NASA Confirms Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore’s Earth Return Date and Splashdown Time
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
ISRO’s SpaDex Successfully Undocks, Paving the Way for Chandrayaan-4 Mission
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.
Scientists Discover Most Powerful Neutrino Yet, Advancing Our Understanding of “Ghost Particles”
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 Accelerates Crew-10 Launch, Brings Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Back Early
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.
India’s VSHORADS Successfully Completes Key Flight Trials, High-Speed Targets in Key Trials
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.
