Tech
‘Third Time’s The Charm!’ – SpaceX Launches And Lands Starship Mars Prototype In Major First, Before It Explodes Again – Forbes
In a major milestone, Elon Musk’s company SpaceX has successfully landed its Starship vehicle from high-altitude for the first time, as it continues its efforts to launch humans to Mars.
But it experienced a dramatic explosion shortly after landing.
Today, Wednesday, March 3 at 6.14 P.M. Eastern Time, the company’s latest Starship prototype lifted off from the company’s test site in Boca Chica, Texas.
The methane-powered rocket, designed to one day carry humans but uncrewed on this launch, then used its three Raptor engines to climb to a height of around 10 kilometers.
After a brief hover the vehicle then began its descent back to Earth, flipping to perform a horizontal “belly flop” and simulate a future return from space.
The vehicle lifted off as planned once again.
SpaceX
As it approached the ground, it flipped back to a vertical position and reignited its engines to attempt a landing.
In the past few months, the company has tried and failed to launch and land Starship on two high-altitude tests, with those previous SN8 and SN9 prototypes crash-landing on both occasions.
This time, however, everything went relatively smoothly. Slightly more than six minutes after launching, the vehicle was back safely on Earth – heralding a crucial step in a new era of human spaceflight.
“Third time’s the charm!” SpaceX engineer John Insprucker commentated in the company’s live stream of the flight.
You can rewatch the action unfold below.
However, about 10 minutes after landing, when SpaceX’s live stream had ended, the vehicle was caught on camera by other observers suddenly exploding.
The cause of this subsequent explosion is not yet clear.
It did appear that the vehicle did not properly deploy its landing legs for the touchdown, while a small fire also broke out at its base after the landing.
And so, while the test itself will be deemed a success, there are clearly a few issues that still need to be ironed out with the vehicle.
Starship is SpaceX’s 50-meter tall reusable experimental vehicle designed to one day take humans to Mars and other destinations in the Solar System.
It will launch on top of a large reusable booster called Super Heavy, the two of them stacking up to 120 meters high, for launches to space from Earth.
Together they would be the largest rocket ever flown in history.
SN10 touched down, although its landing legs didn’t appear to deploy properly.
SpaceX
In order to reach that goal, SpaceX has been building Starship prototypes in increasing complexity, with today’s flight being “serial number 10” – or SN10.
Their last launch, SN9, saw the vehicle launch and climb to about 12 kilometers before falling back to Earth, ultimately exploding on the ground in a failed landing attempt.
But Musk has been very vocal about how these prototypes are designed to potentially fail, as the company focuses more on rapid iterations than perfecting each one.
SN10, however, seemed to go almost entirely as planned.
About 10 minutes after landing, the vehicle suddenly exploded.
SpaceX
“The key point of today’s test flight was to gather data on controlling the vehicle while re-entering, and we were successful in doing so,” said Insprucker.
“We had a nominal ascent, we had a maneuver to place Starship horizontal, and during the subsonic entry it appears we had good control on re-entry using the front and aft flaps.
“As we approached the landing pad, we successfully lit the three Raptor engines to perform that flip maneuver, and then we shut down two of them and landed on a single engine as planned.
“A beautiful soft landing of Starship on the landing pad of Boca Chica.”
Few, despite the subsequent explosion, could argue with that.
Now, SpaceX will continue with its testing phase, as it moves towards launching Starship to space for the first time later this year.
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Samsung
Samsung
- Release date: April 9
- Price: $499.99
The Galaxy A52 5G is the most expensive smartphone of the bunch. It comes with a 6.5-inch FHD+ screen and a quad-camera system that includes some of the same features as Samsung’s more expensive Galaxy S phones. These include Single Take, which creates several different photos or video clips with different effects with a single press of the shutter button.
Its screen can also boost its refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and performance, a feature that has become common on pricier flagship phones but is rare on cheaper models. It’s also the only phone in this A-series lineup to include Samsung’s notch-free screen design.
Samsung
- Release date: April 8
- Price: $399.99
The less expensive Galaxy A42 5G has a slightly larger screen than the A52 5G, but scales back on certain features when it comes to the camera and screen refresh rate.
Still, it has a triple-lens camera with high-resolution sensors, and like its pricier sibling it also supports Single Take.
Samsung
Release date: April 9
Price: $279.99
The Galaxy A32 5G is Samsung’s cheapest 5G smartphone to date. It has a large 6.5-inch screen, but it’s made from an LCD panel instead of Super AMOLED. That means it will likely lack some of the contrast and boldness of Samsung’s other devices. But Samsung hasn’t skimped on the camera considering this model has a quad-lens main camera, which is rare if not unheard of at that price.
Samsung
Release date: April 9
Price: $179.99
Samsung’s Galaxy A12 doesn’t come with 5G support, but it still gives you a lot for the price. For less than $200, you’re getting a quad-lens camera and a large 6.5-inch LCD screen. But remember this phone only has 32GB of storage, so it’s best suited for those who don’t store a lot of photos and videos on their device.
Samsung
- Release date: April 29
- Price: $109.99
The Galaxy A02s is Samsung’s cheapest phone, offering a 6.5-inch LCD screen and three main cameras. It doesn’t have 5G support or as much computing power or camera prowess as Samsung’s other A-series phones, but that’s to be expected for a device at this price. This phone is truly for those who just need the basics and little else.
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Source:- Business Insider
As the U.S. economy rebounds from its pandemic slump, a vital cog is in short supply: the computer chips that power a wide range of products that connect, transport and entertain us in a world increasingly dependent on technology.
The shortage has already been rippling through various markets since last summer. It has made it difficult for schools to buy enough laptops for students forced to learn from home, delayed the release of popular products such as the iPhone 12 and created mad scrambles to find the latest video game consoles such as the PlayStation 5.
Source: Adobe Stock
But things have been getting even worse in recent weeks, particularly in the auto industry, where factories are shutting down because there aren’t enough chips to finish building vehicles that are starting to look like computers on wheels. The problem was recently compounded by a grounded container ship that blocked the Suez Canal for nearly a week, choking off chips headed from Asia to Europe.
These snags are likely to frustrate consumers who can’t find the vehicle they want and sometimes find themselves settling for a lower-end models without as many fancy electronic features. And it threatens to leave a big dent in the auto industry, which by some estimates stands to lose $60 billion in sales during the first half of his year.
“We have been hit by the perfect storm, and it’s not going away any time soon,” said Baird technology analyst Ted Mortonson, who said he has never seen such a serious shortage in nearly 30 years tracking the chip industry.
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Is the pandemic to blame?
Sort of. The pandemic prompted chip factories to start shutting down early last year, particularly overseas, where the majority of the processors are made. By the time they started to reopen, they had a backlog of orders to fill.
That wouldn’t have been as daunting if chipmakers weren’t then swamped by unforeseen demand. For instance, no one entered 2020 expecting to see a spike in personal computer sales after nearly a decade of steady decline. But that’s what happened after government lockdowns forced millions of office workers to do their jobs from homes while students mostly attended their classes remotely.
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Are other factors at work?
Yes. Both Sony and Microsoft were preparing to release highly anticipated next-generation video game consoles for their PlayStation and Xbox brands, respectively, that required more sophisticated chips than ever. To add to the demand, wireless network providers are clamouring for chips to power ultrafast “5G” services being built around the world.
President Donald Trump’s trade war with China probably didn’t help either. Some analysts believe the Trump administration’s blacklisting of Huawei Technologies prompted that major maker of smartphones to build a huge stockpile of chips as it braced for the crackdown.
___
Why is the Auto industry being hit so hard?
Stay-at-home orders drove a surge in consumer electronics sales, squeezing auto parts suppliers who use chips for computers that control gas pedals, transmissions and touch screens. Chip makers compounded the pressure by rejiggering factory lines to better serve the consumer-electronics market, which generates far more revenue for them than autos.
After eight weeks of pandemic-induced shutdown in the spring, automakers started reopening factories earlier than they had envisioned. But then they were hit with unexpected news: chip makers weren’t able to flip a switch quickly and make the types of processors needed for cars.
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How are automakers dealing with the shortage?
They’ve cancelled shifts and temporarily closed factories. Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis), Volkswagen and Honda seem to have been hit the hardest. Others, most notably Toyota, aren’t being affected as dramatically. That is probably because Toyota was better prepared after learning how sudden, unexpected shocks can disrupt supply chains from the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, said Bank of America Securities analyst Vivek Arya.
The harder hit automakers have diverted chips from slower-selling models to those in high demand, such as pickup trucks and large SUVs. Ford, GM and Stellantis have started building vehicles without some computers, putting them in storage with plans to retrofit them later.
GM expects the chip shortage to cost it up to $2 billion in pretax profits this year from lost production and sales. Ford is bracing for a similar blow. Chip makers probably won’t fully catch up with auto-industry demand until July at the earliest.
___
How will this affect people who want to buy a new car?
Expect to pay more. Supplies of many models were tight even before the chip shortage because automakers were having trouble making up for production lost to the pandemic.
IHS Markit estimates that from January through March, the chip shortage reduced North American auto production by about 100,000 vehicles. In January of last year, before the pandemic, the U.S. auto industry had enough vehicles to supply 77 days of demand. By February of 2021 it was down almost 30% to 55 days.
___
Will other popular products be affected this year?
Samsung Electronics, one of the world’s biggest chipmakers, recently warned that its vast line-up of consumer electronics could be affected by the shortage. Without specifying which products might be affected, Samsung co-CEO Koh Dong-jin told shareholders that a “serious imbalance” between the supply and demand for chips could hurt sales from April through June.
___
What’s going to prevent this from happening again?
There are no quick fixes, but chipmakers appear to be be gearing up to meet future challenges.
Intel, which for decades has dominated the market for PC chips, recently made waves by announcing plans to invest $20 billion in two new factories in Arizona. Even more significant, Intel revealed said it is starting a new division that will enter into contracts to make chips tailored for other firms in addition to its own processors. That’s a major departure for Intel, aligning it more closely with a model popularized by TaiwanSemiconductorManufacturing Co., or TSMC, which already had been building a plant in Arizona, too.
Compelled by the current shortage, TSMC also has committed to spending $100 billion during the next three years to expand its worldwide chip manufacturing capacity. About $28 billion of that investment will come this year to boost production at factories that have been unable to keep up with the surge in demand since the pandemic began, according to TSMC Chief Executive Officer C.C. Wei.
And President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion plan to improve U.S. infrastructure includes an estimated $50 billion to help make the the country less reliant on chips made overseas. The U.S. share of the worldwide chip manufacturing market has declined from 37% in 1990 to 12% today, according toSemiconductorIndustry Association, a trade group.
But chips won’t start coming out of any new factories built as part of the spending splurge for two to three years. And even as existing factories ramp up and expand to meet current demand, some analysts wonder if there might be a glut of processors a year from now.
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Krisher reported from Detroit.
Eat This, Not That!
The #1 Unhealthiest Way to Prepare Popcorn, According Dietitians
Despite being synonymous with movie theater snacks, popcorn isn’t in the same league as treats like candy and soda—at least when it comes to nutrition. Popcorn can actually be good for you.”Popcorn can be an excellent, nutrient-rich snack food depending on how it is prepared. Popcorn is a whole grain, which is a little-known fact, and therefore an excellent source of fiber and polyphenols, which help fight free radical damage in the body,” says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, a registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements.Although this light and airy snack is high in fiber and low in calories, like Best mentioned, popcorn can easily be made into an unhealthy bite if made improperly. To make sure you can actually reap the benefits of popcorn, you have to make sure you don’t prepare it in the unhealthiest way possible: covered in butter and salt.Why too much butter and salt is the unhealthiest way to prepare popcorn”A common way people may be preparing popcorn that detracts from its health benefits is adding a lot of butter on top,” says Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, a registered dietitian with Within Nutrition.While being incredibly delicious, butter isn’t going to do your body any favors when it’s poured over popcorn; in fact, it may even encourage fat gain.”Butter is high in saturated fat which, when combined with carbohydrates, creates a ‘sweet fat.’ This highly palatable combination can result in over-consumption, interfering with the body’s ability to regulate appetite and leading to enhanced cravings. This combination of carbohydrates and saturated fat can also put the body in fat-storing mode,” says Ivanir. (Related: 20 Foods Ruining Your Weight Loss Goals.)Just one tablespoon of butter is 100 calories and has 7 grams of saturated fat. And if you’re using a store-bought popcorn topping like Orville Redenbacher’s Popping&Topping Buttery Flavored Oil, you’ll only be consuming 2 grams of saturated fat but 120 calories for every serving.While making your own buttery popcorn at home gives you a little more wiggle room with calories per serving, the same can’t be said with microwave popcorn. Some butter-flavored microwave popcorn bags have 180 calories per serving when the same bag of butter-free popcorn is just 80 calories. So opting for lightly seasoned popcorn over buttered will save you 100 calories per serving.You can make matters even worse if you add some sugar to your recipe to make kettle corn.”Popcorn is easily turned unhealthy with the addition of oil, butter, and white sugar [when making kettle corn]. What was a high fiber, filling snack packed with vitamins and antioxidants is now laden with pro-inflammatory fat calories and white sugar,” says registered dietitian Theresa Gentile, MS, RDN, Owner of Full Plate Nutrition and Media Spokesperson for the NY State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “I’ve even seen the addition of corn syrup and maple syrup, which instantly makes this considered dessert,” says Gentile.How to prepare popcorn in a healthy wayJust because popcorn is commonly prepared in an unhealthy way doesn’t mean it’s difficult to find and eat a better-for-you version.”You can make popcorn at home flavorful and delicious with some simple tweaks,” says Vanessa Rissetto, MS, RD, CDN, registered dietitian and Co-Founder of Culina Health.For flavorful, healthy popcorn, you have to start with a solid base, and that involves popping your own:”One of the best ways to make popcorn is to air pop the kernels on the stove, rather than buying pre-packaged microwavable popcorn, which may contain added oils, salt, or artificial flavoring. The lining of microwave bags may also contain harmful chemicals,” says Ivanir. (Related: The #1 Reason Why You Shouldn’t Eat Microwave Popcorn.)Once you make your air-popped corn, it’s time to season it sans butter.”Popping your own popcorn on the stove allows you to control the toppings. People can add fun toppings to their popcorn for a kick, such as cinnamon for some sweetness or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor,” says Ivanir.Rissetto recommends using 1 tablespoon of olive oil (which is loaded with healthy fats) for 1 cup of kernels and adding seasonings like parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, and even tabasco.”To preserve popcorn’s health benefits, I recommend adding a drizzle of olive oil and a little sea salt or adding nutritional yeast, which has a cheesy, savory flavor,” says Gentile. For more ideas, don’t miss This One Trick Will Make Your Popcorn Taste Better.For more healthy eating news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
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