NASA's Starling mission has successfully tested GPS-free spacecraft navigation using other satellites as moving landmarks. The mission uses four CubeSats orbiting at an altitude of roughly 565 kilometres above Earth. Its FALCON experiment uses onboard cameras and a database of around 20,000 known satellites and space objects. The system identifies nearby objects and uses them as reference points to determine Starling's own orbit. The process works autonomously without relying on ground stations, offering a potential solution for missions where GPS signals are unavailable. FALCO
AiMed Solutions and Burjeel Training Academy are bringing together 19 emerging innovators for the AI Builders Summit 2026 Live Demo Day in Abu Dhabi. The initiative received more than 100 registrations from students, graduates and young innovators across the UAE. After evaluation, 19 finalists were selected with AI solutions targeting real-world healthcare challenges. Their projects cover clinical decision support, predictive analytics, patient experience and healthcare automation. Other areas include operational efficiency, population health and medical education. At the Demo
President Donald Trump will present the Congressional Space Medal of Honour to the four Artemis II astronauts at a ceremony in Houston on August 28. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will receive the prestigious honour. The ceremony will take place at Johnson Space Centre, with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman also attending. The astronauts completed their 10-day Artemis II mission around the Moon on April 10, 2026. The mission marked the first crewed flight of NASA's Orion spacecraft, testing its systems w
In April 1984, Space Shuttle Challenger carried around 3,300 honeybees into orbit for a student-sponsored NASA experiment. The experiment tested whether bees could build honeycombs without gravity providing their usual directional reference. The bees flew aboard STS-41-C, Challenger's fifth mission, launched on April 6, 1984. The six-day mission deployed the Long Duration Exposure Facility and repaired the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. The colony lived inside a specially designed Bee Enclosure Module built by Honeywell. In microgravity, the bees successfully constructed around
Laos is seeking investment in data centres, artificial intelligence, FinTech and other digital industries under its 2026-2030 investment plan. The strategy aims to reduce reliance on natural resources while attracting higher-value projects and creating skilled jobs. Deputy Finance Minister Phonevanh Outhavong said the government wants investments that introduce modern technology and connect Lao businesses with regional and global production chains. Data centres are a particular focus due to rising demand for cloud computing and storage. Laos also sees its hydropower resources as an a
Indian researchers have developed RK-251, a potential cancer treatment designed to activate mainly inside cancer cells. The drug was developed by researchers led by Dr. Asis Bala of IASST and Dr. K.P. Bhabak of IIT Guwahati. RK-251 works by responding to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are found at higher levels in cancer cells. Once inside a cancer cell, these molecules activate RK-251 and release the anticancer compound NBDHEX. NBDHEX blocks proteins that help cancer cells survive and resist treatment. This mechanism could potentially reduce the damage to healthy cells associa
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Zheng has developed a blood-based method for detecting pancreatic cancer. The North Allegheny Senior High School student developed the project for the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search. Her research earned her a place among the competition’s national finalists. Zheng’s method uses magnetic nanospheres to isolate tumour-derived extracellular vesicles from blood samples. It combines this approach with KRAS mutation testing to identify signs of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In testing, the method correctly identified 87% of patients with pancreatic c
Thirteen-year-old Aniket Sarkar has been named one of 10 finalists in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. The seventh grader from Pine View School in Sarasota, Florida, developed a system to capture atmospheric moisture for agricultural use. His project aims to help farmers facing water shortages caused by drought and limited irrigation supplies. The system uses the principle that even dry air contains water vapour that can be collected under suitable conditions. Aniket designed the system keeping simplicity and accessibility in mind. However, details about its materials, water output,
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is evaluating a robotic dog for wildlife monitoring around the Tirumala temple. The quadruped robot uses AI, thermal and optical cameras, 360-degree LiDAR, and multiple sensors to detect wildlife in forests. Its system can identify large animals, humans, vehicles, and domestic animals. Wildlife detections can trigger geo-tagged alerts and live video feeds for control rooms and patrol teams. TTD is considering deployment along forest stretches near the Alipiri-Tirumala footpath. Early detection could help warn devotees and support quicker responses f
The Philippines is reportedly considering up to nine additional BrahMos coastal missile batteries from India. The proposed expansion would build on Manila’s existing three-battery BrahMos acquisition. The original $375 million deal was signed in 2022. The shore-based system is operated by the Philippine Marine Corps’ Coastal Defence Regiment. The agreement included mobile launchers, radars, command systems, training, maintenance, and logistics. The additional batteries could expand coverage across strategically important areas of the Philippines. The potential deployment could in