America's groundbreaking private lunar mission, featuring the Peregrine Lunar Lander, is on the verge of failure following a "critical loss" of fuel. Launched atop United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket, the mission aimed for the Moon but encountered technical challenges post-launch. Astrobotic, the mission organizer, reported issues with spacecraft orientation and a propulsion system malfunction. Despite efforts, a "critical loss of propellant" raises concerns about a controlled lunar touchdown. This setback prompts questions about the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program's viability, despite NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressing commitment to space exploration with commercial partners.

In a monumental stride for space exploration, the Astrobotic Technology's Peregrine lander, riding atop the pioneering Vulcan rocket, is en route to the Moon, poised to achieve the first soft landing by the United States in over 50 years. Laden with symbolic cargo, including a fragment of Mount Everest rock and the remains of Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, Peregrine targets a historic lunar touchdown on February 23. Engaged in a space race with a Houston-based contender, Astrobotic and others, funded by NASA, are at the forefront of private lunar exploration. The $108 million Peregrine contract underscores the pivotal role of private entities in advancing lunar missions and signifies a transformative era in space exploration.

"End of a long journey, anxious but happy," says ISRO Chairman S Somanath as Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission, achieves a historic milestone by entering the Halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1), 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. Somanath reflects, "Reaching the final point is always an anxious moment, but we were very sure about it. 'So it happened as predicted. We are very happy." Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates ISRO on social media, applauding the relentless dedication of scientists. The Halo orbit allows uninterrupted observation of the Sun's activities, providing crucial insights into space weather. This success follows Chandrayaan-3, showcasing India's space exploration prowess.

PM Modi praises India's achievement as Aditya L1, the nation's first solar observatory, reaches its designated orbit at Lagrange Point 1. This strategic location allows continuous observation of the Sun without eclipses, offering crucial insights into solar activities and space weather. Launched in September 2023, Aditya L1 carries seven payloads to study the Sun's photosphere, chromosphere, and corona. The success marks a significant stride in India's space exploration, showcasing the dedication of scientists in executing complex missions. The observatory aims to unravel mysteries related to coronal heating, mass ejections, and solar dynamics.[image courtesy: ISRO InSight/X]

India's Aditya L1, the first space-based solar observatory, approaches its final orbit on Saturday in a landmark mission led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Speaking to HT Digital, former ISRO scientist Manish Purohit detailed the challenges faced during the spacecraft's 127-day journey, emphasizing the precision needed in the upcoming motor firing. Aditya L1's successful placement in the complex halo orbit at the Lagrangian point 1 promises crucial insights into space weather, offering an early warning system for high-energy solar events and bolstering India's space exploration prowess.

Scientists have discovered a promising antibiotic named Zosurabalpin that fights hard-to-treat bacteria, including Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (Crab). Crab is a tricky bacteria that doesn't respond well to many medicines. Developed by Roche, Zosurabalpin is being tested and has shown success in mice. It works differently than other antibiotics, offering hope not just for Crab but also for other challenging bacteria. While it's not a complete solution, Zosurabalpin brings optimism in the ongoing battle against drug-resistant bacteria, addressing a significant health concern as traditional antibiotics struggle to combat these resilient infections.

In a first, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its advanced communication satellite GSAT-20 on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. The 4,700 kg satellite offering high throughput capacity will lift off from Florida likely in Q2, 2023. This is ISRO's maiden deal with SpaceX to launch a satellite. ISRO chief S. Somanath said no other rocket was available on time to launch GSAT-20. The commercial arm New Space India Limited (NSIL) signed the contract as ISRO lacks capacity beyond 4-ton satellites. NSIL said choosing SpaceX made commercial sense despite France's Arianespace being India's trusted partner for heavy satellite launches traditionally. The renewed GSAT-20 or GSAT-N2 will provide broadband services across India.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched a specialized satellite designed to study black holes and other astronomical phenomena. The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) lifted off successfully on Monday from Sriharikota spaceport, becoming only the second such space telescope after NASA's, launched in 2021. According to ISRO, the $30 million mission aims to enable more detailed research into black holes and improve scientific understanding. XPoSat has a planned lifespan of 5 years in orbit. The launch follows a series of successful ISRO missions over the past year, including lunar and solar studies. It represents India's growing space capabilities and ambitions, as ISRO also prepares for a manned mission in 2025 after completing test flights.

ISRO's PSLV-C58 rocket triumphantly initiated 2024, propelling the X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite, XPoSat, into a designated 650km orbit from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. A video shared by ISRO captured the satellite's orbital insertion. XPoSat's mission holds significance as India becomes the second nation, after the US, to explore celestial bodies' characteristics through dedicated polarimetry. The technology aids in understanding emissions from black holes, neutron stars, and other astronomical sources. ISRO's Chairperson, S Somnath, highlighted ambitious plans for 2024, aiming for a minimum of 12 missions, including Gaganyaan preparations and the final maneuver for Aditya-L1 on January 6.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) commenced 2024 with a resounding success as the PSLV-C58 mission, lifting off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, placed the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) into orbit. XPoSat, ISRO's debut in polarimetry, aims to unravel mysteries surrounding celestial X-ray sources, including black holes. Equipped with scientific payloads POLIX and XSPECT, the spacecraft will delve into the structure of neutron star magnetic fields, study galactic black hole binaries, and observe X-ray production. The ambitious launch also showcases ISRO's innovative use of the PSLV fourth stage for experiments in space. With plans for Gaganyaan and a joint NASA mission ahead, ISRO demonstrates its commitment to pioneering space exploration in 2024.