Modular Active Self-Assembling Space Telescope Swarms

Dmitry Savransky, Cornell University, proposes a modular, self-assembling architecture enabling the construction of 30+ m diameter, reflective, space telescopes with active optics. The entire structure of the telescope, including the primary and secondary mirrors, secondary support structure and planar sunshield will be constructed from a single, mass-produced spacecraft module. Each module will be composed of …

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3D printed bridge looks like alien technology

MX3D is 3D printing a fully functional stainless steel bridge to cross one of the oldest and most famous canals in the center of Amsterdam, the Oudezijds Achterburgwal. They equip typical industrial robots with purpose-built tools and develop the software to control them. The unique approach allows us to 3D print strong, complex and graceful …

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Breakthrough for rechargeable non-aqueous magnesium-metal battery that would be twice as good lithium ion batteries

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have discovered a new approach for developing a rechargeable non-aqueous magnesium-metal battery. Scientists have pioneered a method to enable the reversible chemistry of magnesium metal in the noncorrosive carbonate-based electrolytes and tested the concept in a prototype cell. The technology possesses potential advantages over …

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Advanced Diffractive MetaFilm Sailcraft

The abundant untapped momentum of solar photons is becoming increasingly attractive as a means to propel spacecraft with an attached solar sail. Decades of theoretical mission studies have examined how microscopically thin films ranging from meters to kilometers in extent may make use of freely available sunlight for near-Earth, interplanetary, and interstellar space travel. Above …

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Magnetospheric Protection from Galactic Cosmic Radiation for long space missions

An optimal shielding configuration has been realized during a phase I NASA NIACstudy, and it is referred to as a Magnetospheric Dipolar Torus (MDT).A This configuration has the singular ability to deflect the vast majority of the GCR including HZE ions. In addition, the MDT shields both habitat and magnets eliminating the secondary particle irradiation …

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BCG predicts 23% of finance jobs could be lost to AI by 2027

A study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found that 23 percent of the total 9.93 million jobs in China’s banking, insurance and securities sectors will be affected by AI by 2027, with entry-level staff engaged in repetitious daily operations bearing the brunt of any cuts. “Many jobs, particularly those involving mechanical, repetitious operations, will gradually …

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Solid-State Quantum Battery

Quantum batteries should have faster charging time due to the quantum entanglement among the units. The units are all coupled to a common quantized electromagnetic mode, and photons from the energy source mediate a long-range interaction between units, generating entanglement among them. The enhancement increases as the number of units increases (specifically, when a quantum …

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Direct Megapixel Imaging and Spectroscopy of an Exoplanet with a Solar Gravity Lens Mission

NASA Innovative Advanced concepts has a phase 2 study of a mission to the regions outside our solar system, with the objective of conducting direct high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy of a habitable exoplanet by exploiting optical properties of the solar gravitational lens (SGL). A mission to the focal area of the SGL (which lies beyond …

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Mach Effect Propellantless drive gets NIAC phase 2 and progress towards great interstellar propulsion

James Woodward and the Space Studies Institute has a Phase 2 NASA Innovative Advanced funded study. They are looking at the implementation of an innovative thrust producing technology for use in NASA missions involving in space main propulsion. Mach Effect Gravity Assist (MEGA) drive propulsion is based on peer-reviewed, technically credible physics. Mach effects are …

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