Category: Tech

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has begun assembling the Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3) for Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed flight. The announcement coincides with ISRO’s celebration of the 10th anniversary of the LVM3-X Crew Module Atmospheric Re-Entry.

On Wednesday at 8:45 am, ISRO stacked the nozzle-end segment of the S200 motor with a full flex seal nozzle at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC). This marked the start of the official launch campaign for the HLVM3-G1 / OM-1 mission. ISRO will now work on assembling the S200 motors, control systems, and avionics.

Crew escape systems have arrived at SDSC. The crew module is being integrated at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), while the service module is being assembled at UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC). Orbital Module (OM) integration and testing will follow at URSC.

ISRO’s release recalled a milestone from December 18. On that day, the Indian Coast Guard recovered the crew module from the Bay of Bengal. The same day, LVM3-X’s maiden flight lifted a 3,775 kg crew module to a suborbital altitude of 126 km, ensuring safe re-entry using thrusters.

Space startups in Japan and India have teamed up to tackle orbital congestion. On Tuesday, they announced plans to study using laser-equipped satellites to remove space debris.

Tokyo-based Orbital Lasers and Indian robotics firm InspeCity will explore business opportunities for in-space services. These include de-orbiting defunct satellites and extending spacecraft lifespans.

Orbital Lasers, a spin-off from Japanese satellite giant SKY Perfect JSAT, is developing a unique system. The system will use laser energy to vaporize parts of space debris, slowing its rotation. This makes it easier for servicing spacecraft to capture and remove the debris.

The company aims to demonstrate the system in space and supply it to operators after 2027. According to Aditya Baraskar, Orbital Lasers’ global business lead, the system can be mounted on InspeCity satellites if they meet regulatory requirements in India and Japan.

The companies have signed a preliminary agreement to launch the collaboration. InspeCity, founded in 2022, raised $1.5 million last year. Orbital Lasers has raised 900 million yen ($5.8 million) since its launch in January.

This project highlights growing cooperation between Japan and India. Their governments are also partnering on the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, which could launch as early as 2026.

In a stunning discovery, astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have found water ice in a giant protoplanetary disk surrounding a young star system called 114 – 426 in the Orion Nebula. This breakthrough sheds light on how water and planets may form in young star systems, offering a rare glimpse into the early stages of planetary development.

A Closer Look at the Protoplanetary Disk

The disk is over 1,000 times larger than the Earth-Sun distance and is viewed edge-on from Earth, making its structure easier to observe. Its unique features include:

1. Dark Central Band – Blocks the light from the young star at its center.
2. Bright Lobes – Formed by light scattering off the disk’s material.
3. Outer Silhouette – The outer edges of the disk are visible against the glowing background of the Orion Nebula, creating ideal conditions for study.

How Did They Find Water Ice?

Using JWST, astronomers detected a distinct 3-micron wavelength signature – a clear sign of frozen water coating dust grains within the disk. This discovery is crucial because water ice plays a key role in planet formation. It helps dust particles stick together, forming pebbles, which eventually grow into larger bodies that become planets.

This discovery not only provides a window into the birth of planets but also highlights the critical role of water ice in early planetary development. With JWST’s powerful observation capabilities, astronomers are now one step closer to understanding how planets like Earth may have formed in distant star systems.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have taken their collaboration a step further. On December 4, both agencies signed a Technical Implementing Plan (TIP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC). Key officials from both sides were present for the formal signing.

This plan allows ESA to provide crucial ground tracking support for India’s Gaganyaan missions. It ensures uninterrupted data flow and smooth communication with the Orbital Module — essential for tracking and managing orbital operations.

This agreement isn’t a one-off. It builds on the long-standing partnership between ISRO and ESA, who’ve worked together on several successful space missions.

Recently, ISRO also teamed up with the Australian Space Agency (ASA). They signed an arrangement to cooperate on crew and module recovery for Gaganyaan. Discussions are underway for a tracking terminal on Cocos (Keeling) Islands, strengthening India-Australia space cooperation.

These partnerships highlight ISRO’s commitment to global cooperation for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission. With support from ESA and ASA, India is gearing up for a smoother, safer journey into space.

ISRO has achieved another remarkable feat! On Thursday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission aboard its dependable PSLV-C59 rocket. This marks a significant step forward in international space collaboration.

The launch occurred at 4:04 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Initially planned for Wednesday, the mission was rescheduled after ISRO detected an issue in the satellite propulsion system during pre-launch checks.

The Proba-3 mission comprises two satellites – Coronagraph (310 kg) and Occulter (240 kg) – specifically designed to study the Sun’s corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere.

S. Somanath, ISRO’s chairman, shared his excitement, stating, “The mission has been accomplished successfully.”

How It Works

The two satellites will function as a single system, maintaining a precise 150-meter formation. This setup allows advanced solar observations.

During its 61st flight, PSLV-C59 will place the satellites into a highly elliptical orbit just 18 minutes after liftoff. Once in orbit, the Occulter satellite will block the Sun’s disk, enabling the Coronagraph to focus on the surrounding atmosphere, where space weather originates.

By exploring the Sun’s corona, a region far hotter than its surface, the mission aims to unlock new insights into solar activity and space weather, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries.

Starting December 1, Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) will implement facial recognition technology at six major airports to enhance international travel. The system will operate at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai airports.

Designed to streamline passenger processing, the new technology reduces checkpoint times from three minutes to just one for registered travelers. Passengers can register their biometric data at check-in counters with airline staff or via self-service Common Use Self-Service (CUSS) kiosks, where their facial data will be scanned and stored temporarily.

Registered travelers can then use Common Use Bag Drop (CUBD) machines to check in luggage without presenting boarding passes or passports. To comply with Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act, all biometric data will be deleted within 48 hours.

Initially launched for domestic flights on November 1, the facial recognition service will now expand to international flights, enhancing convenience for global travelers.

NASA’s Curiosity rover has completed its investigation of the Gediz Vallis channel on Mars. This marks the occasion with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama and the rover is now headed toward box work, its next destination. This exploration, conducted on the slopes of Mount Sharp, is part of Curiosity’s mission. The aim is to study Mars’ transition from a once-wetter environment to its current arid state.

During the mission, they detected the rare sulphur stones which is a ground-breaking discovery in the Gediz Vallis region. The bright white stones, when crushed, revealed yellow crystals under the rover’s wheels. This was gone unnoticed in earlier imaging by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

As per the Curiosity’s project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion, Ashwain Vasavada, the discovery is a fascinating mystery. In the same, Mount Sharp is seen to have no such features unlike earth where sulphur is typically linked to volcanic activities or hot springs. Scientists are now making the best use of the data to determine how these unique deposits formed

UAE launched a new digital platform called  ‘‘Know Your Customer” (KYC) to provide accurate, comprehensive, and confidential data for smooth financial transactions. The new initiative aims to provide customers with platforms for verifying their identities and backing a safe and secure business environment and also enhance customer experience in accessing financial and banking services.

The platform is launched under Federal Decree-Law No 30 of 2024. By the amalgamation of digital solutions with the financial, banking, and insurance sectors, this initiative helps to enhance the global competitiveness of the UAE’sUAE’s banking industry.

The new initiative also helps secure the customer’s data and regulations in collecting the latest changes. It also enhances transparency, ensures safe and fair compliance with regulations, and builds up national efforts to avoid financial crime. This initiative will provide accurate data and information to the relevant authorities and facilitate financial exchange, keeping safety in mind. The Central Bank of UAE will form a new company that will specifically develop and manage this initiative. The entity will also be responsible for collecting, securing, and overseeing the sharing of information on the customer’s customer’s data. Furthermore, this platform will ensure legal and regulated collection and use of customer data and conduct a smooth exchange of information between relevant authorities.

Saudi Arabia to pursue new fuel technology to improve efficiency and decarbonize the aviation sector. Mohommad Altayyar, the program director of the Saudi Ministry of Energy oil sustainability program, said that they stand with the opportunity to contribute to the global efforts in tackling climate change. 

This program focuses on the formation of strategic partnerships to explore regional power grid interconnections powered by renewable energy. It also aims to boost the efficiency of energy infrastructure and integrate renewable projects into the national grids of the participating countries. 

Additionally, the Ministry of Energy observed the signing of two strategic agreements between Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and various entities to advance renewable energy initiatives in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. 

Altayyar in his statement said that these initiatives will not only support global climate goals but also establish the Kingdom as a leader in developing balanced, cleaner energy solutions.

Saudi Arabia is  actively pursuing innovative technologies that will enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, which will help in the achievement of long-term global objectives.

Elon Musk founded a brain chip company called Neuralink that has now been approved to commence its first clinical trial in Canada. Such a trial aspires to assist paralyzed individuals when controlling digital devices to use their thoughts.

The study focuses on safety and basic functionality evaluations of the Neuralink’s implant. This specifically targets individuals suffering from quadriplegia, which is a condition where all four limbs of a person are paralyzed. The device converts brain signals to digital commands, allowing users to interact with external gadgets like mobile phones and computers.