AllYouCanTech

NASA Pauses Further Starliner Mission Acquisitions After Boeing Challenges

### Boeing’s Starliner: A Challenging Reentry to Earth

NASA is gearing up for the return of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS), signaling the conclusion of a test flight marked by numerous technical difficulties. The spacecraft, which has encountered issues with thrusters and helium leaks, is set to undock from the ISS on Friday, finishing a mission that has raised concerns about the Starliner program’s future.

### The Mission So Far

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched on the Starliner on June 5, 2024, intending to achieve a significant milestone for Boeing— a successful crewed test flight. Yet, the mission has deviated from expectations. Instead of landing back on Earth via the Starliner, the astronauts will stay aboard the ISS, returning later in a SpaceX Dragon capsule. This alteration leaves some mission objectives unmet and prompts questions regarding the Starliner program’s outlook.

The Starliner is slated to undock from the ISS at 6:04 pm EDT (22:04 UTC) on Friday. If all proceeds smoothly, the spacecraft will ignite its braking rockets at 11:17 pm EDT (03:17 UTC) for a minute-long burn, aiming for a parachute-assisted, airbag-cushioned landing at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico, at 12:03 am EDT (04:03 UTC) on Saturday.

### A Setback for NASA and Boeing

This mission marked Boeing’s inaugural crewed test flight of the Starliner, occurring seven years behind its intended schedule. Nevertheless, due to the encountered technical challenges, the spacecraft will return without its crew, leaving unresolved concerns surrounding the Starliner’s propulsion system. The primary issues related to thruster malfunctions and helium leaks need rectification before the spacecraft can gain certification for future crewed missions.

NASA remains undecided on whether Boeing will require another test flight before the Starliner can be deemed ready for operational missions. The space agency had initially slated the first operational mission for August 2025, but this timeline now appears uncertain due to potential redesigns and further testing needs.

### NASA’s Noncommittal Stance

For over a decade, NASA has collaborated with both Boeing and SpaceX to develop independent vehicles suited for transporting astronauts to and from the ISS. SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft has been operational since May 2020, with NASA having cleared it for regular crew rotation missions. In contrast, Boeing’s Starliner continues to encounter significant delays and technical setbacks.

Currently, NASA has only authorized Boeing for three of the six possible operational Starliner missions under its commercial crew contract. The agency has yet to commit to any additional missions, and the prospect of launching an operational Starliner crew flight within the next year seems increasingly doubtful.

### The Financial and Strategic Implications

The commercial crew contracts awarded to Boeing and SpaceX in 2014 were organized as fixed-price agreements, indicating that Boeing must absorb any cost overruns. As of July 2024, Boeing has reported nearly $1.6 billion in financial impacts due to delays and technical problems with the Starliner initiative. Despite these challenges, Boeing stands to gain nearly $1.9 billion in potential revenue from NASA if it perseveres with the program.

NASA has disbursed about $2.7 billion of the total $4.6 billion potential value of its commercial crew contract to Boeing. Most of this funding has been allocated for Starliner development, while the remaining funds are reserved for future operational flights. Should Boeing decide to withdraw from the Starliner program, it would lose this potential revenue, making it likely that the company will continue to address the spacecraft’s deficiencies.

### Preparing for Departure

NASA managers have assessed plans for the Starliner to depart the ISS in autopilot mode, following the decision to bring the spacecraft back to Earth without its crew. Preparations included software updates to facilitate autonomous undocking. Last Thursday, NASA officials convened a Flight Readiness Review and permitted the Starliner to commence its return journey.

The spacecraft faced significant problems on June 6 during its approach to the ISS, with five of its 28 Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters failing. Engineers have since managed to restore four of the five failed thrusters, but concerns linger about the possibility of further failures during the spacecraft’s return to Earth.

### The Road Ahead

Boeing and NASA must now concentrate on resolving the technical difficulties that have beleaguered the Starliner. Possible solutions involve redesigning the thruster seals, altering the spacecraft’s propulsion pods, and tackling the persistent helium leaks. These repairs will be vital for the Starliner program’s future since NASA has not yet determined if another test flight is necessary before the spacecraft earns certification for operational missions.

In the meantime, astronauts Wilmore and Williams will

Study Reveals Dungeons & Dragons Boosts Social Interaction Abilities in Autistic Participants

### The Healing Influence of Dungeons & Dragons for Autistic Players

Since its launch in the 1970s, *Dungeons & Dragons* (D&D) has transitioned from a specialized tabletop role-playing game (TRPG) to a widespread cultural sensation, impacting various mediums from television series like *Stranger Things* to major films. Yet, beyond its entertainment aspects, D&D has recently gained recognition for its potential therapeutic advantages, particularly for those on the autism spectrum. Researchers are starting to examine how the structured and imaginative nature of D&D can aid autistic players in managing social interactions, enhancing self-esteem, and creating a sense of community.

#### The Social Hurdles of Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by obstacles in social communication, repetitive actions, and often, heightened sensitivity to sensory input. Individuals with autism often face social anxiety, feelings of isolation, and a more limited social circle than their neurotypical counterparts. These struggles are intensified by the unspoken social norms that regulate daily interactions, which can be perplexing and daunting for those with autism.

As a response to these difficulties, many autistic individuals resort to “masking”—hiding their true behaviors to align with societal norms. While masking may prevent social rejection, it typically comes at a considerable emotional toll, resulting in stress, exhaustion, and a lower sense of self-worth.

#### Dungeons & Dragons: A Welcoming Environment for Social Engagement

D&D creates a distinctive atmosphere where social interactions are managed by straightforward, explicit regulations. This approach can be especially advantageous for autistic players, who might find real-world social scenarios to be vague and confusing. A recent study published in the journal *Autism* indicates that D&D can act as a “social lubricant” for autistic individuals, offering a low-pressure context to hone social abilities and form connections.

The study, co-authored by Gray Atherton and Liam Cross from the University of Plymouth, included eight autistic participants who engaged with the *Waterdeep: Dragonheist* campaign over the span of six weeks. The researchers observed that the game made participants feel more at ease within social contexts, as the rules governing interactions were clearly outlined and stable. One participant shared, “When you’re interacting with people over D&D, you’re more likely to understand what’s going on… There’s an actual sort of reference sheet for some social interactions.”

#### Enhancing Confidence and Connection

Participants in the study reported numerous positive effects from their D&D experiences, including bolstered confidence and a deeper sense of camaraderie with their peers. The game provided them with the opportunity to explore diverse elements of their identities within a secure and controlled framework. Some players opted to create characters that were drastically different from their actual selves, using the game as a medium to experiment with new social roles and viewpoints.

This capacity to “step into someone else’s shoes” can be especially empowering for autistic individuals, who may find it challenging to comprehend the viewpoints of others in real life. By embodying the traits of their characters, several participants could even “rewrite” their life stories beyond the game—a psychological occurrence known as “bleed,” where a character’s emotions and experiences influence the player’s real-life conduct.

#### Escapism and Emotional Engagement

The immersive quality of D&D also offers a pathway for escapism that can be particularly attractive to autistic individuals, who frequently encounter a demanding reality filled with social and sensory stressors. The game enables players to temporarily set aside these issues and immerse themselves in a world where they can dictate their actions and outcomes. This sense of control can be remarkably reassuring and may alleviate anxiety.

Additionally, the emotional investment in their characters and the narrative can foster stronger connections with others. As one participant remarked, “It helps you put yourself in the other person’s perspective because you are technically entering a persona that is your character. You can then try to see how it feels to be in that interaction or in that scenario through another lens.”

#### A Fresh Outlook on Autism and Gaming

The insights from this study counter several prevalent misconceptions about autism, notably the belief that autistic individuals lack social initiative or creativity. In fact, D&D demands both social engagement and inventive thought, and the autistic players in the study enthusiastically embraced these components of the game.

This research also emphasizes the possibility of utilizing everyday games and hobbies as therapeutic resources for autistic individuals. While video games and other gaming forms are sometimes viewed with skepticism by parents and educators, this study suggests that, for certain autistic individuals, these activities can provide valuable chances for social involvement and personal development.

#### Conclusion

As our comprehension of autism advances, so too does our understanding of the varied ways in which autistic individuals can engage with others and express their identities. *Dungeons & Dragons* supplies a distinctive and nurturing space where autistic players can refine social skills, boost confidence, and investigate new facets of their personalities. While this game may not serve as a universal remedy, it offers a significant resource for those seeking to navigate complex social landscapes.

Recent findings indicate that volcanic activity on the Moon took place more recently than was previously believed.

### Recent Lunar Volcanism: An Unexpected Revelation

The Moon, the nearest celestial body to Earth, has captivated researchers and enthusiasts alike for ages. Its terrain, characterized by extensive plains referred to as “maria,” narrates the tale of primordial volcanic activity that sculpted its surface eons ago. Yet, fresh discoveries from China’s Chang’e-5 mission have introduced an unexpected chapter in the Moon’s geological narrative: signs of volcanic activity that transpired much more recently than earlier assumptions suggested.

#### The Age-Old Volcanic Legacy

The somber plains, or “maria,” observable on the Moon’s surface are the vestiges of colossal volcanic eruptions that transpired early in its history. These events, which released immense quantities of basaltic lava, are thought to have ceased around 3 billion years ago. For an extended period, experts held that this indicated the conclusion of significant volcanic events on the Moon. Nevertheless, minor volcanic activities could have persisted until roughly 2 billion years ago, as indicated by samples gathered from various lunar missions, including both the Apollo missions and, more recently, China’s Chang’e-5 endeavor.

#### Indications of Contemporary Volcanism

Although most volcanic activity on the Moon is ancient, there are indications that smaller eruptions might have taken place more recently. Data from lunar orbiters have pinpointed regions of the Moon’s surface that seem to be results of volcanic processes, characterized by a scarcity of impact craters, suggesting a younger age. However, these findings have been tinged with skepticism, as accurately determining the timing and scale of these occurrences proved challenging.

The Chang’e-5 mission, which successfully retrieved samples from the Moon in 2020, has shed new light on this enigma. Among the collected materials were diminutive, glassy beads formed from liquefied substances. These beads, attributable to both volcanic eruptions and impact events, have garnered close scientific examination as researchers strive to decipher their origin.

#### The Difficulty of Recognizing Volcanic Beads

Identifying volcanic beads among the myriad samples collected by Chang’e-5 was a daunting challenge. The Moon is perennially bombarded by space particles, from minuscule dust flecks to larger meteoroids. These collisions generate sufficient heat to melt the lunar crust, thus creating glassy beads. Therefore, most of the beads gathered by Chang’e-5 are probably products of impact events rather than volcanic sources.

To discern the volcanic beads, scientists implemented a systematic procedure. Initially, they excluded any beads with mixed compositions, such as those containing unmelted fragments or exhibiting clear compositional discrepancies. This process reduced the candidate volcanic beads from over 3,000 to 764. Subsequently, the remaining beads were subjected to analysis via an electron probe microanalyzer, which bombards samples with electrons and measures the released photons to identify the present elements.

Guided by the composition of volcanic rocks retrieved during the Apollo missions, the researchers situated their focus on beads exhibiting a high magnesium oxide content in relation to calcium and aluminum oxides. This further refined their selection to 13 potential volcanic candidates. The concluding phase involved analyzing the sulfur isotopes within the beads, as impact melting typically alters sulfur isotope ratios compared to unaltered lunar rocks. After diligent assessment, only three beads surfaced as likely of volcanic origin.

#### An Unexpected Revelation

The three volcanic beads underwent uranium-based radioactive dating, unveiling an astonishing finding: these beads were formed during an eruption estimated to have occurred approximately 123 million years ago, with a margin of error of 15 million years. This revelation bears great significance, as it implies that volcanic activity on the Moon continued far longer than previously acknowledged. Prior to this, the last confirmed eruptions were thought to have transpired around 2 billion years ago.

This discovery invites compelling inquiries regarding the Moon’s thermal evolution. Over millions of years, the Moon has considerably cooled, increasing the distance between its crust and any residual molten material within its core. This cooling trend should have rendered volcanic activity increasingly improbable. So, what might have triggered this relatively recent eruption?

One hypothesis involves a substance known as KREEP (potassium, rare earth elements, and phosphorus), which is abundant in radioactive isotopes. Such isotopes could induce localized heating, potentially prompting volcanic occurrences in specific regions of the Moon. However, without additional data, determining the precise cause of the eruption remains elusive.

#### The Horizon of Lunar Exploration

The identification of recent volcanic activities on the Moon serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of our understanding of this celestial neighbor. The Chang’e-5 mission has yielded invaluable new insights, yet numerous questions persist. For instance, the precise location of the eruption that created the volcanic beads is still undetermined. The beads might have traversed substantial distances in the Moon’s weak gravitational field and could have been further dispersed due to later impacts.

As we progress in lunar exploration,

U.S. Charges Russian Military Personnel for Utilizing Wiper Malware Targeting Ukraine

# Federal Indictment Reveals Russian Cyber Espionage Initiative Against Ukraine and Its Allies

On Thursday, federal prosecutors disclosed an indictment charging six Russian individuals with conspiracy to infiltrate the computer systems of the Ukrainian government and its allies. The indictment, submitted to the US District Court for the District of Maryland, accuses these individuals of participating in cyber espionage and harmful cyberattacks on behalf of the Kremlin, focusing on essential infrastructure and sensitive information in Ukraine and other nations supporting Ukraine, including the United States.

## The WhisperGate Malware Initiative

The indictment comes nearly three years after Microsoft initially reported the identification of a harmful malware known as **WhisperGate**. This malware, which posed as ransomware, was intended to irreversibly damage computers by erasing the master boot record, a vital component of the hard drive essential for launching the operating system. WhisperGate was discovered to have infected numerous Ukrainian government, nonprofit, and IT organizations, resulting in significant disruptions.

In April 2022, Microsoft released a subsequent report indicating that WhisperGate was part of a larger initiative aimed at coordinating destructive cyberattacks against critical infrastructure in Ukraine alongside kinetic military actions by Russian forces. The indictment unsealed on Thursday integrates many of the findings reported by Microsoft, emphasizing the magnitude and orchestration of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategies.

## The Defendants and Their Functions

The six defendants identified in the indictment are:

1. **Yuriy Denisov**: A colonel in the Russian military and commanding officer of Cyber Operations for Unit 29155.
2. **Vladislav Borokov**: A lieutenant in Unit 29155 involved in cyber operations.
3. **Denis Denisenko**: A lieutenant in Unit 29155 engaged in cyber operations.
4. **Dmitriy Goloshubov**: A lieutenant in Unit 29155 engaged in cyber operations.
5. **Nikolay Korchagin**: A lieutenant in Unit 29155 engaged in cyber operations.
6. **Amin Stigal**: An alleged civilian co-conspirator, previously indicted in June for his involvement in WhisperGate activities.

The indictment claims that the conspiracy commenced no later than December 2020 and is still ongoing. The defendants and additional unnamed co-conspirators are alleged to have been scanning computers globally, including in the US, for vulnerabilities. Upon gaining access, they reportedly infected networks with wiper malware and, in certain instances, exfiltrated sensitive data.

## Wider Implications and Counteractions

The indictment is part of a broader initiative by the US government to counteract Russian cyber and psychological maneuvers. On Wednesday, federal officials declared the indictments of two Russian media executives accused of secretly financing and directing a US company to produce and disseminate propaganda videos aimed at swaying public opinion and exacerbating social divisions, particularly concerning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Moreover, federal authorities have taken legal measures to combat other Russian psychological strategies, including seizing 32 internet domains utilized for spreading anti-Ukraine propaganda and sanctioning Russian individuals and entities implicated in disseminating disinformation.

## Unit 29155: Russia’s Covert Cyber Warfare Unit

Unit 29155, a secretive segment of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), is recognized for executing sabotage, assassinations, and coup attempts outside of Russia. Reports indicate that Unit 29155 has recently formed its own active team of cyberwarfare operators, indicating a closer integration of physical and digital strategies by Russia. This unit differentiates itself from other GRU units that utilize more recognized Russian-state hacking groups, such as Fancy Bear (APT28) and Sandworm.

## Conclusion

The unsealing of this indictment highlights the persistent threat posed by Russian cyber operations and the extremes to which the Kremlin will go to fulfill its geopolitical ambitions. As Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the National Security Division remarked, “The GRU’s WhisperGate campaign, including targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructure and government systems of no military significance, exemplifies Russia’s deplorable disregard for innocent civilians as it conducts its unjust invasion.”

The Justice Department has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the suspects’ whereabouts or cyber activities, an initiative intended to restrict their travel options and dissuade other Russians from partaking in similar actions. The indictment serves as a reminder of the significance of international collaboration and vigilance against state-sponsored cyber threats.