Following is a summary of current science news briefs.
Odysseus, the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon since 1972, has roughly 10 to 20 hours of battery life left, according to flight controllers, who are still in contact with the robot lander. Texas-based Intuitive Machines said on Tuesday that its flight controllers were in touch with the Odysseus moon lander and the spacecraft had relayed payload science data and imagery in the morning. NASA paid Intuitive $118 million to build and fly the spacecraft to the moon, carrying science instruments for the U.S. space agency and several commercial customers.
India introduced four crew members for its maiden ‘Gaganyaan’ space voyage, aiming to become the world’s fourth country to send a crewed mission into space. This comes just months after a historic landing on the south pole of the moon. The Gaganyaan mission, or sky craft in Hindi, is the first of its kind for India and will cost about 90.23 billion rupees ($1.1 billion).
China’s Long March 12 rocket, capable of sending larger satellites with more functionalities into Earth’s orbit, is expected to make its debut flight in 2024. This new rocket will be able to transport a payload of 10,000 kg (22,000 pounds) to a low-Earth orbit, as reported by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.
Japan’s space agency announced that its SLIM moon lander unexpectedly survived a freezing lunar night and re-established communication with Earth, more than a month after making a historic touchdown on the moon. The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) touched down on the lunar surface last month, making Japan the fifth country to put a probe on the moon.
Astronomers have observed a scar on a white dwarf cannibal star, providing new insight into the behavior of certain stars at the end of their life cycle. Located about 63 light years from Earth, this white dwarf offers a unique opportunity for researchers to study these fascinating celestial bodies.
Private U.S. company Stratolaunch conducted its second captive carry test flight of a hypersonic vehicle, as it aims to develop a reusable vehicle for potential use in hypersonic weapons. The Stratolaunch Talon-A was loaded with live propellant and carried aloft by the company’s launch platform for over four hours, going over the Pacific Ocean.
Interest in space startups has surged following Intuitive Machines’ successful moon landing with Odysseus, marking the first U.S. touchdown on the lunar surface in over half a century. Though the landing faced challenges, the mission is expected to complete successfully, highlighting the capabilities of private space companies.
Flight control engineers predict the loss of contact with the moon lander Odysseus, signaling the end of the mission just five days after its sideways touchdown. This premature end raises questions about the scientific data that may be lost due to the shortened lifespan of the spacecraft.
These recent developments in the field of space exploration underscore the growing interest and advancements in commercial space ventures, pushing the boundaries of human exploration beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
