Latest news with #space
The Independent
23 minutes ago
- Science
- The Independent
Life might have come from outer space, scientist say
The seeds of life on Earth might have come from outer space – and might be widespread throughout the rest of the universe, scientist say. Researchers have found complex organic molecules in a disc around a 'protostar' in a major breakthrough. Those molecules are seen as the precursors to the building blocks of life, which go on to become sugars and amino acids that are then combined into the complex flora and fauna that surrounds us. Researchers have found such complex organic molecules in other places before. But the new findings fill in a previously mysterious missing link – one that could suggest that life is more abundant than we realise. When cold protostar becomes a young star, surrounded by a disc of dust and gas, it is a violent process that includes intense radiation and the hurling out of gas. Researchers had been concerned that the extreme nature of that process could 'reset' the chemical compounds available around a star, meaning that they would have to be formed in the discs that at the same time are making planets. But the new findings suggest that complex molecules can stick around through that process, meaning they will be inherited by the discs that follow. The findings are reported in a new study, 'A deep search for Complex Organic Molecules toward the protoplanetary disk of V883 Ori', published in the The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
France says European satellite venture talks are making progress
PARIS (Reuters) -Efforts to set up a European space project alliance involving Italy's Leonardo, France's Thales and Airbus and aimed at challenging Elon Musk's Starlink are making progress, said France's industry minister on Thursday. "It's a project which we support. Talks are moving forward in a constructive manner," said France's Marc Ferracci during a meeting in Paris with his Italian counterpart Adolfo Urso. Urso said negotiations were aiming at giving the two countries an equal footing in the project, endorsed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Paris Airshow in June. Under the so-called "Project Bromo", named after an Indonesian volcano, Leonardo, Thales and Airbus have been exploring plans to set up a new satellite manufacturing company to better compete with the U.S. and China, but so far progress has been modest. Leonardo's Chief Executive Roberto Cingolani said last month that the three companies would make another assessment on where the deal stands by the end of July. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Satellite tracker Spaceflux reaches lift-off with £5m funding boost
A British space surveillance company which has won a string of government contracts will this week announce a £5.4m fundraising to expand its global network of advanced telescopes. Sky News understands that Spaceflux, which was founded three years ago, has secured the injection of capital in a round led by the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), which is managed by Future Planet Capital, as well as Foresight Group and Blackfinch Ventures. Seraphim Space, the listed specialist investor in space-related companies, is also contributing funding. Money blog: Renowned chef thinks luxury item should be wiped off menus Spaceflux uses artificial intelligence and optical sensors to track satellites and debris across all orbits, with its daylight tracking capability meaning it can expand the observation window beyond night-time operations. Its provision of space situational awareness technologies is in growing demand amid warnings that a week-long disruption to satellite navigation could incur a £7.6bn hit to the UK economy. In a statement to Sky News, Marco Rocchetto, CEO and co-founder of Spaceflux, said: "As space becomes increasingly essential to our economy, environment and daily lives, it is also becoming more congested and contested. "This investment strengthens our ability to protect satellite technology that delivers crucial insights to Earth around the clock, reducing collision risks, and supporting a safer, more sustainable space environment for future generations". The valuation at which the funding was being committed was unclear on Thursday. Spaceflux, which serves government and commercial customers, has been the exclusive provider of geostationary satellite tracking for the Ministry of Defence and UK Space Agency since 2023. Read more on Sky News: Alex Leigh, an investment director at UKI2S, said: "This investment marks a significant step in the convergence of defence and space, where dual-use technologies are becoming increasingly important to UK capability. "Spaceflux's technology offers critical insights to help monitor and safeguard orbital assets - supporting both national security and the wider commercial ecosystem. "The company is well-positioned to scale its impact and meet the needs of customers navigating an increasingly complex space environment."
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar takes champagne into space
The first champagne crafted for conditions of zero gravity celebrates a historic mission into space REIMS, France, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar is back on Earth after its debut flight into space. On 25 June 2025, the first champagne adapted to space launched on an Axiom Space mission from Florida, returning to Earth 15 July 2025 in perfect condition in its specially designed, state-of-the-art bottle. This historic event represents the culmination of nine years of research and experimentation, during which Maison Mumm, in collaboration with a community of experts, once again pushed the boundaries, continuing the explorations it began when it was founded in 1827. To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: Beyond the technological achievement of this brilliantly executed mission, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar is a powerful symbol of the spirit of celebration and conviviality, which – having united people on Earth for centuries – will in future extend into space. An unprecedented mission, nine years in the making The project that took Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar into space began in 2017, when Maison Mumm assembled an expert team: Octave de Gaulle, founder of SPADE, which specializes in designing products and experiences for human life beyond Earth; the CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales), France's national space agency; and Jean-François Clervoy, an astronaut with the European Space Agency, and the veteran of three NASA space missions. The first prototype of Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar was presented in 2018, resulting in an initial set of observations, both technical and oenological. These were integrated into the design of a second prototype, produced in 2022, which also conformed to CNES specifications for safety and tasting in conditions of zero gravity. That same year, Maison Mumm announced its collaboration with Axiom Space, which would carry Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar on a future, real-life mission. The final, crucial step before the mission could go ahead was a zero-gravity test flight, which was successfully completed in March 2025. And so, after nine years, on 25 June, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar blasted off from Florida, as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). The Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and biochemistry researcher, was accompanied by an international crew. The mission returned to Earth on 15 July, with Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar in apparently flawless condition. In approximately five months' time, Yann Munier, Cellar Master of Maison Mumm, will be authorized to open the bottle and taste the world's first champagne to have voyaged into space. A new frontier The unique feat achieved by Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar perpetuates Maison Mumm's heritage of exploration, and once again demonstrates its capacity – in this case quite literally – to open new frontiers. The House's pioneering spirit has long been epitomized by Mumm Cordon Rouge, which – over a century before it launched into space – accompanied Commandant Charcot, the first Frenchman to lead an Antarctic expedition, on his historic quest to the Polar Circle in 1904. From the ends of the earth to the outer reaches of space… "Over and above its contribution to space exploration, the significance of this project lies in what champagne represents – shared values, an enduring art de vivre, a symbol of our culture – and in the possibility of recreating it in an entirely new environment," comments César Giron, CEO of Maison Mumm. While Mumm Cordon Rouge is synonymous with earthly celebrations, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar preserves, beyond the boundaries of our planet, the memory of a terroir, a climate, a savoir-faire and a ritual of conviviality – in short, a symbolic link to life on Earth. Sébastien Barde, Deputy Director of Exploration and Human Spaceflight at CNES, adds: "The Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar project is a concrete example of the importance of considering conviviality and shared rituals in space. For CNES, these human dimensions are essential to the success of long-duration missions. By supporting projects like this one, we are exploring ways to improve the psychological well-being of crews and address the cultural challenges of human space exploration." Pushing the boundaries of design and winemaking Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar represented a two-fold challenge: of design and of winemaking. The design had not only to respect the stringent safety standards of a space mission, but also to preserve and ensure the precious champagne bottle remained intact. Futuristic in conception, it features a glass half-bottle secured by an opening and closing mechanism of stainless steel – the same material used by Maison Mumm for its vats in Reims. The bottle is protected within a sleek outer casing of aeronautical-grade aluminum, emblazoned with the iconic red ribbon of Mumm Cordon Rouge. The casing's long neck, ending in a cork secured by a metal ring, was designed to allow the champagne to be served in conditions of zero gravity. The second, and equally important, aspect of the challenge involved the champagne itself. In order to counteract the dulling of the senses of smell and taste that occurs in space, the blend of Mumm Cordon Rouge had to be subtly tweaked. "The freshness and power of Mumm Cordon Rouge were retained, while the intensity of the aromas was heightened by extended aging and the addition of a dosage liqueur made from wines raised in oak casks," explains Yann Munier. Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar is a way of encapsulating our culture, the memory of the terroir and tasting ritual that make champagne what it is. ABOUT G.H. MUMM G.H. Mumm – named after its founder Georges Hermann Mumm – has chosen Pinot Noir to define the style of its champagnes since its creation in 1827. For almost two centuries, its expertise has been dedicated to revealing the rich nuances of its signature grape variety. From the iconic Mumm Cordon Rouge to Mumm Blanc de Noirs, G.H. Mumm is an expert in selecting and blending the finest terroirs to express the diversity of Champagne's Pinot Noir grapes. G.H. Mumm champagnes are distinguished by their exacting quality standards and singular aromatic personality: intense freshness, generous fruit and elegant structure, achieved after between two and five years' aging in the cellars in Reims, France. PRESS CONTACT Laurie ENJOY RESPONSIBLY View original content: SOURCE Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar
Reuters
5 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
France says European satellite venture talks are making progress
PARIS, July 24 (Reuters) - Efforts to set up a European space project alliance involving Italy's Leonardo ( opens new tab, France's Thales ( opens new tab and Airbus ( opens new tab and aimed at challenging Elon Musk's Starlink are making progress, said France's industry minister on Thursday. "It's a project which we support. Talks are moving forward in a constructive manner," said France's Marc Ferracci during a meeting in Paris with his Italian counterpart Adolfo Urso. Urso said negotiations were aiming at giving the two countries an equal footing in the project, endorsed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Paris Airshow in June. Under the so-called "Project Bromo", named after an Indonesian volcano, Leonardo, Thales and Airbus have been exploring plans to set up a new satellite manufacturing company to better compete with the U.S. and China, but so far progress has been modest. Leonardo's Chief Executive Roberto Cingolani said last month that the three companies would make another assessment on where the deal stands by the end of July.
