分类： science

South Korea has triumphantly entered a new chapter in its space exploration journey with the successful fourth launch of its domestically developed Nuri space rocket on Thursday. The landmark event, which occurred at 1:13 AM from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, represents a significant milestone in the nation’s aerospace capabilities and marks a strategic shift toward private sector integration in space technology development.

The 200-metric-ton launch vehicle, carrying a 516-kilogram primary satellite and twelve secondary payloads, achieved orbital insertion despite experiencing a minor delay due to abnormal pressure sensor readings prior to liftoff. President Lee Jae-myung celebrated the achievement as demonstrative of South Korea’s technological self-reliance and a foundation for future generations, pledging continued government support for scientific innovation and space sector investment.

This launch distinguishes itself as the first to feature comprehensive private sector participation throughout the entire process. Hanwha Aerospace spearheaded the manufacturing and assembly operations using government-transferred technology, under the supervision of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. This collaboration signals a deliberate transition from government-led to private-driven space industry development, which Deputy Prime Minister Bae Kyung-hoon characterized as a crucial turning point for the nation’s space ecosystem.

The primary satellite will conduct advanced space science research, including detailed observations of Earth’s auroras. According to Professor Shin Dong-hyuk from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, this research will significantly enhance GPS accuracy in South Korea by improving space weather monitoring capabilities.

The Nuri program, initiated in 2021, has demonstrated remarkable progress following an initial unsuccessful launch. The current mission represents increased payload capacity compared to previous launches. With additional launches planned for 2026 and 2027, and potential expansion into 2028, South Korea is positioning itself as an emerging force in the global space industry.

In a landmark achievement for wildlife conservation, Chinese scientists have successfully bred the third filial generation of Chinese sturgeon entirely through artificial propagation techniques. The breakthrough was announced on November 27, 2025, by the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC), representing a critical advancement in the preservation of this endangered species.

The historic breeding occurred at CTGC’s Yangtze River Rare Fish Conservation Center, where researchers utilized second-generation captive-bred sturgeon as parent fish. The selected specimens—a 13-year-old female and 14-year-old male—underwent meticulous preparation beginning early this year. This involved specialized nutritional enhancement and carefully controlled environmental simulations to replicate natural breeding conditions.

The actual artificial induction and fertilization procedures were conducted during November 6-7, coinciding with the species’ optimal reproductive window. The scientific team recorded an extraordinary fertilization rate exceeding 95 percent. Following a five-day incubation period, approximately 112,000 third-generation fry emerged, demonstrating the program’s remarkable success.

According to Jiang Wei, Deputy Director of CTGC’s Yangtze River Biodiversity Research Center, this achievement proves that second-generation sturgeon can reach full maturity and reproduce under controlled conditions. This milestone enables a significant transition where the more numerous second-generation population will replace the first generation as the primary breeding group, establishing a sustainable model for large-scale conservation.

The Chinese sturgeon, endemic to China and often described as a ‘living fossil,’ represents one of the world’s most ancient migratory fish species. Conservation efforts began decades ago, with the first generation successfully bred from wild parents in the 1980s, followed by the second generation in 2009. The new breakthrough paves the way for developing comprehensive ‘artificial-plus-natural’ protection systems that could ultimately support the restoration of wild sturgeon populations.

Dubai’s night sky recently hosted an unexpected astronomical spectacle as residents witnessed the annual Leonid meteor shower with unusual urban visibility. Amateur astronomer Abhishek Ashokan made a remarkable discovery during his evening commute on November 17th when he spotted a brilliant celestial streak near the Business Bay toll gate amidst traffic congestion.

Ashokan, whose passion for celestial observation has previously taken him to dark-sky locations like Al Quaa, immediately recognized the phenomenon’s significance. ‘Spotting celestial objects is my hobby,’ Ashokan told Khaleej Times. ‘I immediately had a hunch that I had spotted a meteor.’ Subsequent verification of his dashboard camera footage by the Dubai Astronomy Group confirmed his sighting as part of the Leonid meteor shower that peaked November 18th.

The event sparked widespread public engagement as multiple residents reported similar sightings across social media platforms. Vaisakh Babu, another Dubai resident, accidentally captured the meteor while filming the Dubai Frame in Zabeel Park on November 15th. ‘When I saw weather expert Muhammad Sajjad’s social media post, I realized what I had witnessed,’ Babu explained.

Public reaction revealed fascinating misconceptions about the phenomenon, with many observers initially mistaking the meteors for satellites, laser displays, or even fireworks. One social media user commented: ‘Because I was close to Global Village, I thought it was Skydive Dubai’s yet another stunt.’

The Leonid meteor shower occurs annually when Earth passes through debris from comet Tempel-Tuttle, typically producing 10-15 meteors per hour. The shower’s unusual urban visibility this year marks a significant departure from typical observations that require dark-sky conditions.

Looking ahead, astronomy enthusiasts can anticipate the Geminids meteor shower peaking around December 15th, with predicted rates of 80-120 meteors per hour. Sajjad noted favorable viewing conditions: ‘This year, the moon will only be 23-25 percent visible, making meteors significantly more observable compared to last year’s 80 percent moon visibility.’ Experts recommend traveling beyond city limits for optimal viewing experiences during upcoming celestial events.

The inaugural International Month of Science and Technology, organized by the China Association for Science and Technology, has successfully concluded, marking a significant milestone in global scientific collaboration. The event, which ran throughout November 2025, brought together over 20,000 experts from more than 110 countries and regions, fostering a platform for cross-border, cross-disciplinary, and cross-cultural exchange. Zhang Bin, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the association, emphasized the event’s alignment with the principles of building a shared future for humanity and advancing global initiatives. Over 60 activities were conducted, focusing on strategic emerging industries, advanced manufacturing, digital and information communication technologies, energy and materials, ecology, and space. The event yielded substantial outcomes, including the establishment of specialized organizations, the development of industry standards, and the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements. This landmark initiative has set a new benchmark for international scientific cooperation, paving the way for future advancements in technology and innovation.

Jia Mingxuan, a 14-year-old from Inner Mongolia, China, has captured global attention with his ingenious invention aimed at combating desertification. Using simple materials like steel tubes and recycled plastic bottles, Jia developed an automated planting tool that recently secured the gold medal at the 77th Nuremberg International Invention Exhibition (iENA) in Germany. The device, designed to help saplings survive harsh environmental conditions, stood out among over 540 sophisticated inventions from young innovators worldwide. The iENA, one of the world’s top three invention exhibitions, recognized Jia’s practical solution to a pressing environmental challenge. His invention leverages basic physical principles to collect condensation from the air, channeling it directly to the root zone of trees. This innovation emerged from Jia’s childhood experiences in Chifeng, a region heavily impacted by desertification and part of China’s Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program. Inspired by a physics lesson and his observations of steam condensing in his kitchen, Jia’s invention has already garnered support from local communities and researchers. His achievement not only highlights the potential of grassroots innovation but also underscores China’s commitment to environmental sustainability and technological advancement. Jia’s story is a testament to the power of youthful ingenuity in addressing global challenges.

Beijing has solidified its position as the global frontrunner in the preservation of crop germplasm resources, as announced by the municipal government on Wednesday. The city boasts a germplasm bank housing an impressive 2.144 million accessions, encompassing the most diverse array of crop species worldwide. This achievement is bolstered by the presence of 29 seed enterprises designated as key national players, the highest number in China, and the annual registration of numerous new crop varieties. The Beijing Seed Ordinance, aimed at establishing the city as a ‘seed capital,’ underpins these accomplishments. Technological advancements have played a crucial role, with innovations such as AI-based plant protection models making their debut at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The agricultural technology contribution rate in Beijing has reached 75 percent, driven by breakthroughs in molecular breeding and other core technologies. Looking ahead, Beijing plans to intensify its efforts to enhance the seed industry over the next five years, focusing on technology-driven and reform-oriented development, according to a government official.

In a groundbreaking development, Chinese researchers have engineered an artificial tongue capable of accurately measuring the spiciness of chili peppers. This innovative device, crafted by scientists at East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), utilizes a gel-based mechanism inspired by milk’s ability to neutralize the burning sensation caused by capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in chili peppers. The gel, composed of milk powder, acrylic acid, and choline chloride, swells upon contact with capsaicin, disrupting ion traffic and producing a measurable electric current that indicates spiciness levels. The team tested eight varieties of chili peppers, creating a scale from 0 (bland) to 70 (extremely spicy), with results closely aligning with human sensory assessments. This invention promises to revolutionize quality control in the food industry and pave the way for advanced applications in humanoid robotics and portable spicy taste monitoring devices.