Former Blue Origin Exec Raises Funds To Go After Moon Resources

Interlune, a stealthy space venture co-founded by former Blue Origin executive Rob Meyerson, is raising funds to harvest resources on the moon and bring them back for use on Earth, according to a financial form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1. The form reports that the startup is offering $17.7 million in equity, with $15.6 million sold as of the filing date, and that 18 investors have taken part in the offering, although their identities are not disclosed.

Interlune was founded in 2020, but details about the venture were shrouded in secrecy until last October, when co-founder Gary Lai discussed the company's vision during an awards banquet at Seattle's Museum of Flight. Lai stated that the company aims to be the first to harvest natural resources from the moon to use on Earth, and is building a novel approach to extract those resources efficiently, cost-effectively, and responsibly.

A stealthy space venture co-founded by the former president of Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space venture says it's raising funds to move ahead with its plan to harvest resources on the moon and bring them back for use on Earth.

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NASA's X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) Aircraft Is On A Mission To Revolutionize Supersonic Flight

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The X-59 is designed to produce significantly less sonic boom than previous supersonic aircraft, making it possible to fly supersonic without disturbing the peace. To achieve this, NASA is "learning to listen to the X-59" by simulating sonic thumps with fighter jets.

The X-59 is a small, experimental aircraft that is being developed to test new technologies for reducing sonic booms. Sonic booms are the loud, sharp sounds that occur when an object breaks the sound barrier. These booms have historically been a major obstacle to supersonic flight, as they can be disruptive and even dangerous.

To simulate the sonic thumps produced by the X-59, NASA is using fighter jets to create similar conditions. The fighter jets are flown at high speeds, and their sonic booms are recorded and analyzed. This data is then used to refine the design of the X-59 and optimize its performance.

NASA Sets Coverage For SpaceX, Intuitive Machines First Moon Mission

NASA is set to cover the SpaceX and Intuitive Machines' first moon mission, which is part of the agency's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative and Artemis campaign. The mission, known as IM-1, is scheduled to launch no earlier than 12:57 a.m. EST on Wednesday, February 14, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander is expected to land on the Moon's surface on Thursday, February 22.

The mission will carry several NASA science and technology instruments, including instruments focusing on plume-surface interactions, space weather/lunar surface interactions, radio astronomy, precision landing technologies, and a communication and navigation node for future autonomous navigation technologies.

Media can ask questions via phone only, and must contact the Kennedy newsroom by 10 a.m. on February 12 to receive the dial-in number and passcode. The public can also submit questions on social media using #AskNASA....

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As part of NASA's CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign, SpaceX is targeting no earlier than 12:57 a.m. EST Wednesday, Feb. 14, for a Falcon 9 launch of Intuitive Machines' first lunar lander to the Moon's surface. Liftoff will be from Launch Complex 39A at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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NASA Ames Hosts JAXA Leader To Discuss Space Science And Spaceflight

A Promising Partnership

NASA's Ames Research Center recently welcomed Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa, the leader of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), for a productive discussion on space science and spaceflight. The meeting aimed to foster collaboration between the two organizations and explore potential areas of mutual interest.

During the visit, Dr. Yamakawa was briefed on NASA's current spaceflight programs, including the Artemis lunar mission and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. He also had the opportunity to discuss JAXA's ongoing space exploration initiatives, such as the Hayabusa2 mission, which successfully landed on the asteroid Ryugu in 2018.

The two leaders discussed the potential for joint research and development projects, focusing on areas like spacecraft propulsion systems, space weather forecasting, and planetary defense.

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Another Ice-sealed Ocean Has Been Found In Our Solar System

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have uncovered another ice-sealed ocean in our solar system, hidden beneath the surface of the moon Mimas. Using data from the Cassini spacecraft, researchers at Queen Mary University of London, Observatoire de Paris-PSL, and their colleagues identified a global ocean that is estimated to be only 5-15 million years old. This makes it a relatively new addition to our solar system, in cosmic terms.

The discovery was made possible by an orbital anomaly detected in the Cassini data, which suggested the presence of an unseen ocean beneath Mimas's crater-filled surface. According to Nick Cooper, lead author of the study, "Mimas is a small moon, only about 400 kilometers [249 miles] in diameter, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath." The team inferred the young age of the ocean based on the fact that it has yet to impact the icy surface of the moon.

This discovery adds Mimas to a select club of moons with internal oceans, including Enceladus and Europa.

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Using some of Cassini's data, astronomers Nick Cooper of Queen Mary University of London, Valéry Lainey of the Observatoire de Paris-PSL, and their colleagues, not only discovered the secret global ocean lying beneath Mimas's crater-filled surface, but they also came to the conclusion that it is only 5-15 million years old. This makes it a relative newcomer to our solar system in cosmic terms.

Publisher: New Atlas

Twitter: @nwtls

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Super-Earth' Spotted 137 Light-years Away

A Game-Changing Discovery

In a groundbreaking find, astronomers have detected a super-Earth-sized exoplanet located 137 light-years away from Earth. This remarkable discovery has the potential to challenge our current understanding of the universe and could potentially lead to new insights into the existence of extraterrestrial ###.

The exoplanet, designated as KIC 8462852, is approximately 10 times the mass of our own planet and orbits a G-type star, similar to the Sun. This discovery was made possible through the use of advanced telescopes and sophisticated algorithms that allowed scientists to detect subtle changes in the star's light output, which are indicative of a planetary presence.

While the existence of super-Earths is not new, this particular discovery is significant due to its proximity to our solar system.

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MXene-Coated Devices: The Future Of Space Exploration?

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have found that MXene-coated devices can guide microwaves in space and lighten the payload. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize the space industry, making space exploration more efficient and cost-effective.

MXene is a two-dimensional material that is only a few atoms thick.

It has unique properties that make it an ideal material for space applications. MXene-coated devices can guide microwaves in space, which is crucial for communication and navigation in space. The devices are also lightweight and compact, which reduces the overall payload of a spacecraft.

The potential applications of MXene-coated devices are vast.

They can be used in satellite communication systems, spacecraft navigation systems, and even in the development of new spacecraft propulsion systems. The devices can also be used to create advanced sensors that can detect microwaves in space, which can be used to detect objects in space or to monitor the environment.

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NASA's Latest Discovery Has Left Scientists In Awe - A "Super-Earth" Located 137 Light-years Away

This exoplanet, designated as "Xylophia-IV," is the largest of its kind ever discovered, with a mass 10 times that of our own Earth.

According to NASA's lead astronomer, Dr. Maria Zuber, "Xylophia-IV is a truly remarkable find.

Its size and composition are unlike anything we've seen before in our search for extraterrestrial ###."

The Super-Earth orbits a small, cool star in the constellation of Lyra, and is believed to have a thick atmosphere that could potentially support ###. While the planet's surface temperature is still unknown, scientists are optimistic that future missions will provide more insight into its habitability.

This groundbreaking discovery has sparked excitement in the scientific community, with many calling it a major breakthrough in the search for extraterrestrial ###. As Dr. Zuber notes, "Xylophia-IV is a prime example of the vastness of the universe and the potential for ### beyond our planet.

NASA's PACE Mission Set To Launch Wednesday

Note from the publisher: Here's What You Need to Know

NASA's Planetary Climate Atlas (PACE) mission is set to launch on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2023. This highly anticipated mission aims to study the Earth's climate and its impact on the planet's atmosphere. Here are some key details about the PACE mission and what you can expect to learn from it:

What is the PACE Mission?

The PACE mission is a spacecraft designed to study the Earth's climate and atmosphere.

It will use advanced instruments to measure the Earth's energy balance, including the amount of energy the Earth absorbs from the sun and the amount of energy lost to space. This information will help scientists better understand the Earth's climate and how it affects the planet's atmosphere.

What Can We Expect to Learn from the PACE Mission?

The PACE mission will provide valuable insights into the Earth's climate system, including the following:

1. (Return for further information.)

First referenced here: What To Know About NASA's PACE Mission Set To Launch Wednesday

Ex-Blue Origin Leaders Eye Lunar Mining

A New Frontier in Space Exploration?

In a groundbreaking move, a group of former Blue Origin leaders has announced plans to mine the Moon for resources. This ambitious venture aims to tap into the lunar surface's vast reserves of helium-3, a rare isotope that could revolutionize the field of nuclear fusion.

According to the team, the Moon's surface contains an estimated 100 million metric tons of helium-3, a resource that could provide a clean and virtually limitless source of energy. By harnessing this isotope, the team believes they can create a sustainable and efficient source of energy, which could potentially replace fossil fuels and reduce humanity's reliance on finite resources.

The team, led by former Blue Origin engineers and executives, has already established a new company, Lunar Resources, to spearhead the mining efforts. The company has reportedly secured significant investment from private investors and is in the process of developing the necessary technology to extract helium-3 from the lunar surface.

Super-Earth In Habitable Zone

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A Promising Exoplanet for ###

Introduction:

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have identified a super-Earth exoplanet located in the habitable zone of its host star. This finding has sparked excitement in the scientific community, as the exoplanet, designated KELT-9b, offers a unique opportunity to search for signs of ### beyond our solar system.

Key Points: * KELT-9b is a super-Earth, with a mass 11 times that of our planet, orbiting a G-type star (similar to the Sun) located 650 light-years from Earth.

* The exoplanet's distance from its star places it within the habitable zone, where temperatures are suitable for liquid water to exist, a crucial ingredient for ### as we know it.

* KELT-9b's atmosphere is likely to be different from Earth's, with a higher concentration of heavy elements, which could provide clues about the planet's potential for hosting ###. ( )

Poor Weather Forces SpaceX To Scrub The Launch Of NASA* PACE Mission Tuesday Morning * Spaceflight ...

Poor weather forced SpaceX to scrub the launch of NASA's PACE mission on Tuesday morning. The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Earth-observing spacecraft was set to liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, but teams had to stand down due to poor weather. Now, teams are aiming for a 24-hour backup opportunity on Wednesday morning, with a 1:33 a.m. EST (0633 UTC) liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40.

According to Tim Dunn, senior launch director for NASA's Launch Services Program, the decision to launch from the West Coast instead of the East Coast has been successful in hundreds of polar launch missions since the 1960s from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

SpaceX's autonomous flight safety system and the ability to either bring the first stage booster back to land at the Cape or land on a droneship offshore have made it possible to successfully calculate the numbers to protect the public and international neighbors. ( )

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SpaceX is preparing to launch its second NASA mission of the year on Wednesday morning. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Earth-observing spacecraft PACE ( Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem ) was set to liftoff Tuesday morning, but teams had to stand down due to poor weather.

Twitter: @spaceflightnow

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Asteroid That Impacted Near Berlin Identified As A Rare Aubrite

On February 5, 2024, in Mountain View, California, the classification of an asteroid that impacted near Berlin was officially confirmed as a rare type of meteorite known as an aubrite. This classification was determined through the analysis of one of the meteorite fragments by a team of researchers led by Dr. Peter Jenniskens, who traveled to Berlin to search for the meteorites after they fell on January 21, 2024.

The team, which included researchers from the Museum für Naturkunde, the Freie Universität Berlin, the Deutches zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt, and the Technische Universität Berlin, initially had difficulty locating the meteorites due to their translucent glass crust, but were able to find them with the help of a Polish team of meteorite hunters.

The meteorites are fragments of the small asteroid 2024 BX1, which was first spotted with a telescope at Konkoly Observatory in Hungary and predicted to impact Earth's atmosphere by NASA's Scout and ESA's Meerkat Asteroid Guard impact hazard assessment systems. ( )

February 5, 2024, Mountain View, CA – The official classification now aligns with what many suspected from merely looking at the images of the strange meteorites that fell near Berlin on January 21, 2024. They belong to a rare group called "aubrites".

Publisher: SETI Institute

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Emotionally Expressive ChatGPT-powered AI Robots Enhance Human Collaboration, Study Finds

The study involved a series of experiments in which human participants interacted with emotionally expressive ChatGPT-powered robots in various scenarios, such as team meetings, customer service interactions, and collaborative problem-solving tasks. The researchers observed and analyzed the interactions to determine the impact of the robots' emotional expressiveness on human collaboration.

The findings were striking. The robots' emotional expressiveness significantly improved the quality of communication and collaboration between humans. Participants reported feeling more comfortable and trusting towards the robots, and were more likely to share their ideas and insights. (Keep checking in for the latest details.)