Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
American space agency Nasa will launch the ambitious Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) telescope on March 1. The observatory will look to answer questions about the origin of the universe while mapping the distribution of galaxies. The SPHEREx Observatory will collect data on more than 450 million galaxies along with more than 100 million stars in the Milky Way in order to explore the origins of the universe. The telescope will try to understand what happened immediately after the Big Bang that initiated the universe and to search the Milky Way for reservoirs of water, a crucial ingredient for life.
With its iconic rusty hue, Mars has long been called the red planet. Now, scientists may have discovered the potential source of that distinctive coloring, overturning a popular theory in the process. The new research found out that Mars' red dust is a combination of basaltic volcanic rock and a water-rich iron oxide called ferrihydrite. This discovery is intriguing because ferrihydrite typically forms rapidly in the presence of cool water — meaning it must have originated when liquid water still existed on Mars' surface. Even after billions of years of being ground into dust and scattered by Martian winds, ferrihydrite has retained its watery signature, offering a tantalizing clue about Mars' ancient past.
In partnership with @Nokia, we're setting up the first mobile network on the Moon! Launching with @Int_Machines on Feb. 26, the Lunar Surface Communication System will use the same cellular tech used on Earth to establish lunar surface connectivity: https://t.co/A2482yyzYS pic.twitter.com/0bbfZz4ltV
— NASA Technology (@NASA_Technology) February 25, 2025
(Credit: X/@NASA_Technology)
SpaceX successfully launched the IM-2 mission aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Athena lunar lander and NASA's Lunar Trailblazer to the Moon's South Pole. This historic mission is part of Intuitive Machines' IM-2 mission and is made possible through a collaboration with Nokia. The Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS), developed by Nokia, will utilise the same cellular technology used on Earth to establish connectivity on the lunar surface. The network will enable high-definition video streaming, command-and-control communications, and telemetry data transfer between the lander and lunar vehicles. This network is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of space, including extreme temperatures and radiation. The establishment of a mobile network on the Moon paves the way for future lunar missions, including NASA's Artemis program, which plans to return humans to the Moon by 2028.
Although COVID-19 vaccines are generally safe, some people experience long-lasting symptoms, a condition termed 'post-vaccination syndrome' (PVS) such as extreme fatigue, exercise intolerance, brain fog, insomnia, and dizziness. Yale researchers have made preliminary findings, uncovering distinct immunological patterns in these individuals. Findings revealed that those with symptoms had lower levels of two types of white blood cells. Participants with PVS who had never contracted COVID-19 also had reduced levels of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, likely due to receiving fewer vaccine doses. Some individuals with PVS also had elevated levels of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which plays a role in the virus's ability to infect cells. This has previously been linked to an increased risk of developing long COVID.
