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India Today
10-07-2025
- Science
- India Today
Mega crash on the Moon released energy equal to 1,000,000,000,000 atomic bombs
China's ambitious Chang'e-6 mission has delivered new insights into the Moon's geological past, particularly the differences between its near and far on May 3, 2024 the mission returned with 1,935.3 grams of lunar material from the South Pole–Aitken Basin (SPA) on the Moon's far side, arriving back on Earth on 25 June samples have enabled scientists to explore one of planetary science's long-standing mysteries regarding the Moon's topographical and compositional The SPA, the largest and oldest impact structure on the Moon, was formed approximately 4.25 billion years ago by a massive impact. This event is thought to have released energy equivalent to that of a trillion atomic bombs. The Moon samples arrived on Earth on June 25, 2024. (Photo: CNSA) Until recently, the impact's effects on lunar geology and thermal evolution remained unsolved, but recent studies have begun to unravel these conducted over the past year by teams from CAS institutions, including the Institute of Geology and Geophysics (IGG) and the National Astronomical Observatories (NAOC), has led to four significant findings were published in the journal Nature, marking a major step forward in understanding the lunar landscape. According to Prof. WU Fuyuan, "the geological consequences of the impact that formed the SPA are, for the first time, revealed collectively in these four Nature papers."One key discovery is the evidence of prolonged volcanic activity on the Moon's far side. The analysis identified two distinct volcanic phases occurring 4.2 billion and 2.8 billion years persistence of volcanic activity for at least 1.4 billion years is far longer than previously a fluctuating magnetic field was observed. Measurements revealed a resurgence in the Moon's magnetic field around 2.8 billion years ago, indicating that the lunar dynamo responsible for generating magnetic fields was more active than previously thought, experiencing episodes of fluctuation rather than a steady samples also highlight an asymmetric water distribution between the Moon's near and far far side's mantle contains significantly less water, suggesting an uneven distribution of volatile elements within the lunar interior, shedding light on the Moon's compositional diversity. Finally, geochemical analyses of the basalt samples unveiled a mantle source described as "ultra-depleted," pointing to a primordial depleted mantle or massive melt extraction due to large impacts. This insight points to the role of major impacts in shaping the Moon's findings not only illuminate the evolution of the Moon's far side but also shows the transformative impact of the Chang'e-6 mission, offering a critical reference point for studying early Solar System impacts.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trump is downsizing NASA and handing over the space race to China
A staggering 2,145 senior NASA employees - about 11% of the agency's total workforce - are set to leave as part of a sweeping downsizing effort, signaling a period of deep uncertainty for the US space program. This unprecedented exodus comes as China 's space sector surges, now employing over 170,000 people- a workforce nearly ten times larger than NASA's - highlighting the stark divergence between the two nations' approaches to space exploration NASA: Shrinking workforce, budget woes, and mission risks NASA's workforce, currently around 18,000 employees, is bracing for a significant loss of expertise. The departing staff are primarily in GS-13 to GS-15 roles, representing senior leadership and technical positions essential to the agency's most complex missions. Notably, 1,818 of those leaving work directly in science and human spaceflight, with hundreds more in mission support roles such as IT, facilities, and finance. Critical centers like the Kennedy and Johnson Space Centers are among the hardest hit, with hundreds of staff departing from each. The cuts are being driven by the Trump administration's proposed $6 billion reduction to NASA's 2025 budget, which threatens to cancel dozens of science programs and jeopardize major projects, including the Gateway lunar orbit station. The agency is offering early retirement, buyouts, and deferred resignations to minimize involuntary layoffs, but the scale of the departures has already raised alarms about a 'brain drain' that could disrupt ongoing and future missions. Compounding the crisis is the absence of a confirmed NASA administrator, following the abrupt withdrawal of nominee Jared Isaacman. This leadership gap further complicates strategic planning at a time when the agency is under intense pressure to do more with less. Program impact: Missions at risk The staff exodus and budget squeeze threaten to undermine NASA's most ambitious projects: Live Events Artemis II Program (returning Americans to the Moon) scheduled for 2026 and Mars Sample Return missions are at risk due to the loss of experienced engineers and managers. Dozens of science programs face cancellation, and the agency's ability to maintain its role in international collaborations is in jeopardy. China: Expanding workforce, growing budget, and unbroken momentum While NASA contracts, China's space program is rapidly expanding. China's space program, coordinated by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and executed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), is supported by a workforce exceeding 170,000 employees across its various agencies and state-owned enterprises. This vast pool of engineers, scientists, and support staff enables China to rapidly scale up its ambitions and sustain a high tempo of missions. China's recent track record is marked by a string of high-profile successes: Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission launched in 2025, aiming to bring back pristine samples from a near-Earth asteroid. Chang'e-6 lunar mission set to return samples from the Moon's far side. Tiangong space station fully operational, supporting long-duration human missions and international science collaborations. Multiple new partnerships, including joint missions with Europe and invitations to over 30 countries to join its lunar research initiatives. China's centralized approach enables rapid decision-making, efficient resource allocation, and consistent progress on ambitious goals—contrasting sharply with NASA's current budget and staffing turmoil. Will China rocket over NASA sooner than anticipated? The simultaneous downscaling of NASA's workforce and budget, combined with leadership instability, is eroding America's traditional dominance in space. The loss of over 2,000 senior staff threatens to disrupt critical missions and diminish the agency's capacity for innovation at a time when global competition is intensifying. In contrast, China is capitalizing on this moment, expanding its workforce, increasing its budget, and executing complex missions with growing international participation. If current trends continue, China is poised to overtake the U.S. in several key areas of space exploration, fundamentally reshaping the global balance of power in the final frontier. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
NDTV
01-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
China's Tianwen 2 Sends Stunning Images Of Earth And Moon From Deep Space: See Pics
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) released images of Earth and the moon on Tuesday, taken by the Tianwen 2 spacecraft from deep space, according to Xinhua. The probe was launched on May 29 using a Long March-3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan, and the images were taken a day later, on May 30. See images here: 33 days following launch, #Tianwen2 is passing 12 million km distance from Earth. CNSA released photos of the Earth and Moon taken by ANAC (窄视场导航敏感器 / Asteroid Narrow Angle Camera) when the spacecraft was 590K km from each body. — WLR2678🌌 (@WLR_2678) July 1, 2025 Currently, the probe is reportedly around 12 million kilometres away from Earth. It has spent more than 33 days in space so far. The mission aims to collect samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016 HO3 (or 469219 Kamo'oalewa) and explore the main-belt comet 311P, which would help provide insights into the early solar system's formation and evolution. As per the report, the space agency published the stunning pictures, taken by the spacecraft's narrow-field-of-view navigation sensor, when it was about 590,000 kilometres away from the Blue Planet. What is the future of the Tianwen 2 mission? The mission is expected to return samples to Earth by November 2027, with the probe collecting between 0.2 and 1 kilogram of soil from the asteroid. The Tianwen-2 mission is planned to last around 10 years. During the given period, the probe would visit the asteroid and comet, and return samples to Earth. The mission will help scientists understand the composition, formation, and evolutionary history of the solar system's early materials. If successful, the probe would also provide insights into the origins of water on Earth. China has several important missions planned for the coming years. Beijing plans to send Chinese astronauts to the Moon before 2030 and establish a permanent base there, as part of its ambitious "space dream" under Xi Jinping's leadership.
South China Morning Post
01-07-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China's Tianwen-2 returns Earth, moon images as land team simulates lunar lava cave probe
China's space agency on Tuesday released images of the Earth and moon captured by its asteroid-sampling Tianwen-2 spacecraft, while confirming that the probe was in good condition after more than a month in orbit. Advertisement The images were taken by the Tianwen-2 spacecraft's narrow field-of-view navigation sensor on May 30, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), which released them after image processing on the ground. This comes days after state media reported that researchers in northeastern China were testing autonomous robots in underground lava caves to simulate the terrain these may explore during future lunar missions. The Tianwen-2 spacecraft has been in orbit since it was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwestern China on May 29. The probe was orbiting at a distance of more than 12 million kilometres (7.5 million miles) from Earth and was in 'good working condition', CNSA said in a news release on its website on Tuesday. The moon as pictured by the Tianwen-2. Photo: Xinhua The first image of the Earth was taken when the spacecraft was 590,000km from the planet, and the image of the moon was taken several hours later at a similar distance from the lunar surface.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
CNSA releases images of Earth and Moon by Tianwen-2 from 590,000 km in deep space
China's Tianwen-2 probe has officially begun its deep space mission by capturing a stunning image of Earth and the Moon from 590,000 kilometers away. Released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on July 1, the image symbolises the start of a decade-long journey to explore a near-Earth asteroid and a distant comet. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Launched on May 29, Tianwen-2 will collect samples from asteroid Kamo'oalewa by 2027 and later investigate comet 311P/PANSTARRS. This dual-target mission marks a significant step forward for China's space program, aiming to unlock key secrets about the origin of the Moon, water, and life. Tianwen-2 probe: Earth-Moon images from deep space released by CNSA The stunning photo was taken on May 30, 2025, when Tianwen-2 was nearly 590,000 kilometers away from Earth. The picture beautifully frames Earth and its natural satellite, the Moon, together in the vast darkness of space. This image was captured using the spacecraft's narrow-field-of-view navigation sensor, an instrument designed to help the spacecraft maintain its orientation and enable precise autonomous navigation. This camera plays a critical role in guiding Tianwen-2 through deep space, allowing it to operate independently from ground control while maintaining stability during its long voyage. Source: CNSA Source: CNSA Tianwen-2 marks milestone with over 12 million km travelled since May 29 launch As of July 1, 2025 , CNSA reports that Tianwen-2 is operating smoothly. As reported, the Tianwen-2 probe has been in orbit for 33 days with a distance of 12 million kilometres since its May 29 launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 3B rocket. Its successful performance in this early stage builds confidence in its ability to complete its complex multi-target mission. This probe is part of China's broader space strategy to expand its scientific reach beyond the Moon and Mars, pushing boundaries into asteroid and comet exploration—domains previously dominated by NASA, ESA, and JAXA. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Tianwen-2 heads toward Kamo'oalewa; a mysterious near-Earth asteroid Tianwen-2 is heading toward Kamo'oalewa, a small near-Earth asteroid that orbits the Sun in a path similar to Earth's. What makes this asteroid particularly intriguing is the hypothesis that it might be a fragment of the Moon, dislodged by a massive impact event in the distant past. Upon arrival in 2026, the spacecraft will conduct detailed investigations, including: Surface imaging and mapping Material composition analysis Landing and sample collection The samples will then be returned to Earth by 2027, providing researchers with rare, untouched material from a near-Earth object—potentially from the Moon's ancient past. Tianwen-2 to explore mysterious comet after asteroid sample return Tianwen-2's mission doesn't end after the asteroid sample returns. It will be re-tasked to study the comet 311P/PANSTARRS, known for its active tail and mysterious dust ejection events. This phase of the mission could begin shortly after the asteroid visit and will involve: Close flybys of the comet's nucleus Observations of gas and dust activity Analysis of chemical composition Scientists hope this exploration could provide vital clues about the origin of Earth's water and organic molecules, helping to answer one of science's oldest questions—how life-supporting ingredients arrived on our planet. Tianwen-2 sets a new standard with 10-year asteroid-to-comet space voyage According to The Astronomy Magazine , the Tianwen-2 mission is planned to last more than 10 years, making it one of the longest and most scientifically rich deep-space missions in China's history. Its dual-phase nature—first targeting an asteroid, then a comet—requires exceptional engineering and mission planning. This strategy mirrors the complexity and ambition of missions like NASA's OSIRIS-REx and ESA's Rosetta, but with a uniquely Chinese twist: combining asteroid sample return and comet observation into a single, seamless voyage. Also Read |
