This week, the coverage of one of humanity’s most impressive milestones was reduced to a climax of fire. Starship didn’t fail. Science divulgation, however, might have. — It’s finally happening. I’m sitting in front of the TV after a three-day of an excruciating wait. It looks like Starship is ready to launch and the excitement and exhaustion are palpable. From our different corners of the world, space enthusiasts (and everyone else we could drag in) watch in…

The aviation industry has committed to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050. In order to do so, companies are exploring the use of sustainable alternative jet fuels that can help address cost, environmental, and energy security challenges. Among the most promising candidates are hydrogen-fueled aircraft, which could enter the market as soon as 2035. — Due to kerosene-based jet fuel use, commercial aviation faces a variety of challenges. Although jets today are 80% more fuel-efficient per seat kilometer than those from the 1960s, there’s still no practical alternative mode of transport for long-haul flights. …

From exascale computing to 5nm graphics cards and 8K gaming, the most anticipated products of the year 2021 will bring unprecedented innovation, speed, and performance. These are the most promising announcements and our predictions for next year’s computer technology evolution. — A year ago, no-one would have been able to foresee how 2020 would leave an indelible mark on our collective memory. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on all areas of our lives, from how we work to how we communicate with each other. …

According to a market report, the global drone market is expected to grow from $22 billion in 2020 to $42.8 billion in 2025, driven by an acceleration in developments from China, Japan, and India. Drone deliveries could take a central role, alongside enthusiasts that could help sales reach $12 billion in 2021. — Drones are becoming increasingly popular. Over the past few years, these miniature pilotless aircraft have become indispensable for various businesses and government organizations due to their ability to increase efficiency and decrease workloads and production costs.

The manipulation and fabrication of digital images and videos is not a new phenomenon. However, recent developments in AI and deep neural networks have made the process of creating face-swapping deepfakes faster and easier. Deepfakes are being used to intimidate, demean, harass, undermine, and destabilize. This sophisticated synthetic media constitutes a new and unique challenge in the broader battle against online disinformation and the weaponization of technology.

The life science analytics market, which includes services and software, could reach a worth of $42.0 billion by 2025 (doubling that of 2020), at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7% between 2020–2025. This growth will be driven by big data, technological advancements, increased adoption of analytics solutions in clinical trials, and the need for data standardization, among others. — The benefits of analytics applied to life science are manifested in the early detection of prescription and treatment patterns across the entire health system. With the help of digital technologies, companies can improve their R&D productivity, manufacturing capabilities, sales effectiveness, and compliance management.

Reusable rockets have revolutionized access to space, reducing both the costs of access and the CO2 footprint of launches. Major entrepreneurial developments are to be expected in the coming years, including those from familiar frontrunners SpaceX and Blue Origin as well as new innovations from Virgin Galactic, ISRO, and Arianespace. Understanding the technology, its financial and environmental impacts, and their promising applications for space tourism, power generation, communications, and materials development, all hint at what’s to come.

Once a formative event in a person’s life, rocket launches are now becoming a weekly occurrence anyone can access and follow online. However, we rarely stop to think about the environmental costs of commercial space flight. With space exploration becoming increasingly significant in the coming years, what are the trade-offs between propellant types and which threats should we get ready to address?

Countries around the world have taken different measures to slow down or stop the spread of the virus. While China, South Korea, and Taiwan quickly dove into AI-powered screening and tracking, western democracies took a more human-driven direction. Almost ten months after the WHO declared the pandemic a global emergency, has one approach proven better than the other? — The first case of a person suffering from the COVID-19 virus was reported to the World Health Organization in December 2019. Since then, the pandemic has impacted economic activity worldwide and changed — perhaps permanently, the way we work and communicate with each other.