NASA’s latest space telescope, the Advanced Infrared Surveyor (AIRS), lifted off at 02:14 UTC from Cape Canaveral aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket, marking a milestone in the agency’s quest to explore the early universe. The telescope, equipped with a 2.5‑meter primary mirror and cutting‑edge cryogenic sensors, will orbit at the second Lagrange point (L2) and conduct deep‑field observations of exoplanets and distant galaxies. NASA Administrator Dr. Elena Ramirez addressed the global audience, stating, “AIRS will expand our cosmic horizon and bring us closer to answering fundamental questions about the origins of life.” The mission is slated for a five‑year primary science phase, with data expected to be released to the public within six months.
On top of everything as it happens