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Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines: A New Frontier in Propulsion
The successful test flight of a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) by Venus Aerospace on May 14, 2025, at Spaceport America in New Mexico has sparked renewed interest in this cutting-edge propulsion technology. This historic event, the first U.S. flight of an RDRE, brings us closer to a future where space travel and hypersonic flight…
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Duct Tape and Determination: Ed Smylie’s Apollo 13 Heroics
On April 21, 2025, the world bid farewell to Robert “Ed” Smylie, a NASA engineer whose name is forever etched in the annals of space exploration history. At 95, Smylie passed away in Crossville, Tennessee, leaving behind a legacy that proves sometimes the simplest tools—like a roll of gray duct tape—can solve the most cosmic…
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The Hadamard Code: From Mars to Single-Pixel Cameras
Imagine it’s 1971, and you’re a scientist at NASA. You’ve just launched Mariner 9, the first spacecraft to orbit another planet, and it’s sending back photos of Mars. But there’s a catch: the data has to travel millions of miles through space, and any interference could corrupt the images. How do you ensure those precious…
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Noise Everywhere: Why Silence is an Illusion
When you hear the word “noise,” your first thought might drift pleasantly to the soothing rush of waves at the seaside, or perhaps to the calming whisper of trees in the wind. But noise isn’t always so serene or welcome. In fact, our world—and indeed our universe—is positively humming with unwanted interruptions. Let’s take a…
