scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
TopicSpacecraft

Topic: Spacecraft

A 1972 Soviet-era spacecraft never reached Venus. Stuck in space for 50 yrs, it’s now crashing back down

ScientiFix, our weekly feature, offers you a summary of the top global science stories of the week, with links to their sources.

Texas-based firm achieves first moon landing in more than half a century with private spacecraft

The six-legged robot lander, dubbed Odysseus, touched down at about 6:23 pm EST (2323 GMT), the company and NASA commentators said.

Japan working on 1st ever biodegradable satellite, made of magnolia wood

Kyoto University engineers plan to launch the tiny wooden satellite, LignoSat, to reduce space pollution. It is expected to fly this yr and operate in space for at least 6 months.

Chandrayaan-3 shows more than just ISRO’s excellence. It’s the STEM catalyst India needed

Having millions of young Indians enthusiastically engaging with science and technology is a huge return on investment on a mission like Chandrayaan-3. It will create several ripple effects.

China sends off Chang’e-4 for historic mission to the far side of the moon

Expected to land in January, Chang’e-4 will be the world’s first spacecraft to land on the side of the moon that faces away from Earth.

On Camera

India must reduce its dependence on fertiliser imports before it’s too late

What worsens India’s dependence on fertiliser imports is not merely the volume of imports, but the inefficiency with which the country utilises them.

Syringes, MRI to ventilators, West Asia war squeezing India’s medical supply chain—costs up 10 to 50%

Industry says manufacturers have 2-4 weeks of buffer stocks, but prolonged disruption could push up shortage risks, especially of consumables like IV and syringes.

UAE walks away from financing Rafale F5 due to restricted access to technology, reports French media

French newspaper La Tribune earlier last week indicated that UAE withdrew from deal to fund EUR 3.5 billion. India is looking to order 114 new Rafales, which could include the F5.

China insulated itself against energy shocks. India is ‘all talk, no walk’

China patiently invested capital, skill and technology in coal gasification. Unlike it, we won’t move from words to action. As crude prices decline, we lose interest.