Breaking Science News: Space Missions, Rockets, and Climate Change Insights

This summary highlights several significant recent developments in the science world, including a successful return from the ISS by a Soyuz capsule, a failed test flight of a Chinese reusable rocket, innovative climate research in pear farming by Belgian scientists, SpaceX's Mars mission plans, and the discovery of Ice Age mastodon remains in Peru.

In a busy week for science news, a Russian Soyuz capsule successfully brought back three astronauts from the International Space Station, landing on the Kazakh steppe. The capsule carried two Russian cosmonauts and a U.S. astronaut, marking a significant achievement in international space collaboration.

Meanwhile, China's Deep Blue Aerospace experienced a setback when its reusable kerosene-fuelled rocket, Nebula-1, failed a high-altitude recovery test. Despite the crash, the rocket successfully completed 10 of its 11 planned tasks before malfunctioning during descent.

In Belgium, climate scientists are using innovative methods to grow pears in domes that simulate the conditions expected from climate change by 2040. This research seeks to predict and mitigate the effects of global warming on European fruit farming.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced plans to send five uncrewed Starships to Mars in the next two years, with the first missions aligning with the next Earth-Mars transfer window. These missions aim to push the boundaries of space exploration and prepare for potential human colonization of Mars.

Lastly, Peruvian researchers have uncovered the fossilized remains of Ice Age mastodons, dating back 11,000 to 12,000 years. These discoveries in the Peruvian Andes shed new light on the prehistoric movement and habitat of these ancient creatures.

(With inputs from agencies.)