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Science Saturday: COVID-19, moon discovery, SpaceX explosion and more
Updated 22:47, 13-May-2023
By Tech It Out
02:04

In this week's Science Saturday, we look at science news ranging from the latest about COVID-19 to China's new space technology.

COVID-19

The global emergency status for COVID-19 is officially over! The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an end to the coronavirus crisis on May 5. It says countries should now manage the virus along with other infectious diseases. But WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warns that the removal of the highest level of alert does not mean the danger is over and says the emergency status could be reinstated if the situation changes. The emergency had been declared on January 30, 2020. At least seven million people died in the pandemic.

New discovery about the moon

Scientists have finally discovered what's inside the moon! They say the inner core is a solid ball with a density like that of iron – just like Earth's. Massive data from Apollo missions and other lunar probes helped to provide insight into the groundbreaking discovery. Astronomers have debated over the moon's structure for decades, unsure if it was a primitive, uniform rock, or had a rich inner geology. Researchers say the findings can finally lead to a more accurate understanding of the moon's history – and that of the solar system.

Environmental concerns about Starship explosion

A lawsuit has been filed over the explosion of SpaceX's Starship last month. Environmental groups are suing the Federal Aviation Administration, saying that the agency failed to adequately investigate the potential harm the launch – or a mishap – could do to the surrounding environment. The lawsuit says the area around the launch is an essential habitat to federally protected species. The rocket, which took off from SpaceX's privately owned spaceport in south Texas last month, exploded over the Gulf of Mexico about four minutes into flight.

China's new space technology

A re-usable, experimental Chinese spacecraft has successfully landed! After 276 days in orbit, it landed earlier this week at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu Province. Its task was to test the nation's reusable rocket technologies. Experts say the success is a milestone in China's efforts to develop a fully reusable space transportation system.

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