Satellite constellation will soon create 3D LIDAR maps of the Earth's surface

Plus: Ex-SpaceX engineer is building ‘meltdown-proof’ portable nuclear reactors Sponsored by There’s an old saying “the map is not the territory” which is meant to remind us that a map — or any representation of reality — is not the same as the reality it represents. The gap between representation and reality is about to get narrower, with the launch of a constellation of satellites that will map the Earth's surface in 3D with unprecedented clarity. More on this exciting development and its possible applications below. But first, here’s [your video of the day](. Good morning. I’m Tim, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let's get started. Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers learned about the role of seismic isolation in protecting people and property during earthquakes. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+]( today to recei ve exclusive interviews, features, and much more. VIDEO OF THE DAY [Beluga]( [The Beluga has one of the most voluminous cargo holds of any aircraft]( The Airbus A300-600ST (Super Transporter), known as the Beluga, is a modified version of the normal A300-600 wide-body airliner designed to transport aircraft parts and oversize cargo. MUST READ [3D maps]( [A constellation of satellites will soon create 3D maps of the Earth]( Current satellite imagery provides a 2D view of the planet, but now NUVIEW, a space research and technology company based in Florida, has announced that it will soon be able to capture and map the entire surface of the Earth in 3D. The company is building a constellation of satellites, using LiDAR technology, which will collect data ‘more than 100 times faster than current commercial aerial solutions.’ As per a press release by the company, NUVIEW’s technology will enable farmers to optimize crop yields and water usage, while city planners can create more efficient and sustainable urban environments. The geospatial industry is expected to grow up to $1.7 trillion and NUVIEW is looking to make heavy inroads to unlock the potential of this market. [Read More]( INNOVATION Ex-SpaceX engineer is building ‘meltdown-proof’ portable nuclear reactors Doug Bernauer’s Radiant Industries is working to build "meltproof" portable nuclear generators that can be packed in a shipping container. Radiant's plan for making its powerplant portable is to make a smaller nuclear reactor capable of generating one megawatt of energy, sufficient to power about 1,000 homes. [Read More]( THE SPONSOR OF THE DAY [Breakwater Supply]( [The hiking season is inching closer. Have you got everything before hitting the trail?]( Embarking on a hike is probably one of the most adventurous things to do in the world. However, that doesn't go to say it's the easiest activity to undertake. With a lot of preparation involved, any individual needs to have an arsenal of tools and accessories ready to weather the toughest snowstorms, blizzards, and more. The most essential accessory is a nice, sturdy waterproof backpack that can be used in all weather conditions since it holds all your important belongings. With little room for compromise when it comes to getting the perfect waterproof backpack, Breakwater Supply can help you get one that fulfills your backpacking needs perfectly. Their Fogland Backpack was named as the [Best Waterproof Backpack in 2023]( recently. With ample room to fit all your belongings, this backpack is available on Amazon and Breakwater Supply's official store. Make haste and get yours now! [LEARN MORE]( CULTURE Google officially unveils its first foldable Pixel phone Google has finally put to rest the suspense about launching its first foldable Pixel phone. Google officially unveiled Pixel Fold on Star Wars Day, May 4th, in a tweet. For those, who want to know more about the phone, there is a short wait until May 10, when Google will formally speak about it at its Google I/O event. [Read More]( SCIENCE BacterAI: New AI system enables robots to conduct 10,000 scientific experiments a day A group of scientists has created an artificial intelligence (AI) system that enables robots to conduct as many as 10,000 scientific experiments independently in a single day. BacterAI could significantly accelerate the pace of discovery in a range of fields such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. In a recent research study the team successfully utilized BacterAI to map the metabolic processes of two microbes linked with oral health. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS Radiant Industries that is working to build "meltproof" portable nuclear generators. Would you be happy to live near one? [No, sounds risky]( [I've no concerns]( [Great for remote locations]( [Wind and solar are better]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Only 1% of you think Artificial General Intelligence will never become a reality, while 39% urge caution over its development. 39% We need to be careful 38% Yes, AGI is here 23% No, not yet 1% It will never happen QUOTE OF THE DAY The map appears to us more real than the land. D.H. Lawrence THINGS WE LOVE [LanSuper Colorful Bluetooth Speaker]( [Hoover PowerDash Pet Carpet Cleaner]( [Explore K2 Kayak]( [Dometic Brisk II Air Conditioner]( AND ANOTHER THING - The first mission to Mars: [Can and should it happen by 2033?]( [premium] - Researchers discover [new method to collect water from humidity using organic crystals]( [premium] - [Russia confirms rare nuclear supplies shipment to China, US alarmed]( - [How cells are influenced by their environment as tissues grow]( (ETH Zurich) - Here comes the sun: [New study shows how UK weather conditions influence music success in the markets]( (University of Oxford) - New US tech can [successfully remove 100 tons of CO2 from the ocean a year]( [Subscriber to IE+]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( © Copyright 2023 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 205 Hudson St New York, NY, 10013, USA | All Rights Reserved You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. 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