To the Stars with Data: June 27 2021
Oceanic Mercury, air traffic control for drones, space balloons, lunar dust problems, and more...
Hello!
As heatwaves pummel the northwest, I remembered an article from Grist with an innovative idea: let’s name heatwaves like hurricanes. For me, it’s a no-brainer. Severe heatwaves kill, cause damage, and strain electrical grids to support increased demand for air conditioning.
Yes, naming heatwaves has potential problems (i.e. what’s considered a “heatwave” is subjective based on location). But the practice could save lives and the populace would likely take heatwaves more seriously. Coming from a psychological background, I can say with certainty that perception is a powerful determinant of behavior.
Anyways, here’s this week’s To the Stars with Data. Enjoy!
Joe
Thought-Provoking Data Viz
Quick Hits. This topographic map shows what Mercury might look like with oceans covering about 70% of its surface. Due to little geological activity (read more here), impact craters cause the myriad of circular features on the map. Here is Mercury's actual topography.
My Thoughts. Though it’s fun to compare this map to Earth’s continents, these oceans would not actually exist. Mercury’s sun-facing side can reach temperatures of 800 degrees Fahrenheit while its coldest temperatures dip to -280 degrees Fahrenheit.
Earth News
📡 Air traffic control for drones partnership formed by Hyundai and ANRA
Quick Hits. Hyundai’s Urban Air Mobility division signed a deal with ANRA Technologies to develop air traffic control for drones and other flying vehicles. ANRA Technologies already has experience with this area through its SmartSkies initiative.
As PCMag put it: “The partnership seems to be as much about preparing for the inevitable rather than delivering a working system.”
My Thoughts. Hyundai and ANRA are not alone. The US Federal Aviation Administration is partnering with NASA, other agencies, and industry to develop an Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) framework. Additionally, other companies (like Airmap) are already tackling the problem. Ultimately, I am excited more entities are pushing for a solution. Increased pressure will more quickly lead to the required infrastructure to support these technologies!
🦠 Microbes and solar power ‘could produce 10 times more food than plants’
Quick Hits. Scientists propose a protein powder based on microbes to reducing resource and energy use required by other protein production methods. Using solar power and carbon dioxide as the microbial fuel source, their proposal includes growing microbes in bioreactor vats and processing them into a powder. The proposal is already cost-effect with existing protein sources such as whey and pea.
My Thoughts. Our bodies need protein (~50g per day), yet existing animal-based proteins require significant resources. As tackling climate change becomes increasingly pivotal, obtaining sustainable protein will remain key to our ultimate success. Anyone up for a protein bar made with microbial protein? 🤤
Space News
🎈 Hot air balloon ride … in space
Quick Hits. Human space flight company Space Perspective is taking reservations to travel on its Spaceship Neptune in 2024. You can think of Spaceship Neptune as a hot air balloon with a fancier (and more secure) basket and hydrogen in the balloon instead of hot air. The trip will take about 6 hours and tickets currently go for $125,000. Space Perspective successfully tested Spaceship One, a test vehicle, on June 18.
My Thoughts. Okay, so it’s not actually a hot air balloon ride, but the space tourism industry is getting hot. Virgin Galactic showed off its spaceplane concept in May and Blue Origin auctioned off its first seat for $28 million earlier in June. However, Space Perspective’s long trip and vehicle design makes for a much more memorable experience and allows for vastly improved sightseeing.
🛰 Five ways space science is bettering life on Earth
Quick Hits. Going into space entails more than venturing to other planets. Here are 5 ways satellites are improving life on Earth:
Tracking carbon dioxide and methane emissions
Improving food security and monitoring water flows
Observing air pollution
Helping land conservation
Powering renewable energy
My Thoughts. Satellites are great for accountability (or spying, depending on who you ask) as they can easily monitor what’s happening on Earth. However, launching satellites into orbit is a double-edged sword; remaining in orbit requires little fuel, but launching more satellites contributes to the clutter of orbiting bodies (already in the tens of thousands). Considering that orbiting bodies are whizzing around at thousands of miles per hour, even the smallest pieces can cause serious damage.
Things that make you think
✨ Let's talk about lunar dust
Quick Hits. Lunar dust, or bits of lunar regolith and other small particles, is sharp and sticks to everything. It also gets kicked up when we do anything on the moon. Without established processes to address lunar dust, solar panels can’t charge, equipment can clog up, and the dust can cause damage to space suits, equipment, and human lungs. Solving this problem is one of NASA’s top priorities ahead of their Artemis mission.
My Thoughts. I thought space was hard enough already. Not only does the moon have effectively no air, but its dust gets everywhere and could literally eviscerate your lungs. Robert A. Heinlein was not lying when he titled the book “The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress”.
But the problem of lunar dust is also a great opportunity to think outside the box. Given that lunar dust particles have a positive charge, is there a way to neutralize the dust’s charge? Could we attract or deter the particulate? Could we incinerate lunar dust with lasers? Could we melt the dust into useful material?
Scientists have been theorizing solutions for years. With the upcoming Artemis mission, we’ll finally be able to attempt some of these proposals. What do you think the winning solution will be?
Future-Thinking Companies
🌱 Innerplant. Innerplant produces seeds for plants that provide biological signals when something undesirable happens (i.e. dehydration, pests, etc.). Satellite imagery and other devices can detect these signals, informing workers weeks before other technologies even detect problems.
🌍 Ecologi. Ecologi offers a carbon offsetting subscription where users pay monthly to offset their emissions with licensed carbon offsetting projects. Think Spotify but for carbon offsets.