Science today spans both endings and beginnings: the death of J. Craig Venter at 79 closes the chapter on one of modern biology’s most disruptive figures, a scientist whose fast, combative push to sequence genomes helped remake medicine, synthetic biology and environmental science. At the same time, the future was on vivid display in space, where NASA’s Artemis II crew safely splashed down off California after humanity’s first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo, a milestone for the Moon-bound program. Another space ambition came from India, where Pixxel and Sarvam unveiled plans to process hyperspectral Earth-observation data directly aboard satellites, effectively moving AI computing into orbit. Back on Earth, nature offered a sharper reminder of its force as Mayon Volcano in the Philippines sent ash into the sky and drove more than 5,400 people from their homes.