Some of the brightest lights in the universe shine from some of its darkest corners — so-called supermassive black holes. Invisible to the human eye, these high-energy powerhouses light up the cosmos with emissions that are detected by space telescopes. Thousands of such light sources have been discovered with NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, which has been observing since 2008. These aren’t just stars — they are active galactic nuclei (AGN) where large gravitational forces fling matter around black holes, creating intense radiation blasts all across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Blazars and AGN Jets Reveal How Black Holes Shape and Light Up the Universe

As per NASA’s report ,observational data, black holes lurk at the centres of most galaxies and are hundreds of thousands to billions of times the mass of the sun. In AGN, gas and dust fall into an inward-spiralling disk. Second, the disks experience friction and magnetic forces that produce light from radio to gamma rays. About one in ten AGN produce powerful jets of particles that move at nearly the speed of light, and it’s still a mystery to scientists how material so close to the event horizon is accelerated in the jets.

, the type of AGN observed depends on its orientation relative to Earth. Radio galaxies shoot their jets sideways, while blazars aim them nearly straight at us, making them appear especially bright in gamma rays. Fermi’s sky surveys show that more than half of the thousands of gamma-ray sources it has recorded are blazars, giving researchers vital clues about the energetic mechanics behind these cosmic light shows.

AGN are more than just bright; scientists are attracted to them for what they tell us about cosmic history. AGN existed in the early universe and were probably important in modulating galaxy evolution. Astrophysicists will use observations and analyses of the conditions directly around these black holes to learn more about the structure and history of the universe itself.

The paradox is acute: black holes are famous for eating up all the light and matter they can latch onto, but they lie behind some of the most luminous phenomena seen in space. Through missions like Fermi, scientists are adjusting the picture of the universe, in which some of its darkest origins can sparkle the most.

The Psyche mission by NASA has gained a small success in its journey to the asteroid belt. Spacecraft used solar electric propulsion to pass through into space easily. This led to a decrease in fuel pressure. The scientists are finding the reason behind this issue to make sure the mission stays as it was planned. Xenon gas is used in the propulsion to eject the electric thrusters. This in turn allows Psyche to move into space efficiently at far distances.

Unexpected Pressure Drop Halts Thruster Firing

As per physics.org, it was studied that Psyche detected a sudden decrease in the pressure of xenon gas, which dropped from 36 psi to 26 psi, on April 1, 2025. According to its programming by NASA, the spacecraft shut down the thrusters automatically to avoid any risk. Spacecraft design allows it to handle the anomalies safely with precautions. Scientists are analysing the data driven by telemetry, to understand the reason behind this pressure drop.

Backup Systems Ready if Needed

The design of the spacecraft has been designed redundantly. Psyche has two identical fuel lines, and the team can access backup when needed. The team has put all the activities at halt till the examination of the system. This limited period hiatus of the mission allowed the spacecraft’s planned course of action till the middle of June at least. This buffer will allow the researchers enough time to detect the issue with no impact on the mission.

Mission Progress Remains on Track

The spacecraft is at a distance of around 238 million kms away from the Earth. After the launch of the spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center in October 2023, thruster operations began in May 2024. There is a flexibility in the design to carry out the mission with ease, after knowing the minor changes or hanging on that is required to do during this long expedition to the asteroid belt.

Next Steps: A Mars Flyby and Beyond

Further, Psyche will be on track for a Mars flyby in 2026. This will help the spacecraft to move ahead till the final point, the metal-rich asteroid Psyche which is placed between Mars and Jupiter. This will begin orbiting the asteroid in 2029.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has started the final preparation for one of its most highly anticipated global collaborations after a prolonged wait. The joint mission with the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, or NISAR, is scheduled to take off in June 2025. The ambitious Earth observation satellite will have one of the largest and most advanced radar imaging systems ever to have been launched into space. When in operation, NISAR will offer a new window of the Earth’s surface, with critical information about Earth’s changing systems, natural hazards, and environmental change. When in operation, NISAR will offer a new window of the Earth’s surface, with critical information about Earth’s changing systems, natural hazards, and environmental change.

Technical Challenges and Assembly Progress

According to the news from NASA’s own NISER blog, the launch was initially planned for 2024. It was continuously postponed because of technical problems, such as concerns over the satellite’s 12-meter radar antenna reflector overheating. To enhance its reflective coating and manage temperature issues at deployment, the part was returned to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in 2024.

The satellite was completely constructed at ISRO’s Bengaluru headquarters by October 2024 after thorough retesting. In a multi-leg mission, NASA’s C-130 plane delivered essential gear to India, where it was completed by January 2025. ISRO is presently making pre-launch arrangements at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, to which the spacecraft has already been shifted. During a recent meeting with Science Minister Jitendra Singh, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan proposed a 2025 launch window.

Mission Capabilities and Strategic Importance

The second phase of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark II was dispatched to Sriharikota on April 26, 2025, and that marked the start of advanced launch campaign activities. Nisar will use dual-band radar (L-band and S-band) to scan the Earth’s surface every 12 days, detecting sub-centimeter changes in landforms, ice sheets, and ecosystems.. Its detailed data will support disaster management, climate studies, and infrastructure oversight.

The mission signifies a strengthening of Indo-US space relations and establishes ISRO as a crucial participant in worldwide Earth science efforts. If achieved, Nisar’s datasets might revolutionize comprehension of crustal deformations, glacier behavior, and variations in the carbon cycle.
Now that the GSLV is at SDSC and payload integration is in progress, ISRO is prepared to launch one of the most awaited space missions of 2025, subject to final agency approvals.