To make space exploration easier, China will launch rockets from freighters and planes

The country wants to become a space superpower. China's land-based Long March space launch rockets have been the backbone of its space program for more than 40 years. It looks like that's about to change, as the nation is making moves to launch from aircraft and ships. Starting next year, China A...

http://flip.it/t4ByQ_

Meet the Martian hopefuls: Elon Musk and all the other people trying to get to Mars

Ready set go. Elon Musk still really wants to put people in a canister, set off a controlled explosion beneath them, and shoot them out of the Earth's atmosphere towards a barren, airless piece of rock—preferably one 33 million miles away. On Friday at the International Astronautical Congress in ...

http://flip.it/RIDwxj

SpaceX wants to build the Swiss Army knife of rockets

One rocket to rule them all. Just how far can that rocket take you? SpaceX founder Elon Musk hopes that his new vessel can take journeys as long as ventures between planets, and as short as a hop across the globe. SpaceX is on a roll. They've stuck the landing of their booster rockets 16 times in...

http://flip.it/6H89Mi

U.K. scrambles to help stranded travelers after 'biggest ever' airline failure

Britain is rushing to help more than 100,000 travelers get back to the country after it suffered its largest ever airline collapse.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/01/news/monarch-airlines-administration/index.html

New Black Boxes Will Be Easier to Track in Plane Crashes at Sea - NYTimes.com

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/business/black-boxes-plane-crashes.html?referer=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FrgFvfjuvCn%3Famp%3D1

A new type of flight recorder, which Airbus plans to install on A350 jetliners due in 2019, is designed to detach from the plane and float to the surface after a crash at sea.

Airbus and early stage investor HAX launch a call for start-ups

Industry leaders join forces to accelerate innovation and shape the future of urban air mobility

Airbus, a global leader in aeronautics, defence & space and related services, and HAX, the world’s most active early stage investor in hardware start-ups, have joined forces to explore the future of urban air mobility through a four-month accelerator programme based in Shenzhen, China.

“Transportation in megacities needs fresh ideas to improve the way we live,” says Mathias Thomsen, Urban Air Mobility General Manager at Airbus. “We believe that adding the vertical dimension to urban mobility will improve the current congested megacity transport systems.”

“Airbus’ technical expertise and insights are a perfect complement to our capabilities,” says Duncan Turner, Managing Director at HAX.

Airbus, in partnership with HAX, will help bring these ideas from prototypes to market faster and accelerate the pace at which it can commercialise innovative ideas to shape the future of urban air mobility.

The collaboration will be an exclusive four-month urban air mobility acceleration programme at HAX’s world-class premises in Shenzhen. Early-stage start-ups focused on developing technologies that address the following challenges are invited to apply:

• Urban air transport vehicle technology;
• Aerial sense and avoid technology;
• Airport runway and landing detection systems;
• Emergency safety technology for airborne vehicles;
• Infrastructure for airborne transport vehicles;
• Autonomous airborne vehicle technology;
• Aerial manoeuvres decision making and support systems;
• Air traffic management systems;
• Aerial collision detection and avoidance systems;
• Battery packaging and management systems for airborne vehicles.

Selected applicants will receive a minimum up-front investment of 100,000 USD, as well as technical guidance and hands-on help from both Airbus and HAX experts to turn prototypes into a reality. Business expertise will complement engineering talent to ensure the sustainability of the projects.

“Innovation has always been a part of Airbus’ DNA and is crucial to keeping Airbus at the forefront of the aerospace industry,” says Luo Gang, CEO of Airbus’ new innovation centre in China. “We are elated to launch this first call for start-ups— another tangible action demonstrating Airbus’ commitment to developing innovation projects here in China. We look forward to seeing some disruptive ideas soon.”

Applicants from around the globe are encouraged to apply now. More information about the program can be found here.

***

About Airbus
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, defence & space and related services. In 2016, it generated revenues of € 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, and is one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

About HAX
HAX (www.hax.co) is the world’s most active early stage investor in hardware startups. Its portfolio of over 200 companies include innovators in consumer, health, enterprise and industrial sectors. Startups from HAX have raised millions from top-tier investors such as Sequoia Capital, Andreessen-Horowitz, Khosla Ventures and Xiaomi, and millions more in crowdfunding (with 11 of the world’s top 100 Kickstarter campaigns). HAX and its startups have been featured worldwide in Forbes, WSJ, The Economist, Nature, TechCrunch and the hit WIRED documentary “Shenzhen: The Silicon Valley for Hardware” with over 1 million YouTube views.

Airbus Defence and Space hands over 50th A400M

Airbus Defence and Space today delivered the 50th A400M new generation airlifter to the German Air Force marking a key milestone for an aircraft which is transforming the world of air mobility.

The aircraft, known as MSN59, is the twelfth to be delivered this year at the Final Assembly Line in Seville and the thirteenth to be accepted by Germany.


The A400M is steadily becoming the backbone of the European transport fleet and in recent weeks began to demonstrate its full potential as aircraft from Germany, France and the UK undertook intensive hurricane relief missions in the Caribbean.
MSN59 will shortly be ferried to Wunstorf, Lower Saxony which is home to Germany’s A400M unit – Air Transport Wing 62.

Airbus organises New Space and Innovation session at IAC 2017

Winning Australian start-up to visit Toulouse to meet European space experts

Adelaide, September 28 2017 - Airbus and other industry players yesterday held a New Space and Innovation competition at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2017 in Adelaide. The initiative demonstrates the commitment of Airbus and its partners to support the development of Australia’s space sector.

The event was organised in conjunction with Australian space start-up accelerator Delta-V, French space agency CNES and the Government of South Australia. The participating teams pitched their ideas on future space ecosystems to judges from Airbus and its partners.


First prize went to start-up Arlula, which presented a proposal for an online marketplace for people to buy, sell and rent assets already in orbit. This can potentially help to reduce the costs and risks associated with the development of space infrastructure and projects.


Arlula’s founder and CEO Sebastian Chaoui received the prize from H.E. Christophe Penot, Ambassador of France to Australia. He will travel to the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, to meet space experts from Airbus, Aerospace Valley BizLab and CNES to discuss his ideas, receive mentoring and learn more about their space projects.


Sebastian Chaoui said: “The company is on a mission to make it easier for scientists, entrepreneurs and hobbyists to access space in new and innovative ways. Winning the Airbus competition will open doors for me to take my business to the next level.”


Valentin Merino, Head of Airbus Defence and Space, Australasia, said that engaging the next generation is important for Airbus as the company grows its space footprint in Australia.


“Airbus takes a long term view in supporting Australia’s emerging space industry. We have proactively engaged with start-ups to explore, scout and partner them in developing an innovative Australian space ecosystem,” added Mr Merino. “We have also responded to the review of Australia’s space industry capability and support the government’s proposed national space agency.”


About Airbus


Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016, it generated revenues of € 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, and is one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Bombardier Signs Largest Ever Q400 Turboprop Order with SpiceJet for up to 50 Aircraft

SpiceJet to become the launch customer of the extra-capacity, 90-Seat Q400 aircraft

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft today announced that it has concluded a firm purchase agreement with SpiceJet Limited (“SpiceJet”) of Gurgaon, India for up to 50 Q400 turboprop airliners, making it the largest single order ever for the Q400 turboprop aircraft program and bringing total Q400 firm orders to over 600 Q400 aircraft. Upon delivery, the airline will become the first in the world to operate a 90-seat turboprop, pending certification by regulatory authorities.

The purchase agreement includes 25 Q400 turboprops and purchase rights on an additional 25 aircraft. Based on list prices, the order is valued at up to US $ 1.7 billion.

“We are very proud to firm up this agreement with SpiceJet as it is another demonstration of the Q400’s unique versatility. This repeat order will not only increase the Q400 aircraft fleet in the fast-growing regional market in India and in the Asia-Pacific region but will also launch the high-density 90‑passenger model,” said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “This order confirms the airlines’ increased capacity needs on regional routes with high passenger demand and demonstrates the increased profitability potential that this unique turboprop configuration has to offer.”

“I am pleased to confirm SpiceJet’s latest order for up to 50 Bombardier Q400 planes, which has been announced at the Paris Air Show. I am sure this fresh order will help us further enhance connectivity to smaller towns and cities and help realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ensuring that every Indian can fly,” said Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet. “SpiceJet operates India’s largest regional fleet and has always been a firm believer in the growth story of India’s smaller towns and cities. We have worked hard over the years to put these smaller towns on the country’s aviation map and will strive to keep that momentum going in the times to come.”

“We have been witnessing growth in the number of passengers per departure in the turboprop market, and especially in India. Today, Bombardier offers the largest turboprop aircraft available on the market and SpiceJet will be the first airline to take advantage of the profitable and efficient operations that the 90-passenger high-density Q400 will offer them,” said François Cognard, Vice President, Sales, South-Asia and Australasia.

Since 2010, SpiceJet has taken delivery of 15 new Q400 aircraft. The airline currently operates 20 Q400 aircraft in a 78-seat configuration to domestic and international destinations. This fleet expansion will provide SpiceJet with the ability to grow profitably and leverage the robust demand forecast in the world’s fastest growing regional aviation market.

Bombardier’s Q Series turboprops and CRJ Series regional jets have made significant advances in the Australasia region where approximately 380 aircraft – including more than 240 Q Series turboprops -- are in service with or on order by over 45 customers and operators.

Bombardier’s customer support network for commercial aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region includes Regional Support Offices in Gurgaon (India), Tokyo (Japan), Sydney (Australia), Shanghai (China) and Singapore (Singapore), as well as Parts Services Depots in Sydney (Australia), Tianjin (China), Narita (Japan) and Singapore (Singapore). The network also includes three strategically located Authorized Service Facilities -- GMR Aero Technic in Hyderabad (India), STAECO in Jinan (China) and Hawker Pacific in Cairns (Australia). Operating from the company’s regional office located in Singapore, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft’s sales and marketing team is well positioned to provide industry-leading solutions to its current and prospective customers.

Including SpiceJet’s order, Bombardier has recorded firm orders for a total of 610 Q400 aircraft.

About SpiceJet Ltd
SpiceJet is India’s favourite airline that has made flying more affordable for more Indians than ever before. SpiceJet operates 380 average daily flights to 50 destinations, including 43 domestic and 7 international ones. The airline connects its network with a fleet of 35 Boeing 737NG and 20 Bombardier Q-400s. The majority of the airline’s fleet offers SpiceMax, the most spacious economy class seating in India, as an additional fee option.

SpiceJet was conferred Best Domestic Airline 2017 at the 10th International Conference & Awards organized by Ministry of Civil Aviation & Tourism, Govt. of India and ASSOCHAM (Aug., 2017), Most Outstanding Global Aviation Turnaround' award at IIIrd Travel & Hospitality Awards (Apr., 2017), The CAPA Chairman’s Order of Merit for fastest turnaround in FY 2016 (Feb., 2017) 'Asia's Greatest Brands - 2016', ‘Global Asian of the Year Award’ for Mr Singh, & 'Asia's Greatest CFO 2016' at the AsiaOne Awards at Singapore (Jan., 2017). These added to the tally of global recognitions received throughout 2016. Some of the key accolades that were conferred in 2016 are ‘World Travel Leaders Award’ received by Mr. Ajay Singh at WTM London (Nov 2016), ‘Best Check- in Initiative’ award by Future Travel Experience global awards in Las Vegas (Sep 2016), Smart Check In Initiatives awarded at CIO 100 India Symposium & Awards in Pune (Sep 2016), ‘Best Employee Engagement’ amongst 104 corporate entries at the 4th DMA - Thomas Assesments National Award for Excellence in Talent Management in New Delhi (Aug 2016), Best Transportation brand as well as the Best Airline Brand in India for 2016 by Brand Trust Report (Apr 2016) and the four Best Domestic Airline Awards by India Travel Awards, one for each of the four regions of India.


About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world’s leading manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, we posted revenues of $16.3 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier

Boeing 702 Digital Satellite to Boost Connectivity for Intelsat Customers

• Intelsat 37e designed to adapt to surges in connectivity needs
• Boeing has 100 percent satellite launch success rate this year

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 29, 2017 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has successfully supported seven out of seven satellite launches this year, including today’s launch of a 702 high-throughput digital payload satellite, built for Intelsat.

Intelsat 37e sent and received its first signals from space shortly after it launched today on board an Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket. Once in service, the satellite will deliver high-throughput services to support enterprise, broadband, government and mobility applications in the Americas, Africa and Europe.

“This latest launch is an example of our emphasis on quality and reliability to deliver the right products and capabilities to our customers,” said Paul Rusnock, chairman and CEO, Boeing Satellite Systems International, Inc. “Boeing’s market-leading digital payload technology gives our customers the flexibility to adapt to surges in demand for connectivity when and where it is needed, as well as adapt to any changes in their business needs or missions.”

Intelsat 37e is the second Intelsat EpicNG satellite built by Boeing to launch this year and the fourth Intelsat EpicNG satellite built by Boeing. Intelsat 35e, which launched in July 2017 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Fla., was handed over to the customer last month.

Le C919 de Comac, en difficulté malgré les commandes

Malgré les commandes et les premiers essais en vol effectués ces derniers mois, le programme C919 du chinois Comac est à la peine. De nombreux indicateurs prouvent que cet appareil qui se pose en concurrent des Airbus A320 et des Boeing 737 ne serait pas en aussi bonne forme qu’il n’y paraît, selon Jean-François Dufour, analyste au sein du cabinet Montsalvy Consulting, Responsable Stratégie. https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/tribune-le-c919-de-comac-en-difficulte-malgre-les-commandes.N593993

​Boeing’s NMA could be 'a bit late' to market: Walsh

IAG chief executive Willie Walsh is lukewarm to the prospect of Boeing’s proposed all-new middle-of-the-market aircraft, which he believes is coming late given the availability of Airbus’s A321LR variant of the A320neo family. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeings-nma-could-be-a-bit-late-to-market-walsh-441667/

Bjorn’s Corner: Laminar flow aircraft

Airbus flew its “Blade” laminar flow research aircraft for the first time ithis week. It’s a project in the European Clean Sky research program.

The “Blade” aircraft is a modified Airbus A340-300, where the outer wings have been replaced with special laminar flow wing sections. We will spend a couple of Corners to understand why this research is done and why it’s important. Continue reading https://leehamnews.com/2017/09/29/bjorns-corner-laminar-flow-aircraft/

Samsung e Iberia se unen para premiar la fidelidad de sus clientes en España

• Ambas compañías han firmado un acuerdo de colaboración y realizarán una innovadora campaña, “Bienvenido a bordo Galaxy Note8”, en el nuevo Puente Aéreo de Iberia.
• Durante la próxima semana se ofrecerá a todos los clientes del Puente Aéreo un café o té y un snack a bordo, cortesía de Samsung.
• La campaña finalizará con una acción sin precedentes la semana del 9 de octubre.

Madrid, 29 de septiembre de 2017 – Coincidiendo con la llegada a España del nuevo Galaxy Note8, Samsung e Iberia han firmado un acuerdo de colaboración para desarrollar la campaña “Bienvenido a bordo Galaxy Note8”. Se trata de una iniciativa sin precedentes, que a través de diferentes actividades pretende agradecer a los usuarios de ambas marcas su fidelidad y confianza.



La primera de ellas será la próxima semana, entre el 2 y el 6 de octubre, en los vuelos del Puente Aéreo de Iberia, un servicio que la aerolínea acaba de renovar incorporando nuevas ventajas para los clientes. Todos los pasajeros del Puente Aéreo que viajen esa semana estarán invitados por Samsung a un café o té con snack para celebrar a bordo el lanzamiento de Galaxy Note8.



Sin embargo, lo mejor está por llegar, pues la semana del 9 de octubre habrá otra acción sin precedentes en el mundo de la aviación, que desvelaremos próximamente.



El año pasado Samsung se vio obligada a retirar del mercado uno de sus teléfonos más esperados, el modelo Galaxy Note7. Teniendo en cuenta que la seguridad es la prioridad absoluta, diferentes aerolíneas, como Iberia, se vieron obligadas a rescindir el uso de estos dispositivos en sus vuelos. Desde aquel momento, Samsung realizó un ejercicio constante de transparencia y, pensando en los clientes, puso en marcha una investigación que ayudase a esclarecer lo ocurrido. De hecho, gracias a las conclusiones de estas investigaciones llevadas a cabo tanto internamente como con la ayuda de instituciones especializadas en control de calidad Samsung estableció un nuevo proceso interno de calidad y seguridad para mejorar sus productos que, además, puso a disposición de la industria para que esta situación no se vuelva a repetir.



“Hace justo un año vivimos momentos complicados, pero la actuación rápida y transparente de la compañía, la fuerza de todos nuestros empleados y, por supuesto, el apoyo de usuarios y partners han conseguido incluso fortalecer nuestra posición en el mercado” ha declarado Celestino García Vicepresidente Corporativo de Samsung España.



El nuevo Galaxy Note8 que Samsung ha lanzado recientemente en nuestro país, “ha pasado todos los controles de calidad y seguridad mencionados e incorpora las últimas innovaciones tecnológicas de la marca”, continúa Celestino García. De hecho, su pre-venta triplicó las cifras registradas con el modelo anterior dando buena muestra de la confianza que los usuarios españoles mantienen en la marca. “Ha sido precisamente el deseo por devolver esa fidelidad lo que ha generado el desarrollo de esta campaña y el acuerdo con una compañía de servicios aéreos de referencia como Iberia”



“Entendemos que los artífices de esta recuperación han sido en gran medida nuestros clientes y partners. Su confianza y apoyo nos han mantenido con la fuerza y el empeño que lleva a las compañías a superarse cada día. Hemos diseñado esta colaboración con Iberia para premiar la confianza de nuestros consumidores y mostrar nuestro agradecimiento. Esperamos que todos los que formen parte de ella lo disfruten como merecen” ha concluido el Vicepresidente Corporativo de Samsung España.



“Cuando Samsung nos propuso esta colaboración entendimos de inmediato que debíamos formar parte de esta iniciativa tan innovadora. Además, será un valor extra para todos los clientes de Iberia que opten por el nuevo Puente Aéreo que acabamos de estrenar incorporando más vuelos, hasta 26 por trayecto, y otras ventajas como la posibilidad de hacer todas las gestiones a través del móvil” ha comentado Marco Sansavini, director Comercial de Iberia.



Sobre el Samsung Galaxy Note8



Samsung Galaxy Note8 está diseñado para proporcionar un rendimiento excepcional tanto en los momentos de ocio como en el trabajo gracias a su revolucionaria Pantalla Infinita de 6,3 pulgadas, su cámara dual de 12MP con estabilizador óptico de imagen y el S Pen mejorado. Las nuevas posibilidades que ofrece del S Pen, la capacidad multitarea, y una serie de funciones y servicios distintivos de Samsung Galaxy – tales como la resistencia al agua y al polvo, la carga rápida inalámbrica, las diferentes opciones de autentificación biométrica o el servicio de pago móvil Samsung Pay –, hacen de Samsung Galaxy Note8 un dispositivo perfecto para la productividad y el entretenimiento.



Samsung Galaxy Note8 ya está a la venta en España con un PVP recomendado de 1.010,33€. El smartphone está disponible en los colores Midnight Black y Maple Gold en los principales operadores, retailers y en la tienda online





###



Sobre Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspira al mundo y construye el futuro con ideas y tecnologías transformadoras. La compañía está redefiniendo el mundo de los televisores, smartphones, wearables, tablets, electrodomésticos, sistemas de redes, memorias, sistemas LSI, fabricación de semiconductores y soluciones LED.

Para más información, por favor, visite la web Samsung Newsroom news.samsung.com.



Sobre Iberia

Iberia es la primera compañía de España y líder en las rutas entre Europa y Latinoamérica. Junto con su filial Iberia Express y su franquiciada Iberia Regional Air Nostrum, ofrece alrededor de 600 vuelos al día a más de 120 destinos de Europa, América, África, Oriente Medio y Asia, con una flota de 135 aviones. En 2017 Iberia ha conseguido su 4ª estrella Skytrax y, en 2016, fue la aerolínea más puntual del mundo, según FlightStats. Iberia tiene su hub en el aeropuerto de Madrid, y es miembro de la alianza oneworld, que ofrece más de 14.000 vuelos diarios a cerca de 1.000 aeropuertos en más de 150 países.

Engineers unveil futuristic unmanned aircraft concept that uses both fixed and rotary wing flight

Within the next few decades, armed forces could be using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with adaptable aircraft technologies that alternate between fixed-wing flight and rotary-wing flight. Engineers from BAE Systems together with students from Cranfield University, have revealed a new technology concept – named Adaptable UAVs – which can alternate between the two different flight modes in the same mission. When in rotary wing mode the UAVs can be launched and recovered from battlefields and docked on a special pole. Find out more at: http://www.baesystems.com/en/article/engineers-unveil-futuristic-unmanned-aircraft-concept-that-uses-both-fixed-and-rotary-wing-flight

https://youtu.be/APkjRzXBvK0

Houthis claim downing of US Reaper drone | New Super Lynx variant has maiden flight | Chinese J-20 officially inducted to PLAAF

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/houthis-claim-downing-of-us-reaper-drone-new-super-lynx-variant-has-maiden-flight-chinese-j-20-officially-inducted-to-plaaf-038025/

Flexible origami-inspired robot designed by researchers of Case Western Reserve University

Photo credit: Russell Lee

A Case Western Reserve University researcher has turned the origami she enjoyed as a child into a patent-pending soft robot that may one day be used on an assembly line, in surgery or even outer space.

Kiju Lee, the Nord Distinguished Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and her lab have moved from paper robots to 3-D-printed models that bend, contract, extend and twist. This novel mechanism is called TWISTER (TWISted TowEr Robot).


A video is available at case.edu/mae/robotics/videos/OrigamiBot_IEEERA-L.mp4




TWISTER was inspired by an origami twisted tower originally designed by Japanese artist Mihoko Tachibana, which uses multiple origami segments to form a tower structure. This origami design was then reinvented for various potential applications in robotics and manufacturing.

In her earlier work using paper-folded structures, Lee’s team added three small versions of the towers to one end of the larger tower and manipulated them to grasp like three opposing fingers. While picking up and moving eggs and ripe fruit, Lee’s team found that when excessive force was applied, the fingers absorbed the extra force by distributing it and deforming.

That quality, the researchers say, demonstrates the design’s potential for manipulating all kinds of fragile objects without requiring force-based sensing and interacting with humans, without safety concerns.

Recently, Lee successfully converted the TWISTER designs into 3-D printable models. This work enabled fabrication of complex origami-inspired designs via 3-D printing.

“Among the possibilities for this robot are fragile-object manipulation and direct human-robot interaction, because these robots are soft and safe,” said Lee, who will present her latest study at the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in Vancouver today (Sept. 27).

“TWISTER is very different from rigid body robots,” she said.





TWISTER is made from multiple layers of regular polygons—triangles, hexagons or octagons, forming a tube-like shape of a tower.

Lee used cable-based actuation to control the robot, while different approaches, such as using Shape-Memory-Alloys, are also being explored. The motions can make a tower lying on its side crawl.

For safety reasons, hard-bodied robots are typically separated from people in manufacturing processes, Lee said. “Because this robot can be made with soft materials,” she said, “it could be safe to use on an assembly line right next to people.”

Lee and physicians have also been discussing ways to miniaturize the robot to insert in the body for minimally invasive surgeries.

“Laproscopic surgery often requires some rigid pieces, and movement to control them from the outside causes stress on the tissues,” Lee said.

She’s also been exploring space robotic applications, particularly for a space arm.

“To put anything into space, volume and weight are critical, because of the cost of rocket transport,” Lee said. “This robot is fully collapsible and, compared to a rigid arm, light and compact.”

Current and former undergraduate researchers Yanzhou Wang and Evan Vander Hoff, and PhD students Donghwa Jeong and Tao Liu contributed to this project.

Incident: France A388 over Greenland on Sep 30th 2017, fan and engine inlet separated

An Air France Airbus A380-800, registration F-HPJE performing flight AF-66 from Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) to Los Angeles,CA (USA) with 497 passengers and 23 crew, was enroute at FL370 about 200nm southeast of Nuuk (Greenland) when the fan and inlet of the #4 engine (GP7270, outboard right hand) separated from the engine. The crew descended the aircraft to FL310 and diverted to Goose Bay,NL (Canada) for a safe landing about 2 hours later at 12:41L (15:41Z). Emergency services reported hydraulic fluid leaking from the engine.Continue reading http://avherald.com/h?article=4af15205&opt=0

Elon Musk presents updated plan for Mars colonization

New Atlas: http://newatlas.com/elon-musk-mars-update-mars/51558/

Youtube: https://youtu.be/S5V7R_se1Xc

Large Solar Storm Sparks Global Aurora and Doubles Radiation Levels on the Martian Surface

An unexpectedly strong blast from the Sun hit Mars this month, observed by NASA missions in orbit and on the surface.

"NASA's distributed set of science missions is in the right place to detect activity on the Sun and examine the effects of such solar events at Mars as never possible before," said MAVEN Program Scientist Elsayed Talaat, program scientist at NASA Headquarters, Washington, for NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, or MAVEN, mission.

The solar event on Sept. 11, 2017 sparked a global aurora at Mars more than 25 times brighter than any previously seen by the MAVEN orbiter, which has been studying the Martian atmosphere's interaction with the solar wind since 2014. Continue reading:

NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/large-solar-storm-sparks-global-aurora-and-doubles-radiation-levels-on-the-martian-surface

New Atlas: http://newatlas.com/nasa-mars-solar-storm-aurora-radiation/51566/