Science

During a recent press conference, Sunita Williams, the Indian-origin NASA astronaut who spent 286 days aboard the International Space Station, was asked how India looked from space. Without missing a beat, she responded, “India is amazing, just amazing,” while describing the stunning view of the Himalayas. Williams shared that each time they flew over the mountain range, the crew captured incredible images, with the land transitioning into vibrant colors. She also spoke about the mesmerizing network of lights visible across India at night, highlighting the bustling cities and the coastlines. When asked if she planned to visit India, Williams expressed her eagerness to collaborate with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), saying, "I’d love to be a part of that and help them along."

ISRO has successfully completed the "rolling" experiment in its Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration efforts. The test, involving one satellite orbiting another and returning to its original position while maintaining line-of-sight, demonstrates ISRO’s ability to control satellite maneuvering from Earth using advanced technologies. This achievement is crucial for future missions like Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan, and satellite servicing, and sets the stage for more advanced space endeavors, including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.

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.