Nasa Administrator Bill Nelson cautioned American lawmakers about China's covert military activities in space, disguised under civilian space programs. Nelson emphasized the need for vigilance, expressing concerns over China's potential assertion of lunar resource ownership. He urged the US to prioritize lunar exploration to counter China's advancements, fearing potential territorial claims. China's ambitious space endeavors, including Earth-orbiting stations and lunar missions, heighten tensions in the ongoing space race. As both nations vie for lunar dominance, Nelson advocates for peaceful space exploration while highlighting the strategic importance of maintaining a competitive edge in space exploration.            

NASA issues alert on two asteroids passing close to Earth on April 17. 2024 GM1, sized like an airplane, approaches within 1.3 million kilometers at 37,287 km/h. 2024 GF5, bus-sized, nears at 3.7 million kilometers, traveling at 26,485 km/h. Despite their speed, NASA assures they're safe. The agency closely monitors near-Earth objects (NEOs) and sets safety thresholds. Only larger objects within 7.5 million kilometers are considered potential hazards. Ground and space-based telescopes track NEOs, providing valuable data. Though not visible to the naked eye, the event highlights space's vastness and NASA's vigilance in protecting Earth.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has successfully developed a lightweight Carbon-Carbon (C-C) nozzle for rocket engines, marking a significant breakthrough in rocket engine technology. This innovation promises to enhance vital parameters like thrust levels, specific impulse, and thrust-to-weight ratios, boosting the payload capacity of launch vehicles. By replacing metallic nozzles with lightweight C-C counterparts, a mass reduction of approximately 67% can be achieved, potentially increasing the payload capability of the PSLV by 15kg. After successful hot tests, this collaborative effort involving VSSC, LPSC, and IPRC has validated the nozzle's capabilities, paving the way for advanced rocket propulsion systems.

NASA has identified the mysterious object that crashed into a Florida home as space junk from the International Space Station. The cylindrical piece, weighing 0.7 kilograms, was a metal support used for mounting old batteries on a cargo pallet for disposal. Measuring 4 inches tall and 1 1/2 inches wide, it's made of the metal alloy Inconel. The debris was taken to the Kennedy Space Center for analysis, where NASA confirmed its origin. This incident sheds light on the challenges of managing space debris and highlights the importance of tracking and monitoring objects in orbit.

Elon Musk predicts SpaceX will achieve crewed landing on Mars in 7-9 years, with initial unmanned missions in 5 years. Musk plans for thousands of spaceships to depart for Mars once landing capability is confirmed. Speaking with Norway’s Norges Bank Investment Management CEO Nicolai Tangen, Musk also outlines simultaneous Moon missions. He emphasizes the importance of becoming a multiplanetary species for preserving human consciousness, envisioning Mars as just one step in humanity's interplanetary migration. Musk asserts existing technology is sufficient for the ambitious endeavor.            

An American satellite narrowly escaped destruction after a Russian spacecraft came within 10 meters of it in space. The incident, which occurred in February, left NASA's deputy administrator, Colonel Pam Melroy, "really scared." The near miss involved NASA's Timed satellite and a defunct Russian spy satellite, Cosmos 2221, with experts warning that a collision could have resulted in thousands of bullet-fast debris pieces endangering other spacecraft and potentially human lives. Melroy emphasized the sobering reality of the situation, highlighting the need for heightened awareness and caution in managing space traffic.

Aroh Barjatya, an Indian-born researcher, helmed NASA's recent mission launching three sounding rockets during the total solar eclipse on April 8. As a professor of engineering physics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, Barjatya directs the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab. With a background in electronics engineering from Solapur's Walchand Institute of Technology and a PhD in spacecraft instrumentation from Utah State University, he aims to advance space research and education. Barjatya's leadership underscores India's contribution to cutting-edge scientific endeavors on the global stage.  

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief S Somnath announced Chandrayaan-4 as India's next moon exploration mission, aiming for an astronaut landing by 2040. Chandrayaan-4, a crucial step, focuses on lunar sample collection for analysis on Earth. ISRO also pursues numerous rocket, satellite, and technology projects. Notably, Chandrayaan-3's successful South Pole landing in August 2023 propelled India's lunar exploration strides. Additionally, India launched its first solar mission, Aditya-L1, in January. The Gaganyaan project, targeting human spaceflight, remains a significant endeavor, demonstrating India's ambitious foray into space exploration.

Renowned physicist Peter Higgs, famed for proposing the Higgs boson particle, dies at his Edinburgh, Scotland home at 94. His groundbreaking theory on particle mass was validated in 2012. Higgs, awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013, leaves behind a lasting legacy in the field of theoretical physics. Colleagues and scientists mourn the loss of a humble genius who revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Higgs' contributions to particle physics and his modest demeanor leave an indelible mark on the scientific community.

A video capturing what appears to be a UFO during Monday's solar eclipse in Arlington, Texas, has ignited social media frenzy. Matt Wallace, a free-speech advocate, shared the clip on X platform, garnering significant attention. The unidentified object swiftly moves through clouds before vanishing, leaving viewers puzzled. Despite widespread speculation, no official statement from NASA or authorities has been released. While some speculate it to be a genuine UFO sighting, others suggest it could be a shadow of a plane. The incident adds intrigue to the historic total solar eclipse witnessed across the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the Northern Atlantic region.