Elon Musk’s SpaceX is gearing up for the tenth test flight of its colossal Starship rocket this Sunday from its Starbase facility in Texas—a venture now deemed a pivotal inflection point amid multiple recent failures . In 2025, three consecutive Starship flights ended in dramatic explosions—twice mid-air and once during a ground test—raising serious concerns over the program’s viability . SpaceX has made technical corrections, including redesigning a fuel diffuser, to address the root cause of instability . Experts warn the outcome could either propel Starship toward success or signal a major setback in SpaceX’s Mars ambitions. (PC: Reuters)

India’s regional satellite navigation system, NavIC, is facing delays in replacing its aging satellites due to setbacks in developing reliable indigenous atomic clocks. Earlier, multiple imported rubidium clocks onboard first-generation satellites malfunctioned, prompting efforts to create homegrown alternatives. However, the transition to these indigenous clocks has taken longer than expected, stalling the deployment of next-generation NavIC satellites. This delay constrains India’s ability to bolster the navigation constellation and maintain uninterrupted services, underscoring the critical need for timely development of essential satellite technologies. (PC: ISRO)  

NASA has unveiled a breathtaking image of MSH 15-52, a supernova remnant resembling a giant human hand, stretching across 150 light-years. The composite image, created with Chandra X-ray Observatory data and radio signals from Australia’s compact array, highlights intricate glowing filaments and jets. At its core lies pulsar B1509-58, a dense neutron star spinning seven times per second with a magnetic field trillions of times stronger than Earth’s. This pulsar powers the hand-like structure, propelling charged particles into space. The remnant’s interaction with nearby RCW 89 provides astronomers with rare insights into stellar explosions and cosmic evolution. (PC: X)

On National Space Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Indian scientists to prepare for deep space exploration, emphasizing that "no frontier is final." In a video address, he highlighted India's achievements in space, including missions to the Moon and Mars, and announced plans to establish a pool of astronauts. Modi also set ambitious goals for the space sector, aiming for 50 rocket launches per year and the development of India's own space station. He encouraged private startups to contribute to the nation's space ambitions, aiming to foster innovation and growth in the sector. (PC: PTI)

India’s space ambitions took a monumental leap forward this National Space Day as ISRO unveiled a full-scale model of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The BAS-01 base module—spanning 3.8 m in diameter and 8 m in length, weighing 10 tonnes—features cutting-edge indigenous systems like ECLSS, Bharat Docking and Berthing Mechanisms, and automated hatches for crew operations and microgravity research. The first module is slated for launch by 2028, with the complete five-module orbital station expected to become operational by 2035. BAS will support long-duration human missions, space tourism, and international collaboration, marking India’s entry into the elite circle of nations with their own space stations. (PC: Moneycontrol)

On National Space Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ISRO unveiled India’s expansive space roadmap, including Chandrayaan-4, a Venus Orbiter Mission, and the Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS) by 2035. The first BAS module will launch by 2028, with full operations by 2035. A Moon sample return mission is planned by 2040, alongside development of a Next Generation Launcher (NGL). PM Modi praised India’s historic lunar and Martian achievements and urged youth to join the astronaut pool. He highlighted technological strides in semi-cryogenic engines and electric propulsion, and celebrated initiatives like the Space Hackathon and Robotics Challenge. India aims to match global space agencies in deep space exploration and interplanetary missions. (PC: Jagran Josh & PTI)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled the first model of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) during National Space Day in New Delhi. The BAS is India’s first planned space station and marks a big step in the country’s space ambitions. The first module, BAS-01, weighing 10 tonnes, is set to launch by 2028 and orbit 450 km above Earth. ISRO plans to expand the station to five modules by 2035. BAS will support microgravity research, life sciences, medicine, space tourism, and international cooperation. The project aims to make India a key global player in space exploration. (PC: X)

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has posted a mesmerizing timelapse video from the International Space Station (ISS), offering viewers an extraordinary view of India from orbit . The footage captures the ISS gliding over the Indian Ocean and along the eastern coastline, with dramatic visuals like lightning-lit monsoon storms, fleeting glimpses of the subcontinent, and the sunrise beyond Earth . Despite monsoon clouds limiting visibility, Shukla described the effort as a heartfelt attempt to bring his journey closer to those at home . The emotional and scientific resonance of the video has stirred widespread excitement among citizens.   

NASA’s Curiosity rover has captured images of unusual spherical rock clusters on Mars’ Mount Sharp that resemble fossilized dinosaur eggs. Found in a region called “The Boxworks” along the Gediz Vallis Ridge, these formations are not biological but geological, likely shaped by ancient fluid movements and mineral deposits. Scientists believe they may provide vital clues about Mars’ watery past and its transition to a dry planet. While drilling is impossible in the rugged terrain, Curiosity is using cameras and spectrometers for close analysis, continuing its mission to decode Mars’ environmental history. (PC: Money Control)

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan revealed that a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 rocket, slated for the Axiom-4 mission, was initially underestimated by SpaceX. ISRO engineers insisted on thorough checks despite reassurances, uncovering a crack in the oxidiser line that could have caused catastrophic failure upon liftoff. Thanks to ISRO’s insistence, SpaceX corrected the fault—saving the lives of the four astronauts. Narayanan emphasized that this action stemmed from decades of Indian experience with liquid-oxygen systems, underscoring ISRO’s critical role in ensuring mission safety. (PC: ANI)