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Perth: (The Conversation) Last week, three tiny Australian satellites from Curtin University's <keyword id="23932163" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Binar-Space-Program" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Binar Space Program" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Binar Space Program">Binar Space Program</keyword> burned up in Earth's atmosphere. That was always going to happen. In fact, Binar means "fireball" in the Noongar language of the First Nations people of Perth. When a satellite is in low Earth orbit (2,000km or less), it experiences orbital decay as it drags closer and closer to the surface, eventually burning up. But these cube satellites (<keyword id="21533654" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CubeSats" source="keywords">CubeSats</keyword>), known as Binar-2, 3 and 4, entered the atmosphere much sooner than originally planned. They only lasted for two months - a third of what was expected. This significantly reduced valuable time for science and testing new systems. The reason for their untimely demise? Our Sun has kicked into high gear, and the Binar satellites are far from the only casualty. Recent high <keyword id="20792842" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Solar-activity" source="keywords">solar activity</keyword> has been causing an unexpected headache for satellite operators in the last few years, and it's only increasing. <h2>Why is the Sun so active? </h2> Solar activity includes phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares and solar wind - the stream of charged particles that flows toward Earth. This activity is a product of the Sun's ever-changing magnetic field, and approximately every 11 years, it completely flips. At the midpoint of this cycle, solar activity is at its highest. While this cycle is known, specific solar activity is challenging to predict - the dynamics are complex and solar forecasting is in its infancy. In the last few months, indicators of solar activity were more than one and a half times higher than predictions for this point in the current cycle, labelled <keyword id="22712826" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-cycle-25" source="keywords">solar cycle 25</keyword>. <h2>The impact of <keyword id="20087207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-weather" source="keywords">space weather</keyword> </h2> Space weather refers to the environmental effects that originate from outside our atmosphere (mostly the Sun). It affects us on Earth in a variety of noticeable and unnoticeable ways. The most obvious is the presence of auroras. In the past few months, auroras have been visible far more intensely and closer to the equator than in the last two decades. This is a direct result of the increased solar activity. Space weather, and solar activity in particular, also creates additional challenges for satellites and satellite operators. Higher solar activity means more solar flares and stronger solar wind - resulting in a higher flux of charged particles that can damage or disrupt electrical components on satellites. It also means an increase in ionising radiation, resulting in a higher dose for astronauts and pilots, and potential disruptions to long-distance radio communications. But for satellites in low Earth orbit, the most consistent effect of solar activity is that the extra energy gets absorbed into the outer atmosphere, causing it to balloon outward. As a result, all satellites less than 1,000km from Earth experience a significant increase in <keyword id="23473319" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="atmospheric-drag" source="keywords">atmospheric drag</keyword>. This is a force that disrupts their orbit and causes them to fall towards the planet's surface. Notable satellites in this region include the International Space Station and the Starlink constellation. These satellites have thrusters to counteract this effect, but these corrections can be expensive. Low Earth orbit also contains many university satellites, such as the Binar CubeSats. Cube satellites are rarely equipped with tools that can adjust their altitude, so they're entirely at the mercy of space weather. <h2>What happened to Binar? </h2> The Binar Space Program is a satellite research program operating out of Curtin University. It aims to advance our understanding of the Solar System and lower the barrier for operating in space. The program began operations with its first satellite, Binar-1, in September 2021. This was less than a year into solar cycle 25 when solar activity was relatively low. In these conditions, the ten-centimetre cube satellite started at an altitude of 420km and survived a full 364 days in orbit. The program's follow-up mission - Binar-2, 3, and 4 - were three equally sized CubeSats. However, they were expected to last approximately six months owing to the extra surface area from new deployable solar arrays and a forecast increase in solar activity. Instead, they only made it to two months before burning up. While cube satellite missions are relatively cheap, the premature ending of a mission will always be costly. This is even more true for commercial satellites, highlighting the need for more accurate space weather forecasting. The good news is the Sun will calm down again. Despite the current unexpectedly high solar activity, it will likely slow down by 2026, and is expected to return to a solar minimum in 2030. While this was not an explicit goal of the mission, the Binar Space Program has now poignantly demonstrated the dramatic effects of solar activity on space operations. While the untimely loss of Binar-2, 3 and 4 was unfortunate, work has already begun on future missions. They are expected to launch into far more forgiving space weather. (The Conversation).

Right now, the Sun is far more active than predicted - and small satellites are paying the price

Watching the <keyword id="19915128" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chandrayaan-3" source="keywords">Chandrayaan-3</keyword> lander complete its soft-landing on the far side of the Moon was undoubtedly one of the most proud moments for all Indians in 2023. And yet, we tend to forget that this was an achievement that was somehow completed with a budget less than that of some Bollywood movies. Thanks to monumental achievements such as Chandrayaan and Aditya-L1, in addition to increased government support and a surge in private sector involvement, India’s <keyword id="20242397" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-sector" source="keywords">space sector</keyword> has been rapidly evolving. However, a defining theme of all the past successful missions in the space sector for <keyword id="19915124" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ISRO" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="ISRO" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="ISRO">ISRO</keyword> has been its ability to achieve them in the most economical way possible, often at one-tenth of the cost compared to its western counterparts. Now, as more funds flow in from both public and private routes, India’s space sector is at the precipice of a unmatched growth phase. With another hike in the pipeline for the space sector, the <keyword id="19955368" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Budget-2024" source="keywords">Budget 2024</keyword> is poised to further boost India’s position in the <keyword id="22469635" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-space-race" source="keywords">global space race</keyword> by enhancing funding, providing incentives, and fostering international collaborations. <h2>How does India’s space budget compare to other countries?</h2>As per the interim budget announcement, India’s space budget for 2024-25 will stand at around Rs 13,042.75 crores, a 4% increase from the previous year’s Rs 12,545 crore. To truly contextualise this, let’s compare it with other leading space-faring nations. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111827903" title="Union Budget 2024 for Railways: Expectations focused on improving passenger safety, experience, infrastructure" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The USA, through <keyword id="19935155" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NASA" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="NASA" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="NASA">NASA</keyword>, allocated about Rs 2,12,000 crores ($25.4 billion) in 2023, focusing on the Artemis program, <keyword id="20999262" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mars-exploration" source="keywords">Mars exploration</keyword>, and advanced satellite technologies, as per the The Planetary Society. China’s space program received approximately Rs 1,18,000 crores ($11 billion), supporting lunar missions, Mars exploration, and building its own space station, as per media reports. Meanwhile, The European Space Agency (ESA) had a budget of around Rs 63,700 crores ($7.6 billion) last year to fund a range of scientific missions, Earth observation, and international collaborations. While India's budget remains categorically minuscule in comparison, it prioritises cost-effective missions and innovative technologies, often achieving impressive results with fewer resources. However, many are concerned how this financial constraint could affect infrastructure development, cause delays in critical projects like <keyword id="6797456" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gaganyaan" source="Orion">Gaganyaan</keyword>, and restrict the private sector's growth and innovation. Furthermore, it may also limit India's influence in global space governance and international collaborations, at a time when most countries seem to be set on a race to transform themselves into a space-faring society. <h2>Upcoming missions and international collaborations</h2>While space spending can be useful for many quality of life aspects — such as agriculture and climate preparedness — it is often the major space missions that steal the spotlight. Key projects in the 2024 budget include the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space. Additionally, the Mars Orbiter Mission 2 (<keyword id="20475168" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mangalyaan" source="keywords">Mangalyaan</keyword> 2) is slated for a 2024 launch, which — if successful — could mark a significant step in India's interplanetary exploration prowess. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111689743" title="Union Budget 2024: A handy FAQ guide to decode the upcoming budget" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>International collaborations are also a significant cornerstone of India’s space strategy. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, scheduled for 2024, exemplifies such partnerships. This mission will provide critical data for understanding Earth’s changing ecosystems, ice mass, and natural hazards. International collaborations are crucial because they help a great deal with enhancing technical expertise and shared resources. As such, joint ventures like NISAR and partnerships with other space agencies help India stay competitive globally. Another significant collaboration is with the United States, where an Indian astronaut will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) by the end of 2024. <h2>Indian leadership in space tech</h2>The budget may be low, but India’s space spirit is certainly not weak. Despite limited resources, India has demonstrated strengths in many aspects of space technologies. For instance, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is known for its reliable and cost-effective launch vehicles, like the PSLV and GSLV, which have successfully placed numerous satellites into orbit. In a tremendous feat, the PSLV-C37 successfully launched 104 satellites in a single flight in September 2023! <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111688482" title="Budget A-Z, for the GenZ: A fun and handy guide for major terms around upcoming Union Budget" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>India also excels in manufacturing satellites for communication, weather monitoring, and Earth observation. The upcoming deployment of 50 AI-powered GEOINT satellites will enhance national security and surveillance. With the right investments, India could lead globally in low-cost space missions and innovative satellite technologies. <h2>Long-term visions for India’s space program</h2>The long-term vision for India's space program, as outlined in the Budget, includes establishing a dedicated space station by 2035 and increasing the country’s share in the global space economy. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111807009" title="Despite pandemic and growing health scares, India’s budget share for healthcare continues to decline" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The Indian government aims to capture nearly 10% of the global space market by 2030, up from its current 2-3% share. This ambition aligns with broader geopolitical and economic goals, positioning India as a key player in space exploration and satellite services. Budget 2024 will be crucial for strengthening India’s position in the global space race. As the country gears up for upcoming missions and technological advancements, the global space community will be closely watching India's progress.

Budget 2024: How will budget affect India’s position in the global space race?

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is set to detach from the orbiting <keyword id="19985509" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="International-Space-Station" source="keywords">International Space Station</keyword> on Friday (local time) and return to Earth, without the astronauts <keyword id="21544825" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sunita-Williams" source="keywords">Sunita Williams</keyword> and Butch Wilmore as per the US space agency <keyword id="19935155" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NASA" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="NASA" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="NASA">NASA</keyword>. The unscrewed spacecraft is targeting a landing at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico on Saturday. NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 5 for its first crewed flight, arriving at the space station on June 6. It was expected that the two astronauts would have returned in the same flight. As Starliner approached the orbiting laboratory, NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and experienced issues with the spacecraft reaction control thrusters. For the safety of the astronauts, NASA announced on August 24 that Starliner will return to Earth from the station without a crew. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finished packing Starliner with cargo and configuring its cabin for return. The duo closed Starliner's hatch for the final time on Thursday afternoon readying the spacecraft for its uncrewed departure, NASA said. Wilmore and Williams will remain aboard the International Space station and return home in February 2025 aboard the <keyword id="19905255" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SpaceX" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="SpaceX" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="SpaceX">SpaceX</keyword> Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members assigned to NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. "Starliner is scheduled to autonomously undock from the space station at approximately 6:04 pm EDT Friday, September 6, to begin the journey home, weather conditions permitting. NASA and Boeing are targeting approximately 12:03 am, Saturday, September 7, for the landing and conclusion of the flight test," NASA said. SpaceX and Boeing are the two commercial vendors who have been tasked by NASA to send American-launched astronauts to the ISS. Both Williams and Wilmore are not expected to use the Crew Dragon spacecraft of Crew-9 the next SpaceX astronaut mission for NASA that is set to launch later this month of a ISS half year mission. To make space for the <keyword id="21541868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Boeing-Starliner" source="keywords">Boeing Starliner</keyword> astronauts who are now on the ISS, Crew 9's Crew Dragon will launch from earth with only two astronoauts instead of the planned four. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/india-beats-the-us-to-emerge-as-the-second-biggest-market-for-5g-smartphones/articleshow/113095322.cms">India beats the US to emerge as the second-biggest market for 5G smartphones</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/apple-iphone-16-to-launch-on-september-9-design-specs-and-everything-we-know-so-far/articleshow/113091114.cms">Apple iPhone 16 to launch on September 9 – design, specs and everything we know so far</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/shree-tirupati-balajee-agro-trading-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/113082663.cms">Shree Tirupati Balajee Agro Trading IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a>

Boeing's Starliner to return to Earth from ISS without Sunita Williams

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/x-37b-vs-china-shenlong-space-plane-2024-8">Space planes</a> could become a reality if one company achieves its goal.</li><li>Radian Aerospace has plans to test its Radian One space plane over the next few years.</li></ul>One company is reviving a decades-old NASA idea to build a reusable <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-lands-secretive-space-plane-after-months-in-orbit-2023-5">space plane</a> that could shuttle people and small payloads to space for cheap.In the 1990s, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-invest-mars-pulsed-plasma-rocket-shorten-space-time-travel-2024-7">NASA</a> looked into developing a space plane prototype called X-33, but it scrapped the mission in 2001 citing technical issues.Seattle-based <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/space-startup-radian-seeks-funding-for-catapult-based-spaceplane-2020-11">Radian Aerospace</a> is now trying to finish what NASA started by building Radian One, a space plane that will be fully reusable up to 100 times and could carry up to five astronauts at a time.Livingston Holder, who was the program manager of X-33 for NASA, is the company's chief technology officer and is overseeing the new effort.Holder <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.cnn.com/science/radian-spaceplane-rocket-sled-spc/index.html">told CNN</a> that enough has changed since 2001 to make creating a space plane a more realistic goal."We've got <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-big-falcon-spaceship-construction-musk-mars-missions-2018-9">composite materials</a> that are lighter, tougher and can take a larger thermal range than we had back then," he said. "And propulsion is better than anything we had, in terms of how efficiently it burns propellant and how much the systems weigh."The company raised nearly $28 million to build Radian One in 2022 and told CNN that it plans to test a scale model this year.<h2 id="5a24bfe5-d014-4f2f-afcd-e0b40dec20c3">Why we need space planes</h2><div type="image" title="A rendering of NASA's proposed X-33 space plane" height="786" width="1041" msid="113007147" hostid="261" sizebytes="65138"></div>Demand for launching things into space — like satellites, which make everything from weather forecasting to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gps-jamming-now-impacting-transatlantic-flights-russia-electronic-warfare-2024-6">GPS</a> possible — is only increasing.Rockets remain the best option for doing that, even though they're "terribly inefficient and expensive," according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/ideal-rocket-equation/">NASA.</a>A typical rocket consists of multiple stages that are expensive to build and often discarded after one use.Companies like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-launch-risky-polaris-dawn-mission-first-commercial-spacewalk-radiation-2024-8">SpaceX</a> have revolutionized rocket technology and reduced costs with fleets of reusable rockets, like the Falcon 9.But space planes, which require less fuel and no rocket stages, could offer another cheap, and more comfortable, alternative to space travel.<h2 id="5cb73c7a-7c19-42bd-b7f9-e0324f52e25d">How Radian One could offer a cheap and comfortable ride to space</h2><div type="image" title="A rendering of the Radian One space plane shows the spacecraft in orbit above the Earth" height="1440" width="2560" msid="113007146" hostid="261" sizebytes="198734"></div>Unlike a rocket, which launches vertically, the concept for Radian One uses a rocket-powered sled.The sled would carry the plane along a two-mile-long rail, accelerating it to a speed of 537 miles per hour, and then launching it toward space.The plane would then fly the rest of the way with its own engines. Using the sled to reach launch speed reduces the amount of fuel that the space plane itself needs to carry, according to Radian's website.This airline-like ascent would be a more comfortable ride for passengers, according to Radian. The company also hopes that it could reduce the cost of spaceflight. It's unclear by how much, but for some idea, NASA hoped that its X-33 space plane would reduce the cost of sending a pound of payload into orbit from $10,000 to $1,000.Radian One wouldn't be a replacement for all rockets, though.Radian's space plane would be capable of carrying smaller payloads into space making it the equivalent of a pickup truck, he told CNN. Traditional rockets, Holder said, will likely remain for heavier payloads, making them the 18-wheelers in this analogy.A full-size plane won't take to the skies until 2028, and even then, the company doesn't expect it to reach orbit just yet. But, if successful, Radian One could eventually present a cheap option for a growing segment of space travel.

NASA's dream of a space plane could finally become reality

<ul class="summary-list"><li>My husband and I live on a boat, which really challenges our relationship.</li><li>During dangerous weather situations, we rely on each other as a team to survive.</li></ul>When my husband and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retired-young-got-bored-ended-going-back-to-work-2024-7">I retired</a>, we relocated to the Bahamas to enjoy an island adventure. But we moved there just as Hurricane Dorian, one of the worst storms in the Bahmas' history, struck the islands. Surviving a Category 5 hurricane taught us we could rely on one another even if our lives were at stake.After that, we bought a small motor yacht to reclaim our tropical dream while safely evading threatening storms. Since we live in a tiny space, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/husband-wife-spend-time-apart-marriage-2024-8">my husband and I</a> are practically connected at the hip, but that doesn't mean we always see eye to eye.To keep a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/signs-youre-in-a-healthy-relationship-2023-11">healthy relationship</a>, we've redefined how we communicate because our lives could depend on it.<h2 id="48e230c9-e5a7-4fee-8346-38d3e150bc98">My husband and I learned to work as a team</h2>We understand that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/family-live-off-grid-tiny-house-2024-2">living off-grid</a> in such a tiny space can be dangerous. That's why when things get hairy, it's imperative to have faith in each other's abilities. We frequently rely on one another's strengths and specialties.For example, when a squall cropped up suddenly in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/skip-caribbean-cruises-what-to-do-instead-frequent-traveler">the Bahamas</a>, we made a snap decision to anchor in a lagoon. Knowing we had the skills — me to hold the vessel steady and him to hook us securely to the seabed — allowed us to keep from panicking. In such conditions, we can't afford to second-guess each other. We have to trust each other as a team.But in a worst-case scenario where one of us is incapacitated, we need to do our jobs well but also attain proficiency in our partner's skills. Working as a team in this way allows us to appreciate the other's abilities. Therefore, we have become each other's best cheerleaders.We also make the most of technology and tools to make communication easier. Walkie-talkie headsets — known to boaters as "marriage savers" — ensure clear commands. Trust me, screaming over fast winds and loud engines only amplifies tension and frustrations. Using updated tech to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/short-morning-routine-improve-focus-reduce-stress-healthier-life-2024-1">lessen stress</a> makes for smoother sailing.<h2 id="fb5246dd-89fe-4b8c-b18b-a89331481905">Beyond life-threatening scenarios, we try to keep a happy relationship</h2>Our relationship can become utilitarian since we spend 24/7 together and focus on duties aboard. This means we often function as crewmates rather than <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/woman-always-been-single-loves-being-in-control-of-life-2024-9">romantic partners</a>. We risk losing the intimacy that fosters the deeper bond so many of us expect from marriage.While other couples schedule date nights to reconnect after busy workweeks, our lifestyle affords us different ways to enjoy quality time together: blazing sunsets for handholding, blankets of stars for snuggling beneath, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bucket-list-trips-to-book-a-year-in-advance">bucket-list</a> memories for cherishing together.We handle quarrels more effectively now, too. Surrounded by water, we don't have the luxury of popping out for a drive to clear our heads after a fight. So, we address issues at the moment; we slow down to really listen to one another. My husband and I have redefined our <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/sex-relationships/effective-communication">communication methods</a> to ensure clarity, limit misunderstandings, and amplify unwavering support.Prioritizing these romantic moments together and practicing great communication has strengthened us as a couple. In turn, we are a real team when there's a crisis.<h2 id="3c68077c-22bd-40a1-8552-f48edd444aac">The rewards are worth all the risks</h2>Our unconventional life — living in the elements, being completely autonomous, and relying only on each other — demands a superlative level of trust.To succeed as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/first-cruise-alone-queen-mary-writing-retreat-career-change-2024-10">full-time cruisers</a>, we've had to craft a superior level of communication, accept our partner's capabilities, and trust the other even more than our own minds at times.In return, my husband and I enjoy a deep, fulfilling bond that makes our special life at sea all the sweeter.

I live on a boat with my husband, and weather conditions often threaten our lives. Trusting each other keeps us safe.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Baiju Bhatt, the cofounder of trading app Robinhood, has a new space startup.</li><li>Aetherflux aims to launch a constellation of satellites to transmit solar power to Earth using infrared lasers.</li></ul>When Baiju Bhatt co-founded the stock trading app <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/robinhood-collapse-what-happened-retail-investing-meme-stocks-future-finance-2022-2">Robinhood</a> in 2013 with his college best friend, Vlad Tenev, the aim was to "democratize finance for all."Robinhood's no-fee, gamified approach to investing made capital markets more accessible than ever before, leading to an IPO in 2021.After over a decade at the company, Bhatt stood down as Robinhood's chief creative officer in March to pursue what was described at the time as "other entrepreneurial interests."In October, Bhatt announced he was launching Aetherflux, a Silicon Valley-based space startup.Aetherflux aims to create a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) that will collect solar power and beam it down to receptors on Earth using infrared lasers.Just as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-starlink-spacex-satellite-internet-business-constellation-fleet-elon-musk-mars">Elon Musk's Starlink</a> constellation has transformed communications, Bhatt hopes Aetherflux will revolutionize energy, he told Business Insider in an interview.The receptors will be just 10 meters in diameter, Bhatt said, meaning they can be placed virtually anywhere and theoretically provide power to remote locations that would otherwise be too expensive or dangerous to reach."If we succeed, we unlock a renewable energy source for humanity that can be delivered virtually anywhere," he wrote in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/allow-me-re-introduce-myself-baiju-bhatt-nu1ic/?trackingId=xecx1MNjQxGa6fapJvT2fA%3D%3D">LinkedIn post</a> announcing Aetherflux.If it works, far more solar power can be captured in orbit than through the atmosphere at ground level, and there would be no nighttime or weather disruptions to the power source. It would also free up land used for solar farms on Earth.Aetherflux plans to start by powering military operations in remote locations or remote mining operations, Bhatt said.<div type="image" title="A profile of Baiju Bhatt smiling in a black t-shirt in front of a beige background." height="3553" width="5324" msid="114432481" hostid="261" sizebytes="611312"></div>Bhatt hopes that a single receptor will one day be able to capture enough power for a small neighborhood of homes. He added that they'd need around 100 satellites to provide continuous power to one location.The idea of space-based solar power has existed for decades, but theories have generally rested on large constructions being sent into orbit and using microwaves to transmit energy.In January 2023, the California Institute of Technology launched a solar space-power demonstrator satellite into orbit for a yearlong mission to test out a range of potential approaches.Caltech's president, Thomas F. Rosenbaum, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/space-solar-power-project-ends-first-in-space-mission-with-successes-and-lessons">said the project</a> had shown them that solar power beamed from space "is still a future prospect" but that it "should be an achievable future."Aetherflux wants to do things differently by using infrared lasers and a modular approach.The science has already been demonstrated; it's just going to be an engineering and economic feat to prove it can be done from space, Bhatt said.To begin with, Aetherflux plans to send a single satellite into orbit by the first quarter of 2026 to demonstrate that solar energy transmission is possible.<h2 id="f76e6857-d783-49d8-94bf-ab950b9759df">The right time to be in space</h2>Though the career jump from finance to the space industry may seem unusual, Bhatt said space has been his "lifelong calling."NASA was a part of Bhatt's childhood. His father moved to the US from India to pursue physics and got a job at NASA's Langley Research Center in the 1990s studying atmospheric sciences.With a bachelor's in physics and a master's in mathematics, both from Stanford, Bhatt thought he'd be a physicist too. So, Robinhood was a "bit of a detour," he told BI.He is still a board member but has stepped back from day-to-day operations.One lesson Bhatt said he learned from running the trading app was how powerful capitalism could be in accelerating innovation."If you can take a problem that's been stagnating and you can create a capitalist system around it where people can make money doing something, you'll see the rate of progress really speed up," he said.<div type="image" title="Baiju Bhatt (right) and Vlad Tenev, founders of the online brokerage Robinhood." height="4160" width="6240" msid="114432476" hostid="261" sizebytes="601100"></div>After meeting with people working on power for DARPA at the beginning of this year and seeing the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-spacex-starship-launch-five-huge-deal-space-travel-2024-10">timeline Starship is on</a>, Bhatt decided that the best opportunities were now in space.Since 2009, the sum of private investments in space startups has soared from essentially nothing to $327.3 billion, according to the latest "<a target="_blank" href="https://spacecapital.docsend.com/view/9d69zpfz4ddms3ry">Space Investment Quarterly</a>" report published by venture capital and angel-investment firm Space Angels.The industry's value is expected to continue booming. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/aerospace-and-defense/our-insights/space-the-1-point-8-trillion-dollar-opportunity-for-global-economic-growth">McKinsey</a> estimates that the global space economy will be worth $1.8 trillion by 2035, accounting for inflation, up from $630 billion in 2023."It's hard to find something more exciting and impactful than space," said Matthew Weinzierl, a professor of the economics of space at Harvard Business School and coauthor of the upcoming book "Space to Grow.""This really is a new frontier, one where technological innovation can create new markets and solve real problems, often in ways we haven't thought of before," he said.Weinzierl said that in the past two decades, the US government has created pathways for commercial players, enabling market forces to take hold."Prices to orbit have dropped, launch availability has soared, and a wave of entrepreneurs are finding new ways to create value," he said.<div type="image" title="SpaceX's Super Heavy booster as it returned to its launch site, with the sun rising in the background." height="1031" width="1920" msid="114432482" hostid="261" sizebytes="52022"></div>With so many more commercially available products, space has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/starship-launch-success-elon-musk-vision-cheap-space-travel-closer-2024-3#:~:text=%22With%20Starship%2C%20SpaceX%20is%20poised,in%20an%20email%20on%20Thursday.">never been cheaper</a>.Aetherflux is an example of how companies are using off-the-shelf solutions to speed up development. Its satellites are purchased readymade from satellite bus provider <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/palmer-luckey-anduril-apex-defense-tech-space-satellite-surveillance-2024-10">Apex</a>, the high-powered lasers it plans to use are commercially available, and it'll be using <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-launch">SpaceX</a> as a launch partner for its 2026 mission."The part that we're building is the actual optical design, the control systems, and the power transmission link, as well as the ground station," said Bhatt.<h2 id="5dda5318-030a-431a-91ff-f205b537a068">The future of Aetherflux</h2>When he spoke with BI, Bhatt had just moved into a lab facility in the Bay Area. With a team of 10 employees, he will begin iterating ground tests, developing the system design, and working with regulators.He's self-funding the project "completely," he told BI. As one of Robinhood's cofounders, Bhatt's net worth spiked after its IPO in 2021. He is worth around $1.7 billion, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/baiju-bhatt/">Forbes reports.</a>Although access to space has become more routine and affordable, Weinzierl said there is still a lot of uncertainty around the industry. Some of the ideas and businesses being developed today won't survive, but they'll be "the foundation that tomorrow's entrepreneurs will learn from and build on," he said.A self-proclaimed science nerd, Bhatt named his startup after a 19th-century theory about a pervasive medium called the aether, which physicists believed light traveled through."Einstein came along in 1905 and was basically like, nah, that stuff's all wrong. Light is the same in every reference frame," said Bhatt.So Aetherflux is named after a disproven scientific theory? Yes, Bhatt agreed with amusement. But he's "laser-focused" on the first mission and adamant that Aetherflux won't fall into the same bracket as its namesake."Space is hard," he admitted, "but we're committed to demonstrating this and making it happen."

Robinhood's cofounder has joined the rapidly growing commercial space race, and wants to beam solar power from satellites to earth

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-milton-category-five-threatens-florida-fema-funding-2024-10">Hurricane Milton</a>, now a Category 4, is expected to hit Florida's west coast Wednesday.</li><li>Milton rapidly intensified on Monday, with winds reaching up to 180 mph.</li></ul>The Sunshine State is bracing for more severe weather in the wake of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-real-estate-worth-it-home-prices-insurance-hurricane-helene-2024-10">Hurricane Helene</a>.Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm on Monday, leading Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.flgov.com/2024/10/07/governor-ron-desantis-issues-updates-on-state-preparedness-efforts-for-hurricane-milton-2/">51 counties</a> along Florida's western shores.Several counties, including Charlotte, Hillsborough, and Manatee, have <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.floridadisaster.org/evacuation-orders/">mandatory evacuation orders</a>, with more expected as the storm approaches.<h2 id="6d7179f3-3193-4034-b4be-6e0045da1e3f">See Hurricane Milton's rapid evolution from space</h2>On Sunday, Milton's maximum wind speed was 65 mph. By Monday, it had increased to 155 mph as it made its way across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, according to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/floater.php?stormid=AL142024#tab2">National Hurricane Center</a>.NOAA's GOES-16 satellite is tracking Hurricane Milton <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/before-after-satellite-photos-hurricane-helene-destruction-florida-2024-10">from space</a>. Here's a snapshot of the storm's evolution, beginning early Saturday afternoon as a tropical storm with 35 mph winds.<div type="image" title="shot of hurricane milton from noaa satellite" height="1000" width="1000" msid="114058033" hostid="261" sizebytes="211296"></div>Here's how it looked by Monday afternoon as a Category 5 hurricane with max winds of 180 mph. NOAA forecasters said the storm was moving erratically through the southern Gulf of Mexico.<div type="image" title="satellite imagery of hurricane milton over gulf of mexico" height="2000" width="2000" msid="114058030" hostid="261" sizebytes="678030"></div>Milton is one of the most <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricanes-intensity-climate-change-warming-water-2020-10">rapidly intensifying storms</a> within the Atlantic Basin."This intensification rate is third for the Atlantic basin, behind Hurricane Wilma (2005) and Hurricane Felix (2007), which intensified by 105 mph and 100 mph, respectively," Stephanie Zick, an associate professor for Virginia Tech's Department of Geology, told Business Insider in an email.Astronauts aboard the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/astronaut-spend-355-days-orbit-international-space-station-2022-9">International Space Station</a> took this video Monday morning as they flew over the Category 5 storm from a safe distance of 250 miles above Earth. Zick said the reason for Milton's rapid intensification is partly due to the size of the storm's eyewall — the region of thunderstorms and high winds just outside of the calm, central eye."The storm started out with a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-hurricane-maria-bad-dreaded-pinhole-eye-2017-9">relatively small eyewall</a>," Zick said. "Additionally, the eyewall contracts as it intensifies, similar to how an ice skater's spinning rate speeds up as they pull their arms inward."By Tuesday morning, Hurricane Milton had lost some of its strength and is now a Category 4. This isn't necessarily good news for Florida.Even if the storm weakens, Zick said, its eye could grow larger, which would increase the overall wind field."The larger wind field will generate a larger surge, so it's important that Florida residents follow evacuation orders regardless of the exact intensity," Zick said.Milton is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-milton-airports-close-evacuation-flights-american-airlines-florida-2024-10">forecast to land over Florida</a>, near Tampa, on Wednesday night. You can see it approaching the state in one of the latest satellite images taken Tuesday morning by GOES-16.<div type="image" title="satellite imagery of hurricane milton" height="2000" width="2000" msid="114058032" hostid="261" sizebytes="586276"></div>If the storm reaches land during high tide, it could bring with it a storm surge as high as 10 to 15 feet in Tampa Bay, according to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2024/al14/al142024.public_a.012.shtml?">NHC</a>.<h2 id="8a26859c-78cc-410a-a43e-05455f691e0e">Hurricane season is not over</h2>With Hurricane Milton following close behind Hurricane Helene, which landed over Florida on September 27, it may seem like this sudden uptick in storms is abnormal.Matthew Rosencrans, the lead hurricane season forecaster with NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, said that's not the case.Storms forming over the Gulf are typical for the month of October, though it's slightly abnormal to see this level of activity so early in the month since it usually happens toward the latter half, he said.Rosencrans added that Milton is probably not the last storm we'll see this season.He advised people who are not being impacted now but live in hurricane-prone areas to double-check their supplies and be prepared. "Unfortunately, the hurricane season is not over until November 30th, so I cannot say that this is the last one," he said.

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