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  • 📷 US deploys autonomous robotic cameras in stratosphere; Hyundai IONIQ 9 electric SUV offers 385-mile range; Russia strikes Ukraine with ICBM

📷 US deploys autonomous robotic cameras in stratosphere; Hyundai IONIQ 9 electric SUV offers 385-mile range; Russia strikes Ukraine with ICBM

Plus: Big US approval for Gen IV reactor Hermes 2 to generate 20 MWe clean power

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US-based Near Space Labs has launched a network of stratospheric robots across the country, providing ultra-high-resolution aerial imagery.

These robots, called Swifts, capture images at 7-centimeter resolution, surpassing traditional aerial surveys.

The company aims to address the crisis in the US home insurance industry, which has been hit hard by increasing natural disasters and outdated risk assessment methods. Don’t miss this Must-Read.

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Near Space Labs' frequent updates allow insurers to better monitor property conditions and assess risks. Traditional methods like airplanes and drones can be costly and time-consuming.

The Swifts, carried by zero-emission balloons, offer a faster and more efficient solution. They can cover vast areas in a single flight. This technology allows for rapid assessment of damage after events like hurricanes, enabling quicker claims processing.

Operating at altitudes between 60,000 and 85,000 feet, this compact 12-pound autonomous system provides insurance companies, urban planners, and government agencies with unprecedented access to highly detailed and frequently updated aerial imagery.

Hyundai has launched the IONIQ 9, an all-electric SUV. Built on Hyundai's E-GMP architecture, it comes with a 110.3 kWh battery, offering an impressive estimated range of 385 miles.

Fast charging capabilities allow it to charge from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes. Moreover, the Performance AWD model accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds, while the Long-Range RWD version takes 9.4 seconds.

Hyundai has also rolled out additional features like an improved EV Route Planner, enhanced battery consistency, and a comprehensive energy report.

Russia has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine, marking the first time since the war began in February 2022.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the city of Dnipro was targeted, with various missiles including the ICBM, a "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missile, and seven cruise missiles launched.

The missile in question is believed to be the RS-26 Rubezh, a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. This attack comes after Russia recently changed its nuclear doctrine to allow for the use of nuclear weapons in certain scenarios.

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