Lifeboat Foundation

Are we alone in the universe? Are there other technological civilizations out there and how can we find them? This is what a recent preprint submitted to The Astronomical Journal hopes to address as a team of researchers led by Penn State University investigated new methods for detecting radio signals from extraterrestrial technological civilizations (ETIs). This study holds the potential to help researchers better understand and develop more efficient methods for detecting radio signals from ETIs and how we can continue to improve these methods.

For the study, instead of attempting to detect radio signals directed at Earth from an ETI, the researchers focused on radio signals that could potentially be traveling between planets, known as planet-planet occultations (PPOs). The team tested this method on the TRAPPIST-1 system, which boasts seven approximate Earth-sized worlds, and at least three orbiting within its star’s habitable zone (HZ). After using computer models to estimate the number of potential PPOs that could be found within the system, the researchers used the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) to scan the TRAPPIST-1 system for 28 hours with the goal of detecting radio signals emanating from ETIs. In the end, the researchers detected no signals, but this study opens the door for better understanding how to develop and improve methods for detecting ETI radio signals.

“This research shows that we are getting closer to technology and methods that could detect radio signals similar to the ones we send into space,” said Nick Tusay, who is a PhD student in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State and lead author of the study. “Most searches assume a powerful signal, like a beacon intended to reach distant planets, because our receivers have a sensitivity limit to a minimum transmitter power beyond anything we unintentionally send out. But, with better equipment, like the upcoming Square Kilometer Array, we might soon be able to detect signals from an alien civilization communicating with its spacecraft.”

“One option could be to have astronauts use this simulation to prepare for upcoming lunar exploration missions,” said Joe Louca.

How will future missions to the Moon help extract valuable resources that can be used for scientific research or lunar settlement infrastructure? This is what a recent study being presented this week at the IROS 2024 (IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems) hopes to address as a team of researchers from the University of Bristol investigated how a combination of virtual simulations and robotic commands could help enhance teleoperated robotic exploration on the lunar surface on future missions.

For the study, the researchers used a method called model-mediated teleoperation (MMT) to create simulated regolith and send commands to a robot that carried out the task. In the end, the researchers found effectiveness and trustworthiness of the simulated regolith to the robot conducting the tasks was 100 percent and 92.5 percent, respectively. The reason teleoperated robots are essential is due to the time lag between the Earth and the Moon and extracting resources from the lunar surface, known as in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), is also being deemed an essential task at developing lunar infrastructure for future astronauts.

Continue reading “The Future of Lunar Resource Extraction: Teleoperation and Simulation” »

AI-powered misinformation detectors—artificial intelligence tools that identify false or inaccurate online content—have emerged as a potential intervention for helping internet users understand the veracity of the content they view. However, the algorithms used to create these detectors are experimental and largely untested at the scale necessary to be effective on a social media platform.

So people can change the weather, and science-based weather modification techniques are now employed in over 50 countries according to the World Meteorological Organization. But for every science-based weather-altering technique, there are dozens of pseudoscientific urban legends.

In Cuba, it is believed that a shotgun can stop twisters. Aim at the funnel cloud, pull the trigger, and stop the tornado or waterspout before it touches down. In Puerto Rico, people have suggested installing giant fans in the El Yunque rainforest on the east side of the island to blow hurricanes away. Others have suggested putting fans in Africa to increase the amount of Saharan dust that already enters the Atlantic early in hurricane season, which can dampen fledgling tropical storms. The proposal to tow icebergs from the Arctic down to the tropical ocean to cool it down is equally impractical. No flotilla could bring enough rapidly melting icebergs to cool the vast tropical Atlantic Ocean for the six months of hurricane season.

Given all these fantastical ideas perhaps it should come as no surprise that besides altering the weather, conspiracy theorists also claim HAARP can trigger earthquakes, and, as the Georgia men believed, remotely control minds. The line between harmless urban legend and dangerous conspiracy theory is thin.

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New multi-launch agreement between Firefly Aerospace and True Anomaly includes three Alpha missions to provide rapid launch capabilities for Tactically Responsive Space mission sets

Cedar Park, Texas, October 17, 2024 – Firefly Aerospace, Inc., an end-to-end space transportation company, and space defense technology company True Anomaly, Inc., today announced a multi-launch agreement for three responsive launch missions aboard Firefly’s Alpha rocket. The first mission will deploy the True Anomaly Jackal Autonomous Orbital Vehicle (AOV) for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command’s VICTUS HAZE Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission targeted for 2025. The two additional missions are available for execution between 2025 and 2027.

Continue reading “True Anomaly Taps Firefly Aerospace to Launch Jackal Autonomous Orbital Vehicle for U.S. Space Force VICTUS HAZE Tactically Responsive Space Mission” »

The Haven-1 project has an ambitious schedule, as its development and preparation for launch are planned to be completed in the second half of 2025. The Vast team includes experienced professionals, particularly former NASA astronaut Andrew Feistel, who provides advice on optimizing the module’s design.

“After three missions to space, we will use our experience to create a comfortable environment on the station. It is important to consider all aspects, from communications and private space to support crew work and scientific progress,” said Andrew Feistel.

Continue reading “ISS will be replaced by a space station with artificial gravity” »

Summary: Researchers have discovered that the protein USP50 regulates DNA replication by managing which enzymes—nucleases or helicases—cleave or unwind DNA strands during replication. This control is crucial for stable replication, especially when the process encounters issues that need restarting. When USP50 is absent, cells struggle to coordinate enzyme use, leading to replication errors and potential genetic instability.

The findings provide new insights into genome maintenance and may help explain some hereditary conditions, such as early-onset aging and certain cancers. Understanding USP50’s role opens doors to potential therapeutic strategies aimed at protecting DNA integrity.

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton of Virginia, who is retiring after this term, was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy. There is no cure for her condition, which has rapidly robbed her of her mobility, balance and most recently her speech. She’s using her rare diagnosis and AI to help make change during her final months in office.