Climate Change and Space Developments: New Challenges and Horizons

Recent science news highlights include climate change's effect on rainfall and typhoons, Taiwan's rocket startup's potential impact on Japan's space hub ambitions, and China's secretive spaceplane testing dual-use technologies. Each scenario underscores significant developments and challenges in the scientific community.

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

Climate change is prompting dramatic changes in rainfall patterns worldwide and could be causing more intense typhoons, scientists reported Friday. The year's most powerful typhoon hit Taiwan, the Philippines, and China, resulting in widespread disruptions, evacuations, and school, business, and financial market closures as wind speeds reached 227 kph (141 mph).

In Japan, a Taiwanese startup, TiSpace, aims to become the first foreign firm to launch a rocket as early as next year. This initiative is part of Tokyo's strategy to expand its space industry to 4 trillion yen ($26 billion) over the next decade, though regulatory challenges have caused delays.

Meanwhile, China's secretive, uncrewed, reusable spacecraft raises speculation among experts. The spacecraft, observed releasing and retrieving an object during its third mission in June, might be testing dual-use technologies, with potential applications in satellite manipulation.

(With inputs from agencies.)