Launching under the European Space Agency’s Moonlight initiative, the Lunar Pathfinder mission lays the foundations for communication and navigation services for future lunar missions. Aboard the Lunar Pathfinder spacecraft is a test version of the NaviMoon satellite navigation (satnav) receiver, which will hopefully provide accurate positioning for the Moon’s near side, far side, orbit, and poles, making it the furthest a satnav system has ever gone. If it’s successful, future lunar missions could navigate themselves to the Moon without help from mission control. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
