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ISRO plans to launch Chandrayaan-3, its third mission to the moon, in June next year with a more robust lunar rover onboard which is crucial for future inter-planetary explorations.

The space agency has also lined up the first test flight of the ‘abort mission’ for Gaganyaan, the country’s first human spaceflight, early next year.

“Chandrayaan-3 (C-3) launch will be in June next year onboard the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3),” said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Somnath while interacting with media personnel on the sidelines during an event.

He said ISRO plans to fly Indian astronauts into orbit by the end of 2024 after carrying out successful abort missions and uncrewed test flights.

India’s maiden attempt to land a rover on the moon ended in failure after the Vikram lander onboard the Chandrayaan-2 mission crashed on the surface of the moon in September 2019.

“C-3 is ready now. It is not a replica of C-2. The rover is there. The engineering is significantly different. We have made it more robust so that it does not have problems like last time,” Somnath said.

“There are many changes. The impact legs are stronger. It will have better instrumentation. In case something fails, something else will take over,” the ISRO chairman said.

He said the rover will also have different methods to calculate the height to be travelled, identify hazard-free locations and have better software.

On the human spaceflight Gaganyaan, Somnath said ISRO would carry out six test flights before actually flying humans into orbit.

Somnath said the preparations for the Gaganyaan mission were progressing at a “slow and steady pace”.

“This is the right way to put it. It is a very complex mission. We cannot boast about it. It requires very critical steps to be crossed,” he said.

The first un-crewed flight of Gaganyaan will be after two abort missions to demonstrate that the space agency has the capabilities to rescue the crew in case of any eventuality.

The first abort mission is likely to be carried out in trans-sonic conditions when the spacecraft is travelling at the speed of sound after reaching an altitude of 10-15 kms, Somnath said.

The second would entail demonstrating crew rescue capabilities when the spacecraft is travelling at twice the speed of sound and in “not so good” aerodynamic conditions.

As part of the abort mission, the space scientists will have to sail the crew from the launch vehicle using a saving system, land the capsule carrying the crew in water and collect it.

“If this is successful, we will repeat it once again and then we will go for an unmanned mission. The unmanned mission will be a full-fledged rocket. It will go to orbit, then it will come back,” Somnath said.

“We will repeat the abort missions two more times followed by another unmanned mission,” he said, adding that the human space flight will happen if these six test flights are successful.

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First-Ever Female Burial With Weapons Uncovered in Hungary

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January 4, 2025

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First-Ever Female Burial With Weapons Uncovered in Hungary

The first confirmed case of a female burial with weapons from the 10th century in the Carpathian Basin, Hungary, has been uncovered. Skeletal remains and grave goods, including weaponry, were identified at the Sárrétudvari-Hízóföld cemetery. This discovery, described by experts, challenges prior assumptions about societal roles during the Hungarian Conquest period, a time marked by mounted archers and frequent conflicts. Although evidence of weapons was present, researchers approached conclusions cautiously, ensuring findings were grounded in detailed analysis.

Archaeological Findings and Methodology

The study was led by Dr. Balázs Tihanyi and his colleagues, published in PLOS ONE. As reported by Phys.org, the burial contained a silver penannular hair ring, bell buttons, a bead necklace, and archery-related items such as an arrowhead, quiver parts, and an antler bow plate. Genetic and morphological tests confirmed the individual, referred to as SH-63, was female, despite the poor preservation of skeletal remains.

Dr. Balázs Tihanyi, leader of the research team, told the publication that the combination of grave goods in SH-63’s burial was unique within the cemetery, blending typically male and female items.

Challenges in Determining Warrior Status

The presence of weapons did not lead to assumptions about SH-63’s status as a warrior. Researchers noted that being part of a warrior class involved specific societal roles, and physical evidence alone is insufficient for confirmation.

Indicators such as joint changes and trauma were identified, possibly suggesting activities like horse riding or weapon use. However, it was emphasised that these signs could also result from daily life unrelated to warfare.

Historical Implications

It was reported that this discovery provides a glimpse into the complexity of life in 10th-century Hungary, with SH-63’s burial raising questions about gender roles and social structures of the time. Further investigations are planned to compare this case with others from the same period, aiming to deepen understanding of the era’s societal dynamics.

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JUNO Neutrino Detector Nears Completion, Set to Begin Operations in 2025

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January 4, 2025

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JUNO Neutrino Detector Nears Completion, Set to Begin Operations in 2025

Physicists are finalising the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), a facility designed to unravel the mysteries surrounding neutrinos, subatomic particles with no electric charge and minimal mass. Scheduled to commence data collection in summer 2025, the observatory aims to identify the heaviest among the three neutrino types. Situated 700 metres beneath the ground in China, the project represents a significant step in the study of these elusive particles and their antiparticle counterparts, antineutrinos.

Key Features of the JUNO Detector

According to a Science News report, the observatory features a 35-metre-wide acrylic sphere at its core, which will hold 20,000 metric tons of liquid scintillator. This liquid is engineered to emit light when particles from an antineutrino interaction are detected. The setup includes tens of thousands of photomultiplier tubes to capture these light signals. To minimise interference from other particles, the detector is surrounded by a water-filled cylindrical pit, the filling of which began on December 18, 2024.

Focus on Antineutrinos

Antineutrinos from two nuclear power plants located 50 kilometres away will be observed, offering insights into their properties and interactions. According to project sources, this experimental setup will not only aid in determining neutrino masses but also contribute to broader physics research, including the understanding of matter-antimatter asymmetry.

Significance of JUNO

Reports indicate that this observatory will be the largest of its kind globally, with scientists expecting groundbreaking findings. By investigating antineutrinos in detail, JUNO is anticipated to enhance understanding of subatomic physics and the fundamental structure of the universe.

The collaborative efforts of international teams underscore the importance of the project in advancing neutrino research. This facility marks a major advancement in the quest to uncover the properties of neutrinos, with its findings expected to have far-reaching implications in the field of particle physics.

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Tristan Da Cunha: The Earth’s Most Remote Inhabited Island

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January 4, 2025

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Tristan Da Cunha: The Earth's Most Remote Inhabited Island

Tristan da Cunha, a remote group of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, is renowned for being the most isolated inhabited location on the planet. This British Overseas Territory houses a farming community of approximately 250 people on its only populated island, Tristan da Cunha. The settlement, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, is surrounded by rugged landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity, providing a unique environment for both its residents and visiting researchers. The archipelago is situated over 1,500 miles southwest of St. Helena and stretches across vast expanses of the Atlantic.

Formation Through Ancient Geological Processes

According to a BBC report, the islands were formed millions of years ago due to volcanic activity linked to the breakup of Gondwana, an ancient supercontinent. The hotspot now referred to as the Walvis Ridge Hotspot is believed to have played a significant role in this process. As tectonic plates shifted, magma from deep within Earth’s mantle created these volcanic islands.

The main island, characterised by Queen Mary’s Peak, features a striking central crater containing a heart-shaped lake. This natural feature freezes in winter and thaws during summer, attracting adventurous hikers seeking its summit.

Biodiversity and Accessibility

A Live Science report highlight that the region is a haven for wildlife, including seals, northern rockhopper penguins, and albatrosses. Despite its rich ecosystem, reaching Tristan da Cunha is challenging, requiring a six-day boat journey from South Africa. This isolation has shaped the lives of its inhabitants, who primarily rely on farming for sustenance.

Volcanic Legacy and Extinct Peaks

As per reports, Tristan da Cunha and its neighbouring islands were shaped by volcanic eruptions along the ocean floor. These volcanoes, fed by magma plumes, gradually became inactive as tectonic movement carried them away from the hotspot. Each island in the archipelago represents a distinct phase of this geological evolution, forming a snapshot of Earth’s dynamic history.

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Search for Elusive Missing Link Black Holes Continues as Omega Centauri Observation Turns Out to Be a Dud

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