Astronauts stuck as Boeing’s Starliner expenses rocket - NASA's new catalog reveals 126 worlds - China advances drone technology

To read the full extended edition of the Blueprint weekly, subscribe to IE+ and get more exclusive content and long reads, as well as an ad-free experience on Interesting Engineering. Click here to upgrade now.

Boeing’s Starliner capsule has hit turbulence. What was meant to be a triumphant mission to the International Space Station has instead become a story of delays and technical challenges.

But is this just a bump in the road, or a sign of deeper issues? The recent Starliner flight, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, faced unexpected hurdles.

Thruster malfunctions and hydrogen leaks have extended their stay on the ISS far beyond the planned eight days. While claims of the astronauts being “stranded” are overblown, the situation has raised eyebrows nevertheless. We also take a look at 126 strange new worlds cataloged by planet hunters in our Must-Reads .

Weekly Must Reads

The search for Earth-like exoplanets has taken a leap forward with NASA recently publishing a new catalog detailing 126 worlds beyond our Solar System.

The researchers employed the radial velocity method and analyzed over 13,000 measurements to calculate the masses of 120 planets and six candidates.

By studying the subtle “wobbles” of stars caused by orbiting planets, they were able to infer crucial information about these exoplanets’ properties and formation. (Read More )

Hot topics

Innovation

> Robot with thermal camera, smoke detector douse fires, locates trapped people

> Self-driving cars with level-4 automation hit Hong Kong roads for testing

Culture

> Iron Age statue with clearly visible 3000-year-old human ‘fingerprints’ found

> Scientists say horse milk ice cream may be healthier than cow milk ice cream

Science

> Cats go through a series of emotional turmoil after fellow pet passes away

> China : World’s 1st light-based AI chip beats NVIDIA H100 in energy efficiency

Energy

> Boost EV safety with one spray: Breakthrough coating enhances battery protection

> Dog chews battery, sparks fly out of lithium device, sets house on fire in US

And another thing

> Rocket-equipped storm chasers: Inside the Dominator 3’s quest for tornado secrets [Interesting Engineering]

> Thousands of corporate secrets were left exposed. This guy found them all [Wired]

Additional Reads

?? Mechanical: Explore the wonders of mechanical engineering.

??? Aerospace: The latest on propulsion, satellites, aeronautics, and more.

?????? Engineer Pros: The latest in engineering news, career updates, and insider knowledge.

?? AI Logs: Insights into the intricacies and developments within the realm of artificial intelligence.

?? IE Originals: Weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos.

?? Sustainability: Uncover green innovations and the latest trends shaping a sustainable future for the tech industry.

?Electrical: From AI to smart grids, our newsletter energizes you on emerging tech.

?? IE Academy: Master your field and take your career to the next level with IE Academy

Want to share your feedback? [email protected]