A major milestone in spaceflight was reached by SpaceX on Wednesday (November 27) with the successful launch of 24 Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, conducted from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, began at 11:41 pm EST (10:11 am IST, November 28) and marked the Falcon 9’s 400th successful mission since its debut in 2010. The satellites were deployed into low Earth orbit approximately 65 minutes after launch, according to SpaceX’s announcements on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Booster Recovery Highlights Reusability

The first stage of the Falcon 9 returned to Earth approximately eight minutes post-liftoff, landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This achievement represented the 375th successful recovery of a Falcon first stage.

Details shared in a mission description confirmed that the booster used in this launch had completed 15 flights, 11 of which were dedicated to Starlink deployments.

Starlink Network Expansion Intensifies

Reports indicate that SpaceX has launched 117 Falcon 9 missions in 2024 alone, with 81 focused on expanding the Starlink satellite constellation. Five such missions have taken place within the past eight days, underlining the company’s accelerated efforts to build out the Starlink network. Astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell has estimated that nearly 6,700 Starlink satellites are currently active in orbit.

Context and Future Prospects

The Starlink network, the largest satellite constellation in history, is being developed to provide global internet coverage. These launches demonstrate the scalability of SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology, which has significantly reduced the cost of accessing space. Falcon 9 has become a cornerstone of SpaceX’s operations, with each successful mission reinforcing its position as a reliable workhorse for orbital payload delivery. The milestone further cements Falcon 9’s pivotal role in modern space exploration and satellite deployment.

A study published in Nature has provided new insights into the environment during the time when dinosaurs began to dominate the Earth. The analysis, conducted on samples of fossilised feces, or coprolites, has revealed undigested remnants of food, plants, and prey, offering evidence of the dietary habits and ecological role of dinosaurs approximately 200 million years ago. The findings address a 30-million-year gap in understanding the evolutionary rise of dinosaurs during the Late Triassic period.

Key Discoveries from Coprolite Analysis

The research focussed on the northern regions of the supercontinent Pangea, with material gathered over 25 years. Advanced imaging techniques were utilised to examine the internal structures of coprolites, revealing well-preserved remains of fish, insects, and larger prey. Notably, evidence was found of bones consumed and digested by predators into salts and marrow, mirroring behaviours observed in species like hyenas today.

Coprolites from herbivorous dinosaurs, such as early sauropods, were found to contain tree ferns and other plants. Researchers were intrigued by the discovery of charcoal in these samples, suggesting these dinosaurs ingested it to neutralise toxins found in certain ferns.

Adaptability as a Survival Mechanism

In the study, the dietary diversity of these early dinosaurs was highlighted as a significant factor in their evolutionary success. Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki, co-author of the research, told in a statement that the ability to adapt to changing environments through plant consumption was crucial for their survival. According to the findings, these herbivorous dinosaurs displayed a preference for fresh plant shoots, which enabled them to endure environmental upheavals during the Late Triassic.

The study contributes to understanding how adaptability in diet and behaviour allowed dinosaurs to thrive amidst climatic challenges, paving the way for their dominance on the planet.

China’s Tianzhou 7 cargo spacecraft has ended its mission after delivering essential supplies to the Tiangong space station. According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the spacecraft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on November 17 at 8:25 am EST (6:55 pm IST), marking the conclusion of its operations. The spacecraft, launched on January 17 aboard a Long March 7 rocket from Wenchang, was designed to support Tiangong’s ongoing activities, including the delivery of food, experiments, materials, and propellant.

Mission Details and Controlled Reentry

A Space.com report, quoting CMSA, revealed that Tianzhou 7 was undocked from Tiangong on November 10 after being loaded with waste from the station. The deorbiting process was conducted in a controlled manner, with the spacecraft’s engines fired to ensure its descent over the South Pacific Ocean, commonly used for spacecraft reentry due to its remoteness. While CMSA released visuals of Tianzhou 7’s atmospheric entry showing intense flashes caused by heat and friction, specific details of the landing zone remain undisclosed.

Deployment of a Cubesat Pre-Reentry

Ahead of its controlled descent, Tianzhou 7 reportedly released a 6U cubesat named Bayi-08 on November 16. The satellite, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), carries a medium-resolution Earth observation camera and an optical communication payload. It is part of a science outreach programme aimed at promoting understanding of space technology.

Operations at Tiangong Ongoing

While Tianzhou 7 concluded its mission, operations at Tiangong continue. The report stated that Tianzhou 8 was launched on November 15, carrying supplies to sustain astronauts aboard the station. Preparations are also underway for the Shenzhou 20 mission, scheduled for spring 2025. The cargo included lunar soil simulant bricks for experimental purposes and materials to support the Shenzhou.

China’s advancements in its space programme remain a focal point, with the Tiangong station playing a critical role in supporting long-term human spaceflight and research objectives.