🚁 China tests its biggest-ever cargo drone, Russia and Ukraine exchange blame for nuclear plant fire, does the Red Planet have a blue secret?

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Local media sources have reported that China’s biggest unmanned cargo drone has taken to the air for the first time. Designed to carry a payload of just over 1.5 metric tons, the twin-engined autonomous aerial vehicle (UAV) took its maiden flight on Sunday, August 11.

Developed by Sichuan Tengden Sci-tech Innovation Company, the drone completed its inaugural 20-minute flight in southwestern Sichuan province. For more on this development, check out today’s Must-Read.

🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on jobs.interestingengineering.com:

> Full Stack Software Engineer (AWS/Node.JS/Angular) - Hybrid Chicago, W2
> Cloud Security Engineer

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MUST-READ

🚁 China: Biggest cargo drone carries over 1.5 tons in 1st test flight

The AVIC HH-100 has a wingspan of 52.8 feet (16.1 m) and a height of 15 feet (4.6 m). These dimensions would make it slightly larger than a four-seater Cessna 172 (a popular traditional light aircraft).

The aircraft has easy loading and unloading features, high reliability and safety levels, and advanced intelligence. It is expected to support the country in expanding its air cargo transportation capabilities and creating innovative smart logistics solutions for a low-altitude economy.

China’s civilian drone manufacturers are testing larger payloads as the government aims to develop a low-altitude economy. The aviation regulator envisions a 2 trillion yuan ($279 billion) industry by 2030, representing a four-fold expansion from 2023.

🔥 Fire at Europe’s largest nuclear plant: Russia and Ukraine trade blame

On Sunday, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, the Zaporizhzhia facility in southern Ukraine, witnessed a dramatic and dangerous development as a fire broke out on its grounds.

The fire, which occurred in the midst of ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kyiv, prompted immediate concern over nuclear safety.

Despite the alarming visuals, both sides have reported that there is no indication of elevated radiation levels.

🌊 Red Planet’s blue secret: Mars hides vast underwater world miles before surface

The barren, hostile Mars likely harbors a surprisingly massive hidden reservoir of water trapped deep within its crust.

This intriguing find comes from the data collected by NASA’s long-dead InSight lander. Interestingly, this underground reservoir is estimated to be large enough to cover the entire planet in a mile-deep layer of water.

A Scripps Institute of Oceanography-led team of experts studied seismic data obtained by the lander from Martian innards.

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HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY

SCIENCE

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ENERGY

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INNOVATION

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VIDEO

> AI is being used to colorise and revive footage from the Paris 1924 Olympics. Created by Alibaba, these films give viewers a chance to reflect and celebrate social progress, as a hundred years later, this year's Olympics became the first in history to reach full gender parity. (More)

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IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS

In yesterday’s quiz, we asked, How many triangles can you see in this image?

The answer is: 13

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