Earth is set to gain a temporary "mini-moon" this autumn. Asteroid 2024 PT5 will orbit our planet from September 29 to November 25, according to research published in the American Astronomical Society's journal. Measuring small in size, the dull-rock asteroid will be visible only through professional telescopic equipment. This temporary satellite will eventually escape Earth's gravitational pull. Scientists welcome this rare opportunity to study asteroids up close. The mini-moon's orbital period will provide valuable insights into asteroid dynamics and Earth's gravitational influence.

NASA has postponed SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, originally set to launch on September 26, to September 28 due to Tropical Storm Helene. The mission will see NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov heading to the International Space Station to bring back Sunita Williams, who is set to return to Earth in February 2025. Hague, an experienced U.S. Air Force colonel, and Gorbunov, a veteran cosmonaut, will conduct research and maintenance tasks during their five-month stay aboard the ISS.

NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson returned safely to Earth in Kazakhstan on September 23, alongside Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, after spending 184 days in space. The trio traveled 78 million miles, completing 2,944 Earth orbits. Kononenko and Chub set a record with a 374-day continuous stay on the International Space Station (ISS). They departed the ISS aboard Soyuz MS-25 at 4:36 a.m. EDT and landed at 7:59 a.m. Eight astronauts, including Americans Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, remain on the ISS, awaiting their delayed return. The successful landing marked a milestone in international space cooperation. 

Two Russian cosmonauts, Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, successfully returned to Earth on Monday after setting a record 374-day continuous stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). During this mission, Kononenko, 60, also achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing 1,111 total days in space across five missions. American astronaut Tracy Dyson, who launched to the ISS in March, accompanied them in the Soyuz MS-25 capsule, landing in Kazakhstan. Despite plans to establish an independent Russian space station, ongoing partnerships with the U.S. continue on the ISS amidst geopolitical tensions.

The Pragyan rover, part of India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, made a significant discovery by identifying an ancient crater near its landing site at Shiv Shakti Point in the Moon's south polar region. The rover's images revealed a notable absence of large boulders, which are typically over one meter in size. This finding suggests that any boulders that may have existed in the area have been eroded over billions of years due to space weathering. The observations point to the extreme age of the region, providing valuable information about the Moon's geological history and the environmental processes that have shaped its surface over time.

India's Chandrayaan-3 mission continues to make significant discoveries as the Pragyan rover has found a 160-kilometer-wide ancient crater in the Moon's south polar region. Located approximately 350 kilometers from the South Pole-Aitken basin, this crater is believed to predate the basin and offers crucial insights into the Moon's geological history. Images from Pragyan's cameras reveal the structure of the crater, which has been mostly buried by debris from later impacts, providing scientists a rare chance to study ancient lunar material and improve understanding of the Moon's evolution.

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams marked her 59th birthday aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on September 19, her second birthday in space. Originally scheduled for an eight-day mission, Williams has been stranded on the ISS for eight months after Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was deemed unfit for human travel by NASA. She continues vital maintenance and scientific research aboard the station with fellow astronaut Don Pettit. Despite the extended stay, Williams remains optimistic, calling the ISS her "happy place." This is her third space mission, and she is expected to return to Earth via SpaceX’s capsule in February 2025.

Earth is set to temporarily capture a new mini moon, asteroid 2024 PT5, from September 29 to November 25, 2024. The asteroid, 10 meters wide, was discovered by ATLAS on August 7. Although it will complete one full orbit around Earth, its small size makes it nearly impossible to spot without specialized equipment. After this short stint, it will return to a sun-centered orbit. Scientists highlight the significance of such mini moons for space exploration due to their potential valuable resources like water and minerals.

A 120-foot asteroid, 2022 SW3, will safely pass by Earth today, according to NASA. The asteroid, roughly the size of a small airplane, will come no closer than 1.6 million miles from Earth—about three times the distance from Earth to the Moon. NASA assures there is no threat from this close encounter. The event offers scientists a valuable chance to gather data on near-Earth objects (NEOs), enhancing their ability to predict and prepare for potential future threats. This close flyby highlights the importance of ongoing asteroid monitoring and planetary defense initiatives.

NASA’s “Hidden Figures,” Black female mathematicians and engineers who played pivotal roles during the 20th-century space race, were posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on Capitol Hill. Honorees include Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Christine Darden, who were celebrated for their critical work that helped NASA launch successful missions, including the first American astronaut to orbit Earth. House Speaker Mike Johnson praised their courage and contributions, saying they "laid the foundation for American space exploration." Their legacy, captured in the film “Hidden Figures,” continues to inspire future generations.