🚀 1 hour space rocket delivery and Musk to license self-driving tech

Plus: Rolls-Royce tests its most powerful aviation energy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 April 05, 2024 | [Read Online]( Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has confirmed exploring one-hour deliveries worldwide through a rocket-based delivery system. The company has partnered with Beijing-based Epoch Space to work in this direction. The announcement was made on the Chinese social media platform WeChat. For more on the details, check out today’s [Must-Read]([.]( 🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on [jobs.interestingengineering.com](: >[Â]([Software Engineer II (Machine Configuration)]( > [Web and Automation Developer/Engineer]( 🎙 New podcast [The science behind Wi-Fi motion sensing with Dr. Taj Manku]( Reading Time: 4 mins Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe here.]( MUST READ 🚀 Supersonic parcel: Alibaba plans 1-hour rocket delivery of goods globally As per the social media post, Epoch Space will provide a [cargo cabin]( on its Yuanxingzhe 1 with a capacity of over 4,200 cubic feet (120 meters cubed) for this service. This cargo cabin has a diameter of 13 feet (four meters) and a capacity not exceeding ten metric tonnes. Interestingly, the Yuanxingzhe 1 (YXZ -1) has yet to complete its maiden flight, so the service is [unlikely to start]( anytime soon. However, animations shared by the space startup show the liquid-fuelled rocket linked to a conveyor belt to load smaller parcels into the cargo cabin. Like SpaceX’s rockets, the YXZ-1 is designed to be reusable and has been simulated landing on [vessels at sea.]( 🛞 Tesla’s Elon Musk just opened Pandora’s box – FSD is up for grabs Love it or hate it, [Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD)]( is making some serious waves in the auto world. Despite occasional critism, FSD, the autopilot feature, is a significant disruptor in automotive. And now, things just got a whole lot more interesting. CEO [Elon Musk just revealed on X]( (formerly known as Twitter) that he’s opening the door for other carmakers to license Tesla’s FSD technology. This could potentially be big business for the carmaker, which has been working and developing the tech for a long time now. The reality is that driver-assist systems are everywhere these days. Ford, GM, Mercedes—they’re all in on it. But they’re mostly good for smooth highways. For more complicated terrain like city streets, brands like Waymo and Cruise seem to compete with Tesla’s FSD (supervised, of course). Let’s be honest, though: FSD is still a [work in progress.]( 🛫 Rolls-Royce begins testing of its most powerful business aviation engine Rolls-Royce, makers of powerful jet engines and brilliant cars, has announced the start of the [flight test]( campaign for their most powerful business aviation engine. The [Pearl 10X]( will power the Dassault Falcon 10X, the French manufacturer’s newest flagship aircraft. The first flight of the engine was onboard the company’s dedicated test aircraft, a Boeing 747 Flying Test Bed (FTB). The key is guaranteeing the efficiency and dependability of engines before their integration into customer service. The FTB, a Boeing 747-200 owned by Rolls-Royce located in Tucson, Arizona, can be fitted with a range of engines to give the engines [real-life test runs in the air.]( Love what you're reading, but too many emails? Sign up to IE+ to get Blueprint Weekly, our exclusive weekly premium newsletter that gives all the insights you love in a more digestible weekly format– plus, enjoy an Ad-Free experience on our website. Try IE+ today for just $1 in the first month. [Subscribe here]( HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY SCIENCE > Scientists measure the expanding Universe with never-before-seen precision. Their findings, shared over multiple papers, suggest that dark energy may be evolving with time. ([More]() > A unique mission will allow scientists to perform long-term studies of the Sun’s corona. This will be achieved by creating a fake (artificial) eclipse in space. ([More]() > In the wake of a partially successful third Starship test flight less than three weeks ago, SpaceX appears to be moving full speed ahead with its fourth Starship test flight attempt next month. ([More]() ENERGY > The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has begun assembly of a machine that will use real plutonium in experiments. This will help scientists study the conditions immediately before the nuclear phase of a weapon’s functioning. ([More]() > UK-based First Light Fusion announced a breakthrough for its novel nuclear fusion technology. It has successfully tested its “electric gun” to ignite fuel in its test reactor’s core. ([More]() > EnerVenue, co-founded by the family office of Hong Kong tycoon Peter Lee, aims to build factories in the U.S. and China to commercialize an old battery technology deployed in space. ([More]() INNOVATION > Recently, U.S. researchers conducted the first outdoor test of a cloud-brightening technique that deflects sunlight and may temporarily cool the planet. This geoengineering method is called marine cloud brightening. ([More]() > In a new update, CASC announced that it aims to catch its reusable rockets on reentry using wires. The space contractor shared some pretty wild concept footage of the recovery procedure, which you can watch below. ([More]() > Scientists are using space plasma technology — the same for de-orbiting satellites, such as on the Space X Falcon 9 flight — to control infections in hospitals. It’s called Project PASTA (Plasma Air Sterilisation and Treatment Apparatus). ([More]() VIDEO > A 7.7 magnitude earthquake has torn into Taiwan, leaving deaths and injuries as well as people being trapped in tunnels. Here, IE also takes a look at buildings and transport infrastructure that have been badly affected. ([More]() > In this video, we take a closer look at a new train powered by hydrogen that has broken a world record for long-distance travel — without refueling. The Flirt H2 train ran for over 46 hours and traveled over 1,700 miles non-stop. ([More]() > Learn about the world’s first functional graphene semiconductor. Graphene could replace silicon for smaller, faster electronics and change semiconductor technology for the next 50 years. ([More]() THINGS WE LOVE > Honovos Humidifier: ([Buy Now: $99.99]() > SHOKZ Bone Conduction Headphones: ([Buy Now: $129.95]() > Eilik Robot Pet: ([Buy Now: $139.99]() > PLUWEL Night Light: ([Buy Now: $48.99]() IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS Hey there! Yesterday, we threw out a brain teaser on our socials: “Can you find the Voltage and Current for both circuits? The answer is: Voltage 1:1V Current1:3000mAh / Voltage 2:4.5V Current 2:1000mAh Ready for more brainy challenges? Gear up for future IE quizzes by following us on [Instagram]( and [Facebook!]( FROM THE WEB > New privacy-preserving robotic cameras obscure images beyond human [recognition]( > Video: Talking Chinese humanoid is hot on the heels of [OpenAI/Figure]( > World first UK prototype could pave the way for constant energy all the time - from [space]( > JetZero: Groundbreaking ‘blended-wing’ demonstrator plane cleared to [fly]( > Florida: Moment small plane deploys parachute and crashes in backyard of [home]( > Gold hits fresh high: Why are investors turning to the precious [metal](? Additional Reads --------------------------------------------------------------- [⚙️ Mechanical:](Explore the wonders of mechanical engineering. [🛩️ Aerospace:]( The latest on propulsion, satellites, aeronautics, and more. [🧑🏻‍🔧 Engineer Pros:]( The latest in engineering news, career updates, and insider knowledge. [🧠AI Logs:]( Insights into the intricacies and developments within the realm of artificial intelligence. [🎬 IE Originals:](Weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos. [🟩 Sustainability:]( Uncover green innovations and the latest trends shaping a sustainable future for the tech industry. [⚡Electrical:]( From AI to smart grids, our newsletter energizes you on emerging tech. --------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share your feedback? [contact@interestingengineering.com](mailto:contact@interestingengineering.com?subject=User%20feedback%20for%20the%20Blueprint) --------------------------------------------------------------- //link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/u001.K6ndGU8d_KOkj4UfGsJPEcktYIaxSR7SdCQbODD_GYGnsx9za6C1sEpqYvc81lIl4tfEpOmm8xUuBEuIh5zJrlfb1rsr5ND63XCkm8kVGSM8t1uZRVycYZUIEwgtjnu7Nnj-cx5JwttVGvCCDyvISTcMFpp64URT7I1oXLjx4LRmZa0HFwnRobzOv4_Cx8YQB5g4-aFjLaXCRfpMScyOxrDq5iCNcEgKhMn8db8HrsSth_fW_jEGI0xKIfiTisgMnL2Dk5ynrV6Tyu9TZ3VeGA/459/5WS6wlkMTrO4Pa8rug0Jmg/h52/h001.eMdlzhivTdCbZxFtzdLlQBHsylovIj3U_bgmNL98eLk//link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/u001.O7cX42TEUwaVzaXjvY3lIBaVSA5HCDbqRL0r1mrSAZjXlQfx3AeIAMCqNceFzEl_q_WARK627ZB44CnqOlm3oTZ0yZKe8JXrMhFD-jMzqqvjp4J32PN1uuhmS8YPt7FAcRddKkfA6zrJyQ_MwUm_Crks9gt3Dhu2-6yNnzgGRZSutYkveFcBQIJ1ciw424ydlsH3T3T-tTdDmpSyeeRujvJZJJb0G8G5SbC7aSHNjrRBDbobYhXegbjRMzEKPWRA/459/5WS6wlkMTrO4Pa8rug0Jmg/h54/h001.yC7I3FonAKC8piWViNSER_Owo3xn5Rof1bhzXgh0Mpg//link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/u001.K6ndGU8d_KOkj4UfGsJPEdvuU75-8apOA2hjUkkTsVIqIpLDSpdekmWPm1UWIwYKGzyi2Jkwb3qnbnsotCj7tPiWFXmx36FnXwaVmPwCv_rgu0BSGpzFIxfXBw5D3QmM8qEi4sTFo0_RNTCvS-lBZXi26nOxN7l0HmacmOx2LgWPJxwwF1mf3Jflio6cwhPDbWIfzv2Axx4q-efjSXbJ0luqmW0VybVduGZ6U1xrpKI3Gp5CvC4XZdDML1pWdsy-TqZaQbsQjX__wnU42Sxmvg/459/5WS6wlkMTrO4Pa8rug0Jmg/h56/h001.-QlrcTg0gTyMElOPSY4kLnPTdRfrvrFNy55odh-f2xc Update your email preferences or unsubscribe [here]( © 2024 The Blueprint 530 5th Ave New York, New York 10036, United States of America