Space-based film studio officially in development for 2024
Space Entertainment Enterprise, co-producers of Tom Cruise’s forthcoming space-set film, has announced plans to build a fully-fledged production studio 250 miles above Earth. Remember back in 2020, when Tom Cruise teamed up with Elon Musk’s Space X to shoot the first ever feature film in space… no? That’s probably because...
Current in Science
Will nuclear fusion revolutionise clean energy for centuries?
With the potential of generating 10 million times the energy of burning coal, is nuclear fusion the answer to sustainably powering the world for centuries to come? Imagine a technology capable of replicating the chemistry of the stars, unleashing nearly unlimited clean energy, and safely powering the entire world for...
Earth’s tiniest bugs are officially evolving to eat plastic
In the first large-scale study of its kind, researchers have found that microbes living in oceans and soils around the world have learned to eat at least ten different types of plastic. Plastic is by far the world’s biggest issue when it comes to pollution. Most types are notoriously hard to...
Seaweed film could be the future of single use plastic packaging
London-based company Notpla was granted $13 million to boost sustainable packaging using seaweed. It hopes to replace hard-to-recycle plastic films used for food and clothing wrapping. The magical plant that holds together sushi rolls, adds flavour to our ramen bowls, and grows abundantly in the ocean has become an unlikely,...
NASA hires theologians to prepare humanity for extra-terrestrial life
A priest and other religious experts have been called on to determine how different religions around the world would react to contact with aliens. As favourable as it is to live in blissful ignorance and choose to disregard the fact that we’re tiny creatures on a rock floating through...
Scientists discover perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo
Believed to be between 66 and 72 million years old, the fossil was found in southern China and offers new insight into the very first stages of animal life on Earth. On Tuesday, scientists announced the discovery of the most complete dinosaur embryo ever found, tucked into a position that's...
NASA launches its first asteroid-deflecting spaceship
Named DART, the spacecraft has no other purpose but to slam into and redirect an asteroid 6.8 million miles out in space. It’s the first planetary defence mission of its kind. Considering that we exist on a floating rock in the endless, chaotic abyss of the universe, NASA’s plan to practice deterring an asteroid from hitting our planet is warranted. Though DART’s target isn’t a threat to Earth at present, there...
Jeff Bezos unveils ‘space business park’ Orbital Reef
The International Space Station may soon have commercial competition, as Jeff Bezos announces plans for a ‘space business park’ launched by his company Blue Origin. Following his successful rocket launch earlier this year, Jeff Bezos’ space tourism company Blue Origin has announced plans to create and launch a space station. This one will be notably different NASA’s International Space Station, however, as it will run primarily for commercial and business reasons,...
AstroAccess to advance disability inclusion in space travel
In efforts to expand space travel beyond billionaire tech tycoons and hyper trained astronauts, AstroAccess is advancing Zero-G experiences to include the disabled. As industries go, space travel is arguably one of the very least accessible out there. However, efforts are underway to change that. Leading an inclusive space charge, a non-profit called Mission: AstroAccess has started organising Zero-G flight experiences for people with mobility or sensory disabilities. On Sunday (October...
Is climate change dimming the Earth’s shine over time?
The planet has dimmed by 0.5 percent in 20 years. Researchers believe climate change could be responsible. Half a percent of dimming in 20 years may not sound like a huge deal, but considering the Earth is 4.5 billion years old it isn’t exactly great. When talking about the Earth losing its shine, we aren’t referring to Mars exploration being the hot new topic in planetology, or making a bleak metaphorical...
