Riset Sains dan Eksplorasi Antariksa Capai Batu Loncatan Tertinggi
Pada tahun 2025, dunia sains akan mencapai tingkat baru dalam eksplorasi ruang angkasa, dengan rangkaian libc membranYAatched event Newest developments in space science and exploration have reached their highest point in the past 12 months.
In 2024, we learned that galaxies are much larger than previously thought, the European Space Agency (ESA) began construction on their Ariane 6 rocket, and we discovered what happens to an astronaut’s body during a long-term stay in space.
2025 promises to be just as exciting for the world of science, with several key events and missions expected to take place.
Return of NASA‘s ‘Stranded’ Astronauts
Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, will return to Earth in March 2025. Left stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2024 after a malfunction with their returning spacecraft, they have been a part of the ISS for nine long months instead of the planned eight-day mission.
Now, they have joined the Crew-9 mission, a SpaceX flight headed to the ISS to bring them home. Originally scheduled for a February 2025 return, NASA announced in December that the Crew-10 mission, which was supposed to replace Crew-9, has been delayed by a month. This means the astronauts will return to Earth in March if there are no further delays.
Monitoring Earth’s Ecosystems from Space
2025 will mark the first time ESA analyzes Earth’s ecosystems from space. The Fluorescence EXplorer (FLEX) satellite, designed to map the health and stress levels of plants worldwide, is set to launch in 2025 and operate for over three and a half years.
FLEX carries a new instrument called FLORIS, which can measure plant photosynthesis levels from space for the first time. By detecting vegetation fluorescence, FLORIS can track large-scale photosynthesis rates, providing better insights into how plant ecosystems influence global carbon cycling.
Another ESA mission launching in 2025 will study Earth’s forests. This mission will gather information about the state of Earth’s forests and how they are changing over time. The data from both missions could help inform climate protection policies, agricultural management, and food security strategies.
Artemis’ Momentum Builds
2025 will be a crucial year for NASA’s plans to return humans to the moon as part of the Artemis program. Although the massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket won’t fly in 2025, space enthusiasts can expect significant milestones in Artemis preparation.
Following the successful uncrewed Orion spacecraft test flight, Artemis I, in 2022, Artemis II’s crewed mission is set to launch in late 2025 or early 2026. The Artemis III mission aims to land humans on the moon’s surface for the first time since 1972.
Lunar Eclipses and Meteor Showers
Space fans will have two chances to witness lunar eclipses in 2025. The first total lunar eclipse will take place on March 14, visible from the Pacific, America, Western Europe, and Western Africa. The second one will occur on September 7, visible from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Meteor showers will also provide spectacular sky shows in 2025. The Quadrantid meteor shower will reach its peak on January 3, while the Eta Aquariid meteor shower will peak on May 3-4. Both showers will be visible from various locations around the globe.
