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"Much has been said about Alan Eustace's courage, humility and generosity of spirit (all of it true) on the ground, in the sky and even in space. I don't know how to preface this profile of one of our sport's greatest. So I'll leave it at that - he is one of our sport's greatest." James Hayhurst, parachutist On October 14, 2012, Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner became the world record holder for the highest jump ever performed by a human being. Jumping from a capsule at an impressive altitude of 38,969.4 meters (127,852 ft), he free-falled for a distance of 36,402 meters (119,431 ft) before opening his parachute. Baumgartner reached a top speed of 1,357.64 km/h (843.6 mph), exceeding the speed of sound at Mach 1.25, becoming the first man on the planet to freefall supersonically without mechanical assistance. As impressive as Baumgartner's record, which seemed insurmountable for many years, was the speed at which his world record for the highest jump was broken. Just two years later, on October 24, 2014, Robert Alan Eustace, a 57-year-old Google executive, broke Felix Baumgartner's record by falling from the stratosphere¹ from an even higher altitude of 41,422 meters ( 135,898 ft), having covered a distance of 37,623 meters (123,235 ft) before opening his parachute . ROBERT ALAN EUSTACE Although Eustace's fall altitude was higher, the maximum speed achieved was lower than that achieved by Baumgartner, but arguably also very impressive, as Alan Eustace reached a top speed of 1,322 km/h (821 mph), having also broken the sound barrier, with a Mach speed of 1.23, becoming the second supersonic man on the planet, in free fall, without mechanical assistance. As we have seen, even falling from a higher altitude, Eustace did not reach the same speed as Baumgartner, who holds the world record for free fall speed. Differences in falling posture, spacesuit design and aerodynamics explain this apparent contradiction: Differences in body position during the fall: Baumgartner: During the fall, he initially went into an uncontrolled spin, but his aerodynamic posture, with his body straighter and arms glued together over time, favored the acceleration. Eustace : Wore a bulky spacesuit with an attached life support system, which increased drag and limited movement and acceleration. Difference in costume and aerodynamics: Eustace: The spacesuit was more rigid and had a less aerodynamic design. This may have increased air friction and reduced the maximum speed achieved. Baumgartner: The spacesuit was developed by Red Bull Stratos, it was designed to reduce drag and allow for a faster fall. For those who are not familiar with the paths taken by Eustace and his feat, it seems confusing to understand this extraordinary feat. Looking only from the perspective of his training and professional performance, it would really be difficult to see Eustace in an immensely challenging and risky mission that he set out to undertake. Eustace graduated from the University of Central Florida, USA. In addition to his Bachelor's degree, he also holds Master's and PhD degrees in Computer Science. At the time of the supersonic feat, Eustace was Google's Senior Vice President of Knowledge, a man linked to the development and organization of complex systems, who led projects in artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced research in distributed systems architecture. Considering your professional routine and being on leave from the corporate environment, imagine Eustace, then Vice President of Knowledge at Google, being approached, on the day of the jump, by an unsuspecting executive from another company and receiving the following response: - Alan Eustace is not on Google, he is far away today, but he will soon be back, as he will make a supersonic stratospheric free descent and then open his parachute, returning to planet Earth. This unusual, comical and fantastical situation, although unreal, could, in some way, illustrate the lack of knowledge that Eustace was, and continues to be, much more than a Computer Scientist. The discretion with which Eustace embraced the Scientific Project carried out within the Stratospheric Explorer (StatEx) Program possibly made it difficult for people in general to understand how he managed to achieve this fantastic scientific feat. Eustace's feat had, it should be emphasized, a substantial difference from Baumgartner's feat, as he ascended to the stratosphere dressed in his space suit, strapped to his back by an expandable balloon containing helium gas, without being protected by a capsule , simply because not including a capsule in the project was one of the great challenges that they wanted to overcome. FREE FALL FROM SPACE: SOURCE: CNN. ILLUSTRATION OF FREE FALL HEIGHTS AND TEMPERATURES BY EUSTACE AND BAUMGARTNER Eustace jumped from a height that planes cannot reach: the air in the stratosphere is too thin to keep them aloft. Since the project did not include the use of an oxygenated and pressurized capsule like the one Baumgartner used, it was necessary to develop an innovative spacesuit. ILC Dover, which developed the suit worn by Eustace, also had to ensure that the suit could withstand both the intense heat of the New Mexico desert, where Eustace took off, and the extreme cold that occurs closer to the upper edge of the stratosphere, where temperatures can drop to -123.8° Fahrenheit (-51° Celsius). "It's the first suit that was both cooled and heated," Eustace said. "Most suits are cooled for things like spacewalks and moonwalks. But this suit had to be cooled on the ground and heated in the air." Returning to the issue of how difficult it is to understand how it was possible for a Google executive to break the world record for the highest jump from the stratosphere, it is now time to clarify that the extraordinary feat achieved was not the result of any random adventure. On the contrary, Eustace and his team were not beginners. Eustace, in addition to being a Computer Scientist at the time of the stratospheric jump, was 57 years old and had been a pilot for 25 years, with qualifications in several aircraft and , at the time, was also an experienced skydiver . On the other hand, his team was made up of highly specialized companies and professionals, as we will see below. The Alan Eustace Science and Space Project was undertaken within the Stratospheric Explorer (StatEx ) Program, the goal of which was to develop an autonomous spacesuit and recovery system that would enable manned exploration of the stratosphere above 30,480 meters (100,000 ft). Paragon Space Development Corporation , which technically provided the design and production of the spacesuit life support system, provided the primary design of the complete launch, tracking, recovery, landing and support system. Specific developments included unique balloon launch systems, drogue and parachute recovery system integration and testing, ground and airborne testing and training, communications systems, overall mission operations coordination and training, mission control systems design, and finally, execution of the entire crew operation. Also participating in this audacious project: ILC Dover : Responsible for the design, development and production of the advanced space diving pressure suit that served as Alan's only barrier to the harsh environment throughout all phases of the mission. Together with the Paragon-designed and built life support system, the pressure suit provided the contained environment that allowed him to survive the upper atmosphere and perform actions necessary for a safe descent. Cobham Mission Systems : Provided Paragon with the spacesuit pressurization and oxygen breathing gas components that were integrated into the suit's life support system. United Parachute Technologies : was responsible for the design and manufacture of the recovery systems (drogue, parachute) as well as the flight training of Alan and the safety parachutists. ADE Aerospace LLC : Provided the medical team and training required for StratEx. Given the unique risks involved in flying at these altitudes and the remote location of the flight activities, ADE was tasked with providing a medical response team that could handle a medical emergency at any stage of the flight. Unique risks to consider include more than just landing trauma in the event of a parachute failure – high rotation rates in freefall, decompression or boil-off at high altitudes, toxicological and burn exposures in the event of autonomous or life support failure were all high-priority risks that required assessment and management plans in the field. Also providing significant contributions to the project were TIRF Balloon Facilities, Aerowestern Helicopters, Win Aviation, Nauticos, LLC (Dr. David Jourdan), LLC Dr. Jonathan Clark, MD.; Julian Nott; Sreenivasan Shankarnarayan; Don Day; and World View Enterprises, Inc. Jerry Kolber, Atomic Entertainment; James Hayhurst, U.S. Parachute Association; Window Light Production, LLC; Roswell Fire Department; Ahern Fire Department; ModSpace; Matheson, Roswell International Air Center; Vigil America Inc., LLC; Ft. Worth MIDO; Lubbock FSDO; Albuquerque ARTCC; Ft. Worth ARTCC; CSA Service Center; and the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation. As we have seen, Alan Eustace's team was made up of highly specialized companies and professionals, which kept him, despite the risks, confident and motivated to continue with all the stages of this grand project. THREE WORLD RECORDS RECOGNIZED BY THE FAI – INTERNATIONAL AERONAUTICAL FEDERATION Eustace's first world record, recognized by the FAI, occurred as soon as Mission Control pressed the button that untethered Eustace from the helium balloon, allowing him to begin freefall. First record: Exit Altitude 41,422m . After that serene ascent, suddenly the earth was rushing toward him. Eustace was accelerating rapidly. He broke the speed of sound after just 35 seconds. After 51 seconds, he reached his top speed, 1,320 km per hour . Second record: Maximum Vertical Speed with drogue² . The drogue was absolutely essential to Eustace's success. As Joseph Kittinger and his team discovered during the high-altitude parachute jumps of Project Excelsior, a drogue parachute for stability could – and still does – save the lives of countless skydivers by preventing them from entering a high-speed spin. Eustace free-falled to Earth for 37,623 metres before activating his parachute system. Four minutes and 27 seconds after being released from the balloon, he landed safely, just over 100 km from where he had launched. Third record: Distance Drop with a Drogue . In fact, the October 24 jump was scheduled as the third and final jump. On October 4, Eustace climbed to 17.3 km and on October 15, he floated higher than Kittinger had in 1960, to 32.2 km, but decided not to publicize the achievement in preparation for the third jump. Finally, Eustace and his team were ready for the big day. This third jump surpassed Felix Baumgartner's 2012 high-altitude skydive by 2,452m. The project with Felix Baumgartner (Red Bull Stratos) involved a capsule, a significantly larger balloon and a substantial budget. In comparison, Alan Eustace's self-funded project with his team of experts kept simplicity as a core value, alerting the media only after the jump had been successful. The press was kept out of Alan Eustace's record-breaking jump because the event was intentionally kept secret until its conclusion. Unlike Felix Baumgartner's 2012 jump, which received major media coverage sponsored by Red Bull, Eustace and his team opted for a more low-key approach. In addition to being very courageous and determined, Eustace was highly selfless, because, although he was confident in the technical capacity of his team, he knew that there were risks in executing the project, but he remained firm until the decisive moments of rise and fall. Eustace was "lifted" by a helium balloon to a height of 41,422 metres (135,898 ft) and was detached from the same balloon, falling in free fall like a human spacecraft, having travelled a distance of 37,623 metres (123,235 ft), before opening his parachute, setting a new world record. Eustace's incredible and spectacular performance is recorded in the film 14 minutes from Earth , a 2016 documentary lasting 1 hour and 24 minutes, directed by Jerry Kolber, Adam "Tex" Davis, Trey Nelson and Erich Sturm. SOURCE: RODRIGO UNGO. ALAN EUSTACE STRATOSPHERE WORLD RECORD JUMP (EXTENDED) Rather than focusing on the celebrity aspect of other high-profile space feats, " 14 Minutes from Earth " delves into the motivations, fears and relentless optimism of everyone involved, from the engineers and support crew to the family members who watched anxiously as their loved one risked everything for the sake of pushing boundaries and advancing science. 14 MINUTES FROM EARTH OFFICIAL TRAILER (2016) - SOURCE: ATOMIC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP It took three years of preparation from the moment Alan Eustace made his first scribbles on a napkin, outlining his initial ideas about the intended project, to the moment of the successful ascent, pulled by a balloon filled with helium gas, to the free fall from the stratosphere, opening of the parachute and safe arrival on Earth's soil. Much more than a risky adventure, the StatEx project generated valuable scientific advances, which will undoubtedly be very useful for new space missions, let's look at some of them: I. Project StatEx demonstrated that a human can survive and operate in the upper atmosphere without the need for a pressurized capsule , which could reduce costs and facilitate commercial space operations. The mission demonstrated that advanced spacesuits can partially replace pressurized capsules, paving the way for future more efficient and affordable space missions. II. The jump made it possible to study how a body protected only by a special space suit interacts with re-entry into the atmosphere. III. The mission radically tested the human body's reaction to extreme temperatures, with the support of only vital equipment, as the temperature in the stratosphere fluctuates greatly, reaching the extreme negative of -51°C , with almost no oxygen and intense solar radiation. IV. Information was collected on fall stability , suit strength and how to minimize the risks of disorientation and uncontrolled rotation . V. The suit's technology could be adapted for high-altitude rescue systems, benefiting pilots and astronauts in emergencies. The project had no sponsorship from major brands or direct commercial interests, as the focus was on developing and testing new aerospace technologies, not creating a media spectacle. The event was completely focused on the team, with maximum attention, without outside interference, prioritizing science and safety, since the mission involved extreme dangers. The result was an impressive record and a significant achievement for aerospace technology. On 15 April 2015, Laureus named Alan Eustace the 2015 Sports Personality of the Year (Action Sports category). The Laureus World Sports Awards annually honour, recognise and celebrate the world’s greatest athletes, a unique group of sporting legends, each of whom has reached the highest level of achievement and created many of sport’s most iconic moments. Enthusiastic about the experience and scientific achievements of the successful StatEx project, of which he was an exemplary protagonist, Eustace initially had big plans to break more records using the spacesuit, which could be used for high-altitude ballooning, gliding or sailplane/plandrive. However, Eustace, a father of three, talked to his wife, Kathy Ann Kwan, about new challenges: “My wife has plans for me not to do any of these things anymore,” Eustace said shortly after giving a TED talk about his experience. “I am no longer allowed to do anything that is considered “extremely dangerous.” We were just negotiating what “extremely dangerous” would mean. From the perspective of the determined and courageous Eustace, “extremely dangerous” changed to a new level, which would mean more risks, but apparently, following the advice of his wife, he finally donated his spacesuit to the Smithsonian US National Air and Space Museum and its annex Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, USA, where it is kept in a controlled atmosphere. By Luiz Cincurá Notes: ¹ The stratosphere is the second largest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, located between the troposphere and the mesosphere. It extends approximately 10 km (at the poles) to 15 km (in the tropics) at its lower limit, with an upper limit of approximately 50 km in altitude, from the surface, and is home to the ozone layer. The meaning of the word stratosphere comes from the Latin stratum , which means layer. The stratosphere concentrates 19% of the gases in the atmosphere, is the second layer closest to the Earth, has little water vapor in its composition and almost no clouds. The stratosphere is rich in ozone gas and poor in oxygen gas. ² A drogue parachute is a small parachute that slows down a fast-moving object, such as an aircraft, spacecraft, or skydiver. The drogue parachute helped Alan Eustace maintain stability and control during his high-altitude skydive, and also prevented him from entering a high-speed spin. Sources: BUSINESS INSIDER. A 57-year-old Google engineer performed the highest human free-fall, jumping from 135,890 feet up in the stratosphere. A documentary on Netflix reveals how he did it. Available at: Accessed on: March 8, 2025. GPT CHAT. Response obtained about Alan Eustace, his stratospheric freefall and scientific benefits . Accessed on: February 15, 2025 and March 8, 2025. INTERNATIONAL AERONAUTICAL FEE. Yet to be beaten: Alan Eustace's high altitude parachute jump records still stand, 10 years on . Available at: < https://fai.org/news/alan-eustace-high-altitude-parachute-jump-records-tenth-anniversary?utm_source=pocket_list > Accessed on: 12.Feb.2025. GOOGLE GEMINI. Response obtained from Google Gemini about Drogue Parachute . Accessed on: 12.Feb.2025 HPS ALLIANCE. Exploring the Stratosphere: Alan Eustace's Record-Breaking Jump. Available at: < https://hapsalliance.org/blog/exploring-the-stratosphere-alan-eustaces-record-breaking-jump/?utm_source=pocket_list > Accessed on: 14.Feb.2025. LAUREUS. The Laureus World Sports Awards honours . Available at: < https://www.laureus.com > Accessed on: March 9, 2025. LUCHIARI PARACHUTING. Alan Eustace's discreet and mind-blowing record . Available at: < https://www.luchiari.com.br/blog-paraquedismo/o-recorde-discreto-e-alucinante-de-alan-eustace/ > Accessed on: 19.Feb.2025. ORLANDO SENTINEL. Google exec remembers growing up in Pine Hills . Available at: < https://www-orlandosentinel-com.translate.goog/2011/12/13/google-exec-remembers-growing-up-in-pine-hills/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=pt&_x_tr_hl=pt&_x_tr_pto=tc > Accessed on: 13.Feb.2025. PARACHUTIST. Profiles: Alan Eustace . Available at < https://parachutist.com/Article/alan-eustace-d-7426 > Accessed on: March 9, 2025. PARAGON – SPACE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. Alan Eustace and the Paragon StratEx Team make stratospheric exploration history at over 135,000 feet. Available at: < http://paragonsdc.com/stratex/?utm_source=pocket_shared > Accessed on: 14.Feb.2025. VICE. Follow this Google Scientist Being Dropped Through the Stratosphere . Available at: < https://www.vice.com/en/article/premiere-follow-this-google-scientist-being-dropped-through-the-stratosphere/ > Accessed on: February 24, 2025. VOX. Alan Eustace on Jumping From the Stratosphere and Life After Google. Available at: < https://www.vox.com/2015/3/18/11560434/alan-eustace-on-jumping-from-the-stratosphere-and-life-after-google > Accessed on: 23.Feb.2025. WATCH NOW. Watch 14 Minutes From Earth . Available on: < https://www.watchnow.com/movie/14-minutes-from-earth/68026?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Search&t_source=64&utm_campaign=2561&gad_source=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImoDn97D5iwMVxTrUAR3Y1CpSEAAYASAAEgJ7sPD_BwE > Accessed on: March 7, 2025.

Heat waves, strong winds, torrential rains, in short, intense environmental events, which affect certain cities more frequently and, in addition, locations most affected by climate change, lack protected urban infrastructure installations of wires and cables to avoid the risk of falls energy, general damage and electrical shocks that can be fatal. As most of the risks in large cities are in overhead cables, taking power cables underground is an important measure. In more detail below, we can say that overhead electrical cable structures have considerable disadvantages. Overhead wires are much more sensitive to failure during storms than underground cables. The loss of electrical energy causes major economic disruptions. The cost of maintaining and repairing damaged lines is often borne by utility company customers. Overhead wires have sparked many of the disastrous fires that have devastated large areas, which have been reported in the press in recent years, causing loss of life and property. This is because sparks from OHL (overhead lines) are routinely identified as the cause of fires in dry areas. When extreme weather events occur, first responders must deal with downed and exposed high-voltage power lines, a major hazard associated with the adversity of power loss, while trying to deal with medical emergencies. Removing these threats makes it easier for emergency teams to save lives. The risk of contact by passers-by with downed wires in cities can cause exposure to intense electrical discharges with a risk of death. But you would be wrong to imagine that the search for a better solution to the problems arising from overhead electrical wires is recent. Long ago, many countries made investments in urban infrastructure using underground cables and, to this day, enjoy significant benefits. The pioneering experience in the news took place 134 years ago, in 1890, with the first successful installation carried out by Vincent de Ferranti, using his famous 10,000 volt concentric cable, in the United Kingdom. Underground utilization is the most comprehensive and effective solution to reducing the impact of utility wires. The practice is common in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and England, which, in addition to the natural beauty they offer, took care and precaution to guarantee a “clean” and safe scenic view, with their wires and cables far from sight. and protected against adverse weather conditions, installed underground. But underground cabling efforts are not limited to the aforementioned countries. In Australia, for example, the Infrastructure Project entitled “Powering Sydney's Future” carried out through densely populated suburban areas, started from the observation that the electricity transmission networks that were built in the 1960s and 1970s and some underground cables, were approaching the end of their useful lives. As Sydney's population grew, demand for electricity increased and replacing aging infrastructure would ensure future supply for residents and businesses in Sydney and surrounding suburbs. Thus, in 2022, Australian energy company Transgrid completed the main construction works of the Powering Sydney's Future project. Although higher voltage lines tend to be tied to overhead cables, this does not mean that higher voltage cables are unfeasible underground in large cities. Aerial cables are installed much more easily compared to underground cables. It also has the benefit of open natural ventilation, which prevents cables from overheating. However, this does not mean that higher voltage cables are unfeasible underground in large cities (in areas of high energy consumption), which can coexist with the predominant lower voltage cables. Despite the closed underground environment, the tunnels can be cooled, improving the temperature conditions of the cables. In London, beneath its busy streets, there are miles of 8-foot-wide concrete tunnels lined with power distribution cables that can reach extremely high temperatures. To cool the tunnels, vertical shafts spaced every kilometer or two supply fresh air and eject hot air into the open air. UNDERGROUND CABLING STRUCTURE IN LONDON Researchers at London South Bank University (LSBU) , in 2019, developed a study with the aim of using this waste heat. A typical 1.8km stretch of tunnel between ventilation shafts produces 400 kilowatts of heat, enough to heat 100 homes or a small commercial office. This was discovered by researchers in a preliminary analysis carried out with the city's electricity grid operator, UK Power Networks. A project started in 2018 to provide underground cabling for London is underway. Scheduled to be completed and fully operational in 2027, London Power Tunnels Two is underway to build 32km of tunnels and two substations in north London – claimed to be the first major investment in the capital's electricity transmission system in over of half a century. Three meters in diameter, the tunnels have a lifespan of more than 100 years – although the high-voltage cables they carry will need to be replaced more regularly to meet future demand and facilitate the growth of entire systems across the city. This issue of changing high voltage cables, according to Lesur (2021), the current generation of underground systems requires less maintenance, and renovation is only necessary every 40 or 50 years, which is the specified useful life of a transmission line and cables are generally buried to a depth of 3 ft/0.9144 m for distribution networks, and 4 ft/1.2192 m or 5 ft/1.524 m for transmission networks. In terms of safety, there is no disturbance to the ground surface when a short circuit occurs or a very high amount of energy is released, because the ground contains the fault, states Lesur (2021), who also argues that the ground also protects against damage caused by third parties, as long as proper authorization procedures are followed before excavation, especially in urban areas. According to Lesur (2021), underground systems require very little maintenance, as the insulation is made of extruded plastic ¹ (a passive component). There is no fluid under pressure or potential leakage. Overhead lines, on the other hand, need monitoring and maintenance to avoid corrosion (frequent painting of metal supports) and require maintenance against weather risks (lightning strikes, storms, ice, sticky snow). Studies also show that losses dissipated due to heating by the Joule effect ² are smaller for underground cables due to the use of pure copper and aluminum, while aluminum and steel alloys are necessary for the mechanical strength of bare overhead conductors, according to Lesur (2021). It is worth mentioning that not only countries most affected by natural events should have the initiative to build infrastructure of underground wires and cables, but also cities that have used, to exhaustion, wire structures and overhead cables, suspended from poles. This reality has generated a series of adverse situations, such as tangled and fallen wires, due to accumulation on poles, risks of power outages and exposure to intense electrical discharges, which can affect passers- by with the risk of death. ACCUMULATION OF DISORDERED OVERHEAD WIRES, FALLEN AND CROSSING THE ROAD PHOTO: © high-techsociety.com By placing cabling underground, most of the harsh weather conditions that traditional transmission infrastructures are exposed to can be avoided. This largely refers to precipitation and windstorms, which can cause damage to overhead power lines directly or indirectly through falling trees, resulting in power outages. Underground cabling can alleviate the need for additional and more frequent investment in transmission infrastructure maintenance and repairs. Expected benefits include a more secure energy supply with fewer instances of weather-related power outages, while realizing long-term cost savings due to reduced maintenance and repairs, ensuring predictability for diverse business segments. Underground cable lines have many advantages and benefits over overhead lines and are gaining momentum for safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness. It is observed that underground cabling has higher costs for construction and implementation of physical structures, costs for purchasing inputs, civil works, installations, but in the long term its savings and safety advantages are unquestionable. On the other hand, despite the initial advantage of airlines, of much lower construction and implementation costs for physical structures, they concentrate higher costs related to operation and maintenance. This is because they operate with a certain instability, directly associated with climatic conditions, causing unpredictable interruptions in the energy supply and may result in various costs to be borne by individuals, companies in general and industries, both to cover necessary maintenance costs arising from the adversity. of time, as well as to support losses resulting from loss of food that requires conservation in refrigerators and freezers, as well as losses resulting from interruptions in production activities. One way to guarantee the economic viability of these projects, with greater viability for large cities, is the union between service providers and governments, not only in sharing the costs involved, which are highly high, but also in the temporal integration of projects. The construction of an underground structure represents a valuable opportunity for modernizing structures, not only for public and private companies that provide public energy services, but also for water service providers, with their pipes and for telephone and internet service providers. , via optical cables. Grades: ¹ The extruded plastic profile is manufactured using an extruder machine that melts granulated plastics, normally from recycling processes. In this machine, the plastic is melted through a cylinder that is heated by electrical resistance. ² The Joule Effect is the transformation of electrical energy into thermal energy when electric current passes through a conductor. Sources: THE UTILITY WEEK EVENT. Digging 32km of 'Power Tunnels' beneath London . Available at < https://utilityweek.co.uk/digging-32km-of-power-tunnels-beneath-london/ > Accessed on March 23, 2024. CLIMATE ADAPT. Replacing overhead lines with underground cables in Finland . Available at < https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/metadata/case-studies/replacing-overhead-lines-with-underground-cables-in-finland > Accessed on March 21, 2024. LESUR, Frédéric. Power Grid International. Why underground cables are a better long-term choice for utilities . Available at < https://www.power-grid.com/td/why-underground-cables-are-a-better-long-term-choice-for-utilities/#gref > Accessed on March 21, 2024. MACPHEE, Brian. Quora. Available at < https://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-UK-power-lines-underground > Accessed on March 22, 2024. PATEL, Prachi. IEEE Spectrum . London's Hidden Cable Tunnels Could Warm Thousands of Homes . Available at < https://spectrum.ieee.org/londons-hidden-cable-tunnels-could-warm-thousands-of-homes > Accessed on March 23, 2024. SCENIC AMERICA . Undergrounding Utility Infrastructure: Burying Utilities for Safety, Resiliency, and Scenic Beauty . Available at < https://www.scenic.org/why-scenic-conservation/energy-infrastructure-and-equity/undergrounding-utility-infrastructure/ > Accessed on March 21, 2024. TRASGRID . Powering Sydney's Future . Available at < https://www.transgrid.com.au/projects-innovation/powering-sydney-s-future > Accessed on March 21, 2024.

Source: Audidicted

Today, October 14, 2024, marks 12 years since the gigantic feat of Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner , who on October 14, 2012, broke world records by jumping from a capsule at a height of 38,969.4 meters (127,852 feet). Baumgartner was the first man to surpass the speed of sound in free fall. The jump started from the stratosphere ¹ , reaching a speed of 1,357.64 km/h (843.6 mph). At the time Felix Baumgartner exceeded the speed of sound, he was at an altitude of about 34 to 36 km (after about 50 seconds of falling). At that altitude, the speed of sound is estimated to be around 1,100 km/h (683.50 mph) . due to extremely low temperatures, around -50°C to -60°C. Baumgartner reached a top speed of 1,357.64 km/h , which is equivalent to Mach 1.25 , meaning he exceeded the speed of sound by about 25%. This grand event was watched by 8 million people who watched the broadcast on YouTube. Baumgartner was involved in the audacious $20 million Red Bull Stratos project , which took him five years to prepare. On the day of the great feat, before carrying it out, he had the support and encouragement of Joe Kittinger, a former pilot in the United States Air Force, then world record holder for the highest parachute jump, which occurred on August 16, 1960, as part of the Excelsior project, when he jumped from a helium balloon at a height of 31,300 meters, reaching a maximum speed of 988 km/h (613.915 mph). In turn, 52 years after Kittinger's record, which remained unbeaten, Baumgartner climbed into a pressurized capsule, which was pulled by a helium balloon, more than 180 meters high to take him to the stratosphere. The capsule took more than two hours to reach the desired height. For the complete descent, Baumgartner used a pressurized suit, specially designed to ensure survival in an environment of extreme cold and low oxygen. He reached the American soil of New Mexico in nine minutes (considering the time of free fall and with the parachute open). FELIX BAUMGARTNER: PARACHUTE JUMP FROM SUPERSONIC FREE FALL. The Redbull Stratus project and Felix Baumgartner's courage and discipline resulted in breaking world records, let's see: World records broken Largest balloon with a human on board: A giant balloon, as tall as the Statue of Liberty, with about 5,097 m³ (180,000 cu ft) of helium inserted by the crew before its launch until reaching, with its increasing altitude, the total capacity of approximately 850,000 m³ (30 million cu ft) at the jump altitude. Highest altitude untethered outside a vehicle: After depressurizing the capsule - the point of no return, Baumgartner stepped onto the edge of the capsule and jumped into free fall from an altitude of 38,969.4 meters (127,852 ft) and took just 9min.09sec. to return to Earth, setting, on 10/14/2012, a new world record for the highest parachute jump. First human to break the sound barrier in freefall: During his stratospheric skydive, Baumgartner reached a top speed of 1,357.64 km/h (843.6 mph), thus achieving the highest speed in freefall, breaking the sound barrier without mechanical assistance. Longest freefall distance: Baumgartner free-falled a distance of 36,402 meters (119,431 ft) before opening his parachute Furthermore, the event had a record audience: Most simultaneous views for a live event on YouTube: 15 cameras were on Baumgartner’s capsule, with five attached to his pressure suit, providing an incredible viewing experience for those watching the broadcast. Eight million people watched Felix’s journey into space and his jump back to Earth. The viewership would have been even higher, but the demand was straining YouTube’s server capacity. The Red Bull Stratos capsule is now part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and is on display at the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, United States. The mission achieved many scientific innovation milestones, including the development and validation of innovations in pressure suits and personal parachutes; the development of new medical treatment protocols, including a protocol for the condition ebullism² , aiming to become the new standard of care; and the introduction of a reefed parachute system³ for the high-altitude payload recovery task, offering potential benefits for both passengers and cargo. Felix Baumgartner's Red Bull-sponsored mission not only captivated the world with the audacity and precision of the jump, but also demonstrated the limits of human endurance and aerospace technology. Two years later, on October 24, 2014, Google executive Alan Eustace broke Baumgartner's record by skydiving from an even higher altitude of 41,422 meters (135,898 ft). However, far from diminishing the significance of Baumgartner's achievement, Eustace's jump was made possible in part by lessons learned from the Red Bull Stratos project. By Luiz Cincurá. luiz.cincura@high-techsociety.com Notes: ¹ The stratosphere is the second largest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, located between the troposphere and the mesosphere. It extends approximately 10 km (at the poles) to 15 km (in the tropics) at its lower limit, with an upper limit of approximately 50 km in altitude, from the surface, and is home to the ozone layer. The meaning of the word stratosphere comes from the Latin stratum , which means layer. The stratosphere concentrates 19% of the gases in the atmosphere, is the second layer closest to Earth, has little water vapor in its composition and almost no clouds. The stratosphere is rich in ozone gas and poor in oxygen gas. Supersonic airplanes and weather balloons fly in the stratosphere. ² An absolute altitude limit for the unprotected man may be set at 18,900 meters, at which the barometric pressure is 47 mmHg. The water vapor tension at body temperature is also 47 mmHg. The effects of exceeding the altitude limit tolerable for man may be attributed either to anoxia or to reduced pressure resulting in vaporization of tissue fluids and expansion of body gases, a condition sometimes called ebullism or ebullism syndrome. Obviously, the survival of the unprotected man would be very brief, as the respiratory passages become filled with water vapor, in which condition breathing is completely ineffective. Pressurized cabins in aircraft and full pressure suits eliminate this risk. ³ A reefed parachute system is a type of parachute that is partially "restricted" during its initial deployment to control the rate of inflation. It uses a cord or ring to hold the parachute lines partially closed as it opens, allowing the parachute to inflate gradually rather than all at once. This process helps reduce the shock forces that the skydiver experiences when deploying the parachute at high speed, which is especially useful for high-altitude jumps, as in the case of Alan Eustace and Felix Baumgartner. The use of a reefed parachute system is common in freefall operations where the deceleration needs to be more gradual to avoid damage to the equipment or the skydiver's body. Sources: GUINESS WORLD RECORDS. Felix Baumgartner: First person to break sound barrier in freefall . Available at < https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/hall-of-fame/felix-baumgartner-first-person-to-break-sound-barrier-in-freefall > Accessed on October 11, 2024. MAGALHÃES, Lana. Stratosphere . All Matter, [sd]. Available at: https://www.todamateria.com.br/estratosfera/ . Accessed on: October 12, 2024. NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM. A Decade Since the Long Fall from Red Bull Stratos. Available at: < https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/decade-since-red-bull-stratos > Accessed on: October 12, 2024. OpenAI. Response obtained from ChatGPT about reefed . Available at < https://chat.openai.com > Accessed on 10/13/2024. REDBULL. Red Bull Stratus. Available at < https://www.redbull.com/int-en/one-jump-eight-records-scientific-achievement?utm_source=pocket_list > Accessed on 11/10/2024. SUPERINTERESSANT SUPERBLOG. BECATTINI, Natália. Austrian breaks records by jumping from the stratosphere . 15.Oct.2012. THE LIGHTER-THAN-AIR SOCIETY. Final Data released from Felix Baumgartner's Supersonic Freefall . Available at: < https://www.blimpinfo.com/uncategorized/final-data-released-from-felix-baumgartners-supersonic-freefall/ > Accessed on: 12.Oct.2024. FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL. INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS. STENSMANN, Berenice Helena Wiener. Physiological Problems of Unusual Environments: Space and Underwater Activities. Available at: < https://ppgenfis.if.ufrgs.br/mef004/20021/Berenice/sangue.html > Accessed on: October 12, 2024.

Game of Thrones fans, get ready for an unforgettable musical journey! 🎶

The fun and futuristic cartoon “The Jetsons”, from the studio Hanna-Barbera Productions, by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, was released on September 23, 1962, already with prominence. It was the first TV series broadcast in color by a TV station, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). It was ahead of its time for several reasons, including that, at that time, only 3% of the North American public owned color televisions. The series The Jetsons was about the life of the Jetsons family who lived in the year 2062 and the future was presented to us: urban transport through flying vehicles, suspended cities, automated work, robots as domestic servants, video conferences, among other situations. This touched the fantasy and imagination of children and adults, precisely because it portrayed a world that did not exist, a science fiction world. 63 years after the cartoon The Jetsons, the startup Archer Aviation , responsible for developing the innovative Midnight , an electric eVTOL vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, aims to make urban transport a reality through eVTOL flying vehicles, which take off, land and hover vertically like a helicopter. Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft. (Photo: Business Wire) Archer Aviation's Director of Safety, Billy Nolen, stated at the Dubai Airshow that there is a possibility of the Midnight arriving on the market as early as next year, in 2025, which depends on regulatory approval by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). . It is worth mentioning that, last year, Midnight received its Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA, which paved the way for it to begin test flight operations, having recently completed this first phase. Archer Aviation is one of several companies developing eVTOL. However, the consensus is that Archer and Joby Aviation are the two companies that are furthest along in their development. The first phase of construction of the Archer factory, in Covington, Georgia, USA, is scheduled to end in 2024, with the installation of 350,000 square feet, equivalent to 32,516 m² that will be able to produce 600 aircraft per year. However, Archer will not be able to use its facilities to their full potential until it obtains FAA type certification for Midnight. This validates the design of the aircraft and its components, in compliance with strict safety standards. Midnight has a flight range of approximately 100 miles/160 km, which can be completed on a single charge. but it is optimized for shorter consecutive flights of around 20 miles or 32 km, with 10 minutes of charging between trips, via plug-in. A maximum cruising speed of 150 mph, equivalent to 240 km/h, transitions to cruising at a speed of around 100 mph or 160 km/h. Midnight is powered by six independent batteries, each supporting a pair of electric motors (2 Magidrive EPUs). Midnight is configured to operate with one pilot and up to four passengers and luggage. The Midnight not only stands out for its speed and sustainability, but also for its design - the aircraft has 12 electric propellers, a high main wing, a V-tail and a tricycle landing gear with fixed wheels, thus promising its passengers greater safety and less noise compared to conventional helicopters. Archer's Midnight aircraft won the Muse 2023 Transportation Design of the Year award. The MUSE Design Awards is an international design competition dedicated to recognizing outstanding and original design work from around the world. Archer's team of design professionals is led by Julien Montousse, former head of design at Mazda North America; Niki Smart, who redesigned the Cadillac vehicle at General Motors; and Greg Warmsley, former executive creative director at Mazda. Midnight is recommended for mobility in urban areas. The commercial intention is to use it mainly as a flying taxi, to travel from airports to city centers, but with the possibility of also carrying out tourist tours, among other applications. The business model calls for reservations for shared rides, with initial passenger costs estimated at $4 and $5 per mile, gradually decreasing over the following years. Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer, Archer Aviation, highlighted the zero-emission and sustainable nature of Midnight. With noise levels approximately 100 times lower than conventional helicopters, Archer envisions a solution that aligns with the evolving scenario of smart cities. Archer Aviation plans to launch commercial air taxi routes in major US cities such as New York and Chicago with its partner United Airlines in 2025, with international operations launching in Dubai and Abu Dhabi the following year. United x Archer – Meet Midnight The arrival of Midnight, among other flying urban transport vehicles that are in development, will partially turn into reality the futuristic scenes from The Jetsons broadcast on ABC TV in 1962, as, in addition to the flying vehicle that we are waiting for soon, Video conferencing, automated work, robots in a clear process of improvement are a reality, however, the suspended city of The Jetsons is not part of current reality and visible scenarios. - Would it be a failure in Hanna-Barbera's visionary capacity? - It's too early to say that! - Have you forgotten that there are still 38 years to go until we reach the year 2062, which was introduced to us by The Jetsons?   Sources: AFRICANNEWS . Flying Taxis: Archer Aviation's Vision for Urban Air Mobility Takes Flight . By Afolake Oyinloye and Agencies. Available at: < https://www.africanews.com/2023/11/16/flying-taxis-archer-aviations-vision-for-urban-air-mobility-takes-flight/ > Accessed on 09.mar.2024 . AIRFRAMER. Aircraft Program. Archer Maker eVTOL . Available at: < https://www.airframer.com/aircraft_detail.html?model=ArchereVTOL > Accessed on March 10, 2024. ARCHER AVIATION INC. Midnight . Available at: < https://archer.com/midnight > Accessed on 03/10/2024. BUSINESS AIR NEWS. Archer scores Transportation Design of the Year for Midnight . Available at: < https://www.businessairnews.com/mag_story.html?ident=29621 > Accessed on: March 10, 2024. CARLSEN, Courtney. THE MOTLEY FOOL. Where Will Archer Aviation Be in 1 Year? Available at: < https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/02/27/where-will-archer-aviation-be-in-1-year/ > Accessed on March 10, 2024. DOMINGUES, Joelza Ester. Teaching History Blog . “The Jetsons”, the first color television show . Available at < https://ensinarhistoria.com.br/linha-do-tempo/ Primeiro-programa-de-televisao-colorido-the-jetsons/ > Accessed on 09.mar.2024. FUTURE FLIGHT. WEITERING, Hanneke. Archer Revs Up Flight Tests With Midnight Evtol Air Taxi. Available at: < https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2024-02-02/archer-revs-flight-tests-midnight-evtol-air-taxi > Accessed on: March 11, 2024. THE ARSENALE. Pioneering Sustainable Urban Mobility With Archer Aviation. Available at: < https://thearsenale.com/blogs/magazine/pioneering-sustainable-urban-mobility-with-archer-aviation > Accessed on: March 11, 2024. WIKIPEDIA. The Jetsons . Available at: < https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jetsons#:~:text=O%20primeiro%20estreou%20em%2023,in%C3%ADcio%20da%20d%C3%A9cada%20de%201960).%3E > Accessed on: 09.mar.2024.

Experience the mesmerizing view from the International Space Station (ISS) as it orbits Earth at 240 miles above our planet. Enjoy live and pre-recorded footage from NASA's ISS live stream, featuring astronauts from NASA, Russia, Japan, Canada, and Europe. The words 'LIVE NOW' appear in the top left corner during live feeds. Be aware, the ISS enters a 45-minute night period during each orbit when live footage is unavailable. In these intervals, we showcase recorded footage. For more information about the ISS and its journey into Earth's dark side, visit: http://www.nasa.gov

Dynamic live show from the Port of Miami, USA. It is the largest cruise port in the world and is often called the "Cruise Capital of the World" and "Cargo Port of the Americas." Miami has the most cruise line headquarters in the world, home to Carnival Cruise Line , Celebrity Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line , Oceania Cruises and Royal Caribbean International . Enjoy the magnificent view of boat traffic, majestic cruise ships and busy cargo ships. You can also see the rhythmic flow of Florida East Coast Railway ( FEC ) intermodal rail traffic. Sources: Cruise Ships Live and Wikipedia .

Source: < https://www.youtube.com/@CoralMorphologic > The Coral City Camera is an underwater camera streaming live from an urban reef environment in Miami, Florida. It is located along the shoreline at the east end of PortMiami in about 9’ (3m) of water. It was deployed in late 2019 by Coral Morphologic as a hybrid art-science research project produced with the support of Bridge Initiative and Bas Fisher Invitational and initially funded through grants awarded by a Knight Arts Challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and an Art Works grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The CCC's high speed internet connection is made possible with the support of The Wanderlust Fund. In January 2021, the Coral City Camera and its associated scientific research was moved approximately 300' east of the original site.

Iceland, with an area similar to the US state of Kentucky, has more than 30 active volcanoes . Therefore, the island in northern Europe has become a privileged destination for volcanic tourism - a segment that attracts thousands of adventurers. GRINDAVÍK ERUPTION - ÞORBJÖRN See other incredible images, in high resolution, directly from Live from Iceland

Starlink is the name of a network of satellites developed by private spaceflight company SpaceX, initially aiming to provide low-cost internet to remote locations. Starlink is ideal for areas where connectivity is unreliable or completely unavailable, but it has expanded the service offering to different locations. Markets served by Starlink satellites In a post published on May 20, 2024 on X (formerly Twitter), the CEO of Space X, Elon Musk, informed that the Starlink is connecting more than 3 million users in 99 countries , through more than 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit , providing high-speed internet. Starlink satellites are being used not only by residential and business customers, but also by airlines offering in-flight internet services and by cruise ships so passengers can stay connected while at sea, as well as other applications, as per we'll see. Why Starlink's In-flight WiFi is a Game Changer³ - Source: Primal Space Events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods or wildfires destroy or severely damage terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure, leaving affected communities completely isolated from the outside world. With Starlink, first responders can quickly transport and configure user terminals virtually anywhere and get online in a matter of minutes, bypassing the need for any ground-based infrastructure. Satellite visibility A day or two after the launch and deployment of Starlink satellites, no special equipment is needed to see them as they are visible to the naked eye. They appear as a series of pearls or a "train" of bright lights moving across the night sky. If you wish, you can try to find the Starlink satellites visible in your country, using coordinates provided by FindStarlink After launch, until reaching around 440 kilometers above Earth, the Falcon 9 rocket transports and deploys its batch of 60 Starlink satellites, in a “parking orbit”. From there, individual satellites unfold their solar panels and slowly begin to spread across the planet. Each satellite uses its thrusters to gradually rise to a higher altitude, rising into its eventual final orbit about 100 miles above the International Space Station's orbit. They become progressively more difficult to detect because, as the satellites rise, they become dimmer, reflecting less sunlight back to Earth, until they reach their final orbital height of about 550 km. Goals Starlink's central objectives are to solve two major problems of the modern internet: the lack of accessible connections to distant geographic areas and/or without terrestrial communications structure and high latency¹ . Traditional internet services through cables and optical fibers have limitations inherent to the characteristics of the service. Even within a country, it is rare to achieve a direct cabling path from one location to another. Relying on terrestrial cables also leaves many regions poorly connected. The challenge of overcoming high latency, one of Starlink's central objectives, is relevant, due to the enormous impacts it can cause. To get an idea of the losses that can be caused by high latency, let’s look at some examples: For those trying to watch videos, series, films online, high latency can mean crashes or loss of video quality. When browsing social networks, the maximum recommended latency is 50 to 100 ms for good performance. When playing, the maximum oriented latency is 30 ms, to avoid loss of competitiveness. Financial operations, for security reasons, may be canceled if there is a delay in sending information. Banks move billions of dollars in fractions of a second, any delay can lead to big losses for a competitor that operates with a faster connection. Online classes with constant crashes make access to course content unfeasible. E-commerces that take time to load can cause a loss of online sales. Work and video conferences, via high-latency internet, can be impacted by productivity losses or even become unfeasible. Starlink satellites make it possible to access essential online services and resources in rural communities that were often unserved by traditional internet providers. Starlink allows hospitals and field clinics to hold real-time video conferences with doctors and specialists thousands of miles away. Medical images such as X-rays or CT scans can be shared instantly for remote diagnosis. Patients with chronic conditions can have remote check-ins and follow-ups with healthcare professionals. Starlink makes these advanced telehealth applications possible even in extremely remote or resource-limited environments.   Remote teaching is also favored, with the possibility of accessing online classes, research, sharing study materials, now possible for communities isolated due to the lack of terrestrial communications infrastructure or even because they have been hit by destructive events. How it works Customers purchase a terrestrial antenna to access Starlink's internet service. When plugged in, the self-steering antenna quickly scans the sky and locks onto the nearest overhead satellite. Then, it seamlessly maintains that connection as each new Starlink satellite comes into view and the previous one disappears beyond the horizon. Starlink antennas are certified to operate between -22° Fahrenheit (minimum temperature) to 104° Fahrenheit (maximum temperature), which, on the Celsius scale, corresponds to -30° Celsius to 40° Celsius. Elon Musk's Starlink Impact video (By Geoff Aba) ³ Historic January . 2015: SpaceX satellite internet proposal ² announced. February 2018: SpaceX launched its first two Starlink prototypes, called Tintin-A and Tintin-B. The test helped demonstrate the basic concept and refine the satellite's design. May 23, 2019: The first 60 Starlink satellites were launched into low Earth orbit aboard a SpaceX rocket and successfully reached an operational altitude of 340 miles (550 kilometers) above Earth. October.2020: Starlink standard internet service launched. Jan.2021: Laser terminals, or laser crosses, have been added to a batch of Starlink satellites, which allows the satellites to transfer information to each other. May.2021: 100th consecutive launch of the Falcon 9 rocket, carrying Starlink satellites for launch into space. June.2021: More than 1,500 active satellites, making Starlink satellites the largest constellation of satellites around the Earth, more than half of all active satellites that circled our planet. Aug.2022: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert announced an agreement between the two companies in August 2022 and plan to provide the service to T-Mobile customers after the satellite launches Starlink V2 complete. February 27, 2023: SpaceX began launching an updated version of Starlink, called V2 mini. The V2 mini serves as a precursor version of the fully designed V2. The complete Starlink V2 satellites will be launched on the Starship rocket on a date yet to be confirmed. When they do, the larger V2 satellites will have a greater data capacity than their predecessors and the ability to deliver services directly to cellular devices. May 2024: The milestone of 6,078 Starlink satellites in orbit is reached. To reach that number, for the past few years, every two weeks a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has lifted off and transported a new batch of about 60 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. July 3, 2024: Falcon 9 launch to transport 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Space Force Station Cape Canaveral, Florida.   Starlink has been active in initiatives that go beyond business, in humanitarian aid in contexts of destruction, resulting from the action of nature and/or human action. In response to emergencies, the Starlink website states: “By not having the limitations of traditional terrestrial infrastructure, Starlink can be quickly deployed to assist emergency teams in disaster situations. The Starlink team is proud to support and prioritize its service to emergency responders around the world and will continue to increase that support as we expand our coverage areas . ”   Humanitarian action in support of emergency situations Starlink's role in helping Ukraine Starlink has been a vital piece of Ukraine's communications infrastructure. Ukrainian government authorities publicly requested Starlink terminals on February 26, 2022, and two days later on February 28. 2022, the first Starlink equipment arrived. In early April 2022, SpaceX and the United States Agency for International Development ( USAID ), announced the delivery of approximately 5,000 Starlink terminals to Ukraine, with SpaceX directly supplying more than 3,000 of them. The number has grown considerably since then, to 25,000, according to the company's founder and CEO, Elon Musk. Starlink's role in helping Florida, United States After Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Florida in 2022, Starlink was able to quickly deploy terminals to restore internet to emergency responders in the hardest-hit areas, such as Fort Myers Beach . Similarly, Starlink has provided Internet access to support emergency response efforts following natural disasters in Tonga, Samoa and other Pacific islands hit by tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. Starlink's role in helping Tonga, Samoa and other Pacific islands As of February 2022, at least 50 Starlink terminals have been shipped to Tonga in the Pacific Ocean. The aim was to give its residents free access to the Internet, especially in remote villages. Tonga needed the terminals after suffering a massive volcano eruption and tsunami in January, as did Samoa and other Pacific islands that were also hit and assisted by Starlink. At the time, SpaceX said the terminals will allow communications to flow in some of the regions with the worst effects resulting from the eruption. Starlink's role in helping the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil The floods in Rio Grande do Sul , Brazil, resulting from intense rain between April 27 and May 5, 2024, caused a situation of sudden and unimaginable drama, with deaths, homelessness, total loss and damage to homes, commercial establishments, automobiles, stoppages of various activities, among other enormous difficulties. This has required gigantic relief efforts, assistance, donations and mobilizations aimed at recovering material losses, which will be slow, due to the enormity of the damage caused, as 85% of the cities in the State were affected. Businessman Elon Musk decided to donate 1,000 Starlink antennas to the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The donation included the provision of data services, free of charge, until the region recovers. The first batch was received at the Air Base in the city of Canoas-RS, on May 11, 2024 and the second and final batch was delivered the following day, at the same Air Base. In a statement, the Government of Rio Grande do Sul announced that the Starlink antennas will help “reestablish communication at the main points of Civil Defense, Public Security, health units, schools and essential public services during the period that the calamity continues” . Elon Musk's Starlink: How Is It Helping Humanity? ³ Source : youtube.com/@Cosmoknowledge Questions and clarifications As seen, undoubtedly, the existence of the Starlink satellite megaconstellation provides extraordinary benefits to humanity, however, there are questions. Astronomers have long complained about satellites affecting their ability to explore space through observations using ground-based telescopes due to sunlight reflecting off orbiting machinery. In response, Patricia Cooper, vice president of satellite government affairs at SpaceX, informed astronomers at a January 2020 meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Honolulu that “SpaceX is absolutely committed to finding a path forward so that our Starlink project does not impede the value of the research you are all carrying out.” SpaceX has taken steps in this regard. For example, recently launched Starlink satellites have visors designed to reduce the glare of sunlight on their structure. There are also questions about the disposal of old satellites and the risk of satellite collisions with spacecraft. In February 2022, SpaceX published a statement on its website that sets out why it believes that Starlink will never litter Earth's orbit with space debris or cause orbital collisions with other satellites. SpaceX claims it is a leader in satellite safety and has stated that a NASA program has already reviewed the anti-collision avoidance system for Starlink satellites. Each Starlink satellite is built with an anti-collision avoidance system capable of maneuvering the satellite. “If there is a 1/100,000 probability of collision (10x lower than the industry standard of 1/10,000) for a conjunction, the satellites will plan avoidance maneuvers,” the company said. SpaceX has teams of satellite operators to coordinate and respond to requests from other satellite companies, 24/7. The satellites were also tested for high reliability. SpaceX has launched more than 2,000 satellites for the first-generation Starlink network, with a failure rate of “just 1% after orbit raising.” According to satellite tracker and astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, 358 Starlink satellites were deorbited. There were no reports of its wreckage reaching the ground. “To be clear, SpaceX satellites are designed and built to completely terminate during atmospheric re-entry, during end-of-life disposal, and they do that,” wrote David Goldstein, SpaceX principal engineer, in a letter sent to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Congress, on October 9, 2023. All Starlink satellites operate in a “self-cleaning” low Earth orbit below 600 kilometers, meaning the satellites will naturally deorbit in five to six years and disintegrate in the atmosphere, generating no debris. “SpaceX is striving to be the most open and transparent satellite operator in the world,” the company added , “and we encourage other operators to join us in sharing orbital data and keeping the public and governments up to date with detailed information about operations and practices.” Additionally, the company said it is already openly sharing information about Starlink orbits with the FCC , the Federal Communications Commission, the US telecommunications and broadcasting regulator, and Space-Track.org , a public website. “Ultimately, space sustainability is a technical challenge that can be effectively managed with appropriate risk assessment, information exchange, and appropriate implementation of technology and operational controls,” SpaceX said. Starlink Mini: new launch of Starlink in the United States Available only in Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama, SpaceX has launched early sales of the Starlink Mini in the United States in June 2024, for a limited number of invited customers, for US$599. According to PCMag, in the United States, customers will also need to pay US$30 per month to receive internet via the portable antenna, as an add-on to their existing home service plan, which can currently cost US$90 or US$120. a month. Starlink Mini is a portable satellite dish that has built-in Wi-Fi that has the ability to transmit multiple 4K video streams simultaneously. The new antenna weighs 1.10 kg (2.43 lb), dimensions 289x259 mm (11.4x9.8 inches), with a size close to an Apple MacBook. This compares favorably to the regular Starlink satellite dish, which is larger: 51x30 cm (22.2x11.9 inches). The best part about the Starlink Mini antenna is that it has a built-in Wi-Fi router, so you won't need a separate router that attaches to your current Starlink antenna. SpaceX's Starlink Mini: Internet Anywhere! !³ - Source: Enlighten Hub Based on a speed test screenshot shared by Musk, Starlink Mini offers 100 Mbps download speed and 11.5 Mbps upload speed with 23 ms latency. This beats some landline and mobile phone connections while being good enough for streaming and surfing the net. The integrated Wi-Fi router supports WiFi 5 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) and also has an Ethernet port with “Starlink Plug”. The Starlink Mini antenna has only two connectors: a DC pipe for the power supply external connector and an RJ45 network connector. If you need to extend coverage to a wider area, you'll be happy to know that the Starlink Mini antenna is mesh compatible with Starlink satellites, allowing you to wirelessly pair it with another Starlink router. The antenna comes with a power supply, but the specifications also suggest that it can be powered via USB-C PD, as long as the supply can supply 20V at 5A. Starlink Innovations The traditional satellite-connected Internet, which predated Starlink, works using large spacecraft that orbit 23,236 miles (35,686 km) above a specific point on Earth. But at this distance, there are often significant delays in sending and receiving data. By being closer to our planet and networks together, at a final orbital height of around 550 km, Starlink satellites operate with an advantage over traditional satellites. Starlink satellites were designed to transport large amounts of information quickly to any point on Earth, even over oceans and in extremely hard-to-reach places where fiber optic cables would be expensive to lay. Instead of sending internet signals through electrical cables, which must be physically laid down to reach distant places, satellite internet works by sending information through the vacuum of space, where it travels 47% faster than fiber optic cables, it said. o Business Insider. According to Mark Handley, a computer networking researcher at University College London, who studied Starlink, in an interview with Business Insider, each Starlink satellite is linked to four others, using lasers . No other internet-providing satellite does this, and that's what would make them special: they can beam data onto the Earth's surface at nearly the speed of light, bypassing the limitations of fiber optics. Laser technology has been integrated into Starlink satellites that have been sent into space starting in 2021. SpaceX hopes this move could allow satellite internet coverage to reach areas where ground stations cannot be built, explained Gwynne Shotwell , president and chief operating officer of SpaceX, on August 24, 2021, during the 36th Annual Space Symposium, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. “This is the most exciting new network we’ve seen in a long time. Starlink satellites, in operation, can affect the lives of potentially everyone," said Mark Handley. For The Clarus Networks Group (2024), “[...] Its unique combination of global coverage, resiliency, high bandwidth, low latency and portable deployment capabilities is unmatched by any previous satellite internet system. Starlink empowers humanitarian workers, emergency teams and relief agencies to maintain vital connectivity and enable powerful applications like telehealth, remote education and real-time coordination – even after infrastructure-crippling disasters. Perhaps most importantly, Starlink represents a major step toward bridging the digital divide that has left so many underserved communities isolated from the immense opportunities of the internet age. By making broadband Internet accessible globally, Starlink can be the common thread that unlocks economic development, educational resources, financial inclusion and overall socioeconomic progress for those who need it most. The humanitarian impact of this technology is truly limitless as we work to create a more connected, resilient and equitable world."   By Luiz Cincurá luiz.cincura@high-techsociety.com   Grades: 1.Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, commonly referred to as SpaceX, was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk. It is an American spacecraft manufacturer, launch services provider, and satellite communications company headquartered in Hawthorne, California.   2.Also known as “ping”, latency is the time difference between the start of an event and the moment its effects become noticeable. In communications, latency is the time it takes for data to be transferred from one location to another. The greater the latency, the greater the delay in transmitting data and information. The lower the latency, the faster the data is transferred. 3. To display subtitles in your native language on YouTube videos, click on settings, English, click on English again and then click on auto translate . Next Scroll down until you find and click on your native language.   Sources: ASTRONOMY. BETZ, Eric. How do spaceX's Starlink satellites actually work? Available at: < https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/how-do-spacexs-starlink-satellites-actually-work/?utm_source=pocket_list > Accessed on: 29.jun.2024. SELF-EVOLUTION. AGATIE, Cristian. SpaceX To Launch Starlink Mini Portable Dish With Integrated Wi-Fi Router Soon . Available at: < https://www.autoevolution.com/news/spacex-to-launch-starlink-mini-portable-dish-with-integrated-wi-fi-router-soon-235510.html > Accessed at: 12 .Jul.2024. BUSINESSINSIDER. MOSHER, Dave. Elon Musk just revealed new details about Starlink, a plan to surround Earth with 12,000 high-speed internet satellites. Here's how it might work. Available at: < https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starlink-satellite-internet-how-it-works-2019-5#cables-have-a-speed-limit-too-light-moves-through- the-vacuum-of-space-about-47-faster-than-it-can-through-solid-fiber-optic-glass-8 '> Accessed on: 29.jun.2024. CDN STAR. The Impact of Milliseconds on Connectivity: How Latency Affects the User Experience. Available at: < https://cdnstar.com.br/o-impacto-dos-miliseconds-na-conectividade-como-a-latencia-afeta-a-experiencia-do-usuario/ > Accessed on: 07.July. 2024. DIGITALTRENDS. TORBET, Georgina. Musk says Starlink satellite internet now enabled in Ukraine. Available at: < https://www.digitaltrends.com/space/spacex-starlink-ukraine/ > Accessed on: 29.jun.2024. DIGITALTRENDS. MOGG, Trevor. Elon Musk suggests Starlink now has 250K customers. Available at: < https://www.digitaltrends.com/space/elon-musk-starlink-250k-customers/ > Accessed on: 05.July.2024. PEOPLE'S GAZETTE. SESTREN, Gabriel. Starlink: satellite internet antennas donated by Musk arrive in RS. Available at: < https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/brasil/starlink-antenas-internet-via-satelite-doadas-elon-musk-chegam-rs/?#success=true > Accessed on: 29.jun .2024. PCMAG. KAN, Michel. SpaceX: Here's Why Starlink Poses No Orbital Hazard. Available at: < https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-heres-why-starlink-poses-no-orbital-hazard > Accessed on: 29.jun.2024. SPACE.COM . PULTAROVA, Teresa; HOWELL, Elisabeth . Includes contributions by DOBRIJEVIC, Daisy; MANN, Adam.. Starlink satellites: Facts, tracking and impact on astronomy. Available at: < https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-satellites.html?utm_source=pocket_shared > Accessed on: 28.jun.2024. SPACE.COM . GOHD, Chelsea. SpaceX paused Starlink launches to give its internet satellites lasers. Available at: < https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-internet-satellites-lasers-launch > Accessed on: 02.July.2024. SPACENEWS. RAINBOW, Jason. SpaceX slams FAA report on falling space debris Danger. Available at: < https://spacenews.com/spacex-slams-faa-report-on-falling-space-debris-danger/ > Accessed on: 04.July.2024. THE CLARUS NETWORK GROUP. The Power Of Starlink For Humanitarian Efforts . Available at: < https://www.clarus-networks.com/2024/05/28/the-power-of-starlink-for-humanitarian-efforts/ > Accessed on: 19.Jul.2024. THE REGISTER. ROBINSON, Dan. Starlink stuffs the internet into a backpack by invitation only . Available at: < https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/21/starlink_mini_invitation/ > Accessed on: 12.Jul.2024. USAID. Safeguards Internet Access in Ukraine through Public-Private-Partnership with SpaceX. Available at: < https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/apr-05-2022-usaid-safeguards-internet-access-ukraine-through-public-private-partnership-spacex > Access at : 04.Jul.2024. WIKIPEDIA. Latency. Available at: < https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lat%C3%AAncia > Accessed on: 30.jun.2024. YAHOO! TECH. MOGG, Trevor. SpaceX's Starlink internet service reaches milestone . Available at: < https://www.yahoo.com/tech/spacex-reaches-milestone-starlink-internet-032052994.html?utm_source=pocket_list&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9nZXRwb2NrZXQuY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHo7L4_jPm2FoIRZ J-U3lFZjagbmLXFEc2PGzPpkckXs1TELoHilTQVvi8fxGmvWxfttT1bs9tJMM28swv5Iv6FAcPr8zv-AdYotP-Gz-j74Y_mEI9tjITK_bmJnUvGvhztJyYLZFJfUnV5sQxAT3_jQfgae_ E7RQ368ZXf1j2ai> Access at : 29.jun.2024.

147 LIVE CAMERAS, FROM DIFFERENT PLACES AROUND THE WORLD CHRISTMAS MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO We wish You a Merry Christmas Ⓒ CC BY 4.0, Twin Musicom ( twinmusicom.org ), Auld Lang Syne (Instrumental) 12 Days of Christmas (Instrumental) Carol Of The Bells CC BY 4.0, Audionautix ( audionautix.com ) Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring CC BY 4.0, Kevin MacLeod Canon and Variation Twin Musicom ( twinmusicom.org ) Angels We Have Heard 4.0, Kevin MacLeod, O Come All Ye Faithful (Instrumental) Saw Three Ships Audionautix ( audionautix.com ) It Came Upon a Midnight Clear CC BY 4.0, Kevin MacLeod O Christmas Tree (Instrumental) Deck the Halls (Instrumental) Jingle Bells (Instrumental) Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Instrumental) Silent Night (Instrumental) First Noel (Instrumental) We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Instrumental) Silent Night (Jazz) Oh Little Town of Bethlehem (Instrumental) Deck the Halls (Instrumental Jazz) Up on the Housetop (Instrumental) Jolly Old St Nicholas (Instrumental) Joy to the World (Instrumental Jazz) We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Instrumental Jazz) 1:01:34 I Jingle Bells (Instrumental Jazz). Ⓒ Free to use