China's new space tech could help Astronauts survive on the moon without resupply missions
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
How it will work?
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Challenges
Toward a Lunar base?
Researchers in China say they have discovered a new way to make the Moon more livable. The team was able to extract water from lunar soil and use it to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into oxygen and chemicals that can be used as fuel. The findings were published in the Cell Press journal Joule.Lu Wang from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, called the results 'magical' and said the one-step process could make future Moon missions more efficient and less expensive.Sending water to the Moon is incredibly costly. According to the study, it costs around US$83,000 (about A$126,000) to ship just one gallon of water into space. Each astronaut needs about four gallons per day. That makes long-term Moon missions hard to sustain.The new technology will solve this problem by using the Moon's own soil and sunlight to produce essential resources.The scientists created a system that uses sunlight to heat lunar soil and release water. This water is then used to break down CO₂, the gas astronauts exhale, into carbon monoxide and hydrogen. These gases can then be used to make fuel and oxygen.This process uses a technique called photothermal catalysis, which turns sunlight into heat to drive chemical reactions.While the lab results are promising, real-world use on the Moon will be much harder. The Moon's surface experiences extreme temperatures, strong radiation, and low gravity, which could affect how well the system works outside the lab.Also, lunar soil is not the same everywhere, and the amount of CO₂ that astronauts produce may not be enough to meet all needs for fuel and oxygen.The researchers say more work is needed to improve the technology's performance and to make it practical for space missions.For years, space agencies have talked about building a base on the Moon to support missions deeper into space. This breakthrough could bring that goal one step closer. But before humans can live and work on the Moon, scientists will need to overcome several technical and environmental challenges.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite to launch on July 30 aboard GSLV-F16, will deliver real-time climate and disaster data
In a landmark step for global Earth observation, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is set to launch on July 30, 2025, aboard India's GSLV-F16 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The satellite, jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA ), is designed to provide high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging of Earth. Weighing 2,392 kg and powered by dual-frequency radar systems (L-band and S-band), NISAR will offer near real-time data on disasters, climate shifts, and ecological changes. The mission is expected to serve not only India and the US, but also aid global decision-making and emergency response efforts. NISAR satellite: A milestone in Indo-US space collaboration NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) marks the first major Earth observation satellite to be jointly developed by the United States and India. The mission is a testament to a decade-long strategic partnership between NASA and ISRO, showcasing how international cooperation can produce cutting-edge science with global impact. The satellite combines NASA's L-band radar, capable of penetrating vegetation and forest canopies, with ISRO's S-band radar, better suited for monitoring soil and surface dual-frequency capability gives NISAR a unique edge in detecting a wide range of Earth phenomena with unparalleled accuracy. NISAR is not just another Earth observation satellite — it is designed to revolutionize how we understand and respond to environmental and geological changes. Its ability to deliver high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imagery means it can monitor Earth's surface continuously, regardless of cloud cover or lighting conditions. With a swath width of 242 kilometers and powerful SweepSAR technology, NISAR will detect minute surface deformations as small as a centimeter. This makes it a game-changer in areas like: Disaster Management: NISAR can provide near real-time data on earthquakes, landslides, floods, volcanic activity, and other natural disasters. Emergency responders and authorities can use this data to map damage, track disaster progression, and allocate relief resources more efficiently. Climate Monitoring: The satellite will track glacial melt, sea-level rise, soil moisture, and permafrost degradation, providing vital input to climate models. This will help scientists better understand the pace of global warming and its regional effects. Agricultural Forecasting: NISAR can monitor crop growth, soil displacement, irrigation levels, and land use changes. This will allow governments to predict harvest yields, manage water usage, and detect signs of drought or land degradation early on. Urban and Infrastructure Planning: By measuring land subsidence and structural shifts, especially in rapidly growing cities, NISAR will aid in the monitoring of dams, roads, bridges, and buildings — reducing risks of collapses or infrastructure failure. Forest and Biodiversity Conservation: Its ability to penetrate dense vegetation makes NISAR a powerful tool in mapping deforestation, forest health, and habitat encroachment. Conservationists can use the data to track illegal logging and protect endangered ecosystems. The mission reflects India's emergence as a reliable partner in high-end space research and underscores the potential of science diplomacy. With NISAR, both India and the US are set to offer open-access satellite data, empowering not just national agencies, but also scientists, researchers, and governments worldwide to better respond to pressing planetary challenges. Democratizing access to satellite data ISRO and NASA have committed to making NISAR's data freely accessible within one to two days of capture, and in near real-time for urgent events. This open-data policy will be especially valuable for developing nations that lack access to high-end Earth observation systems, enabling better climate planning, resource management, and disaster preparedness. The mission also marks the first time a GSLV rocket will place a satellite into sun-synchronous polar orbit, a technical milestone for ISRO. This achievement expands India's launch capabilities and opens new pathways for supporting diverse international satellite missions in the future. Union Minister Jitendra Singh hailed the mission as symbolic of India's transition from utility-based space programs to global scientific leadership. As climate change accelerates, satellites like NISAR are becoming essential for policy intervention, risk assessment, and sustainability. A $1.5 billion mission for global good Developed over more than a decade with joint funding exceeding $1.5 billion, the NISAR mission is expected to have a transformative impact on how the world observes and responds to Earth's changing dynamics. With launch preparations underway, the mission stands as a scientific handshake between two spacefaring democracies for the benefit of the planet.
News18
7 hours ago
- News18
NISAR Satellite Will Monitor Earth Like Never Before, Says NASA As India Prepares For Lift-Off
Last Updated: Equipped with dual-frequency radar and the largest-ever antenna ever deployed in space, NISAR is the most expensive earth-observation satellite ever built, at $1.5 billion. At 5:40 pm on July 30, India's heaviest rocket GSLV, will lift off from Sriharikota carrying the most sophisticated radar satellite ever built. The 2393-kg satellite developed at a cost of $1.5 billion, marks the culmination of a decade of hard-work by scientists from NASA and ISRO who persevered through the pandemic to bring the mission to fruition. 'Everything looks good. The rocket is set. The weather is fine. We are ready to go," said Phil Barela, NISAR Project Manager from Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the pre-launch briefing 48 hours before the lift-off. A team of scientists from NASA-JPL is currently in India working closely with ISRO scientists, as the much-anticipated Indo-US satellite mission gears up for take-off. The much-anticipated NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is one of the biggest Indo-US satellite missions – that will provide a three-dimensional view of Earth in unprecedented detail. The first-of-its-kind satellite will scan nearly all the Earth's land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days, observing changes as small as a centimeter with high-resolution imagery, collecting earth observation like no other NASA satellite before it. 'We already have over two dozen missions in orbit observing Earth, but NISAR is a groundbreaking mission. It will advance our understanding significantly, with the ability to detect changes as small as a centimetre – regardless of the weather conditions. It has brought India and the US together to study Earth like never before," said Karen St Germain, Director of Earth science at NASA on Monday. The satellite will provide a detailed record of how Earth's land and oceans are changing over time – boosting climate research. The data will help scientists see the precursors to natural hazards like landslides, earthquakes and volcanoes to aid in disaster warnings and preparedness. The satellite worth $1.5 billion with NASA accounting for roughly $1.2 billion is one of the most expensive earth-imaging satellites ever built. While NASA has contributed the L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar – a high-rate telecommunication subsystem, GPS receivers and a deployable 12-meter unfurlable antenna. ISRO, on its part has provided the S-band SAR payload, the spacecraft bus to accommodate both payloads, the GSLV rocket and all associated launch services. The spacecraft will bounce microwave signals off Earth's surface and receive the return signals on a radar antenna reflector measuring 12 meters. Result – about 80 terabytes of data products per day over the course of NISAR's prime mission. The information will be processed, stored and distributed via the cloud – freely accessible to all. 'Any process that moves the land – even by just a few millimeters – NISAR will observe. No other Earth-monitoring mission offers this level of detail and frequency," noted Gerald Bawden, NISAR Program Scientist at NASA. view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 12:35 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
7 hours ago
- NDTV
NISAR Satellite Is India's Scientific Handshake With World: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
New Delhi: "NISAR is not just a satellite, it is India's scientific handshake with the world" says Science Minister Dr Jitendra Singh. This very unique Earth imaging satellite jointly made by India and America named the NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is a technological marvel and would be game changer in saving lives from impending natural disasters. That the world's oldest democracy USA and the world's largest democracy India are working together on this most expensive satellite that has cost upwards of 1.5 billion dollars to make is testament to the growing Indo-US bonhomie and strategic ties. Describing it as a landmark moment for Indo-US space collaboration, Dr Singh says the NISAR mission, the first joint Earth observation initiative between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is being hailed as a transformative step in India's international scientific engagements. Dr Singh described the launch as a significant milestone in India's growing stature as a global scientific power. "The July 30th launch of the NISAR' satellite from Sriharikota will upscale ISRO's international collaborations," he said, emphasising the mission's role in strengthening strategic scientific partnerships and showcasing India's capabilities in advanced Earth observation systems. ISRO takes care of the satellite commanding and operations, NASA will provide the orbit maneuver plan and RADAR operations plan. NISAR mission will be aided with ground station support of both ISRO and NASA for downloading of the acquired images, which after the necessary processing will be disseminated to the user community. The data acquired will help the scientists to understand the changes happening to planet Earth. He further underscored the mission's alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's global vision: "This mission lives up to PM Modi's vision of India becoming a 'Vishwa Bandhu'-a global partner that contributes to the collective good of humanity." Highlighting the broader implications of the mission, Dr Singh stated, "this mission is not just about a satellite launch - it is a moment that symbolises what two democracies committed to science and global welfare can achieve together. NISAR will not only serve India and the United States but will also provide critical data for countries around the world, especially in areas like disaster management, agriculture, and climate monitoring." The NISAR satellite, weighing 2,392 kg, will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit and will offer repeat imaging of Earth's land and ice surfaces every 12 days. It combines NASA's L-Band SAR and ISRO's S-Band SAR, mounted on a 12-meter deployable antenna. This dual-frequency radar system will enable high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging using Sweep SAR technology, covering a swath of 242 kilometers. Dr Singh elaborated on the mission's wide-ranging applications: "It will allow continuous monitoring of ecosystem disturbances and help assess natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and landslides. It will track even subtle changes in the Earth's crust and surface movement. Importantly, the satellite's data will also be used for sea ice classification, shoreline monitoring, storm tracking, crop mapping, and changes in soil moisture-all of which are vital for governments, researchers, and disaster management agencies." A key feature of the mission is its commitment to open data. "All data generated by NISAR will be made freely accessible within one to two days of observation, and in near real-time in case of emergencies," Dr Singh noted. This democratisation of data is expected to empower global scientific research and policy-making, especially in developing nations. Dr Singh also highlighted the mission's technological significance: "Notably, the NISAR mission is the first time a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket is being used to place a satellite in sun-synchronous polar orbit, signaling ISRO's growing technical sophistication in supporting diverse space missions." Reflecting on the mission's decade-long development and its 1.5 billion dollar joint investment, Dr Singh concluded, "Missions like NISAR are no longer confined to scientific curiosity - they are instrumental in planning, risk assessment, and policy intervention. As climate change impacts intensify, timely and accurate data from satellites like NISAR will be indispensable for governments to act proactively."
