Thoughts about the future, world, and technology

Posts

Space X will launch a Dragonfly probe to Titan.

"Artist’s impression of Dragonfly soaring over the dunes of Saturn’s moon Titan. NASA has authorized the mission team to proceed on development toward a July 2028 launch date. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben" (ScitechDaily, NASA’s Dragonfly: SpaceX To Launch Daring Mission to Saturn’s Moon Titan) The Dragonfly is one of the most daring missions in history. The AI-controlled quadcopter will be launched to Saturn's moon Titan, and there. That probe will research the distant moon. Its atmosphere. And its hydrocarbon lakes. The Dragonfly itself is an interesting concept. If the image above really portrays a Dragonfly. That probe is like a quadcopter. And it seems to have four Kamov-type propellers that give it higher speed than traditional propellers. In those propellers, the system tilts the rotor's edge against each other. And that makes it possible to aim the thrust. Those propellers give that system extremely good maneuverability. Those propellers are s...

The new thermal system can turn waste heat into electricity.

"A recent study shows tungsten disilicide’s potential in efficient heat-to-electricity conversion, promising advances in thermoelectric technology. Credit: SciTechDaily.com" (ScitechDaily, Clean Energy Breakthrough Turns Waste Heat Into Usable Electricity) "Researchers have demonstrated a new method for converting heat to electricity using tungsten disilicide, showing potential for more efficient thermoelectric devices that could revolutionize energy efficiency in various applications." (ScitechDaily, Clean Energy Breakthrough Turns Waste Heat Into Usable Electricity) "Thermoelectric materials, which convert heat into electricity, play a crucial role in capturing waste heat and transforming it into usable power. These materials are particularly beneficial in industries and vehicles where engines produce significant waste heat, enhancing energy efficiency by generating additional electricity. They also hold promise for portable power applications, such as remot...

Drones have new missions. From Jupiter's moons to a depth of oceans.

"In the Sensing With Independent Micro-Swimmers (SWIM) concept, illustrated here, dozens of small robots would descend through the icy shell of a distant moon via a cryobot – depicted at left – to the ocean below. The project has received funding from the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech" (ScitechDaily, Could NASA’s Tiny Robots Discover Life on Europa?) The most impressive mission for drones or independently operating miniature submarines will be the search for life from Jupiter's moon Europa. The thing is that also two other large moons, Ganymede and Callisto could have similar oceans under their icy surfaces. And the third Galilean moon, Io has sulfur volcanoes that are also interesting geological objects. But the main object for that mission could be Europa, the icy moon with icy geysers. The probe can slip the small submarine into those geysers and maybe they can reach the ocean under that icy surface. The done can communicate with ...

How to make a moonbase?

The moonbase can involve cabin modules that have life support systems. The problem in the moonbase is radiation and micrometeorites. Also, solar wind or plasma flow from the sun can cause problems in the cabins. When high-energy plasma impacts the moonbase it causes radiation and electric pikes. And that's why there should be some kind of magnetic system like high-power electric magnets. That can pull that plasma away from the moon base. In many models, there can also be a liquid hydrogen layer between manned module and space. The liquid hydrogen layer that is between the sun and the crew can absorb radiation effectively. Below the hydrogen layer can be space that denies hydrogen flow into the manned module. The hydrogen shell can be like a vault or "Chernobyl" nuclear site's sarcophagus around the manned modules. That structure's purpose is to protect the crew against the cosmic radiation. But the moon concrete is the key element in the building site. Moon mine...

The Ukrainian attack drones are shown their power.

Ukrainian military used drones successfully against the Russian targets. The sea drones have shown their capacity to strike against the Russian navy. Those attack drones are transformed jet scooters and fast boats equipped with warheads. Those systems are shown their power, and the thing is that those systems are a very big threat in the wrong hands. The small, fast boats equipped with heavy anti-tank weapons and internal warheads are hard to see. And they are quite hard targets to defenders. Things like hydrofoils that travel in very low depth make it possible for those systems can come to target from unexpected directions. That thing makes those systems dangerous in the wrong hands. It's possible to transform almost any speedboat in the world into a killer drone. The naval bases' security must re-estimate. The hydrofoil technology can make, at least drone submarines more effective. Once I saw a diagram of a miniature submarine equipped with hydrofoils. The name ...

The new cargo systems take their innovations from the hydrofoils and WIG technology.

Above Candela P-12, (Image: Candela) The new "flying hydrofoils" like the Swedish "Candela" can rise high above waves. That technology allows for a decrease in energy use and pollution. Electric hydrofoils use so-called passive hydrofoil technology. There the speed of the craft raises the hull above the sea on the wings, which are similar used in aircraft. Interesting visions this kind of craft can also operate using air propellers or even jet engines. Jet engines give those hydrofoils incredible speed. Those flying hydrofoils of high-lifting hydrofoils can use even rocket engines to give power. And that makes them interesting and an alternative for many missions. However, there is a possibility to make a hybrid hydrofoil. That connects wing-in-ground WIG technology with regular aircraft and hydrofoils. The variable wing geometry (VWG) makes it possible to create wings that can turn under the aircraft. The aircraft can operate as a hydrofoil, WIG aircraft. And as ...