🔥 NASA offers electromagnet tech to steer spacecraft through hypersonic plasma

Plus: China’s flawless EM railgun, startup offers EV conversion in 24 hours, Tencent’s futuristic (and huge) new headquarters In Coordination with Eco Wood Art [Eco Wood Art]( Help children develop analytical and problem-solving skills using STEAM construction kits. [Read more.]( When a spacecraft makes its descent into the atmosphere, extreme friction generates a hot and turbulent plasma flow barrier. This poses a serious technical challenge, but by using strategically placed electrodes and electromagnets, NASA has developed an innovative way to manipulate these intense fluxes and improve vehicle control while descending. This breakthrough could help eliminate complex and heavy position adjustment systems while allowing more efficient cargo transport across space. And there may be many more interesting applications for this magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) approach. In today's [Must Read]( we examine how NASA engineers learned to manipulate hypersonic flows with electricity, and what this could mean for human expansion into the solar system. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let’s start the week! VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( What happens when a pilot passes out? Mastering G-force is not merely a skill but a matter of survival for fighter pilots. Explore the intense world of G-force training, essential for elite aviation readiness. SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest in science and engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. 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Must Read [🔥 How electromagnets can manage plasma flow and improve spacecraft control]( NASA is licensing the commercial use of a technique that relies on strategically-placed electromagnets to manage hypersonic plasma flow and precisely guide spacecraft during the intense heating phase of atmospheric entry. Sensors detect the flow and boost lift and drag via the electromagnets, without the need for complex chemical or inertial steering systems. This allows better control for larger payloads and faster transit times. In simulations, a one-square-meter system exerted forces up to 200 kiloNewtons, significantly increasing a test vehicle’s lift-to-drag ratio. Aerospace companies are now permitted to install this system via NASA’s Technology Transfer Program, and it could enable everything from responsive position adjustments to energy harvesting during hypersonic flights. Click below to learn more about this ingenious technology and its potential applications. [[Read More]( [Military]( [⚡️ China develops durable electromagnetic railgun]( Chinese researchers developed an electromagnetic railgun that withstood firing 120 rounds at hypersonic speeds without damage. By monitoring over 100,000 sensors with AI, the system catches issues to prevent failure. With potential applications from naval weapons to rocket launches, China’s achievement addresses previous technical barriers that had limited railgun viability. Learn more about the railgun’s capabilities. [[Read More]( A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR [Wish to make your kid think outside the box? Place your trust in STEAM kits!]( STEAM products integrate multiple disciplines, encouraging a more comprehensive understanding of how different fields interconnect. This approach helps students see the practical application by blending scientific and technological concepts with creative and critical thinking. 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[[Read More]( [Innovation]( [🌀 Architect designs enormous futuristic headquarters for Tencent]( Legendary architect Ole Scheeren designed Chinese company Tencent’s futuristic new headquarters as four spiraling towers surrounding an open atrium. The Shenzhen Tencent complex due to open in 2028 aims to foster creativity among 23,000 employees across an expansive 500,000 square meters – almost double the size of Apple’s California headquarters. Natural light and broad walkways promote an “urban future city” feel suited to collaborative work. Learn more about Scheeren’s “vortex geometry” vision for this project. [[Read More]( QUESTION OF THE DAY Would you pay to convert your car into an electric vehicle? 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