Polystyrene is one of the most highly used synthetic polymers in the world and is extremely resistant to decomposition. Therefore, it poses a glaring global environmental challenge due to its chemical stability and the vitality of accumulating in the natural environment. As for plastic biodegradation, insect species such as mealworms are demonstrating some success at…
There is something quietly magical about a full moon. It happens every month without fail, yet it never feels like an ordinary occurrence. In 2026, the night sky will feature not twelve, but thirteen full moons. These have been given various names based on different factors like seasons, folklore, and memory. From the icy stillness…
Artemis II’s mission is drawing attention not only for its technical milestones but also for something immediately noticeable. The crew, including Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch from NASA, along with Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency, have stepped into bright orange suits that stand out instantly. The bold colour may catch the…
However, the return of human beings to deep space is not just about powerful rockets and advanced navigation systems. Rather, it is also about managing the most basic human needs in an environment where nothing behaves as it does on Earth. NASA has recently launched the Artemis II mission, which is the first human mission…
Orion spacecraft’s toilet (Courtesy: X) The crew of Nasa’s historic Artemis II mission, with support from mission control, successfully restored the Orion spacecraft’s toilet system after it experienced a recurring issue following Wednesday’s launch (US local time) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.“Ahead of the apogee raise burn on April 1, the Artemis II…
Nasa on Wednesday (local time) confirmed that the Orion spacecraft had successfully separated from the rocket’s upper stage as part of the Artemis II mission. The agency said that proximity operations tests were now underway.Sharing the video of the separation online, Nasa said astronauts aboard Orion were manually piloting the spacecraft in a way similar…
More than half a century after Apollo 11 put humans on the lunar surface, NASA has taken a major step toward returning. On April 1, 2026 (April 2 IST), the Artemis II successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center, sending four astronauts on a 10-day journey toward and around the Moon. It is the first time…
In a landmark study in PLOS ONE, women were found to have as many as 50 per cent more olfactory bulbs, i.e., neurons capable of detecting smells, in their brains than do men. This increased biological hardware enables women to have a significantly higher level of sensitivity to complex environmental odours, subtle changes in the…
Space missions depend on power systems that can function far away from sunlight and without maintenance. Solar panels struggle in deep space, where light weakens with distance. That limitation has pushed agencies to rely on nuclear-based energy sources for decades. These systems, known as radioisotope power systems, have quietly supported missions operating across the Solar…
The night before a major event, be it a major event in one’s life or a major event in space, is often a time filled with nervous energy, and astronauts are no exception. As NASA gears up for its historic mission to the Moon, a mission that marks a return to the Moon after over…
