Science Wrap: A solar flare, Russian space capsule returns, NASA plans life on Mars

This week in science witnessed major space-related developments with a solar flare leading to unpredictable space weather and NASA coming up with a new plan for life on Mars. Meanwhile, the damaged Russian space capsule Soyuz is back on the planet while Sunita Williams faces a delay in what would be her third visit to space.

1- Powerful X.12 solar flare raises space weather concerns

A highly powerful solar flare led to a radio blackout on Earth on March 29. What does this imply? Space weather forecasters are concerned that this flare would lead to some heavily rough space weather for human spacecraft in the coming days. 

The flare resulted from one of the largest and most complicated sunspot group. This was the seventh such explosion from the Sun in over three months of 2023. If flares like these continue, then the next few months might witness more radio blackouts, and power grids temporarily losing power. The only upside is that it might lead to more auroras in the night sky!

2- Damaged Russian space capsule returns

The Russian Soyuz M-23 space capsule that witnessed a coolant leak in December is finally landing back on Earth. The capsule had caused a great deal of trouble to Russian space agency ROSSCOSMOS as three astronauts (one of them being American) were also trapped. While the trio was rescued by another Soyuz capsule, the original damaged one was undocked from the International Space Station. 

Within two hours, the capsule landed in Kazakhstan on March 28. 

3- Sunita Williams' third space mission delayed

American astronaut (of Indian origin) Sunita Williams has flown to space twice with her last journey being in 2012. Williams' third trip to space will find her serving as a crew member on Boeing's in-development spacecraft Starliner. However, the project has been undergoing some delays and Boeing recently confirmed that the date of the maiden (crewed) flight of Starliner has been delayed. The company is already running behind schedule with a few years.

Boeing has confirmed that the spaceship's build is completed but it would require time for verification and validation-related testing of the features. If things go according to plan this time, people can expect Williams and the rest of the Starliner crew to lift off sometime around July 21, 2023. 

4- NASA to test four people on Mars-like conditions

Earth's twin planet Mars has been considered as a residential alternative in the future by many a space entrepreneur or sci-fi writer. Now, NASA is planning to start the preparations from Earth itself. The American space agency has announced that it will select four individuals from the general public and make them live in a simulation of a Martian environment.

The mission is a year-long project with NASA's aim being a deeper understanding of living conditions for humans on Mars. The four selected people will be asked to stay in a 'sandbox' and will be assigned specific tasks. This sounds almost like the filming of a sequel to The Martian!