Science News Science News

New rockets are set to take to the skies in 2024, ushering in a new era of space exploration. Among them is the Ariane 6 rocket, developed by ArianeGroup for the European Space Agency. After a delay of four years due to various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ariane 6 is finally slated for its maiden flight between June 15 and July 31, 2024. Designed as Europe’s response to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, the Ariane 6 promises to be more cost-effective, thanks to innovative manufacturing techniques.
Another contender is the Vega C rocket, produced by Italian aerospace company Avio. Following a setback in December 2022, Vega C is gearing up for a comeback in the fourth quarter of 2024. Its relaunch is eagerly anticipated as it aims to address the pressing need for small rockets in the European space launch market.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos’s company has created a prototype solar cell using simulated lunar soil, a step forward in utilizing lunar resources.
With the Artemis program, NASA aims for sustained human presence on the Moon, rather than just short-term visits. Achieving this goal will require harnessing lunar resources.
Jeff Bezos’s space company, Blue Origin, hopes to contribute to this endeavor with its Blue Alchemist solar energy project, according to Cnet on February 13. Blue Origin has been developing solar cells and transmission wires from simulated lunar soil since 2021, and has now produced a working prototype.

Blue Origin Transports 6 Passengers to the Edge of Space After Two-Year Hiatus.
Blue Origin's rocket transported passengers to the edge of space for the first time after nearly a two-year hiatus following an unsuccessful unmanned test flight.
The New Shepard rocket and passenger capsule launched at 21:36 on May 19 Hanoi time from Blue Origin's facility on a private ranch in West Texas, according to CNN. NS-25, the company's seventh manned flight to date, carried six passengers: venture capitalist Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, founder of French brewery Brasserie Mont-Blanc, software engineer and businessman Kenneth L. Hess, retired accountant Carol Schaller, pilot Gopi Thotakura, and retired U.S. Air Force commander Ed Dwight. Dwight was selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to become America's first Black astronaut candidate.

Seashells might seem like harmless souvenirs from a beach trip, but scientists have highlighted why it's best not to take them home.
A 2014 study cited by IFL Science on May 18 revealed that researchers investigated the removal of seashells from beaches and concluded that this action causes "significant damage" to many species that rely on them.
Seashells play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems. In addition to stabilizing beaches and providing nesting materials for birds, they also offer habitat or attachment surfaces for many marine organisms, including algae, seagrass, sponges, and crustaceans. They also provide a source of calcium carbonate, which can dissolve in seawater and be recycled back into the ocean.

A vessel powered by burning wood pellets could reduce carbon emissions by 22% compared to ships using fossil fuels.
Japanese transportation companies NYK Line, NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers (NBP), and Tsuneishi Shipbuilding are collaborating with the UK renewable energy company Drax to develop the world's first wood pellet-powered cargo ship. According to the recently signed memorandum of understanding, the ship is expected to set sail in 2029.
This collaboration aligns with Japan's shift towards green energy sources. Japan is transitioning from fossil fuel-based electricity production to low-carbon and renewable sources, while the demand for wood pellets in the country—typically made from forestry residues and sawmill waste—is increasing. These wood pellets are primarily imported from North America.

UAE - The Warsan company's plant in Dubai will process 2 million tons of waste per year and meet the electricity needs of 135,000 households. In Dubai, nearly half of the discarded waste contributes to powering homes. Most of the waste is collected at the plant operated by the waste management company Warsan. According to Tim Clarke, the company's CEO, about 45% of Dubai's total waste is sent to this facility. Operating since March this year, the Warsan plant will use 2 million tons of waste annually to generate electricity, enough to power around 135,000 households, CNN reported on May 17.