Gadget

Russia’s latest resupply mission to low-Earth orbit has delivered a unique scientific cargo: 75 mice, 1,000 fruit flies, microbes, cell cultures, and plant seeds aboard the Bion-M No.2 biosatellite. Over the next month, these organisms will orbit Earth, helping scientists study how microgravity and cosmic radiation affect life. Some mice are genetically engineered to test radiation sensitivity, while lunar soil simulants will shed light on dust behavior in space. The mission aims to advance research critical for long-duration human spaceflight to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Trains are one of the most important modes of transport in India, allowing you to cover vast distances conveniently and on a budget. However, it can be a chaotic experience too, especially during instances when trains are running late. We have created this detailed guide to break down the various methods you can use to check the train’s live running status online.

The US military’s X-37B space plane will test a quantum inertial sensor for navigation, moving beyond GPS reliance. The technology, based on ultracold atoms, offers precise positioning in deep space, underwater, and GPS-denied zones. If successful, it may transform both defense and future space exploration, marking a critical step in operational autonomy.

A team from the Southwest Research Institute has discovered a tiny new moon orbiting Uranus using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The moon, called S/2025 U1, is just 6 miles (10 kilometers) wide, too small for Voyager 2 to detect during its 1986 flyby. This discovery brings Uranus’s total known moons to 29, with S/2025 U1 orbiting 35,000 miles from the planet’s center. Scientists say its presence hints that Uranus’s crowded system of moons and rings may still hold more hidden surprises awaiting discovery with Webb’s powerful instruments.

Astronomers discovered that the water in Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, known as the “Devil Comet,” is nearly identical to Earth’s. Using ALMA and IRTF data, they mapped cometary water for the first time. The findings bolster the theory that comets delivered water to Earth, enabling life’s emergence.

On Aug. 15, Chinese astronauts Chen Dong and Wang Jie completed a 6.5-hour spacewalk to strengthen the Tiangong space station’s defenses against orbital debris. Working outside the station, they installed new protective panels and inspected external systems. The mission marked Chen Dong’s sixth career EVA—the most by a Chinese astronaut—and the third for Shenzhou 20’s crew. China’s space agency stressed that debris mitigation is a global concern, aligning with its policies on de-orbiting old spacecraft and passivating rocket stages. Experts warn that rising orbital traffic makes international cooperation essential.

An international team of astronomers has discovered WD 0525+526, an unusual white dwarf about 128 light-years away, using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Unlike typical white dwarfs, this star formed through a stellar merger and shows an unexpectedly high carbon content. With a mass of 1.2 Suns and a scorching surface temperature of 21,000 K, the discovery suggests that such merger remnants may be more common than previously thought. Researchers believe these hidden stellar histories could reshape our understanding of white dwarf binaries and pathways to supernova explosions.

A team in China has unveiled a lithium battery design with over 600 Wh/kg energy density—double that of Tesla’s best batteries. If scalable, the breakthrough could revolutionise electric vehicles, extend driving ranges, and improve safety. Researchers caution that it remains a proof-of-concept requiring more real-world testing before mass adoption.

Earendel, the farthest object ever seen, was first thought to be a single massive star from the early universe. New findings from JWST suggest it may instead be a star cluster, with many stars grouped together. Scientists used gravitational lensing to spot Earendel, which made its light appear thousands of times brighter.

flatband states in CsCr₃Sb₅, a kagome superconductor. This experimental validation connects lattice geometry with emergent superconductivity, opening new pathways for engineered quantum materials, superconductors, and advanced electronics.