Science Wrap: First tourist trip to space, Moon up close from Chandrayaan-3, and Russia's lunar lander

From the unveiling of Virgin Galactic's inaugural space tourist mission, led by the Richard Branson, to Russia's return to lunar exploration with the Luna-25 lander, the realm of space exploration is abuzz with new milestones.

Meanwhile, ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 continues to captivate with its quest for an up-close view of the Moon, and the recent discovery of the fossilized remains of Tutcetus rayanensis sheds light on the intriguing world of prehistoric marine life.

Here are some of the top science updates of the week:

Space Tourism Takes Off

Virgin Galactic, founded by British tycoon Richard Branson, successfully launched its first group of space tourists on an exhilarating cosmic journey. This momentous event comes after years of anticipation and extensive hype. At 8:30 am local time on Thursday, the sleek VSS Unity spaceplane, propelled by rockets, bid its farewell from a spaceport in New Mexico and soared into action.

Among the passengers were:

• Former British Olympian Jon Goodwin, who secured his ticket an impressive 18 years ago.
• Keisha Schahaff, an enterprising wellness expert, and her daughter Anastatia Mayers, who earned their extraordinary tickets through a fundraising raffle.
• Also on board was former Olympian Jon Goodwin, renowned for his achievements in canoeing during the 1972 Munich Summer Games.

Despite encountering several delays, this eagerly anticipated private customer flight has successfully passed its test. As a result, Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic is set to offer these cosmic excursions regularly, joining the ranks of super-cool space tourism alongside Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX. This mission is a significant milestone for Virgin Galactic, as it opens up space travel to tourists, expanding beyond catering exclusively to professionals.

Luna 25: Russia's Lunar Contender for Chandrayaan 3

Amidst ongoing conflicts and economic challenges, Russia has taken a bold step in space research. The Luna-25 lander, launched by Russia's space agency Roscosmos, embarked on its journey using a Soyuz 2.1b rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. This marks Russia's return to lunar landing after nearly five decades, showcasing a remarkable achievement within its space program.

In a show of appreciation, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) extended their congratulations to Roscosmos for the successful launch of Luna-25. Weighing around 800 kg, the new Russian lander boasts a streamlined design compared to Chandrayaan-3's lander, which weighs 1,752 kg. If successful, Chandrayaan-3's lander and rover will conduct experiments for two weeks, while Luna-25 is expected to operate on the lunar surface for an entire year.

Moon's Close-Up Captured by Chandrayaan 3

ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission has made significant progress toward the Moon. After departing Earth's orbit on August 5, the spacecraft has entered lunar orbit. On August 6, ISRO reported a successful planned reduction in lunar orbit, bringing the spacecraft even closer to the Moon. Additionally, Chandrayaan-3 has captured initial images of Earth's natural satellite.

Launched by ISRO on July 14, Chandrayaan-3 aims to gently touch down in the Moon's south polar region, perpetually shrouded in shadow. The anticipated landing window is set for August 23 or 24. The mission comprises a propulsion module, the lander named Vikram, and a rover.

This mission extends from the Chandrayaan-2 initiative launched in 2019. Unlike its predecessor, which experienced a landing mishap, Chandrayaan-3 aims to rectify past challenges and accomplish its objectives. Reflecting this determination, the landing site for Chandrayaan-3 surpasses the scale of Chandrayaan-2's designated area.

Success would place India among an exclusive group of nations, including the US, China, and the former Soviet Union, that have achieved the remarkable feat of a soft moon landing.

Discovery of Fossils: A Miniature Whale

Shortly after the world was introduced to the heaviest known prehistoric whale, a much smaller relative from the same family has been uncovered on the opposite side of the globe.

Scientists have unearthed fossilized remains of Tutcetus rayanensis, including its skull, jaw, and teeth, in Wadi El-Rayan, an Egyptian nature reserve. The specimen dates back 41 million years.

This recently identified species stands out as one of the earliest and tiniest basilosaurids, an ancient marine family linked to modern whales. According to a report published on August 10 in Communications Biology, the creature's length is estimated to be a mere 2.5 meters, with a weight of only 188 kilograms – roughly equivalent to the heart of a blue whale.