Russian Scientists Build Plasma Engine That Could Reach Mars in 30 Days, Leaving Spacex's Starship Looking Obsolete

Here's a bit of an innovation in space travel. A new type of engine that could propel us faster in the vacuum of space. 

The system, which uses electromagnetic fields to accelerate hydrogen particles, represents a departure from conventional chemical propulsion. If it performs as projected, it may significantly shift interplanetary mission planning across both civil and defense sectors.

https://indiandefencereview.com/russia-plasma-engine-mars-mission-in-30-days-vs-spacex-starship/

Explosion of a SpaceX satellite in orbit what we know about the incident worrying experts - Futura-Sciences

This article underscores the larger problem of having so many satellites in orbit. Any one could have an incident, a malfunction, or a collision that could have catastrophic consequences. 

https://www.futura-sciences.com/en/explosion-of-a-spacex-satellite-in-orbit-what-we-know-about-the-incident-worrying-experts_23546/

Canadian inventor built an umbrella that flies and follows him everywhere automatically: No hands required | - The Times of India

This is pretty cool. Curiosity and a littler perspiration for the win. 

Is it practical? No, not in this form. 

Is it worthwhile? Absolutely. 

I highly recommend watching the 17 minute video to see what went into this effort. 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/canadian-inventor-built-an-umbrella-that-flies-and-follows-him-everywhere-automatically-no-hands-required/articleshow/127781027.cms

How Disneyland got built in just one year - Boing Boing

There's a movie about how Disneyland got built in a year (you can watch it on the YouTube link). 

But there is also a review of the film and some additional thoughts in what went into making it. 

https://boingboing.net/?p=1104011

https://youtu.be/YtrVcOxVDls

Supernova whose light will 'reappear' in 60 years could solve the biggest problem in cosmology | Live Science

This is pretty cool.  Two supernovas (or is it super novae?) were detected by the James Webb telescope.  One remained visible, but the other disappeared. The reason for this has to do with the theory of cosmic lensing, essentially one is refracted by nearby objects and we can see it, while the other is hidden behind objects, and will remain invisible to us for a period of time.

The idea of this cosmic distortion was included in Einsteins theory of relativity, and has been observed at times.  But the fact that there are two objects helps us to solidify the theory because we can detect the differences and see some of the objects that distort theory light.

It's cool!

https://www.livescience.com/space/cosmology/astronomers-spot-2-warped-supernovas-whose-light-both-has-and-hasnt-reached-earth

Thousands of dams in the US are old, damaged and unable to cope with extreme weather. How bad is it? | Live Science

Of course can spend billions on the military under the guise of "protecting ourselves," but are willing to leave ourselves unprotected against a real enemy that is a changing climate. 

Boy, is we stupid.

https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/thousands-of-dams-in-the-us-are-old-damaged-and-unable-to-cope-with-extreme-weather-how-bad-is-it

The US is losing qualified scientists at a fast pace

Here's an article about how PhDs are leaving government jobs - mostly because he is cutting jobs, and undercutting science research.

I remain hopeful that either the government reverses course, or that private business takes up some of the slack.  Or else, we'll be turning to Canada for more scientific answers.

https://www.science.org/content/article/u-s-government-has-lost-more-10-000-stem-ph-d-s-trump-took-office