🚀 SpaceX's 2 rockets in 4 hours, First AI drifting car, New era laser

In an impressive feat, SpaceX launched two rockets from Florida in the space of about four hours, highlighting the company’s domination of the satellite launch market.

There was a planned third mission later in the day; however, this was put off due to poor weather. With this kind of launch schedule, new records are looking promising for 2024. Better yet, find out what SpaceX plans to send into space nine times this year by checking out today’s Must Read.

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

> Senior Integration Engineer (Remote Within Ca)
> Systems Engineer

🎙 New podcast How SqUID robots are taking over warehouse logistics with Gili Ovadia

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MUST READ

🚀 SpaceX launches 2 rockets in 4 hours, set to break records in 2024

The two rocket launches occurred within a few hours of each other. Another Starlink mission was slated for liftoff at approximately 10:30 pm EDT from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California — however, unfavorable weather led SpaceX to postpone the launch.

In 2023, Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully launched 96 Falcon 9 missions, beating its record from the previous year. It hopes to launch 144 orbital missions this year.

The private space company is also breaking its own reusability records. The two Falcon 9 rockets that took flight on Saturday came back to Earth for an iconic booster landing. They each landed at sea a little under 10 minutes after liftoff.

🏎️ China reveals world’s first AI-powered driverless drifting car

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Geely Auto has just released a video of its latest artificial intelligence (AI) powered driverless vehicle drifting on ice and snow. Geely has called it “the world’s first driverless drifting technology.”

In the video, the company showcases a test vehicle that performed fully unmanned autonomous driving and drifting, which the company claims is comparable to the performance of a professional race car driver.

Apparently, the car’s ability to ‘sense’ and predict its state in real time has to do with its new system. This includes a perception large model algorithm integrated with software and hardware capabilities. Additionally, the car’s steer-by-wire system enables precise control over the drift direction with adjustments made in milliseconds.

💡 World’s most powerful laser ushers dawn of new era in health, space

Researchers are exploring the world’s most powerful laser, which is now functional in a research center in Romania. The European Union’s Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) could bring significant advancements in many fields, including space exploration and health.

ELI boasts an unprecedented peak power of 10 petawatts (equivalent to an incredibly short flash from a hundred thousand billion light bulbs). This is achieved in less than a femtosecond, thanks to meticulously installed equipment weighing 450 tons.

In the medical industry, such high-power lasers can aid in precise cancer treatment and medical imaging. Other use cases include scanning cargo for hazardous substances and cleaning space and nuclear waste.

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR

Missed out on Ring and Nest? Don’t let RYSE slip away!

Ring 一 Acquired by Amazon for $1.2B

Nest 一 Acquired by Google for $3.2B

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HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY

SCIENCE

> A Kobe University team has discovered that the 7,300-year-old volcanic eruption is the largest one in the last 11,700 years. Such giant eruptions influenced the global climate and, thus human history in the past. (More)

> Scientists have published evidence of the first tapeworm fossil of its kind, offering new information on their early evolution. They claim it dates back to around 100 million years ago and was discovered in Myanmar. (More)

> Researchers present a new equation that shows a surprisingly simple relationship between pressure and the temperature needed to melt any solid substance into a liquid. (More)

ENERGY

> CalWave is all set to supply its wave technology to power Yuquot in British Columbia. The ‘first-of-its-kind’ project could set a precedent for coastal community microgrids worldwide. (More)

> An analysis has revealed the biggest energy firms in the UK have profited £420 billion since 2020. This comes as millions of British people continue to suffer with the increased cost of energy bills. (More)

> Kobe University's new direct current voltage boost converter promises higher efficiency, lower costs, and reduced maintenance. It could advance electric and electronic components in a range of fields. (More)

INNOVATION

> Researchers have created an artificial human ear that “looks and feels natural.” The newly created human ear grafts are a result of advanced tissue engineering and 3D printing techniques. (More)

> A team of researchers from China, originally involved in hypersonic missile development, have developed a mechanical sensor that can boost the safety of the country’s high-speed rail network. (More)

> Millions are gearing up to witness the rare and unique total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Now, a device will allow the Blind and Low Vision (BLV) community to experience the event through sound. (More)

VIDEO

> The Europa Clipper probe, undergoing rigorous testing, will brave extreme conditions on its journey to Jupiter’s moon, Europa, gathering crucial data about its potential for habitability and extraterrestrial life. (More)

> Boston Dynamics’ robotic creation, Spot, has embarked on a new mission within the industrial sector to enhance safety and efficiency at Chevron’s operational sites. (More)

> The U.S. is home to the world's most formidable air forces, the US Air Force and Navy Aviation, unrivaled in aerial combat with advanced aircraft like the Boeing EA-18G Growler, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, and F-15EX Eagle II. (More)

IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS

Hey there! Yesterday, we threw out a brain teaser on our socials: “How much force is required to lift the weight?

The answer is: 490.5N

Ready for more brainy challenges? Gear up for future IE quizzes by following us on Instagram and Facebook! 

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> Plane struck by lightning during heavy storm in North Carolina

> AI chatbots beat humans at persuading their opponents in debates