Chethan Kumar
Why India's Fast Breeder Reactor going critical is so important
A reactor that makes more fuel than it burns has just come to life at Kalpakkam on India’s southeastern coast, and it could help reshape the country’s energy future
Artemis Shows It’s No Time To Be Moony
As Artemis II sends four humans towards lunar orbit for the first time in 53 years, the question for New Delhi is no longer whether to dream big in space – but whether it is moving fast enough
A fake name was enough to make an AI agent hand over the full system
In a sealed lab, when researchers gave AI agents memory, messaging access and the power to run code, what followed wasn’t a single crash, but a series of unsettling failures — from leaked secrets to wiping complete systems
- Chethan Kumar
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
AI knows how caste works in India. Here’s why that’s a worry
In tests, AI models assign high-status jobs to upper caste names and menial work to marginalised castes. The bias, experts have found, is embedded in how it teaches itself to see the world. The specific realities of India — which is hosting the AI Impact Summit this week — mean homegrown solutions are key
Why 3 setbacks in a year have hurt ISRO's confidence
A difficult year has dented confidence, but there’s also chance for the space agency to pause, fix what went wrong, and come back stronger
Ambition Alone Won’t Secure India’s Orbits
Limited launch capacity, slipping timelines and rising dependence on foreign rockets reveal a widening gap between India’s space goals and its ability to deliver them
Tejas first flew 25 years ago — and taught India what it takes to build a fighter
On Jan 4, 2001, the made-in-India jet took off on its first test flight. The story of its development features a long list of characters, and cameos by industrialists Ratan Tata and Rahul Bajaj
How India plans to build its own home 300km above Earth
India’s space story is just taking off, with missions charted for decades ahead. From human spaceflight to lunar habitats that will serve as stepping stones for Mars, here’s what’s in store for our space programme, as discussed during a recent closed-door meet of the Department of Space
Scientists discover how chocolate gets its fine taste. Why it's a key breakthrough
A new study claims to have cracked how to make consistently fine-flavoured chocolate – a special mix of microbes is helping researchers recreate flavours of Colombian cocoa in a lab
How a satellite 36,000km away can help save lives on the ground
Lightning bolts claim more lives in India than many other natural disasters. Now, an Isro team is using satellite data to give a forecast nearly three hours before a lightning strike
Rare PSLV Failure Is A Setback, But Isro Will Bounce Back
Still boasting a 93.7% success rate, the space agency’s workhorse for over three decades is expected to return to the launchpad soon
Where Are India’s Eyes In The Sky?
Pakistan has access to China’s military space capabilities. Indian armed forces lack a dedicated satellite system. Pahalgam is a reminder that New Delhi must upgrade its satellite-based surveillance network
This IAF pilot is about to make history as India’s first astronaut on the ISS
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian to fly to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 mission. His SpaceX flight marks a major step forward for India’s human spaceflight ambitions
What Suni & Every Other Astronaut Endure Up There
How did two space travellers survive & thrive in a space station 9 months past scheduled departure? Thanks to scientific & psychological tools developed by superb global R&D
It’s Time India Stopped Hiding Its Fab Four
Astronaut-elects are ambassadors whose experiences can inspire young minds. But the Indian approach is to bar them from engaging with public. It makes no sense. US & others all celebrate their astronauts
Post Dock: For Isro, 2025 May Be Lift-Off Year
Space agency’s successful docking of satellites in orbit yesterday set off a calendar of ambitious missions. Alongside, emergence of pvt players could well be the game-changer for the sector
‘Strength only respects strength. Isro’s team strength and teamwork have always been its success mantra’
New Isro chief V Narayanan talks about the space agency’s work culture and missions that will help India become a space superpower
SpaceX Marks A Spot That Isro Has Its Sights On
Musk’s company took a giant step forward in reusable rocket tech. India’s space agency is at least a decade behind. But its ambitions and capabilities are in lift-off stage
How first Indian astronaut in 40 years is prepping for space visit in 2025
From science experiments to safety drills, IAF’s Shubhanshu Shukla is going through the paces in US for his trip to the International Space Station
Without funds, innovators are grounded in space
Thought for National Space Day: GOI’s proposed ₹1k cr for space startups is too little to make a difference for India in a complex global market