space

These are the Clohessy-Wiltshire equations — also known as the Hill-Clohessy-Wiltshire or CW equations — and they are among the most important analytical tools in orbital mechanics for spacecraft proximity operations. Understanding them — not just what they are, but why they take the form they do and what physical phenomena each term represents — is essential knowledge for any engineer working on rendezvous, formation flying, on-orbit servicing, or debris removal missions.

On the Moon, there is no soil microbiome. There are no decomposers. There is no biological cycle into which an organic material can return. A biodegradable fibre on the lunar surface does not biodegrade — it simply sits there, unchanged, because the process that defines its sustainability credential on Earth does not exist in that environment. Biodegradability as a metric becomes meaningless, or worse, misleading.

Jeremy Hansen said he hopes the Artemis 2 record is soon broken by future explorers - we hear you Jeremy! And this Apollo record was set by Apollo 13 mission - Jim Lovell you are missed. Tom Hanks are you watching this?

But launch cost reduction does not by itself create a space economy. It creates the precondition for one. The space economy also is driven by what happens after orbit insertion — by the satellites that observe the Earth, relay communications, provide navigation signals, perform scientific measurements, and eventually manufacture materials and support human presence in outer space. Every one of those applications requires space systems that are designed, built, tested, and ope

To understand why satellites in Low Earth Orbit do not remain in orbit indefinitely, it is necessary to first understand what orbit actually is from a mechanical standpoint, and why the conditions that sustain it are continuously being degraded by a physical phenomenon that is widely underestimated in its significance.

For years, Artemis III was THE mission. The one that would return astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. It had the world watching. Then, in February 2026, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stood up and said: not yet. Artemis III has been redesigned from a crewed lunar surface mission into an Low Earth Orbit rendezvous — where spacecrafts will meet one or more lunar landers in orbit to test docking, spacesuits and critical systems.

To pursue a career in the space sector without a deep, functional grasp of the mathematical frameworks that describe orbital mechanics or structural dynamics is to attempt to build complex systems without understanding the fundamental rules that govern them, because the vacuum of space is a high-stakes environment that offers zero margin for error and recognizes only the absolute laws of physics.

In my early 20s, I didn't realise that my interest in hobbies, music, movies, were slowly getting shaped by some men around me. I remember feeling quite a misfit in my initial days of master studies. Not that all of it was bad, it just excluded me from understanding my own gender. I liked rockets, I liked satellites but I did not like some of my classmates and colleagues justifying destruction, setting up intellectual debates on global affairs with the logic that even the dev

Every Republic Day is a moment to pause and ask what our institutions have built over time. In India’s case, what began as a scientific aspiration in a newly independent nation has evolved into a confident, end-to-end space ecosystem — spanning launch vehicles, planetary missions, scientific observatories, Earth observation, and now, a growing private sector. This is a record of how India learned to design, launch and operate in space.

Space exploration encompasses a wide range of research areas, each contributing to our understanding of the cosmos and our ability to live and work in space. Below are some of the most prominent research fields in space exploration and their impact on space missions.

How often do you hear stories of engineers eating peanuts in Mission Control and performing rituals that seem misaligned with the popular notion of what a rocket scientist should behave like? You know the ones who shall never make mistakes, who do not believe in anything other than logic, who are guided by mission objectives so much that nothing can ever spin out of control?

What does a systems engineer even do? It's a highly valid question. We talk about structure, aerodynamics, on-board computers, sensors, communication systems for rockets and satellites and they are rightly taught as THE necessary technical knowledge in Universities. Systems Engineers exist to bring all these together. Let me try to explain this with two terms that are bread and butter for systems engineers—Requirements and Trade-offs.

Supernovae are among the most powerful and spectacular events in the Universe, marking the explosive deaths of massive stars. These cataclysmic bursts release immense energy, outshining entire galaxies for brief periods and distributing heavy elements essential for planetary formation and life itself. The study of supernovae has been fundamental in astrophysics, providing insights into stellar evolution, cosmic distances, and the origins of elements.

On15th October 2025, one of my decade-long space dream was fulfilled. I had the incredibly opportunity to host a live session with Dr. James Wertz, renowned for his work on space mission design and attitude determination and control. This was the first time I hosted Hyperbolic Orbits Podcast as a live session, joined by a group of luminary group of professionals and students who are expanding the boundaries of space exploration.