SpaceX’s saving throw

Plus: Russia, China can't take down Starlink's 2,000+ satellites, Elon Musk says Mar 28, 2022 [View in browser]( Together with [Metmo]( The International Space Station (ISS) isn’t above world affairs, which explains why NASA is becoming thick as thieves with private American companies. Amid the Ukraine conflict, tensions in space are rising, leaving Russia’s participation in ISS resupply missions an open question. This is partially why NASA placed another order with SpaceX, commissioning six more resupply missions to the ISS. Aerospace juggernaut Northrop Grumman also scored some contracts. The ISS plummeting from the sky would be a doomsday scenario beyond imagination, but we know what happens when fighter jets go down. Before we get into the changing dynamics at NASA, watch this video below to learn about the perils of using fighter jet ejection seat systems. Good morning. I’m Derya, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s pick up where we left off. [Video]VIDEO OF THE DAY [The dangers behind using fighter jet ejection seat systems]( If one thing goes wrong, these pilots could be in grave danger. [The dangers behind using fighter jet ejection seat systems]( SCIENCE [SpaceX and Northrop Grumman join forces to service the ISS through 2026]( [The SpaceX Dragon.]( Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin made global headlines when he quipped that the U.S. [would have to use “broomsticks” to fly into space]( since Russia would no longer make its rocket engines available to the U.S. Dire straits. Although NASA Administrator Bill Nelson played down the comments at the time, there is no doubt that traveling to space may soon become more complicated. - That's why NASA is planning ahead: 12 additional missions [have been ordered]( under its Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS-2) contracts to ensure continuous science and cargo delivery for the agency and its international partners to the International Space Station. A-team. The new missions will go to Northrop Grumman and SpaceX (six each), providing resupply services to the station through 2026. This is not the first time the space agency has turned to American companies to meet its space needs. It’s estimated that the maximum potential value of all these contracts is $14 billion, a bottom-line worth paying to guarantee the continued [success of American space missions](. [Read More]( CULTURE [Russia, China can't take down Starlink's 2,000+ satellites, says Elon Musk]( [Starlink satellites, nearing orbital insertion.]( SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, [recently spoke to Business Insider]( at Tesla's factory in Fremont, California, discussing space travel, the future of humanity, and its increasingly grim present. - Lately, Musk has been very much a part of the Ukrainian defense by supplying Starlink terminals and activating satellite internet services in the country with short notice. This makes the internet service a prime target for Russian forces. Orbit wars. Musk cited an anti-satellite test undertaken by Russia, in which it deployed its anti-ballistic missile interceptor to test its direct ascent anti-satellite and destroyed an earlier satellite of its own. However, Musk is confident that such a system won't be used against its satellites. Starlink currently operates more than 2,000 satellites, so taking the entire constellation down would be incredibly costly. He also thinks SpaceX [can launch more satellites into space]( than adversaries can destroy; however, he hopes that this wager is never put to the test. [Read More]( SPONSORED [MetMo Driver | The World’s Most Satisfying Driver]( [MetMo Driver]( It is no news that it can be quite frustrating to use the wrong screwdriver or have one slip out of your hand. With the MetMo Driver, you can drive in stubborn screws into tough surfaces with ease. You'll never have to worry about the MetMo Driver slipping out of your hand again! The MetMo Driver is a compact, high torque tool that blends engineering history with modern-day materials and manufacturing techniques. Inspired by Conrad Baumann’s ratchet driver from the 1950s, it is built for designers, engineers, tinkerers, and anyone who wants to drive in stubborn screws into tough surfaces. You can also play and fiddle with the MetMo Driver; it acts as the perfect stressbuster that’s fun to fiddle with. [Click here to get yours today]( HEALTH [New research reveals why the HIV virus remains in the human body despite successful therapies]( [3D illustration of HIV virus.]( Treatment of HIV has made great strides in the last few years, with patients fully recovering from the condition due to recent therapies. However, one thing that remains consistent is that the virus stays in the body even after a patient has successfully undergone treatment. - Now, researchers from the University of Alberta [have come up with a possible answer]( as to why this occurs that could l ead to improved therapies. Riddle me this. It all has to do with the killer T cells. These cells are a type of white blood cell responsible for identifying and destroying cells infected with viruses and, unfortunately, they lack a protein called CD73 that hinders their ability to spot and eliminate HIV-infected cells. Because CD73 is crucial for cell motility and translocation into tissue, its absence impairs killer T cells' ability [to detect and eradicate]( HIV-infected cells. The team is now investigating different methods for turning on the gene in patients with HIV and turning it off in those with multiple sclerosis. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS Discovering a cure for HIV comes with some specific challenges due to its complicated nature. Do you think we’ll be able to cure HIV? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [Yes. It’s just around the corner.]( [No, there’s a reason why we’ve managed to only treat it so far.]( [I really hope so. It’s long-overdue.]( [I don’t know, I’m not an expert.]( Yesterday’s Results We asked whether you think North Korea will cease its shows of strength soon. According to the majority, nothing can change with their current government. Nothing can change with their current government. 64% Maybe, if their leader changes. 19% They have the right to introduce their latest war technologies as long as they don’t cause any harm. 8% It will be over soon if a war breaks out. 8% QUOTE OF THE DAY “ It has been said that an engineer is a man who can do for ten shillings what any fool can do for a pound. ” Nevil Shute in “Slide Rule” (1954) AND ANOTHER THING... - Even now, after everything, the James Webb Telescope [is due for course corrections](. Here’s how it traversed 932,000 miles to Lagrange Point 2. - Watch this video to get [a rare glimpse inside a samurai sword workshop]( where ritual meets mastery. (Aeon) - NASA [is set to launch two rockets]( into the Northern Lights. - A hospital in the U.S. is trying to deal with stress amongst staff and patients by creating therapeutic gardens and [having visits from baby goats](. (BBC) - An artificial intelligence model [can invent 40,000 chemical weapons]( in just six hours. - Scientists can unlock [secrets about wear and tear on batteries]( by studying their composition. (Popular Mechanics) - MIT researchers surprised mice to learn how humans judge risky behavior. Then, [they got a surprise of their own](. [Share to Win]SHARE TO WIN [All products]( Share The Blueprint! Give your friends deeper insights into engineering and tech, and win exclusive IE swag for free. [Read Details]( Share your link Copy & share your referral link with others. [ [Referral Program Terms and Conditions]( Prepared by Derya Ozdemir and Brad Bergan Enjoy reading? Don't forget to forward to a friend! Was this email forwarded to you? [Subscribe]( [About Us]( | [Advertise]( | [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. 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