A Brazil-sized ‘space bubble’ shield to save the Earth? 🌎

Plus: Scientists produce renewable jet fuel from common soil bacteria Jul 01, 2022 [Blueprint]( A team of MIT researchers has a radical Plan B for reversing global warming: using a fleet of “space bubbles” to reflect the sun’s rays away from Earth. It’s definitely an out-there idea, but hear us out: The bubbles would be manufactured in space, covering an area about the size of Brazil when interconnected. The researchers say, if we can deflect 1.8 percent of incident solar radiation before it hits the Earth, we could completely reverse global warming! That sounds like a lifeboat at a time when humanity is doing the bare minimum to avert the oncoming climate catastrophe. Before we learn more about this innovative idea, check out today’s video to see how road workers in Germany repair manholes in record time. Good morning. I’m Derya, an editor at IE. Also, have you seen the announcement email we sent you earlier? In a nutshell, we have exciting news: We have a new premium tier, IE+, and we are inviting you to try it out with a one-month free trial! This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [Watch how road workers in Germany repair manholes in record time]( [Manhole.]( It's fast, efficient, and oddly satisfying. [Must Read]MUST READ [MIT proposes using a 'space bubble' shield the size of Brazil to cool the Earth]( [MIT.]( A team of MIT researchers is investigating a radical method for countering the effects of climate change: [A fleet of “space bubbles” to reflect sunlight]( away from the Earth. → Such crazy ideas wouldn't even be on the table if humans had drastically curbed their use of fossil fuels years ago — [but here we are](. While some scientists warn that geoengineering is a dangerous distraction, others say we need to assess all options. That's where the space bubbles come in. Bubble block. The researchers are studying the possibility of positioning a shield made of silicon “space bubbles” at Lagrangian Point 1, a relatively stable orbital point in space. They believe that the bubble shield would have to be roughly the size of Brazil. Crucially, the MIT researchers state that the solution would be “fully reversible”, presumably meaning the bubbles could be popped if we find they are having an unwelcome effect on our planet. More research is, of course, needed; however, if the worst effects of climate change do become a reality, [as they likely will as things stand]( this proposal could serve as a vital life raft for humanity. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [A new analysis shows how much faster Starlink got over the last year]( Seattle-based internet performance testing firm Ookla [released a new analysis]( on Starlink internet's speed performance, showing how the service has improved greatly in the last year. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Innovation - The U.S. Army's high-speed helicopter Raider X [is now armed with Hellfire missiles](. - Tiny robots in swarms [could probe distant worlds]( for signs of life. - The U.S. Space Force [will set a new orbital record]( with its mysterious X-37B space plane. [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [This is a miracle! Scientists produce renewable jet fuel from common soil bacteria]( A team of researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory [has successfully harvested]( alternative jet fuel from commonly found soil bacteria species belonging to the genus streptomyces. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Science - A giant comet twice the size of Mount Everest [is heading for Earth](. - The James Webb team [will soon reveal the deepest image ever]( taken of the universe. - Scientists have developed [a first-of-its-kind implant that relieves]( pain without drugs. [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS Scientists at MIT want to put a barrier between Earth and sun to fight climate change. Do you think that building a “space bubble” shield to cool the Earth is a good idea? [It’s genius. We should invest more in it.]( [Hello? Let’s stop burning fossil fuels first.]( [It’s a good emergency measure, but nothing more.]( [It doesn’t excite me, as it’s just a proposal.]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS We asked when you think quantum computers will be commercially available. According to 49 percent of you, it's going to happen in 10 years or so. 49% I’m optimistic! Probably in 10 years or so. 25% Who knows? 19% It won't happen until at least the 2040s. 7% There are too many challenges we cannot overcome. [QUOTE OF THE DAY]QUOTE OF THE DAY “Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.” Bill Watterson in "Calvin and Hobbes" (comic strip) November 8, 1989 [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Blue Yeti Microphone]( [image]( [Customylife Folding Hand Truck]( [image]( [Givebest Electric Fireplace Heater]( [image]( [Moistenland Watering System]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - Here are [five great tips for making the perfect workbench]( at home. - The Supreme Court on Thursday [dealt a major blow to climate action]( by handcuffing the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to regulate planet-warming emissions from the country's power plants. (CNN) - A manned alpha prototype of [an eVTOL aircraft has been revealed]( bringing us closer to the dream of flying cars. - Nuclear power can help the democratic world [achieve energy independence](. (Nature) - Billionaire Richard Branson could help Ukraine [rebuild the world's largest cargo plane](. - This is [the life and death of a private car]( in the U.S. (Fast Company) - Air New Zealand [has introduced bunk beds]( for economy class passengers. Prepared by Derya Özdemir Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. Was this email forwarded to you? [Join Free!]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage you e-mail 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]