NASA Plans Daring Mission to Save a Falling Satellite

NASA is getting ready to launch a one-of-a-kind mission to save a satellite from falling to Earth. The satellite, called the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, collects important information about powerful explosions in space. Without help, Swift could tumble out of orbit and burn up in the atmosphere before the year is over. A robotic spacecraft will fly up to Swift, grab it with extendable arms, and push it about 200 kilometers higher into space.

Scientists say that raising Swift's orbit will protect it from atmospheric drag, which is the pull that slowly drags satellites down toward Earth. At the higher altitude, Swift should be safe enough to keep doing its job for years to come. This kind of satellite-rescue mission has never been done before, making it a big milestone in space exploration.

In other science news, researchers have created a new kind of liquid that works like a rechargeable battery. The liquid holds two types of molecules, and when light hits it, one molecule passes an electron to the other. This causes the liquid to turn into a gel, which can store energy for months. When the gel touches oxygen, it releases that stored energy to power chemical reactions. Scientists think this technology could one day power small gadgets like smartwatches, though the research is still in its early stages.

Scientists are also buzzing about a comet that zipped through our Solar System last year. The comet, known as 3I/ATLAS, may have formed as far back as 12 billion years ago, near the beginning of the Universe. Researchers figured this out by studying the chemicals that make up the comet. Some people jokingly wondered if it could be an alien spaceship, but scientists now believe it is a natural object from another part of the galaxy. Learning more about comets like this one could change everything we know about how stars and planets form.

Meanwhile, Europe is working hard to become a global leader in science research. The European Union has set aside about one billion dollars through a program called Choose Europe, which aims to attract scientists from around the world. On top of that, a much larger funding program called Horizon Europe could spend up to 175 billion euros over the next seven years. Europe has long been strong in academic research, but it has struggled to turn those discoveries into businesses and new technologies the way the United States and China have.

Researchers who study workplace behavior have found something interesting about bosses who demand that all their employees work in person, every single day. According to organizational psychologists Adam Grant, Marissa Shandell, and Courtney Elliott, those leaders often share one trait: narcissism. Narcissism means having an oversized focus on oneself and one's own ego. The researchers say that studies show working from home does not hurt productivity, yet some leaders still ban it. Their research suggests the real reason is not about work performance — it is about ego and control.

Finally, Nature's advice column recently featured a question from a young researcher of Asian heritage working in Europe. This person felt they were being treated unfairly because of their background and was afraid to speak up. A group of experts responded with advice, reminding the researcher that it is okay to leave a difficult situation without feeling like a failure. As one advisor put it, 'Nobody will raise statues to us because we thrived in a situation that was hostile.' The experts encouraged the researcher to focus on their own well-being and future success.