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Celebrating Pioneers of the Space Race: Highlights from NASA’s Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony

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Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal
On Sept. 18, 2024, five Congressional Gold Medals were awarded to women who contributed to the space race, including the NASA mathematicians who helped land the first astronauts on the Moon under the agency’s Apollo Program. Credit: NASA

On Wednesday, a significant moment in history was commemorated as NASA Administrator Bill Nelson delivered poignant remarks at the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in Washington. This ceremony recognized the groundbreaking contributions of the women who played crucial roles in America’s space race, particularly the extraordinary mathematicians whose work was integral to the success of the Apollo program.

Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal

Nelson began his address by honoring the pioneers whose efforts laid the foundation for NASA’s achievements. He acknowledged the remarkable women of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, specifically recognizing trailblazers like Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Dr. Christine Darden. These women defied social norms and shattered barriers to help ensure that humanity took its first steps on the Moon.

The ceremony was a tribute not only to these mathematical geniuses but also to the collective efforts of the individuals and lawmakers who championed this recognition. Nelson expressed gratitude to the late Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and current lawmakers like Senator Chris Coons, Senators Lisa Murkowski, Shelley Moore Capito, and Congressman Frank Lucas, who worked diligently to make these medals a reality. Their efforts highlighted the importance of acknowledging those whose contributions often go unnoticed but are vital to the fabric of American history.

“You see, the women we honor today made it possible for Earthlings to lift beyond the bounds of Earth, and for generations of trailblazers to follow,” Nelson stated. This sentiment reflects a profound appreciation for the legacy these women have left and the inspiration they continue to provide for current and future generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers.

Nelson also spotlighted Andrea Mosie, a NASA veteran who has dedicated nearly 50 years to the agency. As the lead processor for the Apollo sample program, Mosie oversees the Moon rocks and lunar samples collected during the Apollo missions—an astonishing 842 pounds of materials that hold untold scientific value. Her presence at the ceremony served as a reminder of how the legacy of the ‘Hidden Figures’ persists in NASA’s ongoing mission and work.

As Nelson remarked, “We did not come this far only to come this far.” His words resonate with the notion that the spirit of these pioneers lives on as NASA continues to push the boundaries of exploration. With eyes set on future missions to the Moon and beyond, including Mars, the agency dreams not just of celebrating past achievements but of building upon them and inspiring new generations to reach for the stars.

The Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal ceremony was a powerful reminder of the courage, intelligence, and tenacity of the women who transformed the landscape of space exploration. As NASA honors these figures, it also embraces a future where diversity and inclusion are celebrated as pivotal to innovation and progress in the cosmos.

For more information about NASA missions, visit:

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https://www.nasa.gov

The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

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  • Lynette Young

    Lynette Young is a passionate writer and blogger, sharing insights on livable cities, urbanism, and transportation. As an experienced mom, she captures the essence of community through her engaging stories. View all posts blogger/ writer


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Lynette Young is a passionate writer and blogger, sharing insights on livable cities, urbanism, and transportation. As an experienced mom, she captures the essence of community through her engaging stories.

Urbanism

Riding the Rails to the Future: Brightline West’s Game-Changing Announcement

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Brightline West
Brightline West train races through the scenic California desert, promising a swift and sustainable journey between Southern California and Las Vegas. Image Credit Brightline West

Brightline West Project

As a passionate advocate for modern transportation, I am beyond excited about the latest development in American rail: the Brightline West project, which is officially one step closer to reality with the recent signing of a $3 billion grant agreement by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)! This project isn’t just another rail line; it’s a historic leap forward for high-speed rail in the U.S. and a beacon of progress for public transportation enthusiasts like myself.

On September 26, 2024, this monumental agreement was finalized, marking the beginning of what many of us have dreamed about for decades—true high-speed rail connecting Las Vegas to Southern California! With trains capable of reaching speeds over 200 miles per hour, we’re talking about radically transforming how we travel between these two bustling regions.

To have a project of this magnitude come to life thanks to a strong public-private partnership is inspiring. Just look at the numbers: over 35,000 jobs are expected to be created, including 10,000 union construction jobs. This is a huge win, not only for those in the industry but also for local economies and communities, and it sets a precedent for future infrastructure efforts across the country.

Michael Reininger, the CEO of Brightline, really hit the nail on the head with his assertion that this project will “jumpstart the high-speed rail industry in America.” It’s long overdue, and finally, we are moving forward. The Brightline West project won’t just connect cities; it will embody a bold, eco-friendly approach to our transportation challenges—reducing CO2 emissions by over 400,000 tons annually and removing three million cars off the roads that currently choke the I-15.

Imagine this: a seamless, comfortable two-hour journey from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga, complete with onboard amenities like food and Wi-Fi. For someone who routinely endures the endless traffic jams on the freeway, the thought of relaxing in a sleek train while taking in the stunning California desert views excites me beyond measure! No more cramped airplane seats or endless hours stuck in a car; we’ll be able to travel in style and comfort.

And it warms my heart to see the emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility. The fact that Brightline West will utilize zero-emission, fully electric trains positions it as the premiere green transportation choice in America. It’s initiatives like these that give me hope for our future and showcase how modern rail can lead the way in combating climate change.

Heavy construction is slated to kick off in 2025, and early groundwork is already ongoing. Crews are busy drilling geotechnical borings along the I-15, and I can practically feel the anticipation in the air! Soon enough, we’ll see new stations sprouting up, including one right in the heart of Las Vegas—a city known for its bright lights and bustling energy!

As someone who often travels for both leisure and business, I am particularly looking forward to the role this project will play as we approach the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Brightline West will undoubtedly serve as an essential transport option for visitors and residents alike, highlighting what a modern transportation system can achieve.

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In closing, there’s so much to be excited about! The Brightline West project calls forth a vision of the future that is connected, rapid, and environmentally conscious. It represents the culmination of years of advocacy, dreaming, and hard work. I look forward to seeing how this journey unfolds as we ride the rails toward a new era in American transportation.

Here’s to the future of rail in America! 🚄🌟

Until next time, happy rail journeys, everyone!

This post is inspired by the recent developments surrounding the Brightline West project.

https://www.brightlinewest.com

The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge

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  • Rod Washington

    Rod: A creative force, blending words, images, and flavors. Blogger, writer, filmmaker, and photographer. Cooking enthusiast with a sci-fi vision. Passionate about his upcoming series and dedicated to TNC Network. Partnered with Rebecca Washington for a shared journey of love and art. View all posts


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A third of the world’s population lacks internet connectivity − airborne communications stations could change that

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Internet Connectivity
An experimental aircraft like this solar-powered airship could someday play a role in providing internet access to rural areas or disaster zones. Thales Alenia Space via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Mohamed-Slim Alouini, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and Mariette DiChristina, Boston University

About one-third of the global population, around 3 billion people, don’t have access to the internet or have poor connections because of infrastructure limitations, economic disparities and geographic isolation.

Today’s satellites and ground-based networks leave communications gaps where, because of geography, setting up traditional ground-based communications equipment would be too expensive.

High-altitude platform stations – telecommunications equipment positioned high in the air, on uncrewed balloons, airships, gliders and airplanes – could increase social and economic equality by filling internet connectivity gaps in ground and satellite coverage. This could allow more people to participate fully in the digital age.

One of us, Mohamed-Slim Alouini, is an electrical engineer who contributed to an experiment that showed it is possible to provide high data rates and ubiquitous 5G coverage from the stratosphere. The stratosphere is the second lowest layer of the atmosphere, ranging from 4 to 30 miles above the Earth. Commercial planes usually fly in the lower part of the stratosphere. The experiment measured signals between platform stations and users on the ground in three scenarios: a person staying in one place, a person driving a car and a person operating a boat.

My colleagues measured how strong the signal is in relation to interference and background noise levels. This is one of the measures of network reliability. The results showed that the platform stations can support high-data-rate applications such as streaming 4K resolution videos and can cover 15 to 20 times the area of standard terrestrial towers.

Early attempts by Facebook and Google to commercially deploy platform stations were unsuccessful. But recent investments, technological improvements and interest from traditional aviation companies and specialized aerospace startups may change the equation.

The goal is global connectivity, a cause that brought the platform stations idea recognition in the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Top 10 Emerging Technologies report. The international industry initiative HAPS Alliance, which includes academic partners, is also pushing toward that goal.

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Fast, cost effective, flexible

Platform stations would be faster, more cost effective and more flexible than satellite-based systems.

Because they keep communications equipment closer to Earth than satellites, the stations could offer stronger, higher-capacity signals. This would enable real-time communications speedy enough to communicate with standard smartphones, high-resolution capabilities for imaging tasks and greater sensitivity for sensing applications. They transmit data via free-space optics, or light beams, and large-scale antenna array systems, which can send large amounts of data quickly.

Satellites can be vulnerable to eavesdropping or jamming when their orbits bring them over adversarial countries. But platform stations remain within the airspace of a single country, which reduces that risk.

High-altitude platform stations are also easier to put in place than satellites, which have high launch and maintenance costs. And the regulatory requirements and compliance procedures required to secure spots in the stratosphere are likely to be simpler than the complex international laws governing satellite orbits. Platform stations are also easier to upgrade, so improvements could be deployed more quickly.

Platform stations are also potentially less polluting than satellite mega-constellations because satellites burn up upon reentry and can release harmful metals into the atmosphere, while platform stations can be powered by clean energy sources such as solar and green hydrogen.

The key challenges to practical platform stations are increasing the amount of time they can stay aloft to months at a time, boosting green onboard power and improving reliability – especially during automated takeoff and landing through the lower turbulent layers of the atmosphere.

Diagram showing a rural area with a river running through it and airships providing communications lines. Circular insets show a mobile user, internet of things devices and satellite.
A network of interconnected high-altitude platform stations could connect mobile users and Internet of Things devices in rural areas.

Beyond satellites

Platform stations could play a critical role in emergency and humanitarian situations by supporting relief efforts when ground-based networks are damaged or inoperative.

The stations could also connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors in remote settings to better monitor the environment and manage resources.

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In agriculture, the stations could use imaging and sensing technologies to help farmers monitor crop health, soil conditions and water resources.

Their capability for high-resolution imaging could also support navigation and mapping activities crucial for cartography, urban planning and disaster response.

The stations could also do double duty by carrying instruments for atmospheric monitoring, climate studies and remote sensing of Earth’s surface features, vegetation and oceans.

From balloons to airplanes

Platform stations could be based on different types of aircraft.

Balloons offer stable, long-duration operation at high altitudes and can be tethered or free-floating. Airships, also known as dirigibles or blimps, use lighter-than-air gases and are larger and more maneuverable than balloons. They’re especially well suited for surveillance, communications and research.

Gliders and powered aircraft can be controlled more precisely than balloons, which are sensitive to variations in wind speed. In addition, powered aircraft, which include drones and fixed-wing airplanes, can provide electricity to communication equipment, sensors and cameras.

Next-generation power

Platform stations could make use of diverse power sources, including increasingly lightweight and efficient solar cells, high-energy-density batteries, green hydrogen internal combustion engines, green hydrogen fuel cells, which are now at the testing stage, and eventually, laser beam powering from ground- or space-based solar stations.

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The evolution of lightweight aircraft designs coupled with advancements in high-efficiency motors and propellers enable planes to fly longer and carry heavier payloads. These cutting-edge lightweight planes could lead to platform stations capable of maneuvering in the stratosphere for extended periods.

Meanwhile, improvements in stratospheric weather models and atmospheric models make it easier to predict and simulate the conditions under which the platform stations would operate.

Bridging the global digital divide

Commerical deployment of platform stations, at least for post-disaster or emergency situations, could be in place by the end of the decade. For instance, a consortium in Japan, a country with remote mountainous and island communities, has earmarked US$100 million for solar-powered, high-altitude platform stations.

Platform stations could bridge the digital divide by increasing access to critical services such as education and health care, providing new economic opportunities and improving emergency response and environmental monitoring. As advances in technology continue to drive their evolution, platform stations are set to play a crucial role in a more inclusive and resilient digital future.

Mohamed-Slim Alouini, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and Mariette DiChristina, Dean and Professor of the Practice in Journalism, College of Communication, Boston University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.

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Pagers and walkie-talkies over cellphones – a security expert explains why Hezbollah went low-tech for communications

The synchronized explosion of pagers and walkie-talkies in Lebanon in 2024 targeted Hezbollah, demonstrating the vulnerabilities and tracking capabilities of communication devices.

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Hezbollah
A police officer examines a damaged car after thousands of pagers exploded simultaneously across Lebanon on Sept. 17, 2024. AP Photo/Hussein Malla

Richard Forno, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Electronic pagers across Lebanon exploded simultaneously on Sept. 17, 2024, killing 12 and wounding more than 2,700. The following day, another wave of explosions in the country came from detonating walkie-talkies. The attacks appeared to target members of the militant group Hezbollah.

The pagers attack involved explosives planted in the communications devices by Israeli operatives, according to U.S. officials cited by The New York Times. Hezbollah had recently ordered a shipment of pagers, according to the report.

Secretly attacking the supply chain is not a new technique in intelligence and military operations. For example, the U.S. National Security Agency intercepted computer hardware bound for overseas customers, inserted malware or other surveillance tools and then repackaged them for delivery to certain foreign buyers, a 2010 NSA internal document showed. This differs from accessing a specific person’s device, such as when Israel’s Shin Bet secretly inserted explosives into a cellphone to remotely kill a Hamas bombmaker in 1996.

Hezbollah, a longtime adversary of Israel, had increased its use of pagers in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. By shifting to relatively low-tech communication devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies, Hezbollah apparently sought an advantage against Israel’s well-known sophistication in tracking targets through their phones.

pieces of a destroyed electronic device
The second wave of explosions in Lebanon involved walkie-talkies. AP Photo

Cellphones: The ultimate tracker

As a former cybersecurity professional and current security researcher, I view cellular devices as the ultimate tracking tool for both government and commercial entities – in addition to users, criminals and the mobile phone provider itself. As a result, mobile phone tracking has contributed to the fight against terrorism, located missing people and helped solve crimes.

Conversely, mobile phone tracking makes it easy for anyone to record a person’s most intimate movements. This can be done for legitimate purposes such as parents tracking children’s movements, helping you find your car in a parking lot, and commercial advertising, or nefarious ends such as remotely spying on a lover suspected of cheating or tracking political activists and journalists. Even the U.S. military remains concerned with how its soldiers might be tracked by their phones.

Mobile device tracking is conducted in several ways. First, there is the network location data generated by the phone as it moves past local cell towers or Stingray devices, which law enforcement agencies use to mimic cell towers. Then there are the features built into the phone’s operating system or enabled by downloaded apps that may lead to highly detailed user tracking, which users unwittingly agree to by ignoring the software’s privacy policy or terms of service.

This collected data is sometimes sold to governments or other companies for additional data mining and user profiling. And modern smartphones also have built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities that can help with locating and tracking user movements around the world, both from the ground and via satellites. https://www.youtube.com/embed/CxC1KCoGbIM?wmode=transparent&start=0 Your phone contains many sensors that make it useful – and easy to track.

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Mobile devices can be tracked in real time or close to it. Common technical methods include traditional radio direction-finding techniques, using intelligence satellites or drones, deploying “man in the middle” tools like Stingrays to impersonate cellular towers to intercept and isolate device traffic, or installing malware such as Pegasus, made by Israeli cyberarms company NSO to report a device’s location.

Nontechnical and slower techniques of user tracking include potentially identifying general user locations from their internet activity. This can be done from website logs or the metadata contained in content posted to social media, or contracting with data brokers to receive any collected location data from the apps that a user might install on their device.

Indeed, because of these vulnerabilities, the leader of Hezbollah earlier this year advised his members to avoid using cellular phones in their activities, noting that Israel’s “surveillance devices are in your pockets. If you are looking for the Israeli agent, look at the phone in your hands and those of your wives and children.”

Researchers have shown how these features, often intended for the user’s convenience, can be used by governments, companies and criminals to track people in their daily lives and even predict movements. Many people still aren’t aware of how much their mobile devices disclose about them.

Pagers, however, unlike mobile phones, can be harder to track depending on whether they support two-way communication.

Why go low-tech

A pager that only receives messages does not provide a signal that can facilitate tracking its owner. Therefore, Hezbollah’s use of pagers likely made it more challenging to track their operatives – thus motivating Israeli intelligence services’ purported attack on the supply chain of Hezbollah’s pagers.

Using low-tech tactics and personal couriers while avoiding the use of mobile phones and digital tools also made it difficult for the technologically superior Western intelligence agencies to locate Osama bin Laden for years after the 9/11 attacks.

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In general, I believe the adversary in an asymmetric conflict using low-tech techniques, tactics and technology will almost always be able to operate successfully against a more powerful and well-funded opponent.

A well-documented demonstration of this asymmetry in action was the U.S. military’s Millennium Challenge war game in 2002. Among other things, the insurgent Red forces, led by Marine General Paul van Riper, used low-tech tactics including motorcycle couriers instead of cellphones to evade the Blue forces’ high-tech surveillance. In the initial run of the exercise, the Red team won the contest in 24 hours, forcing exercise planners to controversially reset and update the scenario to ensure a Blue team victory.

Lessons for everyone

The preference for terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and al-Qaida to avoid using smartphones is a reminder for everyone that you can be, and likely are being tracked in various ways and for various purposes.

Israel’s purported response to Hezbollah’s actions also holds a lesson for everyone. From a cybersecurity perspective, it shows that any device in your life can be tampered with by an adversary at points along the supply chain – long before you even receive it.

Richard Forno, Principal Lecturer in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

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