If there is a leader in the aerospace industry, SpaceX is it. The companys Crew Dragon and Cargo Dragon spacecrafts are the current go-to vehicles to deliver astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station. NASA contracts awarded to SpaceX through 2030 alone are worth nearly US$5 billion and include research and development for the Artemis mission to return astronauts to the Moon. Over the past decade, SpaceX has also emerged as a key vendor to the U.S. Department of Defense, seen most recently with a $733.5 million contract for projects such as launching defense satellite networks and contributing to other national security space objectives. As a human geographer, Im interested in how commercial space and defense companies affect the local communities where they conduct launches and tests. For instance, I spent over two years in Kazakhstan researching the privatization of the Soviet space program and the beginning of a global commercial space industry. Elon Musk and SpaceXs influence Politically, SpaceX is an enormous boon to the United States. As a U.S.-based defense supplier and contractor, the companys technology has helped to nearly end an almost two-decade dependency on the Russian Federation for access to the International Space Station. Its billionaire CEO, Elon Musk, has even expressed plans to colonize Mars. Musks decision to spend $250 million helping Donald Trump win the 2024 presidential election is expected to lead to more support for SpaceX. In the new administration, Musk is poised to lead a newly created advisory agency called the Department of Government Efficiency, which could lead to benefits for his business and widen his space ambitions.Boca Chica, Texas, is home to SpaceXs flagship assembly and test installation, Starbase. Since 2021, I have been conducting research with environmental groups and multigenerational community members of Latino and Indigenous descent in south Texas who see space exploration as a landscape-altering industry that affects their well-being. After watching Starbases development proceed since 2014, locals there told me that there is much unseen and unsaid about what happens on the ground while an aerospace giant shoots for the stars.Breaking eggs to make an omelet Starbase is an industrial installation built by SpaceX to fabricate and test a number of the companys rocket types. The area around it is a unique and delicate ecosystem that includes estuaries and coastal grasslands, mud flats and more, where falcons, hawks, ravens, gulls and songbirds live. Since construction began, SpaceX engineers have had to drain water-logged soils, level them and pour concrete to support ground tracking stations, assembly buildings, engine test stands, a nearly 500-foot (152-meter) launch tower and onsite fuel mixing and storage. In a lengthy response to local environmental groups claims of environmental abuses, the company maintains that it is dedicated to environmental stewardship.But developing rockets is a dangerous and messy business. Sites chosen for this kind of work are often, though not always, remote and highly secured installations. Fiery explosions on the ground or in the air arent unheard of over the past several years. Rocket tests in Scotland, China and Japan have all ended in accidents. In April 2023, one of SpaceXs prototype Starship rockets exploded over the Gulf of Mexico shortly after liftoff. This is not the only time that a rocket has exploded at places where SpaceX operates.SpaceX runs a compact though growing operation at Boca Chica that has transformed the area. The hamlet was previously known as Kopernik Shores, and SpaceX purchased nearly all of the approximately 35 ranch homes in the area. Some residents have reported pressure to sell their property for suboptimal prices following rumors that the county would use eminent domain to seize their residences. I spoke to Rebekah Hinojosa, a local activist and member of the Carrizo-Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, while researching in the area. To many locals, including Hinojosa, it seems like Musk is so well connected that SpaceX is insulated from public criticism. In a 2018 press conference, Musk said, Weve got a lot of land with no one around, and so if it blows up, its cool, referring to a rocket he planned to test at Starbase.Changes to the landscape An installation the size of Starbase cannot avoid disturbing the wildlife in the four distinct state and federal wildlife protection areas that surround it. If you walk through the protected areas you may see shrapnel, segments of rocket chassis and other random debris from any number of explosions that is, if someone else hasnt picked them up first. In December 2022, I visited a luxury campground near Starbase. It displayed various fragments of rocket debris, which they called memorabilia to the new space age, throughout the site. Within SpaceX, as well as NASA, the explosion of 2023 was celebrated as a crucial step in developing the Starship rocket. The event did produce valuable data on the rockets performance it has done little to tarnish the companys reputation.There is tremendous support for SpaceX in Texas. The company has promised to drive high-tech industry jobs into a region ranked among the countrys poorest. SpaceX has created about 2,100 jobs. However, reporting shows that local and state politicians have seen more personal gains in their real estate holdings and campaign budgets than the regions economy has overall.A mural of Elon Musk in Brownsville, Texas. Robert Kopack A laboratory near the community At the end of the day, to develop a rocket, you need a place to test your design. Our local beach is the laboratory, local activist Hinojosa told me.Resident coalitions of Indigenous, Latino and Chicano people as well as conservation groups are suing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Federal Aviation Administration and others to combat SpaceX. These groups argue that SpaceX misled state and federal regulators about Starbases operations. They claim SpaceX changed how frequently it planned to launch tests and built new facilities for several rocket types, which rendered the companys original environmental impact statement for the area inaccurate. Some key issues these groups are fighting against include a bid to expand Starbase into more protected areas. Another point of contention is the deluge system, which creates thousands of gallons of toxic wastewater to cool launch pads and rocket engines after testing. While the EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have notified SpaceX about violations of the Clean Water Act, claimants in a recent lawsuit contend that these agencies have not held the company accountable for breaking the law. The company has denied any wrongdoing and refutes claims of environmental harms.As we have built up capacity to launch and developed new sites across the country, we have always been committed to public safety and mitigating impacts to the environment, a SpaceX statement reads. The list of measures we take just for operations in Texas is over two hundred items long, including constant monitoring and sampling of the short and long-term health of local flora and fauna. The narrative that we operate free of, or in defiance of, environmental regulation is demonstrably false. So, what does the future hold? Many people from conservation agencies, activist groups and Indigenous communities in Texas want the company out. Given the high public support for space exploration in the U.S. and the burgeoning friendship between Musk and Trump, a SpaceX evacuation from the area seems unlikely. While it may take difficult negotiations that require concessions from each party, I hope that somewhere there is a middle ground on which space exploration and environmental protections can coexist. Robert A. Kopack, Faculty Instructor of Human Geographies, University of South CarolinaThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

From Disposable to Sustainable: The Transformation of Recycled Polyurethane into High-Performance ProductsSponsored ContentSave this picture!Courtesy of PurmanPolyurethane (PU) started as a solution to a 1930s shortage, but today it's a key material in industries from insulation to cushioning. Invented in 1937 by Otto Bayer and his team in Germany, PU was originally designed as a cheap, versatile alternative to rubber. It quickly became popular in coatings and adhesives for its strong bonding and protective properties. PU is made by reacting polyols and isocyanates, which generates heat and, in the presence of expansion agents such as water or gases, creates bubbles that cause the material to expand, resulting in a foam with adjustable density and structure. Its flexibility allowed PU to revolutionize industries with products like insulation and padding. However, its durability and non-biodegradability have raised environmental concerns. To address this, companies like Purman are leading the charge in recycling PU waste, helping to reduce its environmental impact while promoting more sustainable alternatives.Save this picture!Rigid polyurethane foam has become essential in sectors such as construction, automotive, and refrigeration. In construction, it is used in panels and boards that reduce energy consumption and stabilize indoor temperatures. In the automotive sector, its lightness and energy-absorbing properties improve fuel efficiency and safety, being used in bumpers, seats, and internal components. In refrigeration, it is fundamental for the thermal insulation of refrigerators and freezers, increasing energy efficiency. Additionally, PU stands out in applications such as wall, ceiling, and floor insulation, as well as in the production of sandwich panels for refrigerated storage and industrial installations. Plus, it's used in niche markets like surfboard manufacturing, where its moldability and strength allow for customized designs. Despite its versatility, PU foam comes with serious environmental challenges due to its non-biodegradable nature and high durability. Millions of tons of rigid PU foam are produced annually, and much of it ends up in landfills. In construction, scrap foam from sandwich panels contributes to waste both during production and on-site.Globally, the annual end-of-life PU foam waste is estimated to range between 11.3 million tons, primarily originating from building insulation panels and refrigeration units. Current waste management practices for rigid PU foam mostly relies on landfilling and incineration with energy recovery, both of which pose environmental challenges. Landfilling, the simplest and most accessible method, leaves PU foam to persist for centuries, contributing to long-term pollution and occupying valuable land resources. Furthermore, hazardous chemicals such as isocyanates and flame retardants may leach into the soil and groundwater. Incineration reduces waste but can release toxic substances like dioxins and furans, even with modern emission controls.Alternative recycling methods, such as chemical and mechanical recycling, offer more sustainable options. The former breaks down PU foam into reusable chemical components but requires expensive and complex technology. Mechanical recycling, which involves grinding the foam into smaller particles for reuse, is more energy-efficient but typically results in lower-quality materials, a process known as "downcycling."Save this picture!Revolutionizing Rigid PU Foam RecyclingThe Purman method represents an innovative approach to recycling rigid polyurethane (PU) foam, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional methods like landfilling and incineration. Using a mechanical process, PU is ground into small particles that are reformed into new foam products. This energy-efficient, cost-effective approach eliminates the need for high temperatures or specialized equipment, unlike chemical recycling. A key differentiator of the method is the use of lignina natural polymer from plant cell wallsas the primary binding agent. This renewable byproduct from the paper and pulp industry not only reduces reliance on petrochemical binders but also enhances the mechanical properties of the recycled foam. Save this picture!The resulting products have higher density, strength, and fire performance, making them ideal for demanding applications in sectors such as construction and furniture manufacturing in various sectors:Purman Furni produces furniture using recycled polyurethane (PU) foam blocks, which are lightweight, durable, and resistant. These properties make the foam ideal for designs that balance functionality with environmental sustainability. In the construction sector, Purman Bau creates recycled PU blocks that enhance structural integrity and energy efficiency, while Purman Iso offers recycled PU inserts for improved thermal and acoustic insulation in doors, supporting compliance with energy efficiency standards.Save this picture!In logistics, Purman Log provides product protection solutions made from recycled PU foam, helping safeguard items during transport and storage while minimizing environmental impact. Purman Aqua uses recycled materials to create furniture and components for outdoor spaces, designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions without compromising on sustainability or functionality.Additionally, Purman Parts explores the versatility of recycled PU foam in industrial applications, including automotive, construction, and manufacturing. Its lightness and strength make it an ideal material for vehicle components and insulation systems.Historically, recycled materials were viewed as inferior in quality and performance. Upcyclinghas shown the viability of these products in challenging environments, highlighting the true potential of the circular economy and transforming theoretical concepts into practical solutions. Industrial acceptance is expanding, with companies increasingly aware of the environmental and economic benefits of adopting recycled materials.Furthermore, regulatory frameworks such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Construction Product Regulation (CPR) are driving manufacturers to take responsibility for the end-of-life management of their products. These policies mandate the incorporation of recycled content and promote sustainable practices, ensuring that waste materials are effectively reused, thus reducing landfill dependency and supporting a circular economy.Save this picture!Purman's innovation goes beyond recycling: it redefines how complex waste can be repurposed to create value across different sectors. By using lignin and a closed-loop process, the company reduces landfill waste and promotes long-term sustainability. Its solutions illustrate how creative recycling can transform ecological challenges into opportunities for a more sustainable future. The success of recycled products also largely depends on the perception of both industry and consumers.The owners of Purman are committed to taking this innovation further by licensing their patented process, enabling the widespread processing of PU waste and supporting the development of decentralized PU recycling solutions. This approach not only accelerates the adoption of sustainable practices globally but also reinforces Purman's mission to transform the recycling industry and create a circular economy for polyurethane materials.For more technical information and to explore all the possibilities of recycled polyurethane, visit Purman's official website.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorEduardo SouzaAuthorCite: Eduardo Souza. "From Disposable to Sustainable: The Transformation of Recycled Polyurethane into High-Performance Products" 29 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025575/from-disposable-to-sustainable-the-transformation-of-recycled-polyurethane-into-high-performance-products&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

James Turrell Unveils Monumental Commission for Wadi AlFann in AlUlaSave this picture!Render for Wadi AlFann. Image James Turrell. Courtesy of the Royal Commission for AlUlaThe AlUla Arts Festival, running from January 16th to February 22nd, 2025, features a significant exhibition of works by renowned Light and Space artist James Turrell. Presented by Wadi AlFann, the exhibition, curated by Michael Govan of LACMA, offers a unique preview of Turrell's upcoming monumental commission for Wadi AlFann, a sprawling contemporary art destination in the AlUla region of north-west Saudi Arabia. The exhibition, located in AlJadidah Arts District within AlUla's historic old town, provides context for Turrell's ambitious project, which will involve the creation of a series of chambers within the canyon floor, designed to create a sensory experience of light, color, and perception.Save this picture!The exhibition itself presents a diverse range of Turrell's work, spanning from his early career to his most recent pieces. Highlights include Alta (1968), a mesmerizing corner projection transforming a dim space into a luminous pyramid; Jubilee (2021), a captivating circular glass screen with hypnotically mutating colors; and works from his Magnatron and Hologram series. These pieces, alongside plans and renderings of the Wadi AlFann commission, showcase Turrell's mastery of light as a medium, exploring the interaction between light, space, and the viewer's perception.Save this picture!Turrell's Wadi AlFann commission will consist of a large-scale installation of chambers within the canyon, accessible through tunnels and stairs. The artist draws parallels between the sandstone formations of AlUla and his native Arizona, noting the clear, dry desert air that contributes to the unique quality of light in the region. These chambers will be designed to interact with the natural light, offering visitors a profound opportunity to engage with the interplay of light, color, and the natural environment within a man-made structure. The installation aims to foster a dialogue between art and nature. Related Article Light Matters: Seeing the Light with James Turrell I first visited the Wadi AlFann site in 2020. I was surprised that the sandstone formations looked very similar to those in Arizona. I was very familiar with that kind of landscape and strangely felt at home with doing work there. The work envisioned for Wadi AlFann will have two large Skyspaces and two small Skyspaces, that each addresses different aspects of sky. All of my Skyspaces engage the natural light of the area. The light quality in AlUla is of dry desert air with little moisture, which yields a light in the sky that is crisp and clear. - James Turrell Save this picture!Save this picture!The exhibition is part of Wadi AlFann's pre-opening program, designed to introduce the artists and their concepts behind the large-scale Land Art commissions planned for the area. Other prominent commissions in the area include Syn Architects' topographical artwork "When the Earth Began to Look at Itself" and Stephanie Deumer's "Under the Same Sun" Installation. Wadi AlFann, translating to "Valley of the Arts," aims to become a global cultural hub, showcasing contemporary art installations within the natural landscape of AlUla, and establishing the region as a significant contemporary destination..Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorCite: Maria-Cristina Florian. "James Turrell Unveils Monumental Commission for Wadi AlFann in AlUla" 29 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1026291/james-turrell-unveils-monumental-commission-for-wadi-alfann-in-alula&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Try V-Ray 7 for Maya at https://www.chaos.com/vray7-maya Transform how you create and accelerate production. V-Ray 7 for Maya introduces cutting-edge technology and powerful new additions, enabling you to build and render more realistic scenes faster than ever. Unlock next-level creative control, seamless data exchange, consistent shaders, and much more.Highlights include:- Build environments faster than ever with support for rendering Gaussian splats. - Ensure consistent shading results with OpenPBR support.- Exchange data seamlessly with extended USD support.- Achieve cleaner renders in less time with the new firefly removal algorithm and updated Open Image Denoiser.- Gain next-level creative control with new scattering, compositing, and post-processing options.- Achieve even more realistic natural and artificial lighting instantly with an enhanced V-Ray Sun & Sky and new V-Ray Light Luminaires.- Bring your scenes to life faster with Chaos Cosmoss new asset variations and multi-asset selection.- Power up your GPU rendering with support for Caustics and numerous performance boosts for faster, more efficient rendering.See all that's new at https://www.chaos.com/vray/maya/whats-new

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Nature, Published online: 29 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00214-zIn a year that will see many AI achievements and battles, lets not forget that not all AI research makes the front pages.

A minor earthquake has hit Yellowstone National Park, and some people in the region experienced a tremor. The magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck near Norris Geyser Basin, which has a history of quakes.

Most exposures to black widow spider venom are accidental, but in a rare medical case, the exposure was intentional.

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