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NASA is advancing technologies for autonomous spacecraft designed to explore “ocean worlds,” such as Europa and Enceladus, two of the most promising candidates for extraterrestrial life. According to a NASA report, the Ocean Worlds Lander Autonomy Testbed (OWLAT) and Ocean Worlds Autonomy Testbed for Exploration, Research, and Simulation (OceanWATERS) are key initiatives for enhancing robotic missions capable of operating in these challenging environments.

Both OWLAT, developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and OceanWATERS, created at Ames Research Center, simulate lander operations under low-gravity and icy surface conditions. OWLAT includes a physical testbed with a robotic arm and tools for sampling, while OceanWATERS offers a virtual environment replicating Europa’s conditions. These systems aim to prepare robotic missions for long communication delays, harsh terrain, and limited energy resources.

The Role of OWLAT and OceanWATERS

OWLAT, featuring a Stewart platform for simulating low-gravity dynamics, enables real-world testing of lander hardware and software. It includes force sensors, a robotic arm, and interchangeable tools for sampling. The system’s autonomy software ensures operations remain within safety bounds while executing commands via a Robot Operating System (ROS) interface.

OceanWATERS, a simulation-based system, provides a virtual landscape where autonomous decision-making algorithms are tested. Using Europa-like terrain models, it evaluates sample collection, terrain interaction, and energy efficiency. Fault injection tools allow researchers to simulate and resolve potential system failures.

Collaborative Research Outcomes

Research teams funded by the Autonomous Robotics Research for Ocean Worlds (ARROW) and Concepts for Ocean Worlds Life Detection Technology (COLDTech) programmes have utilised these platforms. According to NASA, projects ranged from fault-detection mechanisms by Dr Eric Dixon of Lockheed Martin to terrain-adaptive autonomy led by Dr Melkior Ornik at the University of Illinois.
These developments, as noted in official publications, mark progress towards self-reliant landers capable of probing icy moon surfaces and potentially uncovering signs of life.

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Ancient Praise for Pharaoh Ramesses II Found on Paris Obelisk, Egyptologist Claims

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May 5, 2025

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Ancient Praise for Pharaoh Ramesses II Found on Paris Obelisk, Egyptologist Claims

An Egyptologist claims that he has accidentally found a series of secret hieroglyphic inscriptions on an iconic 3300-year-old Egyptian obelisk in Paris. This inscriptions are claimed to be meant for Egypt’s nobility, and they are likely propaganda praising the famous pharaoh Ramesses II to be ordained by the divine entities. Apparently, the pharaoh himself commissioned this obelisk at the beginning of his rule, and it originally stood outside of the Luxor temple in upper Egypt alongside another similar obelisk. Both monuments were later gifted to France by Pasha Muhammed Ali, the sultan of the Ottoman Empire.a series of secret hieroglyphic inscriptions on an iconic 3300-year-old Egyptian obelisk in Paris.

Discovery of the hidden inscription

According to a comment published by Sciences et Avenir from Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier, the Egyptologist from the Institut Catholique de Paris, the hieroglyphs indicated the entrance to the Luxor Temple portico. He discovered that there was no literature discussing the different scenes, so he studied the images from afar. He eventually discovered that the obelisk contained hieroglyphic cryptographies or hidden messages. These encrypted texts were often secret texts inserted into hieroglyphs or hidden in 3D carvings. Only the elite could decipher these hidden messages.

The hidden messages on the “Seine side” of the obelisk could only be read at a 45° angle. Olette-Pelletier discovered that the hidden messages were intended to be seen by nobles arriving by boat at the temple of Luxor during the annual Opet festival, celebrating the return of the life forces of the god Amun.

Further studies and criticism

According to Olette-Pelletier, he has discovered other concealed messages on the obelisk. He pointed out, for example, that there are two rows of hieroglyphs that, depending on how they are read, might convey several meanings, such as stating that Ramesses II had endless life or writing out his whole royal name.

The findings are set to be published in the journal Égypte Nilotique et Méditerranéenne. However, scholars who were not involved in the research have urged caution in interpreting the findings, as they will not be able to review them in depth until the study is published. Egyptology professor Filip Taterka told Live Science that the inscriptions and imagery near the top of the obelisk would not have been visible to a noble person traveling by boat on the Nile.

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NASA’s New Space Telescope Starts Mapping to Reveal Universe’s Deep Mysteries



Motorola Edge 70 Render Surfaces with Minimal Design Changes; Could Get Dimensity 7000 Series Chip

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NASA’s New Space Telescope Starts Mapping to Reveal Universe’s Deep Mysteries

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May 5, 2025

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NASA’s New Space Telescope Starts Mapping to Reveal Universe’s Deep Mysteries

NASA’s SPHEREx space observatory has started capturing 3,600 distinct images every day as it maps the cosmos. Beginning with its launch on March 11, it will make more than 11,000 orbits over two years, circling Earth 14 and half times a day. The mission will produce four all-sky maps in two years, revealing clues into cosmic inflation and the expansion of the universe. The observatory will also map the entire sky in 102 infrared wavelengths of light, providing information about cosmic sources.

SPHEREx Telescope Exceeds Early Goals, Begins Mapping Universe in 3D Infrared Detail

As per a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory report, SPHEREx is already meeting performance expectations, rotating its orientation through reaction wheels rather than traditional thrusters. The telescope captures six different images, catching light in several infrared wavelengths with every exposure. Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting head of NASA’s astrophysics division, underlined how the mission supports upcoming projects such as the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. SPHEREx’s spinning view of the sky also allows it to cover the entire sky every six months and therefore conduct four complete surveys over its two-year lifetime.

SPHEREx will employ spectroscopy to measure the distance between galaxies, creating a 3D cosmic map and revealing how water on Earth came to be and the role interstellar clouds played in the creation of the chemicals necessary for life. It is aimed at more than nine million measurements of the Milky Way, revealing the influence of the environment on cosmic chemistry. As per mission principal investigator Jamie Bock, some team members have worked for over a decade toward this milestone, and the mission could exceed its original scientific goals.

NASA’s SPHEREx observations could show signs of cosmic inflation, which powered the expansion of the universe after the Big Bang. These tendencies could expose the structure and history of the universe as well as those of stars and galaxies. Headed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of NASA at Caltech in the USA, SPHEREx is under a worldwide cooperation agreement comprising South Korea and Taiwan. Data analysis investigates the universe downward, closer.

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Soviet Venus Probe Cosmos 482 Expected to Reenter Earth After 52 Years in Orbit

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May 5, 2025

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Soviet Venus Probe Cosmos 482 Expected to Reenter Earth After 52 Years in Orbit

An Soviet Union lander is heading back into Earth’s atmosphere after 52 years staying in the orbit. Soviet Union’s Cosmos 482 was launched on March 31, 1972 and was supposed to land on Venus under the U.S.S.R.’s Venera programme. However, due to a certain malfunction, it could not leave Earth’s orbit and kept rotating around for 52 years. Its body was split into two halves; the main one crashed back to Earth, and the other section, the lander, got trapped in the Earth’s orbit.

Lander Returns to Earth

According to study, the lander is re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere and is expected to come back between May 8 to May 14. The most probable date is May 11, calculated based on the orbital data provided by satellite expert Marco Langbroek. This crash landing could occur anywhere between 52 degrees north and south of the equator, roughly from Quebec to Patagonia. According to NASA, the lander weighs around 1100 pounds, the weight of a car.

What Does it Look Like

This lander was designed to survive the way through the atmosphere of Venus, so there might be a possibility that it can survive the reentry into Earth’s atmosphere and remain intact with possibly no impact. However, the risks are not too high, but still not negligible, said Langbroek while speaking to Live Science.

Ralf Vandebergh, the advanced astrographer, used a camera attached to the telescope for tracking the orbiting satellites. Some images reveal that it might be the released parachute of the Cosmos 482, however, there is still no certainty, as it is surprising if the parachute will still work after so many years.

Cosmos 482 as Sister Probe to Venera 8

Cosmos 482 was built after Venera 8 as a sister probe. However, Venera 8 became the second craft to land on the hot surface of Venus during the same year, 1972. It beamed data from Venus for 50 minutes before getting burned by the scorching heat of Venus.

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