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NASA Decides To Keep 2 Astronauts In Space Until February, Nixes Return On Troubled Boeing Capsule

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida – NASA concluded on Saturday that returning two astronauts to Earth in Boeing’s problematic new capsule is too risky, and they will have to wait until next year to go home with SpaceX. The pair’s test flight, which was supposed to last a week, will now span more than eight months.

The experienced pilots have been detained aboard the International Space Station since the beginning of June. A series of perplexing thruster failures and helium leaks in the new capsule hampered their journey to the space station, and they ended up in a holding pattern while engineers ran tests and debated what to do about the return mission.

After nearly three months, NASA’s highest officials made the decision on Saturday. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will return aboard a SpaceX capsule in February. Their empty Starliner capsule will undock in early September and attempt a return on autopilot, landing in the New Mexico desert.

As Starliner’s test pilots, the two should have overseen this important final part of the mission.

“A test flight by nature is neither safe nor routine,” remarked NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. The decision “is the result of a commitment to safety.”

Nelson stated that learning from NASA’s two space shuttle tragedies played an impact. This time, he added, open conversation was encouraged rather than suppressed.

“This has not been an easy decision, but it is absolutely the right one,” said Jim Free, NASA’s Associate Administrator.

NASA Decides To Keep 2 Astronauts In Space Until February, Nixes Return On Troubled Boeing Capsule

It was a setback to Boeing, compounding the company’s safety issues on the airplane side. Boeing had hoped that Starliner’s first crew mission would revitalize the faltering spacecraft program after years of delays and rising costs. The business asserted that Starliner was safe based on the recent thruster tests in space and on the ground.

Boeing did not attend NASA’s news conference on Saturday but said, “Boeing continues to focus, first and foremost, on the safety of the crew and the spacecraft.” The corporation said it prepares the spacecraft “for a safe and successful return.”

Jan Osburg, a senior engineer at Rand Corp. specializing in aerospace and defense, believes NASA made the right decision. “But the U.S. is still left with egg on its face due to the Starliner design issues that should have been caught earlier.”

Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 58, are retired Navy captains with prior long-duration spaceflight experience. Before their June 5 launch from Cape Canaveral, Wilmore and Williams said their families had accepted the uncertainty and stress of their professional careers decades ago.

During their lone orbital news conference last month, the astronauts expressed confidence in the thruster testing being undertaken. They had no complaints, and they liked helping with space station tasks.

Wilmore’s wife, Deanna, stated via text that she and their daughters, along with relatives and friends, “were praying for a safe return on whatever spacecraft that may be.” While they are disappointed that Dad will be gone for longer, “we know that it’s the Lord’s plan,” she stated.

Flight operations director Norm Knight said he spoke with the astronauts on Saturday, and they completely support the decision to postpone their return.

There needed to be more choices.

The SpaceX spacecraft currently parked at the space station is intended for the four inhabitants who have been there since March. They will return in late September, having prolonged their usual six-month stay by one month due to the Starliner issue. NASA stated that cramming two additional people into the capsule would be dangerous unless necessary.

The docked Russian Soyuz capsule is much smaller and capable of carrying only three people, two Russians closing up a year-long mission.

So Wilmore and Williams will wait for SpaceX’s next taxi flight. It is scheduled to launch in late September, with two astronauts instead of the normal four. NASA is removing two to create a way for Wilmore and Williams on their return voyage in late February.

NASA stated that no real consideration was given to asking SpaceX for a rapid stand-alone rescue. Last year, the Russian Space Agency had to hurry up a replacement Soyuz capsule for three crew when their previous vehicle was damaged by space trash. The switch extended their six-month expedition to a little over a year.

Former Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield praised the decision via X, saying, “It’s Good to err on the side of caution for astronaut lives. Astronauts devote their entire careers to long missions. I would gladly take it!”

Starliner’s problems began even before its recent flight.

Bad software ruined the first test flight without a crew in 2019, necessitating a redo in 2022. Then, parachute and other concerns arose, including a helium leak in the capsule’s fuel system, which prevented a launch attempt in May. The leak was eventually determined to be isolated and tiny enough to cause no worry. However, more leaks appeared after liftoff, and five thrusters also failed.

All except one of the small thrusters resumed during flight. However, engineers were perplexed when ground testing revealed that a thruster seal had swollen and obstructed a propellant line. They hypothesized that the seals in orbit may have enlarged and returned to their regular size. Officials claimed the results signaled a tipping point as their fears intensified.

With so much uncertainty about how the thrusters would function, “there was too much risk for the crew,” NASA’s commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, told reporters.

NASA Decides To Keep 2 Astronauts In Space Until February, Nixes Return On Troubled Boeing Capsule

These 28 thrusters are crucial. They are required for space station rendezvous and also maintain the capsule orientated in the correct direction at the end of the mission when larger engines manoeuvre the vessel out of orbit. Coming in crooked might be a disaster.

With the Columbia accident still fresh in many people’s minds (the shuttle broke apart during reentry in 2003, killing all seven aboard), NASA made an extra effort to encourage open debate over Starliner’s return potential.

Despite Saturday’s decision, NASA has not given up on Boeing. Nelson stated that he is “100%” positive that Starliner will fly again.

NASA launched its commercial crew program a decade ago to establish two competing U.S. companies to transport astronauts in the post-shuttle future. Boeing secured the larger deal, worth more than $4 billion, compared to SpaceX’s $2.6 billion.

With station supply missions now under its belt, SpaceX nailed its first of nine astronaut flights in 2020, while Boeing was mired down by design problems that cost the firm more than $1 billion. NASA officials are hopeful that the Starliner’s issues can be resolved in time for another crew journey in the next year or so.

SOURCE | AP

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Elon Musk has Often Stirred Up Political Unrest, Which Makes People Worry About the US Election.

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Elon Musk

(VOR News) – Following the weekend Trump assassination attempt, Elon Musk informed X that “no one is even trying to assassinate” the Democratic president and vice president.

Musk declared, “civil war is inevitable,” during UK anti-Muslim riots brought on by unfounded allegations. Musk called the allegation of fake voter registrations in three US states raised “very concerning” by an unidentified X user.

Authorities have labelled Musk’s three tweets dishonest and careless. One of the most powerful people in the world can spread hate, terror, and false information with millions of views and hundreds of likes during political unrest.

Elon Musk runs Twitter and might change how material is distributed.

Musk’s website’s lack of security and his false assertions to his 200 million fans raise public trust issues as Election Day draws near. Should Trump be reelected and increase his political activity, he volunteered to supervise a government efficiency committee.

Monday night at X, Trump referred to Musk as a “friend.” Musk turned down a comment email request. Experts and electoral officials claim Elon Musk’s vote might be called into doubt. They fear that bringing this up could encourage harassment of candidates and election volunteers.

Co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism Heidi Beirich notes “X and Musk are dangerously and irresponsibly raising the temperature of politics at a critical juncture.” Such shame.

Conservatives praise the 53-year-old entrepreneur who bought Twitter in 2022 and turned it into a free market for ideas. X is better than conventional media since people may write freely and find the “truth”.

Elon Musk let false information spread about the company’s changes over the past two years.

Following his takeover, the hate speech policy, content moderation, and Trust and Safety advisory council were wiped from the website. He established content partnerships, restored conspiracy theorist accounts, and produced fictitious Community Notes.

Both sides lie and buy thousands of X shares. Following a Pennsylvania gunman’s ear shot of Trump, the left spread false rumours. Following the discussion between Trump and Harris, far-right trolls asserted Harris wore an earpiece.

Elon Musk endangered the 2020 trustworthy information center, says Rick Hasen. People nowadays see Twitter (X) differently. Hasen thinks millions of viewers and sponsors left the network for a specific reason. His data is inaccurate. Hasen thinks the market of ideas should be efficient enough for consumers to find false claims.

Numerous Republicans disagree with Elon Musk. They assert that the prior proprietor of the website misled regarding Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son, and COVID-19’s beginnings.

Elon Musk discusses kids, memes, Tesla, SpaceX, and On the website, he disseminates incorrect political assertions including Democrats “importing” immigrants to vote and Haitian immigrants in Ohio slaughtering and eating pets.

Jocelyn Benson, Democratic secretary of state for Michigan, said in an interview last month that Musk’s election tweets were a “maelstrom of disinformation” making voter education challenging.

“I know most election officials just keep their heads down and work,” he continues. “How do we inform the public about our work—many of whom follow Musk, X, or the platform?”

Election officials have told Elon Musk supporters. Using X post, the Republican recorder for Maricopa County, Arizona, covering Phoenix, offered Musk an all-access tour of an election centre.

Four secretaries, including Minnesota Democrat Steve Simon, wrote to Elon Musk following the publication of erroneous election rules this summer by Grok, an artificial intelligence tool. Musk’s most recent modification earned praise.

Like Twitter before Musk, Elon Musk may find electoral fallacies.

“It’s one thing to not like the Minnesota election system, or any election system for that matter,” he continued, “but incorrect vote totals have to be fixed.”

Head of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Jen Easterly responded to Elon Musk’s claim last month that most U.S. elections do not use paper ballots. The 2020 election was the last chance “all states w/close presidential vote counts actually used paper records, allowing votes to be counted, recounted, & audited to ensure accuracy.”

Once the X owner realises his posts are incorrect, he deletes them. Supporting a Tucker Carlson Holocaust revisionist interview last month set off wrath. Deleted.

On Sunday, Musk wrote off Biden and Harris’ lack of assassination attempts. Andrew Bates, a White House spokesman, labelled the remarks “irresponsible” and stated, “violent jokes should only be condemned.”

Most celebrities, according to University of Virginia media studies professor Siva Vaidhyanathan, are careful while making jokes since they know not everyone will understand them or react suitably. Musk refuted owning such a filter.

Vaidhyanathan doubts Musk’s political dishonesty. His phoney election expenses cost him and others sponsors’ platform money. Musk, he said, “just one more voice in that cacophony.”

SOURCE: AP

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Market Speculation Over the Next Fed Rate Reduction Hides More Fundamental Issues.

Uber will Introduce Trip Recording Tools and a “Verified” Rider Badge in the United States.

 

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Market Speculation Over the Next Fed Rate Reduction Hides More Fundamental Issues.

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Fed

(VOR News) – This is the best of times for someone setting US rates from a chair.

The Federal Reserve is now open to criticism from all directions since the meeting on September monetary policy concluded on Wednesday.

Given its painstaking preparation for its first cut since the epidemic, there is little question at all that it will decrease prices. Trading floors, newsroom nerds, and investment offices are rife with arguments about whether it will be cut by a half percentage point or the typical quarter-point haircut.

Head of macro and strategic asset allocation at investing company Fidelity Salman Ahmed says “the obsession has been like it’s the end of the world.”

“It looks like the market is putting pressure on the Fed.”

Arguing for a quarter-point cut from the present 5.25 percent to the 5.5% target range is really simple. Given inflation has returned to the Fed’s target and the employment market is slowing but not collapsing, it is now time to slightly ease the brakes using the standard step.

As Team “Go Large” notes, Fed Chairman Jay Powell’s comments on the “pace” of easing at the Jackson Hole conference back in the summer inadvertently set the ground for a debate on the degree of rate cuts.

More recently, quite serious people have argued for a half-point cut, including former New York Fed president Bill Dudley.

Noticing this, rate speculators suddenly shifted their predictions from a certain little cut to a respectable possibility of a significant one.

Here the Fed runs in the danger of coming across as scared. Going big on paper suggests that rate setters believe they have to fast turn around their course because they believe they have made a mistake in maintaining interest rates at their highest level in decades for too long and that it is too late to avert a recession from commencing.

Still, markets have embraced the concept of such a sizable decrease this time around. If it doesn’t horrify the markets, why not start with a bang?

The general view seems to be that they are trying to squeeze the Federal Reserve. A double chop, especially as the first action in an easing cycle, usually implies that investors believe a recession is approaching since the markets for interest rates point to more notable declines in the next year.

Studies show, meanwhile, that investors do not truly believe that. More politely, they are bluffing on this point; else, they are hedging for worst-case conditions.

Based on Bank of America’s weekly fund manager poll this week, just 11% of investors believe the US economy is likely to land gently. Still, 79% of respondents expect a more subdued slowdown. Once more the rates markets are showing their extroversion.

The greatest immediate source of difficulty for the markets will thus be Powell’s communication skills, which will be tested during the back-and-forth of the press conference following the meeting.

Would it be a fearful half-point cut to prevent catastrophe or a joyful half-point cut announcing success against inflation? Would a quarter suggest that the central bank is still terrified of inflation and is still too rigid to take chances?

The Fed’s army of relentless internet enemies is showing off their strength.

Strong possibility of volatile market fluctuations exists here. A paper published this week by the Bank of International Settlements, the think tank for big central banks, highlights “hypersensitive” market conditions brought up by this summer’s run-to-the-hills.

All of this thrill, though, hides a more important and broader statement about a change in the global asset hierarchy. Usually, the Fed shapes the global monetary policy scene. Still, the US economy is slowing down to more closely match those of other countries rather than imploding.

“Fading US exceptionalism is an important theme,” says Sam Lynton-Brown, global head of macro strategy at French bank BNP Paribas. That suggests that US GDP is larger than that of its peers, US bond yields are more than those of its peers, and US assets outperform peers is most likely going to decrease.

Though a nice diversion from other, far more significant issues and from the debate of where rates should decrease, it is nevertheless a diversion. “Once you get past the Fed, it’s going to be election risk, recession risk, or, at least we forget, inflation could come back,” Ahmed of Fidelity says.

The stakes will then be so great that today’s frantic supposition about the narcissism of small distinctions will seem meagre.

SOURCE: FT

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Uber will Introduce Trip Recording Tools and a “Verified” Rider Badge in the United States.

Amazon Mandates that Employees Report to the Office on Five Consecutive Days.

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Uber will Introduce Trip Recording Tools and a “Verified” Rider Badge in the United States.

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Uber

(VOR News) – Uber is currently in the process of integrating new capabilities into its operations, as indicated in a statement that was officially posted by the ride-hailing company on Tuesday.

The company disclosed this information at the time of its announcement. Uber drivers will be able to confirm “verified” badges on client profiles and record journeys using their cellphones instead of a dashcam with the newly expanded capabilities.

This will be feasible due to the recently enhanced capabilities. Furthermore, drivers will have the ability to record trips on their mobile devices, specifically their computers.

This is part of Uber’s safety study for 2021 and 2022.

The research indicated that drivers were accountable for 31% of sexual assaults directed at passengers, while they were responsible for 68% of sexual assaults directed at Uber drivers.

This information is presented in the context of Uber’s reporting of this safety report. Although this information is presented in the context of Uber’s publication of this study, it is crucial to emphasise that Uber disclosed the study. It is anticipated that the implementation of this invention will result in a greater sense of safety being exhibited by vehicles, which will be beneficial to motorists.

Uber drivers in the United States will be able to ascertain whether or not a passenger has completed additional verification procedures starting on Wednesday.

They will have access to this capability. This capability will be accessible to them. To achieve this objective, it will be necessary to exhibit a “Verified” passenger badge throughout the entire travel request process. In order to achieve this objective, this approach will be implemented.

Uber effectively implemented a pilot program in a limited number of locations throughout the United States during the initial months of this year.

A diverse array of states in the United States are home to this collection of locations. The majority of passengers who originate from that specific location have been validated, and the app has received fewer complaints from drivers regarding these customers. This is consistent with the information that the organisation furnished.

The corporation asserts that approximately 15,000 passenger accounts with fictitious identities have been blocked. The corporation provided this information. The corporation provided us with this information, which is commendable.

Uber drivers can record audio and video with their phones’ front cameras.

They will have access to this trait in the future. Immediately, they will have access to this capability that is within their reach. Drivers will no longer be required to acquire dashcams as a result of the endeavours that have been undertaken. This outcome is a direct result of our endeavours.

Furthermore, it is anticipated that each recording will be encrypted and stored on the devices being used by chauffeurs. This is anticipated to occur as a result.

Uber and the drivers will be unable to access the recordings until either the drivers voluntarily submit them to the company for review or the drivers themselves transmit them to the company.

Furthermore, Uber is presently engaged in a test program that allows drivers to decline to transport a customer if the passenger has rated the journey with two or three stars.

Uber is presently conducting this test program. In addition, Uber is also closely monitoring the implementation of this experimental program. It is a continuation of Uber’s current policy, which stipulates that drivers are immediately mismatched with passengers immediately after rating a ride with one star. This alternative is an extension of that methodology.

This alternative is indicative of the policy’s perpetuation. By carrying over this policy into this possibility, this option is established, which symbolises Uber’s perpetuation of that policy. This option is currently available for consideration.

SOURCE: USN

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Sebastian Coe Among 7 IOC Members To Enter Race To Succeed Thomas Bach As President

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