Leon Bodzin

We keep learning new things about a relatively re-iterative new design. The good thing is that we are open to learning what exactly happened and addressing it in updated designs or fixes. The faster the better for an optimized design. There is an upcoming Oct 7th launch that is time sensitive which pushes SpaceX to determine root cause asap.

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I'm curious about the role of drones in firefighting efforts, especially in California. In 2015, the team flew the ScanEagle over 60 miles BVLOS in the TFRs at night to create these detailed fire maps during the Eagle Creek fire. This technology allowed them to provide crucial data to organizations like DOI and USFS promptly. They repeated this successful mapping strategy during the Mendicino and Tubbs fires in California that year and later it the fires that plagued the Olympic National Forest. However, I wonder why drones aren't more prevalent in current firefighting operations, or maybe they have been and it's not being picked up by the media? Could they have been instrumental in mitigating the recent fires by offering accurate information for better decision-making? Were factors like cost-effectiveness, bureaucratic hurdles, or mismatched products hindering their widespread use? These questions linger in my mind, highlighting the potential for drone technology to revolutionize fire management strategies.

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In Oct 2022, Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation (AASC) sold its patented Metal Plasma Thruster (MPT) business to Benchmark Space Systems (BSS), while continuing its development for NASA under SBIR contracts. AASC and Benchmark have now agreed to a new business framework in which Benchmark will continue marketing and sales of the MPT via a non-exclusive license, while AASC will continue its development and sales of the MPT to increase MPT performance, allowing it to address a growing market in Low Earth (LEO) and Very Low Earth (VLEO) orbits. AASC and Benchmark will also develop a Hybrid thruster configuration, where Benchmark's chemical propulsion systems are combined with the MPT, to offer satellite operators a unique capability for rapid collision avoidance combined with the MPT’s small impulse bits, for highly precise attitude control and fine positioning. The chemical and electric propulsion units will share a common avionics platform to provide plug-and-play mobility to satellite operators.  Ryan McDevitt, Benchmark CEO said that the new business relationship allows Benchmark to focus on its primary chemical propulsion product line while benefiting from AASC's sole focus on electric propulsion. Mahadevan Krishnan, President of AASC, welcomed the new arrangement and said he looks forward to serving customers in the burgeoning market for CubeSats and Small Satellites in LEO and VLEO. Together, BSS and AASC aim to provide a unique Hybrid (chemical/electric) mobility capability to satellites.

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One of the really awesome things we've learned recently via simulation is that the so-called "Rotating Wall" technique from Penning trap science (https://lnkd.in/gT3gD-rd) also works in Orbitrons and can be used to stabilize both ion and electron rotating modes. Essentially this involves splitting up the walls into azimuthal sections and using phase lagged sinusoidal voltages so that the plasma sees "a rotating wall" which can be used to apply torques to the plasma and speed up or slow down the particles. This is super cool and a really big deal for future Orbitron plasma stability control! Video below of a simulation we did recently using rotating electric fields to stabilize a ring of electrons confined in an Orbitron.

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3D printing has become the new normal, transforming how we turn designs into functional components. At Cloudone AI Robotics Lab, it has allowed us to bypass lengthy design review cycles and directly create prototypes, saving both time and capital. With this, we can design swappable components that are rapidly replaceable, enhancing adaptability in our autonomous UAV systems. Working closely with Small-Spacecraft Systems and Payload Centre | SSPACE - IIST-ISRO, we’ve integrated 3D printing into various stages of development: • Prototyping: Quickly test and refine designs. • Tooling: Manufacture custom jigs and fixtures. • End-Use Parts: Produce lightweight, complex structures. • On-Demand Repairs: Reduce downtime by printing replacement parts. Despite its advantages, 3D printing does have its setbacks such as - not all materials meet aerospace-grade strength and durability standards, the components often require post-processing for a smoother finish, printing large parts can be challenging and time-consuming, and initial setup costs-high-quality printers and materials require significant upfront investment. While these challenges exist, the benefits of 3D printing far outweigh its limitations, making it an essential tool in modern aerospace engineering. #3DPrinting #AdditiveManufacturing #Aerospace #Innovation #UAV #Engineering #Technology #Prototyping #AdvancedManufacturing #Automation #DesignOptimization #Collaboration #RapidDevelopment

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No time for Reaction but Revolution   Southern California's vulnerability to devastating wildfires persists not from a lack of solutions, but from a puzzling absence of comprehensive strategy prevented by politics. Despite our well-documented history of wildfires, authorities have never developed an integrated approach combining advanced technology with proactive prevention measures. This oversight has left our communities unnecessarily exposed to recurring devastation.   The technology to transform our wildfire management already exists. A robust infrastructure of remote sensing satellites, AI-powered cameras, and ground sensors could provide crucial early detection in high-risk areas. When integrated with rapid-response firefighting drones and enhanced ground crew coordination, these systems could dramatically improve our containment capabilities. Yet these technological solutions represent only half the equation.   Equally critical are preventive measures: strengthened defensible space regulations, strategic controlled burns for fuel management, and comprehensive public education on fire safety practices. These measures, working in harmony, could substantially limit fire spread and enhance community protection. While implementing such an integrated approach requires significant financial investment and cross-agency coordination, the benefits in reduced damage and enhanced safety far outweigh the costs.   More fundamentally, we need to reimagine our relationship with the landscape. Instead of fighting nature, we must work with it - incorporating indigenous knowledge, advanced biotechnology, and ecological engineering to create fire-resistant communities that thrive in harmony with natural fire cycles. This isn't science fiction - we have the technology and expertise within reach. What's missing is the vision and will to make it happen.   California possesses the talent, resources, and innovative spirit to revolutionize wildfire management. We've put robots on Mars and computers in our pockets - surely we can protect our communities from fire. While the price tag might seem steep, it pales in comparison to the annual cost of fire damage and lost lives. With climate change intensifying fire seasons, we can't afford inaction.   The next fire season is inevitable, but our response doesn't have to be the same. By acting decisively now, we can create a more resilient Southern California—one that anticipates and manages wildfires rather than merely reacting to them. Let's set an audacious goal: make catastrophic wildfires a rare occurrence within next five years.   This is the moonshot – for LA! A challenge worthy of Silicon Valley's innovation, Hollywood's imagination, and California's pioneering spirit. The cost of inaction has already proved too high. The question isn't whether we can transform wildfire management - it's whether we're bold enough to seize the opportunity. The time for transformation is now.

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Synchronization of oscillatory growth prepares fungal hyphae for fusion In fungi, oscillations are a well-described feature of hyphal tip extension, where calcium ions control vesicle accumulation, actin depolymerization, and vesicle fusion with the tip membrane .

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The war in Ukraine has taught us that the future of robots is now. The marriage of AI with smaller, inexpensive drones is threatening expensive high tech weapons. In an interview with Washington Examiner, PDW's CEO, Ryan Gury discussed the evolution of small robotics in Ukraine and Russia and the part PDW will play in the evolution of drone warfare. Check out the article from Jamie McIntyre here 👉https://okt.to/tEbfBU

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🌟 Stay Safe, Los Angeles! 🌟 In light of the recent devastating wildfires, we stand together with our fellow Angelenos. The fires have caused immense destruction, claiming lives and displacing thousands of residents. Our hearts go out to everyone affected. Let's ensure the safety of our community by following these essential tips: Sign up for local emergency alerts at AlertLA.org to stay informed. Prepare an evacuation bag with important documents, medications, food, water, and other essentials. Keep your phone charged and monitor real-time updates using apps like WatchDuty. Limit outdoor activities and keep windows closed to avoid smoke inhalation. Create a clean room in your home with a portable air purifier to protect against poor air quality. We are resilient, and by taking these steps, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones. Stay safe, everyone! 💪❤️ Donald J. Trump For President 2024, Inc. American Express

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Fungal worms, also known as helminths, have been found to communicate with each other through various mechanisms, including: 1. Chemical signals: Release of chemicals, such as pheromones, to convey information. 2. Electrical signals: Use of electrical impulses to communicate. 3. Vibrational signals: Transmission of vibrations through tissues or substrates. 4. Magnetic fields: Use of magnetic fields to convey information. 5. Visual cues: Use of visual signals, such as light or color changes. 6. Mechanical signals: Use of mechanical forces, such as touch or pressure. 7. Hormone signals: Release of hormones to convey information. 8. RNA signals: Exchange of RNA molecules to convey genetic information. These communication mechanisms allow fungal worms to: 1. Coordinate behavior 2. Find mates 3. Warn others of predators 4. Mark territories 5. Share resources 6. Regulate growth and development 7. Modulate immune responses Some examples of fungal worm communication include: 1. Roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans) using chemical signals to coordinate mating. 2. Tapeworms (Taenia spp.) using electrical signals to communicate with their hosts. 3. Hookworms (Ancylostoma spp.) using vibrational signals to locate hosts. Keep in mind that the complexity and diversity of fungal worm communication are still being researched and discovered.

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Amazing how far we have advanced if we consider the little details.

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NASA is soliciting industry proposals to carry out rapid studies of mission designs and mission elements capable of delivering samples collected by the Mars Perseverance rover from the surface of Mars to Earth. NASA recognizes that U.S. industry has innovative ideas and substantial capabilities that may be relevant to a Mars Sample Return campaign. This Rapid Mission Design Studies for Mars Sample Return program element (henceforth “program element”) seeks to establish whether there are viable mission designs or mission element options, such as a smaller Mars Ascent Vehicle, to return samples from Mars that offer benefits (e.g., less complexity, lower overall cost, lower annual cost, earlier sample return, and/or lower risk; see Section 3.4) compared to NASA’s reference mission design. Studies may be for complete mission designs, for mission designs that include elements of NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program or NASA’s Artemis Program as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), or for individual mission elements; see Section 3.2. The results of these studies may inform revisions to NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program and may result in future procurements. go.nasa.gov/rasmsr24

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