NASA Shuts Down Voyager 2’s Plasma Science Instrument to Save Power NASA engineers have turned off one of Voyager 2’s remaining science instruments as the spacecraft, launched in 1977, continues its exploration of interstellar space. Due to limited power supplies, NASA made the decision to shut down the plasma science instrument on September 26, 2023, after running it for 46 years. This step was necessary to ensure the probe can continue operating at least one science instrument into the 2030s. Voyager 2: A Long Journey Through Space Voyager 2 left Earth on August 20, 1977, and exited the solar system…
Author: Kanika Sharma
Read More
MercadoLibre Expands into Fintech to Cement Dominance in Latin America MercadoLibre, often called the Amazon of Latin America, is venturing deeper into the regional fintech and credit markets. The e-commerce giant, which has become the most valuable company in Latin America with a market capitalisation exceeding $100 billion, is leveraging its data-rich platform to offer loans to its users with minimal paperwork. Simplifying Credit for Small Businesses Brazilian entrepreneurs Wagner and Mariana Dias, who run a children’s clothing business, turned to MercadoLibre for a loan to expand their operations. Due to its access to the couple’s sales history, MercadoLibre quickly…
Rocky Planet Survives the Death of Its Star, Offering a Glimpse into Earth’s Future The first rocky planet ever discovered orbiting a white dwarf provides insight into what could happen to Earth in billions of years. The discovery shows that planets might survive the death of their stars, though they would become cold and barren places. Planet Orbiting a White Dwarf The planet, located around 4,200 light-years from Earth, has a mass about 1.9 times greater than Earth. It orbits a white dwarf in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy. A white dwarf is what remains after a star,…
Thailand’s Auto Industry Faces Decline Amid Rising Debt and EV Shift Thailand’s auto industry worth $53 billion, is confronting severe challenges. With domestic consumers struggling to finance purchases and global buyers increasingly opting for electric vehicles (EVs), the sector is in crisis. Output and jobs have already been cut, prompting government efforts to reverse the decline. Impact on Local Manufacturers The downturn is affecting companies such as Techno-Metal, which produces cast iron parts for major brands like Toyota and Mitsubishi. Its production has dropped to just 40% of peak capacity, while its workforce has shrunk from 1,200 to 900. Reduced…
Private Astronauts to Attempt First Commercial Spacewalk A group of private astronauts will perform the first privately conducted spacewalk on Thursday. The spacewalk will be from a SpaceX capsule and will test a new line of spacesuits. Crew Members and the Polaris Dawn Mission This historic event is part of the Polaris Dawn mission, which launched from Florida on Tuesday. The crew consists of a billionaire entrepreneur, a former military pilot, and two SpaceX engineers. They have been orbiting Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule since the pre-dawn launch. Jared Isaacman, 41, is leading the mission. He is the founder…
SpaceX Launches Polaris Dawn Mission, Aiming for First Private Spacewalk SpaceX launches Polaris Dawn. Early on Tuesday, four private astronauts blasted off aboard a modified SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, marking the beginning of the Polaris Dawn mission. This five-day mission will test new spacesuit designs and attempt the first-ever private spacewalk. Crew Dragon’s Riskiest Private Mission The crew consists of a billionaire entrepreneur, a retired military pilot, and two SpaceX employees. They launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 5:23 a.m. EST (0923 GMT) after a two-hour delay due to unfavourable weather. Shortly after liftoff, the Falcon 9…
Global Summit in South Korea Unveils AI Governance Blueprint for Military Use A global summit held in South Korea on Tuesday revealed a new “AI Governance Blueprint” to guide the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in military settings. The document, which builds on previous efforts, offers more practical guidelines than last year’s version, though it remains legally non-binding. A Push for Action-Oriented Guidelines The Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) summit in Seoul, the second of its kind, follows a similar event in Amsterdam in 2022. At that time, around 60 countries supported a “call to action” that…
Australia Plans Social Media Age Limit Amid Health Concerns Australia is considering a minimum age limit for social media use, citing growing concerns about the impact on children’s mental and physical health. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government plans to trial age verification before implementing new laws later this year. Proposed Age Limit Although the specific age has not been set, Albanese suggested the limit would likely fall between 14 and 16 years old. He expressed his desire to see children spend more time engaging in outdoor activities rather than being glued to their screens. “I want to see kids off…
Historic NASA Orion Capsule Arrives at University of North Dakota A significant piece of NASA’s space exploration history has found a new home at the University of North Dakota (UND). The NASA Orion Capsule, a Max Launch Abort System (MLAS) test vehicle, a mock spacecraft used to test astronaut safety systems, has arrived at UND for educational purposes. NASA Orion Capsule: Journey to UND The Orion MLAS capsule, which was part of a critical 2009 test to explore emergency escape methods for astronauts, completed a 30-state road trip from NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia to its new location in…
Dutch Research Project Explores AI Solutions for Dementia Care A new Dutch research project is set to develop “appropriate, warm, and smart care technology” for people with dementia, focusing on the use of AI in health care to meet the specific needs of those affected by the condition. Growing Dementia Crisis As the global population ages, the number of people with dementia is expected to triple over the next 30 years. The Netherlands, like many countries, is seeking innovative solutions to improve elderly care. In response, the Dutch Research Council (NWO) has allocated €3 million (approximately $3.2 million) to investigate…
