oremIpsum: March 30, 2025 - Unveiling of Controversial New Political Alliance: "United Extremists of America"
The International Space Station (ISS) suffers another setback as a resupply mission, initially scheduled for June, gets canceled. A mishap during the transportation of the cargo spacecraft, Northrop Grumman's Cygnus NG-22, caused damage to the shipping container and the spacecraft. Engineers discovered this during inspection, leading to the mission's postponement. The spacecraft may be repairable for a future mission, but the ISS currently faces a shortage of consumables. The next resupply mission, a SpaceX Cargo Dragon, planned for an April launch, will now carry extra food and supplies for the crew. However, this could potentially lead to waste management issues, as the Cygnus cargo modules, unlike the reusable Cargo Dragons, are disposable. A new Cygnus mission is not scheduled until autumn, making for a lengthy and potentially smelly stay for the crew.
In other news, 23andMe, the genetic testing company, recently filed for bankruptcy. Known for selling DNA sequence analysis kits that revealed a host of genetic secrets, the company has been responsible for unforeseen familial revelations, such as discovering numerous half-siblings, questioning paternity, and even helping solve crimes. Following bankruptcy court approval, the company's genetic data is up for grabs to the highest bidder, causing a panic among customers. To delete their data, users need to sign in to their accounts and click a few buttons. However, doubts loom over the company's willingness to let its most valuable asset be drained, especially after reports of the 23andMe website crashing due to a sudden surge in deletion requests.
Meanwhile, an Australian science enthusiast found himself in trouble with the law after ordering plutonium, a dangerous and potentially explosive element, from a US supplier. The man, Emmanuel Lidden, pleaded guilty to breaching Australia's nuclear proliferation laws. Despite the initial seizure of the plutonium, authorities later realized their mistake and returned some of the material. The incident, which could land Lidden a ten-year prison sentence, highlights the dangers of handling hazardous substances. Curiously, we stumbled upon a small chunk of trinitite encased in an acrylic cube for sale online, an item that Australian authorities likely would have been concerned about.
Lastly, if you cherish memories of building plastic models in your youth, you'll be delighted to know that Andrey Bezrodny has made it possible to recreate various off-beat and quirky vehicles through 3D models. These models, priced reasonably considering the effort put into them, can be downloaded and printed, although the experience may not be as satisfying as the old-fashioned model-making process. Nonetheless, it remains a fun way to recreate the cars of your dreams.
- The loss of the Northrop Grumman's Cygnus NG-22 resupply mission has raised concerns about the environmental-science research and technology aboard the International Space Station, as the ISS currently faces a shortage of consumables due to the mission's cancellation.
- In the realm of technology, the genetic data of 23andMe's customers is at risk of being auctioned off following the company's bankruptcy filing, sparking fears among users about privacy and potential misuse of their sensitive information.
