A batch of cowpea seeds, known as lobia in Hindi and thattapayaru in Tamil, has successfully sprouted in space. The seeds were taken into orbit by an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) mission and sprouted within days. On Saturday, January 4, 2025, ISRO also announced the successful operation of India’s first space robotic arm. These experiments were part of the 24 payloads on the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX mission’s PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4), launched on December 30, 2024. In a series of posts on X, ISRO shared, "Life sprouts in space! VSSC’s CROPS experiment onboard PSL
On December 30, 2024, ISRO launched the PSLV-C60 mission, aiming to achieve India's first in-space docking through the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX). The mission deployed two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), into orbit from Sriharikota's spaceport. These satellites will attempt the docking maneuver on January 7, 2025. The Success will position India among space pioneers and boost future missions like Chandrayaan-4 and the Bhartiya Antrish Station. In the coming days, the satellites will drift apart to a distance of approximately 20 km before ISRO attempts the critical doc
Norway achieved a remarkable milestone in 2024, with fully electric vehicles making up 93% of all new car sales. The Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) reported this as a record, highlighting the country’s global leadership in electric mobility. This shift aligns with Norway’s ambitious goal to end sales of internal combustion engine cars by 2025. The transition has been accelerated by generous government incentives, including tax exemptions and benefits for EV owners. These policies have made electric vehicles more affordable and appealing to consumers. Tesla emerged as a dominant pla
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, continues its groundbreaking mission to study the sun up close. It has already flown through the sun's corona, the outermost layer visible during a total solar eclipse. On Tuesday, Parker will reach its next milestone by approaching within a record-breaking 3.8 million miles (6 million kilometers) of the sun's surface. To put this in perspective, if the sun and Earth were at opposite ends of a football field, Parker would be at the 4-yard line, according to NASA’s Joe Westlake. During this flyby, Parker will achieve a staggering speed of
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has revealed the first glimpse of its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites. This development marks a crucial step in India’s efforts to master advanced in-space docking technology. Mission Goals and Significance The SpaDeX mission aims to demonstrate autonomous docking between two spacecraft. This technology is essential for future space missions, enabling multiple spacecraft to rendezvous and perform tasks together. By achieving this milestone, ISRO will join an elite group of nations, including the United States, Russia, and C
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.
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 easi
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: Dark Central Band �
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 o
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