Latest news with #MissionControl
News18
3 days ago
- Science
- News18
International Space Station: Why Is Every Astronaut Given A Number?
Last Updated: As Shubhanshu Shukla reached the ISS, he was assigned a unique number. But why are astronauts given these numbers? Here's what they mean and how they're used India's Shubhanshu Shukla spent his first night aboard the International Space Station (ISS), alongside astronauts from three other nations. Upon his arrival, he was assigned a unique crew number. But what exactly is the purpose of this number, and why is it issued to every newcomer? This identifier isn't just a formality; it plays a vital role in everything from logging medical data to coordinating spacewalks, especially when names and faces are hard to distinguish in bulky suits. Did Kalpana Chawla And Sunita Williams Have Crew Numbers? Yes, both Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams were assigned crew numbers prior to Shubhanshu Shukla. Each astronaut on the ISS is given a specific crew ID and position number. However, during day-to-day interactions, they are addressed by name. These identifiers are used in certain operational contexts. To date, around 640 individuals have been to space, with roughly 30 to 35 making the journey more than once. People from over 45 countries have participated in space missions. Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to travel to space aboard the Soyuz T-11 in 1984. Kalpana Chawla, who later became a US citizen, was the first Indian woman in space. Why Are Crew Numbers Used? These numbers primarily serve security and system-logging purposes. The ISS contains various systems that log medical updates and activity records. For example, during health checks, emergency simulations, or scientific experiments, astronauts must enter their crew ID to access equipment or input data. During extravehicular activities (EVAs), or spacewalks, each astronaut's suit displays a number such as EVA-1 or EVA-2. Since facial recognition is difficult while suited up, Mission Control and crewmates use these numbers for identification. These are especially useful when multiple astronauts have similar names or accents. However, on board the ISS, astronauts typically call one another by name, fostering a relaxed, collegial atmosphere. However, during formal communication with ground control, whether with NASA or Roscosmos, crew call signs or numbers are occasionally used, especially during high-stakes operations like spacewalks. When Was Crew Numbers Introduced? In the early space missions of the 1960s, astronauts were simply addressed by name or mission call sign. But by the 1970s, with longer, more complex missions to space stations, it became clear that a more systematic method of identification was needed. Numbering helped avoid confusion when recognising faces inside helmets or communicating clearly via radio across multilingual crews. NASA introduced the EVA-1, EVA-2 format during the Space Shuttle era in the 1980s. With up to eight astronauts per mission, these identifiers were critical. Once the ISS became operational in 1998, the practice became standardised for all spacewalks and vital crew activities. Did Rakesh Sharma Receive A Crew number? Rakesh Sharma was not given a crew number as per today's system. His 1984 mission was designated Soyuz T-11, with the crew using the call sign 'Jupiter'. At that time, Soviet missions referred to astronauts by name or collective mission identifiers. Kalpana Chawla flew aboard STS-87 in 1997 but did not perform any spacewalks, so she was designated Mission Specialist-1 (MS-1) rather than an EVA number. Sunita Williams, on the other hand, participated in four spacewalks during her STS-116 mission and was assigned identifiers like EVA-1 and EVA-2 for those activities. 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!
NDTV
5 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Shubhanshu Shukla Makes History, Becomes First Indian To Enter ISS
New Delhi: Air Force pilot Shubhanshu Shukla wrote a historic new chapter in the country's space exploration story Thursday after becoming the first Indian to float into the International Space Station. Live visuals from the ISS showed Shukla, and the other three astronauts on the Crew Dragon capsule, being helped through the vestibule connecting the spacecraft and the ISS. Each had big grins on their face and were welcomed with bear hugs by the seven astronauts already on the ISS. The four then lined up for a photo op drinking liquids from a foil packet. The capsule that carried the astronauts - part of Axiom-4, a private mission - docked this evening, completing a 28-hour flight from Florida's Kennedy Space Centre to a point 424km over the northern Atlantic Ocean. Docking is the procedure by which a spacecraft connects to the space station. But before that docking can even begin the spacecraft must first rendezvous with the space station, meaning they must both be in the same orbital plane and be positioned close to each other. What follows is a series of complicated manoeuvres, including precise positioning by matching positional (location) and velocity vectors (speed and direction) to confirm a safe and secure physical connection between the spacecraft and space station to allow exchange of astronauts and cargo. And then, at 4.01 pm (India time), Mission Control confirmed a 'soft capture', i.e., a connection allowing the spacecraft, named Grace after it reached orbit, and the station some room to move to absorb kinetic energy generated during initial contact. Minutes later a 'hard capture', i.e., a more robust connection, was confirmed and, at 4.15 pm (India time) NASA said the docking sequence had been completed. "We are honored to be here... thank you," Mission Commander Peggy Whitson told the International Space Station in a live stream of the docking. The view from inside the Dragon capsule before it docked with the ISS. Mr Shukla and the other three astronauts in the Dragon capsule - the US' Peggy Whitson, Slawoz Wisniewski of Poland and Hungarian Tibor Kapu - will not immediately join the other seven on the ISS. It will take some time for the connection to the station to stablise and for the system to ensure there is no break in the seal or any issue with the link that could compromise astronauts' safety. #Ax4 's @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked with the @Space_Station at 6:31am ET (1031 UTC). Next, the mission crew and our NASA astronauts will prepare to open the hatches. — NASA (@NASA) June 26, 2025 The hatch separating the ISS and the Dragon capsule will open at 6.10 pm (India time). Axiom-4's journey began at 12.01 pm Wednesday when SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Launch Complex 39A, the same site, in fact, that launched Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 mission. The launch had been delayed six times and hovered on the edge of a seventh after a software glitch prevented upload of weather data. However, that was resolved with minutes to go and, a little past 12.01 pm (India time), the Falcon 9 rocket's powerful Merlin engines roared into life. Shukla and his fellow astronauts have a busy 14 days ahead of them. READ | Water Bears To Space Farming: India's 7 Experiments On Space Station Over the next fortnight they will conduct 60 experiments, seven of which were proposed by India, including one to study 'water bears' - microscopic organisations - to understand how living things adapt to microgravity. The focus will also be on bio-manufacturing and bio-astronautics' during the mission. 'Thrilled To Be Here' Earlier today, in the Dragon capsule as it hurtled towards the ISS, Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the mission pilot, described the launch as 'magical' and reflected on his journey. "I am thrilled to be here with my fellow astronauts... what a ride it was. Honestly, as I finally sat on the launchpad after 30 days of quarantine (thanks to numerous launch delays), all I could think was... 'let's just go!'. When it happened... it was something else entirely. You're pushed back into the seat and then, suddenly, there's silence. You're just floating in the vacuum... and it's magical," he said. Shukla also expressed gratitude to the muriad engineers and scientists around the world who made this mission possible, calling the experience a 'collective achievement'. "I truly appreciate the efforts of every individual who made this journey possible. This accomplishment belongs to all of us," he said.
India Today
20-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Chandrayaan-2 captures debris of crashed Japanese spacecraft on the Moon
In a remarkable feat of space sleuthing, India's Chandrayaan-2 mission has helped locate the debris of a crashed Japanese lunar lander, thanks to the sharp eyes of space enthusiast Shanmuga high-resolution images captured by Chandrayaan-2's Orbiter High Resolution Camera (OHRC), Subramanian identified the scattered remains of the Japanese spacecraft Japanese lander, which lost contact during its descent had left mission controllers and space enthusiasts worldwide searching for clues about its fate. Resilience debris found in Chandrayaan-2 images. (Photo: Isro) advertisement The spacecraft was tagetting to land on the Moon's Sea of Cold in the Northern Hemisphere when Mission Control in Tokyo lost communications and telemetry with the after the spacecraft crashed on the Moon, ispace revealed the initial findings from data it received moments before the spacecraft had a hard landing on the laser rangefinder used to measure the distance to the lunar surface experienced delays in obtaining valid measurement values. As a result, the lander was unable to decelerate CHANDRAYAAN-2Chandrayaan-2's OHRC, with its impressive 0.25-meter resolution—the highest achieved by any lunar orbiter—provided the crucial data needed to pinpoint the crash Subramanian, who previously made headlines for discovering the debris of India's own Vikram lander from the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019, once again demonstrated his extraordinary skill in analysing lunar through the OHRC's detailed images, he identified unusual patterns and bright spots in the expected crash zone, which matched the characteristics of spacecraft OHRC images are incredibly detailed, allowing astronomers to spot even small fragments on the lunar surface. Resilience lunar lander above the Moon. (Photo: ispace) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is however, yet to confirm the orbiter has been praised for its technological capabilities ever since it was deployed in 2019. It was also responsible for scouting the landing zone for the crashed spacecraft for private company discovery not only provides important data for the Japanese space agency's analysis of the mission failure but also highlights the growing role of citizen scientists in space orbiter continues to deliver high-resolution imagery and scientific data, supporting both Indian and international lunar missions. As the world gears up for renewed exploration of the Moon, Chandrayaan-2 remains central for imagery and analysin of the lunar Watch
Business Wire
12-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Volato to Combine with M2i Global in a Strategic Transaction, Unlocking Value Through Industrial Scale and Platform Independence
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Volato Group, Inc. (the 'Company' or 'Volato') (NYSE American: SOAR), a technology-first private aviation company, and M2i Global, Inc. ('M2i Global') (OTCQB: MTWO), a developer of full-spectrum critical mineral supply chains, today announced the signing of a non-binding term sheet under which M2i Global will be acquired by Volato in a transaction that positions the combined company for scale, strategic capital access, and long-term growth. This transaction brings together two distinct but complementary platforms: – M2i Global, with a clear path to federal partnerships, high-value offtake agreements, and battery metals leadership; and – Volato's proprietary aviation software, Vaunt experiential travel platform, and investment vehicles, which will be retained as a separate operating unit led by current Volato CEO and Co-Founder Matt Liotta. Upon completion of the acquisition, M2i Global will receive common shares of Volato stock such that M2i Global will own approximately 90% of the total issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Volato on an as-converted and fully diluted basis (excluding any outstanding public warrants for Volato common stock) and the current shareholders of Volato will own approximately 10% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Volato common stock on an as-converted and fully diluted basis (excluding any outstanding public warrants for Volato's common stock). Following closing, Maj. Gen. (Ret) Alberto Rosende will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of Volato. Matt Liotta will continue to serve on the board of the combined company and will lead the aviation and software operating unit as President, supported by a growth-focused budget and potential spin-out opportunity. Mark Heinen shall remain as Chief Financial Officer of the combined company. 'We've made real progress turning Volato around—posting net income, reducing debt, and scaling new platforms—but the public market hasn't recognized it,' said Matt Liotta, CEO of Volato. 'This transaction re-rates our value and gives our shareholders exposure to a macroeconomic growth engine in critical minerals, while keeping our aviation platforms intact and scaling under experienced leadership. It's not an exit—it's a rebirth.' The combined company will pursue listing on the NYSE American and is expected to consolidate key business lines while preserving management continuity and operational momentum. M2i Global brings high-value relationships, including: An exclusive offtake agreement with NT Minerals valued at approximately $850 million; Partnerships across battery recycling, cathode material manufacturing, and brownfield mining; and A seasoned leadership and advisory team with proven public market and government execution. 'Volato's aviation software and financial discipline impressed us,' said Maj. Gen. (Ret) Alberto Rosende, CEO of M2i Global. 'Their platforms, especially Vaunt and Mission Control, are assets we intend to nurture, and Matt will continue to lead their growth. Together, we create a dual-engine company: one focused on national resilience, the other on next-generation travel and aviation software.' This transaction comes as the need for secure U.S. access to critical minerals has moved to the forefront of national policy, with recent executive orders highlighting urgency around antimony, graphite, and rare earth metals. SOAR shareholders are now positioned to benefit from two growth stories: A high-upside industrial platform aligned with federal initiatives A proven aviation technology business with growing traction and independent funding The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the transaction by the shareholders of both Volato and M2i Global. Advisors A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is serving as financial advisor to M2i Global, Inc. and Curvature Securities, LLC is serving as financial advisor to Volato Group, Inc. Dykema Gossett, PLLC serves as legal counsel to Volato Group, Inc. Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP serves as legal counsel to M2i Global, Inc. About Volato Volato is a private aviation company advancing the industry with innovative solutions in aviation software and on-demand flight access. Volato's proprietary Mission Control software drives efficiency across operations and supports operators in managing fractional ownership, charter, and other services. Volato's Vaunt platform connects travelers with available private flights, offering a flexible option for on-demand travel. With a commitment to advanced technology and customer-focused solutions, Volato is building scalable tools to elevate service quality and operational effectiveness in private aviation. For more information about Volato, please visit About M2i Global, Inc. M2i Global, Inc., through its subsidiary U.S. Minerals and Metals Corp., provides engineering, research, and services that integrate people, technology, and solutions from across sectors to ensure access to critical minerals and metals for national defense and economic security. The Company aims to establish a Strategic Mineral Reserve in partnership with the U.S. Federal Government, creating a resilient supply chain that addresses the global shortage of essential minerals and metals. Additional Information about the Proposed Transaction and Where to Find It This communication relates to a potential transaction (the 'Transaction') involving M2i Global and Volato. If a legally binding definitive agreement with respect to the potential Transaction is executed, Volato intends to file with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K with respect to the execution of the definitive agreement and a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement"), which will include a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus. This communication is not a substitute for the Registration Statement, the definitive proxy statement/final prospectus or any other document that Volato or M2i Global has filed or will file with the SEC or send to its shareholders or investors in connection with the potential Transaction. This document does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the potential Transaction and other matters and is not intended to form the basis for any investment decision or any other decision in respect of such matters. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, VOLATO'S SHAREHOLDERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY VOLATO WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN IN THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES TO THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION. After the Registration Statement is declared effective, the definitive proxy statement will be mailed to shareholders of Volato as of a record date to be established for voting on the potential Transaction. Additionally, Volato will file other relevant materials with the SEC in connection with the potential Transaction. Copies of the Registration Statement, the definitive proxy statement/final prospectus and all other relevant materials for the potential Transaction filed or that will be filed with the SEC may be obtained, when available, free of charge at the SEC's website at Volato's shareholders may also obtain copies of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, when available, without charge, by directing a request to Volato at 1954 Airport Road, Suite 124, Chamblee, GA 30341, or by telephone at (844) 399-8998. Participants in the Solicitation of Proxies Volato and M2i Global and certain of their respective directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Volato's shareholders in connection with the proposed Transaction. Volato's shareholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the proposed Transaction of Volato's directors and officers in Volato's filings with the SEC, including Volato's annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to Volato's shareholders in connection with the Transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests will be included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed Transaction when it becomes available. Shareholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above. No Offer or Solicitation This communication is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the potential Transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The potential Transaction is expected to be implemented solely pursuant to a legally binding definitive agreement which is expected to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K by Volato, and which is expected to contain the material terms and conditions of the potential Transaction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance or future financial condition. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our Company, our industry, our beliefs and our assumptions. They often include words or variation of words such as 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' 'projects,' 'forecasts,' 'targets,' 'would,' 'will,' 'should,' 'goal,' 'could' or 'may' and similar expressions or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements provide management or the board of directors' current expectations or predictions of future conditions, events, or results. All statements that address operating performance, events, or developments that may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the challenges associated with executing our growth strategy. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and reflect the Company's good faith beliefs, assumptions, and expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance or events. Furthermore, the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, a variety of economic, competitive, and regulatory factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that are described in the Company's periodic reports filed with the SEC including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2024, and other factors that the Company may describe from time to time in other filings with the SEC. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and, consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.
India Today
06-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Japan's Moon landing dream crashes, again
Japan's space programme faces a second fatal loss in two years as ispace's Resilience spacecraft crashed on the Moon during its highly-anticipated landing attempt on Friday, June 6, 2025. The spacecraft was targeting to land on the Moon's Sea of Cold in the Northern Hemisphere when Mission Control in Tokyo lost communications and telemetry with the spacecraft. ispace stated that the lander successfully began its descent phase from an altitude of 100 kilometres and all was well until the 20 kilometres mark above the Moon. The spacecraft successfully fired its engine at 20 kilometres altitude to begin deceleration. The engineers later confirmed that the laser rangefinder used to measure the distance to the lunar surface experienced delays in obtaining valid measurement values. As a result, the lander was unable to decelerate sufficiently to reach the required speed for the planned lunar landing and suffered a hard landing. In 2023, the company's first spacecraft, Hakuto-R, crashed with the Rashid rover. The spacecraft experienced an unexpected acceleration on its way down to the surface.
