US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has said Washington wants India to be part of the next phase of lunar exploration as the United States prepares to return astronauts to the Moon. Speaking at Bengaluru Space Expo 2026, Gor said NASA has formally invited ISRO to participate in its Moon base programme under the broader Artemis framework. The development marks another step in expanding India-US space cooperation beyond Earth observation and satellite missions into human spaceflight, lu

On Friday, September 4, 2026, at 2:55 AM IST, ISRO’s GSLV-F17 is scheduled to launch the 2,367-kg EOS-05 Earth observation satellite from Sriharikota.The mission will mark GSLV Mk2’s heaviest payload so far and ISRO’s return to orbital launches after a seven-month gap. India’s GSLV rocket is scheduled to lift off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2:55 AM IST on Friday,

Former NASA astronaut Jonny Kim is returning to active-duty military service after nearly a decade with the space agency, closing a remarkable chapter that included work as an astronaut, engineer and International Space Station crew member. Kim will continue serving as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy and is expected to work in naval aviation training after leaving NASA. Reflecting on his time with the agency, Kim said serving NASA and contributing to space explorat

China’s commercial space sector has reached a major milestone with the Zhuque-3 landing. LandSpace successfully recovered the reusable rocket’s first stage, strengthening China’s rocket ambitions and its challenge to SpaceX as booster reuse becomes central to cheaper satellite launches. Zhuque-3 landing Chinese startup LandSpace successfully recovered the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocke

The total solar eclipse 2026 delivered a dramatic celestial spectacle on August 12 as the Moon's shadow crossed Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain. Millions across Europe watched varying phases of the eclipse, while India missed the event because it occurred after sunset there. Spain witnesses total solar eclipse 2026 Spain became one o

The Anthropic SpaceX deal gives the Claude developer access to one of the world’s largest AI computing clusters at a time when demand is testing its infrastructure. The agreement has already helped Anthropic raise Claude Code limits, but its cost, duration and control terms deserve careful scrutiny. Colossus lease adds major AI capacity Anthropic announced on May 6 that it had reached an agre

Skyroot Aerospace is preparing Vikram-1 for its maiden orbital mission from Sriharikota. Scheduled for July 18, 2026, the launch could mark India’s first privately developed orbital rocket flight and strengthen the country’s commercial small-satellite launch sector. The Vikram-1 first orbital launch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. IST on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Through Missio

Speaking during an interview on The Jack Gordon Podcast, Isaacman said NASA had captured imagery containing objects that could not be identified using the available data. He did not say that scientists had ruled out ordinary explanations such as reflections, unusual viewing angles, atmospheric effects or human-made objects. Isaacman noted that cameras are now widespread, increasing the number of unusual images recorded by satellites, aircraft and members of the pu

A nearby world strengthens the search for habitability Astronomers have identified a promising super-Earth, GJ 3378b, located just 25 light-years from Earth, placing it among the closest potentially habitable exoplanets discovered to date. Its proximity offers rare opportunities for future atmospheric study, making it a key target in the ongoing search for environments

Cosmic Origins Written in Ice Scientists have identified direct physical traces of stardust preserved in Antarctic ice, offering rare confirmation that material forged in supernova explosions has reached Earth in measurable quantities. The discovery provides new insight into how elements created in distant stellar deaths are distributed across interstellar space and eventually incorporated into planetary environments. Supernova Dust and th

A Planet That Should Not Exist in This Orbit Astronomers have long believed that planets orbiting close to a star cannot survive its transformation into a red giant and eventual collapse into a white dwarf. However, the discovery of WD 1856b has challenged that assumption. The Jupiter-sized planet orbits its dead star at an extremely close distance, completing a full orbit in just over a day, defying traditional models of stellar evolution and planetary survival.

NASA Accelerates Lunar Base Development Strategy NASA has moved forward with an accelerated timeline for establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon, marking a significant step in its long-term lunar exploration strategy. The US space agency has awarded nearly $600 million in new contracts to three commercial partners to support upcoming lunar missions aimed a

NASA prepares rescue mission for Swift NASA is preparing a $30 million robotic mission to prevent the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from re-entering Earth’s atmosphere after two decades of service in space. The agency has described the effort as a race against time and gravity, as the aging telescope continues to lose altitude because of orbital decay. The mission will be led by Katalyst Space Technologies, a startup developing a three-armed spacecra

ISRO’s semi-cryogenic engine test reached 88% of its designed thrust on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, marking a major step toward upgrading India’s LVM3 rocket. The Indian Space Research Organisation tested the Power Head Test Article, or PHTA, at its propulsion facility in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The PHTA includes most major engine systems but excludes the thrust chamber, allowing engineers to evaluate fuel delivery, ignition and pressure performance before testing the complete e

A Chinese reusable spacecraft linked to the Shenlong program has triggered fresh global scrutiny after tracking data showed a separate object appearing in close proximity during its latest orbital phase. The event, observed in June 2026, has added new uncertainty around the nature of China’s secretive spaceplane operations. Tracking data reveals unexpected separation in orbit Independent space surveillance firm LeoLabs reported detection of a new object near the Shenlong spacecraft during routine orbital monitoring. The timing and proximity suggested a possible release or separation event from the main vehicle. The object was later incorporated into the US Space Force satellite catalog, allowing continued tracking through global space surveillance networks. What the Shenlong spaceplane is designed for Shenlong spaceplane is China’s experimental reusable orbital vehicle designed to launch via rocket and return to Earth like a conventional aircraft. The system is believed to support long-duration missions involving orbital testing, reconnaissance experiments, and reusable spacecraft technologies. It is often compared to the US X-37B program due to its similar operational profile and secrecy surrounding mission objectives. Launch background and mission profile The spacecraft associated with this mission was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 2F rocket. Since launch, Chinese authorities have released minimal operational details, leaving external analysts to rely heavily on radar tracking, orbital behavior, and third-party observations to interpret mission activity. Why the object detection raised questions The appearance of a separate object in close orbital proximity has led analysts to consider several possibilities, including experimental deployment, satellite servicing tests, or controlled separation of hardware. While none of these scenarios have been confirmed, the pattern aligns with rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), a capability used for inspecting or interacting with objects in space. Strategic implications and global monitoring The development is being closely monitored because RPO technology has dual-use applications. It can support peaceful maintenance missions but also enable advanced surveillance or counter-space capabilities. As a result, both US and international tracking systems continue to observe Shenlong missions for behavioral patterns that may indicate evolving strategic capabilities. Ongoing uncertainty around mission details Despite growing external analysis, no official clarification has been issued regarding the nature of the detected object. This lack of transparency keeps the mission under active observation, with each new orbital event contributing to broader assessments of China’s reusable spacecraft program and its long-term strategic direction.

Indian Space Startups Strengthen NavIC Push With Eyes And Ears In Orbit India’s private space companies are no longer just supporting Isro — they are building satellites that could help the country watch borders, track signals, and strengthen NavIC. At the India Space Congress 2026 in New Delhi, several Indian firms showcased satellite technologies focused on surveillance, si

Massive AI Deal Reshapes Silicon Valley Wealth Landscape A high-value acquisition involving Elon Musk’s SpaceX has triggered a major wealth shift in the global tech ecosystem. The company has reportedly acquired Anysphere, the parent of AI coding platform Cursor, in a $60 billion all-stock transaction. The deal has instantly pushed key founders and early stakeholders into billionaire status, marking one of

SpaceX’s $60 billion Cursor deal could value each Anysphere co-founder’s estimated stake at about $2.7 billion. However, that figure represents the estimated value of stock, not a confirmed cash payout. SpaceX agreed on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, to acquire San Francisco-based Anysphere, the company behind the AI coding platform Cursor, in an all-stock transaction. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditi

If a moon mass change effect happens, Earth will not be destroyed, but many natural systems will slowly change. In a moon mass change effect, the biggest impact would be on ocean tides, night brightness, and long-term climate stability. The Moon controls tides by its gravity, so if it becomes smaller or loses mass, ocean tides will become weaker. This means the sea will not rise and fall as strongly as it does today. Coastal areas, fishing activity, and marin

Elon Musk’s wealth gain compared with Mukesh Ambani’s net worth became a striking measure of the SpaceX IPO rally on Monday, June 15, 2026. Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires tracker estimated Musk’s fortune at approximately $1.3 trillion after it increased by $164.8 billion, or 14.71%, from the previous trading day. Figures cited for the same period placed Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s fortune at about $89.7 billion. Elon Musk Wealth Gain vs