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Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully landed in New Mexico after a three-month test mission, but without its intended crew, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Due to safety concerns over thruster malfunctions, the astronauts will return to Earth on a SpaceX Crew Dragon in February 2025, extending their stay on the ISS significantly.
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Rocket Factory Augsburg's test at SaxaVord Spaceport ended in an explosion, delaying plans for the UK's first vertical satellite launch. The incident, caused by an unusual oxygen fire, destroyed the first stage of the RFA One rocket, requiring a replacement from Germany. No injuries were reported.
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NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will remain aboard the International Space Station (ISS) until February 2025 after their Boeing Starliner capsule returned uncrewed due to safety concerns. The duo's extended stay follows a series of technical issues with the Starliner, which was deemed too risky for their return.
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Recent incidents involving unruly passengers have led to multiple flight diversions across Europe and the US. Notably, a Frontier Airlines flight was diverted after a passenger threatened crew members, while an Alaska Airlines flight lost a door panel mid-air, prompting emergency landings and investigations into Boeing's safety practices.
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OpenAI is in discussions to raise $6.5 billion at a $150 billion valuation, significantly up from its previous $86 billion valuation. Concurrently, AI startups like World Labs and Safe Superintelligence are attracting substantial investments, reflecting the ongoing interest in advanced AI technologies. This funding surge highlights the competitive landscape in the AI sector.
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NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft is set to launch on October 10, 2024, after engineers confirmed that its transistors can withstand Jupiter's radiation. The mission aims to explore Europa's potential for life beneath its icy surface, with a series of flybys planned over the next six years.
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Brazil's Supreme Court has banned Elon Musk's social media platform X, escalating a conflict over content moderation and free speech. Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the ban after X failed to comply with legal requests, affecting over 20 million users. The situation raises concerns about judicial overreach and the implications for digital rights in Brazil.
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Recent incidents involving Boeing 737 Max aircraft have raised significant safety concerns. An Alaska Airlines flight experienced a severe decompression incident, while other airlines faced turbulence-related injuries. Investigations reveal ongoing issues with Boeing's manufacturing practices, prompting scrutiny from regulators and the public.
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Elon Musk is projected to become the world's first trillionaire by 2027, with a wealth growth rate of 110%. Gautam Adani and others may follow by 2028. The report raises concerns about wealth inequality and environmental impact.
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Elon Musk's ambitious timeline for Mars colonization faces setbacks due to regulatory delays from the FAA, pushing the next Starship launch to late November. Musk criticized the decision, warning it jeopardizes plans for human missions to Mars. Meanwhile, the Polaris Dawn mission, a private spaceflight, successfully launched on September 10, 2024.
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On Thursday, September 12, 2024, the Polaris Dawn mission will attempt the first-ever private spacewalk. Led by billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineers, the mission aims to test new spacesuits and conduct experiments at unprecedented altitudes, pushing the boundaries of commercial spaceflight.
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Billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis are set to conduct a historic spacewalk from the Crew Dragon spacecraft at 5:58 AM ET today. This mission, Polaris Dawn, aims to test new spacesuits and study radiation effects at an altitude of 700 kilometers, nearly double that of the International Space Station.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to advocate for long-range missile capabilities from Western allies, emphasizing the urgent need for military support against Russian aggression. The U.S. and U.K. are deliberating on this request amid warnings from Russia about potential escalation.
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Scotland's space industry is rapidly expanding, with a projected revenue of £4 billion in six years. The recent Space-Comm Expo in Glasgow highlighted key players like Orbex and Skyrora, while the Scottish Government appointed Daniel Smith as Space Envoy to enhance international business connections in the sector.
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On September 15, 2024, SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission successfully concluded with the first private spacewalk by non-government astronauts. The crew, led by Jared Isaacman, reached an altitude of 1,400 km, marking a significant milestone in commercial space exploration. The mission showcased new spacesuit technology and operational capabilities in low Earth orbit.
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Access to the social network X, formerly Twitter, resumed in Brazil after a three-week suspension due to a Supreme Court order. The platform's technical changes allowed it to bypass restrictions, prompting legal and political tensions between Elon Musk and Brazilian authorities over misinformation and content moderation.
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Brazil's Supreme Court has unblocked accounts of Elon Musk's companies, X and Starlink, after they paid $3.3 million in fines. The dispute arose from Musk's refusal to comply with court orders regarding misinformation on X, leading to significant legal and financial repercussions.
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Jared Isaacman and his crew successfully completed the first-ever private spacewalk during SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission. The Crew Dragon capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico after five days in orbit, achieving significant milestones in commercial spaceflight and spacesuit technology testing.
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Elon Musk faced backlash after a now-deleted post on X, joking about the lack of assassination attempts on President Biden and Vice President Harris. This comment followed a second apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, prompting condemnation from the White House and concerns over incitement of violence.
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The FAA has proposed a $633,009 fine against SpaceX for safety violations during two launches in 2023. Elon Musk announced plans to sue the FAA, claiming regulatory overreach. The agency's scrutiny reflects ongoing tensions between SpaceX and federal regulators over safety and environmental compliance.
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Microsoft, alongside BlackRock and others, has launched the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP) to raise $30 billion for AI infrastructure. This initiative aims to enhance AI capabilities globally, particularly in developing regions, amid rising competition with China for AI dominance. The partnership could grow to $100 billion with debt financing.