prize: Check competition rules, key dates, how and where to apply

NASA has announced a $1 million Moon Base Student Challenge, inviting eligible high school and college students in the US to develop innovative solutions for building a permanent human settlement near the Moon's South Pole. The competition will focus on six areas, including power generation, construction, life-support systems and astronaut safety.

Why Rocket Lab shares fell despite record revenue and booming Neutron demand

NASA job applications: $164,395 salary for astronaut posts as selected candidates can live on Moon and Mars; check direct link, eligibility and deadline

NASA astronaut applications: NASA has opened applications for its next astronaut class, with selected candidates potentially getting the opportunity to live and work on a future Moon base and participate in missions to Mars. Here's a look at the $164,395 annual salary, eligibility criteria, application requirements and December 3 deadline.

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.

NASA space telescope plunges to Earth after two decades studying cosmic explosions

NASA's Swift Observatory has reentered Earth's atmosphere after more than two decades of effective research. Its mission, which began in 2004, far exceeded initial expectations by lasting 11 times longer than planned. A recent attempt to boost its orbit failed due to complications with a private rescue mission. Meanwhile, NASA is exploring options to save the Hubble Space Telescope, set to fall in the mid-2030s.

One giant leap for America? Trump's Moon ambitions put India's space diplomacy to the test

Donald Trump’s push for a permanent American presence on the Moon by 2028 has raised questions over lunar governance, resource ownership and the future of international space cooperation. As the US and China pursue competing lunar programmes, India faces the challenge of protecting its strategic autonomy while advancing its own space ambitions.

Voyager 1 lost? Where is NASA's spacecraft right now, and how long will it last?

As NASA's Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 traverse the vast reaches of interstellar space, they confront various power and communication obstacles. Recently, Voyager 1 encountered a setback, losing contact momentarily when its fault protection system triggered due to inactive thrusters. Thankfully, engineers swiftly restored communication and introduced power-saving strategies to prolong the mission.

NASA astronaut Anil Menon, others vote from space

Three NASA astronauts, including Anil Menon, participated in the US midterm elections from the International Space Station. Menon, along with fellow astronauts Luke Delaney and Jessica Watkins, cast their ballots securely from orbit. The ballots were sent via NASA's encrypted Near Space Network to ensure integrity. Menon filled out his electronic ballot for Harris County in Texas, marking a unique voting experience.

Astrobase, Bayer to invest Rs 700 crore in Karnataka, creating nearly 1,500 jobs

Astrobase and Bayer have announced a combined investment of Rs 700 crore in Karnataka. Astrobase will invest Rs 500 crore to set up a manufacturing facility for rocket engines. This project aims to create approximately 1,250 jobs in the region. Bayer plans to invest Rs 200 crore to establish a Global Capability Centre, generating around 220 jobs. Both investments reflect a growing interest in expanding industrial capabilities in Karnataka.

NASA invites people to send their names to Saturn’s moon Titan aboard Dragonfly spacecraft: Check deadline date and how to register

NASA is inviting people around the world to send their names to Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, aboard its upcoming Dragonfly spacecraft. As part of the initiative, names will be stored on a microchip carried by the rotorcraft, with participants receiving personalised digital boarding passes. With the mission scheduled to launch in 2028 and reach Titan in 2034, here is how people can register, what the deadline is and what NASA hopes to discover on the distant moon.

NASA sent two wooden capsules to the Moon in 1962, but they missed and may still be orbiting the Sun today

NASA’s Ranger 3 and Ranger 5 carried seismometer capsules inside 65-centimetre balsa-wood spheres meant to survive a Moon impact. Both missed the Moon in 1962 and entered solar orbit. The missions reveal an unusual piece of early space race engineering, and show how failed spacecraft can still return useful scientific data.

NASA adopting Apollo's urgency to build a moon base and land astronauts within two years

NASA plans to return astronauts to the moon with the Artemis III mission set for next summer. Following that, Artemis IV aims to accomplish a historic moon landing by 2028, marking the first since the Apollo missions. Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the importance of efficiency and a fast-paced approach similar to Apollo's playbook. Docking exercises with SpaceX and Blue Origin's landers will occur before the moon base establishment.