Space

Companies are advancing the concept of space-based solar power, which involves capturing sunlight in orbit and transmitting it to Earth. Recent tests have demonstrated the feasibility of this technology, which could potentially supply significant renewable energy while overcoming the limitations of ground-based solar panels.

India's exit from the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan is viewed as a major setback for its strategic diplomacy. Established in the early 2000s, the base was India's only overseas military outpost, which had been expanded significantly over the years. The closure follows the expiration of a bilateral agreement with Tajikistan, which had allowed India to operate the facility. This development raises concerns about India's diminishing influence in Central Asia.

William Bruey, CEO of Varda Space Industries, is set to present at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, discussing the potential of manufacturing in low Earth orbit. Varda aims to utilize microgravity for producing advanced materials, including pharmaceuticals and fiber optic cables, which could lead to significant economic benefits and a new frontier in industrial production.

During a recent appearance at Italian Tech Week, Jeff Bezos predicted that millions of people will inhabit space in the coming decades. He stated that this shift will largely be driven by personal desire, with robots managing essential tasks and AI data centers supporting life. Bezos's comments come as he contrasts with Elon Musk's Mars colonization ambitions, suggesting a competitive spirit in the space industry.

NASA has announced that the Artemis II mission, which will send astronauts around the moon, could launch as early as February 2026, ahead of its original April schedule. This mission is part of the Artemis program, aimed at returning humans to the moon and eventually preparing for crewed missions to Mars. The crew will not land on the moon but will be the first to travel beyond low Earth orbit since 1972.

NASA has decided to cancel the development of a rover designed to search for ice in the dark craters of the Moon. This mission was part of a broader effort to support future lunar exploration and potential long-term human presence on the Moon.