The well-preserved remains of a baby mammoth, estimated to be 50,000 years old, were recently revealed by researchers in Russia. Found in the thawing permafrost of the Yakutia region, the specimen has been named “Yana,” referencing the river near which it was uncovered during the summer. According to North-Eastern Federal University, where the remains are displayed, Yana is among the most intact mammoth carcasses ever discovered. Reports confirm that this marks one of only seven complete mammoth remains unearthed globally.

Discovery at Batagaika Crater

Yana’s remains were located in the Batagaika crater, an expansive depression in the Verkhoyansky district that continues to expand due to climate change. The mammoth, weighing over 240 pounds and measuring approximately four feet in length, is believed to have died at around one-year-old. Maxim Cherpasov, Head of the Lazarev Mammoth Museum Laboratory in Yakutsk, stated to Reuters that the survival of the head and trunk in such pristine condition is highly unusual. Typically, these parts are consumed by modern predators or scavengers soon after exposure, but Yana’s head remained largely intact.

A Historic Find in Siberian Permafrost

In recent years, Siberia’s permafrost has yielded numerous prehistoric animal remains due to rising temperatures. The Batagaika research station, near where Yana was found, has also provided remains of a horse, a bison, and a lemming. Anatoly Nikolayev, Rector of North-Eastern Federal University, shared in official reports that the preservation of Yana is extraordinary.

This discovery adds to the growing list of remarkable finds in Yakutia, including the remains of a 32,000-year-old sabre-toothed cat cub and a 44,000-year-old wolf carcass uncovered earlier this year. Researchers are continuing tests to gather more insights into Yana’s life and environment, as per Reuters.

NASA has confirmed delays to its Artemis program, postponing the first two crewed lunar missions. Artemis 2, which will send astronauts around the moon, has been rescheduled from September 2025 to April 2026. Artemis 3, aiming to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time in over 50 years, has shifted from late 2026 to mid-2027. The postponements, announced on December 5, are attributed to technical challenges, including issues with the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield.

Heat Shield Complications and Safety Measures

A report from Space.com indicate that the delays stem from findings during the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission in 2022. The Orion spacecraft’s heat shield experienced uneven shedding due to internal pressure caused by trapped gases during a planned skip reentry. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, during a press conference, stated that adjustments to the spacecraft’s reentry trajectory would ensure safety.

Impact on Contractors and International Competition

Sources suggest that disruptions to contractor momentum and expertise are potential risks from the schedule changes. Concerns have also been raised regarding NASA’s competitive edge in space exploration. China, which has announced plans to send astronauts to the moon before 2030, could narrow the gap in this symbolic race. Beijing’s advancements, including new rockets and lunar landers, are seen as direct competition.

Potential Shifts in U.S. Space Policy

Uncertainty surrounds the Artemis program’s future under the incoming U.S. administration. Reports speculate that President-elect Donald Trump, who has criticised expensive government projects, may reassess NASA’s reliance on the Space Launch System (SLS). With cost overruns and delays plaguing the SLS, alternatives such as SpaceX’s Starship could gain prominence. Starship, integral to Artemis’ lunar architecture, is considered a more cost-effective and reusable option.

Geopolitical Ramifications and the Road Ahead

Changes to the Artemis program could impact NASA’s partnerships with agencies such as the European Space Agency, as well as its broader moon-to-Mars strategy. Officials have reiterated the importance of Artemis in advancing human exploration, though uncertainty looms over its trajectory.