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Las Vegas police probe multiple UFO sightings  

Scientists say advanced aliens may soon detect life on Earth

The developments come as the powerful House Oversight Committee of the US House of Representatives is planning to hold a hearing on UFOs …reports Asian Lite News

Police in Las Vegas have investigated multiple reports of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) sightings that occurred on the night of April 30, a media report said.

According to body camera footage obtained by USA Today, an officer drove to a family’s residence on that night after they called 911 to report the sighting.

One of the family members told the officer they saw “a big creature” that was “long, 10 feet tall”.

The officer told the family that he was looking into the claims because another cop saw something in the sky that matched the family’s description eight minutes earlier.

“I’m not going to BS, you guys. One of my partners said they saw something fall out of the sky, too, so that’s why I’m kind of curious,” USA Today on Thursday quoted the officer as saying in the body camera footage.

“It’s weird just the fact that our partner saw something at the exact time,” he added.

Meanwhile, another nearby resident also called 911 on the same night to report about something “100 per cent not human” on their property, Las Vegas-based local TV station 8 News Now reported.

A separate body camera footage showed a glowing object flying in the sky.

About 40 minutes later, another man called 911 to report two unknown entities in his backyard after he and his family saw a similar object fall from of the sky, according to 8 News Now.

“There’s like an 8-foot person beside it and another one is inside us and it has big eyes and it’s looking at us and it’s still there,” the man said, according to the police dispatch audio posted by the TV channel.

“In my backyard. I swear to God this is not a joke, this is actually — we’re terrified.”

The man described the creatures as large and somewhere between 8 to 10 feet tall and appearing like aliens with big mouths, big shiny eyes.

The developments come as the powerful House Oversight Committee of the US House of Representatives is planning to hold a hearing on UFOs after a former intelligence official claimed that the Washington government has allegedly found crashed alien spacecraft.

On Monday, the former intelligence official, David Grusch, had said that the government has a covert program focused on recovering debris from crashed, non-human origin spacecraft and is attempting to reverse-engineer the technology, ABC News reported.

During a hearing in April, Director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) Sean Kirkpatrick told the Senate Armed Services Committee that his agency was reviewing 650 incidents dating back decades but “found no credible evidence thus far of extraterrestrial activity, off-world technology, or objects that defy the known laws of physics”.

But last week, Kirkpatrick said that the total number of incidents had grown to “well over 800 cases”.

Between 2004 to 2022, the US government has received more than 510 reports of UFOs, according to a declassified version of an annual report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence published in January this year.

ALSO READ: India, US discuss strategic tech, collaborations ahead of Modi visit

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-Top News India News Science

Indian-origin professor wins ‘Dutch Nobel Prize’

Indian-origin professor awarded 'Dutch Nobel Prize'(PHOTO CREDIT: NWO, Studio Oostrum)

Also referred sometimes as the ‘Dutch Nobel Prize’, the award will give Gupta 1.5 million euros to spend on scientific research …reports Asian Lite News

Indian-origin professor Joyeeta Gupta has been awarded the Spinoza Prize, the highest distinction in Dutch science, for her scientific work focusing on a “just and sustainable world”.

Gupta, Professor of Environment and Development in the Global South at the University of Amsterdam since 2013, was chosen by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) selection committee for her “incredibly broad and interdisciplinary” research.

Also referred sometimes as the ‘Dutch Nobel Prize’, the award will give Gupta 1.5 million euros to spend on scientific research and activities related to knowledge utilisation.

Gupta’s research involves solution to issues arising from climate change through good governance. At the core of her research is an attempt to unravel the connections between the climate crisis, global water challenges, possible solutions and justice, a University of Amsterdam statement read.

“Justice for both people and the planet is the common thread in Joyeeta’s work. She is relentlessly committed to climate justice, always looking beyond the boundaries of disciplines, realising that this is the only way to approach the climate issue,” said Peter-Paul Verbeek, Rector Magnificus of the University of Amsterdam.

Gupta, who is the twelfth researcher from the University of Amsterdam to receive the award, will be officially honoured on October 4 at a presentation ceremony.

She studied at Delhi University, Gujarat University and Harvard Law School, and obtained her PhD from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She is also a professor at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. In addition to her professorship, Gupta is co-chair of the Earth Commission, founded by Future Earth and supported by the Global Challenges Foundation, the University statement said.

She was also lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) between 1988 and 2014, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former US Vice President Al Gore.

ALSO READ: Indian-origin teacher banned from job in UK for committing fraud

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-Top News Science UAE News

UAE highlights efforts in space sector

Al Qubaisi delivered the UAE speech, affirming the UAE’s commitment and support of COPUOS in promoting a safe and sustainable outer space environment….reports Asian Lite News

A high-level UAE delegation, headed by Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Advanced Science and Technology, Chair of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, participated in the 66th session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), one of the UN’s largest committees with 100 member states.

The delegation to the event – which is taking place in Vienna until 9th June – included Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as senior employees from the UAE Space Agency.

During the session, Sharaf said, “We have witnessed significant advancements in space endeavours since the last session of this distinguished Committee – from getting the first images of early space from the James Webb Space Telescope to the first changing of the orbit of an asteroid and the continuous robotic exploration of the Moon and Mars, this past year serves as a testament to humankind’s desire to reach further.

“This year also marks the 55th anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE).

“To date, the Committee and its two Subcommittees continue to represent unique platforms for fostering dialogue, strengthening international collaboration in the peaceful uses of outer space and advancing the global governance of outer space activities.

“This vital role of the Committee and its Subcommittees is vital nowadays when we are witnessing the thriving of space activities, an unprecedented rate in the development of new technologies in the space sector and an increased diversification of space actors.”

Commenting on chairing COPUOS, Sharaf said, “The UAE has made it a priority to create a positive impact through its chairmanship of the UN COPUOS. Given the highly polarized global environment, the UAE worked on converging the different views and addressing critical topics related to space safety, stability, sustainability, and security.”

Al Qubaisi delivered the UAE speech, affirming the UAE’s commitment and support of COPUOS in promoting a safe and sustainable outer space environment.

He added, “We strongly believe the space sector can only be developed through regional and international collaboration and common initiatives. The UAE has participated in driving scientific research and technological advances and sharing knowledge with member states. We have launched joint missions, facilitated the exchange of expertise, and delivered capability-building programmes to enable countries to harness the potential of space science and technology.

“We have been actively developing and reviewing our regulatory framework to ensure the safety and sustainability of space activities, in parallel with encouraging innovation and investments in the sector. This year, we have issued nine regulations, including Regulations on the Authorizations of Space Activities and other Activities Related to the Space Sector, Regulation on Human Spaceflight Activities, and Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines.”

“We have launched the Abu Dhabi Space Debate, a unique platform to debate the space industry’s most pressing challenges and drive the new space economy. We have also created a comprehensive capacity-building programme entitled the ‘Space Academy’ to discover and prepare the next generation of space engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. The UAE has also launched Space Economic Zones, an integrated programme to support the establishment, growth, and sustainability of UAE-based companies in the space sector,” continued Al Qubaisi.

He also touched upon the National Space Fund, an AED3 billion programme; the Space Data Centre; and the Space Analytics and Solutions (SAS) Programme, while noting that the UAE aims to raise awareness of space applications to mitigate climate change and environmental challenges at the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in November at Expo City Dubai.

During the “Space and Sustainable Development” and “Space and Climate Change” sessions, the UAE’s speeches highlighted the significance of the peaceful use of outer space, acknowledging the right of all member states to develop their capabilities in space systems peacefully and sustainably, ensuring the cooperative use of space, enabling space sustainability and the development of public and private space programmes, and the role of the space industry as a major driver of human ingenuity.

The speeches also focused on the importance of international collaboration and the International Charter: Space & Major Disasters as a vital tool to mobilise global efforts, as well as the UAE’s active global participation in collaborating and exchanging knowledge and expertise with the international community to ensure space technologies benefit humanity in times of disaster.

Remarks highlighted the significant role of space technologies in fighting climate change, the use of satellites for Earth monitoring and remote sensing, analysing data to monitor and address the impacts of climate change, and the role of satellite data in enabling countries to make informed decisions and develop effective policies to overcome climate challenges.

In a speech on ‘Ways and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes,’ the UAE confirmed its belief that there are many ways to ensure the safety and sustainability of space activities through national legislation.

The speech focused on the UAE’s national comprehensive space legal framework to enable innovation and promote investment and transparency in line with international conventions and the country’s obligations under international law.

During the ‘Space Exploration and Innovation’ session, the UAE team highlighted the role of space missions in promoting scientific research, education in STEM fields, innovation, international cooperation, and economic diversification.

The team also touched upon the Emirates Mars Mission Hope Probe, the Emirates Lunar Mission Rashid Rover 2, and the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt. Participants discussed the importance of the mission in providing data on the origins and composition of asteroids and offering a deeper understanding of our solar system. The spacecraft will measure the density, temperature, physical and thermal properties, and surface geological features of several asteroids during its flybys.

The team focused on the role of the mission in achieving the UAE’s strategic objectives in developing national talents in the space sector while empowering local companies, encouraging the establishment of Emirati startups, and creating a new market for space technologies.

ALSO READ: UAE leaders drive sustainable agenda forward

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Health Science UAE News

Burjeel Medical City Joins WIN Consortium

The global network will facilitate collaboration between members to accelerate the discovery and development of innovative cancer therapies…reports Asian Lite News

Burjeel Holdings has announced that its flagship Burjeel Medical City was selected for membership in the Worldwide Innovative Networking in Personalized Cancer Medicine (WIN) Consortium.

This achievement marks another significant milestone for the healthcare provider as it continues to expand its network and expertise in the field of oncology and further strengthen its position as a pioneer in personalized cancer medicine in the United Arab Emirates and the wider region. Burjeel Medical City has now become the first member from the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council countries to join the prestigious network and will work as an accelerator to foster further regional collaborations in WIN programs and projects. 

The WIN Consortium is a globally renowned network of over 30 elite organisations from the Americas, EU, and Asia specializing in cancer care and research. These represent various stakeholders involved in the patient journey and personalized cancer care. The primary objective of the consortium is to improve cancer patients’ survival and quality of life by relying on genetically informed healthcare and accelerating the discovery and development of highly specialized cancer therapies.

The membership in the WIN Consortium is a significant milestone for Burjeel Medical City, which aims to become the regional hub for cancer care, consistently accelerating research and innovation initiatives. By joining this exclusive network of experts, the hospital has reinforced its commitment to developing targeted cancer therapeutics, aligning strategically with WIN’s mission.

“We are honored to join the WIN Consortium, which is at the forefront of research in personalized cancer medicine. Through this membership, we are furthering our commitment to providing the best possible care to our patients in the UAE and wider region by collaborating with an elite global team to advance the understanding and treatment of cancer in an era of personalized care. The WIN Consortium provides a unique platform for us to share knowledge, expertise, and data to accelerate the development of innovative solutions and new treatments,” said Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings.

Being the newest member of the consortium, Burjeel Medical City is uniquely positioned to contribute to the future achievements of this collective group. As a quaternary care center based in Abu Dhabi, the hospital’s diverse pool of patients has the potential to be a valuable addition to studies in precision medicine. Another recent example of its efforts to boost personalized medicine is the Group’s investments to offer molecular genetics, cellular, and immunological profile testing in the UAE.

Richard L. Schilsky, M.D., FACP, FSCT, FASCO, Principal Investigator, ASCO TAPUR Study, Professor emeritus, University of Chicago and Chairman of the WIN Consortium, expressed his delight in welcoming Burjeel Medical City to the consortium. “Burjeel Medical City’s expertise and resources in oncology and the Group’s scale of operations in the Middle East will be invaluable in our collaborative research efforts to advance personalized cancer medicine at the global level,” he said.

The hospital’s membership in the WIN Consortium, where it will be represented by Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi, Director of Oncology Services, Burjeel Holdings, and Dr. Khaled Musallam, Group Chief Research Officer, Burjeel Holdings, is a testament to its dedication to providing excellent care and advancing the field of oncology.

Founded in 2007, Burjeel Holdings is one of the leading private healthcare services providers in the MENA region. With a network of 62 assets, including 16 hospitals and 24 medical centers, as well as pharmacies and other allied services, the group provides the highest standard of patient care in the region. Burjeel Medical City, the flagship facility of Burjeel Holdings, is a 400-bed multi-specialty hospital and quaternary care center located in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It offers high-quality specialized treatment and complex care in over 40 adult and pediatric specialties, aided by state-of-the-art medical technology and an international team of experts.

ALSO READ: UAE, India eye investments in new economy, tourism

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-Top News Science UAE News

UAE’s mission to explore asteroid belt

The UAE spacecraft ‘MBR Explorer’ will undertake a 5 billion kilometre journey passing through Mars to explore seven asteroids in the main asteroid belt and ultimately landing on the last asteroid in 2034….reports Asian Lite News

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said that the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA) is a massive scientific project that will result in the establishment of Emirati companies specialised in space science and technology.

“The UAE has launched a new 13-year space project that features six years of spacecraft development and seven years of exploration. The UAE spacecraft ‘MBR Explorer’ will undertake a 5 billion kilometre journey passing through Mars to explore seven asteroids in the main asteroid belt and ultimately landing on the last asteroid in 2034.”

His Highness added, “The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt is a massive scientific project that will result in the establishment of private Emirati companies specialised in space science and technology, the development of a deep space mission control centre, and the training of Emirati talent.”

He further said, “The Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt will cover 10 times the distance covered by the ‘Hope Probe’. Emirati youth believe in the motto that ‘The Impossible is Possible’. The secret behind our 5-billion-kilometre space mission is our belief in the capabilities of our youth, and our efforts to support them in achieving their ambitions.”

At an event held in Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi, the UAE Space Agency has announced the details and objectives of the EMA, the first multiple-asteroid tour and landing mission to the main belt asteroids between Mars and Jupiter.

The Agency released details of the design of the spacecraft named the “MBR Explorer”, in addition to mission operations and scientific objectives. It also announced a three-week launch period for the mission starting in March 2028.

The mission aims to add to our understanding of the foundation of the solar system and the presence and origins of the building blocks of life found in the asteroid belt, as well as prepare the ground for possible future resource extraction from asteroids.

The EMA comprises a thirteen-year mission: a six-year spacecraft development phase followed by a seven-year flight to the main asteroid belt beyond Mars, and a series of close flybys to conduct unique observations of seven main belt asteroids.

The mission will build on the learnings, capabilities, innovation and heritage of the Emirates Mars Mission and further accelerate the development of the country’s private space sector and national capabilities in advanced technology innovation.

The MBR Explorer’s 5-billion-kilometre journey includes gravity-assist manoeuvres around Venus, Earth and Mars to change the spacecraft’s velocity and support its flyby campaign, with its first asteroid encounter taking place in February 2030. Subsequent flybys will occur through to 2034, when the mission’s seventh asteroid encounter will involve a rendezvous and landing. The spacecraft will release a lander, which will beam science data up from the asteroid surface.

The EMA will drive significant economic opportunities, including new start-ups, international partnerships and inward investment to the UAE space sector, creating new commercial opportunities to accelerate the growth of innovation and advanced technology companies in the UAE. The ground segment and operations of the mission will also be delivered by an Emirati private sector operator through the establishment of a control centre for deep space missions.

The EMA will build greater understanding of the characteristics, origins, formation and evolution of asteroids. It will open new windows into our understanding of the formation of our solar system, as well as investigate the potential of water-rich asteroids as a usable resource and evaluate the presence of volatile and organic compounds in the asteroid belt – the building blocks of life on Earth.

The MBR Explorer’s four science instruments include a high-resolution camera, a thermal infrared camera, a mid-wavelength spectrometer and an infrared spectrometre. Together, these instruments will support observations that will measure the surface composition, geology and interior density and structure of asteroids across five of the main belt ‘families’, helping to better understand the origins and evolution of water-rich asteroids and also to assess the resource potential of asteroids and prepare the way for future asteroid resource utilisation.

ALSO READ: UAE, India eye investments in new economy, tourism

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-Top News Asia News Science

North Korea announces ‘satellite’ launch

Pyongyang has informed Japan’s coastguard that a rocket will be launched between May 31 and June 11 and will fall in waters near the Yellow Sea…reports Asian Lite News

Japan said Monday it is preparing for North Korea to launch in the coming weeks what Pyongyang has described as a satellite, but Tokyo believes may be a ballistic missile.

Pyongyang has informed Japan’s coastguard that a rocket will be launched between May 31 and June 11 and will fall in waters near the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and east of Luzon Island in the Philippines, a coastguard spokesman told AFP.

However, the prime minister’s office in a tweet said Fumio Kishida issued instructions “on North Korea’s notification about the launch of a ballistic missile that it describes as a satellite”.

He has told officials to gather intelligence, remain vigilant and closely coordinate with allies including the United States and South Korea, the tweet added.

And Japan’s defence ministry has issued an order for the Air Self-Defense Force to destroy any ballistic missile confirmed to be on course to fall into the country’s territory.

The troops would be authorised to use Standard Missile SM-3 and Patriot Missile PAC-3 to shoot down a projectile in mid-air, the ministry said.

“Even if it’s described as a satellite, a launch using ballistic missile technology would be a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and a serious problem that threatens the safety of people,” Kishida told reporters.

Pyongyang has intensified its missile launches in recent months, with some triggering emergency warning systems in parts of Japan.

Seoul and Tokyo have meanwhile been working to mend long-frayed ties, including with greater cooperation on North Korea’s military threats.

Asked about possible negotiations with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, Kishida on Monday reiterated that Tokyo is open to talks, adding he was interested in “making concrete progress”.

North Korean state media meanwhile published a statement from its vice-minister of foreign affairs, appearing to endorse a conciliatory approach to relations with Japan — an unusual stance from Pyongyang.

If Japan avoids “being shackled by the past, and seeks a way out for improving the relations, there is no reason for the DPRK and Japan not to meet”, the statement from Pak Sang Gil said.

ALSO READ: Kishida wants to initiate talks with N. Korea to release abductees

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India News Science

India successfully puts into orbit its first 2nd Gen navigation satellite

Launch of GSLV-F12 NVS-01 Mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.(photo:youtube.com)

The Indian satellite navigation system NavIC consists of nine satellites — seven in orbit and two as substitutes. NVS series of satellites will sustain and augment the NavIC with enhanced features…reports VENKATACHARI JAGANNATHAN

India successfully put into orbit the first of its second generation navigation satellite NVS-01 on Monday in a copy book style.

The 2,232 kg NVS-01 satellite — part of Indian satellite navigation system NavIC or originally called Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)– was carried by Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

Simply put, NavIC is an Indian ‘GPS’ – Global Positioning System.

Around 10.42 a.m. the three staged GSLV rocket standing 51.7 metre tall and weighing 420 ton rose up into the skies from the second launch pad here.

Breaking free of the earth’s gravitational pull the rocket went up and up with a bright orange fire at its tail.

At the rocket mission control room Indian space scientists at ISRO were glued to their computer screens watching the rocket’s flight progress.

Just over 19 minutes into the flight the rocket slung NVS-01 into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from where the satellite will be taken up to its final position.

The Indian satellite navigation system NavIC consists of nine satellites — seven in orbit and two as substitutes. NVS series of satellites will sustain and augment the NavIC with enhanced features.

The NVS-01 with a mission life of 12 years is powered by two solar arrays capable of generating power up to 2.4kW and a lithium-ion battery during the eclipse.

This series has payloads that operate on L1, L5 and S bands thereby widening its services.

The L1 navigation band is popular for providing Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services for civilian users and for interoperability with other Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, ISRO said.

Be that as it may, ISRO had used imported atomic clocks on all the nine navigation satellites it had launched earlier. Each satellite had three atomic clocks.

It was said the NavIC satellites were performing well until the atomic clocks in IRNSS-1A failed.

Sources in ISRO had earlier said some of the atomic clocks in a couple of other satellites too were not functioning properly. The clocks are used for precise time and location.

Currently there are eight first generation NavIC satellites in orbit. A senior ISRO official told IANS that out of the eight NavIC satellites in orbit four are functional for navigation services and four others are messaging services.

India has launched nine first generation NavIC satellites including the two standby satellites. The first standby satellite was lost in the sky as the heatshield of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) did not open which necessitated the orbiting of the second standby.

The standby satellites were used as IRNSS-1A satellite launched in July 2013 was not performing to the mark owing to the failure of its imported rubidium atomic clocks.

The atomic clocks are important to give accurate positional data. Each satellite has three atomic clocks. The outlay for the IRNSS/first generation NavIC systems was said to be about Rs 1,420 crore.

As per a senior ISRO official five more of this version of NVS are planned now. Two more are needed after 2 to 3 years to take care of the end of life of present ones.

According to him, the cost of these five satellites are less than Rs 1,000 crore.

Like the other NavIC satellites, NVS-01 carries two types of payloads — navigation payload and ranging payload. The navigation payload will transmit navigation service signals to the users. This payload will be operating in L1, L5 and S-band.

The ranging payload consists of a CxC transponder used for two way CDMA ranging to facilitate precise orbit determination. “In addition to the L1 band, we have a highly secured code for strategic signals in L5 and S bands,” the senior ISRO official remarked.

According to ISRO, NavIC is useful for various civil and strategic applications. The eight NavIC satellites that are in orbit are: IRNSS-1A, IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1C, IRNSS-1D, IRNSS-1E, IRNSS-1F, IRNSS-1G and IRNSS-1I. The NVS-01 launched on Monday will be the ninth one.

India plans to have more 2nd Gen NavIC satellites

The Indian space agency is planning to have five more of the second generation navigation satellites at an outlay of about Rs 1,000 crore as part of its NavIC system, said a senior official.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday morning will be launching the first of its second generation navigation satellites called NVS-01.

“Five more of this version of NVS are planned now. Two more are needed after 2 to 3 years to take care of the end of life of present ones,” the official said. According to him, the cost of these five satellites are less than Rs 1,000 crore.

Interestingly, for the first time, an indigenous rubidium atomic clock developed by ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad will be flown in NVS-01.

According to the ISRO official, NVS-01 will have one indigenous atomic clock and three procured ones. Each NaVIC satellite will have three atomic clocks.

The satellite with a mission life of 12 years is powered by two solar arrays capable of generating power upto 2.4kW and a lithium-ion battery during the eclipse. NVS series of satellites will sustain and augment the NavIC with enhanced features. This series has payloads that operate on L1, L5 and S bands thereby widening its services.

ALSO READ-ISRO’s LVM3 injects 36 satellites into orbits

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Science

iDEX-DIO signs 250th contract under Mission DefSpace

The solution by Siliconia can provide multiple independent receiver/transmitter sources that are essential in phased-array radars, typically used in satellite tracking…reports Asian Lite News

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence, has signed its 250th contract — the first under Mission DefSpace — and 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract in New Delhi.

The first iDEX contract of Mission DefSpace was exchanged between Additional Secretary (Defence Production) and CEO Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) T. Natarajan and CEO of InspeCity, Arindrajit Chowdhary, one of the winners of the ‘Micropropulsion system for CubeSats’ challenge. This challenge is being led by the Defence Space Agency.

Cubesats are a class of smallsats, which are modular; low-cost, easy to manufacture, integrate, and launch; and form a critical component for launch-on-demand capabilities.

According to the Ministry of Defence, for imagery, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance or communication purposes, CubeSats need to be precisely aligned, hence there is a requirement of a compact micropropulsion system for precise manoeuvring and orbit correction.

InspeCity is developing a gas-based system for this purpose. This technology, once developed, can be integrated with other satellites, including the CubeSat swarm being developed under Mission DefSpace, a Ministry of Defence official added.

Recognising the strategic significance of the space domain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Mission DefSpace with 75 Defence Space Challenges to be addressed by the private sector during DefExpo at Gandhinagar in October 2022. It aims to nurture the Indian Private Space industry through challenges addressing every stage of a space mission — from mission planning to satellite data analytics.

In the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane the 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract was exchanged between AS (DP) and CEO-DIO and CEO, Siliconia Technologies Pvt Ltd Sushil Eknath Ghule.

Siliconia Technologies Pvt Ltd is the winner of the challenge which envisaged the development of a prototype that is a lightweight ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit)-based communication system using software defined antenna for low earth orbit, medium earth orbit and geostationary satellite communication.

The solution by Siliconia can provide multiple independent receiver/transmitter sources that are essential in phased-array radars, typically used in satellite tracking.

The Ministry said that under the ‘SPRINT’ initiative, a total of 75 Challenge statements for the Indian industry were unveiled by Modi during the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar ‘Swavlamban’ on July 18, 2022. The initiative aims at inducting at least 75 technologies or products into the Indian Navy by August 2023.

The Defence Ministry said that the iDEX achieved the milestone of signing its first and 50th iDEX SPRINT contracts under DISC-7 in October 2022 and January 2023, respectively, and within a few months the 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract was exchanged.

ALSO READ-Google with Taito working on AR Space Invaders game

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-Top News Science UAE News

Al Neyadi all set for historic spacewalk

The UAE will become the 10th country to execute a spacewalk on the International Space Station…reports Asian Lite News

UAE Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi is scheduled to make history today as the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk on the International Space Station (ISS) during Expedition 69, Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) said today.

“It’s the first Arab spacewalk in history, a new Emirati milestone that will mark the Arab space exploration journey. The live coverage will begin at 4:30 PM. The mission will start at 5:15 PM (UAE time),” said MBRSC in its official twitter account.

On Friday, April 28, the UAE will become the 10th country to execute a spacewalk on the ISS, with Al Neyadi taking part in the 261st spacewalk in support of space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.

The fourth spacewalk of the year on the ISS will be historic, as Al Neyadi and Nasa Flight Engineer Stephen Bowen collaborate to complete critical duties.

“Tomorrow, Steve Bowen and I will do a spacewalk outside the ISS to change the Radio Frequency Group unit and prepare for the installation of solar panels. After a long period of training, we are ready to take on the challenge and create a new milestone for our mission,” tweeted Al Neyadi from ISS.

UAE writing new chapter

The UAE is writing a new chapter of achievements in the space sector.

Earlier this week, the UAE announced a series of updates and new photos of the small Martian moon, “Deimos,” which were taken by the three scientific devices of the Hope Probe during its passage through its closest point to the Moon, at a distance of only some 100 kilometres.

The images, which capture the farside of the 12.4-km-wide Deimos, were taken during a fly-by performed on March 10, Nature reported.

Instead of the carbon-rich rock often found in asteroids, the scientists found a flat spectrum which is suggestive of the type of material seen on Mars’ surface. This shows that Deimos was formed from the same material as the planet.

Meanwhile, the Hope Probe will focus on collecting data and monitoring observations that will facilitate research in the relationship between the upper and lower layers of the Martian atmosphere, which will enable the scientific community to have an accurate understanding of the climate and atmosphere of times at different times of the day.

Research samples sent from space

AlNeyadi along with his crew was responsible for sending back critical research samples on the Dragon cargo spacecraft before its return from the 27th contracted cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

The spacecraft carrying approximately 1950 kg of valuable scientific experiments and other cargo back to Earth, splashed down off the coast of Tampa, Florida in the US on Sunday at 12:58 UAE time.

AlNeyadi, who has been working on scientific experiments on the ISS, completed the stowage of critical research samples along with his Expedition 69 crew members, that include NASA’s Flight Engineers Stephen Bowen, Woody Hoburg and Frank Rubio.

AlNeyadi further accessed the Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer (MELFI) on the ISS, that can reach temperatures to a low of -100°C, to preserve some samples before sending them to Earth and was also involved in loading the used station hardware inside the Dragon spacecraft.

ALSO READ-SpaceX’s Starship rocket explodes above Gulf of Mexico

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Work Begins on Rashid 2

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed noted that though the attempt to land the Rashid Rover on the moon was unsuccessful, “we kept our aspirations high.”..reports Asian Lite News

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced Rashid 2, a new Emirati lunar mission that will be undertaken by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, visited the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and met with the team behind the UAE’s first attempt to land a rover on the lunar surface. Stressing the importance of determination in achieving success in the space industry, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE will continue to launch new space exploration missions.

Sheikh Mohammed noted that though the attempt to land the Rashid Rover on the moon was unsuccessful, “we kept our aspirations high.”

“Emiratis have proved their ability to develop advanced space projects and rapidly create a vibrant national space sector,” he further said. “The UAE built a space sector from scratch within just 10 years. The Rashid Rover mission was driven by the country’s ambitious vision for space exploration,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said that any space mission has to contend with high levels of risk, which it manages in a scientific and systematic way to advance exploration and experimentation.

Sheikh Hamdan said the UAE will continue to develop its expertise and build an advanced space sector. Interacting with the MBRSC team, he said, “Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid once said ‘The biggest risk in life is not taking any risk’.”

Noting that the UAE is poised to enter a new phase of space exploration, he said, “Today, under the directives and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we announce the launch of the Rashid 2 project, a new Emirati attempt to reach the moon.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed met with the national team of the Emirates Lunar Mission (ELM) after the iSpace confirmed the unsuccessful landing of the HAKUTO-R lander on Wednesday 25th April, 2023.

After five months journeying through space, the HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Lunar Lander was scheduled to make a historic touchdown yesterday in the Atlas Crater, which is in the northeastern sector of the Moon. However, the signal from the lander cut out at the last minute.

So far, no privately operated spacecraft has ever landed softly on the moon, besides those operated by national space agencies of the US (NASA), Russia (Roscosmos) and China (China National Space Administration).

In 2019, two attempted lunar landings, India’s Vikram lander and Israeli nonprofit SpaceIL’s Beresheet had both crashed. In those landing attempts, the trajectory and speed data went awry before the signals were lost.

Through the Emirates Lunar Mission, MBRSC accomplished its ambitious goal of designing and building the world’s most compact rover and becoming the first Emirati and Arab rover to reach the lunar orbit before the landing attempt onboard iSpace’s HAKUTO-R lander. These achievements are momentous for a nation’s first lunar mission and highlight the UAE’s commitment to advancing space exploration.

The Rashid Rover, integrated into iSpace’s HAKUTO-R lander, successfully lifted off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 11th December at 11:38 UAE time from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force, Florida. The ELM marked the first Emirati lunar mission, making the UAE the first Arab country to ascend toward the lunar surface.

The world’s most compact rover, the Rashid Rover was built to traverse and explore the Moon’s surface with a unique configuration. Weighing about 10 kilograms, the Rover is around 80 centimetres high, around 53.5 centimetres long, and close to 53.85 centimetres wide.

MBRSC partnered with 10 international and four UAE-based entities for the Emirates Lunar Mission’s science programme. In collaboration with close to 40 scientists and researchers, MBRSC developed the main instruments, the optical cameras, microscopic imager and Langmuir probe on board the Rashid Rover.

Also accompanying Their Highnesses on the visit to MBRSC were Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President of MBRSC; Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman of MBRSC; and Salem Al Marri, Director-General of MBRSC, and a number of senior officials of the Centre.

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