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NASA and its international collaborators have finalised the crew for Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission, set to launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft no earlier than spring 2025. The mission, departing from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will see four astronauts spending up to 14 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes former NASA astronaut and Axiom Space’s director of human spaceflight Peggy Whitson as commander, ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla as pilot, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

Private Astronaut Missions Expand Space Access

According to NASA’s International Space Station Program Manager Dana Weigel, private astronaut missions are contributing to advancements in low Earth orbit operations. Weigel said that these missions are helping pave the way for commercial space activities while increasing accessibility to microgravity research. This mission will mark the first time an ISRO astronaut will board the ISS as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian space agency. It will also be the first ISS stay for astronauts from Poland and Hungary.

Axiom Space’s Growing Role in Private Spaceflight

As reported, Axiom Space has been steadily expanding its private spaceflight program since its inaugural mission in April 2022. Each mission has varied in duration, with the most recent, Axiom Mission 3, remaining docked at the ISS for 18 days in January 2024. Whitson, who also commanded Axiom Mission 2 in May 2023, highlighted the significance of international partnerships in commercial spaceflight, stating that each mission brings new opportunities for participating nations.

Future of Low Earth Orbit Operations

NASA’s long-term objective involves fostering a sustainable commercial space economy, allowing the agency to focus resources on deep space exploration. The ISS continues to serve as a key testing ground for space research and technology, supporting both government-led and private-sector initiatives.

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NASA’s MMS Mission Marks 10 Years of Magnetic Reconnection Discoveries

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March 17, 2025

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NASA's MMS Mission Marks 10 Years of Magnetic Reconnection Discoveries

A decade after its launch on March 12, 2015, NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission has significantly advanced the understanding of magnetic reconnection, a fundamental process occurring throughout the universe. Magnetic reconnection takes place when magnetic field lines break and realign, releasing massive amounts of energy. Around Earth, a single event can generate as much energy in hours as the United States consumes in a day. Thousands of research papers based on MMS data have contributed to scientific and technological advancements, including a better understanding of space weather’s effects on Earth and potential applications for fusion energy research.

Observations in a Unique Space Environment

According to reports magnetic reconnection was previously understood in a limited capacity. The MMS spacecraft, using advanced measurement instruments, has provided insights into this phenomenon. The four identical spacecraft move in a highly elliptical orbit, enabling them to study reconnection events in key locations—both on the Sun-facing side of Earth and on the nightside, farther from the Sun. According to a statement, in an official press release by NASA, Jim Burch, Principal Investigator for MMS at Southwest Research Institute, noted that MMS has corrected previous theories about reconnection in turbulent regions and revealed its occurrence in unexpected locations.

Enabling Scientific and Career Breakthroughs

Reports indicate that the MMS mission has played a crucial role in fostering the careers of early-stage researchers. Nearly 50 doctorate degrees have been completed using its data, and early-career scientists have been supported through dedicated grants and training programs. These initiatives have been so effective that they are now a requirement for all NASA heliophysics missions, as confirmed by Guan Le, MMS Mission Lead at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Record-Setting Achievements in Space

Beyond scientific contributions, MMS has set multiple records. The mission holds the Guinness World Record for the highest GPS fix at 116,300 miles above Earth, demonstrating the feasibility of GPS navigation for deep space missions, including NASA’s Artemis programme. Another record was set for the smallest satellite formation, with spacecraft maintaining just 2.6 miles of separation. Despite a decade in space, the mission remains operational, with enough fuel to continue for years.

Looking Ahead

Scientists remain focused on leveraging MMS for further discoveries. With upcoming years presenting ideal conditions for studying reconnection events on Earth’s nightside, ongoing observations are expected to refine existing theories and uncover new aspects of this powerful space phenomenon.

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Ancient Europeans Retained Dark Skin, Hair and Eyes Until the Iron Age

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March 17, 2025

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Ancient Europeans Retained Dark Skin, Hair and Eyes Until the Iron Age

Most early Europeans retained dark skin, hair, and eyes until approximately 3,000 years ago, as suggested by recent genetic research. Findings indicate that lighter features only became common in Europe during the Iron Age. Although the genetic markers for lighter pigmentation first appeared around 14,000 years ago, they remained relatively rare for thousands of years. Scientists suggest that lighter skin may have provided an advantage by aiding vitamin D production in regions with lower sunlight exposure. The research was conducted through an extensive analysis of ancient DNA samples from archaeological sites across Europe and parts of Asia.

Pigmentation Variations Over Time

According to a study published on the preprint server bioRxiv, genetic material from 348 ancient individuals was examined, with samples dating back as far as 45,000 years. The oldest belonged to the Ust’-Ishim individual from western Siberia, discovered in 2008, while another well-preserved genome came from the SF12 individual, who lived in Sweden around 9,000 years ago. Despite degradation in many samples, scientists utilised probabilistic phenotype inference and the HIrisPlex-S system to reconstruct pigmentation patterns.

Silvia Ghirotto, a geneticist at the University of Ferrara and the study’s senior author, stated in an email to Live Science that while lighter skin, hair, and eyes emerged sporadically in individuals over time, dark pigmentation remained dominant in parts of Europe well into the Copper Age. Some regions continued to see frequent occurrences of darker traits until the Iron Age.

Emergence of Lighter Features

The study found that lighter eye colours first appeared between 14,000 and 4,000 years ago, primarily in Northern and Western Europe. However, individuals with dark skin and dark hair still remained prevalent during that period. The genes responsible for lighter skin emerged in Sweden around the same time but remained rare initially.

Carles Lalueza-Fox, a palaeogeneticist at Barcelona’s Institute of Evolutionary Biology, who was not involved in the study, expressed surprise at the findings. He told Live Science that the persistence of darker pigmentation in some individuals until the Iron Age was unexpected. While the study maps out the emergence of these genetic traits, the reasons for their eventual dominance remain uncertain.

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SpaceX Crew-10 Launches to ISS, Relieving Stranded NASA Starliner Crew

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March 16, 2025

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SpaceX has launched the Crew-10 mission from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, sending four astronauts to the ISS. The team will replace Crew-9 members, two of whom have been stranded since June due to Boeing’s Starliner delays. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off successfully on March 14, and Crew-10 is expected to dock with the ISS in about 28 hours. The six-month mission…

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