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...
Earth’s Hidden Cosmic Particle Accelerator: Unraveling the Mystery of Supercharged Electrons Introduction Imagine a colossal particle accelerator floating invisibly in space, one that can hurl electrons to near-light speeds. Surprisingly, Earth harbors such an accelerator, and it lies just beyond our planet’s protective magnetic shield. Recent findings from three major space missions in 2017 uncovered a mysterious and powerful cosmic accelerator lurking upstream of Earth’s bow shock, where the solar wind collides with the planet’s magnetosphere. This unexpected discovery has intrigued astrophysicists and space scientists worldwide, leading to questions about how electrons in Earth’s foreshock region can acquire an enormous amount of energy. This article delves into this fascinating phenomenon, examining the groundbreaking data that exposed it, the potential implications for space weather, and its significance in the broader context of cosmic accel...