THIS DAY IN SPACE

James Webb Space Telescope Reaches Final Orbit
On January 30, 2022, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) successfully arrived at its final destination: the second Lagrange point (L2), nearly 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This orbit allows the telescope to maintain a stable position relative to Earth and the Sun, ensuring minimal interference for its infrared instruments. JWST is the most advanced space telescope ever built, designed to look back more than 13 billion years in cosmic history and study the formation of the first galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. Its massive 6.5-meter primary mirror and sunshield the size of a tennis court were folded up for launch and meticulously deployed in space. The successful journey to L2 capped a series of flawless maneuvers following its Christmas Day 2021 launch. Once operational, JWST began transmitting stunning, high-resolution images of nebulae, galaxy clusters, and exoplanets, providing scientists with unparalleled data. Its success marked a new era in astronomy and human understanding of the universe. The mission is a collaboration between NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency), and will operate for at least 10 years. Webb’s arrival at L2 represented the culmination of decades of planning and engineering excellence.

Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
On January 30, 1948, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi—revered as the Father of the Nation in India—was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist who opposed Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence and his efforts toward Hindu-Muslim reconciliation. Gandhi had just concluded a prayer meeting when he was shot at close range. His death sent shockwaves across India and the world, leading to massive outpourings of grief. A pivotal figure in India's struggle for independence, Gandhi’s doctrine of nonviolent civil disobedience inspired global movements for civil rights and freedom. Following his assassination, the Indian government banned the RSS, the ideological parent of Godse, and arrested thousands of its members. Gandhi’s legacy was cemented further as a moral compass not only for India but for oppressed communities around the globe. His teachings influenced leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama. Each year on January 30, India observes Martyrs’ Day in his honor, and his last words, “Hey Ram,” are immortalized in Indian history. Gandhi’s assassination remains one of the most tragic chapters in India’s modern history, underscoring the fragile balance between peace and extremism in political discourse.