In a landmark moment for India's space ambitions, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has blasted off to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission , marking the country's return to human spaceflight after a 41-year hiatus . This historic launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida has not only reignited national pride but also officially kickstarted India’s human spaceflight programme . The mission, operated by Axiom Space , includes a four-member international crew that will spend 14 days in orbit , conducting scientific research, outreach programs, and various commercial activities. This momentous occasion places India among a select group of nations capable of sending humans into space and reflects the growing prowess of the Indian space sector . A New Chapter: Shubhanshu Shukla and India’s Astronautical Comeback The last Indian to go to space was Rakesh Sharma in 1984, aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11. Now, in 2025, Shubhanshu...
Asteroid Bennu: A Gateway to Understanding Life’s Origins
About Asteroid Bennu
- Bennu is a small, near-Earth asteroid that follows a six-year orbit around the Sun, periodically coming close to Earth.
- It is classified as a carbonaceous (C-type) asteroid, meaning it is rich in carbon-containing compounds and may hold clues to the early solar system.
- Scientists believe Bennu originated from a much larger carbon-rich asteroid that broke apart 700 million to 2 billion years ago.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx Mission
- The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was launched by NASA in 2016 to study Bennu and collect surface samples.
- In 2020, the spacecraft successfully retrieved samples using its robotic arm and stored them in a return capsule.
- In 2023, these samples were delivered back to Earth for analysis.
Scientific Findings from Bennu’s Samples
- The samples contained essential life-building compounds, such as:
- Amino acids – Fundamental components of proteins.
- Nucleobases – Key building blocks of DNA and RNA.
- Water-bearing minerals – Indicating that water might have existed on Bennu in the past.
- These discoveries support the theory that asteroids like Bennu could have delivered the necessary ingredients for life to Earth billions of years ago.
Why is Bennu Important?
- Understanding the origins of life: The presence of organic molecules strengthens the hypothesis that life’s building blocks came from space.
- Insight into early solar system conditions: Bennu is considered a time capsule, preserving unaltered materials from the solar system's formation.
- Potential asteroid impact risk: Bennu has a very small chance of impacting Earth in the late 22nd century, making its study crucial for planetary defense.
This discovery opens new doors for astrobiology, supporting the idea that life’s origins may have been influenced by space-borne organic compounds.