Latest news with #InternationalSpaceStation
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket creates nebula-like ring in night sky
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. During the early hours of June 25, 2025, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off into space, headed for the International Space Station. The launch was part of the private Axiom-4 space mission carrying four astronauts on SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. The Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket that often carries cargo, Starlink satellites, or crew members in its corresponding Dragon spacecraft. Its reusable system aligns with SpaceX's mission to make spaceflight less costly, and thus more accessible. When the rocket's first stage booster returns to Earth for launch site landings, the stage's boost back burn can sometimes create these plumes of exhaust high in the atmosphere. The Falcon 9 rocket launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and is currently headed for the International Space Station. The Ax-4 launch is a mission of "firsts," as it carried the first ever-people from India, Hungary and Poland into space, including pilot Shubhanshu Shukla and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu. Leading the team is former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, currently Axiom's director of human spaceflight. Ax-4 was not easy to get off the ground, however. The mission faced two weeks of delays since its original launch date of June 11, 2025. These delays were caused by high winds as well as leaks on both the launch vehicle and the ISS. But finally, on the morning of June 25, 2025, the Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched, ferrying the crew toward the ISS. Once there, the astronauts will spend two weeks in orbit and conduct over 60 experiments before returning back to Earth. You can read more about the Ax-4 mission and SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket as the private spaceflight sector continues to expand into our night skies.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Now a star in orbit, Shubhanshu Shukla was always a natural in the sky
BENGALURU: He was the kind of cadet who didn't just learn to fly — he belonged in the sky. Years before Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS), he was already turning heads in the cockpit of a Super Dimona aircraft at the National Defence Academy (NDA). Back then, he was just another cadet from the Hunter Squadron — call sign not yet famous, dreams still earthbound. But to the instructor watching closely from the co-pilot's seat, one thing was clear: the young man had wings. 'He had a natural flair for flying,' recalled Group Captain (retd) Anupam Banerjee, Shukla's first flying instructor at NDA. 'In just the first few sorties, we could tell. Some cadets struggle with the feel of the controls or spatial awareness. Not Shukla. He was confident, intuitive — a very natural flier.' It was 20 years ago. The aircraft was an Austrian-built HK-36TC Super Dimona, used for ab-initio flying exposure at NDA before cadets move on to formal pilot training at the Air Force Academy. Shux, as Banerjee recalled, aced those initial flights — an early indication of the career that lay ahead: Jaguars, test pilot school, and finally, a ride to low-Earth orbit on Axiom-4 (Ax-4). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Избавляемся от боли в суставах с помощью натуральных средств! Здоровые Суставы Undo But what truly stood out, Banerjee said, wasn't just skill. 'He was sincere, extremely hardworking, and that's a rare combination when paired with ability. I told him then — you'll go far if you keep this up.' Years later, when Shukla was preparing for spaceflight, he sent Banerjee a message. He hadn't forgotten the words. 'He told me he remembered what I'd said: that it's not enough to be a good flier or officer — you must be a good human being. That stayed with him. And when he told me that, it meant a lot.' Banerjee had flown with Shukla only seven or eight times, but the connection endured. 'He always stayed in touch. Not many do. Whenever he reached a big moment in life, he'd send a message. That says a lot about the man he's become.' Before launch, the two had one last conversation. 'I knew he was about to enter quarantine, so I wished him luck. I told him life had already prepared him for what was coming. And that, a part of me was going to space with him.' Watching Shukla dock with the ISS, Banerjee says he felt something beyond pride. 'It's still unbelievable to me — that someone I trained, someone who first flew with me, is now in space. It's not just about reaching orbit. It's about who he is as a person. That matters even more.' In a way, Shukla's story is a flight path traced not just in the sky, but in character. 'When your students do well, you feel proud. But when they turn out to be fine human beings too — that's greater joy.' So yes, Shux may now be astronaut number 634. But long before he floated weightlessly in a pressurised module, he was already soaring — on skill, sincerity, and the sort of quiet steel that can't be taught.
Khaleej Times
13 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
How much does it cost to take a trip to outer space?
While billionaires like to launch their own space travel companies (Elon Musk's SpaceX, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic), you don't have to be one to join them. But it helps. The cost of a flight into space varies dramatically depending on what kind of mission you are looking for. 'As a ballpark, you're looking at well over $60 million (Dh220 million) for a private mission to the International Space Station (ISS) or even your own customised orbital stay aboard a private space station,' says Roman Chiporukha, co-founder of SpaceVIP, who works closely with space tourism operators around the world to design customised missions for clients. At SpaceX, prices typically start from around $55 million (Dh202 million), but clients can pay upwards of $65 million (Dh238 million) depending on mission specifics. RocketBreaks, the world's first dedicated space travel agency, works closely with partners such as Axiom Space and SpaceX, providing access to orbital missions aboard Crew Dragon spacecraft. These missions range from free-flying orbital flights to stays aboard the ISS, lasting between eight and 14 days. RocketBreaks handles everything from training and launch preparation to accommodation, private jet charters, and even welcome-home parties. Barry Shanks, director at RocketBreaks, says: 'We also offer access to suborbital missions with Blue Origin (New Shepard), offering a brief but unforgettable taste of space, including several minutes of weightlessness and views from the Kármán line.' These typically cost between $250,000 and $500,000 (Dh 918,122 and Dh1.8 million) per person. The Kármán line is regarded as the 'Space Standard' benchmark for truly being in space and is 100km above sea level. Above 120km is typically needed for a sustained low Earth orbit while anything below this (around 80km to 120km) is considered 'suborbital'. To put it in context, a commercial plane travels at heights of 10-13km above sea level. Blue Origin's New Shepard reusable rocket carried six passengers, including pop star Katy Perry and an all-female crew, to the edge of space in April 2025. Although Blue Origin doesn't advertise fixed ticket prices, deposits of $150,000 (Dh550,873) are required to begin booking. The full price can go up to $4 million (Dh14 million), depending on the flight package and additional luxury touches. The major space travel companies are not always upfront about costs. This is often because pricing is variable, and some companies prefer to vet clients before discussing pricing. 'The truth is, many of these missions aren't just about adventure. Whether it's understanding human biology in zero-G, developing tech for future planetary missions, or even learning how to grow food off-world, there's value here beyond the experience itself,' says Shanks. Edge of space Virgin Galactic is more transparent about its pricing, with seats on its suborbital flights costing around $600,000 (Dh2.2 million) for both civilians and researchers. Suborbital flights don't achieve the necessary speed to complete an orbit, resulting in relatively short trips that last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo (VSS Unity) takes passengers to the edge of space for a few minutes of weightlessness before returning via glider to Spaceport America, New Mexico. The company plans to reopen ticket sales at the start of 2026, but anticipates price increases above the previous $600,000 per seat. One of the more forward-thinking players in the industry, Radian Aerospace, is introducing the Radian One spaceplane. It offers a horizontal takeoff and landing for a low-G orbital mission that makes space travel less intense physically. For $10 million-$15million (Dh36 million-Dh55 million), passengers will orbit Earth five times during a seven-and-a-half-hour journey and be back in time for dinner, which is a big step towards making orbital experiences more elegant and attainable. Cheaper options Space travel experts predict flights will become cheaper as reusable rockets become more refined and launch frequency increases. 'Like any emerging industry, space tourism will eventually benefit from economies of scale. Space tourism will follow a curve similar to that of commercial aviation in its early days,' explains Chiporukha. 'At first, it's prohibitively expensive and exclusive, but as more companies enter the space and infrastructure improves, prices will come down.' Analysts predict suborbital flights, currently priced at $200,000–$600,000 (Dh734,498-Dh2.2 million), could drop to $50,000–$100,000 (Dh183,624-Dh367,249) by the early 2030s as flight frequency increases and economies of scale kick in. A spokesperson for Mighty Travels Premium says: 'Orbital missions, now costing $50 million (Dh183 million) per seat, may also see reductions as companies like Axiom Space and Sierra Space expand operations. While exact timelines are uncertain, significant price drops are expected within the next five–10 years, especially for suborbital trips, making them accessible to a broader affluent market.' Musk has stated that Starship could potentially fly for as little as $2 million (Dh7.3 million) per seat, but this is a long-term goal for a fully reusable system, not the current cost of Crew Dragon flights. Starship has a strong focus on reusability, which is critical for making these missions financially feasible. Regular space travel will likely start with suborbital joyrides before expanding to orbital and lunar trips, driven by demand and technological advancements. Philipp Schaer is the CEO at MiGFlug, which specialises in fighter jet flights and previously took passengers on high-altitude/stratosphere trips to an altitude of up to 25.5km. 'We are rather pessimistic with the tourist space flights such as Virgin Galactic or Blue Origin, unless they come as a side-kick from a commercial operation to launch satellites, do research, etc. If the main thing is bringing tourists into space, we don't think this will ever be profitable, given the huge development costs,' he says. MiGFlug has seen growing interest from clients in the UAE. 'We have had an eye on Dubai for a while now, and we hope to find the right partner there soon.' Travel on a budget There are cheaper options for those who want an out-of-this-world experience on a budget. Rather than rockets, Space Perspective uses a luxury hydrogen balloon to lift passengers in a pressurised gondola to about 32km altitude. The full six‑hour experience costs $125,000 (Dh459,061), including a two‑hour float at the edge of space. Over 1,800 seats have been reserved so far. In late 2025, Danish Michelin-starred chef Rasmus Munk will team up with Space Perspective to take fine-dining into the upper atmosphere. Space Perspective is hoping to have a launch site in Dubai, which will give travellers the chance to see the Burj Khalifa from the edge of space. 'Being able to launch over Palm Island and go up and see the burst wave underneath and see all these recognisable landmarks, this is one of the most beautiful areas we could launch from,' said CEO Michael Savage. Chiporukha, who is a partner in this project, added: 'We now have an office at Dubai Media City and have been consulting with telcos who are expanding to satellites.' While there is no typical client, RocketBreaks' Shanks sheds some light on its space-travel-loving customers. 'We've worked with tech investors, entrepreneurs, adventure-seekers, and families celebrating major milestones. That said, our orbital enquiries tend to come from middle-aged business owners or UHNWIs who have already ticked off many once-in-a-lifetime experiences and are now looking up — literally.'
South China Morning Post
13 hours ago
- Science
- South China Morning Post
India as a space power? Delhi eyes lift-off for sector after astronaut ISS milestone
The successful arrival of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla at the International Space Station (ISS) marks a pivotal moment in the country's evolving space strategy and signals its desire to join the ranks of global space powers, analysts have said. The move was also a stepping stone towards India 's first independent crewed mission by 2027 under the Gaganyaan programme, they added. The initiative is India's effort to become the fourth country – after Russia, the United States and China – to independently carry out human space flights. While on the ISS, Shukla will conduct scientific experiments on the effects of microgravity and space radiation on nutrient-rich microalgae, research that could play a vital role in sustaining human life during future deep-space missions. His participation is also seen as a major boost for India's broader space ambitions and an inspiration for aspiring astronauts, according to Satya Gupta, president of the VLSI Society of India, which promotes the country's digital and technological development. Axiom-4 pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India in Florida on Tuesday before his mission to the International Space Station. His participation is seen as a major boost for India's space ambitions. Photo: Reuters 'These scientific endeavours are useful over the long term. Nobody knew how important India's space economy would become when we started sending rockets 30 years ago,' Gupta said. 'It is not a straight calculation where you spend X amount of money and get returns immediately.'
News18
13 hours ago
- Health
- News18
What If An Astronaut Gets Sick In Space? This Is NASA's Plan
Last Updated: Though not every crew has a certified doctor onboard, each mission designates one astronaut as the Crew Medical Officer (CMO), typically someone who has undergone medical training By June 2025, more than 280 astronauts from over 20 countries have set foot aboard the International Space Station (ISS), spending weeks and months orbiting Earth in microgravity. While the focus of these missions often lies in scientific experiments and global collaboration, the reality is that astronauts are human, and humans get sick. But what happens when illness strikes hundreds of kilometres above the Earth's surface? There are no traditional hospitals in space, no emergency rooms or surgeons on standby. Yet space agencies have meticulously prepared for the possibility of medical crises. From minor ailments like toothaches and skin rashes to potentially life-threatening conditions, astronauts are trained to respond, and the ISS is equipped to assist. Though not every crew has a certified doctor onboard, each mission designates one astronaut as the Crew Medical Officer (CMO), typically someone who has undergone extensive medical training, even if they're not a physician. They're supported by a well-stocked medical kit and guided, when needed, by ground-based experts. The ISS medical kit includes: When Ground Support Becomes Life Support Should a serious medical condition arise, astronauts don't face it alone. Real-time video and audio communication allows doctors at NASA's Mission Control in Houston to provide live telemedical assistance. Using biometric data transmitted from the ISS and step-by-step guidance, they can instruct the onboard crew on procedures. But when a situation becomes critical, beyond the capability of onboard treatment, the contingency plan kicks in: emergency evacuation. The ISS always has at least one Soyuz or SpaceX Dragon capsule docked, capable of performing what's known as a Contingency Return. In such cases, the ailing astronaut can be transported back to Earth in just 3-5 hours, typically landing in the Kazakh steppe. Once on the ground, they're swiftly transferred to facilities like NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston or the Russian Space Agency's medical centre for comprehensive care. Still, this measure is considered a last resort. The priority is always to manage the condition onboard, because the physical strain of re-entering Earth's gravity can worsen some medical issues. In the ISS's 20-plus years of operation, no astronaut has ever had to be evacuated due to a medical emergency. There have been a few incidents worth noting: In 2013, an astronaut experienced kidney stone symptoms, but medication helped manage the pain until he returned to Earth. In 2020, a Russian cosmonaut developed an infection and was successfully treated with antibiotics onboard. Other common complaints have included back pain, rashes, toothaches, and eye irritation, all resolved in orbit. Despite the odds, astronauts undergo thorough health screenings before missions, reducing the likelihood of serious conditions surfacing in space. But microgravity presents its own set of risks. Common Health Risks In Space The following conditions are known to be more likely during long-duration missions: Robots and AI Doctors Looking ahead to longer missions – especially to the Moon or Mars – NASA, ESA, and private partners like SpaceX are investing in automated robotic doctors, telemedicine, and AI-assisted diagnostics. Since immediate return won't be an option for deep-space missions, these technologies could prove vital. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : International Space Station nasa Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: June 26, 2025, 14:56 IST News world What If An Astronaut Gets Sick In Space? This Is NASA's Plan
