Click to read more about SpaceX’s most recent endeavor, Facebook’s new Messenger features, the farthest measurable galaxy from Earth, and more. Creative commons image from NASA. 

 By Lauren Yang

The SES-9 gets ready for launch in the photo above. Creative Commons image from SES-9.

1. SpaceX launches, but doesn’t stick the landing
SpaceX, a reusable rocket company, successfully launched a communications satellite, called the SES-9, into geostationary equatorial orbit (GEO). An object in GEO simply means it is around 35,700 km above the Earth’s surface. However, the rocket delivering SES-9 did not land successfully. SpaceX technicians credit a faster landing speed and an unstable landing platform (the platform was a drone ship at sea) as reasons why this landing was not successful. Read more here. 

Transportation and music sharing are a few of the newest features Facebook has added to its messaging app, called Messenger. Screenshot from Lauren Yang.

2. Messenger integrates with other services
Messenger recently added two new features that allow its users to call an Uber or Lyft and share music from Spotify seamlessly. By selecting “Transportation” in Messenger’s more section, users can call a ride and update their chat buddies with their current location. The “Spotify” option allows users to share artists, playlists, or songs with others. These new features are part of Facebook’s greater initiative to integrate with other services to make its messaging service more engaging. Read more here and here.

The video above gives a visual representation of just how far away GN-z11 is. Video from NASA.gov.

3. A galaxy far, far away
A team of astronomers discovered the farthest galaxy to date with NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The galaxy, named GN-z11, is seen at its state 400 million years after the Big Bang or 13.4 billion years in the past. This discovery gives scientists an insight into the past and reveal what some of the earliest galaxies looked like. Read more here.

Google will soon allow its European users to unlist certain search results. Creative Commons image from SLembas.

4. Got something embarrassing online? Google’s got you covered (only in the EU, though).
Google will remove certain search results within the European Union (EU) starting next week to comply with an European Union court order that allowed for “the right to be forgotten.” To remove a search result, European users can submit a request to unlist a result that is outdated or no longer relevant. Since then, users have requested everything from minor embarrassments to major crimes to be unlisted. This decision is controversial, especially between free speech activists and privacy advocates. Read more here.

Skydio’s unmanned, autonomous drone avoids obstacles as it flies around a hiking trail. Video from MIT Technology Review.

5. Drones that can fly themselves
Skydio, a startup from Menlo Park, has developed a drone that can autonomously fly. The drone utilizes cameras and sensors to avoid obstacles at high speeds and can match or even top the navigation skill of a human pilot. Building an autonomous drone is not easy, since the equipment, like cameras and processing hardware, needs to be light in order for the drone to fly. The startup has raised $25 million in funding and has potential for transforming the consumer drone market, since current drones are only equipped with basic automation. Read more here.