SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM
'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.
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.
FAA launched a new AI air traffic tool days before flights were grounded across the US: What is the new tool and was it behind the ground stop?
On November 13, the nation's air traffic came to a halt when a telecommunication outage struck regional hubs. While the FAA insisted there was no indication of malicious intent, the fallout included the cancellation of over 1,000 flights and significant delays for countless passengers. Notably, the FAA's newly rolled out a new AI tool SMART, days ago.
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.
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.
Sunil Mittal says India must hold satellite 'Kill Switch', warns against dependence on single provider
Sunil Bharti Mittal advocates for India to independently manage its satellite communications infrastructure for national security. He highlights the various satellite operators, including Elon Musk's Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb, competing for market access. Mittal argues that India should not rely solely on foreign providers for critical communications.
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.
Amazon's Ring Drone Cam took six years to arrive but you can't buy the $249 security drone yet-here's why
Amazon's Ring has launched its new Ring Drone Cam, a flying indoor security camera first announced six years ago. Priced at $249.99, it is expected to ship in the US on January 27, 2027. However, the device still needs FCC approval before customers can purchase or lease it.
Amazon's Ring launches flying camera, autonomous security robot
Amazon's Ring on Tuesday launched a new robotics business with two autonomous security products, a flying indoor camera for homes and a roving security robot designed for businesses, as the company expands beyond its established lineup of home-security devices.
GTA 6 Release Date: Rockstar confirms November 19 launch, pre-loading begins November 10; check platforms and PC updates
Rockstar Games has confirmed the global release date for Grand Theft Auto 6 as November 19, 2026. Digital pre-loading for the game will begin on November 10, allowing players to download in advance. The game will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Players need to check their storage space and complete the pre-order before the pre-load begins.
South Africa expands Electronic Travel Authorization to Indian travellers
South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorization system now allows online visa applications for 53 countries including India. The new ETA system simplifies the visa process for eligible travellers and their families. Minors can now apply online, enhancing accessibility for younger visitors. The expansion aims to support tourism growth ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. The transition from the eVisa system to ETA will be completed by December 1, 2026.
Biggest tunnel boring machines coming to Mumbai: Giant TBMs to dig twin Coastal Road tunnels between Kandivli and Malad; check route, project details
Mumbai's 22-km Versova-Dahisar Link Road project has moved closer to the construction stage, with two giant tunnel boring machines undergoing factory tests in Chennai. The 15.6-metre TBMs will excavate 3 km of the proposed 3.9-km twin underground road tunnels between Malad and Charkop, nearly 40 metres below ground. Scheduled for launch in May 2027, the machines will be transported to Mumbai in parts on around 100 trailers. Here is a look at the tunnel project, construction challenges, traffic benefits and environmental concerns.
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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