Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.
This May brings a rare celestial treat, two full moons in one month! We’re exploring the science of space and how astronomy connects us through curiosity, discovery, and a shared wonder for what lies beyond.
Latest News Releases
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 7-Jun-2026 20:15 ET (8-Jun-2026 00:15 GMT/UTC)
Investigation on three-dimensional unsteady flow characteristics during TBCC inlet mode transition using fast-responding PSP
SciOpenThe mode transition of combined-cycle inlets, governed by sidewall constraints, is inherently characterized by significant three-dimensional (3D) unsteady flow phenomena that elude capture by conventional two-dimensional (2D) diagnostics or single-point transducers. This research published in the Chinese Journal of Aeronautics utilizes fast-response pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) to conduct dynamic measurements on the wall pressure field of a typical over-under TBCC inlet during mode transition, successfully elucidating the 3D characteristics of these unsteady flows.
- Journal
- Chinese Journal of Aeronautics
AI enabled launch vehicles: Next potential disruptive technology after reusability
SciOpenPeer-Reviewed Publication
In the era of global space industry's rapid expansion, reusable launch technology addresses cost reduction, but achieving high launch cadence and flight reliability remains critical. This study published in the Chinese Journal of Aeronautics (Volume 38, Issue 10, October 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cja.2025.103756), proposes that artificial intelligence (AI) would be the potential disruptive technology to solve these challenges. AI enables transformative capabilities for launch vehicles are pointed out in four domains: Agile launch operations enabling automate testing, fault diagnosis, and decision-making for targeting hour-level launch cycles and minute-level fault resolution; High-reliability flight enabling real-time autonomous fault diagnosis, mission replanning, and fault-tolerant control within seconds during anomalies, potentially improving reliability by 1-2 orders of magnitude; Rapid maintenance enabling real-time health monitoring and lifespan prediction for swift re-launch decisions; and Efficient space traffic management enabling predict/resolve orbital conflicts amid growing congestion from satellites and debris. The key challenges for AI applications are analyzed as well, including multi-system coupling, uncertain failure modes and narrow flight corridors, limited sensor data, and massive heterogeneous data processing. Finally, the study also proposes that AI promises substantial efficiency gains in launch vehicle design, manufacturing, and testing through multidisciplinary optimization and reduced reliance on physical testing.
- Journal
- Chinese Journal of Aeronautics
Retrieval of interior structure of asteroids with the low-frequency telescope DART
Beijing Institute of Technology Press Co., LtdHow climate policies that incentivize and penalize can drive the clean energy transition
University of California - San DiegoPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Nature Climate Change
Stardust study resets how life’s atoms spread through space
Chalmers University of TechnologyPeer-Reviewed Publication
Starlight and stardust are not enough to drive the powerful winds of giant stars, transporting the building blocks of life through our galaxy. That’s the conclusion of a new study from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, of red giant star R Doradus. The result overturns a long-held idea about how the atoms needed for life are spread.
- Journal
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Funder
- Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation