NASA’s asteroid-hunting spacecraft, NEOWISE, has officially concluded its journey, meeting its end as it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and burned up on 1 November. Over its 15-year lifespan, NEOWISE catalogued nearly 3,000 near-Earth objects, including numerous asteroids, providing critical data for researchers studying potential planetary threats. The space agency confirmed NEOWISE’s re-entry on social media the following day, marking the end of a mission that significantly advanced NASA’s understanding of near-Earth space.

A Two-Phase Mission Evolution

NASA has confirmed that NEOWISE has entered the Earth’s atmosphere after spending 15 yeaers in space. The spacecraft was initially launched as WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) to observe the universe in infrared light. During the first phase, WISE captured some of the universe’s most luminous galaxies, hidden black holes and the coolest stars. However, in 2011, the spacecraft’s coolant reserves depleted, putting it into hibernation. In 2013, NASA reactivated WISE, repurposing it as NEOWISE to focus on tracking near-Earth objects—a critical step toward planetary defence.

Amy Mainzer, who led the NEOWISE project at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), noted that its ability to detect asteroids was initially unexpected, saying in 2019 that it turned out to be exceptionally effective at identifying near-Earth objects. NEOWISE eventually collected vast amounts of data, which Joseph Hunt, its last project manager at JPL, stated would continue to benefit the scientific community for years.

Atmospheric Drag and the End of NEOWISE

The spacecraft’s demise was largely due to the solar maximum, the peak of the Sun’s 11-year cycle, which led to increased solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These solar events warmed and expanded Earth’s atmosphere, creating drag that gradually drew NEOWISE closer to Earth. Without propulsion capabilities, the spacecraft was unable to boost its orbit, ultimately leading to its atmospheric re-entry.

Next Steps in Near-Earth Object Detection

Although NEOWISE is now out of operation, NASA’s efforts to detect asteroids remain active. The NEO Surveyor, a successor mission specifically designed to identify near-Earth objects in infrared light, is slated for a late 2027 launch. Expected to bolster planetary defence strategies, the NEO Surveyor will be NASA’s first telescope dedicated to this critical task, carrying forward NEOWISE’s legacy in protecting Earth from potential space threats

A team of astronomers, using data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Chandra X-ray Observatory, has identified a black hole consuming matter at a record-breaking rate in a young galaxy. Named LID-568, this black hole is found in a galaxy thought to have formed only 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang. Observing such rapid growth in the early universe, scientists are beginning to understand how supermassive black holes might have formed more quickly than previously thought.

A New Observation Technique

The research was led by Dr. Hyewon Suh from the International Gemini Observatory at NSF NOIRLab. The research team found LID-568 within a group of galaxies that shine brightly in X-ray wavelengths, despite being faint in the visible spectrum. Their findings relied on a unique approach. The research points that rather than using traditional slit spectroscopy, the team used JWST’s integral field spectrograph in the Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) to capture data from each pixel within the target area. This method enabled precise positioning of the black hole, revealing large outflows of gas around it.

Dr. Emanuele Farina, co-author and NOIRLab astronomer, commented on the strategy, saying that this technique was “essential to capture the faint signals from LID-568.” These outflows suggest that LID-568 could be growing through intense, short-lived episodes of rapid feeding.

Implications for Black Hole Growth

Dr. Julia Scharwächter, also from NOIRLab and a co-author of the study, noted that the black hole’s growth rate exceeds the Eddington limit, which defines how quickly a black hole can accumulate mass. Observing LID-568’s intense consumption of matter has opened a window into how black holes could grow beyond expected limits.

The team’s findings may help to explain how black holes grew so large in the universe’s early stages. By continuing studies with JWST, the researchers hope to gain more insights into the forces behind this rapid growth and understand the factors enabling black holes to surpass established theoretical limits.

India has delayed its inaugural astronaut mission under the Gaganyaan programme to 2026, pushing the timeline a year beyond the original schedule. The decision, announced by S. Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), reflects a commitment to safety in light of recent aerospace industry setbacks. According to Somanath, India’s first manned mission will be preceded by multiple uncrewed test flights, with the first trial scheduled to launch in December 2023. The series of tests will validate crucial systems needed for a successful crewed mission, making way for India to join the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China in independently sending astronauts into space.

Safety First: ISRO’s Cautious Approach

ISRO’s extensive testing procedures and the addition of a fourth uncrewed test flight were outlined by Somanath during a recent talk in New Delhi. He cited the Boeing Starliner’s technical difficulties as a reminder of the importance of rigorous safety checks. ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, also known as H1, aims to carry one or two astronauts to low Earth orbit, roughly 400 kilometres above the planet. Somanath shared that to avoid any similar mishaps, ISRO has undertaken a systematic approach, testing complex technologies developed entirely in-house.

Preparing for the Final Crewed Launch

To support the mission, the ISRO has conducted a number of preparatory tests, including the evaluation of emergency escape mechanisms and recovery systems. The G1 flight, expected later this year, will see a humanoid robot named Vyomitra onboard to test re-entry, parachute deployment, and a controlled splashdown in the Bay of Bengal. Following G1, three more uncrewed flights will complete the testing phase.

An Ambitious Training Regime for Astronauts

The programme’s crew has been undergoing intensive training in both India and overseas. Shubhanshu Shukla, a test pilot from the Indian Air Force and one of the astronauts in training, is set to join a mission to the International Space Station, working with Axiom Space in Houston. With former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson as mission commander, Shukla’s experience will include operations such as navigation and docking – critical skills for the Gaganyaan mission’s success.

Government Funding Boosts ISRO’s Gaganyaan Efforts

The Indian government has recently increased Gaganyaan’s budget, adding 111 billion rupees to the project to support the final testing and crew training phases. With all modules now moving to ISRO’s Sriharikota spaceport, India’s first crewed space flight is moving closer to realisation. This development reflects the government’s commitment to advancing India’s space capabilities and ensuring the mission is conducted with the highest safety standards.