Issue 49 | Breaking Space News: May 04 - 10, 2025

Explorer, welcome back!🚀

Some interesting research papers are up today and plenty of updates in Science, Military and Commerce. Having trouble with links? Click here for the full newsletter experience!

Happy reading 📡

• IMAGES

  • Fracture in “Cosmic Bone” G359.13

  • Tidal Disruption Event, AT2024tvd

• SCIENCE

  • China Conducts First-Ever Daytime Lunar Laser Ranging

  • Major US Cities are Sinking Potentially Affecting 34M People

  • India Postpones First Gaganyaan Astronaut Mission to 2027

  • Johns Hopkins, NOAA Study Finds Critical Gaps in US Solar Storm Preparedness

• GOVERNANCE

  • US Lawmakers Probe SpaceX Contracts, Foreign Investments & Musk’s Conflicts of Interest as FAA Approves 25 Starship Launches Annually

  • ESA Evaluates Next Steps as NASA Budget Cuts Raise Uncertainty Over Artemis Program and Global Partnerships

  • India’s Stricter Satellite Policies Affect Starlink, OneWeb, and Foreign Broadband Operators

  • China Establishes Regulatory Framework for Direct-to-Device Satellite Services

• MILITARY

  • US Conducts Hot Fire Test of New Cislunar Space Situational Awareness Spacecraft for Deep-Space Monitoring

  • US Air Force Selects Rocket Lab's Neutron for Rapid Cargo Delivery Experiment

  • US Strategic Posture in Space to Emphasize Superiority: Space-Based Defense Expansion Amid Budget Constraints

  • Stratolaunch Demonstrates Autonomous, Reusable Hypersonic Vehicle Capabilities for US Defense

  • Rheinmetall, Iceye Joint Venture Will Build SAR Satellites to Expand Germany’s Space-Based Surveillance

• COMMERCIAL

  • ispace’s Resilience Lander Enters Lunar Orbit, Mission 3 Delayed to 2027

  • ClearSpace Validates Debris Capture Technologies in Ground-Based Testing for UK’s First Active Debris Removal Mission

  • IonQ Advances Plans for the First Space-Based Quantum Key Distribution Network with Capella Space Acquisition

  • NASA Halts Plans for VIPER Moon Rover Commercial Deployment

  • mPower Secures $21M to Scale Silicon-Based Space Solar Technology

• RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

  • This May be Where Gold Comes From

  • Yellowstone’s Geothermal Activity May Hold a Carbon-Free Helium Supply

  • New Research Challenges Long-Held Beliefs About the Second Largest Object in the Asteroid Belt, Vesta

  • New Study Suggests Spruce Trees Synchronize Electrical Signals in Response to Solar Eclipses

IMAGES

Fracture in “Cosmic Bone” G359.13 : Chandra X-ray Observatory

Tidal Disruption Event, AT2024tvd : Hubble Space Telescope

SCIENCE

China Conducts First-Ever Daytime Lunar Laser Ranging

7 May, 2025

China has successfully conducted the first-ever daytime laser ranging measurement from Earth to the Moon, overcoming significant technical challenges posed by solar interference. Previously, laser ranging to the Moon was only possible at night, as sunlight overwhelmed the return signal. Researchers at Yunnan Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) used an infrared lunar laser ranging system with a newly upgraded 1.2-meter telescope to target a retroreflector aboard the Tiandu 1 satellite, which has been orbiting the Moon since March 2024. An infrared laser was fired from Earth to the satellite orbiting the Moon and received back.

This breakthrough expands the window for lunar observations, allowing for more precise distance measurements and enhancing deep-space navigation capabilities. The experiment follows a similar nighttime test conducted days earlier on the DRO-A satellite, which is in a distant retrograde orbit around the Moon.

The success of this test supports China’s broader lunar exploration goals, including the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint initiative with Russia aimed at establishing a long-term presence on the Moon’s south pole

Study Shows that Major US Cities are Sinking Potentially Affecting 34M People

8 May, 2025

A new study using satellite-based radar measurements has revealed that 28 major U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago, Dallas, and Denver, are sinking at rates between two and ten millimeters per year. Researchers from Virginia Tech found that groundwater extraction is the primary cause, with 80% of urban subsidence linked to human-driven water withdrawals.

Houston leads as the fastest-sinking city, with 40% of its area subsiding more than five millimeters annually, while 12% sinks at twice that rate. Uneven subsidence threatens infrastructure stability, silently compromising buildings, roads, and railways over time.

The study underscores the urgent need for improved land subsidence monitoring, revised groundwater management policies, and infrastructure resilience planning. As cities expand, researchers warn that subsidence-related stresses could exceed safety limits, increasing flood risks and structural vulnerabilities. The study was published on May 8 in the journal Nature Cities.

India Postpones First Gaganyaan Astronaut Mission to 2027

8 May, 2025

India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission has been delayed to early 2027, marking another shift in the timeline for the country’s first astronaut launch. Originally planned for 2022, the mission was postponed multiple times due to technical challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will conduct three uncrewed test flights before launching astronauts into low Earth orbit for a three-day mission. The first of these tests, G1, is scheduled for late 2025, followed by G2 and G3 in 2026, each carrying the Vyomitra (Sky or Space Friend in Sanskrit) humanoid robot to validate mission systems.

India’s astronauts, known as Gaganyatris, were selected in 2024 and are undergoing final training. If successful, India will become the fourth nation to independently send humans into space, following Russia, the U.S., and China.

Johns Hopkins, NOAA Study Finds Critical Gaps in US Solar Storm Preparedness

8-9 May, 2025

A recent space weather preparedness exercise has revealed critical gaps in the United States’ ability to respond to a major solar storm. Conducted by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the first-of-its-kind tabletop simulation tested emergency response protocols for severe geomagnetic storms.

The findings in the “After-Action Report” highlight insufficient satellite coverage, limited forecasting capabilities, and poor interagency coordination, which could lead to power grid failures, GPS disruptions, and satellite damage. The exercise simulated a hypothetical 2028 solar storm, exposing weaknesses in real-time data collection and decision-making processes.

Experts recommend deploying more space-based sensors, improving communication protocols, and enhancing public awareness to mitigate risks. As solar activity increases, researchers warn that without urgent action, infrastructure vulnerabilities could lead to widespread disruptions.

GOVERNANCE

US Lawmakers Probe SpaceX Contracts, Foreign Investments & Musk’s Conflicts of Interest as FAA Approves 25 Starship Launches Annually

6 May, 2025

U.S. lawmakers are scrutinizing SpaceX’s government contracts and foreign investments, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving CEO Elon Musk. House Democrats, in a letter, have requested information from NASA and the Pentagon regarding SpaceX’s ties to Chinese investors and Musk’s dual role as a government adviser. The inquiry follows a report by ProPublica published on March 26, 2025, alleging offshore investments linked to Chinese sources, prompting questions about national security risks and contract transparency.

The lawmakers also cited a $13.7 billion Department of Defense contract awarded to SpaceX, questioning whether Musk’s influence within the Trump administration has affected procurement decisions. They have asked NASA and the Pentagon to disclose conflict-of-interest assessments, foreign investment reviews, and any safeguards in place to prevent undue influence.

Meanwhile, SpaceX has secured FAA approval to increase Starship launch frequency from five to 25 launches per year at its Starbase facility in Texas. The decision follows an environmental assessment, which found no significant impact from the expanded operations. The approval marks a major regulatory milestone, allowing SpaceX to accelerate testing of its fully reusable Starship system, designed for deep-space missions.

These developments highlight SpaceX’s growing influence in both commercial and government space sectors, amid regulatory scrutiny and ambitious expansion plans.

ESA Evaluates Next Steps as NASA Budget Cuts Raise Uncertainty Over Artemis Program and Global Partnerships

5 May, 2025

NASA’s proposed 24% budget cut has sent ripples through the global space community, particularly affecting international collaborations under the Artemis program. The White House’s budget request, released on May 2, suggests phasing out the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft after Artemis 3, while also canceling the Gateway lunar station and reducing funding for Mars Sample Return (MSR).

The European Space Agency (ESA), a key Artemis partner, is now assessing the fallout from these cuts. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher emphasized the agency’s commitment to cooperation with NASA, but acknowledged that alternative scenarios may need to be explored. ESA had planned to contribute the Lunar International Habitation Module (I-HAB) and ESPRIT service module to Gateway, as well as the Earth Return Orbiter for MSR.

ESA’s June Council meeting will determine next steps, while NASA’s budget negotiations continue in Congress. The uncertainty has raised concerns about long-term U.S.-European space collaboration, with ESA potentially seeking new partnerships beyond NASA.

India’s Stricter Satellite Policies Affect Starlink, OneWeb, and Foreign Broadband Operators

5 May, 2025

India has tightened satellite communication regulations, introducing stringent security and data compliance rules that pose challenges for SpaceX’s Starlink, OneWeb, and other broadband satellite operators. The Department of Telecommunications’ new requirements mandate local data centers, phased manufacturing, and NavIC-based positioning, aiming to enhance national security and prevent unauthorized access.

The updated norms apply to existing GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) license holders, including Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SES, as well as Starlink and Amazon Kuiper, which are seeking entry into India’s satellite broadband market. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasized that all companies must fully comply with security conditions to obtain a license.

Despite these hurdles, Starlink has received a letter of intent for a satcom license, marking progress toward commercial operations. The company now awaits final regulatory approvals, including spectrum allocation, before launching services in India’s rapidly growing satellite connectivity sector.

China Establishes Regulatory Framework for Direct-to-Device Satellite Services

7 May, 2025

China has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework for direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services, aiming to strengthen national security, data localization, and industry oversight. The new rules issued on April 30 and titled “Regulations on the Management of Terminal Equipment Directly Connected to Satellite Services, issued by seven government departments, establish legal and technical guidelines for satellite-connected terminal equipment, including smartphones, IoT modules, and vehicle terminals.

Key provisions require domestic data processing, prohibiting user data from being routed through overseas gateways without approval. Service providers must also comply with real-name registration mandates, frequency licensing, and cybersecurity laws. The regulations align with China’s broader satellite strategy, which includes the Guowang and Qianfan megaconstellations.

While promoting domestic control, the policy encourages international cooperation in global standards-setting, signaling China’s intent to shape the future of satellite-based mobile connectivity. The move follows similar efforts by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate direct-to-smartphone satellite services.

MILITARY

US Conducts Hot Fire Test of New Cislunar Space Situational Awareness Spacecraft for Deep-Space Monitoring

6 May, 2025

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) have reached a milestone in cislunar space situational awareness (SSA) with the successful Oracle-M (Oracle - Mobility) hot fire test at Edwards Air Force Base. Conducted in March 2025, this test evaluated the spacecraft’s Hall Effect thrusters, which use electromagnetic fields to accelerate xenon ions, providing efficient and long-duration propulsion. Electromagnetic fields are used to accelerate ionized gas, providing a more efficient, long-duration propulsion than traditional chemical rockets, which rely on rapid combustion for thrust—making Hall thrusters ideal for sustained deep-space missions rather than high-power launches.

Oracle-M, developed under SSC’s space domain awareness initiatives, is designed to track and monitor objects in cislunar space, the vast region between Earth and the Moon. It will demonstrate advanced tracking and navigation capabilities, supporting future U.S. national security and space operations. As part of the Oracle family of systems, Oracle-M joins Oracle-P, an SSA experiment focused on detecting and tracking unknown objects.

With growing lunar activity, SSC and the U.S. military aim to extend space domain awareness beyond geosynchronous orbit. Oracle-M’s success marks a step toward enhanced surveillance and long-term planning in the cislunar environment.

US Air Force Selects Rocket Lab's Neutron for Rapid Cargo Delivery Experiment

8 May, 2025

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has selected Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket to support the Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) program, aimed at testing the feasibility of point-to-point cargo transportation using reusable rockets. Scheduled for no earlier than 2026, the mission will assess Neutron’s reentry capabilities, examining how payloads can be delivered globally and withstand atmospheric entry conditions. This experiment falls within broader U.S. Defense Department’s efforts to explore rapid-response space-based logistics.

Neutron, classified as a medium-lift reusable launch vehicle, is part of ongoing evaluations into the role of commercial systems in national security applications. The launch is expected to take place from Rocket Lab’s Wallops Island launch pad in Virginia, which is nearing completion, Virginia, with Neutron’s first flight anticipated by late 2025.

The initiative reflects increasing interest in space-enabled mobility, with defense agencies assessing private-sector capabilities to enhance future military and commercial transport operations.

US Strategic Posture in Space to Emphasize Superiority: Space-Based Defense Expansion Amid Budget Constraints

The U.S. Space Force continues to refine its strategic priorities, advancing multiple initiatives aimed at strengthening space-based defense and communication capabilities. In a recent development, the Space Systems Command (SSC) has refined the candidate pool for Phase 2 of its $100 million Enterprise Space Terminal (EST) program, selecting CACI, General Atomics, and Viasat to develop laser-based communication terminals. These terminals will form a secure, high-bandwidth data network, linking satellites across different orbits.

According to the Space Systems Command (SSC), the Enterprise Space Terminal (EST) program, seeks to establish standardized optical communications systems for military satellites. The selected prototypes will be used to test interoperability and build a future space-based data transport layer. The contracts were awarded through the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) Other Transaction Authority (OTA).

Additionally, Space Force’s Space Development Agency (SDA) is increasing reliance on mission integrators to streamline satellite networks for military operations. Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) secured a $55 million contract to integrate Tranche 3 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), which will enhance missile detection and response.'

With satellites from multiple vendors, interoperability remains a challenge. SDA aims to standardize optical terminals and improve data-sharing across defense networks. Previous phases faced compatibility issues, prompting the agency to bring in external integrators—engineering teams that specialize in bridging legacy technologies with modern commercial systems as well across vendors, earlier in the development.

Meanwhile, the Space Force awarded a $259 million contract to SciTec for the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) program, which will modernize missile-warning ground systems. SciTec is expected to enhance the FORGE framework, developing a cyber-secure ground system for missile warning satellite command and control while integrating FORGE and non-FORGE systems to strengthen threat-responsive capabilities for the Space Force.

This effort complements Northrop Grumman’s $244-million relay station contracts with the Space Force, aimed at expanding global missile detection capabilities through the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellite network.

Beyond technological advancements, the Space Force is shifting its strategic posture, emphasizing space superiority as a prerequisite for battlefield success. Officials argue that control of orbital assets is critical to modern warfare, signaling a move beyond traditional defensive operations toward active deterrence.

Separately, appearing before the U.S. House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee, Space Force’s Chief of Space Operations General Chance Saltzman advocated for increased funding as it takes on new missions amid budget constraints. He warned lawmakers that flat budgets are forcing difficult choices between readiness, capacity, and vulnerabilities.

The hearing follows a challenging 2025 budget cycle, where the Space Force received $800 million less than requested. With expanding responsibilities—including missile warning, space control, and launch operations—Saltzman emphasized the need for greater investment to maintain space superiority.

Stratolaunch Demonstrates Autonomous, Reusable Hypersonic Vehicle Capabilities for US Defense

5 May, 2025

Stratolaunch, the aerospace company founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has demonstrated hypersonic flight and reusability of the uncrewed Talon-A2’s. Conducted in December 2024 and then in March 2025, the test saw the autonomous hypersonic vehicle surpass Mach 5 speeds, before landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The Talon -A2 was launched mid-air by the Roc carrier aircraft, a dual-fuselage aircraft designed by Scaled Composites for Stratolaunch, with a world-leading 385-foot/117 meter wingspan. This also marked a significant step for the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) program. The DoD sees reusable hypersonic platforms as crucial to accelerating weapons development, reducing costs and turnaround time for future tests. With China and Russia advancing hypersonic capabilities, the Pentagon is prioritizing rapid experimentation.

Rheinmetall, Iceye Joint Venture Will Build SAR Satellites to Expand Germany’s Space-Based Surveillance

8 May, 2025

Germany is expanding its defense space capabilities with a new synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite initiative, as German defense contractor Rheinmetall partners with Finnish SAR operator Iceye to establish a satellite production facility in Neuss, Germany. The joint venture, Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions, will focus on building SAR satellites, which provide high-resolution imaging regardless of weather or time of day. Although the financial details were not revealed, as per the deal signed May 8, 2024, Iceye will own 40% of the venture.

The partnership aligns with Germany’s increased defense spending, which surged 28% to $88.5 billion in 2024, making it Western Europe’s largest defense spender, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report published in April 2025.. The move follows Germany’s constitutional amendment removing a 1% GDP cap on defense spending, signaling a broader push for military modernization.

SAR satellites are expected to enhance European intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, supporting NATO’s APSS surveillance initiative and bolstering sovereign defense infrastructure.

COMMERCIAL

ispace’s Resilience Lander Enters Lunar Orbit while Mission 3 Delayed to 2027 Due to Engine Change

7 May, 2025

Japan’s ispace is navigating both delays and progress in its lunar exploration efforts. The company’s Resilience lunar lander (Mission 2) has successfully entered lunar orbit on May 6, ahead of a planned June 5 touchdown in Mare Frigoris. This marks the company’s second lunar landing attempt, following its 2023 mission failure due to a software issue. The lander, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 along with Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost 1 lunar lander, took a low-energy trajectory, minimizing propulsion requirements while carrying scientific payloads, including a micro rover designed to collect lunar regolith.

9 May, 2025

Meanwhile, ispace U.S., the company’s subsidiary, has postponed its Mission 3 lunar lander launch from 2026 to 2027 due to an engine change. The Apex 1.0 lander, part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, will now use the VoidRunner engine, jointly developed with Agile Space Industries, instead of the latter’s bipropellant A2200. The switch aims to simplify vehicle architecture and improve long-term efficiency, though it requires design modifications that have delayed the mission.

Mission 3, led by Draper, is set to land in Schrödinger Basin on the far side of the Moon, carrying seismometers, heat flow instruments, and electromagnetic field sensors. The mission also includes two relay satellites, Alpine and Lupine, developed by ispace U.S. using Blue Canyon Technologies’ satellite buses. These satellites will provide communications support for the lander, which will be out of sight from Earth.

ClearSpace Validates Debris Capture Technologies in Ground-Based Testing for UK’s First Active Debris Removal Mission

7 May, 2025

The UK’s first Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission, led by Swiss deorbiting and debris-removal ClearSpace, has reached a key milestone with the completion of Phase 2 of the CLEAR (Capture, Lead, Eliminate And Reduce) mission. This phase focused on de-risking critical technologies, that is testing critical technologies and mission procedures in controlled environments to minimize risks before launching the actual debris removal satellite

ClearSpace successfully tested its robotic capture system, proving its ability to withstand harsh launch conditions. Additionally, image processing algorithms were validated in a realistic environment to ensure accurate debris detection and tracking. Close-proximity operations were also tested using a hardware-based spacecraft emulator, confirming key mission sequences.

ClearSpace is competing with U.K. subsidiary of Japan’s Astroscale for a UK Space Agency contract to remove two defunct satellites from low-Earth orbit in 2026. ClearSpace collaborated with the Portuguese Critical Software, the Spanish Indra-Deimos, the English Plextek, and U.S.-based Spirit AeroSystems.

IonQ Advances Plans for the First Space-Based Quantum Key Distribution Network with Capella Space Acquisition

7 May, 2025

IonQ is advancing its quantum networking ambitions with plans to establish the first space-based quantum key distribution (QKD) network. The company has entered an agreement to acquire Capella Space, a satellite imaging firm, to integrate quantum-secure communications into space infrastructure.

QKD technology ensures encryption keys cannot be intercepted, enhancing global cybersecurity. IonQ’s acquisition of Capella follows its recent purchase of Qubitekk and partnerships with ID Quantique and Intellian Technologies, reinforcing its push toward a quantum internet.

Capella’s satellite constellation will support IonQ’s space-to-space and space-to-ground QKD network, leveraging long-distance quantum repeaters from Lightsynq Technologies. The move positions IonQ as a frontrunner in quantum-secure satellite communications, with potential applications in defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.

NASA Halts Plans for VIPER Moon Rover Commercial Deployment

7 May, 2025

NASA has officially halted efforts to send its VIPER lunar rover to the Moon through a commercial partnership, marking another setback for the mission. Originally planned to land aboard Astrobotic’s Griffin lander under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, VIPER was canceled last year due to budget concerns, saving the agency $84 million.

In February, NASA sought private sector proposals to transport VIPER at no cost to the government, but the agency has now withdrawn that solicitation, citing challenges in structuring viable partnerships. Industry officials noted that the plan required companies to fund the launch and operations while NASA retained exclusive rights to the data, making it difficult to justify the investment.

NASA has stated it will explore alternative methods to deploy VIPER, though details remain unclear. The rover, designed to search for water ice near the Moon’s south pole, remains fully assembled but lacks a launch vehicle.

mPower Secures $21M to Scale Silicon-Based Space Solar Technology

8 May, 2025

New Mexico (U.S.)-based mPower Technology has secured $21 million in Series B funding to scale up production of its silicon-based solar power modules. The company’s DragonSCALES technology, an interconnected mesh of photovoltaic cells, is already powering six satellites in orbit, with hundreds more under contract.

The funding will support high-volume production at Universal Instruments’ facility in New York, where automation upgrades aim to increase throughput tenfold, enabling over 2 megawatts of annual module production. This surpasses the combined global output of gallium arsenide solar module suppliers, a significant milestone given gallium arsenide’s dominance in space-grade solar power due to its high efficiency. DragonSCALES’ scalability and cost-effectiveness signal a potential shift in satellite power technology, providing a more commercially viable alternative for large-scale deployments.

Major customers include Airbus, which plans to use DragonSCALES for 200 low Earth orbit satellites built for Telesat Canada. Investors Razor’s Edge Ventures and Shield Capital see space-based solar power as a critical enabler for U.S. national security and economic growth.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

This May be Where Gold Comes From: Magnetar Flares Identified as a Source of Heavy Elements in the Universe

Astronomers have identified a previously unknown source of heavy elements like gold, platinum, and uranium—giant flares from magnetars, a type of supermagnetized neutron star. Researchers at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Astrophysics in New York, calculated that a single magnetar flare could produce the equivalent of 27 moons’ worth of these elements.

The discovery builds on previous observations of gamma-ray bursts from magnetars and resolves a 20-year-old mystery surrounding a 2004 space telescope observation, which detected an unexplained secondary signal following a magnetar flare. Scientists now believe this signal marked the birth of heavy elements.

The findings suggest that relativistic plasma interactions in magnetars’ extreme magnetic fields create conditions for rapid neutron capture (r-process), a key mechanism in forming precious metals and radioactive elements. This discovery reshapes theories on element formation in the universe and provides new insights into stellar evolution and astrophysical phenomena. The team's research was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Yellowstone’s Geothermal Activity May Hold a Carbon-Free Helium Supply

Scientists are investigating Yellowstone National Park as a potential source of carbon-free helium, a critical element for rockets, nuclear reactors, and superconductors. Unlike conventional helium extraction, which relies on natural gas deposits and produces significant carbon emissions, Yellowstone’s reserves appear to be methane-free, making them a greener alternative.

Recent studies suggest that geothermal activity in Yellowstone releases helium trapped in ancient rock formations, similar to reserves found in Tanzania’s Rukwa Rift and India’s Bakreswar-Tantloi province. While extraction feasibility remains uncertain, researchers see this as a potential breakthrough in securing a sustainable helium supply. Lead author Ernest Mulaya, a structural geologist from the University of Dar es Salaam, has been researching carbon-free helium sources since the discovery of large helium reserves in Tanzania’s Rukwa Rift Valley in 2016. Co-author Jon Gluyas, a professor of geo-energy at Durham University, has studied helium release mechanisms from ancient rock formations. The research was published April 5 in the journal International Geology Review.

New Research Challenges Long-Held Beliefs About the Second Largest Object in the Asteroid Belt, Vesta

Vesta, the second most massive body in the main asteroid belt, accounting for almost 9% of the total mass of all asteroids, may be a fragment of a planet from our solar system. New research has overturned long-standing assumptions about asteroid Vesta, revealing that it lacks a core, contrary to previous theories that classified it as a differentiated protoplanet. Scientists from Michigan State University and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) reanalyzed Dawn mission data, finding that Vesta’s interior is more uniform than expected.

Two hypotheses are now under consideration: Vesta may have undergone incomplete differentiation, or it could be a fragment from a disrupted planetary body. These findings challenge conventional models of planetary formation, reshaping our understanding of early solar system evolution. The findings were published on April 23, 2025 in Nature Astronomy.

New Study Suggests Spruce Trees Synchronize Electrical Signals in Response to Solar Eclipses

A new study has revealed that spruce trees synchronize their bioelectrical signals hours before a solar eclipse, suggesting a form of forest-wide communication. Conducted in the Dolomite mountains of Italy, researchers from the Italian Institute of Technology, the University of the West of England, and Southern Cross University in Australia deployed custom-built sensors to track the trees’ electrical activity.

The findings indicate that older trees react first, potentially serving as memory banks that guide younger trees in responding to environmental changes. Scientists liken this phenomenon to the “wood wide web,” where trees exchange information in a synchronized manner.

Using quantum field theory and complexity analysis, the study suggests that forests function as cohesive living systems, rather than isolated individuals. The research underscores the importance of preserving older forests, which play a crucial role in ecosystem resilience and knowledge transmission. The study was published on April 30 in the journal Royal Society Open Science. A documentary on the research, Il Codice del Bosco (The Forest Code), is set for release in Italy this month. The official trailer can be watched here.

Despatch Out. 👽🛸