😬 NASA’s asteroid sample capsule sprang a leak on its way home

Plus: iPhone creator working with OpenAI, Space Force wants a hotline to China, Microsoft may deploy small nuclear reactors for AI infrastructure. Like a deep space message in a bottle, the OSIRIS-REx capsule delivered pristine samples from asteroid Bennu. But unfortunately the bottle leaked a little! Now begins an intricate two-hour procedure to safely access the remaining cosmic matter, some of which could reveal fresh insights into the dawn of our solar system. With steady hands and bated breath, NASA prepares to unveil its first-ever asteroid material. What tales will these primordial pieces tell to illuminate the origins of our planet and life? Find out in today's [Must Read](. 👉 Also today, Alert Innovation is hiring a [Quality Assurance Engineer II]( Andover. Apply now to avoid missing out! Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let's crack open the seal and see what else is going on today! 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[SUBSCRIBE]( HOT TOPICS - 🇩🇪 [German Navy fleet may soon be laser-ready after trials]( Following a year of sea trials, the German Navy is now moving forward with developing laser weapons for its fleet. - ⏩ [A solar sail spacecraft could reach Mars in only 26 days]( A team of scientists simulated journeys to Mars and interstellar space using a solar sail made out of aerographite, with impressive results. - 🚨 [Autonomous drone could help end high-speed car chases in New York]( It can travel at 45 miles an hour, read license plates from 800 feet away, and be equipped with a speaker and spotlight. Who needs a police car for a chase now? - 🦠[Is the COVID-19 drug molnupiravir causing new variants?]( Scientists examined coronavirus mutations induced by the drug and found that it might be linked to virus variants. - 🎭 [WGA strike called off: Was it a big AI win for writers?]( Artificial intelligence will not be allowed to write or rewrite literary material, and its use must be disclosed. Must Read [🪨 NASA reveals the contents of the asteroid sample canister]( NASA made a surprising discovery upon opening the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample capsule — black dust indicating some material leaked during the journey to Earth. Scientists will now carefully disassemble the sample mechanism in a nitrogen glovebox over 2 hours to avoid damaging the remaining extraterrestrial cargo. On October 11, NASA will show the Bennu material for the first time during a livestream as scientists weigh and document it before analysis. OSIRIS-REx launched in 2016, visited Bennu in 2018 to gather the sample, and returned to Utah last Sunday. [It will next fly by asteroid Apophis in 2029]( once feared as a threat but now known to be safe. [[Read More]( [Culture]( 📲 Sam Altman and Jony Ive in conversation to build AI hardware According to reports, former Apple design chief Jony Ive is allegedly in talks with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman about potentially collaborating on unspecified AI-based hardware. Details remain scarce, but the two innovators are said to be exploring ideas for new devices suited to the AI era, with speculation they could develop a product that competes with the iPhone. While plans are still uncertain, Ive's legendary design expertise paired with Altman's AI acumen suggests an intriguing vision. [[Read More]( [Military]( ☎️ US Space Force wants to set up a hotline with China The U.S. Space Force is considering a hotline with China to manage rising space tensions. But with no formal talks yet amid secrecy around China's programs, its reaction is uncertain. A hotline could build cooperation on shared space interests. However, China may see it as a bid to probe its activities or militarize space amid wider geopolitical frictions. Despite the challenges, a communication channel could help reduce risks as the space rivals race to dominate the domain. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( ☢️ Microsoft wants small modular nuclear reactors to power AI Microsoft may turn to small nuclear reactors to meet the vast energy needs of its artificial intelligence ambitions, based on a telling new job posting. While not confirmed publicly, Microsoft seems ready to pursue nuclear-powered AI to sustainably scale capabilities despite lingering fuel supply challenges. The move would let Microsoft advance its AI goals while tackling their immense electricity demands. [[Read More]( QUESTION OF THE DAY Do you expect the asteroid sample will reveal anything important? [Yes, but it will take years of analysis]( [Hopefully nothing hazardous]( [No, we know what’s out there]( [I think we'll be surprised]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you about how often you share Interesting Engineering. More than half of you already have, and a further 12 percent plan to. The whole team thanks you! 41% Yes, once or twice 32% No, never 15% Yes, quite often 12% Not yet, but I will! “Scientists and engineers removed the lid and saw black dust and debris on the surfaces of the avionics deck [...[ This dust will undergo a quick-look analysis to determine if it is in fact material from the asteroid Bennu.” NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Mission blog THINGS WE LOVE [US Maritime Antique]( [$179.40]( [Neovivid Sundial Compass]( [$38.85]( Riedel Cornetto Decanter [$225.00]( [Royal Selangor Goblet]( [$240.00]( AND ANOTHER THING - [Is carbon capture the missing piece in the net zero puzzle?]( [premium] - [X has the most number of disinformation posts, says EU]( - [Could the No Robot Bosses Act make hiring fairer?]( - [465-million-year-old trilobite fossil reveals its last meal]( - [How ant brains inspire robots find their way in farmlands]( - [Giant Magellan Telescope's last mirror production underway]( - [Georgia faces brain-infecting worm invasion, study warns]( - [New study finds Seattle under risk of enhanced earthquakes]( - [M87 galaxy's black hole exhibits spin, latest study confirms]( - [How much water is there on the Moon? 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