ROCKET LAUNCH
'Still feels like science fiction': Google CEO Sundar Pichai hails SpaceX's Starship as it completes first-ever mid-air catch on return from orbit
SpaceX achieved a historic milestone by successfully catching its Starship spacecraft upright after a return from orbit. The spacecraft launched from Starbase in Texas and completed a mission that included deploying satellites. After reaching orbit, the Starship re-entered Earth's atmosphere and performed a controlled descent. It landed in the mechanical arms of its launch tower, named Mechazilla, completing the unprecedented maneuver.
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.
Andhra Pradesh inks 9 MoUs for Rs 4,100 crore space-defence push
At the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on 12-13 November 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board signed nine MoUs covering rocket engines and test beds, satellites, missiles, explosives, aerospace manufacturing, flight training and heliports. Eight of them propose investments totalling Rs 4,100 crore and 6,865 direct jobs on about 1,472 acres in Sri Sathya Sai, Tirupati, Nellore and Visakhapatnam. The ninth is a five-year strategic partnership with Pawan Hans to develop and operate heliports across the State.
AWS CEO dismisses data centres in space as impractical: Here’s what he said
In a recent podcast, AWS CEO Matt Garman pointed out the impracticalities of establishing data centres in space, citing issues such as exorbitant costs and energy consumption. He noted progress in traditional data centre expansions, especially in Northern Virginia and Texas. Although he acknowledged some technological fixes for space challenges, he reaffirmed the advantages of Earth-based solutions, also dismissing worries about Amazon's data centre water usage.
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.
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.
KPop Demon Hunters sequel may explore a darker side of Korean folklore: What the directors have hinted
KPop Demon Hunters will see a sequel that promises to explore deeper aspects of Korean culture. The original directors, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, are returning for this new installment. While the exact plot details remain uncertain, there are hints of expanded character histories and mythological elements. Additionally, a separate live entertainment project called the KPop Demon Hunters tour has been announced by Netflix and AEG Presents.
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.
SpaceX and Tesla merger: Could a $10,000 investment grow to $20,000 by 2030 or are investors paying too much?
A potential SpaceX-Tesla merger could combine satellite internet, electric vehicles and AI under one company. SpaceX brings 161% quarterly revenue growth, while Tesla contributes more than $100 billion in annual sales. But both stocks carry high valuations. For investors considering $10,000, the biggest question is whether future growth can justify today's expensive share prices.
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.
Singapore to launch gold vaulting service for foreign central banks, ease taxes to boost bullion trad
Singapore's central bank will introduce a gold vaulting service for foreign central banks and financial institutions. This initiative aims to strengthen Singapore's position as a global trading hub for precious metals. Alongside the vaulting service, new tax incentives for companies in the bullion market will be implemented next year. The Monetary Authority of Singapore is also preparing an over-the-counter gold clearing system by 2027.
Pralay missile test: How India's new weapon, twice as fast as BrahMos, could counter China-Pakistan threats and strengthen its upcoming Rocket Force
India's indigenous Pralay missile recently underwent a successful user evaluation trial, moving closer to deployment. With a range of 150 to 500 km, it is designed for precision strikes on military targets. The missile is expected to play a critical role in India's planned Rocket Force, enhancing conventional deterrence capabilities. Additionally, the Pralay missile will complement the BrahMos system, adding operational flexibility to the armed forces.
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.
Load More
