Gopichand Thotakura, India's first civilian astronaut explored space as part of the New Shepard-25 mission by space company Blue Origin. Thotakura, a successful entrepreneur and skilled pilot, pursued his passion for flying from a young age.
Astronaut salaries vary globally, with Indian-American astronauts earning Rs 70 lakhs to Rs 1.27 crores annually. Military astronauts receive Rs 8.92 lakhs per month, while ESA astronauts start at Rs 5.50 lakhs. UK astronauts earn Rs 5.86 lakhs, French astronauts Rs 7.23 to 8.43 lakhs, and Russian astronauts Rs 4.58 lakhs.
The Starliner mission, initially scheduled for eight days, has become prolonged due to issues with the spacecraft. This marks the first crewed flight of Boeing's Starliner, which launched on June 5, and NASA is now considering all viable options for a safe return.
Scientists have developed an implantable device called iSOS that detects opioid overdoses and automatically administers naloxone. Created by MIT, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, it monitors vital signs and delivers naloxone quickly. Initial tests on pigs showed high success rates, with human trials pending.
Elon Musk's interview with Donald Trump on X was delayed by a DDoS attack, overwhelming the platform with excessive traffic. The attack disrupted the scheduled event, leading Musk to proceed with a limited audience at 8:30 PM ET, promising to share the unedited audio afterwards despite the setback.
NASA announced the delay of the joint US-Indian NISAR radar imaging satellite launch to at least February 2025 due to ongoing antenna work and orbital constraints. The antenna required a special coating to withstand high temperatures. Once the antenna is reinstalled and tested, a new launch date will be set by NASA and ISRO.
The Jagannath Temple in Puri, a revered Chardham site, houses the mysterious Ratna Bhandar, rumoured to be guarded by serpentine protectors. Dating to the 12th century, the temple's Ratna Bhandar have periodically revealed vast riches, last opened in 1985 before a recent unveiling on July 14, 2024, renewing public intrigue and debate over its cultural significance and security.
Scientists discovered a large cave near the Apollo 11 landing site on the Moon, accessible through a collapsed lava tube in the Sea of Tranquility. Radar data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter revealed the cave's existence, suggesting potential future lunar bases. The find could aid in understanding lunar geology and support extended human exploration missions.
Sunita Williams, the 59-year-old Indian-American astronaut, was launched aboard the Boeing Starliner, alongside Wilmore, a NASA astronaut, from Cape Canaveral, Florida on June 5.
Indian-origin entrepreneur and pilot Gopichand Thotakura made history by becoming the first Indian tourist to venture into space as part of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin's NS-25 mission. In a video posted on the official Instagram account of Blue Origin, Thotakura can be seen showing a tiny Indian flag while in space.
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