✈️ MAGGIE: NASA plans massive solar-powered electric plane for Mars mission

Plus: Aloha humanoid robot, Inhalable sensors detect lung cancer, and Flexible solar cell                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 January 06, 2024 | [Read Online]( As part of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program, the space agency announced the creation of a compact ‘fixed-wing aircraft’ equipped with ‘ultra-high productivity efficiency powered by solar energy to fly in the Martian atmosphere.’ This concept is introduced as MAGGIE aims to revolutionize space technology by allowing global-scale atmospheric measurements on Mars, marking a significant leap forward on the exploration of the Red Planet in today’s [Must Read](. 🚨Have you subscribed to our [Vital Component]( newsletter? An essential roundup of the top engineering, science, and tech news delivered every Sunday. Good morning. I’m Shubhangi, editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. What else is happening today? Reading time: 5 minutes Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe ✉](  VIDEO OF THE DAY Understanding black holes Nobel-winning astrophysicist Reinhard Genzel explains the complexity of black holes during our interview in the Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2023 and he highlights their unique properties. IE+ 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. [Subscribe]( HOT TOPICS - 🤖 [Meet Aloha, a housekeeping humanoid system that can cook and clean]( The system also allows whole-body teleoperation, enabling simultaneous control of all degrees of freedom, including both arms and the mobile base. - ⚙️ [Experts use 3D printing to devise advance mass spectrometer components]( MIT researchers successfully devised 3D-printed mass spectrometer components, creating lightweight and affordable quadrupoles for precise chemical analysis. - 🌑 [Neptune, Uranus colors—green, blue? New images suggest a huge error]( A groundbreaking study reveals Neptune and Uranus share a surprising greenish-blue hue, challenging traditional perceptions of the ice giants' colors. MUST READ ✈️ [MAGGIE: NASA plans massive solar-powered electric plane for Mars mission]( NASA introduced MAGGIE describing it as “a compact fixed-wing aircraft with ultra-high productivity efficiency powered by solar energy to fly in the Martian atmosphere.” This next-generation aircraft would be capable of doing global-scale atmospheric measurements on Mars, ushering in a new age of space technology. The concept’s mission entails a comprehensive exploration strategy that is aiming to unravel mysteries related to Martian geophysics, atmospheric chemistry, and the Red Planet's potential for supporting past or present life. The gathered data will play a crucial role in furthering our understanding of Mars and broadening the potential for upcoming exploration and research endeavors. [Read more >]( [SCIENCE]( 🫁 [MIT scientists create inhalable sensors to detect early lung cancer]( Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) unveiled a pioneering medical technique that involves inhaling nanoparticle sensors followed by a urine test. This innovative approach holds the promise of significantly speeding up and enhancing the early detection of lung cancer. Furthermore, this innovation holds particular promise for low and middle-income countries where the accessibility of computed tomography (CT) scanners is limited. [Read more >]( [INNOVATION]( ⚡️ [Experts craft world’s top flexible solar cell for energy generation]( ‘World’s highest-performing stretchable organic solar cell’ according to researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has been developed using organic material. This material helped build the photoactive layer of the solar cell, which turns light into energy. This leap in technology holds immense promise for the future development of wearable technologies that are both flexible and energy-efficient. [Read more >]( JOB ALERT In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [Project Analyst, Engineering (EPA)]( at Tential Annapolis, MD (US) - (Hybrid remote) [Senior Software Engineer - Full Stack]( at CoBank Greenwood Village, CO (US) - Hybrid remote $110,000 - $150,000 a year [Senior Staff Blockchain Security Engineer]( at Coinbase Remote [Senior Engineer]( at Alliance Inspection Management, LLC Farmington Hills, MI - Remote [See More Jobs >]( Question of the Day Would you like to have a robot do your household chores? [Yes, it would be a help]( [No, not necessary]( [Maybe]( [Depends on cost]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you whether you think Shift Robotics’ Moonwalker X shoes will prove popular among warehouse workers. Here are the results. 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes, a good way to get around fast (35%) 🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, they sound risky (19%) 🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ They'll prove popular with kids! (28%) 🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ They sound fun, I want a pair (18%) “MAGGIE is a compact fixed-wing aircraft with ultra-high productivity efficiency powered by solar energy to fly in the Martian atmosphere with vertical take-off/landing (VTOL) capability NASA THINGS WE LOVE [[DEWALT 20V Max Cordless Drill ] DEWALT 20V Max Cordless Drill $99.00]( [[3 in 1 Charging Station] 3 in 1 Charging Station $19.93]( [[K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker] K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker $79.99]( [[Aipower Wearbuds Watch] Arc Star Floating Speaker $89.90]( AND ANOTHER THING - IE+ [Is it time to rethink Dyson Spheres?]( - [Scientists are advancing cancer treatments after cracking IKAROS code]( - [LK99 returns: China echoes earlier claim of room temp superconductors]( - [Bat species activity declines 80% in dense habitat due to wind turbines]( - [US is flushing 350TWh of energy down the drain every year. Here's why?]( Need help with advertising? Reach 150,000 engineering and tech professionals. 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