From London to Sydney in just two hours — via space

Plus: OpenAI CEO warns U.S. Senate about AI election interference Sponsored by Flying long haul can be a drag, so the prospect of slashing the duration of a flight by 90 percent would appeal to many intercontinental travelers. This tantalizing possibility is offered by suborbital passenger services that could hop from London to Sydney, for example, in around two hours. Barely enough time to settle in and watch a movie. And imagine the views. New research that exposed 24 people to high G-forces in a Royal Air Force centrifuge indicates that this need not be an impossible dream. More on this in our Must Read story, below. But first, here’s [your video of the day]( which looks at ten futuristic smart city projects around the world. Good morning. I’m Tim, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get into it. Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers learned how new antiobiotics and therapeutics can be extracted from ancient bacteria. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+]( today to receiv e exclusive interviews, features, and much more. VIDEO OF THE DAY [Smart cities]( [The tech revolution of urban living: A closer look at smart cities]( Here are 10 futuristic smart city projects that are either already built or scheduled to be completed soon. MUST READ [London to Sydney in just two hours]( [Future travelers may fly from London to Sydney in just two hours via space]( A study by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suggests a future where travelers could fly from London to Sydney in under two hours via space, compared to the current 22-hour journey through the atmosphere. The Royal Air Force and King's College London investigated the effects of G-forces on people at the level they would experience during suborbital space flights. Interestingly, it found that older individuals could potentially handle space flights better than expected. Currently, suborbital flights are expensive and have limited capacity, but the study anticipates more affordable options emerging in the future, potentially paving the way for "rocket-powered holidays." [Read More]( INNOVATION OpenAI CEO warns Senate about AI interfering with elections The CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman warned a Senate panel that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in election interference is a "significant area of concern,” and that the U.S. should consider severe licensing and testing requirements for the development of AI models. [Read More]( THE SPONSOR OF THE DAY [Sabanci Holding]( [Reshaping the energy ecosystem for a sustainable future]( The world is heavily reliant on fossil fuels to provide energy in various forms throughout the globe. However, a transition to renewable energy resources is highly necessary to keep the 1.5°C climate goal alive. Sabancı Holding, one of the largest Turkish conglomerates that operate on a global scale, is leading the transformation towards a cleaner, carbon-free energy landscape by investing in climate technologies in line with the 3Ds - decarbonization, decentralization, and digitization - while working for accessible and uninterrupted energy. They’re making sure the world becomes [a better place to live]( for future generations. The conglomerate is taking large strides in its attempts to safeguard the environment with notable investments at the global level. The acquisition of the Cutlass Solar II project in Texas is a testament to Sabanci Holding’s efforts to create a greener future. Also, they have made investments in Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Quaise Energy, companies that are working on building fusion technology and gathering access to deep geothermal energy, respectively. While a new energy world is emerging that provides us with a cleaner, smarter, more sustainable, and digital way of living, the stakeholders in the energy ecosystem are transforming their operations in the same direction as Sabancı Holding, not just for today but also for tomorrow, towards a sustainable future. [LEARN MORE]( SCIENCE Alien-like comb jellies raise questions on the evolution of nervous systems An unprecedented finding raises profound questions about the evolution of nervous systems and reignites the debate about the relationship between comb jellies and other members of the animal kingdom. [Read More]( SCIENCE Researchers reconstruct ice age cycle to reveal the astronomical forces at play Using an advanced computer model to study ice ages 1.6 to 1.2 million years ago, researchers have revealed how the glacial cycle was controlled by tiny fluctuations in the direction of the Earth's spin axis and orbit. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS Would you travel via space to save time, even if it cost a lot more? [No, too risky]( [No, too expensive]( [Yes, take my money!]( [Maybe. How much more?]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Your views on the usefulness of an AI bot able to process an entire book at once were split fairly evenly, but only 28% ruled it out completely. 29% Nice to have the option 28% No, not for me 24% Boring documents, maybe, but I love reading 19% Yes, very useful QUOTE OF THE DAY There’s no way to put this genie in the bottle. Globally, this is exploding. U.S. Senator Cory Booker, talking about AI yesterday [Interesting Engineering]( THINGS WE LOVE [Shimoda Explore V2 Camera Backpack]( [LaserPecker 1 Laser Engraver]( [UPWELL Inflatable Recreational Kayak]( [TOSOT Portable Air Conditioner]( AND ANOTHER THING - Robert Maddox’s [crazy pulsejet engines and Insane go-karts]( - New study revisits [80-year-old antibiotic that promises to kill drug-resistant bacteria]( - [First-of-its-kind inflatable drone perches like a bird]( for search and rescue [premium] - Reimagining the double-slit experiment: [Time as a new dimension for the control of light]( [premium] - Florida professor [breaks world record for the longest time living underwater]( with 100 days - Sharing the gift of astronomy: [The Asif Astronomy Club]( [premium] - [Ministers not doing enough to control AI]( , says UK professor (The Guardian) [Subscribe 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. Manage you e-mail preferences or unsubscribe [here.](