
From The Hindu, August 4, 1975: NASA invites India to join space shuttle experiment
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Economic Times
3 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Voyager 1 has sent a message from a strange location in space 20,000 lakh km away that's as hot as 50,000°C, but without fire
Synopsis Launched in 1977, NASA's Voyager probes have detected a high-temperature "firewall" beyond the solar system's edge, challenging previous assumptions. The probes revealed connected magnetic fields between interstellar and solar space, prompting new inquiries into the Sun's influence and the galaxy's magnetic structure. These findings enhance our understanding of the solar system's boundaries. Representative image created by AI NASA's Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft, launched in 1977, have identified a high-temperature region beyond the edge of the solar system. Scientists are now studying this area, nicknamed the "firewall", which may lead to a new understanding of the solar system's boundary and the magnetic connections between interstellar and solar Voyager probes were launched over four decades ago to explore planets and move beyond the solar system into interstellar space. Despite being launched at a time when the internet was in its infancy and cassette-based Walkmans were popular, the spacecraft continue to send data back to sent Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 with the goal of reaching the farthest regions of space. Over the years, they have provided important information about the outer planets, and now, about the space that lies beyond our solar has long been debate among scientists about where the solar system truly ends. While some suggest it ends after Neptune, others point to the Oort Cloud—a distant region believed to house defines the boundary of the solar system as the heliopause. This is the point where the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the Sun, loses its strength. Beyond this point lies interstellar space. NASA compares the heliopause to the edge of a bubble formed by the Sun's influence. After crossing the heliopause, both Voyager probes encountered an extremely hot region, where temperatures range between 30,000 and 50,000 degrees Celsius. This region has been informally named the 'firewall.'Despite the extreme heat, the probes remained unharmed. NASA explains that this 'firewall' is not made of fire in the traditional sense. Instead, it contains highly energetic particles that are very spread out. They carry significant energy but don't burn as flames passing through this high-energy zone, the probes recorded magnetic field data from interstellar space. Scientists noticed that the magnetic fields beyond the heliopause seemed to stay connected to the fields within the solar system. This challenges earlier beliefs that the two regions were completely finding has raised new questions: Is there a connection between the magnetic fields inside and outside the solar system? Does the Sun's influence extend farther than previously believed? Are there still unknown factors about the galaxy's magnetic structure? Even though these discoveries happen far from Earth, they are important for space science. The continuous operation of Voyager 1 and 2 since 1977, and their ability to report new information, highlights the long-term success of these over 2 billion kilometers behind them, the Voyager spacecraft are helping scientists understand more about the structure and limits of the solar system. Each new discovery reminds us that the universe remains full of unknowns still waiting to be explored.
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Business Standard
5 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Nuclear reactor on the Moon? Nasa's Sean Duffy has an elaborate plan
The United States Secretary of Transportation and Nasa 's acting administrator Sean Duffy has an ambitious plan to build a nuclear reactor on the surface of the Moon, Politico reported on Tuesday. The former Fox News host sees this as a 'new space race', especially with China and Russia's growing ambitions in space. Calling it a competition to secure dominance in space exploration and infrastructure, Duffy said, 'It is about winning the second space race.' US President Donald Trump appointed Duffy as interim Nasa administrator after abruptly withdrawing the nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman, who is close to US tech billionaire Elon Musk. Nuclear reactor on the Moon To support long-term human missions on the lunar surface, Nasa has been asked to develop a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor to be deployed on the Moon by 2030. Previously, the agency had funded research for a 40-kilowatt reactor. The US space agency has been directed to appoint a leader and get industry inputs in 60 days. What is a nuclear reactor? A nuclear reactor is a device that generates energy through a controlled nuclear reaction, usually using uranium or plutonium fuel. Instead of burning fuel like coal or gas, a reactor splits atoms to release massive amounts of heat. This heat can be used to produce electricity. Why is it important? Whoever controls energy infrastructure in space will be able to dominate future operations. Duffy said that the first nation to place a reactor on the Moon could declare a 'keep-out' zone, blocking others. This comes as China also plans to land its first astronaut on the Moon by 2030. For India and others, this highlights the need to invest in advanced space technologies, including space-based nuclear systems. Why does Nasa want a Moon reactor? A nuclear reactor will help Nasa generate energy, thereby helping its long-term lunar missions. Nuclear energy is quickly emerging as a clean and reliable source of power. Unlike other renewable energy sources, which are dependent on natural conditions, a nuclear reactor can generate constant electricity. Big Tech companies are increasingly turning to nuclear energy to fuel their AI ambitions. For NASA, nuclear reactors could power critical systems such as oxygen generators, communications, and other equipment, providing the energy essential for space exploration, lunar missions, and supporting astronauts in space. Replacing the International Space Station In the directive, Duffy offered to quickly replace the International Space Station (ISS), another Nasa goal. These moves will help the US accelerate efforts to reach the Moon and Mars, a goal that is being pursued by China, too. The US wants to replace the ageing ISS with commercially-run space stations by 2030. Several companies, including Axiom Space, Vast, and Blue Origin, have sent proposals to meet the demand. Nasa plans to award at least two companies a contract within six months.


Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Voyager 1 has sent a message from a strange location in space 20,000 lakh km away that's as hot as 50,000°C, but without fire
NASA's Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft, launched in 1977, have identified a high-temperature region beyond the edge of the solar system. Scientists are now studying this area, nicknamed the "firewall", which may lead to a new understanding of the solar system's boundary and the magnetic connections between interstellar and solar space. The Voyager probes were launched over four decades ago to explore planets and move beyond the solar system into interstellar space. Despite being launched at a time when the internet was in its infancy and cassette-based Walkmans were popular, the spacecraft continue to send data back to Earth. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program NASA sent Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 with the goal of reaching the farthest regions of space. Over the years, they have provided important information about the outer planets, and now, about the space that lies beyond our solar system. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn 57+ Languages Easily with AI [Join] Talkpal AI Undo Where does the solar system end? There has long been debate among scientists about where the solar system truly ends. While some suggest it ends after Neptune, others point to the Oort Cloud—a distant region believed to house comets. NASA defines the boundary of the solar system as the heliopause. This is the point where the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the Sun, loses its strength. Beyond this point lies interstellar space. NASA compares the heliopause to the edge of a bubble formed by the Sun's influence. Live Events Voyager 1 makes the 'firewall' discovery After crossing the heliopause, both Voyager probes encountered an extremely hot region, where temperatures range between 30,000 and 50,000 degrees Celsius. This region has been informally named the 'firewall.' Despite the extreme heat, the probes remained unharmed. NASA explains that this 'firewall' is not made of fire in the traditional sense. Instead, it contains highly energetic particles that are very spread out. They carry significant energy but don't burn as flames do. New questions for space science After passing through this high-energy zone, the probes recorded magnetic field data from interstellar space. Scientists noticed that the magnetic fields beyond the heliopause seemed to stay connected to the fields within the solar system. This challenges earlier beliefs that the two regions were completely separate. This finding has raised new questions: Is there a connection between the magnetic fields inside and outside the solar system? Does the Sun's influence extend farther than previously believed? Are there still unknown factors about the galaxy's magnetic structure? Why these findings matter Even though these discoveries happen far from Earth, they are important for space science. The continuous operation of Voyager 1 and 2 since 1977, and their ability to report new information, highlights the long-term success of these missions. With over 2 billion kilometers behind them, the Voyager spacecraft are helping scientists understand more about the structure and limits of the solar system. Each new discovery reminds us that the universe remains full of unknowns still waiting to be explored.