AllYouCanTech

SpaceX Gets Ready for Second Try at Starship Test Flight Following Earlier Setback

# **FAA Approves SpaceX for Eighth Starship Test Flight**

SpaceX is preparing to conduct the eighth full-scale test flight of its colossal **Starship rocket** as soon as Monday, following receipt of regulatory endorsement from the **Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)**. This upcoming flight represents a vital advancement in SpaceX’s pursuit of developing a fully reusable spacecraft designed to transport humans and cargo to destinations like the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

## **A Second Try After January’s Challenge**

The test flight on the horizon aims to achieve what SpaceX initially intended during its last Starship launch in **January 2025**. That endeavor concluded prematurely as the rocket disintegrated, distributing debris across the **Atlantic Ocean** and **Turks and Caicos Islands**. This setback hindered SpaceX from testing essential systems, which include:

– Starship’s **satellite deployment mechanism**
– New **heat shield materials**

Addressing these goals is now a top priority for **Flight 8**, which is planned to ascend at **5:30 PM CST (6:30 PM EST / 23:30 UTC) Monday** from **Starbase**, SpaceX’s launch site located on the Texas Gulf Coast.

## **Starship Version 2: Enhanced and Expanded**

SpaceX has implemented a variety of enhancements to **Starship Version 2**, evolving it into a more sophisticated model of the spacecraft. Notable upgrades comprise:

– **Larger propellant tanks** providing **25% more volume** than earlier iterations
– A **smaller payload bay** in comparison to the **Block 1 Starship**
– **Redesigned forward flaps** situated closer to the vehicle’s nose for improved reentry protection
– **New thermal protection tiles** intended to evaluate alternative heat shield materials

These advancements edge SpaceX closer to fulfilling its long-term vision of **reusability**, enabling Starship to revert to the launch site and be caught by the **mechanical arms of the launch tower**—a capability SpaceX effectively demonstrated with the **Super Heavy booster** the previous year.

## **NASA’s Interest in Starship**

NASA has allocated over **$4 billion** to SpaceX for the creation of a **human-rated Starship lander** as part of the **Artemis lunar program**. The agency recognizes Starship’s potential as a vital element for upcoming Moon and Mars missions, especially regarding **in-orbit refueling**, which is essential for extensive space exploration.

## **Flight Plan and Primary Goals**

The **fully stacked Starship rocket** will reach a height of **404 feet (123.1 meters)** and will closely follow a flight trajectory similar to earlier test missions. The **Super Heavy booster** will ignite its **33 Raptor engines** for approximately **2.5 minutes**, propelling Starship eastward from Texas before detaching and trying to return to **Starbase**.

In the meantime, the **Starship upper stage** will:

1. **Light six Raptor engines** to approach orbital speed
2. **Release four satellite simulators** to evaluate its payload deployment system
3. **Restart a Raptor engine in space**, a crucial assessment for impending orbital missions
4. **Reenter Earth’s atmosphere** after circumnavigating halfway around the globe
5. **Descend into the Indian Ocean**, testing its enhanced heat shield

## **Overcoming Previous Hurdles**

The **January 2025 incident** was linked to **propellant leaks and fires** in Starship’s **aft compartment (attic area)**. Engineers attribute these complications to unforeseen **harmonic vibrations**, which escalated beyond anticipated levels.

To rectify these issues, SpaceX has introduced various updates:

– **Enhanced fuel feed lines** to avert leaks
– **Modifications to propellant temperatures** for improved engine efficacy
– **New nitrogen purge system** to mitigate flammability concerns
– **Future incorporation of Raptor 3 engines**, which will reduce multiple potential leak points

## **FAA’s Approval for Launch**

The **FAA** announced on **Friday** that it had granted a **launch license** for **Starship Flight 8**, indicating that SpaceX has satisfied all **safety, environmental, and licensing criteria**. The FAA also oversaw a **SpaceX-led inquiry** into the **Flight 7 incident**, engaging **NASA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the US Space Force** in the process.

Despite the ongoing investigation, the FAA concluded that **Starship can safely resume flight operations** while SpaceX continues to enhance its technology.

## **Looking Forward: The Future of Starship**

SpaceX intends to perform **up to 25 Starship flights in 2025**, with **Flight 8** representing the second launch this year. The company is eager to demonstrate that **Starship Version 2** can endure the demanding conditions of reentry and lay the groundwork for **rapid reusability**—a crucial aspect for advancing space travel.

Serbian Student’s Android Device Compromised via Cellebrite Exploit

# **Android Users Advised to Implement February Security Patch Due to Zero-Day Exploit Worries**

Android users are encouraged to apply Google’s February security patch promptly after it came to light that a zero-day exploit was employed to breach a Serbian student’s phone. The exploit, allegedly marketed by Cellebrite, enabled attackers to circumvent Android lock screens and obtain privileged access to devices.

## **Zero-Day Exploit Targeting Serbian Activist**

Amnesty International recently disclosed that Serbian officials utilized a zero-day exploit to focus on a student critical of the government. The exploit, sold by Cellebrite, permitted attackers to bypass the lock screen on thoroughly updated Android devices.

The attack exploited vulnerabilities within Linux kernel USB drivers, which handle USB hardware management on Android devices. This indicates the exploit was not confined to a single device or manufacturer but could potentially impact a broad array of Android phones.

This report comes after Amnesty International’s findings in December, which accused Serbian authorities of deploying spyware in a larger initiative to stifle civil society. In response to the December report, the controversial vendor Cellebrite halted sales to specific clients in Serbia. However, the latest evidence indicates that surveillance activities have continued despite global disapproval.

## **Mechanism of the Exploit**

As per Amnesty International, the exploit chain enabled attackers with physical access to a device to bypass its lock screen and gain elevated privileges. The attack involved connecting the phone’s USB port to various peripherals, likely specialized devices intended to manipulate kernel memory.

Forensic examination of the compromised device showed that Serbian officials attempted to install an unidentified application after gaining access to the device. This is consistent with previous instances where spyware, like NoviSpy, was loaded onto compromised devices.

## **Exploited Vulnerabilities and Patches**

The vulnerabilities leveraged in this attack comprise:

– **CVE-2024-53104** – Resolved in the **February 2025 Android Security Bulletin**.
– **CVE-2024-53197** and **CVE-2024-50302** – Addressed in the upstream Linux kernel but not yet integrated into Android.

These vulnerabilities underscore the perils associated with unpatched devices, as attackers can exploit them to secure unauthorized access.

## **Reasons for Immediate Update by Android Users**

In light of the critical nature of this exploit, Android users are strongly recommended to install the newest security updates. The February patch resolves CVE-2024-53104, which was actively utilized in attacks. Users who postpone updating their devices are at risk of potential threats.

Furthermore, the exploit’s dependence on Linux kernel USB drivers suggests that both Android devices and Linux-based computers and embedded systems could be vulnerable. Although there is no proof that non-Android Linux devices have been targeted, the possibility for wider exploitation remains.

## **Final Thoughts**

The identification of this zero-day exploit highlights the necessity for prompt security updates. Android users, particularly those engaged in activism or political activities, should exercise heightened caution. Installing the latest security patches is an essential measure to protect personal data from unauthorized breaches.

As surveillance technologies progress, security measures must also advance. Users should remain knowledgeable about security updates and take proactive actions to defend their devices against new threats.

Mars’ Polar Ice Cap is Slowly Moving the Planet’s North Pole Closer

# **New Discoveries About Mars’ Subsurface: The Sinking North Pole and Its Implications**

## **Introduction**
Recent studies have unveiled intriguing details regarding the interior of Mars, highlighting that the planet’s north pole is gradually subsiding due to the accumulation of its ice cap. This revelation, facilitated by findings from NASA’s InSight lander and satellite observations, offers fresh insights into the characteristics and thermal behavior of Mars’ crust and mantle. By examining the planet’s surface reactions to the ice’s weight, researchers are constructing a clearer understanding of Mars’ geological past and internal makeup.

## **The Development of Mars’ Polar Ice Caps**
The polar ice caps on Mars, consisting of layers of water ice and dust, are relatively recent in geological history. Climate models indicate that these ice formations are younger than 10 million years. This conclusion is based on orbital mechanics that suggest Mars’ poles experienced increased sunlight historically, resulting in varied climate conditions that impacted ice buildup.

In contrast to Earth, where ice sheets have existed for millions of years, Mars’ ice caps are fluid and comparatively new structures. Consequently, the underlying crust is still adapting to the extra mass, offering essential insights into the planet’s internal arrangement.

## **Impact of Ice on Planetary Crusts**
On Earth, ancient ice sheets from glacial epochs have led to the sinking of the crust into the mantle due to their significant weight. As these ice sheets melted, the crust began a resurgence through a process known as **glacial isostatic rebound**. A comparable phenomenon is taking place on Mars, albeit in reverse: the newly formed polar ice cap’s weight is driving the crust downwards.

Nonetheless, this subsidence occurs at an extremely gradual pace—far too slow to be observed directly from space. Instead, scientists have employed computer simulations to model the process and align their findings with actual data collected from Mars.

## **Modeling Mars’ Subsurface**
To analyze how Mars’ crust responds to the weight of the ice cap, researchers constructed 84 distinct models of the planet’s interior. These models varied in critical aspects, including:
– The quantity of heat retained in the crust
– The thickness of the crust
– The mantle’s viscosity (its ability to deform under pressure)

By comparing these models with real-world data—such as seismic activity detected by the InSight lander and radar scans from orbit—scientists were able to narrow down the options, retaining only three models that harmonized with all the available information.

## **Principal Discoveries from the Research**
1. **Mars’ Subsurface is Extremely Viscous and Cold**
The most accurate models suggest that Mars’ mantle possesses high viscosity, indicating it does not flow readily. This finding correlates with a colder interior, consistent with earlier research showing that Mars is devoid of active plate tectonics and significant internal heat.

2. **Radioactive Elements Are Located in the Crust**
The research indicates that most of Mars’ radioactive, heat-producing elements (like uranium, thorium, and potassium) are situated in the crust instead of deep within the mantle. This distribution influences thermal movement across the planet and may clarify why Mars has cooled at a quicker pace compared to Earth.

3. **The Ice Cap is Younger Than 10 Million Years**
The results confirm earlier climate models that evaluate the polar ice cap’s age as being under 10 million years. This suggests that Mars has experienced considerable climatic shifts in its relatively recent geological timeline.

## **The Contribution of NASA’s InSight Lander**
NASA’s InSight lander, active on Mars from 2018 to 2022, was instrumental in this investigation. Fitted with a seismometer, InSight recorded marsquakes and aided researchers in assessing the thickness of the planet’s crust and the dimensions of its core. A notable finding was the absence of significant marsquakes exceeding magnitude 3.8 near the north pole, implying that the crust in that region is undergoing very gradual deformation.

Moreover, radar imaging from orbit has yielded comprehensive maps of the polar ice caps, illustrating how the ice interacts with the crust below. By integrating these diverse data sources, researchers have been able to enhance their models of Mars’ subsurface.

## **Consequences for Future Mars Investigations**
Comprehending Mars’ internal structure is vital for future explorations and potential human missions. The insights gained from this study provide crucial information about:
– The stability of Mars’ surface, which is essential for site selection and infrastructure development.
– The planet’s thermal history, which could affect the search for subsurface water and indicators of past life.
– The location of heat-generating elements, which might influence upcoming efforts to exploit geothermal energy on Mars.

Although the InSight mission has concluded, subsequent landers and orbiters equipped with state-of-the-art instruments could yield even more precise information regarding Mars’ interior. A forthcoming mission capable of directly measuring thermal flow from the Martian crust would help validate these conclusions and enhance