NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is making history with its closest-ever approach to the Sun, venturing into its outer atmosphere, the corona. The spacecraft endures temperatures of 1,400°C and radiation while coming within 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s surface. Traveling at a record-breaking 430,000 mph, the probe seeks to uncover why the corona is hotter than the Sun’s surface. Launched in 2018, this marks its 22nd solar pass. NASA expects a signal by December 28 to confirm its survival. The mission aims to improve understanding of solar wind and space weather, which impact Earth’s technology and daily life.

Asteroid 2024 XN1, nicknamed the "Christmas Eve asteroid," will pass Earth at 14,743 mph on December 24. The asteroid, which is roughly the size of an airplane, will make its closest approach at 02:56 am GMT. Measuring between 95 to 230 feet, it carries a destructive potential equivalent to 12 million tonnes of TNT. Despite being classified as a "near miss," the asteroid poses no collision risk, passing 4.48 million miles away from Earth. Discovered on December 12, it is being monitored by NASA and the European Space Agency, emphasizing the importance of tracking near-Earth objects.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore face growing health risks as their ISS mission, initially set for 8 days, stretches to over 300 days due to repeated delays with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Experts highlight risks including bone loss, muscle atrophy, and cardiovascular issues. Dr. John Jaquish predicts they may require stretchers upon return, warning of "extreme fragility fractures." Concerns mount for Williams, reportedly showing signs of malnourishment, though NASA denies these claims. The astronauts' return is now pushed to late 2025, pending the arrival of SpaceX Crew-10. NASA assures their health is closely monitored.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that nematodes, tiny roundworms thriving in Chernobyl’s high-radiation zone, may hold the key to DNA repair mechanisms. Despite the harsh environment, these worms exhibit no radiation-induced DNA damage. Researchers, led by Sophia Tintori of New York University, analyzed nematodes’ genomes from Chernobyl and other regions, discovering resilience and generational adaptations. Insights from this study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could explain why some humans are more prone to cancer and lead to advancements in DNA repair technologies. The findings highlight nature’s incredible adaptability and its potential benefits for science.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Indian Navy successfully conducted "Well Deck" recovery trials for the Gaganyaan mission near Visakhapatnam. Held aboard a well-deck ship of the Eastern Naval Command, the test simulated the recovery of the Crew Module, vital for astronaut safety during re-entry. Key operations included attaching a recovery buoy, towing the module, and securing it in the well deck. This trial validated procedures and refined SOPs for recovery scenarios. As India moves closer to its first human spaceflight, this collaboration marks significant progress in space exploration.

ISRO's PSLV rocket successfully launched two European satellites, Proba-3, into orbit from Sriharikota. The mission, postponed by a day due to a satellite issue, lifted off at 4:04 pm and placed the satellites in a 600 km orbit. Proba-3 will create an artificial solar eclipse to study the Sun's corona, a mysterious and ultra-hot outer layer. This is the world's first precision formation flying mission, where two satellites work together autonomously. ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath praised the team's precision. The project, led by ESA with Belgium and Spain, marks a major achievement in solar research and international collaboration.

India's ISRO successfully launched the Proba-3 mission for the European Space Agency (ESA) from Sriharikota at 4:04 PM today. The mission, managed by NewSpace India Ltd., involves two satellites, Coronagraph (310 kg) and Occulter (240 kg), flying 150 meters apart in precise formation to study the Sun's Corona. Proba-3 aims to provide critical insights into space weather and the Sun’s outer atmosphere, which is hotter than its surface. Officials called the liftoff a "textbook launch," with the 44.5-meter rocket achieving its desired orbit within 18 minutes. This marks another milestone in India’s global space collaboration.

Astronaut Sunita Williams is growing "Outredgeous" romaine lettuce on the International Space Station (ISS). The experiment, called Plant Habitat-07, studies how water availability affects plant growth in microgravity. This research aims to develop farming techniques for deep-space missions and improve water-efficient farming on Earth. By growing fresh food in space, astronauts can reduce resupply needs and enjoy better nutrition and mental health. The findings may also help address global food security and drought challenges. Williams, aboard the ISS since June, will return to Earth in February 2025 after completing several scientific and maintenance tasks.

ISRO's PSLV-XL will launch the Proba-3 mission on December 4, 2024, at 4:06 PM from Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The mission, a collaboration with the European Space Agency, aims to study the Sun's corona using two satellites: the Occulter Spacecraft and the Coronagraph Spacecraft. These satellites will fly in formation to create artificial solar eclipses and gather detailed observations of solar phenomena. Weighing 550 kg, the mission will enhance solar research, demonstrating precision formation flying and showcasing India's growing role in global space exploration.

Indian scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad have revealed a Martian depression in the Terra Sirenum region, which could indicate ancient conditions suitable for life. Their study, published in JGR Planet, highlights mineral-rich deposits and chloride-rich areas that show signs of multiple wet-dry cycles over thousands of years. These conditions may have created an environment for microbial life. The research provides new insights into Mars’ history and potential for past life, emphasizing the importance of these regions for future astrobiological investigations and the ongoing search for signs of life on Mars.