Delivered to Florida & ready for Mars

After a four-day, 2,560-mile journey across the U.S., our ESCAPDE twin spacecraft for @ucbssl and @NASA have made it to @AstrotechSpace in prep for lift-off. The twins have been unboxed & in the coming days we'll start integration with… pic.twitter.com/qBpYONDY5W

— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) August 20, 2024

The twin probes, nicknamed Blue and Gold, were shipped from Rocket Lab’s factory in Long Beach, California, and arrived at a clean room facility near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida over the weekend. Technicians will now perform final checkups and load hydrazine fuel into both spacecraft, each weighing a little more than half a ton.

Stop 1: Florida
Stop 2: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket
Stop 3: Mars

NASA’s twin ESCAPADE spacecraft have made a cross-country trek from California to Florida. It’s the first stop on their long journey to Mars this fall!

Read more: https://t.co/q4ioly7IFG

Rocket Lab pic.twitter.com/xas9pkxiTw

— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) August 20, 2024

If ready, the probes will be connected to the rocket’s launch adapter, encapsulated inside the payload fairing, and mounted on top of the rocket. The ESCAPADE mission must launch between late September and mid-October to take advantage of a planetary alignment between Earth and Mars that only occurs once every 26 months. NASA awarded a $20 million contract to a space company to launch the mission, confirming last November that it will fly on the inaugural flight of a new rocket with a $79 million price tag.

The launch period opens on September 29.

We're seeing double!

The two identical spacecraft of the Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE) mission arrived in Florida.

They will travel to Mars to study how solar wind interacts with Mars' magnetosphere.

Read more: https://t.co/zawUJWBv92 pic.twitter.com/FlpDMkStnR

— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) August 19, 2024

Rob Lillis, the mission’s lead scientist from the University of California Berkeley’s Space Science Laboratory, said, “There’s a whole bunch of checking and tests to make sure everything’s OK, and then we move into fueling, and then we integrate with the launch vehicle. So it’s a big milestone.

There have been some challenges along the way. This wasn’t easy to make happen on this schedule and for this cost. So we’re very happy to be where we are.”

However, there is still much to accomplish in the next couple of months if the rocket is to be ready to send the ESCAPADE mission to Mars this year.

The rocket has not yet fully exercised during a launch countdown, pumped a full load of cryogenic propellants, or test-fired a full complement of first and second stage engines.

Mars mission readies for final prep

These activities typically occur months before the first launch of a large new orbital-class rocket.

Earlier this year, a full-scale, 320-foot-tall rocket was raised on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and loaded with liquid nitrogen, a cryogenic substitute for the methane and liquid hydrogen fuel it will burn in flight. The aerospace community eagerly awaits the upcoming milestones as the team races against the clock to ensure a successful Mars mission within the designated launch window. The twin ESCAPADE spacecraft will not be sent directly to Mars but will instead be placed into an extended Earth orbit, from which they will use their own thrusters to head towards the Red Planet.

They will arrive at Mars and perform the critical Mars orbit insertion burn about 11 months after launch. Each spacecraft, named Blue and Gold after the colors of the University of California, Berkeley, which will run the mission, weighs 524 kilograms, with the science payload accounting for just eight kilograms. Propellant makes up 70% of the spacecraft’s mass.

Christophe Mandy, lead systems engineer, said, “Our design ethos is to have uncompromising efficiency.”

The development of ESCAPADE was relatively quick, completed in three and a half years, whereas the typical timeline for a Mars mission is a decade. This experience is being incorporated into current projects for several other satellite missions. The ESCAPADE mission aims to study the interactions between the solar wind and the Martian atmosphere using a suite of three main science instruments: the EMAG (Escapade MAGnetometer), EESA (Escapade ElectroStatic Analyzers), and ELP (Escapade Langmuir Probe).

Learning more about these effects will help scientists better understand how the Martian atmosphere evolved over time to become uninhabitable and incapable of sustaining liquid water. Once the spacecraft complete their journey to Florida, they will undergo final preparations before their historic launch to Mars. This mission will provide valuable insights into the Martian atmosphere and its interaction with solar winds, continuing the scientific exploration initiated by previous missions and furthering our understanding of our neighboring planet.

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We're sending out a huge THANK YOU to both long-time fans and players new to the franchise for their incredible response to our recent Story Trailer for SILENT HILL 2!

You can watch it again in 4K quality, here:
https://t.co/YtffipQcOA#SILENTHILL #KONAMI #BlooberTeam pic.twitter.com/LhcOUqoLNq

— Bloober Team (@BlooberTeam) August 21, 2024

The remake takes players on a journey as James Sunderland through the mostly deserted town of Silent Hill. The game begins with James in a grimy public restroom, recollecting the letter he received from his deceased wife. The remake offers a new, immersive over-the-shoulder perspective, putting players closer to James’ point of view.

Morning!

I recently spent a good chunk of time playing through the beginning of Silent Hill 2 and it's… fine? But I'm still waiting to see how it'll stand out upon release: https://t.co/n2LfS9EuHH

— Aaron Potter @ Gamescom (@ItsMeAaronP) August 19, 2024

As James approaches the town, the fog grows denser, symbolizing his state of mind. The detailed environment faithfully recreates the ambiance of the fog-shrouded streets. The remake offers more buildings for James to explore, with ammunition and recovery items hidden inside.

I went to preview Silent Hill 2 and came out with a lot of feelings about where and how the earned iconism of the original is able to cut through the blandness of modernisation https://t.co/oczDoblkz6

— Jay Castello (@jaymcastello) August 19, 2024

Combat feels different from the original, with monsters now counterattacking between the player’s attacks.

A hands-on journey in Silent Hill

The over-the-shoulder perspective gives players a closer look at the grotesque foes.

New puzzles require collecting multiple items to solve, with some featuring clever references to the original. The Wood Side Apartment and Blue Creek Apartment have undergone significant changes, challenging returning players to rethink their approach. The iconic Pyramid Head encounter has evolved, taking place in a larger, more intense warehouse-like area.

The remake’s third-person perspective lends itself well to shooter and melee combat encounters. The gunplay feels smooth and sharp, and the wooden plank remains reliable and lethal. Despite the polished combat, the game is not meant to be heavily combat-oriented.

Lead producer Maciej Głomb stated that changes were kept to a minimum and were made primarily on a mechanical level. Masahiro Ito clarified that there are no brand-new monsters, and any changes were necessary for mechanical reasons rather than design. The Silent Hill 2 Remake marks an exciting return to one of the classic games in the survival horror genre, promising to bring the best of both the old and new worlds to the gaming community.

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One of Musk’s trusts bought the property in 2013 for $6.75 million. Musk had initially listed the property for $9.5 million before selling it to the couple. Walker-Pearlman, who spent his childhood in the home, agreed with Musk to preserve its legacy.

The couple has since fallen behind on their payments. They say they have been significantly impacted by economic challenges from the past year. Musk’s representatives filed a notice of default in late July.

Musk forecloses on Wilder’s home

This marked the first formal step in the foreclosure process. The notice said Musk could choose to sell the house after 90 days.

Despite the foreclosure proceedings, there seems to be no ill will between Musk and the couple. “There’s no tragedy here. Elon gave us a magical opportunity.

I have no complaints,” Walker-Pearlman said in an interview. He added that he and Hunter “owe him such a spiritual debt.”

The couple has listed the house for sale at $12.95 million with Drew Meyers of Westside Estate Agency. The house features a kidney-shaped pool and overlooks the Bel-Air Country Club.

Wilder purchased it in 1976 for about $300,000. Elon Musk and Drew Meyers did not respond to requests for comments.

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This marks the first time a Cepheid variable, a class of pulsating stars that includes Polaris, has been observed up close. Polaris is part of a triple star system and is located almost directly above Earth’s North Pole, making it a steadfast point of reference in the nighttime sky. As a Cepheid variable, Polaris pulsates radially, varying in diameter and temperature, which causes regular changes in its brightness.

Polaris’ spotted surface revealed

The researchers, led by Nancy Evans from the Harvard & Smithsonian’s Center for Astrophysics, aimed to use CHARA to measure the 30-year-long orbit of Polaris’ fainter companion star. The slight separation and large contrast in brightness between the two stars makes it extremely challenging to resolve the binary system during their closest approach,” said Evans.

The study also found that Polaris has a mass five times that of the Sun and a diameter 46 times larger. Cepheid variables like Polaris are crucial for astronomers because their true brightness depends on their pulsation period, making them essential tools for determining cosmic distances and measuring the universe’s expansion rate. We plan to continue imaging Polaris in the future,” said John Monnier, an astronomy professor at the University of Michigan.

“We hope to better understand the mechanism that generates the spots on the surface of Polaris.”

The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal and provide new insights into the behavior and characteristics of Cepheid variables, which are vital cosmic markers for astronomers.

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This is particularly beneficial for the Apple Watch due to its limited screen space. Currently, notifications on the Apple Watch only display the beginning of a message, which may not always provide enough context. With the new summarization feature, users will receive a concise overview of the entire message, making it easier to catch up on alerts at a glance.

Notification summaries in iOS update

Although the Apple Watch does not have its own native AI capabilities, it can still benefit from the iPhone’s AI-driven notifications through iOS 18.1. As long as the paired iPhone is running iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence, the Apple Watch will receive these upgraded notifications. This seamless integration of AI and the Apple Watch is set to enhance convenience and usability, making it a key aspect of Apple’s AI platform.

The introduction of notification summaries demonstrates the immense potential of AI on the Apple Watch platform. While many AI functionalities might not be necessary or useful on the Apple Watch due to processor limitations, this feature shows the promising benefits of Apple’s investments in AI. It is likely that Apple will continue to expand these capabilities, optimizing existing features and possibly introducing new ones in the future to leverage AI’s potential on the Apple Watch.

The notification summaries feature is currently available in beta, with a broader rollout of Apple Intelligence features anticipated soon. For Apple Watch enthusiasts, this feature alone could offer significant improvements in how they manage their notifications, making it an exciting development in the world of wearable technology.

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Its rugged nature makes it perfect for long bushwalks or extended city cycling. While the map display may not be the best, this is a minor setback considering all of the watch’s other features. The solar-powered version is practically identical to the base model, with the main difference being the extended battery life, ensuring it will keep up with your fitness regimen.

Garmin watch deal slashes prices

Whether you’re into intense outdoor activities or looking for a reliable fitness companion, the Garmin Instinct 2S Solar is built for durability and longevity. With the watch dropping to an all-time low price, now is a great time to purchase if you’ve been eyeing one.

The deal is available through a third-party seller on Amazon and includes quick shipping and easy returns via Amazon Prime. The seller has an excellent reputation, featuring over 650 reviews and a 4.6-star rating. In conclusion, the Garmin Instinct 2S Solar is an outstanding investment for anyone looking for a feature-rich, durable smartwatch with exceptional battery life.

Given the current 45% discount, it’s an opportunity not to be missed.

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You can also get up to $250 in trade-in credits. It comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes. The casing is made from Armor aluminum.

The display is a Super AMOLED screen. The battery lasts up to 22 hours. The watch has enhanced sensors, including a body temperature sensor.

You can customize the watchbands and faces to your style. For those on a budget, the Amazfit Bip 5 is a great option at $80. While not as advanced as pricier watches, it still has a lot to offer.

The Bip 5 has a 1.9-inch color touchscreen. It tracks your fitness and can last up to 10 days on a charge. There are 70 watch faces you can choose from.

It works with Amazon Alexa. The watch is water-resistant with an IP68 rating. It can sync with fitness apps like Strava and Google Fit.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 has advanced AI features. It comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes. The watch includes health and fitness tracking from Fitbit.

Samsung Galaxy Watch features

The display is an always-on Actua AMOLED screen. New AI helps manage calls better and detect spam.

The Gemini Assistant replaces Google Assistant for advanced voice commands. The Pixel Watch 3 starts at $350. You can get a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth version or one with 4G LTE.

This lets you use it without your phone. The OnePlus Watch 2 has a sleek stainless steel design. It looks great for everyday wear.

The battery can last up to 100 hours. It has advanced sports and activity tracking. There are over 100 sports modes.

The watch works with any Android phone. It runs WearOS 4 + RTOS. The display is a bright 1.43-inch AMOLED screen.

You can customize the watch faces. It costs under $300. The watch can detect stress and monitor your sleep.

Android users have many choices for smartwatches. There are options for different budgets and needs. The newest watches have impressive features and technology.

You can find one that fits your lifestyle, whether for fitness or fashion.

The post Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 on sale now appeared first on DevX.

“…we have witnessed something new & unprecedented.The billionaire owner of a tech platform publicly confronting an elected leader & using his platform to undermine his authority & incite violence.Britain’s 2024 summer riots were Elon Musk’s trial balloon” https://t.co/5XcDvGVPFS

— Ana Gomes (@AnaMartinsGomes) August 18, 2024

Over the past 10 months, he has posted about this topic at least eight times on his social media platform X. Musk’s comments gained significant attention earlier this month when he weighed in on the anti-immigration riots happening in Britain.

"Britain’s 2024 summer riots were Elon Musk’s trial balloon. He got away with it. And if you’re not terrified by both the extraordinary supranational power of that and the potential consequences, you should be."https://t.co/Zz8dQen0Ly

— Jan Skudlarek (@janskudlarek) August 19, 2024

“Civil war is inevitable,” he posted, a statement viewed 9.8 million times and drew a strong response from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office. Starmer rejected Musk’s prediction, saying there was “no justification” for such remarks, while other critics in the U.K. accused Musk of stoking tensions. Experts point out that Musk’s language is unusual for a corporate executive speaking publicly.

Read ⁦@carolecadwalla⁩ ⁦>> What Musk has done is to rip off the mask. He’s shown that you don’t even have to pretend to care. In Musk’s world, trust is mistrust and safety is censorship. His goal is chaos. And it’s coming. https://t.co/6kZ7xnsi6p

— Marietje Schaake (@MarietjeSchaake) August 18, 2024

However, the idea of a civil war has become a common talking point among far-right activists who see such a conflict as not only inevitable but also desirable. Jon Lewis, a research fellow at George Washington University’s Program on Extremism, noted that “what you’re seeing in these calls for civil war is a white supremacist clarion call. It is a dog whistle.”

I love @carolecadwalla even though I hate most of what she shows us–mostly the harms done by technoauthoritarianism. Resistance begins with recognition. https://t.co/ONSHqwgsbL

— Rebecca Solnit (@RebeccaSolnit) August 18, 2024

Although Musk has not explicitly advocated for violence or mentioned the race or religion of refugees, experts caution that his words mirror the language used in white supremacist chat rooms where changing demographics are frequently discussed.

Lewis warned that Musk’s statements could inspire violence from others, saying, “It’s only a matter of time, unfortunately, before someone listens.

The far-right’s rhetoric surrounding a future civil war is part of a broader philosophical framework in which extremists believe that fueling tensions around issues like immigration could lead to wars, accelerating societal collapse and providing an opportunity to reshape society according to their ideals.

Musk’s rhetoric and rising tensions

In 2019, a gunman who attacked a synagogue in Poway, California, expressed goals connected to a larger civil conflict.

Katie Paul, director of the nonprofit Tech Transparency Project, observed that many followers of the “Boogaloo” anti-government movement, who are eager to dismantle current societal systems, are now active on Musk’s app after being banned from other social media platforms. As one of the world’s wealthiest individuals and the CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX, in addition to his influence as the owner of X, Musk’s predictions carry significant weight. Recently, he has hosted conversations with prominent political figures on X, further amplifying his voice.

Musk has received support for his civil war predictions from individuals like Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser who responded to Musk’s posts by saying that the scenario of civil war is “underway.

However, experts in civil wars argue that Musk is out of his depth. They maintain that it is highly unlikely that Europe will experience a civil war due to immigration. Megan Stewart, an associate professor at the University of Michigan, stated, “Immigrants are not an organized rebel group ready to commit violence.” She emphasized that immigrants are often fleeing dangerous situations and simply trying to live their lives.

Thomas Zeitzoff, an associate professor at American University, cautioned that Musk’s predictions could fuel misleading fears about immigrants and potentially incite right-wing extremists who already hold such beliefs to take up arms. Despite Musk’s repeated forecasts, Europe has not experienced a civil war related to immigration. Historically, in the U.S. and the U.K., immigrants have been victims of violence perpetrated by right-wing extremists rather than instigators of conflict.

Musk’s posts continue to attract thousands of replies, reflecting both support and significant concern over the implications of his predictions.

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The device features a mechanical hand that dips snacks into sauces, such as Heinz’s iconic ketchup and delivers them directly to the gamer’s mouth. Research conducted by Heinz revealed that 90% of gamers struggle to eat snacks while playing, and 75% wish they could enjoy their favorite dips without interrupting their gameplay. The Hum Hum addresses this common challenge, ensuring that gamers can indulge in their snacks without missing a beat.

Heinz unveils robotic snack dipper

Passant El Ghannam, Head of Marketing at Kraft Heinz MEA, said, “Hum Hum is our act of love to our gamer consumers’ love for Heinz. It is our gift to the gaming community because every gaming session deserves to be saucy and, of course, uninterrupted.

The Hum Hum is controlled by foot pedals, allowing gamers to activate the dipping and feeding process without taking their hands off the controller.

Future device versions are expected to include voice command recognition and face recognition technology, further enhancing the user experience. The eSports World Cup, held in Riyadh until August 25, features professional gamers competing in various video games with prize pools up to $5 million. The event will conclude with a closing ceremony featuring performances by renowned musicians such as Steve Aoki and Kid Cudi.

With the Hum Hum’s introduction, Heinz is satisfying gamers’ cravings and revolutionizing the gaming experience, ensuring that every session is both saucy and seamless.

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