A new era for American astronauts

+ is it time to get back on a plane? US Edition - Today's top story: SpaceX reaches for milestone in spaceflight – a private company launches astronauts into orbit [View in browser]( US Edition | 22 May 2020 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair Since the beginning of the American space age, launching astronauts into space has been NASA’s domain. But when the space shuttle program ended, things changed. Beginning in 2011, Americans relied on the Russians to get our astronauts to the International Space Station. Now we are on the cusp of another revolution. Next week, two American astronauts will blast off atop the Falcon 9 rocket, made by Elon Musk’s private company SpaceX. The launch, if successful, will pave the way for the [new era of private space tourism](. Also today: - [How Muslims celebrate Eid]( - [Why companies pitch in during a crisis]( - [Will sports ever be the same?]( Bijal Trivedi Science and Technology Editor A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft onboard is raised into a vertical position on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A. NASA/Bill Ingalls [SpaceX reaches for milestone in spaceflight – a private company launches astronauts into orbit]( Wendy Whitman Cobb, US Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies SpaceX's launch of astronauts to the International Space Station will make it the first private company to launch humans to space. The effort has ramifications for NASA and spaceflight in general. Health + Medicine - [Fast-acting countries cut their coronavirus death rates while US delays cost thousands of lives]( Joshua Aizenman, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Over the first 100 days of the pandemic, countries that quickly implemented strong policies successfully lowered their death rates faster. There were also some surprises in the successes and failures. - [Should you fly yet? An epidemiologist and an exposure scientist walk you through the decision process]( Kacey Ernst, University of Arizona; Paloma Beamer, University of Arizona Fear of flying means something altogether different in the age of the new coronavirus. Now the biggest concern is how to keep from becoming infected. If you must fly, here are some things to consider. Politics + Society - [4 ways COVID-19 has exposed gaps in the US social safety net]( Paul Shafer, Boston University A loose patchwork of measures and systems has left millions at risk of slipping through the cracks as the pandemic's economic downturn hits. - [Congress may not like it when Trump fires an inspector general – but it can’t do anything to stop him]( Stanley M. Brand, Pennsylvania State University President Trump isn't the first president to get rid of inspectors general. He is the first to assert that inspectors general investigations into his administration's actions are unconstitutional. Science + Technology - [Pairing lasers with microwaves makes mind-bogglingly accurate electronic clocks – a potential boon for GPS, cell phones and radar]( Andrew Ludlow, University of Colorado Boulder; Franklyn Quinlan Researchers have made some of the most accurate clocks imaginable in recent years, but the trick is harnessing those clocks to electronics. Using lasers to tune microwaves bridges the gap. - [Humanizing the coronavirus as an invisible enemy is human nature]( Michaela Porubanova, Farmingdale State College; Stewart Guthrie, Fordham University Thinking of SARS-CoV-2 as an invisible enemy with an evil personality and humanlike motivations is a natural offshoot of the way people evolved to anthropomorphize so as not to overlook threats. Arts + Culture - [How lingering fears from the pandemic could change the way we watch and play sports]( Josh Woods, West Virginia University Long after a crisis recedes, residual anxiety can remain and become calcified in cultures, customs and institutions. Economy + Business - [Why Ford, Chanel and other companies pitch in during a crisis – without the government ordering them to]( Elham Mafi-Kreft, Indiana University; Steven Kreft, Indiana University Ford is assembling ventilators, LVMH is making hand sanitizer, and Chanel is making masks. Here's why these and dozens of other companies are doing it. - [A $300 charitable deduction, explained]( Benjamin A. Priday, Texas A&M University This measure, included in a pandemic relief package, is supposed to encourage Americans to give more to nonprofits. Ethics + Religion - [What is Eid and how do Muslims celebrate it? 6 questions answered]( Ken Chitwood, Concordia College New York Muslims throughout the world will celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, a celebration at the end of Ramadan. Here's an introduction to this important feast and its partner, Eid al-Adha. From our International Editions - [The world agreed to a coronavirus inquiry. Just when and how, though, are still in dispute]( Adam Kamradt-Scott, University of Sydney China has only agreed to an investigation if it happens after the pandemic and is led by the WHO – two stipulations that likely won't sit well with western countries. - [‘Vampire fish’ gorged on Great Lakes trout until the invasive species was subdued]( Oana Birceanu, McMaster University When sea lampreys gained a foothold in the Great Lakes in the 1950s, these trout-sucking predators upended the ecosystem. - [Archaeology shows how ancient African societies managed pandemics]( Shadreck Chirikure, University of Cape Town Archaeologists have long studied diseases in past populations. They've explored the evolution of pathogens and how they interacted with humans. You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe](. 89 South Street - Suite 202 Boston, MA 02111