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xtruss · 1 year ago

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Capturing The Ripples of Spacetime: LISA Gets Go-ahead

— January 25th, 2024

Today, ESA’s Science Programme Committee approved the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, the first scientific endeavour to detect and study gravitational waves from space.

This important step, formally called ‘adoption’, recognises that the mission concept and technology are sufficiently advanced, and gives the go-ahead to build the instruments and spacecraft. This work will start in January 2025 once a European industrial contractor has been chosen.

LISA is not just one spacecraft but a constellation of three. They will trail Earth in its orbit around the Sun, forming an exquisitely accurate equilateral triangle in space. Each side of the triangle will be 2.5 million km long (more than six times the Earth-Moon distance), and the spacecraft will exchange laser beams over this distance. The launch of the three spacecraft is planned for 2035, on an Ariane 6 rocket.

Led by ESA, LISA is made possible by a collaboration between ESA, its Member State space agencies, NASA, and an international consortium of scientists (the LISA consortium).

LISA – Measuring Gravitational Waves

Bringing ‘Sound’ To The Cosmic Movie

Just over a century ago, Einstein made the revolutionary prediction that when massive objects accelerate, they shake the fabric of spacetime, producing miniscule ripples known as gravitational waves. Thanks to modern technological developments, we are now able to detect these most elusive of signals.

“LISA is an endeavour that has never been tried before. Using laser beams over distances of several kilometres, ground-based instrumentation can detect gravitational waves coming from events involving star-sized objects – such as supernova explosions or merging of hyper-dense stars and stellar-mass black holes. To expand the frontier of gravitational studies we must go to space,” explains LISA lead project scientist Nora Lützgendorf.

“Thanks to the huge distance travelled by the laser signals on LISA, and the superb stability of its instrumentation, we will probe gravitational waves of lower frequencies than is possible on Earth, uncovering events of a different scale, all the way back to the dawn of time.”

The Spectrum of Gravitational Waves

LISA will detect, across the entire Universe, the ripples in spacetime caused when huge black holes at the centres of galaxies collide. This will enable scientists to trace the origin of these monstrous objects, to chart how they grow to be millions of times more massive than the Sun and to establish the role they play in the evolution of galaxies.

The mission is poised to capture the predicted gravitational ‘ringing’ from the initial moments of our Universe and offer a direct glimpse into the very first seconds after the Big Bang. Additionally, because gravitational waves carry information on the distance of the objects that emitted them, LISA will help researchers measure the change in the expansion of the Universe with a different type of yardstick from the techniques used by Euclid and other surveys, validating their results.

Closer to home, in our own galaxy, LISA will detect many merging pairs of compact objects like white dwarfs or neutron stars and give us a unique insight into the final stages of the evolution of these systems. By pinpointing their position and distances, LISA will further our grasp of the structure of the Milky Way, building upon the findings from ESA's Gaia mission.

“For centuries we have been studying our cosmos through capturing light. Coupling this with the detection of gravitational waves is bringing a totally new dimension to our perception of the Universe,” remarks LISA project scientist Oliver Jennrich.

“If we imagine that, so far, with our astrophysics missions, we have been watching the cosmos like a silent movie, capturing the ripples of spacetime with LISA will be a real game-changer, like when sound was added to motion pictures.”

Golden Cubes For LISA

Golden Cubes and Laser Beams

To detect gravitational waves, LISA will use pairs of solid gold-platinum cubes – so called test masses (slightly smaller than Rubik’s cubes), free-floating in special housing at the heart of each spacecraft. Gravitational waves will cause tiny changes in the distances between the masses in the different spacecraft, and the mission will track these variations using laser interferometry.

This technique requires shooting laser beams from one spacecraft to the other and then superimposing their signal to determine changes in the masses’ distances down to a few billionths of a millimetre.

The spacecraft must be designed to ensure that nothing, besides the geometry of spacetime itself, affects the movement of the masses, which are in freefall.

Solid Heritage and Future Teamwork

The spacecraft follows in the footsteps of LISA Pathfinder, which demonstrated that it is possible to keep the test masses in freefall to an astonishing level of precision. The same precision propulsion system that has also been flown on ESA’s Gaia and Euclid missions will ensure that each spacecraft maintains the required position and orientation with the highest accuracy.

Selected to be the third large mission of ESA’s Cosmic Vision 2015–2025, LISA will join ESA’s science fleet of cosmic observers to address two essential questions at the heart of the programme: What are the fundamental physical laws of the Universe? How did the Universe originate and what is it made of?

In this quest, LISA will work together with ESA’s other large mission currently under study: NewAthena. With a launch date foreseen for 2037, NewAthena is set to be the largest X-ray observatory ever built.

Notes For Editors:

ESA leads the LISA mission and will provide the spacecraft, launch, mission operations and data handling. Key instrumental elements are the free-falling test masses shielded from external forces, provided by Italy and Switzerland; the picometre-accuracy systems to detect the interferometric signal, provided by Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and the Czech Republic; and the Science Diagnostics Subsystem (an arsenal of sensors across the spacecraft), provided by Spain. The ultra-stable lasers, the 30 cm telescopes to collect their light, and the sources of UV light (to discharge the test masses) will be provided by NASA.

#ESA | Science & Exploration | Space Science #Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA)#NASA #European Space Agency (ESA)#Science & Exploration

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spacenutspod · 1 year ago

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The ESA’s Gaia Observatory continues its astrometry mission, which consists of measuring the positions, distances, and motions of stars (and the positions of orbiting exoplanets) with unprecedented precision. Launched in 2013 and with a five-year nominal mission (2014-2019), the mission is expected to remain in operation until 2025. Once complete, the mission data will be used to create the most detailed 3D space catalog ever, totaling more than 1 billion astronomical objects – including stars, planets, comets, asteroids, and quasars. Another benefit of this data, according to a team of researchers led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), is the ability to predict future microlensing events. Similar to gravitational lensing, this phenomenon occurs when light from background sources is deflected and amplified by foreground objects. Using information from Gaia‘s third data release (DR3), the team predicted 4500 microlensing events, 1664 of which are unlike any we have seen. These events will allow astronomers to conduct lucrative research into distant star systems, exoplanets, and other celestial objects. The team consisted of researchers from the Yunnan Observatories, the Key Laboratory for the Structure and Evolution of Celestial Objects, the Center for Astronomical Mega-Science, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), and the College of Information Engineering at Kunming University. The preprint of their paper, “Predicting Astrometric Microlensing Events from Gaia DR3,” recently appeared online, and an updated version appeared on November 7th in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Artist’s impression of the ESA’s Gaia Observatory. Credit: ESA Gravitational lensing has proven to be of immense value to astronomers, allowing for observation campaigns like the Frontier Fields program. This consisted of the venerable Hubble Space Telescope using lenses created by massive galaxy clusters to take the deepest views of the Universe ever and observe galaxies that existed about 1 billion years after the Big Bang. The James Webb Space Telescope has carried on in this tradition and recently collaborated with Hubble to produce even more detailed images of lensing galaxies. While similar in principle, microlensing has a different range of applications, including detecting and studying exoplanets and constraining the population of binary stars, neutron stars, brown dwarfs, and red dwarfs in our galaxy. But as lead author Su Jie told Universe Today via email, the applications go much farther: “Astrometric microlensing can be used to make precise measurements of the masses of lens stars that are independent of their assumed internal physics. Such direct mass measurements, obtained purely by observing the gravitational effects of the stars on external objects, are crucial for validating theoretical stellar models. In addition, it can also detect faint and compact lenses such as isolated neutron stars and black holes because the luminosity of the lens is not necessarily measured.” Like Gravitational Lensing, the Microlensing technique depends on chance alignments between massive objects and background sources. Given their importance to astronomers, the ability to predict when these microlensing events will occur is vitally important. This is where the ESA’s Gaia Observatory comes into play. For years, Gaia has gathered accurate information on the position, proper motion, and velocity of stars and other celestial objects in our Milky Way – which will be used to create the most detailed 3D space catalog ever made. Artist’s illustration of the Xuntian, or the Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST). Credit: CNSA To predict future microlensing events, Su Jie and his colleagues examined 820,000 potential lens stars obtained from Gaia‘s third data release (DR3). They also conducted mass estimates to determine the size of the lensing event and where and when the proper alignments would happen between now and 2070. Said Su Jie: “This information allows the future on-sky separation between a lens and source to be calculated as seen from Earth. Using data from Gaia Data Release 3, we predict 4500 astrometric microlensing events with a peak astrometric shift more than 0.1 mas. There are 293 lens stars that can cause two or more events, where five lens stars can cause more than 50 events. The detection of many events caused by one lens will help us to improve lens mass accuracy.” The cone search method they employed, where the search range expands for each potential lens star, could also reduce the possibility of missing future events. Moreover, added Su Jie, the stars and microlensing events they identified could be the subject of follow-up observations by Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and the proposed Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST) – aka. Xuntian, Chinese for “Sky Survey,” – which China plans to launch sometime next year. Further Reading: MNRS The post Gaia is so Accurate it Can Predict Microlensing Events appeared first on Universe Today.

#space #astronomy #news #science

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kaitycole · 4 years ago

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chapter 3: what are friends for?

Summary: Two little friends have always desired one thing: to end up as siblings. So when the chance presented itself after a finalized divorce, who were they to decline such an opportunity to finally bring their parents together?

Pairings: Bokuto Kōtarō x f!Reader

Word Count: 3344

Warnings: Angst. Fluff. Mentions of divorce, cheating, cussing

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters portrayed in this series. Part of the @babythotshq Dearest Daddy Collab

Tags: open (send me an ask to be added!)

April 2025

Bokuto is bouncing around as he waits in the lobby at the airport. For the twentieth time in three minutes, he pulls out his phone to check the time. Of course, he had gotten to the airport earlier than he needed to, but these last two months were the longest in his life. No amount of phone calls, video chats, or text messages could compare to having Seiko there with him. It was like his life felt empty without her, an emptiness that he hadn’t felt since the day he found out he was going to be a dad.

* * July 2019

She jumped on Bo’s back, laughter ringing in his ears as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He carried her back to his apartment after spending the afternoon down at Osaka Bay; visiting the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and ending the day at the Tempozan Ferris Wheel. The day was spent with fingers interlocked, heads resting on other’s shoulders and enough laughter to brighten anyone’s day. Jess made them take pictures at every booth, saying they both needed copies to remember the day; they were stuffed in the back pocket of her jeans.

Moving to Japan was the first big decision Jess had ever made without backing out. Her parents tried to dissuade her from moving so far, telling her that just changing cities would suffice; she knew it wouldn’t. Mark seemed to find his way to wherever she was, but she knew she was safe at her current distance. Plus she had Bo now and she couldn’t imagine not having him in her life.

He tapped the sides of her thighs telling her to jump off his back so he could grab his keys. She hopped off, leaning against the wall by his door. It was still a shock to her that the two of you had become so close in just nine months. It had taken her longer than that to get close to Mark, but then again there were totally different reasons with that.

Jess followed him into his one-bedroom apartment, slipping off her shoes before sitting on the couch. He excused himself to his room to quickly change; he opted to wear jeans while went out but he hates jeans. He threw on some sweatpants and a MSBY t-shirt. He smiled when he saw Jess, slightly curled up on the couch with the blanket she bought him draped across her.

Bo loved how comfortable Jess was at his place and he at hers. She looked like a natural being by his side and maybe if things had been different, if he had somehow gotten closure with you, maybe he could’ve tried with Jess. Given her a fighting chance if anything more than platonic ever arose between them. Bokuto’s own hesitation came from not waiting to even try to compete with Mark and he could almost guarantee that Jess felt the same about you.

The thought left him with a sinking feeling in his stomach, how many great individuals would end up right in front of him for him to turn away because of you? You, the love of his life. The married love of his life. Sometimes it hurt to see those around him in great relationships, having families of their own while he still held on to imaginary hope that you might be his one day.

He talked to Akaashi about it, who asked him if being just your friend was worse than potentially losing you and of course Bo frantically told him he’d stay friends forever if it meant having you in his life. He knew the former setter was sincere, after all he had been around for most of Bo’s one-sided relationship and had even been the one to encourage him to at least try back in high school.

“Wh—no!” Jess let out a sound that mixed together a gasp and a sob. He watched her pull her knees up under her chin and her body start to shake. Bo practically ran over to her, banging his knee against the coffee table in the process.

“Jess! Jess!” He sat next to her wanting to pull her into him, but something about the way she looked told him not to. He watched her chest begin to rise and fall rapidly as she choked out sobs while trying to catch her breath.

Bokuto kneeled down in front of her, placing his hands on her shoulders to try to stop her trembling. He felt helpless, what could he do? How could he help? Something was hurting her, someone he cared about more than himself and he was at a loss. What felt like forever passed and Jess finally looked up to him.

“Mar…married!” She let out another sob, turning her phone so Bo could see it; it was a picture of a tall blonde man in a suite with a woman who looked very similar to Jess next to him in a white dress.

He knew the feeling that Jess felt right now; that soul crushing agony. The massive weight being dropped on you, making you feel even more inadequate than you had been. At least you married someone who looked opposite of Bo, Mark practically married Jess’s twin. He remembered feeling empty when he got your wedding invitation; crashing at Akaashi’s because his empty apartment felt like it would swallow him whole if he was there alone.

“I’m so so sorry, Jess.” He climbed up on the couch beside her, pulled her into arms and after a few moments of resisting, she let herself relax in his arms. His thumb rubbed circles on her back and he gently rocked her back and forth. He wasn’t even sure this was helping, but he didn’t know what else to do.

A few minutes passed in silence before she looked up at him, her green eyes lined with tears and her face red and blotchy. Her expression was completely broken, like a porcelain doll that had been dropped and cracked from the impact. Bokuto used to think the day he watched you get married had truly broken his heart, the day that he knew he’d never have a chance to confess his feelings, but in this moment seeing someone as lovely and pure as Jess this way; today was the day his heart actually broke.

“He wasn’t ready for a relationship but he was ready to get married. Heh.” Jess let out a humorless laugh as she wiped the tears off her cheeks.

“You’re too good for him, Jess.” Bo placed his hands on her cheeks, looking into her eyes. “I mean it, that woman couldn’t hold a candle to you in any way.”

Jess felt her cheeks heating up underneath Bo’s touch and she offered him a small smile. Part of her wondered if he had felt this destroyed and fragile when you got engaged, got married and he had to watch. How selfish could people be? Jess wanted to believe that you were ignorant to Bo’s feelings, but she found that hard to believe with how straightforward he could be. Her eyesight was still blurry from her tears and her head was throbbing, but she wasn’t completely unaware of what her next move was.

In a blur, Jess’s lips crashed into Bo’s unsuspected lips. He was stunned at first, it wasn’t like he’d never kissed anyone before but certainly not Jess. When she pulled away, Bo thought his heart had stopped, she was looking at him, biting her bottom lip.

“Jess, you’re upset.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t want…I’d hate for you to do something you’d regret or that would hurt you.”

“Bo.” She looked at him, her eyes pleading with him; begging him for a closeness only he could give her in this moment. Fresh tears filled her eyes, “Please.”

It took three heartbeats for him to react to her words. He grabbed her wrist, pulling her onto his lap, his lips pressing into hers. Her arms wrapped around his neck as his tongue slipped between her lips causing her to deepen the kiss.

The smell of sandalwood washed over her as peonies and vanilla filled Bo’s senses. He pulled away just long enough to place his lips on her jaw before kissing along her jawline, traveling down her neck. She stopped breathing, shuddering against his chest as a knot tightened in her lower stomach. She unwrapped her arms from his neck, intertwining her fingers in his hair and pulling it slightly.

He let out a hiss between his teeth, his breath danced across her shoulder. She trailed a hand down his chest, her fingers slipped under the bottom of his t-shirt. His skin heated up as her fingers ran across his firm abs, he pulled back from her. His eyes met hers and after she nodded, Bokuto swiftly stood up with her legs wrapped around him before carrying her down the hall; he kicked the bedroom door shut with his heel.

* * October 2019

Jess found herself having trouble lifting her hand to knock on the door. It’d been a year since she met Bokuto and he had become her best friend; maybe that’s why this was so hard. There’s an uneasy feeling in her stomach, a lump in her throat as she let out another deep breath. She could do this, she was an adult and adults face their problems head on. Suddenly though, Jess doesn’t want to be an adult and part of her wants to go back to being five years old when her biggest problem was which crayon to use.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Before the door opened, Jess chickened out and started walking back towards the staircase. She couldn’t do this, she’d come back and tell him another day.

“Jess?”

She squeezed her eyes shut breathing harshly out of her nose. When she turned around, she saw a confused Bo; her heart sank. How could she do this? She couldn’t and of course the one time she hoped he wouldn’t be home, he was.

She heard him call out for her again before she turned around. She walked slowly over to him then headed into his apartment. He immediately picked up on her demeanor, offering her various snacks and drinks; trying to make her comfortable.

She mumbled something causing Bo to kneel in front of her, asking her to repeat herself. Her green eyes met his golden ones and she knew this was it. That once she said it out loud, once he learned of her secret, everything would permanently change.

“I’m pregnant.” She bit her bottom lip, a wave of nausea hitting her and it wasn’t from the baby.

Bokuto, over time, had become slightly predictable to Jess. He was loud and tended to invade one’s personal space without warning and that’s the Bo Jess knew well. But this Bo, the one who was silent, who had scooted back from her and had a blank expression on his face was new to Jess.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” The huge smile that appeared on his face threw her for a loop. “This is the greatest news anyone’s ever told me.”

“You aren’t mad?”

“Mad? Why would I be mad?” He jumped to his feet, fingers running through his hair, with the same huge smile plastered on his face. “I’m gonna be a dad!”

Jess felt herself laugh, the anxiety, fear, dread all disappeared and left her wondering why she was even worried to begin with. This was Bo after all and if she could do this with anyone it would be Bo.

“You’re gonna be a dad, Bo.”

“And you, a mom.”

She gasped as Bo scooped her off the couch, spinning her around. He quickly sat her feet to the ground before she saw him drop to one knee. “Jess, marry me.”

“I’m sorry, what?” She grabbed his hands. “Stand up.”

“I mean it Jess. Marry me.” He shook his head, “I know this isn’t proper, but I love you and want to do what’s right for you and the baby.”

She smiled at her favorite person, squatting down to be eye level with him. “Bo, I love you and love that you’d offer, but we don’t love each other in that way.”

“But we could try.” A pout covered his face, hair slightly deflated.

She shook her head, “You know it doesn’t work that way. I don’t love you in the way I love Mark and you don’t love me like you love Y/N. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

He pulled her into his chest, “I just don’t want to mess anything up, I don’t want to lose you either.”

“Lose me? Sir you are stuck with me forever now.” She felt him laugh against her shoulder. “We’ll figure things out as we go, I promise.”

“I’m gonna be a dad.” Tears fell down his face, a new type of happiness washed over him. “I have to call Akaashi.”

* * April 2025

The loud sound of the airport intercom brings Bokuto back to the present, looking up and his eyes land on Jess. He smiles when his eyes land on the little brunette who is proudly pulling her suitcase behind her. Bo squats down when the pair of them get closer to him, his face twists into confusion when Seiko stops walking.

She passes her suitcase handle to Jess before throwing her arms opening, “HEY! HEY! HEY!”

Bo’s face lights up as she rushes into his arms; he wraps his arms around her, picking her up, and spinning her around. He kisses her forehead, squeezing her tightly until she burst into a fit of giggles, trying to make up for the last two months. Jess smiles at the display, watching the two of them together was Jess’s favorite sight.

“Was that your idea?” Bo says to Jess, readjusting Seiko to rest on his left hip as his right-hand grabs Jess’ suitcase.

Jess just smirks as they walk out of the airport. Seiko’s arms wrapped tightly around his neck, unwilling to let go of her dad. Seiko loves her mom, she enjoyed spending time with her and her grandparents in California, but Seiko is a daddy’s girl.

** Seiko has all of her gifts on the coffee table, Bo looks at Jess who just holds her hands up in defense. Seiko is extremely hard to say no to, at least for Jess, Bo on the other hand claims to have invented the pouty look so he’s immune to Seiko’s antics.

“These are for Haruki! I got him a book about California, this tie-dye shirt and these gross jelly beans!”

“Gross jelly beans?” Bo looks directly at Jess who is laughing.

“They are odd flavored; booger, dog food, and others.”

“Anyways!” Seiko shouts, “I got Uncle ‘Kaashi this fancy pen and Misaki a matching tie-dye shirt to mine!”

“I’m sure they will love them!” Bo says excitedly, he leans back in his chair, welcoming the noise that fills his apartment; he’s missed it.

Seiko grabs a wrapped box she’s been hiding, handing it to Bo. “This is for you Daddy.”

Bo eagerly takes the box and unwraps it, Seiko is bouncing up and down as he starts to open it.

“Do you like your shirt, Daddy?” She beams at him, her eyes wide like a kid on Christmas morning.

Bo raises an eyebrow and Seiko immediately slaps her hand over her mouth. He smiles at her before removing the tissue paper and pulling out the shirt Seiko just told him about. He holds up a light blue shirt that has an owl with the words ‘papa owl’ underneath it.

“I love it!” He watches Seiko hold up her finger before running to her room.

“She’s really excited about this.” Jess says to him, sipping her tea.

Seiko comes rushing back into the living room, having changed her shirt to a matching one to Bo’s with the words ‘baby Owl’ on hers. “They match Daddy!”

“They sure do!”

“And this is yours too!” She hands him a small gift bag, but this time she acts shy about it. Bo pulls her into his lap and opens it. It’s a keychain with a picture of her on it, she holds up one of that has a picture of Jess on one side and him on the other. “For when you have a game away from home. So you don’t forget me.”

He wraps her into a hug, “I couldn’t forget about you even if I tried.”

* * October 2025

“Coming! Coming!” Bo shouts at the frantic knocking on his door, he looks at the clock on the wall: 10:15PM.

“I know it’s late. I should’ve called.” You start talking a mile a minute as soon as the door opens, your son leaning against your leg half asleep. “Can you watch Ruki?”

He blinks a few times, trying to wake up himself. “Yeah, sure, come in.”

You and Haruki enter into his apartment; Seiko comes around the corner, the noise having woke her up; tightly clinging to her favorite blanket. Seiko drags her feet towards Haruki, she takes his hand and they both walk over the couch. He rests his head on the arm of the couch as Seiko drapes her blanket over him.

“What’s going on?” Bo asks, still looking at you in confusion, reaching out to put a comforting hand on your arm.

You look around before stepping closer to Bo, leaning in to whisper in his ear. “Youta came home late, drunk, and yelling. I’d just rather Haruki not be around for that.”

Bo’s jaw clenches, in all honesty he’s never thought Youta was good enough for you. Not because he has feelings for you, but if you had to be with someone else he’d at least want it to be someone who deserved you.

“Of course, he can stay here. Maybe you should stay too.” He shrugs, “at least until tomorrow.”

You shake your head, biting your bottom lip. “I think it’s best if I handle this now. I’ll let you know when I’m on my way back.”

“He can stay the night. I’m sure Seiko would love it.”

The two of you glance over at the couch, Seiko and Haruki huddled together, barely covered by Seiko’s baby blanket. It had been a gift from Akaashi, a simple blanket with owls on it and even as she gets older, the blanket follows her; Bo has to take it and wash it while she sleeps.

You look at him, nervously looking at the clock. “Are you sure? I’ll come back first thing in the morning so he doesn’t mess up any plans.”

He puts a hand on your shoulder. “Take your time. He’s fine here. I promise.”

“Thank you.” You wrap your arms around him, giving him a hug before placing a quick kiss on his cheek. Smiling up at him, you feel thankful for him, for everything that he’s been doing for you since the locker mix up; he truly is your best friend.

“No worries. That’s what family does, right?”

You nod at him as you quickly rush over, placing a kiss on Haruki’s forehead before leaving. Bo lets out a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair before heading down the hall. He grabs the extra futon from the hall closet, setting it up in Seiko’s room. Going back to the living room, he scoops up Seiko first, tucking her into her bed, but when he heads back into the living room, Haruki is sitting up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.’

“Uncle Bo?”

“Yeah buddy?” He stretches his arms out for Haruki to climb into them so he could carry him. He rests his head on Bo’s shoulder, his voice lagging from the sleep setting back in.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything, what’s up?” Haruki climbs onto the futon, Bo pulling the blanket up.

“What’s a divorce?”

Previous/ Masterlist /Next

#bokuto kotaro #bokuto x reader #bbthots collab #dearest daddy series

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secretagentdreamer · 5 years ago

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Day 27: Ransom

Fandom: Marvel. Character(s): Peter Parker. Morgan Stark. Steve Rogers. Warnings: kidnapping, drugging, implied/reference to rape but I promise it doesn't happen Word Count: 1230

-*-

2025

“Pen, wake up! Penny, what’s happening?” Morgan’s scared voice pulls at Penny’s consciousness. Penny groans and grumbles something near unintelligible about wanting five more minutes. “Penny, you gotta wake up!” There’s the following sound of Morgan sniffling through tears and that pulls Penny fully back to awareness and she blinks open an eye. And immediately lets out another groan due to pain. She’s slumped haphazardly onto a concrete floor, limbs sprawled like someone had just tossed her onto the ground. Which, as the memories slowly come back, she wouldn’t be surprised if someone had. Penny had been taking Morgan on a shopping trip: to find a birthday present for mom. It had been relatively early in the morning; Penny had been hoping to be in and out before it got busy, plus the weather had been bad so many people weren’t even awake yet. One second the two sisters had been walking around, Morgan chattering away excitedly and Penny smiling and occasionally making comments, then the next Penny’s spider senses had been creating a sharp pain at the base of her skull, so strong that it brought her to her knees.

Or maybe that had been whatever poison/sedative was coursing through her bloodstream thanks to the dart sitting firmly in her neck. But hey tomayto, tomahto. Penny manages to hold on to consciousness for a dozen or so more moments: just long enough to see Morgan fall in a heap on the wet dirty ground with a dart sticking from her arm as well and a pair of heavy black boots step into view before Penny blacked out completely.

“Are you alright, Morg? They didn’t hurt you, did they?” Penny asks as she tries to force her body into a sitting position, her limbs feel like they’re made of lead but she gets there in the end. As soon as Penny’s sitting up, she’s got an arm full of crying six-year-old.

Morgan is still damp from falling onto the wet concrete so they can’t have been out for too long. Morgan shakes her head against Penny’s collar bone. “No, I’m not hurt. I want daddy and mommy.”

“I know, sweetheart. I promise I’ll get you back to them. I just gotta figure out, how to get us out of here.” They’re in a small concrete room, no windows, and only one door: it looks to made of steel but with her strength, Penny can work with that. Penny is just about to set Morgan down when the door is thrown open and four big men dressed in black stride into the room. Morgan lets out a whimper and Penny immediately changes to shove Morgan behind her, shielding her younger sister.

“Aw, look, the little brats are awake.” The man in the front, the smallest height wise but burliest amongst the group, coos. He turns his head slightly and speaks to one of the men behind him. “Grab the baby brat.” He commands and Morgan lets out a sob.

“No, you can’t take her! Take me instead!” Penny begs, scrambling onto her knees so she can protect Morgan better. No way in hell is she letting them take her baby sister away from her: her limbs may still feel weak like a newborn baby but she’s gonna go down fighting before letting them touch Morgan.

“Don’t need to stress so much about it: aren’t you just the baby sitter after all? The Stark’s must pay you a lot to care that much about the brat.” The leader grins a sick smile as the man he gave the order too advances. “Relax, we just want to make a ransom video. We won’t hurt her. Much.”

“Don’t you fucking touch her! Take me: I’m a Stark as well!” Penny nearly shrieks in panic. But the advancing man pauses, looking back to the leader in confusion.

The leader looks momentarily confused before he starts to laugh. “No, you’re not. Don’t lie to me. Everyone knows there’s only one Stark brat.”

“Well clearly you don’t shit then, do you?! I’m Penelope Maria Stark, Tony Stark is my father. Take me instead. You can rough me up more, I don’t care, just don’t take her. I’m begging you: just please leave her out this!” Penny’s already on her knees, so she might as well commit to the whole groveling side of this.

The leader has stopped laughing. He’s looking at Penny thoughtfully. “Okay then, grab her instead, Stone. You and the other men can have more fun with her then with the baby brat.” Penny swallows nervously at the tone and what his words are implying. But a quick glance behind her, at Morgan, silently sobbing, settles any fears she might have.

Penny Stark would do anything and everything to protect her baby sister.

“Don’t be scared, baby,” Penny rushes out as Stone grabs by the forearm and lifts her like she weighs nothing. “Daddy will come and save you. You’ll be safe.” Penny promises. Morgan is clinging feebly to Penny’s hand; she doesn’t want to be alone. Which, rightfully so, which six-year-old would want to be alone after being kidnapped, but Penny can’t let her see what she knows is going to come next. And as Stone drags her across the floor, Morgan is being dragged as well. “Morgan, baby, please, you’ll be safer here. Daddy’s going to come and save you. But you have to let go, please.”

Morgan lets go.

Penny couldn’t be prouder as she watches Morgan scramble back away from the men to hide against the corner of the room. Hopefully, this will be enough to keep her safe until dad or someone can come and rescue her.

Morgan lets out a shrill scream as the door is kicked open with enough strength to send it crashing into the wall with a loud bang. Morgan doesn’t know how much time has passed since the bad men took Penny away, all she knows is that Penny hasn’t come back and Morgan is terrified that they’re hurting her big sister. Maybe they’re coming back to hurt Morgan as well. So, Morgan cowers, trying to appear as small as possible: maybe they won’t see her and they’ll go away.

“Morgan, sweetheart?” Morgan looks up in surprise at the familiar voice. The relief that rushes through her is so strong tears immediately spring to her eyes and start falling.

“Steve?” She whispers as her daddy’s friend walks into the room and crouch down in front of her.

“Yeah, Morgs, it’s me. I’m here to take you back to your daddy and mommy, they’re really worried about you at the moment.” Steve says with a gentle smile. As he finishes his words, Morgan is already throwing herself at him and clinging to him as she cries into his neck.

“Where’s Penny?!” Morgan yells, pulling back slightly. “The bad men took her away: they were going to hurt her! I want Penny!” She looks around but can’t see her and that only increases her panic more.

“Hey, hey, it’s alright, Bucky and Sam have her. They’re taking her to a hospital. She’s... she’ll be alright, I promise. I’ll take you to meet your parents there at the hospital. Okay?” And even though Morgan is finally safe as Steve carries her out of the building, she can’t help but cry: because Penny got hurt protecting her.

#whumptober2019 #day 27 #marvel fanfiction #my writing #peter parker #morgan stark #steve rogers #genderbend!peter parker #female peter parker #iron dad #iron family #spider son #im still a day late but oh well

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carry-on-big-bang · 8 days ago

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COBB 2025 Sign-ups are open!

Artist Sign up form right here!

Writer Sign-Up Form right here!

Just a reminder of the FAQ and rules if you are unfamiliar with this event before signing up! And here is the schedule.

#carry on big bang #cobb #carry on #simon snow #baz pitch #snowbaz #announcements #cobb schedule #mod kal #cobb 2025 #carry on big bang 2025

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dolly-little-sunshine · 5 years ago

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We can love again

In library since yesterday, to concentrate on the writing a bit better, even though I still manage to escape and came onto the blog to blab about some stuff first. Really enjoy the time at school, looking at the young students, making the same mistakes like I did, discussing new and trendy knowledge that I was not taught, feeling caught by the new wave and unease and remember to carry on the learning and progressing. I enjoy an environment where things are unsettled yet moving forward. Like now, like here.

The school computer however does not allow change to the keyboard language so I’ll have to type in English today. Want to share a growing emotional journey towards one particular company, one really keen opportunity:

The job seeking journey in general has been pretty much ‘yea yea I’ll get something new and different, broaden the horizon while most importantly paying the bills and paying HUA! to grow’, as the Dyson contract only has 4 weeks left (with next week spending in Madrid for the big data module), I started various conversations with internal teams as well as looking out for external opportunities. The market is currently flooded with two kinds: consultant type of roles, corporate strategy, business strategy lead, quite classic MBA graduate types, and start-up PM roles, very vast, almost absolute majority of tech and software based roles. Influenced by Luke and hardware engineering background throughout the working life, I believe more in a service/digital/whatever the surface level offering is backed by a tangible existence rather than the ‘we can solve your problem with this new app’.

If apps alone can solve real problems, why the least connected country Japan has the highest efficiency whilst China with the most advanced digital technologies are still in such a faff all the time. Tangible offerings guide and shape people’s behaviours to solve the real problem, whereas digital technologies mitigate and transfer them to someone else problem.

I have been plainly/emotionally-stably searching, until Lilium came about: the initial application was fairly normal, it was during my mass application process, where like to any other business, I provided a CV, a few brief lines of why want to join Lilium and no cover letter. Had a brief read about the company, thought it was interesting but didn’t dwell on it too much, not a top dog name and there’re a few other roles going on at the time.

The German efficiency is not a bluff, the next day, I got an email inviting to an HR video chat already. The prep process for that threw me more surprises and excitement about the idea, the team and the company. First and foremost, it’s a business with a goal, launch the first-ever fully electric 5 seater air taxi (VTOL) by 2025, enable air travel for anyone anywhere; it has a team that I like, 4 PhD graduate co-founders, similar age to me, with the dream to fly, with the passion and genuineness to offer something to everyone, not exclusively to rich people, smart, committed, German, like you enabled the commercial side of the ‘fantastic four’ from the Big Bang Theory; at last, it reminds me of Dyson when I first joined, or even the days just before I joined. The journey of scale-up, the unpredictability, thrill and expectation to grow and transform. The idea to bring hardware and software together, the simplified design, the desire to satisfy and smoothify consumer’s journey.

The HR guy is called Luke too, a big bushy beard guy, had a nice chat, fairly engaging and open, and 2 days later the next stage invite came through, to talk to VP of Product, Patrick Naven, one of the co-founders, also one of my favourites so far from product connection, charisma, presentation style. I read through the website again, looked up their competitors, read Patrick’s profile and watched a few videos of him talking about Lilium, studies the investors’ profiles. The conversation happened yesterday, I was absolutely devastated when the internet connection was so poor and the background noise was quite high in the library communal area. What was worst is that Patrick’s voice didn’t come through the headset but through the laptop directly, definitely not the best openning and I could see the ‘oopsy, err...what’s going on’ from his face, slightly awkward and don’t know what to say. I gave up the headset in the end and we went with computer video chat directly, which meant that my face went really close to the camera to be able to hear and hoping he could hear me clear - that was the whole point about preparing and setting up in advance --- so my big massive face did not populate the screen! However I managed to bring out the points and comment on areas he happened to be interested too.

When asked the question about what frustrates you, it was the first time to hear a real and honest answer,comparing to a few others where they would talk about change of priorities or too much to do not enough people to actually put the positive and promising spin on a negative answer intended question. I like Patrick as a person and I think vise versa, really hope that I went through this stage and get invited to an on-site one --- already getting nervous about that one, as it’ll be with Remo the CCO and Carlos, the VP Digital Technology, both extremely experienced and solid in their background, technical and commercially equally strong, I’ll have to do more hardworking prep work if getting the invite.

Job seeking is very much like a speed dating journey, it’s a two way choice, the start-ups are like youthful singles in the crowd more using this experience to try out different people to know what they’re looking for and who suits them better; the corporate are like mature single parent, constraint by some stereotype and really focus on the industry background and work experience, like a widow looking for a widow to share the emotional commonality. I didn’t expect this much self-reflection though - I start to really think hard about my almost 5 years of Dyson life, what’s embedded in me subconsciously and what I am trying desperately to jump out of. The design thinking, freedom in user understanding, appreciation for aesthetics are much more valueable than it has been. I remembered the joy and hope when heard back from Lyer for getting the competitor analyst role back in 2015, the solo jump and woopie in the narrow living room of Dolls house, the fast decision, the exciting and hopeful days in the old cafe.

Now I am so glad, feel sweet, blessed, grateful, yet also unsettled, unease that I can love again, to another business, to another rising field, to build, to grow, to travel, to fly. Thanks to the emerge of Lilium. Thank you for showing me that there is another job, another angle, another world, another way, there is you, that I can love again.

The despair of losing Johnny was still fresh and sharp, the loneliness and sadness of working hard aimlessly for 2 years was still hug-worthy, until I moved abroad, until I met Luke, until a new world came to me and I came to it, so pleased, that I can love again.

The frustration over Dyson and its lack of diversity, snobby hierachy is still blunt and hurtful, the journey Prof John Lyon shared, the flair of entrepreneurship, the joy and fighting and working with Zi in HUA! The upcoming event and the continued conversation with more interesting people. I’m glad I chose MBA, and MBA chose me, so pleased, that I can love again.

It is always a journey of seeking and fighting, if the mountain doesn’t come to me, I will go to the mountain. We will go over and beyond, the past be the gone, the future at the dawn. Continue to search and believe, when the time comes, we will love again.

I’m glad, we can love again.

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atlasgroupme · 5 years ago

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8 Reasons Why T-Shirt Printing Business Will Trend in 2019

Think of the world’s most iconic t-shirts. Three Wolf Moon, Bob Marley, Tuxedo… – what do they all have in common? What is a similar thing that has made these t-shirts favorite among the people all around the world? Well, it’s the t-shirt design. Every season we see new fashion trends.The one covering piece that ne’er gets out of trend is ‘t-shirt’.Whether it’s a graphic tee, plain oversized t-shirt, or body-hugging t-shirt, they have always ruled the trend and are liked by people of all age groups. If you check up on the most recent reports, you will learn that the trend of custom t-shirt design has grown tremendously in the past few years. The global marketplace for custom tee shirt printing business is anticipated to cross ten billion USD by 2025. You must have seen that heaps of celebrities are carrying them to unfold social messages or setting a trend. If you’ve got a web tee shirt printing company, then you’ll be able to relate to the current development within the market. Especially the t-shirt printing in Dubai are there to attract more customers, they precisely provide them with what they are looking for. They know their market really well. They must have come up with some latest and unique designs. That is how their market always blooms. If you have a doubt if the t-shirt printing business will bring you the desired sales figures, let us assure you that it will. You can invest in the business confidently, expecting high profits.

Here Are The 8 Reasons Why T-Shirt Printing Business Will Trend In 2019:

01. Branding:

Every year thousands of new businesses get started. This is making little challenging for companies to get the attention of their target audience. In order to spread the word about the company and grab the attention, companies have started making use of custom t-shirts. Have you ever thought why car companies put their company logos in the front and back of the car? It’s for branding purposes. Putting a logo and other information about the brand on custom t-shirts helps companies in creating brand awareness and drawing attention. They communicate the brand message in a more casual and friendly way. It can be worn anytime and anywhere and there is no chance that the person wearing it will get unnoticed.

02. Fad For TV Series:

Big Bang Theory, Game of Thrones, Stranger things – no matter wherever you go, you will always find fans of these series. Though these TV series are still going on, fans like to flaunt clothes linked with these series or their characters.If you have a t-shirt maker tool, you can help your customers in creating a design of their own choice. They can make a selection of colors, graphics, fonts, etc. as per their taste and style. Before going for final t-shirt printing, the tool must allow them to see how the design will look on their t-shirt.

03. Boosting Team Spirit:

Over the past few years, companies have started realizing the importance of creating a strong company culture. Custom t-shirts are a great way of developing a strong emotional bond with the company. It unites internal teams, thus increases motivation and commitment among employees to achieve the company’s goals.

04. Customer Loyalty:

In this highly competitive world, where competitors are just a few clicks away, it takes months or even years for companies to gain customer loyalty. Researchers have shown that customers are willing to stick around with those companies that have created a great experience for them. Instead of just depending on websites or events, companies have started giving print t-shirts as a freebie on minimum purchase of any of their products. It is helping them in retaining old customers and making new customers feel special.

05. For Making Fashion Quotient:

Swaggers are always ready to make style statements. In order to show off their sense of style, they always prefer to wear custom print shirts. They can flaunt their fashion quotient by wearing t-shirts that set them apart from others.

06. Off-The-Clock Marketing:

Custom t-shirts are like a free off-the-clock marketing tool. Well-designed t-shirts encourage employees and customers to wear them anytime anywhere, thus helping companies in building brand identity.

07. Less Costly:

As compared to other forms of advertising like hoardings, T.V, etc. custom t-shirts are one of the most cost-effective ways to promote business. Online t-shirt maker tools have also made it easy for people to design shirts or t-shirts for any occasion. In addition to this, a good quality t-shirt has a longer shelf life, helping the brand in gaining visibility for a longer period. This has increased the demand for t-shirts.

08. Promoting A Safe Planet:

Nowadays, people have become more aware and concerned about the environment. It is making them use eco-friendly products. Not only do these t-shirts have quotes that motivate people to protect the planet, but they also use minimal energy and carbon. Why not consider setting up an environmentally friendly t-shirt printing company? After all, there is no planet B!

Especially printing in Dubai is really growing fast. With the new design ideas and the right marketing strategies, they are definitely taking their business to the next level. Additionally, they never just stick to a single type of printing. They discover more options so that they can make a mark in the industry. The diversity of their business makes it profitable and with the right printing knowledge, they can certainly make the most of it.

#T shirt printing in Dubai #printing in Dubai

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shenzhenblog · 6 years ago

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China Wants to Build the First Power Station in Space

China’s space ambitions are shifting into a higher orbit.

Following its successful and world-beating trip to the far side of the moon, China is preparing to build a solar power station in space, as the world’s No. 2 economy strives to burnish its superpower credentials. With an $8 billion annual budget for its space program, second only to the U.S., China is seeking to compete with its rival for economic, military and technological dominance.

Scientists have already started construction of an experimental base in the western Chinese city Chongqing. Initially, they plan to develop a smaller power station in the stratosphere between 2021 and 2025, a 1 megawatt-level solar facility in space by 2030, and eventually larger generators, according to the state-backed Science and Technology Daily.

Here’s what China’s been doing in space:

Moon Exploration

The Yutu-2 moon rover, taken by the Chang’e-4 lunar probe on the far side of the moon.

Source: China National Space Administration (CNSA)/AFP via Getty Images

The nation’s space scientists successfully landed a lunar probe on the far side of the moon on Jan. 3, capping a series of missions and giving a boost to China’s ambitions. Landing on the unexplored region will enable Chang’e-4, the rover named after the mythical Moon Goddess, to better study the moon because of the lack of electromagnetic interference from Earth. The vehicle is equipped with a low-frequency radio spectrometer to help scientists understand “how the earliest stars were ignited and how our cosmos emerged from darkness after the Big Bang,” according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency.

Green Shoots

Reminiscent of the 2015 science fiction film “The Martian” starring Matt Damon, China’s lunar mission is also testing if the barren moon can support life. Pictures sent back from Chang’e-4 last month showed the first green leaf from cotton seeds nine days after the experiment was initiated, according to Chongqing University, which led the biological project. The test load on the mission carried cotton, canola, potato, yeast and fruit fly.

More Missions

China has more such missions in the pipeline. Four more versions of the Chang’e probe are in the offing, with at least two of them planned for a landing on the moon’s south pole, according to Wu Yanhua, vice administrator of the China National Space Administration. The agency will also explore setting up a research base on the moon. A Mars probe is likely by the end of this decade.

Space Station

China aims to build its own space station around 2022. Dubbed Tiangong, or Heavenly Palace, it will have a core module and two other modules for experiments, altogether weighing 66 tonnes and able to carry three people, with a designed life cycle of at least 10 years. The facility would be used for scientific research in a dozen areas including biology, physics and material sciences.

Private Rockets

A mock up of the Crew Dragon spacecraft at the Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) headquarters.

Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

President Xi Jinping has loosened the government’s monopoly on space launches, fueling the formation of small domestic companies with dreams of challenging companies such as Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic. The startups are receiving funding from China-based venture capitalists and private equity investors and can also rely on the expertise of rocket scientists from China’s space program.

GPS Challenger

Taking its rivalry with the U.S. to the heavens, China is spending at least $9 billion to build a navigation system and cut its dependence on the American-owned GPS — whose satellites beam location data used by smartphones, car navigation systems, the microchip in your dog’s neck and guided missiles. And, all those satellites are controlled by the U.S. Air Force, making the Chinese government uncomfortable. So, it has developed an alternative called the Beidou Navigation System, which eventually will provide positioning accuracies of 1 meter (3 feet) or less with use of a ground support system.

China’s $9 Billion Space Plan to Challenge the Dominance of GPS

Launching of the the 24th and 25th Beidou navigation satellites in Xichang, China, on Nov. 5, 2017.

Photographer: Wang Yulei/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images

Space Junk

The Asian power is developing sophisticated space capabilities such as “satellite inspection and repair” and clearing up orbiting junk — “at least some of which could also function” as weapons against U.S. satellites, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency said this month. China’s Foreign Ministry has said the U.S. allegations were “groundless.”

Note : This article was originally published on Bloomberg

— With assistance by Dong Lyu

China Wants to Build the First Power Station in Space was originally published on Shenzhen Blog

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jesusvasser · 6 years ago

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Volkswagen, Porsche Dump Diesel for EVs, Mercedes Gets Smart

The Volkswagen Group looks to cut costs while it pivots

VW and Audi turned diesel into a dirty word by inventing and applying so-called defeat devices across the range. In the process, they thoroughly tainted their brand image and alienated loyal customers stuck with cars whose ratings had dropped from desirable to dead stock within a few months. But unlike Porsche, which absorbed tens of thousands of windfall oil burning engines for almost ten years before pulling the plug in late September, Wolfsburg and Ingolstadt still need the diesel-drinkers to meet their CO2 targets.

Even though the diesel has been re-engineered in a hurry and now fully complies with the stringent EU6 temporary emission norm, the gun-shy punters still fear city driving bans and crippling resale values. That’s understandable yet tragic, because clean diesels are no longer fake news. Instead, the very best of them harm the environment less than gasoline hybrids while retaining their torque and consumption advantage in full. In terms of noise and tailpipe odor, however, Rudolf D’s combustion principle obviously no longer complies with the core values of high-tech trend-setters like Porsche.

Oliver Blume and his predecessor Matthias Müller were among the first CEOs to jump on the BEV bandwagon and to compile a radical phase-out strategy for the gas engine. They kicked off the Mission E program to create Germany’s first Tesla fighter, they were at one point close to replacing the best-selling Macan with a zero-emission model, and they set out to boost Porsche’s BEV penetration to 50 percent of the mix by 2023.

Thanks to the development of the mass market all-electric Volkswagen ID, which will be priced similar to a mid-line Golf and due next year, Porsche had carte blanche to convert its entire model range to plug-in and electric power by 2028. And by entire model range, one must include both sports cars, namely the replacements of the mid-engine 718 and the tenth-generation 911. While even the most detailed ten-year plan is at best safe for the next four to five years, it is little short of sensational that Porsche has its mindset focused on a brand-new all-electric 911, which will be offered in addition to the conventional 992 replacement.

Mission E aka J1 aka Taycan will come to market next autumn, and it won’t differ dramatically in appeal and appearance from the show car. The same applies to the CUV derivative, aka Cross Turismo, which has been penciled in for late 2020. Although it didn’t clinic particularly well in the US due to its low stance, we still don´t expect the real thing to be a proper SUV. Proportions are key for every Porsche, so a higher roofline is less likely than some token badland add-ons. A two-door coupé with a soft-top sidekick based on J1 would be the fanciest trick in the book, but financial risk and the need to control the increasingly complex portfolio doesn’t leave much room for experiments early on in the e-age. The supplier community suggests that major mid-cycle improvements are due for Taycan only four years after the start of production. The prime goal is bound to take out cost and put in more power, range, and durability.

Instead of shifting the DNA from J1 straight to PPE (Premium Platform Electromobility), the platform co-developed with Audi, when Taycan expires at the end of 2026, Porsche is now allegedly determined to carry on with a heavily revised architecture codenamed, you guessed it, J2. If all goes according to plan, J2 will switch to solid state batteries which can do everything better than lithium ion cells—at a price.

There is no major change of body styles in the cards, but the aforementioned silent two-door GT always remains an option, even though Porsche should leave Audi and Bentley enough room for their J1 spin-offs. In terms of available powertrains, we still stand at a nominal 300/400/500 kW (402/536/670 hp) powered by a choice of LG Chem batteries rated at 80 and 95 kWh. All four wheels are driven via a two-speed transmission, the maximum torque one can play with from third upwards is 737 lb-ft, and as long as you don’t squeeze the energy cells out like a lemon (0-60 mph in 3.5 sec, 160 mph) the driving range should be in excess of 300 miles.

Even the self-described e-junkie Oliver Blume no longer intends to make the next Macan transfer from pump to plug over night. The plan is now to extend the life of the current model until 2024, which would almost certainly require a major facelift in 2021 or thereabout. Audi has already signaled that it will agree on a similar timing for the next Audi Q5, which the Macan III will again be twinned with.

The updated Macan, based on the familiar MLB matrix, and the all-new Macan BEV, derived from the brand-new PPE component set defined with Audi, are expected to come to market within six months of each other. Both offerings will likely overlap for about three years, if need be even longer. In case something goes terribly wrong in the future electric world, the new Macan could still ride on PPC, which is the combustion engine back-up of PPE.

An almost identical game plan applies to the full-size Cayenne, which is scheduled to undergo three iterations (including a coupé and two facelifts) before it finally retires in 2027. Ten years is a long life cycle for an SUV because you can only shed so much weight, and implementing improved aerodynamics that require sheet metal changes is even more difficult. That’s why the electric Cayenne—program E4, also part of the PPE family—must start as early as 2024 and extend the transition period to three or four years. No, there is no reward for guessing which pattern will be applied to the Panamera changeover. In an ideal world, Porsche would love to keep updating the current generation (G2) until it eventually bites the dust, but you probably cannot do this with an eleven-year old design—unless of course the unloved Sport Turismo gives way to the repeatedly hyped 929 coupé/cabrio which should consolidate demand. Right now though, a reskin (G3) in 2023 is more likely. Two years later, the all-electric Panamera G4 would be the fourth new Porsche never again to stop at a filling station—except for a coffee break.

What about the future sports cars in the making in the Weissach think tank, you ask? Same philosophy, but different timing, and for obvious reasons, different DNA. The 718 Cayman and Boxster launched in 2016 must soldier on until 2023 or 2024 without serious cosmetic operations, hybrid options, or AWD. The big bang follows in late 2022 when the battery-powered 983 is due to launch. This is a pure BEV, a total break with the past, sans alternative drivetrain option. Having said that, the outgoing combustion engine models—Boxster, Cayman, and Spyder—will be offered for at least twelve months alongside the high-tech newcomer. Apparently, the existing MMB platform can be upgraded to accommodate the totally different componentry. According to a senior engineer, there is thus no real need to proceed with the proposed all-new BEV matrix known as SPE, short for sports car platform electric. Dropping SPE would save approximately 25 percent of the cost-cutting target.

Although 983 is still in the final definition phase, we hear that there may be two coupé models, a Cayman replacement and a notably sportier high-performance derivative destined to slot in below the Carrera S/GTS. The second model would get bespoke coachwork inspired by the 918/919, and it would be priced in a similar bracket as the 911 turbo. While the Cayman E can reportedly be specced with one or two motors for a total of up to 536 hp, the Super E boasts three motors (two of them in the rear) for a peak output of 603 hp, sources say. The energy packs are said to deliver 100 and 125 kWh respectively. We expect a move to solid state accumulators from 2026 onwards, in combination with speed charging, ultra-quick battery regeneration, and Porsche-like repeat performance.

According to the Weissach grapevine, the first-ever all-electric 911 will debut in 2028 alongside the 992 replacement. Why wait so long? Because the plug-in hybrid is a convincing stopgap solution for many markets, because battery weight has to come down in sync with a more efficiency cell chemistry, and because even a planet-saving 911 must be an ultra-fast, hardcore piece of kit. Porsche is apparently convinced that it can deliver on all counts. After all, the latest master plan projects BEVs to exceed 85 percent of the sales total come 2028.

While the smart brand lives on borrowed time, a sub-A-class small-star Mercedes is taking shape

Smart is in the process of going 100 percent electric, but this doesn’t mean that the marque has a future. Quite the contrary: according to various sources, Renault is going to pull out once the ForFour/Twingo reaches the end of its cycle, Mercedes is not interested in keeping the Smart car brand going all by itself, and whether Geely may want to jump in and lift the business case to a more profitable new level remains to be seen. Right now, the internal plan is that smart will be wound up by 2026 at the earliest. The question remains whether Mercedes will pull out of the segment completely, or if the new CEO Ola Kallenius might be actively looking for options to keep the three-pointed star in the race against Mini and the Audi A1/Q1/City. The board needs to come to a conclusion by 2021 when it must sign off the next A-class generation due in 2025. If we read the smoke signals right, the current MFA2 architecture will be replaced by a fully scalable, all-new convergence layout which covers a much broader product spectrum that could also include a proper baby Benz.

At this point, strategists and product planners are evaluating at least four different options:

Version 2.0 of a fully electrified Smart brand funded with a strong partner like Geely, a concept inspired by the cooperation between Mini and Great Wall. Probability rating: 3/5. Why? Because it is difficult and expensive to ensure that the outcome, which would likely be produced in China, is a proper fit for the global market.

Add a decontented entry-level two- or three-door model to the current A-class portfolio. Probability rating: 1/5. Why? Too late, too expensive, too compromised. The no-frills A-Class coupé was stillborn for exactly these reasons.

Engineer the MFA3 component set so that it includes a proper baby Benz priced at least 15 percent below the least-expensive A-Class. Probability rating: 2/5. Why? MFA3 is unlikely to be sufficiently advanced, flexible enough, or affordable for the conversion to a predominantly electric future.

Go ahead with the innovative convergence matrix codenamed MX1, which could be stretched from whatever shape the small Mercedes will assume for the C-Class/GLC replacement. Probability rating: 5/5. Why? Because MX1 covers BEV, PHEV, and ICE with a bias on electric drive. In addition, it introduces a new level of modularity as well as extended economies of scale, with or without a partner.

Cooperation remains indeed an option—even though the tie-ups with Mitsubishi and Renault delivered mixed results. Last year, Mercedes and BMW discussed the pros and cons of teaming up with regard to MX1 and the bigger MX2 version, but to no avail. BMW ended the talks, thereby relegating the team from Stuttgart back to square one. Although the baby Benz has since dropped a notch or two on the agenda, electrification is a more urgent topic than ever, and so are new vehicle types tailor-made for metro mobility, commuter services, and innovative user models. The reinvented Mercedes née Smart is far from an approved program, but what is tentatively known as U-class (the U stands for urban & universal) has undergone various feasibility studies in combination with different design proposals. Under discussion are the following fully electric variations:

U-class City, a three-door hatch with five-door option, short and tall with extra-long (relative) wheelbase.

U-class Shuttle, an on-demand last-mile shared transportation device combined with up-market services such as exclusive use, autonomous driving where applicable, special delivery, and drop-off.

U-class Cargo, a compact panel van operating in a pool, shared by service providers with city access.

In frivolous moments, product planning even considered off-beat stuff like an emotional metro cruiser, a U-class Open Air, and a back-to-basics two-seater positioned between the unloved two-door A-class and the short-lived Smart coupé. In terms of content, the emphasis is split between the standardized e-componentry and bespoke abilities like the interface with Big Data, personalized services, and safety & convenience features. If the business case still looks good in 2021, the U-class may turn out to be one of the smartest cars Mercedes ever conceived.

The post Volkswagen, Porsche Dump Diesel for EVs, Mercedes Gets Smart appeared first on Automobile Magazine.

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eddiejpoplar · 6 years ago

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Volkswagen, Porsche Dump Diesel for EVs, Mercedes Gets Smart

While the smart brand lives on borrowed time, a sub-A-class small-star Mercedes is taking shape

At this point, strategists and product planners are evaluating at least four different options:

U-class City, a three-door hatch with five-door option, short and tall with extra-long (relative) wheelbase.

U-class Shuttle, an on-demand last-mile shared transportation device combined with up-market services such as exclusive use, autonomous driving where applicable, special delivery, and drop-off.

U-class Cargo, a compact panel van operating in a pool, shared by service providers with city access.

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