Russia ditches the ISS? 🛰️

Plus: Rocket Lab launches and recovers a rocket mid-air May 03, 2022 [View in browser]( Western sanctions are taking their toll on the Russian economy, ostensibly forcing the country to abandon its commitment to collaborate on the International Space Station. Of course, this isn’t a total surprise. Russia said it would leave the station in 2024, in the wake of measures taken against its role in the Ukraine conflict, but such an unplanned and hasty departure might leave U.S. and international partners in the lurch until another power, like SpaceX, can take Russia's place. This is pretty heavy, but before we explore the growing ramifications, DIY fans should get a kick out of a new backyard hydroelectric dam project making the rounds over the weekend. Good Morning, this is John, a writer at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get to it. [Video]VIDEO OF THE DAY [Here's how to build your own miniature hydropower dam]( It's time to build one in your garden. [Here's how to build your own miniature hydropower dam]( SCIENCE [Russia will reportedly ditch the International Space Station]( [The ISS (left), and a Russian flag (right).]( While Russia has signaled that it would quit the International Space Station when its primary mission ends in 2024, U.S. and European sanctions on the country in response to its invasion of Ukraine are [forcing an even earlier exit](. - Over the weekend, two Russian state news agencies, TASS and RIA Novosti, reported that General Director Dmitry Rogozin of Russia's space agency confirmed the decision to leave was official. “The decision has been [made] already, we’re not obliged to talk about it publicly. I can say this only — in accordance with our obligations, we’ll inform our partners about the end of our work on the ISS with a year’s notice,” Rogozin said in an interview with Russian state TV, according to a [Bloomberg report](. End of an era. This early exit complicates the future of the ISS, as its primary thrust module belongs to Russia. Elon Musk has said that SpaceX will fill in for the Russians to help keep the ISS in orbit for its extended mission through 2030. Regardless, the whole affair is a sad end to an unprecedented effort at [international cooperation in space](. [Read More]( INNOVATION [Rocket Lab launches and recovers a rocket mid-air]( [The booster rocket, mid-air (left), and Rocket Labs' launch (right).]( In an impressive feat of pilotry, the private space firm [Rocket Labs successfully launched its Electron rocket]( from Launch Complex 1A on Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, at roughly 6:48 PM EDT. After boosting 34 picosatellites and cubesats into orbit, the rocket's first stage was actually caught mid-air by a flying helicopter less than 30 minutes after launch, we’re not kidding. - As impressive as the catch was, however, it didn't last. Due to “different load characteristics” than earlier tests had predicted, the helicopter pilot released the rocket stage into the ocean below. Second chances. Still, Rocket Labs’ effort is an important proof of concept that shows it’s possible to [recover a rocket mid-air]( — a major win for reusable rocketry that could greatly lower the cost of private space flight operations. [Read More]( CULTURE [Warren Buffett won't buy all the Bitcoin in the world for $25]( [Warren Buffet.]( Renown value investor [Warren Buffett is not impressed by Bitcoin](. - The Berkshire Hathaway CEO said during the company's recent annual shareholders meeting that he wouldn't pay even $25 for all the Bitcoin in the world, according to [a CNBC report](. “If you ... owned all of the bitcoin in the world and you offered it to me for $25, I wouldn’t take it,” Buffett said. “Because what would I do with it? I’ll have to sell it back to you one way or another. It isn’t going to do anything.” But, real-talk. With bitcoin trading at nearly $40,000 — the average Joe or Jane could sell it. And that might do a lot. Regardless, Warren isn’t alone in his dismissal of Bitcoin’s potential. Wall Street financier Carl Icahn is also unimpressed, calling cryptocurrencies “ridiculous”. [Others are more bullish on crypto]( including Elon Musk, who not only accepts Bitcoin as payment for a new Tesla, but has also pushed businesses like McDonalds to accept Bitcoin as payment. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS People who made money from conventional stocks or family money are naturally distrustful of a potentially disruptive monetary alternative, since it's in their self-interest to eliminate all economic competition. But that doesn't mean they're wrong. Do you agree with Buffett that Bitcoin isn’t a good bet? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [It’s not worth the bits it’s printed on.]( [Too soon to tell how it’ll pan out.]( [Buffett’s too set in his old ways.]( [He’s out of touch! More BTC for me!]( Yesterday’s Results We asked when SpaceX’s Starship would finally orbit the Earth, and our readers have spoken: more than half of you are eyeing this summer for Starship's historic flight. This summer, just wait. 51% It’s still years away. Relax. 28% Next month. 11% Alas! That steel monster shall never circle thine world! 10% QUOTE OF THE DAY “ When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him. ” Jonathan Swift in "Thoughts on Various Subjects" (1711) AND ANOTHER THING... - [Russia launched a new military spacecraft]( that could be used over Ukraine. - The space race is at a turning point, but it has a long and illustrious history. Why not [explore it in-depth]( (The New York Times $) - We may not hear from aliens [for another 400,000 years](. - You can now [hear the sound of a black hole ‘"echo"]( (Gizmodo) - SpaceX’s Crew-4 [broke the record]( for the fastest flight to the International Space Station. - NASA wants your help figuring out how to [get a Mars sample back to Earth](. (Space.com) - Audi and Porsche are finally joining Formula 1. Time to [put on your gloves](. Prepared by John Loeffler 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. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe [here.]( © Copyright 2022 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 201 Spear Street, Suite 1100 San Francisco, CA 94105 | All Rights Reserved [Interesting Engineering]