Rocket flies as Aerospace Technology lists the top five terms tweeted on commercial aerospace in May 2020, based on data from GlobalData’s Influencer Platform. The top tweeted terms are the trending industry discussions happening on Twitter by key individuals (influencers) as tracked by the platform.
1. Rocket – 541 mentions
The launch of the Falcon 9 rocket by SpaceX set new mark in rocket use after its debut of the first launch 10 years ago. Exercises and launches were popularly discussed topics in May 2020. According to an article shared by NASA Commercial Crew, the official Twitter account of the NASA commercial crew program, a new era of human spaceflight was set to begin as Bob Behnken and Douglas Hurley readied to be lifted off the Crew Dragon spacecraft on the Falcon 9 rocket on 27 May headed to the International Space Station. Apart from validating the company’s transportation system, it will also be the first time the Demo-2 mission will test the aircraft systems in orbit, the article noted.
The US Marines, the official Twitter account of the United States Marine Corps, meanwhile tweeted on marines having fired the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) as part of an exercise in the San Clemente Island. HIMARS destroy artillery, light armour and fortified stationary targets, and air defense concentrations.
In other news, Hubble, the official Twitter account for the NASA Hubble Space Telescope, tweeted on the “Worm” logo returning on the Falcon 9 rocket that will launch NASA astronauts from the NASA Kennedy Space Center.
We are now 3⃣ days away from the historic #LaunchAmerica mission!
— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) May 24, 2020
2. Aviation – 284 mentions
New guidance on Covid-19 aviation safety risks, securing the global aviation network with coordinated measures to boost safety and confidence, reactivation of airports with safety protocols for staff and passengers, and the termination of flights, were popularly discussed topics during the month. For instance, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialised agency of the UN, tweeted that it was World Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) Day. AIS’s response to the virus crisis is crucial to the flow of data that determines the safety, security and operation of the entire global aviation network, ICAO added.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global trade of associations, called for the need for harmonised measures by all European states to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The association shared an article on the release of the Covid-19 aviation health safety protocol guidelines by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to resume aviation in Europe. The effort was directed towards protecting public health, as well restarting air services to help drive economic recovery, the article detailed.
In other news, SpeedBird, providing commercial aviation news, described the epic occasion for aviation enthusiasts, the big retirement ceremonies and the exit of an airplane type from the fleet. This time it was a tribute to the noisiest jets in the Delta Air Lines fleet, the McDonnell Douglas jets 88 and 90 referred to as the Mad Dog, and known for their climbing performance and noise that caused Delta to cease operations.
It’s World Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) Day! Even in the #COVID19 context, AIS are crucial to the flow of data that underpins the safe, secure and sustainable operation of the global #aviation network. Join us in thanking all those who are ensuring its continuity. pic.twitter.com/ifi4dsA3T0
US astronauts going back to space since 2011, and technologies being used to ease routine work for astronauts, were some popularly discussed topics during the month of May. According to an article shared by NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, covering the latest images, videos and news from the US space agency, the Falcon 9 rocket was set for liftoff at the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A sending NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the International Space Station.
The mission will serve an end-to-end test of SpaceX’s crew transportation system, certifying it to send regular, crewed flights to the orbiting laboratory as a part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Johnson Space Center, the lead center for the International Space Station and the Orion spacecraft, further tweeted on signing up and becoming a part of the action of the launch of Falcon 9 rocket carrying US astronauts to space. The virtual tour to guests was offered via a Facebook group, Launch America NASA Social, where users could connect virtually with people and also tour the NASA facilities and witness the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
In other news, NASA Technology, building transformative tech and providing solutions on Earth and in space, shared an article on NASA having developed three new robotic teammates to work alongside astronauts on the International Space Station. Astrobee, a NASA built new free-flying robotic system, for example, helps astronauts reduce time they spend on routine duties, the article noted.
One step closer to launch! ????
The @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon are now on the launch pad ahead of liftoff, which is slated for May 27 at 4:33 pm ET. The mission will mark the first time astronauts have launched from U.S. soil since 2011: https://t.co/6ZixIS3upcpic.twitter.com/DOjQRqUp2g
— NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) May 21, 2020
4. Covid-19 – 171 mentions
The Covid-19 crisis has had a severe impact on the aviation industry, with coordinated measures being taken to boost air travel and confidence. New health safety guidelines to keep air travel safe, and the need for governments and supply chain partners to extend more support to airlines, were popularly discussed during the month. According to an article shared by the US Marines, the official Twitter account of the United States Marine Corps, drill instructors at the Oscar Company, fourth recruit training battalion conduct uniform inspections to mitigate Covid-19 risks.
The IATA, on the other hand, tweeted on many airlines going through a cash crunch during the Covid-19 crisis. Chief economist, Brian Pearce, is of the opinion that governments or supply chain partners can support the aviation staff with lower fees and deferred payments. Furthermore, government grants and loan guarantees will allow more airlines to compete and provide consumers with better deals, he added.
In other news, the UK Space Agency, the official Twitter account of the agency, tweeted on the US space sector rising up to the challenge of the Covid-19 crisis. Airbus Space at Portsmouth, for instance, is working along with local companies to manufacture as many as 40,000 personal protective equipment face shields to support NHS workers.
Inspect What You Expect
A drill instructor with Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion observes her Marines as they conduct their final uniform inspection on @MCRDPI while mitigating #COVID19’s risks. Uniform inspections ensure bearing, confidence and discipline. pic.twitter.com/VUyjETyj7Z
How spacecraft fuel tanks work, launch of the Falcon 9 rocket atop the Crew Dragon spacecraft on pad 39A, and space servicing, were some popular topics discussed in May. According to the Intl. Space Station, which provides updates from the International Space Station, fluids behave differently in space. The station studies various ways in which fluids act in space to understand the working of spacecraft fuel tanks, plumbing systems, and growing plants.
Hubble, the official Twitter account for the NASA Hubble Space Telescope, tweeted on how spacecraft need repairs too. He added that when astronauts work on spacecraft in orbit, it is called space servicing.
In other news, NASA JPL, which manages NASA’s robotic missions, shared an article on NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover that is attached to its rocket-powered descent stage. These spacecraft elements are first to assemble during launch and the last to detach while landing on Mars. This stage helps in safe landing on the surface, the article noted.
Fluids behave differently in space. We’ve studied fluids in space to learn about spacecraft fuel tanks, plumbing systems, and growing plants in space. But what happens when you send a fluid to the space station that is more viscous, or thick—like slime? https://t.co/Z10hqiJPws
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) May 3, 2020
GlobalData is this website’s parent business intelligence company.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The body of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei — who died after being set on fire by her partner in Kenya — was received Friday by family and anti-femicide crusaders, ahead of her burial a day later.
Cheptegei’s family met with dozens of activists Friday who had marched to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital’s morgue in the western city of Eldoret while chanting anti-femicide slogans.
She is the fourth female athlete to have been killed by her partner in Kenya in yet another case of gender-based violence in recent years.
Viola Cheptoo, the founder of Tirop Angels – an organization that was formed in honor of athlete Agnes Tirop, who was stabbed to death in 2021, said stakeholders need to ensure this is the last death of an athlete due to gender-based violence.
“We are here to say that enough is enough, we are tired of burying our sisters due to GBV,” she said.
It was a somber mood at the morgue as athletes and family members viewed Cheptegei’s body which sustained 80% of burns after she was doused with gasoline by her partner Dickson Ndiema. Ndiema sustained 30% burns on his body and later succumbed.
Ndiema and Cheptegei were said to have quarreled over a piece of land that the athlete bought in Kenya, according to a report filed by the local chief.
Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month before the attack. She finished in 44th place.
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph, said that the body will make a brief stop at their home in the Endebess area before proceeding to Bukwo in eastern Uganda for a night vigil and burial on Saturday.
“We are in the final part of giving my daughter the last respect,” a visibly distraught Joseph said.
He told reporters last week that Ndiema was stalking and threatening Cheptegei and the family had informed police.
Four in 10 women or an estimated 41% of dating or married Kenyan women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their current or most recent partner, according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022.
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A rare Bronze-Era jar accidentally smashed by a 4-year-old visiting a museum was back on display Wednesday after restoration experts were able to carefully piece the artifact back together.
Last month, a family from northern Israel was visiting the museum when their youngest son tipped over the jar, which smashed into pieces.
Alex Geller, the boy’s father, said his son — the youngest of three — is exceptionally curious, and that the moment he heard the crash, “please let that not be my child” was the first thought that raced through his head.
The jar has been on display at the Hecht Museum in Haifa for 35 years. It was one of the only containers of its size and from that period still complete when it was discovered.
The Bronze Age jar is one of many artifacts exhibited out in the open, part of the Hecht Museum’s vision of letting visitors explore history without glass barriers, said Inbal Rivlin, the director of the museum, which is associated with Haifa University in northern Israel.
It was likely used to hold wine or oil, and dates back to between 2200 and 1500 B.C.
Rivlin and the museum decided to turn the moment, which captured international attention, into a teaching moment, inviting the Geller family back for a special visit and hands-on activity to illustrate the restoration process.
Rivlin added that the incident provided a welcome distraction from the ongoing war in Gaza. “Well, he’s just a kid. So I think that somehow it touches the heart of the people in Israel and around the world,“ said Rivlin.
Roee Shafir, a restoration expert at the museum, said the repairs would be fairly simple, as the pieces were from a single, complete jar. Archaeologists often face the more daunting task of sifting through piles of shards from multiple objects and trying to piece them together.
Experts used 3D technology, hi-resolution videos, and special glue to painstakingly reconstruct the large jar.
Less than two weeks after it broke, the jar went back on display at the museum. The gluing process left small hairline cracks, and a few pieces are missing, but the jar’s impressive size remains.
The only noticeable difference in the exhibit was a new sign reading “please don’t touch.”
VICTORIA – The British Columbia government is partnering with a bear welfare group to reduce the number of bears being euthanized in the province.
Nicholas Scapillati, executive director of Grizzly Bear Foundation, said Monday that it comes after months-long discussions with the province on how to protect bears, with the goal to give the animals a “better and second chance at life in the wild.”
Scapillati said what’s exciting about the project is that the government is open to working with outside experts and the public.
“So, they’ll be working through Indigenous knowledge and scientific understanding, bringing in the latest techniques and training expertise from leading experts,” he said in an interview.
B.C. government data show conservation officers destroyed 603 black bears and 23 grizzly bears in 2023, while 154 black bears were killed by officers in the first six months of this year.
Scapillati said the group will publish a report with recommendations by next spring, while an independent oversight committee will be set up to review all bear encounters with conservation officers to provide advice to the government.
Environment Minister George Heyman said in a statement that they are looking for new ways to ensure conservation officers “have the trust of the communities they serve,” and the panel will make recommendations to enhance officer training and improve policies.
Lesley Fox, with the wildlife protection group The Fur-Bearers, said they’ve been calling for such a committee for decades.
“This move demonstrates the government is listening,” said Fox. “I suspect, because of the impending election, their listening skills are potentially a little sharper than they normally are.”
Fox said the partnership came from “a place of long frustration” as provincial conservation officers kill more than 500 black bears every year on average, and the public is “no longer tolerating this kind of approach.”
“I think that the conservation officer service and the B.C. government are aware they need to change, and certainly the public has been asking for it,” said Fox.
Fox said there’s a lot of optimism about the new partnership, but, as with any government, there will likely be a lot of red tape to get through.
“I think speed is going to be important, whether or not the committee has the ability to make change and make change relatively quickly without having to study an issue to death, ” said Fox.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 9, 2024.
