[Fox News] China launches lunar probe to take samples from far side of the moon
China on Friday launched a lunar probe to land on the far side of the moon and return with samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
It is the latest advance in China’s increasingly sophisticated space exploration program, which is now competing with the U.S., still the leader in space.
China also has a three-member crew on its own orbiting space station and aims to put astronauts on the moon by 2030. Three Chinese lunar probe missions are planned over the next four years.
Free from exposure to Earth and other interference, the moon’s somewhat mysterious far side is ideal for radio astronomy and other scientific work. Because the far side never faces Earth, a relay satellite is needed to maintain communications.
The rocket carrying the Chang’e-6 lunar probe — named after the Chinese mythical moon goddess — lifted off Friday at 5:27 p.m. as planned from the Wenchang launch center on the island province of Hainan. About 35 minutes later it separated entirely from the massive Long March-5 rocket — China’s largest — that had slung it into space, as technicians monitoring the launch from ground control smiled and applauded.
Shortly afterward, launch mission commander Zhang Zuosheng took to a podium at the front of the room and said the launch had gone off exactly as planned and the spacecraft was on its set trajectory. “I declare this launch mission a complete success,” Zhang said to further applause.
The Philippine Space Agency issued a statement saying expected debris from the rocket launch was “projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones.”
China in 2021 was forced to defend its handling of a rocket booster that burned up over the Indian Ocean after the administrator of the American space agency and others accused Beijing of acting recklessly by allowing its rocket to fall to Earth seemingly uncontrolled after the mission.
Huge numbers of people crowded Hainan’s beaches to view the launch, which comes in the middle of China’s five-day May Day holiday. As with previous recent launches, the event was televised live by state broadcaster CCTV.
After orbiting the moon to reduce speed, the lander will separate from the spacecraft and within 48 hours of setting down it will begin drilling into the lunar surface and scooping up samples with its robotic arm. With the samples sealed in a container, it will then reconnect with the returner for the trip back to Earth. The entire mission is set to last 53 days.
China in 2020 returned samples from the moon’s near side, the first time anyone has done so since the U.S. Apollo program that ended in the 1970s. Analysis of the samples found they contained water in tiny beads embedded in lunar dirt.
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Also in the past week, three Chinese astronauts returned home from a six-month mission on the country’s orbiting space station after the arrival of its replacement crew.
China built its own space station after being excluded from the International Space Station, largely because of U.S. concerns over the Chinese military’s total control of the space program amid a sharpening competition in technology between the two geopolitical rivals. U.S. law bars almost all cooperation between the U.S. and Chinese space programs without explicit congressional approval.
Faced with such limitations, China has expanded cooperation with other countries and agencies. The latest mission carries scientific instruments from France, Italy and the European Space Agency in cooperation with Sweden. A small Pakistani satellite is also on board.
China’s ambitious space program aims to put astronauts on the moon by 2030, as well as bring back samples from Mars around the same year and launch three lunar probe missions over the next four years. The next is scheduled for 2027.
Longer-term plans call for a permanent crewed base on the lunar surface, although those appear to remain in the conceptual phase.
China conducted its first crewed space mission in 2003, becoming the third country after the former Soviet Union and the U.S. to put a person into space using its own resources.
The three-module Tiangong, much smaller than the ISS, was launched in 2021 and completed 18 months later. It can accommodate up to six astronauts at a time and is mainly dedicated to scientific research. The crew will also install space debris protection equipment, carry out payload experiments, and beam science classes to students on Earth.
China has also said that it eventually plans to offer access to its space station to foreign astronauts and space tourists. With the ISS nearing the end of its useful life, China could eventually be the only country or corporation to maintain a crewed station in orbit.
The U.S. space program is believed to still hold a significant edge over China’s due to its spending, supply chains and capabilities.
The U.S. aims to put a crew back on the lunar surface by the end of 2025 as part of a renewed commitment to crewed missions, aided by private sector players such as SpaceX and Blue Origin. They plan to land on the moon’s south pole where permanently shadowed craters are believed to be packed with frozen water.
[Fox News] Scientists discover thick atmosphere enveloping rocky so-called ‘super Earth’ planet
A thick atmosphere has been detected around a planet that’s twice as big as Earth in a nearby solar system, researchers reported Wednesday.
The so-called super Earth — known as 55 Cancri e — is among the few rocky planets outside our solar system with a significant atmosphere, wrapped a blanket of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The exact amounts are unclear. Earth’s atmosphere is a blend of nitrogen, oxygen, argon and other gases.
“It’s probably the firmest evidence yet that this planet has an atmosphere,” said Ian Crossfield, an astronomer at the University of Kansas who studies exoplanets and was not involved with the research.
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The research was published in the journal Nature.
Super Earth refers to a planet’s size — bigger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. The boiling temperatures on this planet — which can reach as hot as 4,200 degrees Fahrenheit – mean that it is unlikely to host life.
Instead, scientists say the discovery is a promising sign that other such rocky planets with thick atmospheres could exist that may be more hospitable.
The exoplanet 41 light years away is eight times heavier than Earth and circles its star Copernicus so closely that it has permanent day and night sides. A light-year is nearly 6 trillion miles. Its surface is encrusted with magma oceans.
To identify the makeup of its atmosphere, researchers studied Webb Space Telescope observations before and after the planet passed behind its star.
They separated the light emitted from the planet versus its star and used the data to calculate the planet’s temperature. There’s evidence the planet’s heat was being distributed more evenly across its surface – a party trick atmospheres are known for.
Gases from its magma oceans may play a key role in holding its atmosphere steady. Exploring this super Earth may also yield clues to how Earth and Mars might have evolved first with magma oceans that have since cooled, scientists say.
“It’s a rare window,” said Renyu Hu, a planetary scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who was part of the research. “We can look into this early phase of planet evolution.”
[Fox News] What massive health care cyberattack at Ascension means for your privacy, security
Ascension, one of the largest health systems in the United States with 140 hospitals, faced a significant cyberattack that disrupted its operations. It was reported that the attack caused patient record systems to go offline, forcing medical staff to resort to paper records. This event is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of America’s health care system to cyberthreats.
The aftermath of the cyberattack was immediate and disruptive. Emergency crews had to divert patients to other hospitals, and staff had to implement manual workarounds. Essential systems like MyChart, phone services and electronic ordering for tests and medications were affected. The company has had to delay some elective procedures and appointments, urging patients to come prepared with detailed notes on their conditions.
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Ascension’s response was swift, with an investigation launched to determine the extent of the breach. The health system, which is based in St. Louis, has not provided a timeline for service restoration but has assured us that they are working diligently to resolve the issues. Nurses and staff have had to adapt quickly, facing challenges such as accessing electronic health records and using devices like glucometers that rely on electronic identification systems.
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The recent security failures in hospitals have been likened to car owners leaving their keys on the seat with the door unlocked. The American Hospital Association supports voluntary cybersecurity goals but has expressed concerns over mandatory measures proposed by the Biden administration. They argue that such requirements could unfairly penalize hospitals for vulnerabilities introduced by third-party technologies.
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This cyberattack is not an isolated incident. It follows a concerning trend of increased cyberthreats to U.S. medical systems. Just recently, Change Healthcare suffered a similar fate, which had widespread repercussions across the health care industry. The Ascension hack, while smaller in scope, directly impacted systems crucial for patient care.
An Ascension spokesperson provided this statement, which is posted on the nonprofit’s website, “Safely caring for patients remains our highest priority as we navigate this cybersecurity incident. We are actively supporting our ministries as they continue to provide safe, patient care with established downtime protocols and procedures, in which our workforce is well-trained. It is expected that we will be utilizing downtime procedures for some time.”
You can read the company’s entire statement here.
In the wake of the cyberattack on Ascension, consider taking several proactive steps to protect your personal information and prepare for potential disruptions in health care services:
1) Stay informed: Keep up to date with the latest news from Ascension and other reliable sources to know the status of the systems and services.
2) Personal health records: Maintain personal health records saved on your own devices or printed out, including a list of medications, allergies, past surgeries and other relevant health information. This can be invaluable if electronic health records are temporarily inaccessible.
3) Emergency preparedness: Have a plan for medical emergencies that includes knowing alternative health care facilities and understanding how to reach them if your primary hospital is affected. For example, my nearest emergency department recently had a waiting time of several hours while a top hospital an hour away could see many patients within minutes.
4) Cybersecurity best practices: Practice good cybersecurity hygiene by using strong, unique passwords for online accounts. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. Also, enable two-factor authentication where available.
5) Vigilance against phishing: Be extra cautious of phishing attempts, as cyberattacks often lead to an increase in phishing emails and calls, trying to exploit the situation. The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
6) Contact health care providers: If you have appointments or procedures scheduled, contact your health care provider to confirm or reschedule as needed should a cyberattack disrupt normal operations.
7) Patient portals: If you use patient portals like MyChart, monitor them for updates regarding your medical records and communication with health care providers.
8) Data breach response: In case of a data breach, be ready to follow instructions from Ascension or any affected medical provider regarding credit monitoring or other protective measures.
By taking these eight steps, you can help safeguard your personal health information and ensure better continuity of care during cyber-related disruptions.
The cyberattack on Ascension underscores the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures in health care. With the White House pushing for “mandatory minimum” cybersecurity standards, it’s clear that voluntary measures are no longer sufficient. The health care industry must prioritize cybersecurity to protect against such threats and ensure the safety and privacy of patient data. For us as patients, we need to have a backup plan and keep track of our medical records as much as possible.
What role should government agencies play in bolstering cybersecurity measures within private health care systems? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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[Fox Business] Porsche to debut new hybrid 911 sports car
Porsche announced on Monday that it will debut a new hybrid version of its 911 sports car later this month.
The unveiling of the Porsche 911 built with a hybrid powertrain will take place on May 28, the luxury German automaker said.
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“For the first time in our icon’s 61-year history, we are installing a hybrid drive system in a roadgoing 911,” Frank Moser, vice president of Porsche’s 911 and 718 model lines, said in a statement. “This innovative performance hybrid makes the 911 even more dynamic.”
Its reveal comes after the company put the hybrid sports car through more than 3.1 million miles worth of driving for testing and development and as it is slated to head for series production.
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The hybrid 911 variant notched a lap-time 8.7 seconds quicker than its predecessor while undergoing testing at the Nurburgring Nordschleife track, Porsche said.
[Fox Business] Why AI Accuracy is Crucial for Road Safety
AI is everywhere – in the news, in your car, in the device you’re reading this on. It also improves the safety, productivity, and profitability of businesses around the world.
Businesses with physical operations, like transportation and logistics, construction, oil and gas, retail, and delivery, have more to gain from AI than potentially any other segment of the world’s economy. With so much of their business happening far from their home offices or worksites, AI provides much-needed visibility. Leaders at these companies manage billions in assets, including vehicles and equipment, while grappling with a workforce that’s increasingly prone to accidents, now at near record highs.
The rise in dangerous behaviors, such as distracted driving and speeding, has led to a grim statistic: Preliminary data from the National Safety Council found that more than 44,000 people died in traffic accidents in 2023 alone. With the astronomical costs associated with each fatal collision, often surpassing $7 million, the urgent need for a different solution has never been clearer.
AI is answering the call. An emerging category of AI called computer vision is giving business leaders a way to see their operations like never before. Computer vision uses advanced algorithms combined with sophisticated cameras to interpret and understand visual information like video or still images.
Applications of computer vision include the detection of unsafe driving behaviors or road conditions, where systems like AI-powered dash cams identify and track objects on the road or alert drivers to a risky action they are taking. It can even be incorporated into surveillance systems that monitor and detect anomalies at job sites or in public spaces and medical imaging analysis to assist in diagnosing diseases.
For road safety applications, computer vision can detect dangerous driving behaviors like cell phone use, hard braking, or close following, and alert drivers and managers in real time. Warnings like these allow drivers to immediately correct their actions before they lead to a crash and let managers know that follow-up coaching may be needed.
Still, applying AI isn’t a cure-all. Accuracy is often the missing ingredient and a critical one, especially with AI computer vision. If AI isn’t accurate, you could end up exacerbating safety risks and doing more harm than good. And when it comes to businesses that power the physical economy, that potential harm can impact people’s lives and livelihoods.
Motive’s Physical Economy Outlook report, which surveyed 1,000 physical operations leaders across 11 industries, found that 69% of respondents recognize the potential of Al to positively impact their roles. They view it as a game changer for their companies. When asked where they thought AI would bring the most value to their organization, respondents cited everything from automation gains and better decision-making to enhanced safety for workers.
Focusing on safety, business leaders are frequently turning to AI-enabled cameras like dash cams to improve road safety and prevent accidents. Seventy-three percent of survey respondents agree that roads are safer with AI-enabled cameras/dash cams, and 64% say AI is crucial for preventing accidents, coaching drivers, and saving lives.
Dash cams powered by accurate AI detect unsafe driving behaviors like texting or rolling through stop signs. Not only that, AI dash cams provide real-time alerts to drivers and managers, allowing them to correct behaviors before they lead to a costly, and potentially deadly, crash. But it all comes down to accuracy. What if the AI you’re using is alerting to events that never happened? Or worse, missing things altogether? You’d be missing things too — crucial opportunities to prevent accidents and save lives.
Accurate AI gives you a clear, reliable view of your business. For fleet safety, it provides visibility into what’s happening on the road so small issues like a driver forgetting to buckle up or hard accelerating impacting fuel economy can be addressed before they grow into big problems like breakdowns or catastrophic crashes. Accurate AI detection can mean the difference between preventing an accident and picking up the pieces after it happens.
Until recently, it’s been difficult for businesses to evaluate the accuracy of an AI provider before deploying the solution across their business. Fortunately, research institutions are beginning to conduct benchmarking studies to help companies choose providers that can back up their claims. For example, studies by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and Strategy Analytics show that the Motive AI Dashcam successfully alerts drivers and managers to unsafe driving behavior 3-4x more than competitors.
Still, more needs to be done. Businesses must take an accuracy-first approach when vetting AI vendors. Otherwise, more lives will be lost and costs will continue to skyrocket.
Leading companies and organizations are taking road safety seriously. GM, Honeywell, Vision Zero Network, and the National Safety Council have started working toward the goal of Zero Harm. Motive, a technology company that builds AI-powered solutions for commercial fleets, is following suit, committing to Zero Harm and Zero Preventable Accidents on North American roadways. “Road safety is personal for me. It’s personal for each one of our customers and our employees. And it should be personal for everyone who shares our roads,” said Shoaib Makani, co-founder and CEO of Motive.
In a world where every second on the road counts and every decision can make a difference, prioritizing AI accuracy is not just a business decision; it’s a commitment to the well-being of your drivers and the public. If you’re a leader dedicated to pioneering safer roads and more secure fleets, the time to act is now. Challenge the status quo by putting your potential AI solutions to the test. Conduct head-to-head trials, dive into the data, and demand evidence of benchmarking excellence. Don’t settle for promises – insist on proof. Your due diligence today could save lives on the roads tomorrow.
Explore how the Motive AI Platform leads the way in accuracy and reliability, setting new standards in driver safety and accident prevention.
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Author: Ryan Plutnicki
Ryan is the Chief Customer Officer and has direct responsibility over the customer success, support, onboarding, and professional services teams at Motive. Prior to joining the company, he served as Chief Customer Officer at Emburse, an expense management and AP automation solution provider. He has 20 years of experience at SAP building and leading high-performing teams to profitable growth. He also boasts expertise in company card spend control, and is proficient with scaling operational excellence across global service centers. Ryan has served customers of all sizes, from SMB to enterprise.
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