China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), referred to as the “artificial sun,” has achieved a new milestone in nuclear fusion research. The reactor maintained a continuous loop of plasma for 1,066 seconds, surpassing its previous record of 403 seconds. This breakthrough, reported on January 20, 2025, represents a significant step towards realising nuclear fusion as a near-limitless clean energy source. The achievement highlights advancements in sustaining plasma, a high-energy state of matter crucial for fusion reactions.

EAST’s Latest Milestone

As reported by Live Science, according to Chinese state media, EAST operates as a magnetic confinement reactor designed to sustain plasma for extended periods. The recent success was made possible by upgrades to the reactor, including an enhanced heating system with double the power. Song Yuntao, Director of the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, described the experiment as critical for future fusion power plants. Speaking to Chinese media, he emphasised the need for stable plasma operation over thousands of seconds to achieve continuous power generation.

Understanding Fusion Reactors

Nuclear fusion mimics the sun by fusing light atoms under intense heat and pressure to form heavier ones, releasing energy in the process. Unlike the sun, where immense pressure aids the reaction, Earth-based reactors rely on extremely high temperatures. Despite the promise of abundant and clean energy, fusion reactors currently consume more energy than they produce.

Global Efforts in Fusion Technology

China is a participant in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program, a multinational initiative aimed at advancing fusion research. ITER, located in France, is expected to begin operations in 2039 and will test sustained fusion. Data from EAST’s experiments will support ITER and other global projects.

The milestone achieved by EAST marks progress in fusion technology, though decades of research remain before its application in power generation becomes feasible.

Recent seismic data from NASA’s InSight lander could provide answers to a 50-year-old puzzle concerning Mars’ unique structure. The planet is divided into the northern lowlands and southern highlands, separated by significant differences in elevation and crust thickness. This phenomenon, referred to as the “Martian dichotomy,” has perplexed scientists for decades. Clues from seismic activity suggest ancient processes within the planet’s interior may have caused this division, as opposed to external impacts like asteroid collisions.

Insights from Seismic Data

According to a study published in Geophysical Research Letters, seismic waves recorded by InSight were analysed to uncover differences between the planet’s hemispheres. Situated near the boundary of the dichotomy, the lander captured how seismic waves traveled through the mantle beneath both the northern and southern regions. Researchers observed that seismic energy dissipated more rapidly in the southern highlands, suggesting the mantle beneath is hotter than in the north.

The study points to ancient tectonic activity on Mars as a possible cause. Scientists believe that movements of tectonic plates in the planet’s early history, along with molten rock dynamics, could have shaped the dichotomy. When tectonic activity ceased, Mars transitioned to a “stagnant lid” structure, preserving the dichotomy over time.

Internal Processes or External Impact?

Lead researcher Dr. Benjamin Fernando noted in The Conversation that the findings support the theory of internal processes being responsible for the dichotomy. He explained that magma beneath the southern highlands was likely pushed upwards, while magma in the northern hemisphere sank toward the core. This difference aligns with the observed variations in crust thickness and mantle temperature.

Though the study favours an internal origin, researchers stress the need for additional seismic data and advanced planetary models to confirm these findings. External impacts, such as asteroid collisions, remain a possibility according to recent studies.

Further exploration of Mars’ geological history will be critical to definitively solving this enduring mystery.
 

A Falcon 9 rocket, operated by SpaceX, was launched on January 21, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, delivering 27 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The mission began at 10:45 a.m. ET, with the Falcon 9’s first stage returning to Earth roughly eight minutes later. The booster landed on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You,” stationed in the Pacific Ocean, marking its tenth successful flight and recovery.

27 Starlink satellites deployed into orbit

According to SpaceX, the Falcon 9’s upper stage carried the satellites into their designated orbit, deploying them 61.5 minutes after liftoff. This batch is part of the Starlink Group 11-8 mission. As reported by space.com, the satellites include enhanced V2 Mini models that are lighter by 22 percent, with improved propulsion, power systems and a dual-band chip named Doppio, designed in-house by SpaceX.

Details of the mission and impact on nearby regions

This launch marked the 10th mission for this Falcon 9 booster, which had previously supported eight Starlink missions, along with the OneWeb 4 and USSF-62 launches. Residents near Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties were advised of potential sonic booms during the launch, though local experiences depended on weather conditions.

The mission, which followed an aborted attempt on January 19 due to a no-fly zone violation, highlights SpaceX’s continued efforts to expand its Starlink satellite constellation, designed to provide global internet coverage. Reports indicate that over 130 Falcon 9 launches occurred in 2024, with Starlink missions accounting for about two-thirds of these flights.

Mission progress and future plans

SpaceX announced that up to 29 satellites can now be launched per mission due to V2 Mini optimisations. Live coverage of this mission was provided via SpaceX’s social platforms, offering insights into the company’s advancements in satellite deployment technology.