Important Innovations

Satellite Spots 1st Alien World Source:  ESA CHEOPS ESA's New Highly Advanced Satellite Europe's new exoplanet-spotting space telescope CHEOPS has been tested in space for the past three months.  It has successfully spotted several exoplanets.  These are planets that orbit stars outside of our solar system.  They're known as alien planets,  By the end of April it will start scientific observations of great importance to the process of  discovering life beyond the Earth. CHEOPS  CHEOPS is on a different mission than NASA's Kepler space telescope that searches for exoplanets. The CHEOPS space telescope is targeting known  exoplanets to determine their sizes and density.  Thanks to its highly advanced instrumentation, the accuracy of measurement that CHEOPS delivers will be unprecedented. Search for Alien Life on Alien Planets The discoveries and findings from CHEOPS are expected to be critical to scientists in

Fascinating New Book on the Latest Space Discoveries Travel to New Worlds Just Discovered in Space Journalist Edward Kane's  latest book "Space 2020's: What's Up There? " has just been published on Amazon and Kindle as an e-book  ASIN: B087DV4DZ6 and paperback   ASIN: B087FFM5B7 I co-authored the book with Ed. Fascinating Journeys The book is a journey to exciting and mysterious new worlds just discovered by NASA, the European Space Agency and global astronomers with  powerful space. telescopes. Space Vacations The book details exotic planets that rain diamonds, Earth-like planets that may contain extraterrestrial life, baby stars being born, massive exploding supernovas, black holes, black matter and much more.  Reading the book is like a vacation in space.   amazon.com/author/ekane ... ...

Starlink Constellation of Internet Satellites Source:  NASA Launchdate - Tomorrow April 22 SpaceX plans to launch its seventh group of Starlink Satellites on April 22, 2020. The batch of 60 new satellites will join thousands already in orbit.  Starlink is entrepreneur Elon Musk's system to deliver broadband internet  connectivity to the world and provide faster and stronger communications services. New FCC Request From Musk for Starlink Musk has just sought US Federal Communications Commission approval to operate all of his 4,400 first generation Starlink sats at a lower  level than previously approved.  The request is for approved orbits at 550 kilometers for some  of the launched satellites. Most of his sats had  been okayed for about 1200 kilometers orbit above the Earth.   One reason cited by SpaceX for this request is that it will result in  less space debris. B ecause at a lower altitude, expended satellites

Getaway to Other Worlds ASIN: B085N5M8RT A Book Series Suggestion amazon.com/author/ekane To getaway from the worries about  the current Pandemic, here are a few suggestions -  books on new worlds in space and brand new global innovations.  Plus a great book for kids to learn life lessons and build friendships through cross- country running.

Tiny Rovers, Tiny Payloads, Tiny Instruments Source:  NASA Big Science: NASA Wants Your Ideas NASA has plans to send tiny robotic rovers to the Moon.  In order to do this, NASA needs to develop miniature scientific payloads for the tiny rovers.  NASA is formally asking the public for their ideas. Game Changing Science This is not fun and games. NASA expects the winning ideas that come through this public process  will be game changing  They believe the smaller payloads will result in a series of miniaturized instruments and sensors that can quickly be used for lunar exploration and for harvesting the resources  found there. Crowdsourcing NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab has launched a crowdsourcing project on HeroX.  It's called "Honey, I shrunk the NASA payload".  Specifically, NASA is looking for small instrument design concepts to sustain human life on the Moon and also to use the resources found there. Prize Money The ins

Pandemic Escalating Use of Robots Source:  CDC.Gov. Robots Don't Get Sick The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating the global use of robots.  The virus is so highly contagious that it is changing consumer preferences for human interaction, for instance with a retail clerk.  Dealing with a robot worker, that doesn't  cough or sneeze, is a lot safer.  Experts say the pandemic is rapidly expanding work opportunities for robots. McKinsey Forecast A forecast by the global consultants McKinsey predicts that 1/3 of US workers will be replaced by robots by 2030.  The  pandemic is now accelerating that trend. Global Trends Many companies are now expanding their use of robots to foster social distancing and to cut the number of staff who have to physically come to work. For instance, Walmart is using robots to clean and sanitize their floors. In Wuhan, China a smart field hospital for COVID-19

Launching US Astronauts from Florida Source:  NASA 1st Human Spaceflight from US Since 2011 After nearly a decade of absence, human spaceflights will launch from US soil on May 27, 2020. SpaceX,  founded by entrepreneur  Elon Musk, will launch its CrewDragon rocket with two US astronauts onboard and crewing the space vehicle.  Their destination is the International Space Station.  This mission is a series of historic firsts in space. Space Firsts This is the first crewed mission for SpaceX since CEO Elon Musk founded the company in 2002. And, it's the first time a rocket will carry  astronauts into orbit from US soil  since 2011.  That's when NASA retired its space shuttle program. And there's yet another first. The public cannot attend the launch. History Being Made Because of COVID-19, the public cannot attend the  launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch is historic for several more