Rocket launches are similar to opening a box of chocolates, only riskier because you never know what you’ll get.
And there is always the possibility of an explosion.
We are naturally drawn to spectacles as humans. When a rocket is about to launch, there is a good possibility that it will either perform spectacularly or fail spectacularly.
The buildup to this week’s launch of SpaceX’s Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, was thrilling.
Years of explosive tests, rising hype, and a slew of challenges culminated in what SpaceX CEO Elon Musk termed “an exciting test launch” on Thursday morning — but not everything went as planned.
Gravity defying
The historic first test flight of Starship appeared to be going well at first. The rocket flew 24.2 miles (39 km) over the Gulf of Mexico after blasting off from a launchpad in South Texas.
When the rocket boosters were about to detach from the spacecraft, the entire stack lost some of its engines and began to tumble before the flight termination mechanism caused a midair explosion.
Musk and SpaceX consider the test a success since it met a number of criteria for a rocket that could one day transport astronauts to the moon or Mars.
However, the corporation will have to overcome obstacles in order to reach key milestones before Musk’s vision becomes a reality.
Many years ago
Ancient DNA analysis is pulling a strong empire out of the shadows of history.
There are little written records of the Xiongnu, a nomadic empire that conquered distant lands on horseback and pushed China to construct the Great Wall.
A DNA study of two graves in modern-day Mongolia has revealed fresh details about imperial China’s competitor that came to dominance in the second century BC. Given the genetic diversity of its people, the empire’s population was most certainly multiethnic, multicultural, and multilingual.
The Xiongnu were considered barbarians by Chinese emperors. Researchers discovered ornate tombs among the burials, including one of an elite woman buried with golden artefacts and the remnants of six horses and a chariot.
Once upon a time on another world
Happy Earth Day, from the “Blue Marble” that we call home.
Our planet is home to over 8.7 million species, some of which are becoming extinct. Anthony Ochieng Onyango, an award-winning conservation photographer, spends his time photographing endangered species like the roan antelope.
Onyango believes that his images of uncommon animals will motivate people to take action to safeguard wildlife and its habitats before some species become extinct.
If you want to help safeguard hotspots of diverse animal life, such as the ocean, avoid single-use plastics, shop wisely for personal care goods, and choose sustainable fish at the market.
Want to learn more about how to help the environment and minimise your environmental anxiety? Sign up for AWN’s limited-edition newsletter Life, But Greener.
Amazing creatures
During breeding season, northern elephant seals appear to be content as they enjoy 10-hour naps on the beach. However, during months-long foraging journeys at sea, these marine animals must work hard just to get two hours of sleep per day.
After tying caps on several of the seals and analysing their brain waves, researchers made an unexpected discovery.
The seals adapted by taking short naps during 30-minute deep dives to the ocean’s floor while holding their breath.
Once protected from predators, the seals go into sleep paralysis and spiral down in a corkscrew pattern like falling leaves — only to wake up in time to avoid drowning.
The climate has shifted.
Historians have long been interested by the Vikings’ unexpected withdrawal from Greenland and why they abandoned a flourishing civilization there after 400 years.
Researchers now believe that rising sea levels are to blame for the Vikings’ rapid departure in the mid-15th century.
The water level rose up to 9.8 feet (3 metres), potentially drowning some of the fertile plain and making conditions for the Norse colony more challenging.
Centuries later, global sea levels are rising due to the human-caused climate disaster, and the Earth’s ice sheets have lost enough ice in the last 30 years to form an ice cube 12 miles tall.
Discoveries
Save the following findings for your next water cooler discussion:
— A dazzling starburst caught by the James Webb Space Telescope in a stunning photograph illustrates what happened when two spiral galaxies collided.
— The natural world is a wild place, where carnivorous plants may use specific fragrances to attract prey and worms get the munchies when exposed to cannabinoids.
— A opulent 2,000-year-old winery discovered among ruins may have functioned as an entertainment venue, turning winemaking into a theatrical performance for wealthy Romans.
Before you travel, here’s everything you need to know about this weekend’s Lyrids meteor shower!
