NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024, reassured the public in a recent update. Their eight-day Boeing Starliner test mission turned into a months-long stay after the capsule suffered technical issues and returned empty. "We came prepared to stay long, even though we planned to stay short," Wilmore said, emphasizing the unpredictability of human spaceflight. NASA now plans to bring them back on a SpaceX Crew Dragon, with the return scheduled for no earlier than March 12. The astronauts remain in good spirits while awaiting their journey home.

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander, which successfully touched down on the Moon's Mare Crisium region on March 2, has captured and transmitted a breathtaking image of the first sunrise on the lunar surface. The photograph showcases the Sun's rays illuminating the Moon's rugged terrain, highlighting its deep craters. Launched on January 15 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Blue Ghost carried ten NASA payloads aimed at conducting various scientific experiments to enhance our understanding of the lunar environment. The mission's objectives include studying heat flow from the Moon's interior, analyzing plume-surface interactions, and testing the feasibility of using Global Navigation Satellite System signals on the Moon's surface.

India captain Rohit Sharma has dismissed claims that his team has an unfair advantage in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Critics say India benefits from playing all matches in Dubai. But Rohit said the pitches behave differently each time, making it tough for players. He reminded everyone that Dubai is not India's home ground. India has had mixed results here in the past. Ahead of the semi-final against Australia, Rohit said the team does not know what kind of pitch they will get. He stressed the need to adapt and play smart cricket.

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully touched down on the Moon’s Mare Crisium region, becoming the first commercial spacecraft to achieve a fully successful lunar landing. Launched on January 15 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, it refined its trajectory for 16 days in lunar orbit before landing on March 2. The lander, carrying 10 NASA payloads, will study heat flow, magnetic fields, and lunar dust behavior for 14 Earth days. This marks a major milestone for private space exploration, paving the way for future missions under NASA’s Artemis program.

China will send a Pakistani astronaut to its Tiangong space station, making Pakistan the first foreign nation to participate in China’s manned space program. The agreement was signed between the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) in Islamabad, attended by Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif. Tiangong, orbiting 400 km above Earth, is seen as a rival to the ISS. China aims to expand space cooperation amid geopolitical competition. CMSA Deputy Director Lin Xiqiang confirmed China’s plans to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030. The US plans its lunar return in 2025.

In a remarkable celestial event, all seven planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—will align in the night sky on February 28, 2025. This rare planetary parade offers stargazers a unique opportunity to observe multiple planets simultaneously. While Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye, viewing Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune will require binoculars or a telescope. The optimal time for observation is just after sunset, with planets appearing along the ecliptic plane. Such an alignment won't occur again until 2040, making this a must-see event for astronomy enthusiasts. 

Singer Katy Perry will fly aboard Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission in spring 2025, marking the first all-female astronaut crew since 1963. Led by Jeff Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sanchez, the mission includes CBS anchor Gayle King, activist Amanda Nguyen, producer Kerianne Flynn, and ex-NASA scientist Aisha Bowe. Perry, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, hopes to inspire young dreamers. The New Shepard rocket will offer four minutes of weightlessness. “I hope my journey inspires my daughter,” Perry stated. Blue Origin’s 11th human flight follows past celebrity missions featuring William Shatner and Michael Strahan.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, stranded on the ISS since September, will return earlier than expected aboard SpaceX's Dragon. Originally set for a June return via Boeing’s Starliner, delays forced NASA to reassign them. The agency will now launch Crew-10 on March 12 using an older Dragon capsule, making way for Crew-9’s return by mid-March. The decision follows extended delays and growing concerns over their prolonged stay. NASA’s Steve Stich acknowledged spaceflight’s challenges, stating, “Unexpected hurdles are part of the mission.” The duo will return after Crew-10's arrival, ending their eight-month mission.

Scientists have discovered that the Oort cloud, a mysterious debris field at the solar system's edge, may resemble a "mini galaxy" with spiral arms. This cloud, located between 2,000 and 5,000 astronomical units away, is believed to be the source of strange comets and meteorites like 'Oumuamua,' the cigar-shaped rock that passed Earth in 2017. Using supercomputer models, researchers from NASA have simulated the gravitational influence of the galactic tide, revealing a spiral structure stretching 15,000 AU. Although this spiral is challenging to detect directly, it provides new insight into the Oort cloud's shape and its connection to the solar system's origin.

As Maha Kumbh 2025 nears its end, a rare celestial event is taking place. All seven planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—are visible from India. The alignment will peak on February 28, when all planets line up on one side of the Sun. “Such cosmic events amplify spiritual energies,” say believers. While five planets can be seen with the naked eye, Uranus and Neptune need binoculars. The best time to watch is after sunset or before sunrise. This rare sight adds a special significance to the festival, which has drawn millions of pilgrims this year.