Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 9:24 PM EDT across most of the United States. The near-total lunar eclipse will cover 96.3% of the Moon but will not be visible in India due to daylight. Partial Lunar Eclipse 2026 Detailed Description A deep partial lunar eclipse will occur during the night of Thursday, August 27, and the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026. At maximum eclipse, approximately 9

August 12 will deliver two major celestial events as a total solar eclipse crosses parts of Europe and the Arctic before the Perseid meteor shower peaks at night. India will not see the solar eclipse, but skywatchers may watch for Perseid meteors after midnight and before dawn under clear, dark skies. August 12 Sky Show: Solar Eclipse and Perseid Meteor Shower Skywatchers will witness a remarkable celestial double feature on Wednesday

Indian spacetech startups have collectively raised $871 million across 285 companies, with Skyroot Aerospace leading the sector after Vikram-1 became the first privately built Indian rocket to reach orbit. The milestone signals growing investor confidence in India’s commercial space industry. Skyroot’s Vikram-1 Marks a Turning Point India’s private space sector reached a major milestone on July 18 when Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-

Kandula Jessie’s Journey From School Lab to Space Mission Kandula Jessie, a Class 10 student from an Andhra Pradesh government school, has been selected among 20 Indian participants for Mission ShakthiSAT. Her journey from a school tinkering lab to an international lunar CubeSat programme highlights the importance of STEM education, teacher support, and consistent effort. A Government School Dream Reaches for the Moon Dowleswaram, Andhra Pradesh, July 23, 2026: Fourteen-year-old Kandula Jessie has secured a place among 20 Indian participants selected for Mission ShakthiSAT, an international all-girls lunar CubeSat initiative. Jessie studies at Zilla Parishad Girls High School in Dowleswaram and is reportedly the only student from Andhra Pradesh included in the final Indian group. She was selected through a programme involving nearly 12,000 girls from 108 countries. How Kandula Jessie Earned Her Place Jessie’s journey began at her school’s Atal Tinkering Lab. Her physical science teacher and laboratory in-charge, Manimala, recognised her interest in science and encouraged her to enrol in the programme. The Mission ShakthiSAT curriculum covers subjects far beyond the regular Class 10 syllabus. Its modules include satellite systems, propulsion, thermodynamics, payload development, and other areas of space technology. Jessie continued attending online classes after school, even when she found the advanced concepts difficult. The programme reportedly included around 550 online sessions across 21 learning modules. Her determination to understand unfamiliar subjects helped her progress through the demanding selection process. Selection Tested Knowledge and Communication Skills The selection process involved online coursework, an interview lasting around one hour, and a short video presentation. Jessie was asked to explain Mission ShakthiSAT and discuss the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. The interview was conducted entirely in English with international scientists and programme coordinators. Jessie spent weeks improving her communication skills with the support of her teachers and educational videos. Her selection reflected more than academic knowledge. It also demonstrated her willingness to improve, communicate confidently and continue learning despite the challenges. Family Supported Her Through Financial Difficulties Jessie’s father works as a carpenter. Her parents had earlier moved her from a private school to a government school because of financial difficulties. Her mother, Aruna, described watching Jessie confidently interact with international scientists as one of the family’s proudest moments. The achievement has also brought recognition to her school and the teachers who encouraged her scientific interests. Jessie’s success shows how timely guidance and access to practical learning opportunities can help students from modest backgrounds compete internationally. ShakthiSAT Training to Begin in New Delhi The next stage of Jessie’s programme is scheduled to begin in New Delhi on August 23, 2026. She is expected to work with scientists and other participants on satellite design, payload development, and mission operations. The student-built lunar CubeSat is proposed for launch from Sriharikota on October 11, 2026. The launch schedule may remain subject to technical and operational confirmation. Mission ShakthiSAT aims to give girls from different countries practical exposure to satellite development, space science and STEM education. The programme brings together students from 108 countries for scientific learning and collaborative space projects. Jessie Hopes to Join ISRO Jessie now hopes to build a career in space science and eventually join the Indian Space Research Organisation. Her selection has strengthened her belief that determination and regular effort can help her achieve that goal. She also hopes to support her parents and make her teachers and school proud. Her journey from a government-school laboratory to an international space programme underlines the value of Atal Tinkering Labs, supportive teachers, and accessible STEM opportunities. For students from financially constrained families, Jessie’s achievement offers a powerful message: scientific talent can emerge from any classroom when curiosity receives the right guidance.

Mahima Rajput Selected For ShakthiSAT Mission With Students From 108 Countries A 14-year-old Indian student, Mahima Rajput, has been selected for the international space mission ShakthiSAT, a global student initiative that will bring together participants from 108 countries. Mahima, a Class 10 student from Chhattisgarh, will represent India in the mission, which aims to give young students hands-on exposure to space science, satellite development, and in

Solar Storm Hits Earth: Will India See Auroras This Week? Earth is experiencing increased solar activity this week as a large sunspot group and a fast solar wind stream raise the possibility of a minor geomagnetic storm around June 25 and 26. The event has sparked curiosity over whether India could witness auroras, but scientists say the chances remain very low. The solar activit

3I/ATLAS Comet Older Than Sun, Webb Study Finds June 23, 2026: Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the third known object to enter the Solar System from beyond our cosmic neighbourhood, has given scientists a rare look at material that may be older than the Sun itself. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers studied the comet after it passed around the Sun in late 2025. As the

SpaceX Starfall Capsule Launch Comes Amid $600 Billion IPO Selloff SpaceX is facing a defining week as it prepares to test its new Starfall re-entry capsule while investors question the company’s valuation after a sharp post-IPO market selloff. The Starfall mission is scheduled for launch on June 23 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Th

Valentina Tereshkova Space Journey Turns 63 June 16, 2026, marks 63 years since Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel into space, a moment that changed the history of space exploration and inspired generations of women in science. On June 16, 1963, Tereshkova launched aboard the Soviet Vostok 6 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. She was

Pakistan Satellite Push Puts NavIC In Focus Pakistan’s recent launch of multiple Earth-observation satellites has raised fresh concern in India’s strategic circles. At the same time, India’s NavIC system is facing pressure due to ageing satellites, clock failures, and the NVS-02 setback. The situation has brought space security and sovereign navigation back into focus. Pakistan Satellite Build-Up Raises Concern Pakistan

Venus-Jupiter Conjunction 2026 Lights Up Evening Sky Venus and Jupiter appeared close together in the western sky, creating a bright celestial view for skywatchers on June 9. Venus And Jupiter Create a Stunning Evening View Skywatchers witnessed a beautiful celestial moment as Venus and Jupiter appeared close together in the evening sky. The two bright planets were seen sinking towards the western horizon, creating a striking

Solar Storm May Bring Rare Aurora Glow To Ladakh Tonight A strong geomagnetic storm could give parts of Ladakh and the higher Himalayas a rare chance to witness a faint red aurora tonight. Rare Sky Event Expected Over Ladakh A powerful solar storm hitting Earth on June 8, 2026, could create a rare chance for aurora sightings in parts of India, especially in Hanle, Lad

Shubhanshu Shukla Turns Author With The Second Orbit After Historic Space Journey Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is bringing his space journey to readers through his memoir The Second Orbit, a story of belief, pressure, and India’s rising space dreams. From Space Mission To Memoir Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, one of the most inspiring faces of India’s human spa

Blue Origin Blast Explains Rocket Safety Distance   Blue Origin Blast Puts Safety Distance In Focus The Blue Origin New Glenn rocket blast in Florida has again raised a serious question: why are rocket launch pads kept so far from the public? The incident happened during a static fire test at Cape Canaveral, where the rocket’s engines were fired while the vehicle stayed f

Gauribidanur Observatory Measures Weak Magnetic Fields In Sun’s Corona Indian scientists have directly measured weak magnetic fields in the Sun’s corona using an India-built radio telescope near Bengaluru, a finding that could improve space weather studies.   India’s Big Solar Breakthrough An India-built radio telescope at the Gauribidanur Observatory near Be