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South Wales Argus
12-07-2025
- Science
- South Wales Argus
Night sky: Some of the strange objects in our solar system
In 2017, Oumuamua, (pronounced oh MOO-uh MOO-uh), caused a stir as it causally entered our neck of the woods in the autumn. The object, which measured 115 metres long, 364 metres wide, and 19 metres depth, was subsequently confirmed as the first body to have come from a planetary system beyond our own. Oumaumua, (which in Hawaiian means 'first distant messenger'), was travelling too fast to have originated from within our solar system, 54 miles per second, with comets and asteroids from within normally only achieving 12 miles per second. By January 2018, the object was lost by even the most powerful telescopes, probably never to be seen again. Within a few years, another object appeared, 2I/Borisov, discovered in August 2019. Travelling at 110,000mph, the object measured 3,200 metres across, with the last observations recorded in the summer of 2020. Now, another cosmic wanderer has been spotted, with its trajectory indicating that it will pass Mars in October 2025, with its closest approach to Earth in December. The object measures 12 miles wide and was first christened A11pl3Z but since renamed 3I/Atlas, as it was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, (ATLAS), telescope in Chile. The object's speed has been measured at 37 miles per second, which classes it as heralding from outside of our solar system. 3I/Atlas will pass Mars in October at 18 million miles, passing Earth at a totally safe distance of 150 million miles, so no threat to us but a great opportunity to study it. From an amateur astronomer's perspective, as the visitor approaches Earth, it is likely to brighten to a point sufficient for small telescopes and even binoculars to spot it. In space news, and rather sadly, a capsule carrying the ashes of 166 people that was supposed to take-off then make several orbits of the Earth before returning safely, didn't complete its intended feat. A German start-up firm, The Exploration Company, (TEC), said that it lost contact with the capsule after it had made two orbits of the Earth, with the craft ditching in the Pacific Ocean minutes before its scheduled splash-down designation. Designed to fulfil the dying wishes of the deceased who had dreamed of becoming astronauts, the capsule has been declared lost. On the morning of Sunday, July 13, there's a chance to glimpse Venus in the morning sky just before dawn. Venus will be sitting over the horizon to the northeast, outshining anything else in the sky. The bright star Aldebaran is close by. On the evening of Tuesday, July 15, Saturn, rising at around 11.30pm, will be positioned close to the Moon in the constellation of Pisces. Also in the evening sky is Mars, low in the west after sunset, but becoming increasingly more difficult to spot. Send your astrophotography pictures to: thenightsky@
News18
07-07-2025
- Science
- News18
Space Capsule With Cannabis Seeds, Ashes Of 166 People Crashes Into The Ocean
After launch, the capsule entered Earth's orbit and completed two rounds. All instruments worked fine, but contact was lost just minutes before its re-entry into the atmosphere In a tragic turn of events, German aerospace startup The Exploration Company (TEC) has announced the failure of its ambitious Mission Possible. Launched on June 23, the mission aimed to return safely after orbiting the Earth twice with the ashes of 166 people and some hemp seeds. However, the capsule, named Nyx, sank into the Pacific Ocean upon its return to Earth. The mission was designed by Texas-based space burial company Celestis, who envisioned not just sending the ashes into space but bringing them back to Earth as a symbolic gesture. After launch, the capsule successfully reached Earth's orbit and completed two orbits, with all onboard instruments functioning properly. However, contact was lost just minutes before its scheduled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. It was expected to land safely in the Pacific Ocean, but TEC later confirmed that the capsule had crashed directly into the ocean. No parts or ashes could be recovered. In addition to the human ashes, the capsule contained marijuana seeds as part of the Martian Grow Project, a citizen science mission to explore the feasibility of growing marijuana on Mars. Unfortunately, these seeds are now buried deep in the ocean. Celestis co-founder Charles M. Chafer expressed deep sorrow over the incident, acknowledging the grief of the families involved in the mission. He praised their courage and highlighted the historical significance of their participation. Despite the mission's failure, he said the fact that the ashes of 166 people orbited the Earth remains a respectable achievement. TEC has also recognised the technical shortcomings of the mission but emphasised the valuable lessons learned. The company has committed to launching similar missions in the future, aiming to achieve safe 'return space burials' and chart a new direction in the coming times. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: July 07, 2025, 12:10 IST
Times of Oman
07-07-2025
- Science
- Times of Oman
German space capsule lost carrying ashes of 166 people
Bavaria: Bavaria-based startup The Exploration Company (TEC) says it is investigating the loss of a space capsule that was carrying the ashes of 166 people back to their families. The "Nyx Mission Possible" craft had been due to return the ashes to Earth — and the bereaved — after orbiting the planet twice in late June. However, an anomaly occurred and the capsule was lost during its planned re-entry. What did TEC say about the missing capsule? In a statement posted on professional networking site LinkedIn, TEC said it had re-established communication with the capsule upon reentry — after a standard blackout because of the heat — before losing it again. "From an orbital altitude of 550 kilometers [about 340 miles], the capsule re-entered successfully in a controlled manner, with communication established post maximum heat. Communications were, however, lost at 26 km altitude, just before the transonic phase preceding the opening of the parachutes." "To better understand the outcomes, we have established an independent investigation team. Their findings will be shared with our clients, investors, and internal teams." In an earlier statement, TEC apologised "to all our clients who entrusted us with their payloads." What more do we know about the flight? Charles Chafer, co-founder and CEO of the Texas-based "memorial spaceflight" company Celestis, who hired TEC, said it was the first time that such a reentry had been attempted. "As a result of this unforeseen event, we believe that we will not be able to recover or return the flight capsules aboard. We share in the disappointment of our families, and we offer our sincerest gratitude for their trust." "Though we currently believe that we cannot return the flight capsules, we hope families will find some peace in knowing their loved ones were part of a historic journey, launched into space, orbited Earth, and are now resting in the vastness of the Pacific, akin to a traditional and honored sea scattering." As well as the human remains, the Nyx capsule had been carrying cannabis plant material and seeds for a citizen science project to study the viability of growing cannabis on Mars. In 2024, Celestis sent the remains of several people connected with the cult series "Star Trek" on a final journey into space, including the series' creator, Gene Roddenberry and his wife, Majel Barret Roddenberry, who was one of the actors.
DW
07-07-2025
- Science
- DW
German space capsule lost carrying ashes of 166 people – DW – 07/07/2025
A German startup is looking into how communications were lost with a memorial space flight capsule on its return to Earth. The Nyx craft was due to return ashes to bereaved families after the extraterrestrial trip. Bavaria-based startup The Exploration Company (TEC) says it is investigating the loss of a space capsule that was carrying the ashes of 166 people back to their families. The "Nyx Mission Possible" craft had been due to return the ashes to Earth — and the bereaved — after orbiting the planet twice in late June. However, an anomaly occurred and the capsule was lost during its planned re-entry. In a statement posted on professional networking site LinkedIn, TEC said it had re-established communication with the capsule upon reentry — after a standard blackout because of the heat — before losing it again. "From an orbital altitude of 550 kilometers [about 340 miles], the capsule re-entered successfully in a controlled manner, with communication established post maximum heat. Communications were, however, lost at 26km altitude, just before the transonic phase preceding the opening of the parachutes." "To better understand the outcomes, we have established an independent investigation team. Their findings will be shared with our clients, investors, and internal teams." In an earlier statement, TEC apologized "to all our clients who entrusted us with their payloads." Charles Chafer, co-founder and CEO of the Texas-based "memorial space flight" company Celestis that , said it was the first time that such a reentry had been attempted. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "As a result of this unforeseen event, we believe that we will not be able to recover or return the flight capsules aboard. We share in the disappointment of our families, and we offer our sincerest gratitude for their trust." "Though we currently believe that we cannot return the flight capsules, we hope families will find some peace in knowing their loved ones were part of a historic journey, launched into space, orbited Earth, and are now resting in the vastness of the Pacific, akin to a traditional and honored sea scattering." As well as the human remains, the Nyx capsule had been carrying cannabis plant material and seeds for a citizen science project to study the viability of growing cannabis on Mars.
India Today
07-07-2025
- Science
- India Today
Where are the dead? Remains of 166 people sent to space lost in the ocean
A space memorial mission that aimed to send the remains of 166 people into orbit ended in disappointment and loss, after the capsule carrying the ashes crashed into the Pacific Ocean and became mission, a collaboration between Houston-based space burial company Celestis and European partner The Exploration Company, was part of SpaceX's Transporter 14 rideshare launch on June 23, flight, named the Perseverance Flight, was designed to offer families a unique cosmic tribute, sending cremated remains and DNA samples into low Earth orbit, where they would circle the planet before re-entering the atmosphere and splashing down for recovery. This was to be Celestis' 25th mission and its 12th 'Earth Rise' flight, a service that allows families to retrieve a keepsake that has truly travelled through the memorial took a tragic turn when the capsule failed to complete its planned return and instead plunged into the depths of the confirmed that the remains are now lost at sea and cannot be recovered. 'No technical achievement replaces the profound personal meaning this service holds for our families,' said Celestis CEO Charles M. Chafer, acknowledging the emotional weight of the mission carried a diverse array of tributes, including ashes and DNA from people around the world, and even honored the youngest German to send his DNA into space, Matteo the years, Celestis has sent the remains of celebrities, scientists, and ordinary individuals into space, offering a new way to memorialise loved ones beyond Earth's the setback, The Exploration Company has vowed to learn from the experience and attempt another launch in the loss highlights both the promise and the risks of space memorial services, which have grown in popularity as more families seek extraordinary ways to commemorate their loved now, the remains of those aboard the Perseverance Flight rest at the bottom of the Pacific.- Ends
