WhyCosmo

Mission RHUMI 2024 Takes Off to Battle Climate Change Chennai, Aug. 24, 2024: Today, Tamil Nadu-based start-up Space Zone India successfully launched India's first-ever reusable hybrid rocket – "RHUMI-1" from Thiruvidanthai, near Chennai. This ground-breaking launch is part of Mission RHUMI 2024 , aimed at addressing pressing environmental issues like global warming and climate change. Officials and others during the launch of Mission Rhumi 2024, in Thiruvidanthai, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (PTI) The 3.5-meter-tall rocket carried three CUBE satellites and 50 Pico satellites , gathering critical data on cosmic radiation, UV levels, air quality, and ozone conditions. Despite strong winds, the launch was successful, reaching an altitude of 35 kilometers . Spearheaded by Space Zone India CEO Anand Megalingam with the guidance of former ISRO Director Mylswamy Annadurai , this mission marks a new era of sustainable space exploration . Why It Matters The RHUMI-1 rocket int...

  In a groundbreaking advancement, Japanese researchers have developed the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat , to combat the growing issue of space pollution. This innovative satellite, crafted from magnolia timber, is designed to safely disintegrate into ash upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, leaving no harmful residues. The Problem: Space Pollution Modern satellites, made predominantly from metals like aluminum, pose significant environmental challenges when they burn up upon re-entry. The resulting tiny alumina particles float in the upper atmosphere for many years, ultimately impacting Earth’s environment. To address this, Kyoto University, in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry, embarked on a mission to create a biodegradable satellite. LignoSat: The Wooden Wonder LignoSat, a miniature satellite about the size of a coffee mug, aims to explore using wood as a sustainable material in satellite construction. During experiments on the International Space Station (ISS), m...