NASA scientists have made two record-setting announcements this month—one from the distant reaches of the solar system, and another from just above our heads in Earth’s orbit.
The James Webb Space Telescope has detected a previously unknown moon orbiting Uranus. Named S/2025 U 1, the celestial body measures only about 10 kilometers across, making it one of the smallest moons ever recorded. Astronomers say the discovery will deepen understanding of Uranus’s gravitational system and the formation of icy worlds.
Meanwhile, the NISAR satellite, a joint mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has successfully deployed a 12-meter-wide radar reflector—the largest ever launched into space. This massive instrument will scan Earth’s surface with centimeter precision, mapping glaciers, forests, agricultural lands, and disaster-prone regions.
“These twin milestones showcase the dual power of space exploration—looking outward to the edges of our solar system and inward to better understand and protect our own planet,” said a NASA spokesperson.
For ISIE’s global audience, Webb’s discovery advances planetary science, while NISAR’s data will bolster efforts in climate monitoring, disaster risk management, and sustainable development.