nasa plans crew-11 return on january 14 The crew of NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Michael Fink, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov are set to return on January 14. The exact date is subject to spacecraft readiness, crew status, and weather conditions. NASA has decided to bring the crew back earlier than planned due to the health of one of the astronauts, indicating a shift in the mission schedule for the safety and well-being of the team.

Dmitry Bakanov Appointed to Kurchatov Institute's Supervisory Board The head of "Roscosmos," Dmitry Bakanov, has been named to the revamped board of the National Research Center (NRC) "Kurchatov Institute" following a decree by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The updated board features prominent figures such as Deputy Prime Ministers Tatiana Golikova, Dmitry Chernyshenko, and Dmitry Patrushev, as well as other key officials and leaders from various sectors. Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of NRC "Kurchatov Institute," will lead the supervisory board, with the decree set to take effect on December 31, 2025.

Russian Scientists Simulated Conditions on Earth during the Emergence of Life According to the research, 4.5-4.2 billion years ago, Earth had a cool climate with a thin atmosphere and an alkaline ocean rich in ammonia and phosphate. In this environment, the first organic molecules could have emerged — RNA and ATP. Similar processes likely occurred on early Venus as well. The question of whether life managed to emerge there remains unanswered.

russia to host annual space week celebrating yuri gagarin's flight The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has signed a decree to establish an annual Space Week from April 6 to 12. In 2026, the focus will be on commemorating the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic space flight. To oversee the organization of Space Week, a committee will be formed, with First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government, Denis Manturov, at its helm. The week-long event will feature a series of activities aimed at showcasing accomplishments and elevating the status of the country's space industry.

Healthy Offspring Born: Mouse Experiment Results from China's "Tiangong" Station Four mice embarked on a space journey on October 31, spending approximately two weeks in orbit before safely returning to Earth on November 14. Upon their return, one of the female mice surprised researchers by giving birth to nine pups, with six of them surviving the experience. The successful experiment at the "Tiangong" station in China provided valuable insights, showing that a brief space voyage did not hinder the reproductive capabilities of the mouse subjects.

Exploring Martian Rock Formations on Sol 712 The Curiosity rover conducted a detailed examination of unique rock formations on Mars during Sol 712. The rover's exploration involved close-up analysis of intriguing geological features, providing valuable insights into the Red Planet's history and composition. Scientists are eagerly anticipating the data and images captured by Curiosity, hoping to uncover clues about Mars' past environmental conditions and the potential for ancient habitability. The detailed analysis of these rock formations is crucial for expanding our understanding of the planet's geological evolution and its potential to have supported life in the distant past.

Eye of Sauron The star Fomalhaut and its surrounding cosmic debris bear a striking resemblance to the eye of the legendary Sauron, seemingly gazing from space without ever blinking. The celestial debris, comprising rocks, ice, and dust, creates a colossal disk encircling the Eye, stretching out to a size twice that of the entire Solar System.

Two "Stork-2T" Satellites Successfully Placed into Orbit The "Stork-2T" satellites, launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, have reached their intended orbit and detached from the Frigate booster stage. Following this successful deployment, the Frigate booster is set to release an additional 50 small satellites into their respective orbits.

Rocket Successfully Deploys Spacecraft into Orbit The rocket executed its mission flawlessly, with the booster stage cleanly separating from the third stage to position the spacecraft into their planned orbits. This successful deployment marks a significant step in the mission's progress, ensuring the spacecraft are on track for their designated trajectories.

India Unveils Ambitious Space Plans for 2026 India has announced its space agenda for 2026, including several key missions. Firstly, an unmanned test flight featuring a humanoid robot will be conducted as part of the "Gaganyaan" program. This test will act as a crucial prelude to manned space missions, with two such missions scheduled for the same year. Additionally, India plans to inaugurate the first launch of a PSLV rocket assembled by private contractors. This rocket will be tasked with deploying a satellite dedicated to ocean observation. Moreover, the joint venture between India and Mauritius will see the launch of the IMJS satellite, focusing on Earth surface imaging.