Agnikul Cosmos, an Indian private space startup, prepares for a historic test-flight with its Agnibaan SOrTeD rocket powered by a semi-cryogenic engine. The rocket, weighing 580 kilograms, will launch from Sriharikota, targeting a height of 20 kilometers. This marks India's first private rocket launch from its own pad. Powered by a single-piece 3D printed engine, Agnikul aims to revolutionize satellite launches with customizable, transportable vehicles. With investments totaling $40 million and a young, dynamic team, Agnikul signals India's potential as a key player in the global space industry.

In a breakthrough discovery, NASA engineers deciphered a signal from Voyager 1, indicating a malfunction in its flight data subsystem. The signal, received in November 2023, deviated from the norm, prompting a closer examination. Recently, an engineer successfully decoded the signal, revealing a complete readout of the spacecraft's memory. This invaluable insight offers clues to address communication breakdowns. Despite the spacecraft's vast distance from Earth, over 24 billion kilometers, NASA remains optimistic about resolving Voyager 1's issues and continuing its groundbreaking journey through interstellar space.            

NASA's Europa Clipper Mission, set to launch in October, includes a unique message recorded in Hindi and 102 other languages. Engraved on a 7 by 11-inch tantalum plate, the message symbolizes Earth's connection to Europa's watery depths. Linguists collected recordings of the word "water" in various languages, etched into the plate alongside the American Sign Language symbol for "water." Inspired by the Voyager mission's golden record, the message aims to establish a connection with Europa, known for its potential ocean beneath the icy surface. The spacecraft also carries artwork and microchips with millions of names.

India's latest geostationary satellite, INSAT-3DS, launched by Isro, is capturing detailed images of Earth's surface and atmosphere. Equipped with advanced Imager and Sounder payloads, it offers insights into atmospheric dynamics. With six wavelength bands, it observes phenomena like clouds and vegetation health. Funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, INSAT-3DS aims to enhance meteorological operations, disaster warning systems, and weather forecasting. Its success signifies a milestone in India's space journey, revolutionizing meteorology with detailed Earth observation capabilities.

Marine researchers exploring the little-explored Bounty Trough off New Zealand's east coast have uncovered around 100 potential new species, including a mysterious starlike creature. Dr. Daniel Moore, from Ocean Census, described the three-week expedition as true exploration due to the lack of data in the area. The scientists are now analyzing their findings to confirm the newfound species. One puzzling discovery resembles a sea star or sea anemone, but its place in the tree of life remains unknown. Dr. Michela Mitchell suggests it might be a type of deep-sea coral called octocoral. The expedition aims to identify 100,000 unknown species in the next decade.

A massive comet called 12P/Pons-Brooks, larger than Mount Everest, might soon be visible without a telescope. Astronomers predict it will shine brighter as it swings closer to the sun on April 21, its first visit to the inner solar system in 70 years. Named after French and British-American astronomers, it's seen every 71.3 years. Last year, it flared up, earning it the nickname "the Devil Comet." Currently seen in the night sky, it will glow even brighter soon. With binoculars or apps, sky gazers in the northern hemisphere can catch a glimpse as it moves across constellations.

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) uncovered a novel marine slug species, Melanochlamys Droupadi, along the coasts of Odisha and Bengal. Measuring up to seven mm, the brownish-black sea slug with a distinctive ruby red spot was named in honor of President Droupadi Murmu. Scientists found 145 specimens along a three-kilometer stretch from Digha in West Bengal to Udaypur in Odisha. Lead author Prasad Chandra Tudu shared that this hermaphrodite species, requiring another sea slug for reproduction, is the second of its kind found in India. The discovery adds to the rich biodiversity of the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the four astronauts selected for India's Gaganyaan mission, representing the aspirations of 1.4 billion people. The astronauts, including Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair and Angad Pratap, are undergoing training in India and Russia. The mission marks India's first human spaceflight in 40 years. Additionally, Modi inaugurated three space infrastructure projects worth Rs. 1800 crore, aimed at boosting the country's space sector capabilities. These projects include facilities for satellite launches, engine testing, and wind tunnel testing, signaling India's commitment to space exploration and technological advancement.

Scientists uncover a new species of snake, potentially the largest in the world, in the Amazon rainforest. The northern green anaconda, measuring up to 6.3 meters (20.7 feet) long, was found during an expedition in Ecuador's Baihuaeri Waorani Territory. The discovery, made while filming for National Geographic, sheds light on the biodiversity of the region. Researchers highlight the importance of conservation efforts amid threats such as deforestation and climate change. The findings, published in MDPI Diversity, reveal the genetic divergence of the northern green anaconda from its southern counterpart, dating back nearly 10 million years.

India's ISRO successfully completes human rating tests for the CE20 cryogenic engine, a crucial step in the Gaganyaan mission. The engine, powering the LVM3 launch vehicle, underwent extensive ground qualification tests, including life demonstrations and endurance assessments. With four engines passing 39 hot firing tests, exceeding required cumulative duration, ISRO gears up for the crewed Gaganyaan mission in 2024-2025. ISRO has also finished acceptance tests for the flight engine designated for the first unmanned Gaganyaan (G1) mission, expectedly set in Q2 of 2024. ISRO's ambitious plans extend to establishing a space station by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040.