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The Future Engine Confronts a Major Unsettled Issue

In the ceaseless quest for quicker, more efficient travel, engineers have been developing various innovative forms of propulsion. Among the most fascinating to arise in the past decade is the electric plasma jet engine, a battery-driven thruster that employs superheated plasma and compressed air to achieve speed outputs of up to 20 kilometers per second. If this technology could be refined, it would offer an unparalleled advantage for travel innovation, but a persistent obstacle remains: the cumbersome size and weight of the batteries required to operate the engines.

To produce the extreme heat and volume of plasma needed for a plasma jet engine to operate, vast amounts of power are necessary. For an aircraft fitted with these engines to ascend, it would also need to have an immense dedicated power source attached to it, which, if a suitable place could even be found for such a component, would render the aircraft far too heavy to consider taking off. Ongoing research continues to explore new, smaller battery technologies, but currently, plasma-powered travel is still elusive.

A conventional jet engine operates by combusting a mixture of compressed air and petroleum-derived jet fuel. A plasma jet engine adheres to the same fundamental principles, but with a vital distinction: it replaces jet fuel with plasma, generated from superheated air particles. With a similar level of explosive force, a plasma jet engine could theoretically produce the necessary thrust for takeoff.

The challenge lies in the fact that plasma only exists in extremely hot, highly charged conditions, such as the core of a collapsing star or near a lightning strike. As one might anticipate from such a comparison, considerable energy is required to make it functional. It’s not unfeasible with the appropriate setup; a group of researchers from Wuhan University successfully created a working plasma jet engine using a specially-designed quartz tube containing low-temperature plasma and a magnetron emitter, akin to an enhanced microwave.

Sadly, this process demands substantial, consistent power, and at least for now, there is no means to generate that level of power on an aircraft. Whether deploying several smaller plasma-based thrusters or a single large one, it would necessitate a power source of extraordinary size and weight. On a positive note, intriguing research in this arena is taking place in space, where a plasma engine could transport astronauts to Mars in merely 30 days. However, for those on Earth, it will probably take some time before a battery small and light enough to energize plasma jet engines is developed.

Get $30 Off When You Buy Two Nintendo Switch Games at Target

Target is offering a great deal to some Target Circle members that knocks $30 off the cost of two Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games. The sale is happening for the rest of the day, expiring at 2:59AM ET on April 5th. If you sign in with the free-to-join membership, you might be able to […]

China’s Groundbreaking Aircraft Carrier Design Suggests Unmatched Naval Abilities

The prevailing model of military might for most key global powers hinges on a blend of land, maritime, and aerial defense mechanisms. Air defense systems are especially crucial as they are capable of identifying incoming threats from nearly any location on the planet. However, hypothetically, what if an assault originated from beyond our atmosphere? China is investigating that very possibility with the Luanniao, a theoretical aircraft carrier meant to patrol the cosmic seas.

The Chinese authorities are in the process of conceptualizing an advanced hybrid air and space-based defense framework known as Nantianmen. If successfully deployed as envisioned, this framework would empower China to track targets and conduct strikes not just from the atmosphere, but also from the planet’s orbit, safely beyond the surveillance and capabilities of ground-based air defense systems. The crucial element of this initiative is the massive Luanniao aircraft carrier, a spacecraft resembling something from “Star Wars.” The feasibility of such a vessel is open to debate, yet if one is to believe Chinese state media, the Luanniao could be functional by as early as 2040.

The Luanniao would deploy unmanned vehicles from orbit

Keeper Security Introduces Zero-Trust Database Access to PAM Platform with KeeperDB

Database credentials remain one of the most common attack vectors in enterprise breaches, yet most organisations still manage them through shared spreadsheets, hardcoded connection strings, or standalone credential vaults with no session oversight. Keeper Security, the Chicago-based cybersecurity company best known for its password management platform, is attempting to close that gap with KeeperDB, a […]

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The Essential Router Security Configuration That Frequently Remains Unaltered

Broadband Genie reports that 81% of participants indicated they have never modified their router’s default password. It’s crucial to change that password, as leaving it unchanged represents a significant security risk that allows malicious entities access to potentially harmful actions.

Interestingly, the admin interface is what individuals rely on to establish their Wi-Fi password. They access it using the default username and password provided by the manufacturer, typically something like “admin” and “password.” These credentials are relatively simple to decipher, even for the average user, since they are publicly available information. However, once a hacker obtains entry to your router’s admin interface, they can gain unrestricted access to your online presence and even perpetrate crimes through your internet connection. Although there are measures you can take to restore control after a breach, it is generally wiser to avert such incidents in the first place.

Many individuals underestimate the risks of a compromised router

Hackers Compromise European Commission by Tampering with Its Security Tool

CERT-EU has attributed a major data breach at the European Commission to cybercrime group TeamPCP, which exploited a supply chain attack on the open-source security tool Trivy to steal 92 GB of compressed data from the Commission’s AWS infrastructure. The notorious ShinyHunters gang then published the data, which included emails and personal details from up […]

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NASA Greenlights iPhone 17 Pro Max for Utilization by Astronauts on Artemis II Mission

### NASA’s Artemis II Mission: iPhones in Space

Earlier this year, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed that astronauts participating in the Artemis II mission would be permitted to “fly with the latest smartphones.” This innovative decision has paved the way for new opportunities to document the journey to the Moon, as noted by *The New York Times*.

#### No Connectivity, Just Photos and Videos

At present, four iPhone 17 Pro Max devices are en route to the Moon at about 25,000 mph. While this is not the inaugural occurrence of an iPhone in space, Artemis II stands out as it is the first occasion NASA has provided each crew member with an iPhone to take photographs and videos.

Apple indicated that it was not involved in the process of approving iPhones for the Artemis II mission. Nonetheless, this mission signifies the first instance in which an iPhone has been fully certified for prolonged use in orbit and beyond. The devices are restricted to photography and videography, as they lack the capability to connect to the internet or utilize Bluetooth.

The process of certifying the iPhones for flight was intricate and comprised multiple stages. According to Tobias Niederwieser, an assistant research professor at BioServe Space Technologies, the process includes:

1. Presenting the hardware to a safety panel.
2. Recognizing potential hazards, such as movable parts or materials that could fracture.
3. Formulating a strategy to mitigate these hazards.
4. Demonstrating that the strategy is effective.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max incorporates advanced materials, including Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple asserts is “more resilient than any smartphone glass.” However, shatter resistance was just one of numerous considerations for NASA.

NASA’s assessment process is designed to guarantee the safety of both the crew and the spacecraft. In a microgravity setting, hardware operates differently than on Earth. For instance, NASA examined the use of Velcro to secure the phones within the Orion capsule, and at least one phone was placed into a leg pocket of an astronaut’s flight suit prior to liftoff.

#### Capturing the Journey

The Artemis II crew will not exclusively depend on iPhones for photography. They also have access to four GoPro Hero 11 cameras and two Nikon D5 bodies. One of the Nikon cameras recently snapped a breathtaking image of Earth illuminated by the full moon.

As the mission unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the crew will capture equally stunning photos and videos with their iPhones. For those eager to follow the astronauts’ journey and the images they share, updates will be available on NASA’s official website.

### Conclusion

The incorporation of iPhones in the Artemis II mission signifies a notable advancement in merging modern technology with space exploration. By allowing astronauts to document their experiences with familiar devices, NASA is not only improving the mission’s outreach but also making the Moon seem more within reach for the public.