Click to read more about reusable rockets, Saturn’s new ring, Ikea’s innovation lab, and more. Rockets, like the one shown above, may soon be reusable. Creative commons image from Steve Jurvetson.
Lauren Yang | News Editor
Watch Blue Origin’s rocket launch to space and land safely back to earth. Video from Blue Origin.
1. Blue Origin wins race to make reusable rocket
For decades, scientists have tried to safely land rockets back to earth after being launched into space. Blue Origin’s rocket, New Shepard, accomplished just that on Nov 23. This accomplishment has made giant strides in the rocket industry, as it allows reusable rockets to be created. Reusable rockets will save scientists money and resources. Click here to read more.
Saturn, shown above, may soon be welcoming a new ring. Creative commons image from NASA.
2. If you like it then you should’ve put a ring on it
Gravity is pulling Saturn’s largest moon, Phobos, around six feet closer to Saturn every year. Scientists predict that eventually, Phobos will become Saturn’s newest ring in 30-50 million years. Because Phobos’ interior gravity is not very strong, scientists believe that the moon will disintegrate instead of crashing into Saturn. For more info, click here.
The above video documents the process of creating Space10. Video from Space10.
3. Ikea’s Innovation Lab
Ikea recently opened up Space10 in hopes of creating its “Next Big Idea.” Space10, previously a fishery building, is located in Copenhagen’s meatpacking neighborhood. The goal of Space10 is to invite professors, students, makers, artists, and others to brainstorm cool, new ideas. So far, students at Space10 have designed a table that takes heat off of the objects on top of it to recharge devices. Read more here.
4. Data reveals the best time to shop on Black Friday
By analyzing smartphone location data, Google was able to determine the best and worst times to shop during Black Friday. According to the data, the best time to shop is from 2am – 6am, and the worst time to shop is from 2pm – 4pm. For a more detailed report, click here.
5. Stopping malaria, mosquito by mosquito
Scientists from University of California, Irvine, genetically modified mosquitoes to stop the spread of malaria. They accomplished this with two genetic modifications: to be resistant toward malaria, and to spread the malaria-resistant genes. The idea is for these mosquitos to be released into the wild in order to spread their malaria-resistant genes. The scientists hope that this could be a solution that would save the 600,000 people that die from malaria every year. For more info, click here.