Science

India has successfully flight-tested the Vertically Launched Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from a defense test facility off the coast of Odisha. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile was launched from a land-based vertical launcher at the Integrated Test Range (ITR). The missile demonstrated exceptional precision and agility, successfully neutralizing a high-speed aerial target at close range and low altitude. The test, conducted in collaboration with the Indian Navy, validated the missile’s updated components and showcased its potential to engage a variety of aerial threats, including fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the test as a significant technological advancement for India’s armed forces.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has returned to Earth after an extraordinary 286 days in space, during which she completed 4,577 orbits around the planet and traveled over 195.2 million kilometers. Initially part of an eight-day mission, Williams was forced to stay in space for an extended period due to technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft. Her mission, part of NASA's Crew-9, ended with a successful splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean after a challenging re-entry. Despite her safe return, Williams faces a long recovery process to adjust to Earth's gravity, rebuild muscle strength, and overcome the physiological effects of months in space.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have spent over nine months aboard the International Space Station, began their journey back to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on Tuesday. Originally planned for an eight-day stay, their mission was extended due to a propulsion issue with their return spacecraft, the Boeing Starliner. The astronauts, along with two other crew members, undocked from the ISS and are expected to splash down off the Florida coast after a 17-hour journey. Their extended stay highlighted NASA’s increasing reliance on SpaceX for human spaceflight missions.

NASA has confirmed that astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth on Tuesday, March 18, after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station. They, along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, will return aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. The splashdown is scheduled for 5:57 PM EDT (3:27 AM IST, March 19). The extended mission, initially meant to last only days, was prolonged due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which led to an unexpected stay for the astronauts. NASA will provide live coverage of the return, starting with hatch closure preparations on March 17

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully undocked its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), marking a significant milestone in the country's space exploration efforts. The undocking, which took place today, sets the stage for future missions like Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan, and the Bharatiya Antriksha Station. Launched in December 2024, the SpaDeX mission demonstrated space docking using two small spacecraft, positioning India as the fourth country globally to achieve this feat. ISRO plans to conduct further experiments starting March 15, 2025, enhancing the nation's capabilities in space technology for ambitious future endeavors.

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have detected the most powerful "ghost particle" ever recorded, using the Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope (KM3NeT) in the Mediterranean Sea. This high-energy neutrino is said to be thirty times more active and energetic than any previously detected, offering new insights into these elusive particles. While the exact source of the neutrino remains unknown, researchers believe it may have originated outside the Milky Way galaxy. Neutrinos, known for their ability to pass through matter without detection, are considered "special cosmic messengers," offering glimpses into the far reaches of the universe.

NASA has expedited the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore by swapping their planned capsule for a previously flown SpaceX Crew Dragon on the Crew-10 mission. The launch, now scheduled for March 12, will allow the astronauts to return to Earth earlier than expected. The decision follows delays in producing a new Crew Dragon capsule, with the refurbished 'Endurance' capsule now set for flight. This move is part of NASA's broader efforts to ensure operational flexibility and meet emerging needs in its human spaceflight missions.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed three consecutive flight trials of its Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) off the Odisha coast. Developed indigenously by DRDO's Research Center Imarat, VSHORADS is designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats, including low-flying, high-speed targets and drones. The trials, conducted in the final deployment configuration, confirmed the missile system's pinpoint accuracy and its capability to neutralize various aerial threats. This achievement strengthens India's self-reliance in air defence technology and enhances the operational readiness of its armed forces.

Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer and ISRO astronaut, has been named the pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) in spring 2025. This historic mission will make Shukla the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS aboard a private spacecraft. The mission, launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, with crew members from Poland and Hungary. The Ax-4 mission highlights the growing role of private companies in space exploration and the expanding opportunities for international cooperation in low Earth orbit.

On January 29, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a major milestone with its 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The launch of the GSLV-F15 rocket, carrying the NVS-02 satellite, successfully placed it into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. This mission is part of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), India’s regional satellite navigation system, designed to provide accurate positioning and timing services over India and its surrounding regions. ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan, who recently took charge, celebrated the achievement, noting that ISRO has now launched 548 satellites and 120 tonnes of payload, including 433 foreign satellites. He highlighted the importance of the NVS-02 satellite in augmenting the NavIC system, which continues to enhance India’s satellite navigation capabilities. The successful launch underscores ISRO's growing expertise in space technology and its critical role in global satellite navigation.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made history on Thursday by successfully docking the SpaDeX satellites, a milestone that places India among the select few nations to achieve space docking technology. This accomplishment follows a successful trial earlier in January and marks a significant step in ISRO's ambitious space missions. The SpaDeX mission, launched on December 30, 2024, demonstrates in-space docking using small spacecraft and sets the stage for future missions that require precise coordination of multiple spacecraft.

A new variant of Lenacapavir, a drug used to treat multi-resistant HIV, could be available in the world’s poorest countries by late 2025 or early 2026. The new formulation offers a year-long active potency and has shown promise in preventing HIV. Gilead Sciences is seeking approval for global distribution from the FDA and WHO. To make the drug affordable, the Global Fund is partnering with PEPFAR and foundations to ensure access in low-income countries. Gilead has also signed agreements with generic manufacturers to produce cheaper versions for 120 countries, though some, especially in Latin America, are excluded.