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Added on the 19/08/2016 07:16:51 - Copyright : Reuters - Next Media
Buzz Aldrin: A New "Race for Space" Dr. Buzz Aldrin, the second human to walk on the moon, is a leading advocate of space science and planetary exploration. He is the co-author of several books, including "Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration" and "No Dream Is Too High: Life Lessons From a Man Who Walked on the Moon." He lives in Satellite Beach, Florida. Given President-Elect Trump's interest in putting in place a space council, I envision a more unified approach to shaping and overhauling aspects of America's civil, military, and industrial space sectors. And get ready for intense competition in the development of human spaceflight systems, not only for use in low Earth orbit but also outward from our home planet. This commercial "race for space" will lead to technical and business innovations we don't yet appreciate or understand. I think the year ahead will see Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin group wring out its New Shepard reusable suborbital launch vehicle and press forward on its New Glenn booster. Similarly, Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo will hasten the pace of testing to create suborbital passenger service. And keep an eye on the maiden flights of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner and the SpaceX Dragon 2 capsules — stepping stones to restore our nation's capabilities for human spaceflight. I expect Elon Musk and his SpaceX rocketeers will fly their Falcon Heavy launcher from the refurbished Launch Complex 39 pad A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. That's the same site that I rocketed from with my Apollo 11 colleagues, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins, to achieve the first human landing on the Moon in July 1969! China is headed for several milestone achievements. For one, they will use their new Long March 5 and Long March 7 boosters to advance their goal of building their own space station. In addition, look for China to fly to the moon the robotic Chang'e 5 spacecraft and attempt the first lunar sample return to Earth in more than 40 years. Lastly, look for surprises from mysterious Mars! Now orbiting the Red Planet is the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter that in 2017 will "sniff out" whether methane detected on that world is a product of Martian microbes. Personally, I'll be working as hard as ever to rally public and political willpower to hasten the day when those first footfalls on the Red Planet lead to permanent inhabitation of Mars.
China has launched the world's first quantum satellite, which state media says will help establish "hack-proof" communications. Natasha Howitt reports.
China has launched the world's first quantum satellite, which state media says will help establish "hack-proof" communications. Natasha Howitt reports.
With the all-new Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology, the brand with the three-pointed star presents the first fully electric variant of its off-road icon. It symbolises the fusion of tradition and progress like no other. The all-new electric G-Class remains true to the model’s character, retaining its angular silhouette including all iconic elements. Like the conventionally powered variants, its body is built on a ladder frame. The development team has modified and reinforced this to integrate the electric drive. Also retained is the combination of independent front suspension with double wishbones and newly developed rigid rear axle. The high-voltage lithium-ion battery integrated into the ladder frame ensures a low centre of gravity. With its usable capacity of 116 kWh, it provides sufficient energy for ranges of up to 473 kilometres according to WLTP.The four individually controlled electric motors located near the wheels develop a maximum total output of 432 kW. Together with the selectable LOW RANGE off-road gear reduction, they enable unique driving characteristics and exclusive functions. This allows G-TURN to turn the vehicle almost on the spot on loose or unpaved surfaces. The G-STEERING function can deliver a significantly smaller turning circle when driving off-road. The three-speed intelligent off-road crawl function is like cruise control for off-roading – maintaining optimum propulsion while the driver focuses on navigating the terrain.Like the tried-and-tested variants, the all-new Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology has a gradeability of up to 100% on suitable surfaces. The vehicle remains stable on sideways slopes of up to 35 degrees. With a maximum fording depth of 850 millimetres, the electric G‑Class outperforms its conventionally powered counterparts by 150 millimetres. The LOW RANGE off-road gearing increases propulsion with a special reduction ratio. The all-new model generates the function of conventional differential locks virtually using intelligent torque vectoring. G-ROAR brings a unique sound experience to the all-new electric G-Class. In addition to a characteristic, G-Class-specific driving sound, it includes one “aura” sound and a variety of “event” sounds.
A rocket carrying the Chang'e-6 lunar probe blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in southern China's Hainan province. The Chang'e-6 seeks to collect samples from the far side of the Moon, a world first as Beijing pushes ahead with an ambitious programme that aims to send a crewed lunar mission by 2030. IMAGES
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