Gadget

Firefly Aerospace has suffered a setback after the Alpha rocket exploded during a preflight test. The incident, thankfully injury-free, raises concerns about the rocket’s reliability and delays the Lockheed Martin mission. Firefly is taking corrective actions, investigating the failure, and aiming to demonstrate safe and dependable launches in upcoming missions.

Qualcomm’s Nitin Kumar, VP Product Management – Snapdragon Chipset, talks about X2 Elite, the next-gen laptop chip, highlighting improved performance, AI capabilities, and enhanced power efficiency. The Snapdragon X2 Elite was announced during the Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii. The second-generation processor also includes Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. The laptops powered by the new chips will be available in 2026

Physicists have identified a loophole in Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle that allows simultaneous measurement of a particle’s position and momentum in modular form. The approach, demonstrated with trapped ions, avoids breaking the principle itself while promising advances in quantum sensors, navigation systems, and precision clocks.

SpaceX has successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket, which carried 11-20 Starlink Satellites into space. The lift-off was done from the Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, wherein the rocket entered space within a few minutes of the launch.

SpaceX successfully launched NROL-48 on Sept. 22, 2025, for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The mission deployed small satellites into orbit, supporting the “proliferated architecture,” a strategy to boost resilience by using many small spacecraft for surveillance and intelligence.

Researchers have developed two unusual computer mouse prototypes — a squeezable mesh “Fleximouse” and a vertical A-frame model. Both aim to reduce repetitive wrist strain and discomfort that traditional rigid mouse designs often cause. Early tests showed reduced wrist repositioning, though comfort varied. Scientists suggest that adjustable, personalized mice could become the norm, much like clothing sizes.

On Sept. 24, 2025, NASA’s Artemis 2 crew announced their Orion spacecraft will be called Integrity. The name symbolizes trust and respect as four astronauts prepare for a 10-day flight around the Moon, the first crewed lunar mission in over five decades.

On Sept. 21, 2025, GOES-19’s CCOR-1 coronagraph recorded a natural lunar eclipse. The Moon’s trajectory appeared curved due to a satellite yaw-flip. Unlike L1-based coronagraphs, GOES-19’s orbit enabled this rare capture, helping scientists refine imaging systems and improve understanding of the Sun’s corona.

NASA has partnered with Arkisys to extend the Astrobee robotic mission aboard the ISS. The free-flying robots are set to support future exploration by performing spacecraft maintenance and assisting astronauts. The collaboration sustains a platform vital for testing new technologies in microgravity as NASA prepares missions to the Moon and Mars.

Amazon Great Indian Festival sale 2025 brings some great discounts on high-speed portable SSDs. Customers can get up to 70 percent off on popular brands like SanDisk, Samsung, Crucial, Seagate, and more.