June 22, 2026

2026

Bandhan Bank loans grow 10% to Rs 1.45 lakh crore in December quarter; deposits up 11%

Bandhan Bank loans grow 10% to Rs 1.45 lakh crore in December quarter; deposits up 11%

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Private sector lender Bandhan Bank on Sunday reported a 10 per cent year-on-year growth in its loans and advances, totalling Rs 1,45,227 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2025.The bank had reported loans and advances worth Rs 1,32,019 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.According to the provisional business update submitted…

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‘Will cinemas become silos – like jazz bars’: Leonardo DiCaprio weighs in on the future of cinema |

‘Will cinemas become silos – like jazz bars’: Leonardo DiCaprio weighs in on the future of cinema |

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio expressed concerns about the evolving landscape of cinema, noting the decline of documentaries and the increasing preference for streaming over theatrical releases. He fears that traditional moviegoing might become a niche pursuit, akin to jazz clubs. Despite these worries, DiCaprio hopes that creative visionaries will continue to find platforms to share…

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‘Lot that could go wrong’: Trump plans to tap Venezuelan oil reserves — what it means

‘Lot that could go wrong’: Trump plans to tap Venezuelan oil reserves — what it means

Vamsikrishna06 mins mins

After a dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by American forces, US President Donald Trump said that he wants to tap its oil infrastructure. The bigger question, however, is whether such a move would yield any quick results.According to analysts, even if US oil giants invest billions of dollars in Venezuela’s massive oil reserves,…

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Did you know Deepa Mehta wrote ‘Bollywood Hollywood’ in just two months? ‘This seemed like just the medicine I needed’ – Exclusive |

Did you know Deepa Mehta wrote ‘Bollywood Hollywood’ in just two months? ‘This seemed like just the medicine I needed’ – Exclusive |

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Deepa Mehta is one of the most celebrated screenwriter-directors in the industry. From giving cinema the trilogy of elements, ‘Fire,’ ‘Earth,’ and ‘Water,’ she entertained the audience with ‘Bollywood Hollywood.’ The movie recently completed 11 years, and to celebrate the milestone, Deep Mehta, in an exclusive conversation, shares some interesting insights. She told us, “I…

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In pictures: Vande Bharat Sleeper train — Automatic doors to modern toilets as Rail Minister Vaishnaw shows what’s inside

In pictures: Vande Bharat Sleeper train — Automatic doors to modern toilets as Rail Minister Vaishnaw shows what’s inside

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw inspected India’s first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper Train at New Delhi Railway Station, marking yet another major step forward in the direction of a modern rail travel experience over long distances.The visit was an eye opener to how the Indian Railways is…

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Starlink announces free internet service in Venezuela till February 3; Elon Musk says ‘In support of ….’

Starlink announces free internet service in Venezuela till February 3; Elon Musk says ‘In support of ….’

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Starlink has announced free internet service in Venezuela till February 3. The announcement comes after the United States launched a swift overnight military operation against Venezuela on January 3, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife First Lady Cilia Flores. Sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter), the company wrote: “Starlink is providing free broadband…

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‘Ensuring continued connectivity’: Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide free internet services in Venezuela – key details

‘Ensuring continued connectivity’: Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide free internet services in Venezuela – key details

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

As Venezuela is going through a period of intense political uncertainty, billionaire Elon Musk has publicly voiced support for the country’s citizens, with SpaceX-owned Starlink rolling out free internet access.The tech mogul on Sunday posted, “In support of the people of Venezuela,” while reposting to Starlink’s announcement that it would temporarily offer free broadband services…

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Nana shares first statement after getting sued by home invasion burglar; says ‘I’ll make sure to fix this situation, so just trust me and don’t worry’ |

Nana shares first statement after getting sued by home invasion burglar; says ‘I’ll make sure to fix this situation, so just trust me and don’t worry’ |

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

In a surprising turn of events, former K-pop idol Nana finds herself in court after subduing an intruder last year alongside her mother. Now, the burglar is accusing her of attempted murder. In an emotional plea to her supporters, Nana assures them that she is determined to navigate this complex situation and is steadfast in…

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Dreaming of falling while sleeping? Doc explains the real reason behind hypnic jerk |

Dreaming of falling while sleeping? Doc explains the real reason behind hypnic jerk |

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Ever jolted awake from a terrifying dream of falling? Experts explain this common phenomenon, known as a hypnic jerk, as a normal brain misfire during sleep transitions. While usually harmless, frequent occurrences might signal stress, lack of sleep, or excessive caffeine. Simple lifestyle adjustments can help manage these unsettling experiences. We have all been there,…

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Weekly Horoscope (January 5-11, 2026): Saturn calls in every promise; these zodiac signs must honour what they said

Weekly Horoscope (January 5-11, 2026): Saturn calls in every promise; these zodiac signs must honour what they said

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Saturn is the karmic teacher, imparting wisdom, discipline, and life lessons for our growth. As it transits Pisces and Uttara Bhadrapada First Pada this week, its unyielding gaze insists that we reflect upon the choices we have made and accept responsibility while liberating ourselves from patterns originating in the past. The cosmic influence of Saturn…

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Odisha: Several people feared dead in rock collapse in stone quarry; rescue operation underway | Bhubaneswar News

Odisha: Several people feared dead in rock collapse in stone quarry; rescue operation underway | Bhubaneswar News

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

BHUBANESWAR: Several people are feared dead after a massive rock collapse at a stone quarry in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district, officials said on Sunday. The incident occurred on Saturday evening at a quarry near Gopalpur village under Motanga police station limits, when workers were engaged in drilling and stone exploration. A large section of rocks reportedly…

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Behind the scenes: White House releases images of Donald Trump monitoring Nicolás Maduro’s capture; see pics

Behind the scenes: White House releases images of Donald Trump monitoring Nicolás Maduro’s capture; see pics

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Donald Trump & his national security team monitors strike (Image/X@WhiteHouse) The White House has released images showing US President Donald Trump and his national security team monitoring Operation Absolute Resolve, the US military mission in Venezuela that culminated in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. The photographs, taken at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, show…

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AI generated image One may easily regard oneself as no more than a speck compared to the universe. Thirteen and eight-tenths billion years after the Big Bang, the universe has expanded to such an extent that light, moving at its absolute speed, requires billions of years to traverse it. There are hundreds of billions of galaxies that shine in our telescopes, and they are all full of stars, planets, and uncountable potentialities. Interestingly, this vastness will no longer find itself being viewed from afar and through imagination. The year 2026 holds great promise for humanity, which will be on the cusp of this great transitional year.The driving force behind this juncture in space exploration is a call to explore and observe space in a way that revisits the best traditions of the 20th century and presses forward into the future. Image: NASA India is pushing on many frontiers all at once. The Gaganyaan program is getting ready for its first test mission of astronauts into low Earth orbit, joining an elite club of countries that can undertake independent human spaceflight. Meanwhile, India’s Samudrayaan mission brings into relief a more holistic approach to exploration-that which reaches not only upwards into space but deep inside the Earth’s oceans.NASA’s Artemis II mission will make history early to mid-2026 as the first time humans will have traveled to the Moon since the Apollo era. Meant to be a 10-day journey, four astronauts will cruise around the Moon and back, testing life-support systems, navigation, and hardware that will be critical for future lunar landings. Artemis II won’t touch down on the Moon’s surface, but the symbolic weight of it is immense: it means humanity goes back to deep space with the dream of staying longer and going farther.Other countries are embarking on equally ambitious missions. China’s mission, Chang’e-7, which is set to launch in August, has set its sights on the mysterious south pole of the Moon, which has a cratered surface and permanent shadows where water ice is believed to be frozen. The ambitious mission to the lunar south pole will consist of an orbiter, a soft-lander, a rover, and a mini-prober. The mission answers one of the most vital questions related to lunar missions.However, after the Moon, focus is shifting towards Mars, with all the secrets it holds. The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission by Japan aims to travel to Phobos, which is one of the irregular moons of Mars that is quite small. The aim of the mission is to retrieve samples from Phobos and bring them back to Earth. If accomplished, it will be the first successful sample return from a Martian moon, which will unlock answers regarding the history of the Red Planet. Image: NASATo the many missions underway are being joined by powerful new telescopic visions of our universe. The PLATO space telescope, being planned by the European Space Agency for the end of 2026, will hunt for Earth-like planets and will concentrate on planets that could potentially support life on their surfaces. The Xuntian space telescope, being planned for orbit around the Tiangong space station, will survey the universe in broad fields of interest such as galaxies and dark matter.Closer home, the solar observatory Aditya-1 L1, launched by India, is expected to offer a unique perspective on the sun, especially when it is at its peak, thereby assisting scientists in gaining a holistic understanding of the solar storm, which may impact life on Earth.Collectively, these missions make the year 2026 far more than a crowded space calendar. It represents a point in time where humanity is reaching out to the stars, back to our own star, and forward to a place in time where exploration, whether it be space or the ocean, is integral in understanding our place within this huge universe we call home.G1 Mission: India’s acid test for human spaceflightWith the G1 mission, an uncrewed orbital test under the Gaganyaan programme tentatively scheduled for March 2026, India is hoping to take a serious leap forward in human spaceflight. As a full dress rehearsal for crewed missions, G1 will be used to determine whether the systems of India’s spacecraft can safely support astronauts in orbit and bring them back to Earth.This mission is scheduled to be launched aboard ISRO’s human-rated LVM3 rocket, carrying a humanoid robot called Vyommitra. This is intended to simulate astronaut responses and monitor crew-centric systems. Operating on a Low Earth Orbit of around 300-400 kilometres, the spacecraft will put critical technologies through real-flight conditions, including life support functions, communication links, and onboard safety systems. Image: ISROOne of the areas of emphasis of the new spacecraft will be the return to Earth’s atmosphere and the recovery phase, which includes surviving high temperatures in the atmosphere, parachute deployment, and landing in the ocean on schedule. This is one of the most challenging and high-risk areas of human space travel.If successful, the G1 mission would put India on the brink of its maiden manned spaceflight and put the country in a select league of nations with the ability to send humans on their own space vehicles. Notably, the maiden human spaceflight by India represents a crucial point in the country’s space program.Artemis II: Humanity’s first crewed return to deep space in half a centuryNASA’s Artemis project, originally announced as far back as 2017, with the goal of landing men on the lunar surface and ultimately establishing a presence there, has at last reached a crucial moment in its development: its maiden human mission. Scheduled now as potentially happening as early as February, Artemis II cements mankind’s long-overdue presence in deep space.When Artemis II blasted off, it marked the first time that astronauts would journey outside the Low Earth Orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. More than five decades have passed since humans flew beyond their territorial zone, visiting space via space shuttles and the International Space Station. However, Artemis II marked a turning point as it headed towards the Moon again. Image: NASAFour astronauts will also make the journey as part of the mission, consisting of NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, as well as the Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen. Together, they will undertake a journey around the Moon, taking a path that is inspired by the adventurous spirit of the historic Apollos, yet also driven by the challenges of the current age. Though they will not go to the surface, the path they are taking is a crucial one for those who will follow.However, returning to deep space after a longer period comes with a lot of challenges. Although NASA has relied on what was learned during the Apollo missions, Artemis is not a repeat program. The objectives are bigger, and the technology is more complex. The Artemis II is not a repeat program but rather a systems-scale test. The mission aims to prove the capability to transport humans far away from Earth.Orion’s orbital profile plays a crucial part in this mission. Instead of flying an orbital profile like the Apollo missions, which took it into a small orbit around the Moon, the Orion spacecraft for Artemis II has a long-sweeping orbit around the Moon. This type of “free return” orbital profile has been designed in such a way that it helps the spacecraft fall back into the orbit of the Earth even in the case of a significant propulsion system failure.When slingshotting back towards the Earth, the crew of the Orion spacecraft will have a historic opportunity to view the Earth’s closest neighbour. This is an opportunity most people have not had. More importantly, the Artemis II mission is not meant to plant a flag or leave a physical mark but pave the way for a mission to not only visit the moon but stay there. Artemis II is not about leaving footprints on the moon, but it’s about preparing for the next step.Chang’e-7: China targets the water-rich south pole of the moonThe Chang’e-7, finally approved in September of last year, denotes the latest chapter in a continually expanding lunar program, as the Chinese are scheduled to send an orbiting and landing expedition in 2026. The Chang’e-7, based on an extensive series of advances spanning a dozen years, is not a standalone mission but rather an intricate, multi-element expedition specifically focused on the scientifically most fascinating region of the Moon, namely the lunar south pole. Image: CNSAWeighing around 8,200 kilograms, this spacecraft symbolises the growing maturity of China’s Chang’e series. While previous missions like Chang’e-3 and Chang’e-4 concentrated on precise landings and lunar surface exploration, other missions like Chang’e-5 and Chang’e-6 were equipped with orbiters and ascent vehicles to facilitate return missions from lunar surface samples. For Chang’e-7, it has been decided that the lunar ascending and return to Earth spacecraft would not be included, and this reduction has been utilised to enhance lunar surface exploration.The launch is expected to take place with a Long March-5 heavy-lift rocket, with the spacecraft named Chang’e-7, from Launch Complex 101 at Wenchang Space Launch Site, located on Hainan Island. Currently, the target launch window, as indicated by officials, is August 2026, although this is to be confirmed by readiness in several areas of the launch.Aditya-L1 and the Sun’s most violent phaseFor India’s first space-based solar observatory, Aditya-L1, 2026 promises to be a remarkable year. Although the mission was placed into its operational orbit earlier, it is only now approaching the phase scientists have been waiting for most keenly: observing the Sun at the peak of its activity cycle. This period, known as the “solar maximum”, offers a rare and powerful window into the most violent processes unfolding on our nearest star.The solar maximum occurs roughly every 11 years, when the Sun’s magnetic field undergoes a dramatic reversal—its north and south magnetic poles effectively swap places. During this phase, the Sun shifts from a relatively calm state to one marked by turbulence and instability. Sunspots multiply, solar flares intensify, and the frequency of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) rises sharply. These vast eruptions, which hurl enormous bubbles of superheated plasma from the Sun’s outer atmosphere or corona, can appear like colossal fireballs racing through space. Image: ISROUnderstanding CMEs lies at the heart of Aditya-L1’s scientific mission. While CMEs rarely pose a direct threat to human life, their interaction with Earth’s magnetic field can trigger geomagnetic storms that disrupt satellite operations, navigation systems, radio communications, and power grids.The stakes are growing as Earth’s near-space environment becomes increasingly crowded. Nearly 11,000 satellites currently operate in orbit, including more than 130 from India. Disturbances caused by intense solar activity can alter satellite trajectories, degrade electronics, and increase atmospheric drag, shortening mission lifetimes. Reliable data on solar eruptions is therefore not just a scientific pursuit but a practical necessity.What sets Aditya-L1 apart is its unique ability to study solar eruptions in visible light. Its coronagraph can directly observe CMEs close to the Sun and measure their temperature and thermal energy, key indicators of how powerful an eruption might be if it were to travel toward Earth. These observations can help scientists assess the potential impact of solar storms with greater accuracy than before.As the Sun enters its most active phase, Aditya-L1 is poised to deliver insights that could reshape our understanding of solar behaviour while strengthening space weather forecasting. In doing so, the mission places India at the forefront of a field that is becoming ever more critical in an increasingly space-dependent world.PLATO: Europe’s new eye in search for other EarthsScheduled to begin operations in late 2026, the European Space Agency’s PLATO mission aims to revolutionise the search for Earth-like planets beyond the solar system. Using an arrangement of 26 cameras, PLATO will monitor around 200,000 stars in the Milky Way, focusing on Sun-like stars that may host rocky planets with conditions suitable for life.The mission will rely on the transit method, detecting tiny dips in starlight as planets pass in front of their host stars. Its overlapping fields of view will allow for long, precise observations, helping scientists identify and characterise extrasolar planets while also studying properties such as age and structure. Image: ESAPLATO will be the first scientific mission launched aboard Europe’s new Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket from Kourou. After launch, it will be sent to the Sun–Earth Lagrange point 2, about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, the same stable region used by the James Webb Space Telescope. Led by Germany’s DLR, the mission is expected to mark a major step forward in Europe’s quest to find worlds beyond our own.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘If Trump Can Capture Maduro, Why Can’t Modi Bring Back 26/11 Mastermind From Pakistan’: Owaisi‘Avoid All Non-Essential Travel To Venezuela’: India Issues Advisory For Citizens After US Strikes”No Control Over Minority Violence In Bangladesh…”: Former Indian Envoy Slams Yunus Govt“Infamous For His Tour With Anti-National Propaganda”: BJP Rips Rahul Gandhi Over Vietnam VisitInqilab Moncho To March Nationwide Seeking Justice For Sharif Osman Hadi14 Naxals Neutralized In Sukma And Bijapur As Security Forces Launch Anti-Maoist OperationHimachal College Horror: Student Dies After Alleging Sexual Harassment, RaggingIndia Reveals First Vande Bharat Sleeper Offering Faster Overnight Travel On Kolkata-Guwahati LineHindu Businessman Khokon Das, Hacked And Set Ablaze By Mob in Bangladesh, Dies 3 Days After Attack‘Slavery Destroys Heritage’: PM Modi’s Big Message After Unveiling Sacred Buddha Piprahwa Relics123PhotostoriesMorning or evening, when is the right time to consume magnesium supplementBeautiful and unique baby girl names that are perfect for your firstbornNine Planets and What To Donate To Appease The Planets5 signs that over-exposure to social media is causing attention problems in teens7 yoga poses to increase cognitive and concentration power10 powerful things to do after the first full moon for a great start to 20262026 travel bucket list: 8 visa-free countries for Indian passport holders7 foods to pair with eggs for maximum benefitsThe 7 wonders of the world to see and experience in 2026Spiritual lessons for modern times: Gauranga Das reveals 7 things that will change your life for the better123Hot PicksUS strikes VenezuelaVande Bharat Sleeper TrainPublic holidays January 2026Gold rate todayDelcy RodríguezVivek RamaswamyBank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk

AI generated image One may easily regard oneself as no more than a speck compared to the universe. Thirteen and eight-tenths billion years after the Big Bang, the universe has expanded to such an extent that light, moving at its absolute speed, requires billions of years to traverse it. There are hundreds of billions of galaxies that shine in our telescopes, and they are all full of stars, planets, and uncountable potentialities. Interestingly, this vastness will no longer find itself being viewed from afar and through imagination. The year 2026 holds great promise for humanity, which will be on the cusp of this great transitional year.The driving force behind this juncture in space exploration is a call to explore and observe space in a way that revisits the best traditions of the 20th century and presses forward into the future. Image: NASA India is pushing on many frontiers all at once. The Gaganyaan program is getting ready for its first test mission of astronauts into low Earth orbit, joining an elite club of countries that can undertake independent human spaceflight. Meanwhile, India’s Samudrayaan mission brings into relief a more holistic approach to exploration-that which reaches not only upwards into space but deep inside the Earth’s oceans.NASA’s Artemis II mission will make history early to mid-2026 as the first time humans will have traveled to the Moon since the Apollo era. Meant to be a 10-day journey, four astronauts will cruise around the Moon and back, testing life-support systems, navigation, and hardware that will be critical for future lunar landings. Artemis II won’t touch down on the Moon’s surface, but the symbolic weight of it is immense: it means humanity goes back to deep space with the dream of staying longer and going farther.Other countries are embarking on equally ambitious missions. China’s mission, Chang’e-7, which is set to launch in August, has set its sights on the mysterious south pole of the Moon, which has a cratered surface and permanent shadows where water ice is believed to be frozen. The ambitious mission to the lunar south pole will consist of an orbiter, a soft-lander, a rover, and a mini-prober. The mission answers one of the most vital questions related to lunar missions.However, after the Moon, focus is shifting towards Mars, with all the secrets it holds. The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission by Japan aims to travel to Phobos, which is one of the irregular moons of Mars that is quite small. The aim of the mission is to retrieve samples from Phobos and bring them back to Earth. If accomplished, it will be the first successful sample return from a Martian moon, which will unlock answers regarding the history of the Red Planet. Image: NASATo the many missions underway are being joined by powerful new telescopic visions of our universe. The PLATO space telescope, being planned by the European Space Agency for the end of 2026, will hunt for Earth-like planets and will concentrate on planets that could potentially support life on their surfaces. The Xuntian space telescope, being planned for orbit around the Tiangong space station, will survey the universe in broad fields of interest such as galaxies and dark matter.Closer home, the solar observatory Aditya-1 L1, launched by India, is expected to offer a unique perspective on the sun, especially when it is at its peak, thereby assisting scientists in gaining a holistic understanding of the solar storm, which may impact life on Earth.Collectively, these missions make the year 2026 far more than a crowded space calendar. It represents a point in time where humanity is reaching out to the stars, back to our own star, and forward to a place in time where exploration, whether it be space or the ocean, is integral in understanding our place within this huge universe we call home.G1 Mission: India’s acid test for human spaceflightWith the G1 mission, an uncrewed orbital test under the Gaganyaan programme tentatively scheduled for March 2026, India is hoping to take a serious leap forward in human spaceflight. As a full dress rehearsal for crewed missions, G1 will be used to determine whether the systems of India’s spacecraft can safely support astronauts in orbit and bring them back to Earth.This mission is scheduled to be launched aboard ISRO’s human-rated LVM3 rocket, carrying a humanoid robot called Vyommitra. This is intended to simulate astronaut responses and monitor crew-centric systems. Operating on a Low Earth Orbit of around 300-400 kilometres, the spacecraft will put critical technologies through real-flight conditions, including life support functions, communication links, and onboard safety systems. Image: ISROOne of the areas of emphasis of the new spacecraft will be the return to Earth’s atmosphere and the recovery phase, which includes surviving high temperatures in the atmosphere, parachute deployment, and landing in the ocean on schedule. This is one of the most challenging and high-risk areas of human space travel.If successful, the G1 mission would put India on the brink of its maiden manned spaceflight and put the country in a select league of nations with the ability to send humans on their own space vehicles. Notably, the maiden human spaceflight by India represents a crucial point in the country’s space program.Artemis II: Humanity’s first crewed return to deep space in half a centuryNASA’s Artemis project, originally announced as far back as 2017, with the goal of landing men on the lunar surface and ultimately establishing a presence there, has at last reached a crucial moment in its development: its maiden human mission. Scheduled now as potentially happening as early as February, Artemis II cements mankind’s long-overdue presence in deep space.When Artemis II blasted off, it marked the first time that astronauts would journey outside the Low Earth Orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. More than five decades have passed since humans flew beyond their territorial zone, visiting space via space shuttles and the International Space Station. However, Artemis II marked a turning point as it headed towards the Moon again. Image: NASAFour astronauts will also make the journey as part of the mission, consisting of NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, as well as the Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen. Together, they will undertake a journey around the Moon, taking a path that is inspired by the adventurous spirit of the historic Apollos, yet also driven by the challenges of the current age. Though they will not go to the surface, the path they are taking is a crucial one for those who will follow.However, returning to deep space after a longer period comes with a lot of challenges. Although NASA has relied on what was learned during the Apollo missions, Artemis is not a repeat program. The objectives are bigger, and the technology is more complex. The Artemis II is not a repeat program but rather a systems-scale test. The mission aims to prove the capability to transport humans far away from Earth.Orion’s orbital profile plays a crucial part in this mission. Instead of flying an orbital profile like the Apollo missions, which took it into a small orbit around the Moon, the Orion spacecraft for Artemis II has a long-sweeping orbit around the Moon. This type of “free return” orbital profile has been designed in such a way that it helps the spacecraft fall back into the orbit of the Earth even in the case of a significant propulsion system failure.When slingshotting back towards the Earth, the crew of the Orion spacecraft will have a historic opportunity to view the Earth’s closest neighbour. This is an opportunity most people have not had. More importantly, the Artemis II mission is not meant to plant a flag or leave a physical mark but pave the way for a mission to not only visit the moon but stay there. Artemis II is not about leaving footprints on the moon, but it’s about preparing for the next step.Chang’e-7: China targets the water-rich south pole of the moonThe Chang’e-7, finally approved in September of last year, denotes the latest chapter in a continually expanding lunar program, as the Chinese are scheduled to send an orbiting and landing expedition in 2026. The Chang’e-7, based on an extensive series of advances spanning a dozen years, is not a standalone mission but rather an intricate, multi-element expedition specifically focused on the scientifically most fascinating region of the Moon, namely the lunar south pole. Image: CNSAWeighing around 8,200 kilograms, this spacecraft symbolises the growing maturity of China’s Chang’e series. While previous missions like Chang’e-3 and Chang’e-4 concentrated on precise landings and lunar surface exploration, other missions like Chang’e-5 and Chang’e-6 were equipped with orbiters and ascent vehicles to facilitate return missions from lunar surface samples. For Chang’e-7, it has been decided that the lunar ascending and return to Earth spacecraft would not be included, and this reduction has been utilised to enhance lunar surface exploration.The launch is expected to take place with a Long March-5 heavy-lift rocket, with the spacecraft named Chang’e-7, from Launch Complex 101 at Wenchang Space Launch Site, located on Hainan Island. Currently, the target launch window, as indicated by officials, is August 2026, although this is to be confirmed by readiness in several areas of the launch.Aditya-L1 and the Sun’s most violent phaseFor India’s first space-based solar observatory, Aditya-L1, 2026 promises to be a remarkable year. Although the mission was placed into its operational orbit earlier, it is only now approaching the phase scientists have been waiting for most keenly: observing the Sun at the peak of its activity cycle. This period, known as the “solar maximum”, offers a rare and powerful window into the most violent processes unfolding on our nearest star.The solar maximum occurs roughly every 11 years, when the Sun’s magnetic field undergoes a dramatic reversal—its north and south magnetic poles effectively swap places. During this phase, the Sun shifts from a relatively calm state to one marked by turbulence and instability. Sunspots multiply, solar flares intensify, and the frequency of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) rises sharply. These vast eruptions, which hurl enormous bubbles of superheated plasma from the Sun’s outer atmosphere or corona, can appear like colossal fireballs racing through space. Image: ISROUnderstanding CMEs lies at the heart of Aditya-L1’s scientific mission. While CMEs rarely pose a direct threat to human life, their interaction with Earth’s magnetic field can trigger geomagnetic storms that disrupt satellite operations, navigation systems, radio communications, and power grids.The stakes are growing as Earth’s near-space environment becomes increasingly crowded. Nearly 11,000 satellites currently operate in orbit, including more than 130 from India. Disturbances caused by intense solar activity can alter satellite trajectories, degrade electronics, and increase atmospheric drag, shortening mission lifetimes. Reliable data on solar eruptions is therefore not just a scientific pursuit but a practical necessity.What sets Aditya-L1 apart is its unique ability to study solar eruptions in visible light. Its coronagraph can directly observe CMEs close to the Sun and measure their temperature and thermal energy, key indicators of how powerful an eruption might be if it were to travel toward Earth. These observations can help scientists assess the potential impact of solar storms with greater accuracy than before.As the Sun enters its most active phase, Aditya-L1 is poised to deliver insights that could reshape our understanding of solar behaviour while strengthening space weather forecasting. In doing so, the mission places India at the forefront of a field that is becoming ever more critical in an increasingly space-dependent world.PLATO: Europe’s new eye in search for other EarthsScheduled to begin operations in late 2026, the European Space Agency’s PLATO mission aims to revolutionise the search for Earth-like planets beyond the solar system. Using an arrangement of 26 cameras, PLATO will monitor around 200,000 stars in the Milky Way, focusing on Sun-like stars that may host rocky planets with conditions suitable for life.The mission will rely on the transit method, detecting tiny dips in starlight as planets pass in front of their host stars. Its overlapping fields of view will allow for long, precise observations, helping scientists identify and characterise extrasolar planets while also studying properties such as age and structure. Image: ESAPLATO will be the first scientific mission launched aboard Europe’s new Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket from Kourou. After launch, it will be sent to the Sun–Earth Lagrange point 2, about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, the same stable region used by the James Webb Space Telescope. Led by Germany’s DLR, the mission is expected to mark a major step forward in Europe’s quest to find worlds beyond our own.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘If Trump Can Capture Maduro, Why Can’t Modi Bring Back 26/11 Mastermind From Pakistan’: Owaisi‘Avoid All Non-Essential Travel To Venezuela’: India Issues Advisory For Citizens After US Strikes”No Control Over Minority Violence In Bangladesh…”: Former Indian Envoy Slams Yunus Govt“Infamous For His Tour With Anti-National Propaganda”: BJP Rips Rahul Gandhi Over Vietnam VisitInqilab Moncho To March Nationwide Seeking Justice For Sharif Osman Hadi14 Naxals Neutralized In Sukma And Bijapur As Security Forces Launch Anti-Maoist OperationHimachal College Horror: Student Dies After Alleging Sexual Harassment, RaggingIndia Reveals First Vande Bharat Sleeper Offering Faster Overnight Travel On Kolkata-Guwahati LineHindu Businessman Khokon Das, Hacked And Set Ablaze By Mob in Bangladesh, Dies 3 Days After Attack‘Slavery Destroys Heritage’: PM Modi’s Big Message After Unveiling Sacred Buddha Piprahwa Relics123PhotostoriesMorning or evening, when is the right time to consume magnesium supplementBeautiful and unique baby girl names that are perfect for your firstbornNine Planets and What To Donate To Appease The Planets5 signs that over-exposure to social media is causing attention problems in teens7 yoga poses to increase cognitive and concentration power10 powerful things to do after the first full moon for a great start to 20262026 travel bucket list: 8 visa-free countries for Indian passport holders7 foods to pair with eggs for maximum benefitsThe 7 wonders of the world to see and experience in 2026Spiritual lessons for modern times: Gauranga Das reveals 7 things that will change your life for the better123Hot PicksUS strikes VenezuelaVande Bharat Sleeper TrainPublic holidays January 2026Gold rate todayDelcy RodríguezVivek RamaswamyBank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk

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