India’s lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Goddard Astronautics Award by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), recognising the mission’s historic contribution to space exploration. The award honours the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for successfully achieving a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole in August 2023, a feat accomplished for the first time in human history. The award was presented during the AIAA ASCEND Conference in Washington DC. India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, accepted
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new space cooperation agreement between the Indian Space Research Organisation and Norway during his visit to Oslo, highlighting climate change and the protection of fragile ecosystems as key areas of collaboration. The announcement came during bilateral talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. According to reports, the partnership aims to strengthen scientific cooperation in satellite technology, climate monitoring, Arctic research, and environmental observation. Both nations emphasised the importance of using advanced space technolog
Sri Lanka and Vietnam have held discussions on expanding cooperation in digital public infrastructure and artificial intelligence as both countries seek to accelerate their digital transformation efforts. Senior officials from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy met a Vietnamese delegation to exchange ideas on strengthening digital governance, public sector modernisation, and AI development. During the discussions, the Vietnamese side shared insights on developing digital infrastructure, implementing policy reforms, and improving AI-related skills across government institutions. Both
Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that four semiconductor plants are expected to become operational in India during 2026, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to build a self-reliant electronics manufacturing ecosystem. The announcement was made during the inauguration of Kaynes Semicon’s OSAT facility in Sanand, Gujarat, where the minister highlighted India’s rapidly expanding semiconductor roadmap. According to Vaishnaw, two semiconductor plants have already been inaugurated in Sanand, including facilities associated with Micron Technology, w
Oregon-based renewable energy startup Panthalassa has secured $140 million in Series B funding led by billionaire investor and Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel to accelerate the development of wave-powered offshore AI infrastructure. The company plans to use the investment to scale its Ocean-3 floating data center systems that generate electricity from ocean waves while supporting artificial intelligence computing operations. Panthalassa’s floating platforms are designed to operate autonomously at sea using hydraulic systems that convert wave motion into electricity. The systems also bene
An Indian startup has marked a significant milestone in space technology with the successful launch of “Mission Drishti,” the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission represents a breakthrough in Earth observation capabilities by combining optical imaging with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology. This hybrid approach enables high-resolution imaging regardless of weather conditions or time of day, addressing long-standing limitations of traditional optical satellites. Mission Drishti is expected to enhance applications across sectors such as
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the first uncrewed flight of the Gaganyaan programme while planning an ambitious slate of 27 missions during the current fiscal year. The roadmap, detailed in the Department of Space Annual Report 2025-26, reflects India’s growing confidence in launch capability, satellite deployment and human spaceflight readiness. The first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission is expected to test critical systems needed before astronauts are sent into orbit. These include crew escape mechanisms, avionics, environmental controls and recovery pro
A team from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has visited Japan to assess preparations for the Chandrayaan-5 mission launch site, marking a key step in international collaboration in space exploration. The visit focused on evaluating infrastructure readiness, technical compatibility, and operational logistics required for the mission. The Chandrayaan-5 mission is expected to build on India’s previous lunar exploration efforts, further advancing scientific research and technological capabilities. The assessment included discussions with Japanese counterparts on launch vehicle
Thailand is witnessing a major industrial transformation, with digital technologies and artificial intelligence emerging as key drivers of a projected THB 1 trillion future-industry boom. The government’s strategic focus on innovation-led growth is positioning the country as a competitive player in the global digital economy. Investments are being directed towards sectors such as AI, smart electronics, fintech, and advanced manufacturing, supported by policy initiatives and incentives aimed at attracting both domestic and foreign investors. The integration of digital solutions across ind
Malaysia has expanded its national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy through a strategic partnership with Microsoft, aiming to accelerate digital transformation and enhance its position in the regional tech landscape. The collaboration focuses on advancing cloud infrastructure, AI adoption, and digital skills development across key sectors, including government, education, and industry. As part of the initiative, Microsoft is expected to support Malaysia in building a robust AI ecosystem by offering access to advanced AI tools, training programmes, and technical expertise. The partners