Science, Space, & Robotics - Page 54

A group of scientists discovered a massive Burmese python had a significant lump in its stomach. This python was euthanized for science and dissected.

The group of five scientists, including Rosie Moore, geoscientists based in Florida, took to social media on November 1 by posting a video to Moore's Instagram account that showcased the massive 18-foot-long python being de-skinned and eventually cut open to reveal it had consumed a 5-foot-long alligator that was mostly still intact. Moore spoke to CNN and said that the researchers were taking breaks during the dissection process just to get away from the smell. Moore said she thought it was "pretty gross too".

It was only last week that the US military's X-37B space plane reached a milestone number of days in orbit while on its mysterious mission.

The X-37B space plane that has captured much attention is called Orbital Test Vehicle 6, or OTV-6, and was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on May 17, 2020. OTV-6 is the sixth space plane launched under program, with the first being launched in 2010, spending just 224 days in orbit, and the last being OTV-5, which launched in 2017 and spent 780 days in orbit. Now, OTV-6 has broken that record when it touched back down at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, November 12, completing 908 days in orbit.

The mystery behind the space plane is widely known as the majority of its contents, equipment, mission objectives, etc, are classified, with only a few details being given to the public. What is known is that Boeing constructed OVT-6 and that during its time in orbit, it deployed the FalconSat-8 that's developed by the US Air Force Academy, which is carrying its own experimental payloads counting five, as well as the Naval Research Laboratory's photovoltaic radiofrequency antenna module, which is an antenna designed to convert solar power into radio frequency microwave energy.

NASA has taken to its blog to share an image that showcases a beautiful side-by-side comparison between the James Webb Space Telescope and the Spitzer Space Telescope's Infrared Array Camera.

NASA has posted a new blog where it details images of a dwarf galaxy called WLM, which is quite close to our Milky Way galaxy at approximately 3 million light-years from Earth.

NASA spoke with Kristen McQuinn of Rutgers University, one of the lead scientists on Webb Early Release Science (ERS) program that focusses on stellar populations, who explained that WLM is a prime candidate for scientists to test theory theories of galaxy formation as WLM is believed to be barely influenced by other galaxies.

NASA has taken to its blog and social channels to update the public on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and its Artemis 1 mission.

NASA explains via an update on its website that teams have conducted an assessment of the rocket while it remains upright at Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and according to the agency, it can confirm that was no significant impacts to either the rocket or the Orion capsule from Hurricane Nicole. Notably, Hurricane Nicole made landfall approximately 70 miles from the space center, and NASA"s teams used the launch pads sensors and high-resolution cameras to perform the inspection.

Furthermore, Space Launch System engineers have conducted an analysis of the rocket to determine if the high-speed winds it endured won't impact its overall structural strength, and they found no such effect. NASA notes that all of the recorded peak winds during the height of the storm remained below 75% of the SLS design limitations, hence NASA's prior decision to leave the rocket out on the launch pad before the storm made landfall as it believed the rocket could easily weather it. The space agency does report some minor damage with loose caulk and weather coverings, which are both being repaired.

The US Air Force and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions recently tested the XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aircraft. Kratos says the tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS) mixes long-range, high-speed, and maneuverability in a single platform - operating in the low-cost attritable aircraft technology (LCAAT) project.

The unmanned system is 30 ft. in length, with a total wingspan of 27 ft. - and has a dry weight of 2,500 lb. It'll cost $2-$3 million per aircraft, according to Kratos, with the price depending on the number of units ordered.

Kratos said the successful test flight is important as part of the US Air Force Research Laboratory's Autonomous Collaborative Enabling Technologies (ACET) portfolio. It was able to successfully land inside a designated target zone, despite a simulated loss of communications - demonstrating effective autonomous capability.

Scientists have detected a black hole more than a million light years away from Earth engulfing a star, causing what researchers refer to as a "Tidal Disruption Event".

The new study published in the scientific journal Nature Astronomy details that Tidal Disruption Events happen when a black hole sucks up a nearby star, essentially shredding all of its available matter and energy much like a paper being put through a shredder. Throughout this process a blast of radiation and energy can be released by the black hole and that's exactly what caught astronomers' eyes when this middle-weight black hole consumed a star within the distant dwarf galaxy.

Researchers believe that measuring the blast of radiation will allow them to learn more about black holes and their relationship within dwarf galaxies. In particular, the researchers say that blast caused by the Tidal Disruption Event can provide insight into how researchers measure black hole in the future as well as how black holes go about consuming nearby stars.

NASA's Artemis 1 vehicle was positioned on Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center when it was smacked by maelstrom Nicole.

Nicole hit NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the attached Orion capsule on November 10, and as it rolled in from the coast, it was deemed a Category 1 hurricane but later changed to a weakened tropical storm as it moved more inland. NASA officials have reported that the Artemis 1 rocket and Orion capsule have experienced high-speed winds and rain but have made it through the several hours of panic with minimal damage.

According to reports, sensors located at the Launch Pad 39B indicate that wind speed peaked at around 82 mph while at an altitude of 60 feet, which is actually within the rocket's designed capabilities. According to a statement from NASA on November 8, the SLS rocket is designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 85 mph at 60 feet - talk about a close call.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, which has been in operational service for 32 years and counting, witnessed the moment a star started exploding more than 11 billion years ago.

A new study published in the scientific journal Nature details a team of astronomers combing through Hubble's observational data from 2010 when they realized that the space telescope witnessed a star exploding. Notably, NASA explains on its website that witnessing a star exploding, or more accurately, going supernova, is actually quite a rare event as the period of time that it can be detected ranges from a few hours to just a few days. Hubble managed to capture a sequence of images that show the progression of the supernova.

NASA explains in its blog post on its website that this supernova happened when the universe was extremely young, less than a fifth of its current age of 13.8 billion years. Furthermore, the space agency writes that the observation wouldn't have been possible without a phenomenon called gravitation lensing, which was caused by the galaxy cluster Abell 370.

A team of researchers attached cameras to a group of Tiger sharks to study the ocean floor, and what they discovered was amazing.

The new study published in the scientific journal Nature Communications details a group of scientists attaching cameras and trackers to the dorsal fins of several Tiger sharks. These sharks then led the researchers to an incredible seabed in the Caribbean. The study explains that the sharks led the researchers to an underwater forest of seagrass that the team believes is approximately 35,000 miles in diameter. The authors behind the study say the discovery is a representation of how little humans know about the ocean.

There isn't much knowledge on seagrass, but scientists do know that underwater forests of it are a prime feeding ground for marine life, while the forests also double as a storage facility for large amounts of carbon. Since underwater forests of seagrass are so vast, and are incredible for storing carbon, researchers believe studying these forests will influence humans' overall fight against climate change and slow its effects. Studying underwater forests of seagrass will allow scientists to understand how the carbon it's storing affects the planet.

Honda is now publicly demonstrating its own artificial intelligence platform which relies on the company's cooperative intelligence efforts. Honda CI is designed to help humans and robots coexist in a productive manner. An autonomous short-distance people mover/taxi type model was also shown off, with development continuing into 2023.

Honda has several different potential use cases for Honda CI, which include robots, an autonomous transportation vehicle, and more. It remains to be seen if any of these services will make it to actual real-world use, but it's neat to see automakers branching out.

The WaPOCHI electric micro-mobility robot can follow designated users, with the person identified based on palm vein authentication - and can learn and recognize distinctive physical features of each user. Although this might seem overly creepy, the operator is able to go about daily tasks while the robot is able to ferry items around for the user.

One of the most secretive missions under the US military has recently reached a milestone, as the X-37B plane hit 900 days in orbit.

The elusive X-37B space plane was originally launched on May 17, 2020, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and recently the space plane managed to pass 900 days in orbit while carrying its experimental payload. Notably, the mission currently doesn't have a public end date announcement, which means the X-37B may just keep on flying around Earth until it simply just isn't possible anymore - whenever that will be.

Furthermore, this particular X-37B robotic space plan is technically called Orbital Test Vehicle 6, or OTV-6. Space.com reports that OTV-6 successfully deployed the small satellite called FalconSat-8, which was developed by the US Air Force Academy, while also currently hosting two NASA experiments aimed at testing radiation impact on seeds used to grow food.

Korean automaker Hyundai isn't only interested in developing new cars in an increasingly electric vehicle market - the company's Supernal unit hopes to develop electric-based aviation solutions. Hyundai wants to fully design its own vehicle and is working with Hyundai's partners to help assist in their future projects.

Earlier in the year, Supernal unveiled an initial electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, which the company hopes can be commercially launched in 2028. The five-seat cabin concept is actively looking for methods to integrate automotive capabilities for use in advanced air mobility.

Supernal has recently made a couple of announcements, finding new partners to help Hyundai develop something other than consumer cars. Supernal and Honeywell recently announced a partnership to use the Honeywell Anthem flight deck for the eVTOL - a custom cloud-based cockpit system. Anthem's software design has a noticeable focus on providing connectivity and autonomy.

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on November 1, marking the fourth launch of the world's most powerful operational rocket.

The Falcon Heavy barreled its way to geostationary orbit carrying multiple classified payloads for the US Space Force under a mission directive called USSF-44, and while the payloads are unknown, as well as the orbital destination, we do know that the mission was a success and that Falcon Heavy Heavy's boosters made a safe landing back down on Earth.

For those that don't know, the Falcon Heavy is made up of three modified Falcon 9 first-stage boosters, SpaceX's most-active rocket that has launched on average at least once per week throughout 2022. The most recent launch of the Falcon Heavy marks the first launch of the world's largest operational rocket since June 2019. As I mentioned in a previous article, the Falcon Heavy is made up of three Falcon 9 first-stage boosters, but only two made it back down to Earth as SpaceX designed one of them to ditch into the ocean once it used up all of its propellants.

Keeping to the Halloween theme, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) has released a phenomenal image of the ghost of a once giant star.

The ESO has taken to its website to explain that the above image features the nebula called the Vela Supernova Remnant, which was captured by the ESO-run Very Large Telescope in Chile. The Vela Supernova Remnant is the remains of a once massive star that ended its life via a powerful explosion called a supernova.

This explosion happened approximately 11,000 years ago, and once it occurred, the shock waves moved through the surrounding gas in the area, compressing it and creating the strange tendrils seen scattered through the above image. So, when does a supernova happen? Simply, a supernova happens when a massive star, some fifteen times larger than our Sun, runs out of the fuel it needs to keep burning (hydrogen and helium). This lack of fuel causes the outer layers of the star to rapidly close in on the star's core, eventually forming a neutron star.

SpaceX is currently preparing for the November launch of the largest operational rocket in the world, its Falcon Heavy.

Elon Musk's SpaceX has taken to its Twitter account to share updates on the coming Falcon Heavy launch as the space company announced on October 28 that a static fire test had successfully been conducted and that the Falcon Heavy was ready for launch. SpaceX then posted photos of the Falcon Heavy being rolled up the ramp to Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This image was followed by another photo of a Falcon 9 first stage returning back to base.

Additionally, SpaceX stated that the launch would occur on November 1 and that weather was seemingly 90% favorable for the launch to go ahead. The Falcon Heavy will be sending multiple payloads into space for the US Space Force under a mission that is called USSF-44.

Researchers have identified a "planet killer" asteroid that was hiding in the Sun's glare, with astronomers deeming it as the largest potentially hazardous asteroid discovered in the past eight years.

The asteroid, now called 2022 AP7, was quite literally hiding in the Sun's glare, which is a region of space astronomers have a lot of trouble monitoring as most instruments used to look out into space are designed to be extremely sensitive to light, so astronomers can catch the light from objects really far away. For example, if you pointed the Hubble Space Telescope or the advanced James Webb Space Telescope in the direction of the Sun, it would fry the observatories sensors.

As for 2022 AP7, reports indicate that the space rock is estimated to have a diameter of 0.9 miles, making it the largest potentially hazardous space rock astronomers have discovered in the last eight years, lending its new label of "planet killer" as its capable of causing destruction across multiple continents if it were to collide with Earth in the future. The asteroid managed to slip out of view of asteroid-hunting astronomers as its orbit passed between Earth and Venus, a region of space that is plagued with the Sun's rays.

Halloween has just passed, and NASA is the celebratory spirit by releasing a new image on the Hubble Space Telescope Twitter account.

The image was released on October 27 and showcased the galaxy cluster known as Abell 611, located approximately 3.2 billion light-years from Earth. The European Space Agency (ESA) explains via its press release that Abell 611 is a cobweb of galaxies that are held together by a dark secret that is still giving astronomers headaches, dark matter. According to the press release, the galaxy cluster doesn't appear to have enough matter present to stop all of the rapidly rotating galaxies from eventually flying apart from each other. However, this isn't what's happening, as researchers have observed the opposite.

Abell 611 isn't unique in this head-scratching regard, as astronomers have observed the same problem with other massive cosmic structures such as galaxies and galaxy clusters. The ESA writes that this problem only presents itself on large-scale cosmic objects, and typically isn't present on the smaller scale, such as calculating the orbit of planets around the Sun or explaining the Solar System as a whole. The same works for other star systems as well. However, when attempting to find out the mass of larger objects such as galaxies or galaxy clusters, the calculations fall apart.

United Airlines knows full-size passenger planes will take a while for long-term adoption but is jumping further into electric focused towards regional travel. Smaller EV planes purchased by United could be in use as early as 2028, with lower price tags than competing aircraft with regular jet engines.

United Airlines has teamed up with Heart Aerospace to purchase electric 30-seat electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) airplanes. The smaller aircraft will hopefully entice regional travelers to take a quick flight instead of travel by car - especially hoping business passengers will support the effort.

Heart Aerospace unveiled the ES-30 aircraft in mid-September, with the plane already receiving interest from several other airlines.

Just in time for Halloween, NASA and the European Space Agency's (ESA) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has snapped a haunting photograph of one of the most iconic places in the cosmos.

It was only a few weeks ago when NASA released a breathtaking view of the Pillars of Creation, and now the space agency has released a second view, but this one is different as it primarily is taken in mid-infrared light, giving it a completely different appearance.

The Pillars of Creation are located 7,000 light-years away from Earth within the constellation Serpens, and as explained on the ESA's website, the thousands of stars seen in the below image (Webb's first image) completely disappear from view, with the thick clouds of interstellar gas and dust becoming the main focal point.

NASA's Mars rover is currently collecting samples across the Red Planet and placing them in sample tubes that will eventually be transported back to Earth.

NASA's Perseverance rover has been collecting samples of the Red Planet for many months, and now the space agency, along with the European Space Agency (ESA), has agreed upon a location for the first sample drop-off site. In a new blog post on the NASA website, the space agency explains that Perseverance will soon be entering a new phase of its mission which will be transporting the samples it has onboard to Three Forks, a location at the base of an ancient river delta in the Jezero Crater.

Notably, Perseverance has been collecting samples in pairs which ties into NASA's plan of having Perseverance deliver its samples to a rocket that will blast off from the Red Planet back to Earth. However, to give the mission its best chance of success, one of the duplicated samples will be dropped off at the first Mars sample depot at Three Forks. By doing this, Perseverance clears room for more samples to be collected, and the already collected samples are put away for safekeeping.