News

US Company Says Its Moon Landing Attempt Is In Jeopardy Because Of A ‘Critical’ Fuel Leak

Published

11 months ago

2024-01-08

Kiara Grace

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – The first U.S. Moon landing in more than 50 years was put in peril Monday when a private company’s recently launched spacecraft discovered a “critical” fuel leak.

Astrobotic Technology, based in Pittsburgh, raced to orient its lander toward the sun so that the solar panel could collect sunlight as battery power ran low. Flight controllers’ efforts to charge the battery were successful, as a special crew assessed the status of “a failure in the propulsion system.”

However, it quickly became clear that “a critical loss of fuel” had lowered prospects even further.

“We are currently assessing what alternative mission profiles may be feasible at this time,” the corporation stated.

The malfunction was noticed roughly seven hours after Monday’s pre-dawn launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander was launched by United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, sending it on a long, winding trip to the Moon.

US Company Says Its Moon Landing Attempt Is In Jeopardy Because Of A ‘Critical’ Fuel Leak

According to the corporation, if the propulsion system fails, it “threatens the spacecraft’s ability to soft land on the moon” on February 23.

Astrobotic aimed to be the first private company to successfully land on the Moon, a feat only four countries had achieved. A second lander from a Houston startup is scheduled to launch next month. NASA awarded the two corporations millions to build and launch their lunar landers.

The space agency wants the privately owned landers to scout the area before astronauts arrive, carrying technology and science experiments for the space agency, other countries, and institutions and random items for other consumers. Astrobotic’s contract with NASA for the Peregrine lander cost $108 million.

Before the flight, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for exploration, Joel Kearns, stated that while employing private enterprises to make deliveries to the Moon will be less expensive and faster than traditional government methods, there will be an increased risk. On Monday, he emphasized that the space agency was willing to take that risk, stating that “each success and setback are opportunities to learn and grow.”

US Company Says Its Moon Landing Attempt Is In Jeopardy Because Of A ‘Critical’ Fuel Leak

The United States last launched a lunar landing mission in December 1972. Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt of Apollo 17 became the 11th and 12th men to walk on the Moon, marking the end of an era that has remained NASA’s apex.

The space agency’s new Artemis program, named after Apollo’s twin sister in Greek mythology, aims to return people to the lunar surface within the next few years. The first mission will be a lunar fly-around with four people, possibly before the end of this year.

The eagerly anticipated first test launch of the Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station made Monday’s moonshot stand out. The 202-foot (61-meter) rocket is essentially an enhanced version of ULA’s highly successful Atlas V, which is being phased out alongside the Delta IV. Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ rocket business, furnished the Vulcan with two primary engines.

ULA announced success when the lander was released from the rocket’s upper stage, over an hour into the mission, and before the spacecraft’s propulsion system failed, preventing the solar panel from properly facing toward the sun. The lander is outfitted with engines and thrusters for manoeuvring throughout the voyage to the Moon and during lunar descent.

US Company Says Its Moon Landing Attempt Is In Jeopardy Because Of A ‘Critical’ Fuel Leak

Landing on the Moon has historically been a series of successes and failures. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Soviet Union and the United States conducted a series of successful moon landings before pausing the program. China joined the elite group in 2013, and India in 2023. Last year, however, Russian and private Japanese landers slammed onto the Moon. In 2019, an Israeli nonprofit crashed.

Next month, SpaceX will launch Intuitive Machines’ lander. The Nova-C lander’s more direct one-week course may result in both spacecraft attempting to land within days or even hours of one other.

Aside from flying experiments for NASA, Astrobotic established its own freight business, packing the 6-foot-tall (1.9-meter-tall) Peregrine lander with everything from a chip of rock from Mount Everest and toy-size cars from Mexico that will catapult to the lunar surface and cruise around, to the ashes and DNA of deceased space enthusiasts such as “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.

The Navajo Nation has asked to postpone the launch due to the human remains. Arguing that it would be a “profound desecration” of a celestial body treasured by Native Americans. Astrobotic CEO John Thornton acknowledged that the December objections arrived too late but offered to work with the Navajo to find “a good path forward” for future missions.

Celestis, one of the spaceflight memorial firms that purchased space on the lander, said that no single culture or faith owns the Moon and, therefore, does not have the authority to veto a trip. More remnants are aboard the rocket’s upper stage, launched into a constant orbit around the sun extending as far as Mars.

Peregrine cargo prices varied from a few hundred dollars to $1.2 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds), insufficient to cover Astrobotic’s costs. However, Thornton believes this is not the goal of the first flight.

“A lot of people’s dreams and hopes are riding on this,” Thornton explained days before the journey.

SOURCE- (AP)

News

Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.

Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”

The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.

The Prime Minister dances.

This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.

Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf

— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.

On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”

Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.

Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.

Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.

On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

News

Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

The zookeeper's negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla

The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.

The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.

“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”

According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.

Calgary Zoo Questioned

It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.

An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.

Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.

The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.

“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.

While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”

Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.

The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.

Beluga Whales Dies at Canada’s Marineland

Outrage Erupts After 17th Beluga Whale Dies at Canada’s Marineland

News

Canada’s Lotto Max Jackpot Climbs to $80M

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.

Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.

The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.

According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.

While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.

Lotto Max History

Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.

The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.

Let’s have a look at the rules:

Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
Numbers cannot be repeated
Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
Each play buys 3 lines
Each play costs $5

Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)