Putting The Moon On Speed Dial
Yes, we touched on the recent lunar landings last week, BUT one of the payloads was revealed this week - a Nokia 4G "network in a box." Which means once they work some of the kinks, like getting the lander upright, the first steps to having better signal connectivity with the moon can be achieved.?
So imagine in the not too distant future having autonomous devices working on the moon, communicating with each other over a shared network. Hopefully they bought the "Unlimited Data" package. More details are in the story below, along with some other interesting stories that caught our fancy. If you're headed for Spring Break, bon voyage! If you're coming back, sorry.??
Nokia's ambitious plan to deploy the first 4G network on the moon for the IM-2 mission hit a snag when the Athena lander crash-landed on its side and failed to recharge. While the network system itself was powered up and functional for 25 minutes, the rovers meant to connect to the network were never deployed, preventing the historic first lunar phone call.
Despite the setback, Nokia’s technology demonstrated key aspects of lunar communications, paving the way for future missions like NASA’s Artemis III, which will integrate 4G LTE into astronaut spacesuits. The goal is to create a permanent network on the moon, but for now, the test was short-lived and the moon remains a no-call zone.
Joe Doucet has created a revolutionary "climate-adaptive" paint that changes color based on temperature, offering potential energy savings of 20-30% annually. The paint shifts from black in cooler temperatures to white when it’s warm, making homes naturally warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Inspired by his own home renovation, Doucet's paint could dramatically reduce energy costs for residential buildings and industrial facilities alike.
This thermochromic paint—like a mood ring for your house—has taken years to perfect, ensuring durability without degradation. While still in its early stages, Doucet hopes to license the technology to manufacturers, making it a game-changer for eco-friendly, cost-effective home improvements.
The digital version of Pikachu has a new owner, Saudi Arabia's wealth fund via Savvy Games. Niantic, the company behind Pokemon Go, is selling its game division to Saudi-owned Scopely for $3.5 billion. The move comes after Niantic struggled to replicate the success of its 2016 hit and faces layoffs and failed projects like Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. As part of the deal, Niantic will shift focus to geospatial tech with a new company, Niantic Spatial, funded by both Niantic and Scopely.
Saudi Arabia’s growing gaming ambitions play a key role, with the kingdom investing heavily in the industry, including a $38 billion gaming initiative through Savvy Games. Looks like Niantic is trading in Pokéballs for maps and coordinates!