Artemis II: Preparing for a Historic Manned Mission (Part 2 of 5)

Daily Upsider on February 15, 2024

Artemis II Overview
Artemis II stands as the program’s first crewed mission, an endeavor that promises to take astronauts on a voyage around the Moon, further than any human has traveled before. The objective on this mission is not to land any astronauts on the moon. Instead it is to gather data, test equipment and voyage beyond the furthest manned voyage.

Scheduled tentatively for late 2025, this mission represents a pivotal moment in space exploration, setting the stage for the next giant leaps on the lunar surface and beyond.

The Power of the Space Launch System (SLS)
At the heart of Artemis II is the Space Launch System (SLS), a marvel of engineering and the most powerful rocket ever designed. Towering taller than the Statue of Liberty and boasting a thrust capable of outmatching the legendary Saturn V, the SLS is the backbone of NASA’s deep space exploration efforts. Its design and capabilities are crucial for carrying the Orion spacecraft and its crew beyond Earth’s orbit, further into space then ever.

Meet the Artemis II Crew
Christina Koch: Mission Specialist, known for her record-breaking stay aboard the International Space Station.

Jeremy Hansen: Mission Specialist, bringing a wealth of experience from the Canadian Space Agency.

Reid Wiseman: Commander, a seasoned astronaut with prior ISS experience.

Victor Glover: Pilot, who has spent time aboard the ISS and brings a fresh perspective to lunar exploration.

Artemis 2 crew: (left to right) Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman (seated), and Jeremy Hansen.

This team is set to embark on a mission that will lay the groundwork for future lunar landings and eventually, human exploration of Mars.

In the next part of our series, we’ll explore Artemis III, the mission poised to return humans to the lunar surface and introduce the innovative Human Landing System (HLS) that will make it possible.

The Artemis Program: A New Dawn for Moon Exploration (Part 1 of 5)

Daily Upsider on February 14, 2024

Introduction to the Artemis Program
The Artemis program, orchestrated by NASA, marks a revolutionary chapter in the annals of space exploration. Aimed at propelling humans back to the Moon and beyond, Artemis serves as a beacon for future interstellar aspirations, including manned missions to Mars. This endeavor is not only a continuation of lunar exploration but also sets the stage for establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

Why “Artemis”?
Named after the Greek goddess of the Moon and Apollo’s twin sister, Artemis embodies the spirit of lunar discovery and adventure. This nomenclature not only pays homage to the historic Apollo missions but also signifies a new era where the Moon becomes a gateway for broader cosmic exploration. The program’s primary spacecraft, Orion, further ties into this mythological heritage, named after one of the most prominent constellations and known as a hunting companion of Artemis.

The Artemis I Mission
Artemis I, the inaugural mission of this ambitious program, set a precedent with its uncrewed test flight that successfully orbited the Moon in late 2022. This mission was instrumental in testing the foundational technologies that would support future crewed missions, including the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS). Despite facing delays, Artemis I achieved its objectives, orbiting and flying beyond the Moon, demonstrating the capabilities and resilience of the equipment designed to carry humans deeper into space than ever before.

Stay tuned for the next installment in this series, where we’ll delve into Artemis II, the first crewed mission of the program, and introduce the Space Launch System (SLS) and the crew poised to take humanity farther into space than we’ve ever ventured.

Orion’s crew, command and service modules | Source: NASA (June 2022)

The Origin of the Classic Valentine Candy

Daily Upsider on February 14, 2024

People celebrate Valentine’s Day in different ways. Whether you’re into roses or prefer protesting the mushy holiday by wearing purple, there’s no right or wrong way to spend February 14th. Some prefers the classic “conversation hearts” to share a sweet treat (and message) with friends and loved ones.

Also known as “Sweethearts” or “Love Hearts,” these cute candies are super popular for Valentine’s Day, right after chocolates. In North America, they used to be made by Necco until 2018, when Spangler Candy Company took over (they also make Dum-Dums, Candy Canes, and Canada Mints). But let’s go back a bit.

The whole conversation hearts thing started in a pharmacy. Back in 1847, Oliver R. Chase made a machine to cut medicine faster at his Apothecary. When they switched out the medicinal stuff for sugar and flavoring, they got the first candy-making machine. Those round sugar discs became the original Necco wafers, still around today! Then Oliver’s brother, Daniel Chase, added a machine to stamp red dye on the discs, putting messages on the candy. By 1901, these turned into the conversation hearts we have now: heart-shaped, pastel-colored candies with short lovey messages.

From Oliver’s candy machine to today, making conversation hearts is pretty much the same. Crush sugar into powder, mix with other stuff, shape, stamp, and enjoy! After stamping, the candies dry under heaters, and then they mix different colored hearts before packing. Nowadays, the factories are much bigger, with Necco making 8 billion of these treats every year at its peak.

When Necco switched to Spangler in 2018, we missed out on conversation hearts for a whole year! Even in 2020, when they started making them again, shipping issues meant a year of blank conversation hearts. But luckily, with Valentine’s 2024 around the corner, the candies will be back in action!

Woman to Celebrate 80th Anniversary of Being Rescued on D-Day

Daily Upsider on February 13, 2024

Arlette Gondree was only four years old when British troops liberated her family’s café in Bénouville, Normandy, in June 1944, marking them as the first family freed from German control during WWII. This momentous occasion is vividly remembered by Madame Arlette, who plans to honor the 80th anniversary on June 5th by offering champagne to veterans, continuing a tradition her family has upheld annually.

Her parents played a significant role in the D-Day campaign’s success, spying on German soldiers frequenting their café and passing valuable information to the British, thanks to their multilingual abilities and connections with the French Resistance. The café, situated by the Caen Canal bridge, was of strategic importance, and its capture by British airborne troops was a pivotal first step in the Normandy Landings, the largest land, air, and naval operation in history.

Madame Arlette recalls the kindness of the soldiers who, upon liberating them, provided her and her sister with chocolate and biscuits, symbols of warmth and freedom. Her family’s café later served as a field hospital, with her mother, a trained nurse, caring for the wounded and dying.

Now residing in Warwickshire and married to Theodore Pritchett, Madame Arlette remains a bridge between the British and French, honoring her family’s legacy and the veterans’ sacrifices. The Pegasus Bridge Café, now a site of historical significance, continues to welcome visitors and veterans, keeping alive the memories of liberation and the enduring friendship forged in the aftermath of war.

You can read the full story here. It is incredibly touching with much of the story recounted by Arlette Gondree. It is well worth the quick read.

Bluetooth is About to Completely Change!

Daily Upsider on February 13, 2024

Bluetooth Auracast is a new way to broadcast and receive audio content and represents a significant leap in wireless technology. Developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), Auracast aims to change how audio works in public spaces.

Unlike traditional Bluetooth connections that require pairing between devices, Auracast allows for audio broadcasting to multiple receivers simultaneously. This feature is akin to a radio broadcast, where any Auracast-enabled device within range can tune into the audio stream without needing a direct connection.

Auracast is designed to work across a wide range of Bluetooth-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets, headphones, and hearing aids. This broad compatibility ensures that users can easily access broadcasts without specific hardware requirements.

It can transform public spaces by enabling venues like airports, gyms, and cinemas to broadcast audio to visitors’ personal devices. This application not only personalizes the user experience but also offers opportunities for accessibility improvements, such as delivering real-time translations or audio descriptions.

At home, Auracast can facilitate the simultaneous streaming of audio to multiple output devices. This feature simplifies sharing music or other audio content during gatherings and can enhance personal calls by allowing users to connect multiple headphones or speakers.

It also has the potential to significantly improve accessibility in public and private settings. By enabling direct streaming to hearing aids and cochlear implants, it can provide clearer audio for individuals with hearing impairments, making public information more accessible and reducing reliance on intermediary devices.

Despite its promising features, the adoption of Bluetooth Auracast faces challenges such as ensuring device compatibility, addressing privacy and security concerns in public broadcasts, and managing potential signal interference in crowded environments.

Still, it is a very interesting innovation and could definitely have some helpful applications.