While conducting microgravity experiments and preparing for the Ax-4 crew, ISS astronauts documented massive wildfire smoke clouds drifting over Canada and the U.S., highlighting the station’s role in monitoring Earth-based environmental events from orbit. The smoke, seen from space, resulted from wildfires that triggered evacuations and impacted air quality across several North American regions

NASA is partnering with U.S. firms to study boosting the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory’s orbit, aiming to extend its scientific life and advance orbital servicing technologies. Funded through Phase III SBIR awards, the project explores cost-effective solutions while preserving Swift’s astrophysics role. Collaboration with Starfish Space may also provide critical insights for future satellite servicing missions.

NASA’s Artemis II Orion spacecraft has taken another major step toward launch. After being fueled, it was moved to the Launch Abort System Facility at Kennedy Space Centre, where engineers are integrating a 44-foot-tall escape system to protect astronauts during liftoff. The mission will see four astronauts, including one from Canada, fly around the Moon—marking humanity’s first journey beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo. Artemis aims to pave the way for lunar landings and future Mars missions.

The "Cosmic Grapes" galaxy discovery sheds new light on early galaxy formation, revealing unexpected dense, star-forming clumps just 930 million years post-Big Bang. Uncovered through JWST, ALMA, and gravitational lensing, this breakthrough opens new opportunities for understanding the early cosmos.

A new study suggests “black hole morsels” — tiny, asteroid-sized black holes from cosmic mergers — could emit detectable bursts of Hawking radiation. Observatories like HESS, HAWC, and Fermi may already hold clues. Detecting them could unlock insights into quantum gravity, unknown particles, and even hidden dimensions beyond the Standard Model.

China has launched the eighth batch of satellites for its Guowang internet constellation, lifting off on Aug. 13 aboard a Long March 5B rocket from Wenchang Space Launch Center. Operated by state-owned China SatNet, Guowang aims to deploy about 13,000 satellites in low Earth orbit to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. Each launch so far has carried only eight to ten relatively large satellites. The mission marks the fourth Guowang launch in less than three weeks, underscoring China’s push to accelerate global broadband coverage and strengthen its position in the satellite-internet market.

In July 2025, the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter captured a high-resolution image of Acheron Fossae, a region marked by deep chasms and ridges on Mars’s surface. These features, created by ancient crustal stretching, split the terrain into raised horsts and sunken grabens. Valley floors reveal smooth surfaces carved by slow-moving, ice-rich rock glaciers, forming rounded knobs and mesas. Scientists believe these structures date back 3.7 billion years, during Mars’s most geologically active era. The presence of rock glaciers hints at ancient ice ages, suggesting the Red Planet once had climatic cycles capable of supporting frozen water flow over vast periods, reshaping its landscape.

A Physical Review Letters study likens deep neural network feature learning to spring-block mechanics, linking data simplification to spring extension and nonlinearity to friction. The model reveals how noise can balance separation across layers and help predict performance, offering a powerful tool to optimise training, improve generalisation, and enhance efficiency in large AI systems.

On June 26, 2025, a dazzling daytime fireball streaked over Georgia, captured by satellites and witnessed across multiple states. A surviving fragment smashed through the roof of a McDonough home, denting the wooden floor 14 feet below. Scientists at the University of Georgia analyzed about 23 grams of this ancient rock, determining it to be a 4.56-billion-year-old L-type ordinary chondrite — older than Earth by nearly 20 million years. Likely originating from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, it may have been dislodged by a colossal collision 470 million years ago. Dubbed the McDonough Meteorite, it offers rare clues to the early solar system’s history and asteroid risks.

Jim Lovell, legendary NASA astronaut and commander of Apollo 13, has died at 97. Renowned for turning a life-threatening lunar mission into a historic survival story, Lovell flew four pioneering spaceflights, including Apollo 8. His steady leadership during crisis inspired generations and cemented his place as one of space exploration’s most respected figures.

Super-Earths are among the most common planets in the galaxy, yet none exist in our solar system. Larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, they range from ocean-covered worlds to scorched, atmosphere-less rocks. Some orbit within habitable zones, making them prime candidates for life. NASA’s Kepler and TESS missions, along with upcoming telescopes like JWST, are unraveling their mysteries—exploring their atmospheres, compositions, and potential to host life. These discoveries could reshape our understanding of planet formation and the conditions that make a world truly habitable.

Astronomers have detected a dormant black hole with a mass equal to 36 billion Suns in the Cosmic Horseshoe system, 5 billion light-years away. Identified via gravitational lensing and stellar motion, it ranks among the largest known black holes. The discovery sheds light on the link between galaxy size and central black hole growth.

NASA’s latest wind tunnel tests on a tiltwing model are giving the advanced air mobility industry valuable data to improve air taxi and drone designs. By studying wing and propeller interactions in different conditions, NASA is helping create safer and more efficient next-generation aircraft.

University of Maryland researchers have designed self-adaptive electrolytes that dynamically expand their stability during charging, enabling safer and faster high-energy batteries. Inspired by the “salting-out” effect, the approach has shown improved performance in both lithium-metal and zinc-metal cells, paving the way for next-generation energy storage solutions.

Light pollution is brightening skies over observatories at an alarming rate, with artificial light growing by up to 10% each year. Astronomers caution that this glow, intensified by widespread LED use and urban expansion, is threatening the ability of telescopes to detect faint cosmic objects and diminishing humanity’s shared right to experience the night sky.

The Perseid meteor shower, one of the year’s most anticipated celestial events, will peak on the night of August 12–13, 2025. At its height, the shower can produce up to 100 meteors per hour, though the glare of an 86% waning gibbous moon will make spotting faint streaks difficult. Observers can still expect to see the brightest meteors and occasional fireballs, especially after midnight.

Raphael Domjan, a Swiss eco-explorer, achieved an 8,224-meter altitude in his SolarStratos aircraft, edging closer to breaking the solar-powered flight record. The attempt, departing from Sion Airport, showcased the potential of renewable energy in aviation.

SUTD’s maple seed-inspired monocopter achieves a record 26-minute flight with a single rotor. Lightweight, efficient, and simple, it offers promising uses in environmental monitoring and research. The project reflects a 10-year journey from large endurance drones to compact, power-efficient designs.

On July 24, 2025, NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover captured an image of a small, coral-shaped rock in Gale Crater using its ChemCam Remote Micro Imager. The light-colored, 1-inch (2.5 cm) formation likely formed billions of years ago when mineral-rich water seeped into tiny fractures in the rock, leaving behind hardened mineral veins after evaporation. Over time, relentless Martian winds sandblasted the surrounding material, revealing the rock’s intricate, branching structure. While its appearance closely resembles marine coral, scientists stress it is a geological artifact—known as a pseudofossil—rather than evidence of life. The discovery reinforces mounting evidence that ancient Mars had abundant liquid water and could have supported microbial life. Since landing in 2012, Curiosity has explored Gale Crater’s layered terrain, uncovering clues to the Red Planet’s wet history and its potential habitability in the distant past.

The habitable zone, or “Goldilocks zone”, is the region around a star where conditions allow liquid water to exist. Varying with star type, this zone is key in the search for life. Earth’s location in the Sun’s habitable zone has made life possible, and astronomers seek similar rocky exoplanets in other systems to explore the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

A 3D-printed robot crab named “Wavy Dave” was deployed among real fiddler crabs in Portugal to mimic mating displays. The study revealed surprising reactions—rival males waved longer, avoided conflict with larger claws, and even attacked the robot. These findings offer new insights into how crabs adjust their courtship behavior in response to perceived competition in dynamic environments.

SpaceX has signed a landmark agreement with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to deliver Italian science experiments to Mars aboard its Starship rocket. Announced on August 7, 2025, the mission will carry a plant-growth module, a meteorological station, and a radiation detector to collect crucial data during the six-month journey and on the Martian surface. These experiments will study plant growth in space, monitor Mars’ weather, and measure cosmic radiation—information vital for future human exploration. The launch is targeted for the November–December 2026 Mars window, pending Starship’s readiness. This partnership signals a new era of commercial interplanetary missions, enabling nations to buy payload flights without building their own spacecraft.

On July 30, 2025, the NASA–CNES SWOT satellite captured the leading edge of a tsunami wave in the Pacific, triggered by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. Recorded about 70 minutes after the quake, the wave measured 1.5 feet in open water but could grow to 30 feet at shore. SWOT’s advanced radar mapped the wave’s height, profile, and direction—providing data never before captured in such detail. NOAA’s Center for Tsunami Research found that integrating SWOT data could greatly improve forecast accuracy, a major step forward in disaster preparedness. Experts see this as a breakthrough in early tsunami detection.

Google DeepMind’s Aeneas model uses AI to reconstruct damaged ancient Roman inscriptions with high accuracy. Its ability to fill in missing text, estimate origins, and connect similar inscriptions makes it a game-changer for historical research. Open-source and free to use, it opens new possibilities in the study of ancient history.

A breakthrough in creative robotics, Robot Drummer combines AI and humanoid design to perform complex drumming patterns with precision and flair. The system could inspire future innovations in robotic musicianship and live entertainment.

Astronomers have confirmed that the blazar OJ 287 hosts the most extreme binary black hole system ever found. Using a global radio telescope array, they captured an ultra-sharp image showing a dramatically bent jet—evidence of two supermassive black holes locked in orbit. The system’s 12-year flare cycle and jet twists match predictions of a smaller companion black hole disturbing the primary’s disk. This discovery offers new insights into galaxy evolution, black hole mergers, and gravitational wave detection, making OJ 287 a prime target for future space observatories like LISA.

Hubble has captured its sharpest image of 3I/ATLAS, a rare interstellar comet speeding through the solar system at 130,000 mph. The view reveals a dust-filled coma, a faint tail, and activity similar to native comets. Astronomers aim to study its composition before it vanishes forever, offering insight into objects formed around other stars.

Astronomers using JWST have spotted a possible gas giant orbiting Alpha Centauri A, only 4 light-years away. If confirmed, it would be the closest exoplanet to a Sun-like star ever imaged. The discovery could challenge current models of planetary formation in binary systems and open new opportunities for studying nearby worlds.

Astronomers have confirmed the most distant black hole ever discovered, lurking in a compact galaxy just 500 million years after the Big Bang. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, the team identified clear spectroscopic evidence of the object, offering new insight into early black hole growth and their role in forming galaxies during the universe’s infancy.

A new NASA-led study reveals that Greenland’s melting glaciers are fueling life in the Arctic Ocean. Each summer, massive freshwater plumes from glaciers like Jakobshavn drag deep-sea nutrients upward, boosting phytoplankton growth by up to 40%. These microscopic organisms form the base of the marine food web and play a key role in carbon absorption. Using NASA's ECCO-Darwin digital ocean model, researchers simulated the interaction of meltwater, currents, and marine biology. As melting accelerates, this biological boost could shift how oceans trap carbon, with global climate implications.

NASA is accelerating plans to deploy a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, according to interim head Sean Duffy. The reactor would ensure steady power through long lunar nights and help secure water-ice resources at the Moon’s south pole. China and Russia also aim for lunar reactors by the mid-2030s, sparking a geopolitical “moon race.” NASA is mandating key steps within 60 days, including appointing a reactor program manager. Despite ambitious goals, funding remains a hurdle, with NASA’s proposed 2026 budget at historic lows and cuts hitting science programs and staffing.

NASA has awarded Firefly Aerospace a $176.7 million contract for a groundbreaking 2029 mission to the moon’s south pole. The CLPS mission will deploy multiple rovers and scientific instruments to explore permanently shadowed regions, analyze lunar regolith, and search for water ice—key steps toward supporting Artemis program goals and enabling future crewed missions on the moon and beyond.

Researchers have tracked a significant increase in the use of ChatGPT in scientific writing, especially in computer science and competitive research fields. By analyzing over a million papers, they found patterns linked to author habits, paper length, and geography. The findings raise broader discussions about the role of AI in research and the integrity of scientific publications.

NASA’s Crew-10 mission is wrapping up as four astronauts prepare to leave the ISS aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance on Aug. 7, 2025. After undocking at 12:05 p.m. EDT, the capsule will autonomously navigate reentry, with splashdown expected near California around 11:58 a.m.

The Miralga impact crater in Western Australia, once thought to be Earth’s oldest at 3.5 billion years, has now been redated to after 2.7 billion years ago. With a revised diameter of just 16 kilometers, the structure no longer supports theories of early crust or life formation, but remains scientifically valuable for studying Mars-like planetary geology.

NASA launched its twin TRACERS satellites on July 23, 2025, to study how solar wind causes magnetic reconnection in Earth's magnetosphere. However, a power issue on one spacecraft, SV1, has caused intermittent communication. Engineers believe the issue relates to sunlight availability on its solar panels and plan recovery efforts in August. Meanwhile, the second satellite, SV2, is healthy and undergoing final instrument commissioning. Once ready, SV2 will begin its science mission independently, while NASA works to recover SV1 and resume full dual-satellite operations critical to the mission’s original research goals.

A new study proposes that life may exist far from sunlight in a “radiolytic habitable zone” deep beneath the icy surfaces of Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. Cosmic rays, which can penetrate rock and ice, break water molecules apart to release hydrogen, oxygen, and energy-rich electrons. These can fuel microbes in subsurface water, much like bacteria living deep below Earth. Simulations show Enceladus has the strongest potential for such life, followed by Mars and Europa. This expands the search for life to darker, colder environments—even on rogue planets adrift in space.

In July 2025, a massive 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula triggered eruptions in seven volcanoes, including Klyuchevskaya Sopka and Shiveluch. Scientists called the rare multi-eruption event a “parade of volcanoes”—not witnessed in nearly 300 years. Experts believe the quake altered crustal stress, making eruptions more likely. Dormant volcano Krasheninnikov erupted for the first time in 500 years. Though the region is sparsely populated, ash plumes could affect air travel. Researchers are watching closely, but say it’s too soon to determine if all eruptions were directly triggered by the quake.

The Society, hosted by comedian Munawar Faruqui, is set to host the reality show. 25 contestants, divided into 3 categories, depict the game of power and class, fighting to win the title of Asli Bazigar. Four episodes are released, and a new episode is released each day. Watch The Society, which is now streaming on Jio Hotstar.

Two new studies from UC Santa Cruz propose that dark matter may have originated from a hidden mirror world or been radiated into existence by the universe’s expanding cosmic horizon. These theories, rooted in established physics, challenge traditional models and suggest dark matter could exist without interacting with ordinary matter, redefining one of modern science’s greatest mysteries.

After a 22-day period of solar calm, the Sun unleashed three M-class solar flares on August 3–4, 2025, all originating from active sunspot region AR 4168. These moderate flares released intense radiation, capable of briefly disrupting high-frequency radio signals and potentially sparking auroras at high latitudes. Scientists also detected likely coronal mass ejections, which may graze Earth.

In a recent study published on July 24 via arXiv, astronomers from Wuhan University have detailed the powerful X-ray outburst of the Be/X-ray binary system RX J0440.9+4431. Using China’s Insight-HXMT satellite, the team tracked the event from its eruption in December 2022 through March 2023.

The James Webb Space Telescope has re-imaged part of Hubble’s Ultra Deep Field, revealing over 2,500 galaxies in stunning infrared detail. Using its NIRCam and MIRI instruments, Webb observed faint galaxies dating back to just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. This is part of the JADES survey, which includes the deepest mid-infrared image ever taken and redshift measurements for 178 early-universe galaxies.

At 3:46 a.m. EDT, Crew-11 entered the International Space Station after the SpaceX Dragon hatch opened, officially joining Expedition 73. The arrival, streamed live on NASA+, highlighted ongoing international collaboration and commercial spaceflight efforts. NASA’s social platforms shared visuals of the crew’s welcome, reinforcing transparency and public engagement in human space exploration.

On August 5, 2025, Rocket Lab launched Japan’s QPS-SAR-12 satellite, nicknamed Kushinada-I, aboard its Electron rocket from Mahia, New Zealand. Built by the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS), the satellite joins a growing constellation of synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) spacecraft designed for high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation.

ESA’s JUICE spacecraft scanned the famous Earthrise crater on the Moon to test radar for future exploration of Jupiter’s icy moons. The data confirmed JUICE’s radar accuracy, setting the stage for a search for life beneath Europa and Ganymede. The crater, immortalised in a 1968 Apollo 8 photo, now plays a role in extraterrestrial science.

A solar sail spacecraft could extend space weather warnings from 40 to 60 minutes, offering vital lead time before solar storms strike. Part of the SWIFT mission, this satellite will orbit farther than any current monitor, using sunlight for propulsion. The system aims to better protect satellites, astronauts, and power grids from geomagnetic disruptions caused by solar eruptions.

New research based on New Horizons’ decade-old data has uncovered extensive bladed terrain made of methane ice on Pluto. These towering spires, arranged in spaced-out, parallel rows, are likely shaped by seasonal condensation and sublimation cycles. While the terrain spans over half the planet’s midsection, five times the width of continental USA, scientists remain unsure of its uniformity.

Blue Origin’s 14th crewed spaceflight, NS-34, lifted off from West Texas on August 3, 2025. This symbolic flight marked the long-postponed space journey of Justin Sun, crypto billionaire and founder of Tron. Joined by adventurers and professionals from different corners of the world, including India and Puerto Rico, the mission highlighted global participation in private space travel.

China successfully launched Pakistan’s first dedicated remote sensing satellite, PRSS-01, aboard a Kuaizhou-1A rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan. The satellite entered its planned orbit and will provide high-resolution imaging for civilian and governmental uses, including urban planning, land surveys, environmental monitoring, and rapid disaster response. Engineers from both countries collaborated closely on the mission, reflecting deepening China-Pakistan technological ties. The launch highlights Pakistan’s growing ambitions in space and the importance of satellite-based data in modern infrastructure and emergency planning. It also strengthens China’s position as a global provider of commercial launch services and supports its broader Belt and Road Initiative by fostering regional cooperation in advanced space technologies.

Astronomers have long speculated about a hidden planet—Planet Nine—lurking beyond Neptune. First proposed in 2016, the theory explains the strange orbits of distant Kuiper Belt objects through the gravitational pull of a massive, unseen world. Caltech researchers remain confident, while others suggest alternatives like debris rings or even a black hole. Recent discoveries such as 2023 KQ14 deepen the mystery. Despite limited data, the search continues with advanced telescopes, pushing the boundaries of our knowledge of the solar system’s remote edges.