Nasa scientists grew corn seeds in space and found something strange: How microgravity confused roots & shoots that normally know exactly which way to growNasa scientists grew corn seeds in space: NASA conducted an intriguing experiment on corn seeds grown in the absence of gravity’s guiding f...
02 Sep, 2026, 05.27 PM IST
In 1996, Columbia reeled out a satellite on a 19.7-km conducting tether; the line snapped after nearly 5 hours of data, but the system reached about 3,700 voltsThe Space Shuttle Columbia embarked on an innovative mission, aiming to generate electricity through a tethered satellite system employing ...
02 Sep, 2026, 03.50 PM IST
In 2010, NASA launched a 12-pound, loaf-of-bread-sized satellite with two Bacillus populations; radiation exposure reached about 15 times that of the ISS orbitNASA's O/OREOS mission embarked on an exciting journey to observe how bacteria withstand the rigors of space radiation. The compact satelli...
02 Sep, 2026, 02.30 PM IST
In 2006, NASA and French Space Agency CNES launched a satellite in a joint mission to probe the properties of Earth's thin clouds and aerosolsIn 2006, NASA and French Space Agency CNES launched a satellite in a joint mission to probe the properties of Earth's thin clouds and aeros...
02 Sep, 2026, 02.30 AM IST
In 1990, NASA recovered tomato seeds after nearly 6 years on LDEF; classroom tests found space seeds germinated at 73.8% versus 70.3% for Earth controlsAfter nearly six years aboard NASA's LDEF satellite, Rutgers tomato seeds returned to Earth to inspire young scientists. Millions of studen...
01 Sep, 2026, 07.00 PM IST
India's new eye in the sky: Everything to know about ISRO's GSLV-F17 launch of first geostationary imager on Sept 4India's space agency ISRO is preparing to launch its GSLV-F17 rocket soon. This rocket will carry the EOS-05 satellite into a specific orbi...
01 Sep, 2026, 01.08 PM IST
In 2003, researchers found freshwater snails had mated in space; their gravity-sensing statoconia were 50% larger by volume than matched ground controlsExperiments conducted aboard the Space Shuttle demonstrated that pond snails bred in microgravity possessed larger gravity-sensing structur...
31 Aug, 2026, 07.20 PM IST
In 1972, NASA sealed 3 astronauts inside a 20-foot chamber for 56 days to rehearse Skylab; the ground experiment exposed hardware and medical problems before launchIn 1972, three astronauts conducted a remarkable ground simulation, residing in a sealed chamber for a staggering 56 days. This experiment ...
30 Aug, 2026, 04.10 PM IST
In 2009, NASA sent four painted lady caterpillars to the ISS; reports said all four completed metamorphosis and emerged as adult butterflies in microgravityIn 2009, four painted lady caterpillars made their way to the International Space Station, embarking on a unique journey. In the absence of...
29 Aug, 2026, 06.54 PM IST
In 2021, a spacecraft was launched on a first-ever suicide mission to try to deflect an asteroid on impact in space in the revolutionary planetary defense experiment: How NASA’s DART mission changed an asteroid’s orbitIn 2021, a spacecraft was launched on a first-ever suicide mission to try to deflect an asteroid on impact in space in the revolutionary pl...
28 Aug, 2026, 02.51 AM IST
In 1992, Endeavour carried 4 female African clawed frogs into orbit; their eggs were fertilized in microgravity and developed into apparently normal tadpolesIn 1992, four frogs embarked on a journey aboard the space shuttle Endeavour as part of a groundbreaking reproductive experiment. Their egg...
27 Aug, 2026, 01.50 PM IST
In 1986, Voyager 2 discovered 10 moons around Uranus. 39 years later, Webb found a 29th moon only 10 kilometre wide that the spacecraft had missedIn 1986, Voyager 2 discovered 10 moons around Uranus during its flyby. Thirty-nine years later, James Webb Space Telescope observations ide...
25 Aug, 2026, 11.59 PM IST
In 1997, NASA sent a lightning sensor into orbit aboard TRMM to study storms. 29 years later, the mission’s data still helps scientists understand lightning, rainfall and climateNASA's Lightning Imaging Sensor aboard TRMM studied lightning's role in weather. Earlier missions observed lightning from space, revealing ...
25 Aug, 2026, 06.50 PM IST
In 2019, fewer than 2,000 active satellites circled Earth as SpaceX began scaling Starlink. Seven years later, 15,711 were orbiting the planet, with Starlink accounting for 65.97% of the working satellitesSince 2019, the number of active satellites around Earth has surged nearly eightfold, with SpaceX's Starlink making up about two-thirds of ...
23 Aug, 2026, 12.31 AM IST
In the 1960s, 2025 PN7 began travelling in step with Earth. 60 years later, American astronomers discovered it and found older images hiding the asteroid in plain sight2025 PN7 was hiding in plain sight for decades. The tiny asteroid has been traveling around the Sun in step with Earth since roughly the 19...
22 Aug, 2026, 11.27 PM IST
Earlier in 2026, a University of Sydney PhD student traced a 1.34497-hour radio pulse to a dead star. Today, its 1.368-hour orbit explains why the bursts repeatEarlier in 2026, a University of Sydney PhD student traced a 1.34497-hour radio pulse to a dead star. Today, its 1.368-hour orbit explains ...
22 Aug, 2026, 08.14 PM IST
Earlier this year, a California startup received approval to launch a 59-foot mirror into orbit. Two years later, the demonstration could redirect sunlight onto chosen points on Earth, allowing crews to keep working after darkA California startup just got FCC approval to test a 59-foot mirror satellite in orbit. The spacecraft, named Eärendil-1, will catch sunlig...
20 Aug, 2026, 07.22 PM IST