outer space Archives - Disasters News

Feb12025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Doomsday Rock? NASA Flags Asteroid That Might Strike Earth in 2032

NASA has identified an asteroid, 2024 YR4, that carries a 1-in-83 chance of colliding with Earth on December 22, 2032. If the asteroid, estimated to be 130 to 300 feet in diameter, strikes a densely populated area, it could unleash devastation equivalent to 8 megatons of TNT 500 times the power of the Hiroshima bomb. Discovered on December 27, 2024, by the NASA-funded ATLAS station in Chile, 2024 YR4 quickly appeared on NASA’s Sentry risk list, which tracks potentially hazardous space rocks. However, experts emphasize that early impact probabilities often change with further observations, and there is still a 99% chance the asteroid will miss Earth. NASA continues to monitor the asteroid’s trajectory closely, collecting more data to refine its impact risk. While past asteroids have b...

Jan142025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Dr. V. Narayanan Takes Charge as ISRO Chief, Secretary of Space Department

Breaking News, Space, Thoughts & Talks

On January 14, 2025, Dr. V. Narayanan, a distinguished scientist and pioneer in India’s space propulsion systems, assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman of the Space Commission, and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). His extensive contributions to India’s space programs have positioned him as a key figure in the country’s advancements in space technology and exploration. Dr. Narayanan’s career at ISRO spans four decades, beginning in 1984. Prior to his new role, he served as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), where he led the development of cutting-edge propulsion systems, including liquid, semi-cryogenic, and cryogenic technologies for launch vehicles, as well as chemical and electric propulsion systems for satellite...

Jan102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Future of Space Science: ISRO Chief S Somanath Inspires Students at START 2025 Launch

Breaking News, Space

In a virtual keynote at the launch of ISRO's START 2025 programme, Chairman S Somanath painted an inspiring yet realistic picture of space science. Addressing 20,000 students from over 560 institutions, he emphasized that the field is not just about the thrill of exploring the universe but also about rigorous, time-intensive work. “Space science isn’t just excitement; it’s about crunching numbers, solving formulas, and building systems like satellites, rockets, and sensors,” he said, underlining the demanding nature of the discipline. The START programme, which runs until January 29, aims to introduce students to both the thrilling and technical aspects of space missions. “We’ll talk about our exciting space missions, but also the science behind orbits, trajectories, and rocket build...

Jan102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Space Station Crew Prepares for Upcoming Spacewalks and Advances Scientific Research

Breaking News, Space

The Expedition 72 team aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is in full swing, balancing scientific research, astronaut training, and preparation for two upcoming spacewalks aimed at enhancing the station's capabilities. The crew's efforts exemplify the critical collaboration and ingenuity required for space exploration. NASA Flight Engineers Don Pettit and Nick Hague focused on advancing scientific understanding and ensuring the safety of future space missions. Pettit began his day collecting biological samples for storage in the station's science freezer, contributing to ongoing studies on human health in microgravity. He then turned his attention to the Combustion Integrated Rack, swapping out experiment samples to study flame behavior in weightlessness. These findings are exp...

Jan62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rocket Fragment Crashes in Kenyan Village, Sparks Space Debris Concerns

Breaking News, Environment, Space

Panic swept through Mukuku village in Kenya’s Makueni County this week when a massive metallic object, described by locals as a "huge, red-hot object," fell from the sky. The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has identified the debris as part of a rocket, specifically a metallic ring measuring 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing approximately 500 kilograms. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, prompting immediate action from the KSA and local authorities. Villagers quickly alerted officials, who rushed to the scene to investigate and secure the area. In a statement released on Wednesday, the KSA confirmed that the object was a fragment of a space object, most likely a separation ring from a rocket. They assured the public that the debris poses no safety risk and commended the residents for...

Dec272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

SpaceX Gears Up for All Major Space Missions in 2025

Breaking News, Space, Tech

Elon Musk SpaceX is set to push the boundaries of space exploration in 2025 with an impressive lineup of launches and collaborations. Since its inception in 2002, SpaceX has revolutionized the aerospace industry with innovations like reusable rockets and groundbreaking missions. Next year, the company is poised to achieve new milestones with missions that aim to advance human spaceflight, satellite deployment, and deep-space exploration. Key SpaceX Missions in 2025 Starship Flight 7 Launch Date: January 11, 2025 Location: Starbase, South Texas Objective: This mission will test Starship's thermal re-entry capabilities. The results will play a crucial role in refining SpaceX's reusable spacecraft technology. WISeSat Satellite Launch Launch Date: January 14, 2025 ...

Dec192024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Astronomers Discover Twin Stars Orbiting Galactic Black Hole: A World-First Revelation

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Space

In an unprecedented discovery, astronomers led by Florian Peißker from the University of Cologne, Germany, have identified a binary star system named D9 orbiting the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* at the center of the Milky Way. This groundbreaking find, published in Nature Communications, unravels mysteries surrounding hypervelocity stars and the extreme environment near black holes. Binary star systems, where two stars orbit each other, are common in the universe, but none have been observed near a supermassive black hole until now. Using the Very Large Telescope, the team detected D9 through subtle shifts in its starlight, known as the Doppler effect, confirming its binary nature. The D9 system, approximately 2.7 million years old, likely formed elsewhere in the galaxy bef...

Dec52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Could a Rogue Planet Join Our Solar System? Scientists Explore the Possibility

Breaking News, Space

In 2017, the first confirmed interstellar visitor, Oumuamua, zipped through our Solar System, followed by Comet 2I/Borisov in 2019. These fleeting guests sparked curiosity about interstellar objects (ISOs) and rogue planets uncharted wanderers that could traverse space and potentially interact with our Sun. New research explores the tantalizing idea that the Solar System could permanently capture one of these cosmic drifters, and what such an event might mean. The study, published in Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy by Edward Belbruno and James Green, delves into the dynamics of phase space an intricate mathematical framework used to describe the possible states of a system like our Solar System. Phase space reveals pathways where an interstellar object could become gravitati...

Dec52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Jupiter to Light Up the Night Sky in a Rare Celestial Event on December 7

Breaking News, Space

A spectacular astronomical event is set to captivate stargazers on December 7 as Earth aligns directly between the Sun and Jupiter. This rare occurrence, known as Jupiter’s Opposition, will illuminate the largest planet in our solar system like never before. Throughout the night, Jupiter will dominate the skies, its brilliance unmatched and its details visible to anyone with even a basic telescope or binoculars. During this phenomenon, Jupiter’s sunlit side will face Earth in its entirety, creating a breathtaking view that resembles the full moon in its glory. As Earth’s faster orbit brings it into perfect alignment with the gas giant, the planet will appear larger and brighter than at almost any other time. The result is a celestial show that will keep skywatchers enchanted from dusk t...

Nov202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

SpaceX’s Sixth Starship Test Flight Marks Key Milestone for NASA’s Artemis Program

Breaking News, Space, Tech

SpaceX achieved another major milestone on Wednesday with the successful sixth flight test of its Starship spacecraft. Launched from SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas, the uncrewed mission demonstrated the spacecraft's advanced capabilities, achieving a suborbital trajectory before reentering over the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, the Super Heavy booster executed a planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. “Splashdown confirmed! Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting sixth flight test of Starship!” the company announced on X (formerly Twitter). The mission tested Starship’s endurance under extreme conditions, including a steeper reentry angle and reduced protective shielding. The spacecraft's Raptor engines successfully restarted in space, a critical step toward achieving orbit...