SpaceX has poured a staggering $3 billion into developing Starship, its ambitious rocket designed to land humans on Mars. The company’s progress, however, is facing potential delays from US regulators, despite SpaceX’s strong commitment to achieving its multi-planetary goals. This news comes as SpaceX reports a surge in Starlink customers, signaling its continued expansion in space-based internet services.
NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity, which has been exploring the Red Planet since 2012, is showing signs of wear and tear. The rover’s wheels have developed holes, especially the right-middle wheel, due to the harsh Martian environment. Despite this, Curiosity continues to collect valuable scientific data in its search for evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars.
NASA has abruptly canceled its nearly complete VIPER rover, designed to search for ice at the Moon’s south pole, and offered it to private companies. This move has sparked debate about the future of lunar exploration and the role of commercial entities in space research.
Fortune’s annual ‘Change the World’ list highlights companies that are making a positive impact on the world through their business practices. This year, the list is led by space pioneers tackling climate change and the digital divide, along with companies utilizing AI for social good and encouraging civic engagement.
NASA’s Perseverance rover has stumbled upon a unique black-and-white striped rock on Mars, sparking excitement among scientists and the public alike. The rock, dubbed ‘Freya Castle’, is unlike any previously observed on the planet and may offer clues about the Martian history. This intriguing discovery comes as Perseverance continues its ascent towards the crater rim, searching for ancient rocks that hold secrets of the planet’s past.
Nano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NNE) stock jumped by 13.7% on Monday after the company announced the launch of its new subsidiary, NANO Nuclear Space. This subsidiary aims to explore the use of NANO’s advanced micronuclear reactor technology for space applications, including power systems, human habitation, and propulsion for long-distance missions.
A Soyuz capsule carrying two Russian cosmonauts and an American astronaut landed safely in Kazakhstan, marking the end of a record-breaking mission for the Russian duo. The landing was uneventful and concluded a mission that saw the Russian cosmonauts surpass the previous record for the longest continuous stay aboard the International Space Station.
The James Webb Space Telescope has turned its powerful gaze toward the Milky Way’s extreme outer edge, revealing stunning details of star-forming regions and the chaotic behavior of nascent stars. The observations highlight the unique characteristics of these distant regions, offering new insights into the galaxy’s early history and the diverse processes of star formation.
India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission continues to make exciting discoveries on the Moon. The Pragyan rover has uncovered a 160-km-wide, ancient impact crater near the landing site, providing valuable insights into the early geological evolution of the lunar surface.
Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of SpaceX, has outlined a daring plan to send uncrewed Starships to Mars within two years, with crewed missions potentially following within four years. However, he warns that the success of this ambitious program hinges on the outcome of the 2024 US presidential election, fearing that a Kamala Harris presidency could hinder the program’s progress. Musk argues that the American bureaucracy under Harris would stifle innovation and ultimately doom humanity’s chances of becoming a multiplanetary species.
