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Innovation

First Ever Space Gas Station

A spacecraft is being developed to orbit Earth and assist other ships in need of refueling, thus prolonging their missions.

The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in San Antonio, Texas, is tasked with building and testing a small demonstration spacecraft as part of a $25.5 million Space Mobility and Logistics (SML) project funded by the U.S. Space Force. This initiative aims to uphold U.S. space dominance.

Led by prime contractor Astroscale, the spacecraft, named the Astroscale Prototype Servicer for Refueling (APS-R), will transport hydrazine propellant from an orbiting depot to spacecraft running low on fuel. Set to be launch-ready by 2026, the APS-R can service any spacecraft equipped with a compatible refueling port.

Steve Thompson, SwRI Staff Engineer and project systems engineer, highlights that spacecraft often face fuel depletion, prematurely ending otherwise healthy missions. The APS-R aims to extend these missions by providing refueling capabilities. Operating in geostationary orbit around Earth, it will follow a circular path synchronized with Earth's 24-hour rotational period.

Thompson also notes alternative approaches to extending spacecraft lifespan, such as using thrusters to maneuver a depleted craft. However, a refueling vehicle offers a more flexible solution. Over the next 16 months, SwRI will construct the compact host vehicle, with dimensions of 24-by-28-by-45 inches when stowed for launch and a launch mass of just 437 pounds, including propellant. Upon completion, SwRI will integrate the payload supplied by Astroscale and conduct system-level environmental testing to prepare the vehicle for launch.

Culture

Eight New American Skyscrapers

Architecture is one of those things that is always around us. Not only do we see and live with it every day, but it can have a profound affect on our mood and behavior.

Ugly architecture can have a negative affect on your mood, while beautiful architecture can lift your mood and increase your happiness. Color, design, lighting, and association can all lead to different feelings and emotions.

With this in mind, take a look at these eight new skyscrapers that are being build in the Unites States. I am very curious to which ones you all like the best! Of course, it is important to remember that we can only see the outside, so we are just going off of the outside aesthetics.

World News

Global Life Expectancy Rises by 6.2 Years!!

A recent study has unveiled a significant increase in global life expectancy by over six years since 1990, primarily due to declines in deaths from major causes like diarrhea, respiratory infections, and stroke in developing regions. This positive trend was attributed to advancements in healthcare and disease prevention measures. However, during the pandemic, enforced lockdowns and business closures disrupted supply chains, leading to a reversal of this progress.

Researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) analyzed global mortality data over three decades, revealing a notable rise in life expectancy, particularly in Oceania, East Asia, and Eastern sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, Eastern sub-Saharan Africa experienced the largest increase, with a gain of 10.7 years.

The study also identified Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania as experiencing significant gains, mainly due to declines in mortality from stroke, respiratory infections, and other diseases. Effective management of the pandemic in these regions contributed to preserving life expectancy gains.

South Asia saw a considerable increase as well, largely due to reduced deaths from diarrheal diseases. However, the pandemic disproportionately affected certain regions, with Latin America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the most significant losses in life expectancy in 2021.

Dr. Liane Ong, a lead researcher at IHME, emphasized the study's potential to inform effective strategies for reducing mortality rates. Additionally, the study highlighted the geographical concentration of specific diseases, providing insights for targeted prevention and treatment efforts.

For instance, the study revealed that deaths from enteric diseases were predominantly concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Similarly, the majority of malaria-related deaths occurred in specific regions, indicating the need for focused interventions in these areas.

Overall, while there have been substantial gains in global life expectancy, ongoing efforts are necessary to address persistent health challenges and mitigate the impact of future crises. But it is certainly a very promising trend and great to see!

Environment

How Much Plastic Waste Actually Ends Up in the Ocean

Annually, the world generates approximately 350 million tonnes of plastic waste. The key issue with this waste isn't merely its quantity but how effectively it's managed and its final destination. Images of plastic debris on beaches and floating in oceans highlight a significant concern: how to stop our plastic waste from finding its way into the oceans.

Of the global plastic waste, about one-quarter, or 82 million tonnes, is not properly managed. This mismanaged waste includes plastic that isn't securely landfilled, recycled, or incinerated. From this, 19 million tonnes leak into the environment, with 13 million tonnes affecting terrestrial habitats and 6 million tonnes reaching rivers or coastlines. Out of this leakage, 1.7 million tonnes are transported to the oceans, with rivers contributing 1.4 million tonnes and coastlines 0.3 million tonnes. The remainder accumulates in rivers and lakes rather than reaching the ocean.

This means about 0.5% of the world's plastic waste ends up in our oceans. In a strange way, this is actually good news. Initial estimates suggested much higher figures, up to 8 million tonnes annually. However, refined research methods now place this figure between 1 million and 1.7 million tonnes.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) suggests that most of the plastic entering the oceans stays close to the shoreline, with a smaller fraction sinking to the seabed or being carried off into the open sea.

There are a few great positives we can get out of this. One is that of the plastic that does make it to the ocean, most will stay close to the shore. This will make recovery and cleaning up a much more feasible endeavor. Two, when we know what the problem is, we can accurately address it. When we are overwhelmed with the “world is ending” at every given moment, it is hard to be constructive and make a difference. If wanting a cleaner ocean is something you would like to see, you can take heart that it is more manageable than you might have thought previously.

If you want a more detailed read of where the plastic waste goes and what happens to it, check out this article.

Mind Stretchers

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You show up for Monday's class and find that it's been postponed.  It will be held three days after the day before the day after tomorrow.  What day should you show up?

Yesterday’s Answer:
Put up or shut up.

Chris Hostetler got the correct answer first!

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected]

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.