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NASA crashes spacecraft into asteroid moonlet, successfully deflects its orbit

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NASA crashes spacecraft into asteroid moonlet, successfully deflects its orbit


NASA crashes spacecraft into asteroid moonlet, successfully deflects its orbit

In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have discovered that humans successfully deflected an asteroid from its regular orbit around the Sun in a 2022 experiment, marking a historic first in planetary defence.

In 2022, NASA scientists deliberately crashed a spacecraft into a small asteroid moonlet, Dimorphos, and successfully changed its path around its parent asteroid, Didymos.

For context, a moonlet is a very small natural satellite, typically under 1-2 km in diameter, that orbits a planet, dwarf planet, or asteroid.

Now, researchers have found that the first-ever successful demonstration of human capability to change an asteroid’s trajectory also resulted in the deflection of both asteroids from their regular orbits around the Sun.

A recent study published in the journal Science Advances revealed that the spacecraft’s collision with the moonlet caused Didymos’s speed to slow by 11.7 micrometers per second.

The researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign determined the change after examining more than 6,000 orbital laps of the asteroid around the star.

This means that future missions could target the moonlets around asteroids to change their orbit, if they pose a threat to Earth.

The lead scientist for solar system small bodies at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Thomas Statler, hailed the incredible success achieved through the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART).

He said, “This is a tiny change to the orbit, but given enough time, even a tiny change can grow to a significant deflection.”

Despite the success, NASA has warned that there are no other DART-like spacecraft ready for launch if the need arises. 





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Prince Harry sets ‘non-negotiable’ condition for Meghan in UK plans

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Prince Harry sets ‘non-negotiable’ condition for Meghan in UK plans


Prince Harry sets ‘non-negotiable’ condition for Meghan in UK plans

Prince Harry appears to be confident in his efforts as he believes there a major opportunity opening up for them in the UK, as King Charles continues his State Visit in the US.

The Duke of Sussex, who is slated to return to the UK for the upcoming Birmingham Invictus Games, is making sure that his wife is on-board the new plan of action, insiders revealed.

Harry has “totally banking on as he’s assured his father that they’ll be bringing Archie and Lili to finally enjoy some quality time with him”, sources told Closer. However, they noted that Meghan is “still in two minds” about travelling back to UK after all these years.

However, Harry argues that if he is going to make a return to the royal fold, it has to be with Meghan otherwise it would look “pretty odd”. He insists that this is a “non-negotiable” part of the plan even if Meghan is not willing to live in Britain or immerse herself in it fully. She can travel more frequently but she would have to be standing by his side.

The sources added that for Harry it makes “perfect sense” to find a property close to Windsor which they can use as “crash pad” whenever they are in town and it would eventually be something they Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet can inherit.

It would allow the Sussex children to grow close to their British heritage and their royal relatives, further strengthening their ties with the monarchy.

Meghan has “plenty of conditions that need to be met” before she’s fully signed off on the trip, but Harry has taken a clear stance about her presence and support for UK plans.

It remains to be seen how this pans out as the reconciliation process with King Charles has been put on pause. 





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King Charles makes surprising Prince William comment during US speech

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King Charles makes surprising Prince William comment during US speech



King Charles remembered Prince William in quite an unexpected way during the State Dinner speech.



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Antonio Banderas meets up with ‘lifelong friend’, ex Melanie Griffith

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Antonio Banderas meets up with ‘lifelong friend’, ex Melanie Griffith


Antonio Banderas meets up with ‘lifelong friend’, ex Melanie Griffith

Antonio Banderas has shared a heartwarming family photo from a Los Angeles reunion with ex-wife Melanie Griffith and their daughter Stella, and his caption said everything about how the former couple have chosen to handle life after divorce.

The actor, 65, posted the snap on Instagram on Monday, 27 April, showing himself beaming alongside Stella, 29, Griffith, 68, and Stella’s husband Alex Gruszynski. 

Banderas leaned into his daughter as she threw her head back laughing, while Griffith and Stella held hands and Gruszynski rested his head on Griffith’s shoulder. 

“A lovely and fun moment yesterday in Los Angeles with my son-in-law Alex, my daughter Stella, and my ex-wife and lifelong friend, Melanie,” Banderas wrote in his caption.

The warmth in the post reflects a dynamic Banderas has spoken about openly for years. 

In 2018, he told PEOPLE: “Even if we are divorced, she is my family and I will love her until the day I die. We have been in contact all these years and we managed to do a separation that is very elegant.” 

He added at the time that keeping things harmonious for their children was always the priority. 

“Our kids are enjoying that and that is very important for both of us. Our kids are priority No. 1.”

Griffith, for her part, has also spoken warmly about staying close with the men she has loved. “I love them with all my heart,” she said in 2020.

Banderas and Griffith first encountered each other at the 1989 Oscars and reconnected on the set of Two Much in 1995.

They married the following year and welcomed Stella before Griffith filed for divorce in 2014, citing irreconcilable differences. 

The divorce was finalised in 2015. Banderas has remained close not only with Griffith but also with her daughter Dakota Johnson, whom she shares with ex-husband Don Johnson.





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