In a nutshell: Everyone is complaining about how Microsoft does business in the cloud, and the Federal Trade Commission has finally decided to step in. While the Commission has not formally opened an investigation, hopes are that the exchange of power between the outgoing and incoming presidential administrations won't hinder efforts. The FTC is considering opening a new investigation into Microsoft, a company accused time and time again of employing anticompetitive practices to hinder competitors in the lucrative cloud business. Unnamed sources spilled the beans to the Financial Times, stating that the federal agency asked industry players for relevant feedback before deciding to start a formal probe.Redmond competitors told the FTC that Microsoft is forcing customers to use its Azure platform by using unlawful practices to block third-party cloud services. Microsoft is allegedly making Office 365 products incompatible with other cloud platforms and requiring costly exit fees for customers considering leaving Azure.The FTC investigation would also look into alleged minimum spending contracts that Microsoft offers to companies at significant discounts if they agree to a certain spending level. The US agency listened to feedback from public cloud providers, and competitors highlighted that some software licensing practices were forcing customers to stay on Azure in perpetuity.This investigation will be the last major initiative by FTC Chair Lina Khan, who has served as the youngest chair (35) since President Joe Biden appointed her in 2021. Khan was particularly active against Big Tech's anticompetitive behavior, stating that her agency was going after the "mob bosses" in the technology business rather than the "henchman" at the bottom.When President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, 2025, Khan's tenure at the FTC will likely end. Fortunately, the fight against technology giants is one of the few political issues that attracts bipartisan support in Washington. So, a new FTC boss could continue Khan's investigation against Microsoft and other technology monopolists in the future. // Related StoriesRedmond is one of the "Big Three" ventures in the cloud business, fighting for market share with Amazon and Google. In 2023, Google alleged that Microsoft abused its dominant position to gain an anti-competitive advantage in the European cloud sector. Microsoft reacted by accusing Google of funding "shadow campaigns" by hostile lobbying organizations to undermine its position with EU regulatory authorities.

Choose your answer and the correct choice will be revealed. Correct Answer:DiamondAnd now, for some contextAluminum and copper have the highest thermal conductivity among common metals (205W/mK and 401W/mK versus say 50W/mK for steel) and are easily the most frequently used materials in the making of computer heatsinks. Although copper is superior at conducting heat, aluminum performs respectably while being cheaper, lighter and easier for manufacturers to work with.There are better heat conductors but they aren't practical materials for producing computer heatsinks: silver exceeds copper's thermal conductivity at 429W/mK (hence Arctic Silver thermal paste), diamond brings that into the thousands at 2300W/mK (and likewise hence IC Diamond thermal paste), while early measurements of graphene puts it at 5300W/mK. Less popularly, graphite has also been used in the production of PC heatsinks when a manufacturer wants something lighter than both copper and aluminum with thermals that land in between.Diamond is a remarkable material in terms of thermal conductivity, topping the list at an estimated 2,200 to 2,500 W/mK. However, the cost and difficulty of producing large, pure diamond structures make it an impractical choice for mass-produced heatsinks. Silver is the best metallic conductor of heat, with a thermal conductivity of about 430 W/mK. This property makes silver an attractive option for heatsinks. However, like diamond, silver is expensive and not typically used in mass-market cooling solutions. Furthermore, its softer nature compared to other metals could potentially lead to durability issues in the long term.With a thermal conductivity of 400 W/mK, copper is another excellent heat conductor. It's less expensive than silver and stronger too, offering better durability. Copper's high density allows for more efficient heat absorption and dissipation, making it an ideal choice for heatsinks. However, it's heavier than aluminum, and this weight issue can be a drawback in some applications, such as laptops or small form factor (SFF) PCs.Aluminum is the most commonly used material for heatsinks due to its balance of cost, weight, and thermal conductivity (around 205 W/mK). Although it doesn't conduct heat as well as copper or silver, aluminum is lightweight and easy to shape, providing excellent cooling performance for the cost. Its corrosion resistance also adds to its longevity, making it a preferred choice for many manufacturers.The choice of heatsink material often comes down to a balance between thermal conductivity, weight, durability, and cost.

Most virtual private network (VPN) services require an annual or longer subscription paid in advance to enjoy the lowest monthly cost. However, your needs may change over time and some VPNs like Mullvad and Windscribe offer more affordable prices with just a monthly commitment.Price isnt the only detail that matters when shopping for the best VPN service. You want good performance, excellent privacy protection, and more.Recommended VideosIve gone hands-on with both VPNs and found each offers quick, dependable download speeds at servers around the world. In this head-to-head comparison, Ill explore the features, customer support, and security of Mullvad and Windscribe to help you decide which offers the best value.RelatedMullvad WindscribePlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidDevices5UnlimitedSupportEmailEmail, ChatbotFree version?NoYesMullvad and Windscribe VPNs offer unique monthly pricing. Digital TrendsMullvads VPN pricing is remarkably simple. It costs 5 euros per month (about $5.31). The average subscription cost of most VPN services is double that amount, making Mullvad stand out from the crowd. While the leading VPNs offer good deals and provide great service, youll need to pay $40 to $100 upfront for a year of service.Most VPNs let you protect multiple devices, and Mullvad allows five simultaneous connections. Thats enough to run the VPN on your computer, phone, and tablet without toggling it on and off before switching devices. Despite the bargain price, Mullvad is a full-featured, fast VPN with apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.Windscribe also has cross-platform support and, within reason, allows you to connect unlimited devices. It offers several price tiers, including a more standard $9 monthly subscription and a $69 annual plan. The free version provides 2GB to 15GB of protected internet data each month. Besides the data restriction, the free plan can only connect to servers in 10 countries.The most interesting low-cost monthly option from Windscribe is the Build-A-Plan, which costs as little as $3 monthly. Subscribers can select three locations from a global list where theyll get access to premium servers. More locations can be added for an additional $1 per month.That might sound ideal but there are some important considerations. Build-A-Plan doesnt support port forwarding, which you might need if you host games, use VoIP applications, or do peer-to-peer downloading.Most notably, Windscribes standard Build-A-Plan has a data cap of 10GB per location. The minimum $3 plan provides 30GB per month. While you can combine this with the free plan to get up to 45GB, youll probably need more.Fortunately, you can switch to unlimited use for another $1 monthly. For $4 per month, you get full-time protection with Windscribes premium VPN servers in three countries and can add more as needed. Windscribe even lets you change the locations during the month and prorates your bill if you only use a partial month.I enjoyed good upload and download speeds on a nearby Mullvad VPN server. Digital TrendsLow monthly fees are great but you probably dont want to sacrifice access to fast servers in the locations you need. Mullvad and Windscribe are fast enough for global web browsing like I was a local and sufficient for high-quality streaming in most cases.Download speeds vary depending on the time of day, distance from the server, and load on the server. I tested each VPN for several days at varied times to get a sense of overall performance. Without a VPN, my Ethernet connection provides 900Mbps download and upload speed.Mullvad was generally faster, reaching up to 521Mbps down and 100Mbps up with a U.S. server. A closer Canadian server measured only 149Mbps down and 39Mbps up.I measured the best Windscribe speed from a U.S. server. Digital TrendsWindscribes best U.S. server scored 451Mbps down and 27Mbps up, nearly matching Mullvad for downloads but offering significantly slower uploads. For a nearby Canadian server, Speedtest.net reported 157Mbps for downloads and 10Mbps.I tested the servers of both VPNs for locations in the U.K., France, Germany, and Australia. Mullvad did well in most overseas tests, supplying 264Mbps to 432Mbps downloads. Windscribe gave mixed results with 277Mbps downloads for France, but speeds in the mid-20s for the U.K. and Germany.Australia in very distant and I expected a slow connection. While Mullvad managed a respectable 24Mbps down, Windscribe surprised me by reaching 136Mbps.In summary, Mullvad seemed faster overall but it varies. Windscribe was sufficient in most locations but streaming could require buffering overseas.Youll get more features with leading VPNs like Proton VPN or NordVPN. However, Mullvad and Windscribe also provide ad blocking, rudimentary malware protection, split-tunneling, and obfuscation.While Windscribes AI chatbot is quite helpful, human support is via email. WindscribeCustomer service is always worth considering. I didnt have any problems with Mullvad or Windscribe but I reached out to support to test how responsive it was.Mullvads help center has several articles covering common and esoteric topics. For account issues or other questions that require personal assistance, you can send an email. In my experience, support is relatively quick, taking eight hours to get a reply.Windscribe has a fairly intelligent chatbot to assist with issues and several support articles to look up an answer on your own. Windscribe mentions 24/7 support via chat, but I couldnt reach a human agent online. After trying for a few minutes, I finally settled for email and the reply came a few hours later.Id rate support roughly equally for Mullvad and Windscribe. Both were acceptable for inexpensive services. If you anticipate needing quicker help, Surfshark has fast, helpful live chat thats available around the clock.Mullvad and Windscribe are open-source apps that anyone with coding experience and enough time can examine to ensure there arent any privacy or security loopholes in the software. However, we dont have to rely on open-source policing. Independent audits have verified neither service keeps logs to track your online activity.Each company has a clean track record with no reported data breaches. Still, hackers are becoming more sophisticated. The best way to secure your data is to keep it offline. For absolute anonymity, Mullvad assigns a number when you create an account and you dont have to provide your email address. Email is optional for Windscribe users also.If your VPN has no identifying data about you, theres nothing to leak, steal, or provide to authorities making legal requests.Mullvad and Windscribe break the VPN mold with unique pricing and policies while offering enough features and global performance to be intriguing. If you want to break out of long-term VPN subscriptions or a constant hunt for the best VPN deal, both are worthwhile.Mullvad, a Swedish company, offers a full-service VPN in 47 countries for a little over $5 monthly, total anonymity, excellent privacy protection, and impressive server speeds worldwide.Windscribe matches Mullvads privacy policies and security despite its base in Canada, a Five Eyes country. With Build-A-Plan you can use a data-capped VPN with servers in three locations for just $3 monthly. A 30GB limit feels too restrictive for me, but you can upgrade to unlimited data for only $1 more.If you only want to access a few countries, Windscribe has the least-expensive monthly subscription plan. However, Mullvad has no limitations on its standard service. To unlock every feature and server for Windscribe, youll pay $9 monthly.Thats why Mullvad wins in this challenge to find the best VPN for monthly service.Editors Recommendations

Ive been using one of the bravest phones of the year. Its the HMD Fusion, and it has found a way to stand out in the current, congested world of smartphones, allowing HMD to break free of its Nokia brand name ties.It hasnt simply gone all-out with a $1,000-plus flagship to capture attention and has arguably gone down an even tougher road to do so. The Fusion is a modular smartphone, and its a very brave move on HMDs part.Recommended VideosDimensions164.1 x 75.5 x 8.3 mmWeight202 gramsDisplay6.56-inch,, 1612 x 700 resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, 480 nits typical, 600 nits boostedDurabilityN/AColorsBlackProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2RAM4GB, 6GB, 8GB, or 12GB optionsStorage128GB or 256GBSoftwareAndroid 14UpdatesTwo years of OS, three years of security updatesRear cameras108MP main2MP DepthFront camera50MP fixed focusBattery5,000mAhCharging33W wired chargingPriceStarts at $299RelatedNaked HMD Fusion alongside the Casual Outfit Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsTeased at Mobile World Congress 2024 and finally given its debut in September, the HMD Fusion is a take on the often attempted modular phone concept, where a base phone can be added to with different components and upgraded over time based on your requirements. Its modularity means the HMD Fusion is also owner-repairable, from the battery to the screen, which is a great start.The other side of its modularity comes from Smart Outfits. HMD wasnt clear about how these would work, but now that Ive got the phone and its first official Smart Outfit, called the Flashy, its easily explainable. Think of Smart Outfits as high-tech cases for the phone, so theyre easy to put on and take off while providing protection and special functionality. Once on the phone, they communicate with it using a set of pogo pins, meaning they should be hardwearing and reliable.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsWhats unusual is the Fusion always has to wear an Outfit. In the box is the so-called Casual Outfit, a rather ordinary flexible, transparent case, and without it, the phone looks exceptionally vulnerable with its exposed battery and multiple screws.The Casual Outfit doesnt have any special features outside of simply keeping the phone safe. Its a regular case with a fun name. While many of us choose to use a case on their phone, some dont, but the HMD Fusions Casual Outfit looks to be an essential.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsHMD intends to release its own series of official Smart Outfits for the Fusion but has cleverly made all the instructions on how to make them public, with the expectation that enthusiasts and businesses will make their own. Ive tried out the first official Smart Outfit, the Flashy, which adds a ring light to the Fusions camera system.Built into the surround of the camera module, it can be used with the rear-facing camera or hinged over the top of the phone to face the front for selfies. It doesnt need charging as it uses the phones battery for power, and its activated inside the standard camera app, so there are no physical buttons or third-party apps to install. Its a neat system, and you can adjust the brightness and the color temperature of the light using a simple overlay when taking a photo.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsModular phones always struggled to find a simple solution to connecting accessories see the LG G5 for evidence but the Flashy Smart Outfit is easy to use because its built into a case, and absolutely everyone will instinctively know how to fit and remove it.The downside is that it turns the Fusion into a rugged phone as the ring light is encased in a thick, hefty, solid case. Its not something Id always want my phone to wear, and even if I kept it in my bag, its always going to have to replace the Casual Outfit the phone has to have fitted, meaning Ill always be carrying around at least one case for the Fusion.1 of 3No flash Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Screen-fill flash Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Flashy ring light Andy Boxall / Digital Trends The Flashy Smart Outfit is made from recycled TPU and comes in two colors: indigo blue and pink. It has a rectangular LED light, and the Fusions 50-megapixel front camera is likely going to be the one that most people will use with it. I tried it out in low light, and you can see the difference it makes in the gallery above, complete with an example of the Fusions selfie camera without any extra light and how the camera performs using the screen as a fill light.Obviously, the first image without any light is unusable, but it shows how dark the environment was when I took the photo. The one with the screen as a fill light isnt terrible (all things considered), but its still grainy and low quality. I used the Flashys fill light at 100% brightness as an example, which considerably brightens the scene. Theres a little more detail, but whats more helpful is that the adjustable color temperature helps bring out natural skin tones. In mid-light, its sure to work better too.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsUnfortunately, its not a cheap accessory at 80 British pounds or around $101, so youll have to be sure itll be used regularly. A bigger problem is that a basic clip-on ring light for your phone can cost just $10, and when you consider the cheapest version of the HMD Fusion phone itself is 249 pounds and expected to be $299 in the U.S., it changes the type of person who may be looking at the HMD Fusion in the first place. After all, people will buy the phone because of what its like and not because of an accessory.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsIve had my SIM card in the HMD Fusion for a day and can only give my initial impressions rather than provide a full review. It uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor with a choice of 4GB, 6GB (this is the version I have tried), 8GB, or 12GB of RAM, depending on the model you buy and where you live.Theres some lag and dropped frame rates in the animations when opening apps and folders, and its not the fastest experience, but the HMD Fusion plays Asphalt Legends: Unite without a problem, and its fun and exciting, so itll likely be fine for day-to-day use. Android 14 is installed, and HMD will send out two major OS version updates in the future, along with three years of security updates. It comes with a 5,000mAh battery and support for 33W wired charging. Unusually, theres a 3.5mm headphone jack on the base of the phone.1 of 3Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Andy Boxall / DIgital Trends Andy Boxall / Digital Trends The 6.56-inch screen is a disappointment with poor viewing angles where it quickly loses brightness, and although it has a 90Hz refresh rate, the software defaults to 60Hz, and even when you switch it to 90Hz adaptive, its still not entirely blur-free. The 1612 x 700-pixel resolution and 480 nits typical brightness are representatives of the devices price, but phones like theSamsung Galaxy A35andNothing Phone 2a provide a higher-quality viewing experience.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsThe HMD Fusion is not an expensive flagship phone, but I dont think that matters. Its the basis for a customizable smartphone that could end up solving a problem other phones simply cant, whether thats through its repairability or your own ability to design and 3D print a special Smart Outfit. Like other modular phones, its an exciting prospect but also a tall order.If you like the idea of customizing the look of your phone but arent worried about expensive add-ons like the Flashy case, then the Fusion has some serious competition from the CMF by Nothing Phone 1, where you can replace the exterior case, add a lanyard, and other small tweaks to the style of the phone. Ill point at the equally customizable CMF Watch 2 Pro as the ideal companion, and the two can be yours for less than the price of the HMD Fusion alone.Theres potential in the Smart Outfits system, and HMD has approached it correctly by opening it up to the world immediately. However, it really does need enthusiasts as well as HMD to support it. This is why its a brave move for HMD, and if wide support doesnt quickly arrive, the Fusion risks being forgotten along with the many other modular smartphone experiments weve seen over the years.Editors Recommendations

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How 'bout them apples? AI-generated shows could replace lost DVD revenue, Ben Affleck says AI won't replace human artistry, says actor, but it will wildly drive down costs. Benj Edwards Nov 18, 2024 5:49 pm | 37 Credit: Donald Iain Smith via Getty Images Credit: Donald Iain Smith via Getty Images Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreLast week, actor and director Ben Affleck shared his views on AI's role in filmmaking during the 2024 CNBC Delivering Alpha investor summit, arguing that AI models will transform visual effects but won't replace creative filmmaking anytime soon. A video clip of Affleck's opinion began circulating widely on social media not long after."Didnt expect Ben Affleck to have the most articulate and realistic explanation where video models and Hollywood is going," wrote one X user.In the clip, Affleck spoke of current AI models' abilities as imitators and conceptual translatorsmimics that are typically better at translating one style into another instead of originating deeply creative material."AI can write excellent imitative verse, but it cannot write Shakespeare," Affleck told CNBC's David Faber. "The function of having two, three, or four actors in a room and the taste to discern and construct that entirely eludes AI's capability."Affleck sees AI models as "craftsmen" rather than artists (although some might find the term "craftsman" in his analogy somewhat imprecise). He explained that while AI can learn through imitationlike a craftsman studying furniture-making techniquesit lacks the creative judgment that defines artistry. "Craftsman is knowing how to work. Art is knowing when to stop," he said."It's not going to replace human beings making films," Affleck stated. Instead, he sees AI taking over "the more laborious, less creative and more costly aspects of filmmaking," which could lower barriers to entry and make it easier for emerging filmmakers to create movies like Good Will Hunting.Films will become dramatically cheaper to makeWhile it may seem on its surface like Affleck was attacking generative AI capabilities in the tech industry, he also did not deny the impact it may have on filmmaking. For example, he predicted that AI would reduce costs and speed up production schedules, potentially allowing shows like HBO's House of the Dragon to release two seasons in the same period as it takes to make one.The visual effects industry faces the biggest disruption from these efficiency gains, according to Affleck. "I wouldn't like to be in the visual effects business. They're in trouble," he warned, predicting that expensive effects work will become much cheaper through AI automation.Based on what we've seen of AI video generators, where someone can easily apply AI-generated effects to existing video, this outcome seems plausible. But current AI video synthesis tools like those from Runway may need improvements in getting desired results with some consistency and controlinstead of forcing users to repeat generations while hoping for a usable result.AI-generated content: A new revenue stream?Affleck thinks that AI technology could create a new source of revenue for studios, potentially replacing lost DVD sales that he says once provided a large chunk of industry revenue but dropped dramatically over the past decade due to the rise of streaming video services.For example, although he had previously mentioned that AI would not replace human taste in filmmaking, Affleck described a scenario where a future viewer might pay to generate custom episodes of their favorite shows, though he acknowledged such content may be "janky and a little bit weird."He also imagined a scenario where companies may sell licenses to fans to create custom AI-generate content or AI-generated TikTok videos with character likenesses, similar to how studios sell superhero costumes today.Even so, Affleck maintains that human creativity will remain central to filmmaking. He explained that AI models currently work by "cross-pollinating things that exist" without truly creating anything new. At least not yet. This limitation, combined with AI's lack of artistic judgment, means that he thinks traditional filmmaking crafted by human directors and actors will persist.Benj EdwardsSenior AI ReporterBenj EdwardsSenior AI Reporter Benj Edwards is Ars Technica's Senior AI Reporter and founder of the site's dedicated AI beat in 2022. He's also a widely-cited tech historian. In his free time, he writes and records music, collects vintage computers, and enjoys nature. He lives in Raleigh, NC. 37 Comments Prev story

Closing doors The ISS has been leaking air for 5 years, and engineers still dont know why "This is a an engineering problem, and good engineers should be able to agree on it." Stephen Clark Nov 18, 2024 5:19 pm | 39 The Zvezda service module, seen here near the top of this image, is one the oldest parts of the International Space Station. Credit: NASA The Zvezda service module, seen here near the top of this image, is one the oldest parts of the International Space Station. Credit: NASA Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreOfficials from NASA and Russias space agency dont see eye to eye on the causes and risks of small but persistent air leaks on the International Space Station.That was the word from the new chair of NASA's International Space Station Advisory Committee last week. The air leaks are located in the transfer tunnel of the space station's Russian Zvezda service module, one of the oldest elements of the complex.US and Russian officials "don't have a common understanding of what the likely root cause is, or the severity of the consequences of these leaks," said Bob Cabana, a retired NASA astronaut who took the helm of the advisory committee earlier this year. Cabana replaced former Apollo astronaut Tom Stafford, who chaired the committee before he died in March.The transfer tunnel, known by the Russian acronym PrK, connects the Zvezda module with a docking port where Soyuz crew and Progress resupply spacecraft attach to the station.Air has been leaking from the transfer tunnel since September 2019. On several occasions, Russian cosmonauts have repaired the cracks and temporarily reduced the leak rate. In February, the leak rate jumped up again to 2.4 pounds per day, then increased to 3.7 pounds per day in April.This prompted managers to elevate the transfer tunnel leak to the highest level of risk in the space station program's risk management system. This 55 "risk matrix" classifies the likelihood and consequence of risks. Ars reported in June that the leaks are now classified as a "5" both in terms of high likelihood and high consequence.NASA reported in September that the latest round of repairs cut the leak rate by a third, but it did not eliminate the problem.An engineering problem"The Russian position is that the most probable cause of the PrK cracks is high cyclic fatigue caused by micro-vibrations," Cabana said on November 13. "NASA believes the PrK cracks are likely multi-causal, including pressure and mechanical stress, residual stress, material properties, and environmental exposures."The ISS is aging. Zvezda and the PrK launched in July 2000 and will mark a quarter-century in orbit next year. NASA wants to keep the space station operating until at least 2030, while Roscosmos, Russia's space agency, has committed only through 2028.Roscosmos has shared sample metals, welds, and investigation reports with NASA to assist in the study of the cracks and leaks. In a report published in September, NASA's inspector general said NASA's ISS Vehicle Office at Johnson Space Center in Houston said the leaks are "not an immediate risk to the structural integrity of the station."This is because managers have implemented mitigations to protect the entire station in the event of a structural failure of the PrK.Crew members aboard the space station are keeping the hatch leading to the PrK closed when they don't need to access the Progress cargo freighter docked at the other end of the transfer tunnel. Russian cosmonauts must open the hatch to unpack supplies from the Progress or load trash into the ship for disposal.But NASA and Roscosmos disagree on when the leak rate would become untenable. When that happens, the space station crew will have to permanently close the hatch to seal off the PrK and prevent a major failure from affecting the rest of the complex."The station is not young," said Michael Barratt, a NASA astronaut who returned from the space station last month. "It's been up there for quite a while, and you expect some wear and tear, and we're seeing that.""The Russians believe that continued operations are safe, but they can't prove to our satisfaction that they are," said Cabana, who was the senior civil servant at NASA until his retirement in 2023. "And the US believes that it's not safe, but we can't prove that to the Russian satisfaction that that's the case."So while the Russian team continues to search for and seal the leaks, it does not believe catastrophic disintegration of the PrK is realistic," Cabana said. "And NASA has expressed concerns about the structural integrity of the PrK and the possibility of a catastrophic failure."Closing the PrK hatch permanently would eliminate the use of one of the space station's four Russian docking ports.NASA has chartered a team of independent experts to assess the cracks and leaks and help determine the root cause, Cabana said. "This is an engineering problem, and good engineers should be able to agree on it."As a precaution, Barratt said space station crews are also closing the hatch separating the US and Russian sections of the space station when cosmonauts are working in the PrK."The way it's affected us, mostly, is as they go in and open that to unload a cargo vehicle that's docked to it, they've also taken time to inspect and try to repair when they can," Barratt said. "We've taken a very conservative approach to closing the hatch between the US side and the Russian side for those time periods."It's not a comfortable thing, but it is the best agreement between all the smart people on both sides, and it's something that we as a crew live with and adapt."Stephen ClarkSpace ReporterStephen ClarkSpace Reporter Stephen Clark is a space reporter at Ars Technica, covering private space companies and the worlds space agencies. Stephen writes about the nexus of technology, science, policy, and business on and off the planet. 39 Comments