A new voting simulation reported by El Comercio shows Peru’s 2026 presidential race remains highly volatile just days before the April 12 election. The poll suggests no clear frontrunner, with several candidates clustered closely and a significant share of undecided voters. Analysts say the “electoral board keeps shifting” as alliances and late campaign dynamics influence voter preferences. The fragmented landscape reflects broader political instability following years of institutional crisis. Experts warn that the lack of a dominant candidate could lead to a highly contested second round. The findings underline the unpredictability of one of Peru’s most uncertain elections in recent history .

One dead and dozens injured in Lima stadium incident

At least one person has died, and dozens were injured following a crowd incident outside Lima’s Alejandro Villanueva Stadium ahead of a match involving Alianza Lima. Authorities ruled out any structural collapse, indicating the incident was caused by disorder among fans gathered for a pre-match event. Emergency services treated numerous injured people, several of them in critical condition, as investigations continue into the circumstances. Officials and club representatives pledged full cooperation to determine responsibility. Despite the incident, the domestic league confirmed the fixture would go ahead as planned. The tragedy has renewed concerns over crowd control and safety at major sporting events in Peru.

Peruvian engineer joins historic Artemis II moon mission

Peruvian engineer Jackelynne Silva Martinez has been highlighted for her role in NASA’s Artemis II, the mission set to orbit the Moon. Her participation marks a significant milestone for Peru’s presence in global space exploration. According to reports by La Republica, Silva Martínez is contributing to key engineering aspects of the programme. The mission is part of broader efforts to return humans to the Moon and pave the way for future Mars exploration. Her achievement has been widely celebrated as an inspiration for young scientists in Peru. Officials and academics emphasised the importance of investing in science and technology to build on such successes.

Mining exports surge driven by gold and copper

Peru’s mining exports recorded a sharp increase of 47.6% in December 2025, according to figures from the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Peru cited by La Republica. The growth was largely driven by strong international demand for gold and copper, the country’s main export commodities . The figures highlight the continued importance of the mining sector to Peru’s economy, accounting for a significant share of export revenues. Authorities noted that global market conditions and production levels both contributed to the surge. Economists say the trend could support economic recovery if sustained. However, they also stress the need for diversification to reduce dependence on raw materials.

Peruvian scientists highlight climate impact in Antarctica

A group of Peruvian researchers participating in Antarctic missions have warned about the growing impact of climate change on the continent’s megafauna. According to La Republica, the scientists—described as ambassadors of Peru and science—are studying how rising temperatures affect marine ecosystems and species survival. Their findings point to shifts in animal behaviour and habitat conditions linked to global warming. The research forms part of Peru’s ongoing scientific presence in Antarctica. Experts stress that such studies are crucial for understanding global climate patterns. The initiative also highlights Peru’s contribution to international environmental research efforts.

Africa’s role in the first Moon landing

Africa was embedded in the operational backbone of the Apollo missions that culminated in the 1969 Moon landing .

NASA’s early space programme relied on a globally distributed tracking network to maintain communications as spacecraft moved beyond the line of sight of any single ground station. Facilities in Kano, Nigeria and Tunguu, Zanzibar, alongside a major installation at Hartebeesthoek near Johannesburg, were part of that system.

These stations handled telemetry, tracking, and voice communications, relaying data between spacecraft and mission control. The Hartebeesthoek site also supported earlier missions, including receiving data from the Mariner 4 probe that produced the first images of Mars.

At least part of Apollo 11’s journey to the Moon was tracked through this network, illustrating how missions depended on continuous coverage across multiple continents rather than any single country’s infrastructure.

South Africa’s current role in Artemis

That same requirement for uninterrupted communication is driving Africa’s inclusion in the Artemis architecture .

NASA and South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation have formalised cooperation to build a new ground station in Matjiesfontein, in the Karoo region. The site will be one of three Lunar Exploration Ground Sites globally, alongside facilities in the United States and Australia.

The installation will include large communications antennas — between 18 and 24 metres — designed to maintain near-continuous links with spacecraft operating in lunar orbit and on the Moon’s surface.

Badri Younes, deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation programme, said the site would support “communication with all of our astronauts in and around the moon” and form part of a broader Moon-to-Mars mission network.

South Africa’s government has allocated at least 70 million rand ($3.93 million) to support infrastructure and communications systems at the site, which will be operated by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).

Why Africa’s position matters

The inclusion of an African ground station is driven by orbital mechanics rather than diplomacy.

As the Earth rotates, spacecraft move in and out of view of individual ground stations. A network spanning North America, Africa and Australia allows continuous tracking, ensuring that the Moon remains within line of sight of at least one station at any given time.

This configuration enables real-time transmission of navigation data, system diagnostics, and crew communications. These functions become increasingly critical as missions extend further from Earth and involve sustained human presence.

Expanding role in future missions

South Africa is positioning itself to support a broader pipeline of deep-space activity.

The Matjiesfontein station will also help meet rising demand on NASA’s existing Deep Space Network and support future missions beyond Artemis, including those linked to Mars exploration.

SANSA, for its part, is targeting involvement in dozens of upcoming missions over the next decade, reflecting a shift from historical participation in tracking to a more sustained role in space infrastructure and services.

Africa’s importance in returning humans to the Moon lies in function rather than visibility.

Apollo demonstrated that lunar missions require a globally distributed support system. Artemis builds on the same principle, with Africa once again providing a critical segment of that network.

In 2025 alone, over 15 African countries are actively involved in space programmes, with Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya leading the charge. According to the African Space Industry Annual Report, the continent’s space economy was valued at $19.49 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit $23 billion by 2026.

Country-by-Country Dispatches

The NewSpace Africa Conference 2025, held in Egypt, also officially launched AfSA and unveiled the EU-Africa Space Programme, a €100 million collaboration supported by NASA, ESA, Airbus, and more.

While China leads the charge in infrastructure development, it has 23 bilateral space partnerships across Africa, spreading from satellite assembly labs to monitoring telescopes with strategic advantages like data access and long-term presence. Egypt, South Africa, and Senegal are also engaged in a proposed moon base program.

While resource constraints and external dependencies remain, the launch of AfSA, growth in local expertise, and growing international partnerships give hope that space might now be an instrument for inclusive development.

Developed by the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in Hefei, Anhui Province, the system uses a high-precision solar concentrator and flexible fibre-optic energy transmission to generate the extreme heat needed to fuse lunar regolith, the layer of loose, dusty material covering the moon.

According to senior engineer Yang Honglun, the successful prototype proves that lunar soil can serve as the sole raw material for creating infrastructure on the moon.

“This printing breakthrough has validated the feasibility of using lunar soil as the sole raw building material, enabling true in-situ resource utilisation and eliminating the need to transport any additional materials from Earth,” Yang said.

The technology features flexible manufacturing capabilities that allow for the production of standard bricks as well as the moulding of complex, custom-designed structures. The lab has completed preliminary tests on Earth, demonstrating the system’s ability to melt and shape lunar regolith into lines, surfaces, and three-dimensional forms using concentrated solar energy, The People’s Daily Online reports.

The project tackled major technical challenges, including reliable solar energy concentration and precise regolith shaping under the harsh conditions expected on the lunar surface. A multidisciplinary team of experts in planetary science, materials science, engineering, and optics collaborated to solve these problems, developing key innovations in energy capture and material processing.

In the future, the 3D printing system could support the construction of lunar roads, equipment platforms, buildings, and energy systems, laying the foundation for large-scale, sustainable exploration and potential resource utilisation on the moon.

The Tiandu lab, which built the printer, has already contributed to major projects such as the Chang’e-6 mission, which returned the first-ever samples from the far side of the moon, and is now preparing to develop the world’s first Mars sample research facility.

He will join a four-member crew led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting scientific research and outreach activities.

Shukla, 38, was born in Lucknow and was inspired to join the armed forces after the 1999 Kargil War.

A graduate of the National Defence Academy and Indian Institute of Science , he has served the Indian Air Force for nearly two decades, flying several combat and transport aircraft.

He was selected for India’s human spaceflight programme in 2019 and trained in both Russia and India before being chosen for this international mission.

While he is also one of the four astronauts named for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, the Axiom flight will make him the second Indian to travel to space and the first to board the ISS.

His training journey

In preparation for his flight, Shukla underwent months of advanced training with NASA, the European Space Agency, and Japan’s space agency.

He completed modules on emergency operations, life support systems, and international experiments aboard the Columbus and Kibo modules of the ISS .

According to Axiom, the crew has been trained to operate across multiple segments of the space station, including educational outreach and commercial activities.

This level of international collaboration underlines the growing intersection between public and private space missions and India’s evolving role within that framework.

Shukla's flight not only continues the legacy of Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space in 1984, but also highlights how new generations of astronauts are emerging from nations that once played limited roles in human spaceflight.

Personal life

Beyond the spacesuit, Shukla is a family man. He lives with his wife Kamna, a dentist, and their young son.

His family in Lucknow has followed his journey with pride and anticipation. Though calm and disciplined in public appearances, those close to him describe him as deeply curious, especially about space science, philosophy, and even horoscopes, despite identifying as agnostic.

As India watches one of its own head to the ISS, the moment signals more than personal achievement.

It reflects the country’s growing technical ambitions and its ability to participate meaningfully in complex global missions.

Upon returning, Katy Perry expressed her emotions by raising her hand skyward and kissing the ground. She shared that she brought a daisy into space to honor her daughter, saying, "I feel super-connected to love... this experience has shown me how much love is inside of me." During the flight, King noted that Perry sang "What a Wonderful World ."

Oprah Winfrey attended the launch and was visibly emotional as she watched her friend Gayle King's capsule land. King, who has previously expressed apprehension about flying, remarked on the experience and paraphrased Eleanor Roosevelt's wisdom about courage, saying, "Courage is doing something that scares you, but you do it anyway."

In a subsequent news conference, Sanchez described the journey as "profound," highlighting the stunning views of Earth and the moon. King confronted the negative perceptions surrounding the flight, advocating for the term "journey" instead of "ride" and emphasizing its significance for inspiring young people . Perry supported this characterization, calling the experience "supernatural."

This mission marks a historic achievement as the first all-female spaceflight since 1963, following the solo mission of Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova. The crew departed their staging area at 8:00 a.m. CDT, greeted by enthusiastic friends and family, with the launch occurring shortly after at approximately 8:30 a.m. CDT. Perry had expressed a long-held dream of space travel the day before the mission, proudly stating on social media , "I've dreamt of going to space for 15 years and tomorrow that dream becomes a reality."

This challenges what experts previously believed about plasma movement around the Moon.

The study revealed that electron levels in the Moon’s ionosphere can be nearly 100 times higher than usual when it moves through this part of space.

Researchers believe that weak magnetic fields on the Moon’s surface could be trapping these charged particles and stopping them from escaping.

Scientists used a special technique to measure these changes.

The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter sent radio signals back to Earth, allowing experts to track electron levels in different parts of the Moon’s atmosphere.

They found a sharp increase in electron density—up to 23,000 electrons per cubic centimetre—especially in certain regions.

These findings could be important for future Moon missions.

High plasma levels could affect communication, equipment, and even how lunar dust moves.

Understanding these changes will help space agencies prepare better for future robotic and human missions to the Moon.

Howard Hu, NASA Orion Program Manager, provided details about the capsule’s capabilities. “This is our Artemis II spaceship, Orion. The capsule is over 16 feet wide, designed for a four-person crew with a 21-day mission capacity. The crew module houses the astronauts and ensures their safe return, while the service module contains essential systems, including power, propulsion, and the main engine,” he told the AFP.

Hu also highlighted the mission’s progress, stating that the installation of solar arrays was completed ahead of schedule. “We’re on track for our end-of-April 2026 launch window. Our European team did a fantastic job installing the solar arrays ahead of schedule, which keeps us moving forward.”

Kirk Shireman, another Orion program manager, emphasised the human aspect of Artemis II. “Artemis I tested the rocket and spacecraft, but Artemis II is all about humans. It will have four astronauts on board, with life-support systems ensuring they can breathe, drink water , and even use a toilet. The spacecraft also features control panels for manual operation.”

Artemis II will be NASA’s first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.

According to records from NASA , the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, and the International Astronautical Federation, here are the first 5 countries to achieve independent human spaceflight capability:

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union achieved a historic milestone on April 12, 1961, when cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft.

United States

Just a few weeks after Gagarin's flight, NASA's astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 5, 1961, aboard the Freedom 7 spacecraft.

Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia participated in the Interkosmos programme, a Soviet-led international spaceflight programme that allowed Eastern Bloc countries to send cosmonauts to space. Vladimír Remek became the first Czech cosmonaut on March 2, 1978.

Poland

Poland also participated in the Interkosmos programme, with Mirosław Hermaszewski becoming the first Polish cosmonaut on June 27, 1978.

East Germany

Sigmund Jähn made history as the first German in space. On August 26, 1978, he travelled aboard Soyuz 31 as part of the Soviet Union's Interkosmos program, heading to the Russian Salyut 6 space station. At the time, Jähn was a citizen of East Germany.

Here is a compilation of a few unexpected events in 2024:

NASA spacecraft completes closest-ever approach to the sun

On Friday, December 27, NASA announced that its Parker Solar Probe was "safe" and operating normally after making the closest-ever approach to the sun by any human-made object. On December 24, the spacecraft passed just 6.1 million kilometres from the solar surface, entering the sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, to help scientists learn more about our closest star.

Richard "Rick" Slayman - the first man to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant

Richard "Rick" Slayman was the first man in the world to receive the groundbreaking genetically modified pig kidney transplant in March. Unfortunately, he passed away two months later.

Ace Liam became the world's youngest male artist GWR holder

Ace Liam, a one-year-old from Ghana was announced as the Guinness World Record's Youngest Artist. His mother shared the news via social platform X on May 14, 2024.

China's lunar mission returns to Earth with first-ever samples from the moon's far side

For the first time in world history, China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission returned to Earth from space in June with samples from the moon's far side. The samples comprised some of the moon's oldest rocks from the south pole.

Jaan Roose walks from Europe to Asia on a slackline

For 47 minutes on September 15, Jaan Roose, an Estonian covered 1,074 metres from Europe to Asia on a slackline across Turkey's Bosphorus Bridge.

Saudi surgeon performs the world's first fully robotic heart transplant

Saudi surgeon Dr Feras Khaliel became a global sensation after he performed the world's first fully robotic heart transplant in September. He was subsequently honoured by the country's Research, Development and Innovation Authority with Health Research Excellence: Applied Innovation.

Russ Cook's historic 352-day marathon across Africa

For 352 days, British extreme marathon runner, Russ Cook embarked on a 16,000-kilometre journey across 16 African countries. He began the marathon in the South African village of Cape Agulhas and ended at Ras Angela in Tunisia.

Nepal teen breaks record by climbing all 14 highest peaks

Nima Rinji Sherpa, an 18-year-old from Nepal, became the youngest person to climb all 14 of the world's highest peaks, known as the 'eight-thousanders' on October 9.

World's first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space

Japanese researchers launched the world's first wooden satellite into space on Tuesday, November 5, as an early test for using timber in lunar and Mars exploration.

Commander Ye, who previously flew as part of the Shenzhou-13 crew from October 2021 to April 2022, has now become the first Chinese astronaut with over a year of cumulative time in space. This achievement marks a new record for the longest duration a Chinese astronaut has spent in orbit.

"Chinese astronauts have flown to space in successive missions," Ye said. "I believe that the record of the duration in orbit will be broken in the near future."

The Shenzhou-18 mission concluded after the crew were succeeded by the Shenzhou-19 crew, who landed in space on October 30 and are expected to remain on the station until late April or early May 2025.

Another team will take over at that time, ensuring the Tiangong station remains permanently crewed.

After taking off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch site on Wednesday, October 30, the crew travelled over six hours to reach the Tiangong station. They are set to replace the Shenzhou-18 crew, who have been aboard the station since April. However, the transition will take several days, with the two astronaut teams living and working together for about five days to complete handover tasks.

According to Chinese officials, the Shenzhou-18 crew is scheduled to return to Earth at the Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia on November 4. Meanwhile, the Shenzhou-19 team will remain on the space station until late April or early May 2025, advancing China’s space programme with experiments and research critical to Beijing’s future lunar ambitions.

The Shenzhou-19 mission features commander Cai Xuzhe, along with first-time space travellers Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, as announced by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) during a press conference on October 29.

Cai, who previously completed the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022, expressed, "The experience of my previous mission remains vivid in my memory," and noted his pride and responsibility as he leads the new crew.

The youngest crew member, Song, is a former air force pilot, while Wang, China's only female spaceflight engineer, previously worked as a senior engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Wang will make history as the third Chinese woman to participate in a crewed spaceflight mission.

The Shenzhou-19 spacecraft will launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China atop a Long March-2F rocket at 4:27 AM Beijing time. The crew will conduct 86 space science experiments, perform extravehicular activities, and engage in science education and public welfare initiatives. They are expected to return to the Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia in late April or early May next year.

China's journey in crewed space missions began in 2003, becoming the third nation to achieve this milestone. In June, they became the only country to have landed on the far side of the moon with its Chang'e-6 mission.

According to data from NASA, here is an overview of the countries that have achieved successful soft landings on the Moon and other planets:

The Soviet Union (USSR):

The Soviet Union landed on the Moon eight times, ten times on Venus and once on Mars.

The United States (NASA)

The United States, through NASA, has accomplished numerous successful soft landings. The most notable is the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, which marked the first human landing on the Moon. NASA has also successfully landed on Mars nine times and on Venus once.

China (CNSA)

China's space agency, CNSA, has made significant strides in lunar and planetary exploration. In 2013, China achieved its first successful soft landing on the Moon with the Chang'e 3 mission. Additionally, the agency has landed on Mars once.

India (ISRO)

India's space agency, ISRO, joined the ranks of countries with successful lunar landings with the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019.

Japan (JAXA)

Japan, through its space agency JAXA, also achieved a successful soft landing on the moon in 2024 with its Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon craft.

This was announced by Dr Matthew Adepoju, Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) during the 8 th Brigadier General Michael Agu (Rtd) annual distinguished lecture and awards ceremony.

The West African country has in recent years made strides in space technology development.

Dr. Adepoju says the move is necessary as some existing satellites are nearing the end of their missions.

How the Space X Falcon 9 rocket was launched into space:

SpaceX celebrated the launch with the announcement, "Liftoff of Polaris Dawn!" and shared a photo of the rocket's ascent.

The highlight of the mission is its all-civilian spacewalk. The crew will wear newly designed SpaceX extravehicular activity (EVA) suits, featuring heads-up displays, helmet cameras, and advanced joint mobility.

Mission control erupted in applause as the Dragon capsule successfully separated from the rocket and provided the crew with their first view of Earth from space. SpaceX tweeted, "The Polaris Dawn crew is now in Zero-G!" as the team experienced weightlessness.

The mission will briefly enter the Van Allen radiation belts, known for their high-energy particles, which can pose health risks over time. However, the Crew Dragon capsule will not dock with the International Space Station, making favourable weather conditions crucial for both the launch and splashdown, expected around six days later.

The Polaris Dawn mission experienced delays due to technical issues and weather conditions, AFP reported. Isaacman has not disclosed the total cost of the mission but reportedly spent around $200 million on SpaceX’s previous all-civilian mission, Inspiration4, in September 2021.

The crew includes Scott Poteet, a retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel serving as mission pilot; Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX lead space operations engineer; and Anna Menon, a SpaceX lead space operations engineer and medical officer. The team has undergone over two years of intensive training, including simulations, skydiving, centrifuge training, scuba diving, and climbing an Ecuadorian volcano.

Future missions will test laser-based satellite communication with SpaceX’s Starlink network to improve space communication speeds and conduct 36 scientific experiments. These include trials with contact lenses embedded with microelectronics to monitor eye pressure and shape.

The strategy will transform the Northern Cape province, home to the cutting-edge MeerKAT radio telescope, into a global hub for astro-tourism. The MeerKAT will soon be integrated into the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, the world's most powerful radio telescope, further enhancing the region's appeal to stargazers and space enthusiasts, Space in Africa reports.

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille emphasised the potential of astro-tourism to drive development in the Karoo region. “We want to use the SKA and astro-tourism as catalysts to develop the Karoo region, providing opportunities for rural tourism and agri-tourism,” she said.

The initiative is also expected to boost the tourism sector's contribution to South Africa's economy, which reached 8.8% of the GDP in the first quarter of 2024, with projections to grow to 10.4% by 2030.

The Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Centre has been under construction since July 2022. This dedicated facility marks China's first foray into commercial space missions, aiming to provide a robust platform for private space enterprises.

Yang Tianliang, chairman of the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center, announced on Tuesday, July 16 that the centre's debut launch is expected to take place around September or October this year.

“This is because we need time to carry out all-system rehearsals to prepare our staff for the first launch and spot possible problems. So far, most of the rehearsal tasks have been accomplished. We will make some small changes to related procedures based on the results of the rehearsals,” he said.

The site features advanced infrastructure, including fueling and gas supply systems, substations, and multiple launch pads.

The construction of the No. 1 launch pad was completed in December 2023. The site has also successfully conducted a rocket launch simulation rehearsal, demonstrating its readiness for actual space missions.

Umamaheswari, a graduate of aeronautical engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology , Anna University, in eastern India served as the project director. Her responsibilities included the entire development process, from the initial design to the final integration with the launch pad.

“My role was to build the vehicle from design to manufacturing and to integrate it with the launch pad,” Umamaheswari said.

Saraniya Periaswamy, also with a background in aeronautics, led the team responsible for developing the 3D-printed engine and the launch vehicle as the vehicle director.

Reflecting on her career choice, Saraniya shared, “Since my background was in aeronautics, I wanted to work with an institution which has to do with aerospace. And from my college days, I was keen on hardware.”

Following the triumph of Mission 01 of Agnibaan SOrTeD , Umamaheswari and Saraniya disclosed that Agnikul Cosmos is now focusing on other ambitious endeavours, including an orbital mission slated for 2025.

They emphasised that the single-piece 3D-printed engine significantly reduces manufacturing time by minimising the number of components and interfaces.

Saraniya also shared that there are other components aside from the engine which are 3D printed. “Apart from the engine, we have other components which are 3D printed,” she said.

Women have long been crucial to the advancement of India's space sector. The Chandrayaan-3 project , which made India the first nation to successfully land on the moon’s south pole, had around 27% of its senior executive positions held by women. This follows the legacy of previous missions like the Mars Orbiter Mission a decade ago, where women scientists such as Ritu Karidhal, the Deputy Operations Director, played key roles.

The wooden satellite is the culmination of approximately four years of development by a team of researchers from Kyoto University and the Japanese logging company Sumitomo Forestry.

"We would like to create a satellite, including the electronic substrate portion (contained inside), entirely made from wood in the future," stated Takao Doi, an astronaut and programme-specific professor at Kyoto University.

LignoSat was introduced last year as a collaborative effort between American and Japanese scientists aiming to launch the environmentally friendly probe in the summer of 2024. This innovative satellite is considered an alternative to traditional aluminium satellites that populate Earth's orbit.

"We are very concerned with the fact that all the satellites which re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere burn and create tiny alumina particles, which will float in the upper atmosphere for many years," Doi told the BBC in 2020. "Eventually, it will affect the environment of the Earth," he added.

LignoSat is a 10-centimetre cube crafted from 4 to 5.5 millimetre-thick magnolia wood panels, featuring a partially aluminium frame. Equipped with solar panels on some sides, the satellite weighs approximately 1 kilogram. Reportedly, it is constructed using a traditional Japanese technique that eliminates the need for screws or adhesive materials.

“At 7:38 a.m. on June 4, the Chang'e-6 ascender carrying lunar samples took off from the back of the moon. After the 3000N engine worked for about 6 minutes, it successfully sent the ascender into the predetermined lunar orbit,” CNSA said.

The mission achieved a milestone on June 3 with its successful ‘intelligent rapid sampling’ in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the moon's far side. The mission also transmitted images back to Earth after landing on June 2.

The CNSA confirmed that the samples were securely sealed in a storage device carried by the ascender vehicle. “The probe withstood the high-temperature test on the back of the moon and collected lunar samples through drilling with drilling tools and surface collection with a robotic arm, achieving multi-point and diversified automatic sampling,” the agency added.

China remains the only country to have landed on the far side of the moon, first accomplishing this feat with its Chang’e-4 spacecraft in 2019. The Chang'e-6, China’s sixth lunar mission, was launched on May 3. The nation plans three more uncrewed missions this decade, aiming to discover water on the moon and explore the possibility of establishing a permanent base, according to the BBC .

What they said

As the landing unfolded at the National Astronomical Observatories, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the lead researcher of France's lunar radon detection initiative as reported by Xinhua expressed that this moment had been anticipated by him and his team for many years. "We were looking at the moon almost every night here in Beijing." Neil Melville-Kenney, technical officer of the ESA's Negative Ions on the Lunar Surface project also added "It's a very impressive and ambitious mission. We are very pleased to be a part of it. The collaboration has gone very smoothly. I think space exploration encourages us to consider our planet as one and our people as one."

The NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR), a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will also be launched.

"Soon we will launch the NISAR satellite from ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Center to monitor all resources, including ecosystems, the Earth's surface, natural hazards, sea level rise, and the cryosphere," Garcetti was quoted as saying .

U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) President Atul Keshap described the move as a new chapter in the US-India space partnership.

"The conference highlights the deepening synergy between our two free nations in pioneering space exploration and innovation by the leading democracies. Through strategic alliances and collaborative efforts, we're on the brink of achieving extraordinary milestones and expanding the horizons of space exploration beyond what we once imagined," Keshap was quoted by local media platform NDTV.

The U.S.-India Commercial Space Conference was hosted by the USIBC and U.S. Commercial Service under the theme, “Unlocking Opportunities for U.S. & Indian Space Startups”.

“The other services include defence and security, research, disaster management, and weather forecasting in the country,” he was quoted by The Citizen as saying.

The move follows recent efforts by the East African country to enhance space programmes.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan revealed on May 19 plans to launch a satellite into space, indicating that negotiations are already underway.

“We are well prepared. We have started discussions and rest assured that Tanzania will have its own satellite in the near future,” she said .

An orbital position of 16W has also been secured for use in broadcasting satellites in addition to new frequencies for improving air and maritime communications safety.

The government also plans to launch a national satellite management committee to oversee the coordination and supervision of space activities in the country.

The success of the launch will place Tanzania on the list of other East African countries including Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda who already have operational satellites.

The CNSA announced that on May 8, the Pakistani CubeSat successfully detached from the orbiter near the far side of the moon and captured its initial images.

The first snapshot showcased the radiant sun, while the second featured a gleaming half-moon. The third image displayed the moon and the sun in one frame, according to the images released by the CNSA.

To strengthen bilateral ties, China on May 10 delivered the data collected by the cube satellite onboard its Chang'e-6 spacecraft to Pakistan, the CNSA announced .

“I believe that this cooperation is of great significance to promoting friendly relations between the two countries and enriching people's understanding of the moon,” said Ge Ping, deputy director of the CNSA's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre.

"We will share our scientific achievements to lay the foundation for future lunar exploration activities, which will be of great significance to promoting the construction of a global community with a shared future in outer space," he added.

This achievement marks another feat in the progress of Asian nations in space exploration. Japan recently made headlines by capturing the world's first close-up photograph of space debris in orbit as part of an ongoing mission aimed at identifying and eliminating potentially hazardous debris cluttering Earth's orbit.

Astroscale mission which started in February, successfully photographed a large piece of orbital debris, the upper stage of a Japanese rocket that has been orbiting Earth since 2009.

Orbital debris consists of any human-made object in Earth's orbit that no longer serves a useful purpose.

Last year, it was announced that American and Japanese scientists were prepared to launch the world’s first wooden artificial satellite to combat space pollution. The LignoSat probe, set to launch in the summer of 2024, is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to the aluminium satellites currently circling the Earth.

Takao Doi, a Japanese astronaut and aerospace engineer with Kyoto University, expressed concerns about the environmental impact of satellites re-entering Earth's atmosphere. "We are very concerned with the fact that all the satellites which re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere burn and create tiny alumina particles, which will float in the upper atmosphere for many years," Doi told the BBC in 2020. "Eventually, it will affect the environment of the Earth," he added.

According to NASA , as of January 2022, more than 9,000 metric tons of space debris are orbiting the Earth.

The operational satellite named DJIBOUTI 1-A was positioned in orbit at an altitude of 520km and designed primarily to transmit real-time climate data which would be communicated across seismic stations in Djibouti.

In March, the satellite successfully underwent vibration tests at a collaborative CSUM/Latecoere facility in France. The outcomes indicated that the test levels and duration align entirely with the launch parameters.

Djibouti's Minister of Higher Education and Research Mr. Nabil Mohamed Ahmed in a press statement said, "We have established all the essential elements for the success of this project. Firstly, the selection of Djiboutian students, as the goal was not just to purchase the satellite but to have it constructed by our students, facilitating a technological leap. This accomplishment asserts that Djibouti is capable of satellite manufacturing, launching, obtaining climate-related results, and delving into development perspectives. As a result, ten technicians and engineers have been trained."

DJIBOUTI 1-A was developed through the collaborative capacity-building initiative involving Djibouti and its technical collaborator, the Centre Spatial Universitaire de Montpellier (CSUM), and Djiboutian engineers and technicians in France .

In 2024, the country hopes to launch the second phase of the project dubbed, DJIBOUTI-1B, Space in Africa has confirmed.