Hidden deep inside the Pacific Ocean: This newly discovered coral glows green when disturbed by deep-sea robots.

Hidden inside the Pacific Ocean: This newly discovered coral glows green when disturbed by deep-sea robots

Several hundred meters below the surface, the limestone caves around Minamidito Island are mostly untouched by sunlight, currents, and regular marine surveys. The landscape is narrow, uneven, and difficult to navigate even with modern submarines. During one of the deeper exploratory dives last year, a remotely operated vehicle passed close to a colony of precious corals and disturbed a group of small yellow animals attached to its surface. For a moment, they emitted a green glow.The light disappeared almost immediately. It was not bright enough to illuminate the cave or be visible from a distance, but it was enough to disrupt the regular pace of the survey. The organisms had not been previously cataloged, and the brief response sparked a closer investigation that later identified an entirely new coral-associated species with a rare form of bioluminescence.

Rare glowing coral species found 385 meters beneath the Pacific Ocean

The expedition took place in May 2024 as part of a deep-sea cave survey led by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, known as JAMSTEC, BioScience reports. The researchers were using a robotic vehicle to inspect submerged limestone formations near Minamidato Island, a remote Pacific island east of Okinawa.While maneuvering through the cave system, the vehicle’s manipulator arm collided with coral colonies belonging to the genus Pleurocorallium. Attached to those corals were small yellow polyps, which the team did not expect to find in that setting.Response came immediately after contact. The green light flickered from the creatures’ tent area for only a moment and then disappeared again. This response appeared to be localized and short-lived rather than continuous, which immediately distinguished it from many known glowing marine animals that exhibit steady or repeated light displays. The video captured during the dive later became the focus of analysis.

Scientists trace this glowing creature to the Zoantharia genus

Detailed testing placed the organism within the Zoantharia, a group that includes animals such as sea anemones and colonial corals. This species is now named Corallizoanthus aureus, the second part of the name referring to its distinctive golden-yellow appearance.Its anatomy differs from that of its closest known relatives in several ways. The tentacle count is slightly higher, the muscles around the oral disc are arranged differently, and the body coloration is unusually bright for an animal living in such a dim environment.The species also appears to be highly selective about where it lives. Each observed specimen was directly attached to precious coral colonies, suggesting that it survives as an epibiont, an organism that grows without harming any other living animal. Back on the research vessel, scientists attempted to understand the source of the green glow. Measurements showed that the emitted light reached approximately 515 nanometers, placing it within the green portion of the visible spectrum.The brightness was not constant. It appears only after the tissue is physically disturbed or exposed to a chemical stimulus. Undisturbed samples remained in the dark. Many marine organisms display fluorescent colors in blue light, but fluorescence depends on absorbing external light and re-emitting it. The behavior of the new species was different. Light originated from animals only. The team also ruled out luminous bacteria living in coral tissue. Instead, evidence points to an intrinsic biochemical response that has already been recorded in jellyfish and other marine invertebrates.Scientists suspect that the process involves coelenterazine, a molecule widely used in marine bioluminescence. In the presence of oxygen and an enzyme called luciferase, the compound releases visible light through a chemical reaction occurring inside the animal’s tissues.

Scientists suspect the flash may help the creature avoid predators

The function of the glow remains uncertain. In cave environments where visibility is already limited, sudden brightness may seem counterintuitive. Yet bioluminescence in deep-sea ecosystems often serves purposes that are indirect rather than communicative.One possibility being considered is the so-called burglar-alarm effect, an old ecological idea first proposed decades ago. Under this theory, a small organism emits light when attacked or disturbed to attract a larger predator that might threaten anyone trying to eat it. In open ocean species, these reactions can spread rapidly. A fish bites a small animal, the small animal flashes, and the light attracts the attention of an even larger predator nearby. Whether that chain of events operates within confined cave systems is still unknown.

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Gaurav Sharma: Working in each medium trains different muscles

Gaurav Sharma: Working in each medium trains different muscles
Actor Gaurav Sharma, famous for ‘Do Dooni Pyaar’, is making his debut in films with ‘Momacku: Motor Matchbox Aur Cutter’. He emphasizes that exploring different mediums such as television, films and streaming platforms encourages reinvention and expands an actor’s range, circumventing typecasting and offering new creative challenges.

After leading the television show love twice as muchActor Gaurav Sharma is now preparing for his next chapter with the upcoming film Momaku: Motor Machine and Cutter. Having worked across television, film and OTT, Gaurav says he consciously avoids limiting himself to a single medium because, for him, growth lies in reinvention. “Each medium trains a different muscle. For an actor, curiosity matters more than comfort, and today’s best roles don’t live in just one place,” he shares. Talking about his approach towards acting, Gaurav explains that constantly moving between mediums helps him grow creatively. “Sticking to one medium means repeating the same audience, pace, and pay structure. Exploring different niches keeps work unpredictable, expands your range, and prevents typecasting,” he says. Reflecting on his television journey, the actor acknowledges the unique bond that TV creates with the audience. “Television makes you a household name because you enter people’s homes every evening. Even though my show ran for a short period of time, people still recognize me for that role,” he says. love twice as muchWhich aired on Star Plus. “TV teaches you the craft through repetition and creates daily intimacy with millions of viewers.” However, he believes that films and streaming platforms demand a different kind of performance pressure. “On OTT and in films, that trust is tested on a much larger canvas. The timelines are shorter, the audience is wider, and a performance has to leave a lasting impression,” he explains. For Gaurav, the move to different formats is ultimately about accepting challenges. “This change brings new directors, styles and budgets that push you out of your comfort zone,” he says. “You move from household familiarity to cinematic legacy. The risk of failing publicly is what makes the leap addictive for actors.” Apart from television, Gaurav has also worked in projects like guns and roses And Chandigarh make loveConstantly creating a wide variety of work across a variety of platforms.

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Ravichandran Ashwin: Rajat Patidar ahead of Shreyas Iyer? R Ashwin’s big support for RCB captain. cricket news

Rajat Patidar ahead of Shreyas Iyer? R Ashwin's big support for RCB captain
R Ashwin’s big support to RCB captain Rajat Patidar (Image: X)

Rajat Patidar Performed one of the best innings of his IPL career in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans. The RCB captain played a sensational inning of 93 not out off just 33 balls, helping his team reach 254/5 – the highest score in the history of the IPL playoffs. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin Patidar was praised profusely after the innings.Royal Challengers Bangalore reached their second consecutive IPL final after defeating Gujarat Titans by 92 runs in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala. Patidar was undoubtedly the star of the night, demolishing the GT bowling attack with a breathtaking innings full of fearless strokeplay.The RCB captain hit nine sixes and five fours at a tremendous strike rate of 281.82. One of the highlights of his innings came when he scored 28 runs in a single over off Kulwant Khejroliya. However, the extraordinary moment came in the 17th over Kagiso Rabada. Soon after completing his stormy half-century in 21 balls, Patidar hit a brilliant backfoot six off a pace ball outside the off stump. Instead of defending, he stayed deep in the crease, opened his arms and fired the ball across the cover boundary with incredible power and timing.Ashwin called it the “shot of the day” and even suggested that it could be the “shot of the tournament”.

After this performance, who do you think should be the top captain of IPL?

“The backfoot six by Rajat off Kagiso Rabada was the straight-up shot of the day, maybe even a contender for the shot of the tournament. How he managed to generate that power from there is beyond me,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Aish Ki Baat’.“Before this knock, Shreyas Iyer Maybe a little ahead in the captaincy and batting conversation, but after tonight, Patidar is right up there,” Ashwin said.“We all know how good Rajat Patidar is against spin, but the way he handled the fast bowling today was also impressive. And the sixes he hit off Rashid Khan… I have seen very few batsmen who can come on the front foot, get the pitch of the ball right and still hoist Rashid over extra cover for six. Pure class. The man comes, the time comes,” he added.

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23,000-year-old footprints in New Mexico change what scientists previously believed about the first Americans World News

23,000-year-old footprints in New Mexico change scientists' perception of the first Americans

For much of the twentieth century, the story of how humans arrived in North America felt settled. They came from Siberia, crossed a land bridge called Beringia, moved south as the ice sheets retreated, and gave rise to the Clovis culture about 13,000 years ago, the earliest widely accepted evidence of human presence on the continent. It was a well-organized, well-secured consensus. Then, in 2019, archaeologists digging in the gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park in New Mexico uncovered something from the ground that couldn’t be unanimously absorbed: a set of fossilized human footprints so old that they were buried in the soil during the peak of the last ice age, when the land bridge that those same humans were still waiting to cross had not yet opened.

How scientists determined the date of the footprints and why there was controversy over it

The original 2021 study, published in the journal Science, dates the footprints using radiocarbon analysis of seeds of an aquatic plant called Rupiah cirrhosa, found in sediment layers just above and below the tracks. The results placed the footprints, dated to 21,000 to 23,000 years ago, within the Coldest and most extreme phase of the last ice age, the Last Glacial Maximum, when vast ice sheets covered much of the Northern Hemisphere.The dates were immediately disputed. Critics argued that seeds of aquatic plants are unreliable radiocarbon markers because they can absorb ancient dissolved carbon from groundwater, a phenomenon known as the reservoir effect, which can make materials appear older than they actually are. The debate was so abstract as to cast real doubt on what was otherwise an historical discovery.

How did the White Sands footprints survive for 23,000 years?

White Sands National Park is located in the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico, a landscape today defined by fine white gypsum dunes, one of the most striking geological features in North America. Beneath those dunes lies a different world altogether: the dry bed of an ancient lake called Otero Lake, which existed during the last ice age when the area’s climate was wetter and cooler than today. It was along the muddy shoreline of that lost lake where the footprints were made and preserved.The track was excavated by a team from Bournemouth University in collaboration with the US National Park Service. They were found buried in several layers of sediment, pressed into ancient lakeshore soil and left there by people who walked, stood and moved along the shoreline thousands of years ago. Many of the tracks were made by children and teenagers, a detail that has left researchers quietly extraordinary, with young people preserving evidence about their lives in a landscape that no longer exists.

How independent studies finally settled the debate

The controversy prompted researchers to return to the site with completely different dating methods. A study published in Science in 2023, led by Jeff Pigati of the US Geological Survey, dated pollen grains and quartz crystals from the same sediment layers using two different techniques: optically stimulated luminescence and radiocarbon dating of the pollen. Both methods returned dates of 20,000 to 23,000 years ago, which were statistically indistinguishable from the original seed-based results.

What do the footprints mean for the Clovis I theory

The implications of the long-standing Clovis First model are significant and irreversible. The Clovis culture, named after a site near Clovis, New Mexico, where distinctive stone tools were found in the 1930s, was long thought to represent the earliest known human presence in North America, about 13,000 years ago. The footprints at White Sands are at least 8,000 years older than we thought.What is even more surprising is what time means in geographical terms. During the Last Glacial Maximum, the two primary corridors through which humans migrated to the Americas, the ice-free corridor east of the Rocky Mountains and the coastal route along the Pacific, were either blocked by ice sheets or were not yet accessible. If humans were already in New Mexico 23,000 years ago, they would have arrived before those routes closed, which suggests either a much earlier migration than any current models, or an alternative route across the continent that has not yet been identified.

What was roaming around White Sands 23,000 years ago

Footprints do not exist alone. The sediments at White Sands also contain traces of animals that shared the lakeshore with these early humans: mammoths, giant ground sloths, and ancient camels, all of which are now extinct. The picture that emerges is of a functioning Ice Age ecosystem: a lake surrounded by grass and wetlands, populated by megafauna, presumably hunted by the humans who lived with them.Vance Holliday, who has been working at White Sands since 2012, said it is “absolutely clear” that humans made these tracks. The question was never really whether the footprints were human. This was when. After four years of scientific debate, three independent dating methods, and three separate studies arriving at a single answer, at last, the question appears to be settled.

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India launches first hydrogen train: Green revolution in rail transport india news

India's first hydrogen train gets green signal from Railway Board

The Railway Ministry on Tuesday approved the operation of India’s first hydrogen-powered 10-coach DEMU train between Jind and Sonipat under the Northern Railway zone.As per PTI report, the train will run at a maximum speed of 75 kmph and will use hydrogen fuel cells instead of diesel or conventional electric traction to generate power.With a total power output of 1,200 kW, the train will operate on Distributed Power Rolling Stock (DPRS) technology, where power is distributed across the coaches rather than concentrated in a single locomotive.Security clearance and compliance still ongoingThe ministry’s approval came after technical clearance from the Research Design and Standards Organization and safety testing by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS).As quoted by PTI, the sanction letter sent to the General Manager of Northern Railway has been directed to comply with all safety, maintenance and operational conditions prescribed by RDSO, CCRS and other statutory authorities including Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO).The letter further added, “Various sensors (leak detectors, flame detectors etc.) provided at hydrogen production, storage and distribution facilities on the ground are prone to failure due to dust accumulation. Necessary schedule for regular clearing of failed operations will be ensured.Officials clarified that the approval does not mean immediate start of operations, as several compliance and verification steps are still pending.diesel locomotive to pull train for maintenanceAccording to officials, the hydrogen train will operate only on the Jind-Sonipat section, while maintenance facilities have been set up at Shakurbasti in Delhi.For maintenance movements, the hydrogen system will be shut down and the train will be pulled in a “dead position” using a diesel locomotive.The ministry has also mandated special training and competency certification for staff handling hydrogen fueling and onboard operations.

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Karnataka power struggle: Siddaramaiah’s reaction amid speculations about CM post; BJP resorted to OBC angle. india news

Karnataka power struggle: Siddaramaiah's reaction amid speculations about CM post; BJP resorted to OBC angle
Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar (R)

New Delhi: Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah On Wednesday, he reacted in a measured tone to the growing discussion over the possible change of leadership in the state Congress government and the ongoing power struggle with his deputy. DK Shivakumar.Responding to questions on the speculation, Siddaramaiah said, “I will speak about it tomorrow,” news agencies quoted him as saying.The leadership debate within the Karnataka Congress has been going on for months, with repeated speculations over a possible power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. According to sources quoted by PTI on Tuesday, the Congress leadership has offered Siddaramaiah a bigger national role and a Rajya Sabha seat, paving the way for DK Shivakumar to take over as chief minister for the remaining term.However, Siddaramaiah has not yet accepted the offer, the report said.Meanwhile, the Karnataka Home Minister also said that no one is aware of the discussions held during CM Siddaramaiah’s recent meeting with the Congress high command in Delhi, adding that AICC Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala’s visit to Bengaluru is expected to bring clarity amid the ongoing speculations.The Congress leadership reportedly held day-long discussions with the two Karnataka leaders in an attempt to resolve the long-running tussle over the chief ministerial post. Despite speculation, the party officially denied that any discussion on leadership change took place during the meeting.Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah was seen paying floral tributes to the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary.

BJP targets Congress over Karnataka power struggle

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj S Bommai attacked the Congress over the alleged leadership crisis in the state. Referring to the possible removal of Siddaramaiah, he said, ‘Whenever a Chief Minister is removed, it has an impact. If any OBC leader is removed then OBC people will be unhappy. This will create a lot of problems for Congress in the 2028 assembly elections.He also criticized the administration of the Congress government and questioned whether a change of leadership would improve governance. “The administration in Karnataka has collapsed. No development work is being done. People are suffering. I don’t think DK Shivakumar has any magic wand to change this.” The decline that started during Siddaramaiah’s time will continue with Shivakumar also. By the end of his tenure the government will be in disrepair and the condition of the state will deteriorate.“We have been raising this issue, but there are a lot of power-hungry people in the Congress who do not care about what the opposition or the people say. That is why they (Congress) will have to pay the price in the next elections.”The Congress leadership has intervened several times since the formation of the Karnataka government in 2023 to manage the tension between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. Shivakumar’s supporters have repeatedly claimed that a rotational chief ministerial arrangement was agreed upon at the time of government formation, although the Congress high command has never publicly confirmed such a formula.

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AI-guided cruise missiles: ‘Special mission warhead’: North Korea tests AI-guided cruise missiles, ballistic rockets near South Korea |

'Special mission warhead': North Korea tests AI-guided cruise missiles, ballistic rockets near South Korea

north korea A mix of tactical ballistic missiles, artillery rockets and AI-guided precision cruise missiles designed for modern warfare were tested on Wednesday, according to state news agency KCNA.The tests came a day after South Korea’s military said it had detected the launch of multiple projectiles, including a ballistic missile. The projectile reportedly traveled about 80 kilometers before landing in the Yellow Sea.KCNA said the launches were conducted to assess the power of “special mission warheads” mounted on tactical ballistic missiles, the reliability of long-range multiple-launch artillery rockets and the accuracy of AI-guided tactical cruise missiles.According to state agency, North Korean leader kim jong un Said, “The tests specifically confirmed the combat readiness of the cruise missiles that will be deployed in artillery units near the border with South Korea, which are equipped with precise navigation and AI-guided control that can attack targets at a distance of 100 km (62 miles).”He said, “It is an essential condition for our military operations that it must have such destructive power as to make it theoretically impossible for any encountering force to survive except by luck.”Analysts said the latest tests signal Pyongyang’s intention to strengthen its precision-strike capabilities below the nuclear threshold.“With the latest launch, Pyongyang is signaling that it intends to deploy such a weapon system in the event of war,” said Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul. “It unleashes precise, long-range, self-propelled conventional firepower that is capable of striking the South even below nuclear range,” he said.According to Hong, North Korea’s claims probably refer to an upgraded version of an existing digital guidance system integrated with automatic target identification technology. The weapon system reportedly combines tactical cruise missiles, guided multiple-launch rocket systems and tactical ballistic missiles into a single precision-strike complex.According to Reuters, North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and artillery rockets since late 2023, which Moscow is believed to have used in the war in Ukraine. Analysts believe battlefield use of those weapons has provided Pyongyang with valuable operational data to improve its missile arsenal.In April, Pyongyang conducted its eighth weapons test of the year to “verify the characteristics and power of a cluster bomb warhead,” state media reported at the time.

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PM Modi: Amidst the scorching heat, PM Modi urges citizens to stay hydrated and take care of animals India News

'Keep yourself hydrated': PM Modi explains precautions amid heat wave, urges not to forget animals, birds
PM Modi (Image credit: ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi On Wednesday, citizens were urged to exercise caution amid rising temperatures and worsening heat wave conditions in many parts of the country.In a series of posts on social media, PM Modi Appealed to people to stay hydrated, carry water with them while going out and help those affected by the scorching heat.He wrote, “The temperature is continuously rising in different parts of the country and along with it, many difficulties caused by heat in daily life are also increasing. I urge all my fellow citizens to be as careful as possible.”This comment has come from the Prime Minister India Meteorological Department (imd) warned that heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to continue over large parts of central and northwest India for the next few days.Prime Minister cautioned against ignoring heat-related symptomsPM Modi also urged citizens not to ignore symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and fatigue, warning that extreme heat can lead to heatstroke if left untreated.“If anyone around you suddenly feels faint, weak or looks unwell, immediately take him to a cool and shady place. Give him water, ORS or other fluids to give relief to the body. Children, elderly and people working in the sun are the most affected during this scorching heat. If it is not taken care of in time, this condition can turn into a serious problem like heat stroke. At such a time, your alertness and care can save someone’s life.He also appealed to people to check elderly family members, keep them hydrated and avoid the afternoon heat.“Whenever possible, be sure to call your parents, grandparents, and other loved ones to check on them.”The Prime Minister encouraged citizens to keep water for birds and animals outside homes and shops, saying, “In these difficult days, let us take care of each other with utmost sensitivity and compassion.”IMD has issued severe heat warning for Delhi-NCRIMD has issued a two-day extreme heat warning for the Delhi-NCR region, with the maximum temperature likely to reach 45 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.However, some relief is expected this weekend as thunderstorms and rain may occur over parts of Delhi-NCR from May 29.Severe heat conditions persist in many statesSevere heat conditions persisted in many parts of Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh, while extreme heat was also observed in isolated areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh and eastern Madhya Pradesh.Heat wave conditions were also recorded in parts of Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, Odisha, Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh.

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Madhav Suresh on disappearing from social media and cyberbullying: ‘I am a person who wants to work and live a decent life’ |

Madhav Suresh on disappearing from social media and cyberbullying: 'I am a person who wants to work and live a decent life'

actor Madhav Suresh He has finally solved the mystery of the recent sudden disappearance of his Instagram handle.The issue came to light when the actor found himself at the center of a controversy related to his latest film ‘Angam Atthasam’. Many people noticed that their Instagram profile was no longer accessible.Madhav has now revealed that Instagram has temporarily suspended the account for allegedly violating community guidelines. According to the actor, he filed an appeal on the platform and later regained access to the account. After the account was restored, he shared the update with followers via Instagram Story.

‘Angam Atthasam’ controversy

Madhav and the makers of ‘Angam Atthasam’ recently gained attention after speaking out against the negative reviews and criticism directed at the film. According to Asianet News, her allegations sparked a public debate, including from a popular YouTube reviewer, whose reaction immediately became a widely discussed topic on social media.

Madhav Suresh speaks in opposition online hate campaign

During a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Madhav spoke at length about the ongoing pattern of online attacks targeting not only him but several filmmakers.“Not just my film, many filmmakers are also going through the same situation. I don’t know if they are being paid to do such insults and defame films without any reason. I don’t think this is right. Negative criticism is completely fine, but insulting and ridiculing a film is unacceptable,” he was quoted as saying by Kerala Kaumudi.

Do you think online hate campaigns against actors should be condemned?

Madhav also admitted that he is still learning as an actor and does not claim to be perfect in his art.He further added, “I’m not a great actor. I’m just introducing my child into this field and mistakes can be made.” However, I am not the only one being affected by the hate campaign. Producers and producers who had spent money in the hope of good results have been devastated by such malicious campaigns on social media. You may hate me, but don’t make it a reason to hurt others’ feelings.”

Madhav Suresh has mentioned family and political angle

Madhav further claimed that some of the criticism leveled at him has gone beyond professional matters and entered the personal sphere.Speaking about the situation, he said, “Just look at the comments coming on my Instagram posts. They are even going to the extent of insulting my mother and sisters. I don’t know if it is hatred for my father’s politics. My state and my country are more important to me. I am an ordinary citizen. I only want reforms in my country. They started linking me to my father’s party. It also affected my career. I am a person who wants to work and live a decent life. I want.” I don’t know what to do now.”Meanwhile, Madhav Suresh’s film ‘Angam Atthasam’ received mostly mixed reviews from both audiences and critics.

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Billionaire wars: Jeff Bezos steals $230 million moon deal from Elon Musk as NASA selects Blue Origin for first of three unmanned lunar missions

Billionaire wars: Jeff Bezos steals $230 million moon deal from Elon Musk as NASA selects Blue Origin for first of three unmanned lunar missions

The rivalry between Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk has officially reached the moon. NASA announced Tuesday that it has chosen Bezos’ Blue Origin to perform the first in a planned series of three unmanned lunar missions aimed at preparing for a future moon base, awarding the company a contract worth about $230 million. The mission, which is not expected to take place before autumn 2026, will use Blue Origin’s Blue Moon cargo lander to transport scientific payloads and test technologies near the moon’s south pole. While SpaceX is deeply involved in NASA’s Artemis program, the decision marks a symbolic victory for Bezos in the increasingly intense billionaire battle shaping the future of space exploration.

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin takes center stage in NASA’s moon base ambitions

For years, NASA’s idea of ​​creating a long-term human presence on the Moon existed mostly as an ambition tied to the Artemis program. Tuesday’s announcement showed the agency is now moving into the practical phase.NASA Administrator and entrepreneur Jared Isaacman said the first three unmanned missions will help test landers, rovers, cargo systems and survival technologies needed to support astronauts on the lunar surface in the future. More than a dozen additional missions are expected later as the agency works toward building an operational moon base sometime in the next decade.The first mission will target the Shackleton de Gerlache Ridge region near the moon’s south pole, an area scientists believe may contain water ice. NASA considers the area important because future explorers could potentially use the ice for drinking water, oxygen production, and rocket fuel.

Why did Blue Origin beat SpaceX on first mission?

Blue Origin’s selection is a big moment for Bezos, whose company has spent years trying to establish itself as a serious rival to Musk’s SpaceX.Although SpaceX dominates commercial launches and remains central to NASA’s future crewed Moon landings through its Starship Human Landing System, Blue Origin has consistently focused on lunar cargo systems and infrastructure. NASA said Blue Origin’s mission will help demonstrate key technologies such as autonomous landing systems and cryogenic fuel handling.The decision also reflects NASA’s growing strategy to encourage competition among private companies rather than relying on a single contractor. By involving both Blue Origin and SpaceX in lunar exploration, the agency hopes to accelerate innovation while reducing the risks associated with delays or technical setbacks.That competition has become increasingly personal. Bezos and Musk have spent years publicly criticizing each other’s vision for space flight while competing for government contracts, engineering talent and influence within the industry.

The moon is becoming the next great space battlefield

Behind the billionaire rivalry is a much larger geopolitical race. NASA is under pressure to accelerate lunar exploration as China continues to expand its own moon program and plans a future lunar research station.Earlier this year the Artemis II mission, which sent astronauts around the moon for the first time since 1972, reignited global interest in deep space exploration. NASA now hopes that its growing partnerships with private companies can help establish a permanent human presence on the Moon before rival countries do so.For Bezos and Musk, the stakes extend far beyond a contract. The company that helps create the systems that allow humans to live and work on the Moon could shape the future of the global space economy for decades.

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