A Celestial Ballet: Aditya-L1’s Orchestrated Trajectory In a celestial spectacle choreographed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Aditya-L1 spacecraft embarked on a transformative journey. The spacecraft’s engines roared to life on a momentous Saturday, propelling it approximately 15 lakh kilometers away from Earth. Nestled in a halo orbit, Aditya-L1 now commands an unobstructed view of the Sun, signifying a significant leap in unraveling the mysteries of our solar system’s radiant star. Kodaikanal Solar Observatory: Centuries of Solar Vigilance While Aditya-L1 prepares itself for the cosmic ballet of solar scrutiny, it is essential to acknowledge India’s century-long dedication to…
Author: Divit
In a historic launch from Kennedy Space Centre on January 8, the United Launch Alliance (ULA) ushered in a new era with the maiden flight of its Vulcan Centaur rocket. This momentous occasion, designated Cert-1, carried the lunar lander Peregrine on a mission that promises to reshape our understanding of lunar exploration. Peregrine’s Lunar Odyssey: Charting a Course for the Moon Peregrine, developed by Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic, gracefully separated from the Centaur upper stage 50 minutes after liftoff. As the primary payload of the Cert-1 mission, Peregrine embarks on a trajectory to reach the moon. Its destination involves entering lunar orbit,…
Introduction India’s Aditya-L1 solar observatory has achieved a historic milestone by reaching its designated orbit around Sun-Earth Lagrange point 1, approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This monumental achievement positions India as a key player in solar research and propels the nation’s space exploration capabilities to new heights. Aditya-L1, marking India’s inaugural dedicated mission to study the Sun, enters a unique halo orbit at Lagrange point 1, enabling continuous and unparalleled observation of solar phenomena. Journey of Aditya-L1 to Lagrange Point 1 The journey of Aditya-L1 commenced with a flawless launch aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C57) from the…
Introduction China has achieved a significant milestone in its ambitious space exploration journey by completing the first launch pad at the Hainan Commercial Launch Site on December 29. This monumental development holds the promise of enhancing China’s access to space and catalyzing advancements in national constellation projects and commercial launch initiatives. The strategic positioning of this new launch pad on Hainan Island is poised to alleviate historical access constraints, creating a robust foundation for the nation’s evolving space endeavors. Unveiling the New Launch Pad: A Gateway to Progress The completion of the Hainan Commercial Launch Site’s first launchpad is a…
Venturing Beyond Our Cosmic Horizon In our ceaseless cosmic exploration, astronomers utilize NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope to scrutinize distant celestial bodies like WASP-121 b. Despite its inhospitable conditions, this Jupiter-sized exoplanet, located 880 light-years away, harbors revelations that redefine our grasp of extraterrestrial weather dynamics. Hubble’s extensive observations and advanced computational models propel us toward unraveling the complexities of distant world weather patterns, offering a glimpse into the potential climates of habitable exoplanets. Observing Turbulence Beyond Our Solar System Over the past few decades, observations of neighboring planets within our solar system have unveiled the dynamic and ever-changing nature of…
Introduction: In the ever-evolving landscape of Space exploration, the debate surrounding the classification of space as terrestrial critical infrastructure has gained momentum. As we stand on the cusp of unprecedented space missions and the establishment of sustained settlements beyond low Earth orbit (LEO), the binary discourse on whether space should be the 17th terrestrial critical infrastructure sector under Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21) has dominated discussions. In this article, we delve into the complexities of this debate, exploring the need for a nuanced approach that considers the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the vast expanse of Space. Breaking the…
Introduction: The year 2023 marked a pivotal chapter for SpaceX, culminating in a remarkable dual test of its highly anticipated Starship mega-rocket booster and spacecraft. This test, conducted at SpaceX’s Starbase proving ground in Boca Chica, Texas, demonstrated the company’s commitment to innovation and set the stage for the upcoming third Starship launch test slated for early 2024. A Glimpse into the Tests: Elon Musk, SpaceX’s dynamic CEO, shared the excitement on social media, announcing the successful static fire of Flight 3 Super Heavy Booster. This critical test, lasting a mere 10 seconds, proved successful in firing all 33 Raptor…
Introduction: In the vast expanse of space exploration, NASA is spearheading the Earth System Observatory initiative, a venture to tackle pivotal challenges highlighted in the 2018 Earth Science decadal survey. Despite significant progress, the program finds itself at a crossroads due to uncertainties surrounding its funding, creating a cloud of ambiguity over its ambitious objectives. NASA’s Earth System Observatory’s Core Missions: At the nucleus of NASA’s Earth science initiatives lie four crucial missions currently in their embryonic phases: the Atmosphere Observing System (AOS)-Storm, AOS-Sky, Surface Biology and Geology, and Mass Change (GRACE-C). These missions are intricately designed to weave observations,…
Introduction In a significant leap forward, China has unveiled the first satellite for its G60 Starlink low Earth orbit communications mega constellation. This ambitious project, managed by Shanghai Geis Aerospace Technology (Genesat), marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s space endeavors. Set to launch approximately 108 satellites by 2024, the G60 Starlink aims to join the competitive arena of low-cost, high-throughput, and reliable communication networks. The Genesis of China G60 Starlink The G60 Starlink’s inaugural satellite emerged from the state-of-the-art G60 digital satellite production factory in Shanghai’s Songjiang District on December 27. This facility, managed by Genesat, was established in…
Introduction In a recent discourse within The Space Review, Daniel Duchaine, a prominent space researcher affiliated with the Centre for Space Governance in the United States, proclaimed with conviction, “With the triumphant landing of Chandrayaan-3, India solidifies its position as the fifth-ever great space power.” Duchaine’s audacious statement not only signifies a seismic shift in the global space order but also prompts a profound inquiry into the imminent disruption awaiting the space exploration landscape. However, the trajectory of India’s burgeoning dominance in space intricately intertwines with the efficient utilization of resources—both public and private—and the formulation of robust government policies.…