#new commercial solar leads

[cleanenergygroupai1]

Why Clean Energy Group is the Future of Business Energy Solutions

In today’s rapidly changing global economy, businesses are facing increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. As environmental concerns continue to grow, companies must rethink their energy strategies and look for solutions that not only reduce their carbon footprints but also boost operational efficiency and profitability. Enter Clean Energy Group, a leader in the renewable energy sector that is redefining how businesses approach energy consumption. Through innovative solutions, including cutting-edge technologies like Clean Energy Group AI, they are paving the way for a sustainable future that benefits both businesses and the environment.

1. The Global Shift Toward Renewable Energy

As climate change becomes an increasingly urgent issue, governments and businesses alike are being called upon to make more environmentally conscious decisions. Renewable energy, particularly solar power, has emerged as one of the most viable solutions to meet growing energy demands while reducing environmental harm. Solar energy is abundant, reliable, and, once installed, provides a significant return on investment.

Clean Energy Group is at the forefront of this renewable energy movement, helping businesses transition from fossil fuels to clean energy solutions. By leveraging their expertise in solar energy and integrating advanced technologies like Clean Energy Group AI, they offer tailored, scalable energy solutions that meet the unique needs of commercial enterprises. Their approach ensures that businesses can lower operational costs, enhance sustainability, and reduce their reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

2. How Clean Energy Group AI is Revolutionizing Business Energy Use

One of the key differentiators of Clean Energy Group is their integration of artificial intelligence into renewable energy solutions. Clean Energy Group AI is a cutting-edge platform that optimizes energy consumption and production by leveraging data analytics, machine learning, and automation. This technology enables businesses to monitor and control their energy usage in real-time, helping them make informed decisions that maximize efficiency and minimize waste.

Here are some key ways Clean Energy Group AI is transforming business energy solutions:

Energy Efficiency: By analyzing patterns of energy consumption, Clean Energy Group AI can identify areas where businesses are overusing energy and suggest improvements. This leads to significant cost savings and a reduction in unnecessary energy use.

Predictive Maintenance: The AI platform can monitor the health of solar panels and other energy equipment, predicting when maintenance is needed before a costly breakdown occurs. This proactive approach helps businesses avoid downtime and maintain continuous energy production.

Automated Optimization: Clean Energy Group AI automatically adjusts energy systems based on real-time data, ensuring that businesses are always operating at peak efficiency. Whether it’s adjusting solar panel angles for optimal sunlight capture or balancing energy loads during peak demand times, the AI ensures smooth and effective energy management.

These capabilities allow businesses to take a more proactive and data-driven approach to their energy consumption, resulting in both environmental and economic benefits.

3. Solar Power as a Strategic Investment for Businesses

One of the most significant offerings of Clean Energy Group is its focus on solar energy solutions for commercial enterprises. Solar power has emerged as a game-changer for businesses looking to reduce their energy costs and environmental impact. Investing in solar power can provide long-term savings while positioning businesses as leaders in sustainability.

Here’s why solar power, especially when supported by Clean Energy Group, is a strategic investment:

Reduced Energy Costs: Once a business installs solar panels, it can generate its own electricity, drastically reducing reliance on the grid. This translates to lower energy bills and greater predictability in operational costs, which is particularly important for businesses with high energy demands.

Tax Incentives and Rebates: Many governments offer tax breaks, rebates, and other incentives for businesses that invest in renewable energy. Clean Energy Group helps businesses navigate these opportunities, ensuring they maximize their financial benefits.

Increased Property Value: Commercial buildings outfitted with solar panels tend to see an increase in property value. As businesses shift toward sustainability, a solar-powered facility becomes a more attractive asset.

Energy Independence: Solar power gives businesses more control over their energy sources. In regions prone to power outages or where grid electricity is unreliable, solar energy provides a stable and consistent power supply.

With the guidance of Clean Energy Group, businesses can take advantage of these benefits, making solar power a smart investment for both their financial bottom line and environmental responsibility.

4. Commercial Solar Leads: The Key to Business Growth

For businesses offering solar energy solutions, generating leads is critical for growth. Clean Energy Group not only provides cutting-edge energy solutions but also assists solar companies in generating commercial solar leads. With the increasing demand for renewable energy, solar companies are in a prime position to expand their customer base, and Clean Energy Group helps them reach this potential.

By leveraging their industry expertise and AI-powered platforms, Clean Energy Group helps solar companies identify and attract high-quality commercial solar leads. This is done through targeted marketing, data-driven strategies, and a deep understanding of what businesses are looking for when it comes to renewable energy solutions. For solar companies, this means a greater ability to convert leads into long-term clients, driving both business growth and sustainability efforts.

5. Building a Sustainable Future with Clean Energy Group

As businesses look toward the future, sustainability is no longer just a trend it’s a necessity. Consumers, investors, and governments are all demanding that companies take concrete steps to reduce their environmental impact, and clean energy is one of the most effective ways to do so. By partnering with Clean Energy Group, businesses are not only adopting greener practices but also future-proofing their operations against rising energy costs and stricter environmental regulations.

Here’s why Clean Energy Group is essential for businesses looking to build a sustainable future:

Environmental Stewardship: Transitioning to renewable energy is one of the most impactful ways a business can reduce its carbon footprint. Clean Energy Group provides the tools and expertise necessary to make this transition seamless and effective.

Corporate Social Responsibility: More than ever, consumers and investors are rewarding companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. By working with Clean Energy Group, businesses can enhance their brand reputation and build stronger relationships with environmentally-conscious stakeholders.

Competitive Advantage: Businesses that embrace clean energy solutions will have a significant edge over competitors still reliant on traditional energy sources. With lower operational costs, better energy management, and a sustainable business model, companies that partner with Clean Energy Group are positioning themselves for long-term success.

Conclusion

In an era where sustainability and energy efficiency are paramount, Clean Energy Group stands out as a leader in providing innovative, AI-driven renewable energy solutions for businesses. Through their solar energy expertise and Clean Energy Group AI, they are helping businesses not only meet their energy needs but do so in a way that is environmentally responsible and economically advantageous.

The future of business energy solutions lies in clean, renewable sources, and Clean Energy Group is leading the charge. By offering tailored energy solutions, optimizing energy use with AI technology, and generating commercial solar leads for businesses, Clean Energy Group is truly the future of business energy solutions. If your business is ready to embrace a greener, more sustainable future, partnering with Clean Energy Group is the way forward.

[nasa]

What’s It Like to Work in NASA’s Mission Control Center?

In the latest installment of our First Woman graphic novel series, we see Commander Callie Rodriguez embark on the next phase of her trailblazing journey, as she leaves the Moon to take the helm at Mission Control.

Flight directors work in Mission Control to oversee operations of the International Space Station and Artemis missions to the Moon. They have a unique, overarching perspective focused on integration between all the systems that make a mission a success – flight directors have to learn a little about a lot.

Diane Dailey and Chloe Mehring were selected as flight directors in 2021. They’ll be taking your questions about what it’s like to lead teams of flight controllers, engineers, and countless professionals, both agencywide and internationally, in an Answer Time session on Nov. 28, 2023, from noon to 1 p.m. EST (9-10 a.m. PST) here on our Tumblr!

Like Callie, how did their unique backgrounds and previous experience, prepare them for this role? What are they excited about as we return to the Moon?

🚨 Ask your questions now by visiting https://nasa.tumblr.com/ask.

Diane Dailey started her career at NASA in 2006 in the space station Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) group. As an ECLSS flight controller, she logged more than 1,700 hours of console time, supported 10 space shuttle missions, and led the ECLSS team. She transitioned to the Integration and System Engineering (ISE) group, where she was the lead flight controller for the 10th and 21st Commercial Resupply Services missions for SpaceX. In addition, she was the ISE lead for NASA’s SpaceX Demo-1 and Demo-2 crew spacecraft test flights. Dailey was also a capsule communicator (Capcom) controller and instructor.

She was selected as a flight director in 2021 and chose her call sign of “Horizon Flight” during her first shift in November of that year. She has since served as the Lead Flight director for the ISS Expedition 68, led the development of a contingency spacewalk, and led a spacewalk in June to install a new solar array on the space station. She is currently working on development of the upcoming Artemis II mission and the Human Lander Systems which will return humanity to the moon. Dailey was raised in Lubbock, Texas, and graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. She is married and a mother of two. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time outdoors.

Chloe Mehring started her NASA career in 2008 in the Flight Operations’ propulsion systems group and supported 11 space shuttle missions. She served as propulsion support officer for Exploration Flight Test-1, the first test flight of the Orion spacecraft that will be used for Artemis missions to the Moon. Mehring was also a lead NASA propulsion officer for SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft and served as backup lead for the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. She was accepted into the 2021 Flight Director class and worked her first shift in February 2022, taking on the call sign “Lion Flight”. Since becoming certified, she has worked over 100 shifts, lead the NG-17 cargo resupply mission team, and executed two United States spacewalks within 10 days of each other. She became certified as a Boeing Starliner Flight Director, sat console for the unmanned test flight in May 2022 (OFT-2) and will be leading the undock team for the first crewed mission on Starliner in the spring of next year. She originally is from Mifflinville, Pennsylvania, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in State College. She is a wife, a mom to one boy, and she enjoys fitness, cooking and gardening.

[punkedsolar]

The two individuals shown are representative members of the EBMs, of which there are two major families: the Bipae-leporae and the Quadrupedia-leporae.

Etymology The terminology selected by Coastal Sphynx is an approximation of 'two legged rabbit' and 'four legged rabbit'. EBM stands for Evidence Based Memorandum, though most New Petrans say 'Ebem' instead of using EBM as an acronym. EBMs themselves always use the acronym.

Taxonomy There is no current taxonomy accepted by all New Petran individuals because the EBMs refuse to update the central archive and have given no explanations as to why. This has lead to robust arguments over their status (generally assumed morphic) and their biology (unknown). EBMs who present as male are called 'bucks' and EBMs who present as female are called 'does' with the term 'coney' for all others.

A group of EBMs is known as a colony or swarm.

Description

The EBM, is a fast-running terrestrial creature; it has a dome of glassy material set high its head, long ears and a flexible neck. Its teeth grow continuously, the first incisors being modified for gnawing while the second incisors are peg-like and non-functional. An EBM is capable of gnawing through metal over time.

The limb musculature of EBMS is adapted for high-speed endurance running in open country. While no internal dissections have been permitted, observation has shown a flexible spine and considerable limb rotation that may mean that even the four-leggers are capable of throwing or hurling objects.

The fur colour is smooth and single coloured, and adjusts to levels of solar radiation, ranging from black through smooth blues to white. High levels of radiation mean paler colours, low levels mean darker. An EBM in a cold environment in midwinter will be entirely black.

Bipedal EBMs wear clothing, and quadrupedal EBMs tend not to. There are numerous indeterminate forms of greater or lesser functionality with movement, weight carrying capacity, and agility. Bipeds usually weigh less and are smaller in body size than quadrupeds.

Behaviour and ecology

The EBM originates from New Petra, and travelling is rare, but does occassionally happen.

Detailed behaviour and ecology is ultimately unknown - putting in a repair request that is approved into the central archive will summon an EBM who will then attend to the area of concern. EBMs seem to attend to other issues that have not had alerts, but with less urgency. They are commonly seen during the day, and only rarely at night.

Reproduction, socialisation, and similar topics are unknown - EBMs generally retreat back to the central archive once their work is done, and do not appear to communicate with each other even when working together.

They are not considered anti-social, and rarely cause any issues for New Petran citizens. They do vote and engage in civic duties, as well as engage with commercial operations - thus they may purchase food, clothing and minor items using New Petran Scrip. Any negative interactions are in the form of large EBMs blocking traffic while engaged in repairs, and issues of that nature.

No juvenile EBMs have ever been recorded, but Coastal Sphynx note that rabbits as animals hide their young until they are fully able to defend themselves.

EBMs avoid fighting and conflict wherever possible. When injured, they retreat immediately. Their speed makes such encounters rare. An EBM will not even defend another EBM - they will leave.

Morphic ecology notes

The two main shapes of EBMs and their willingness to work together lead to an assumption that the species is morphic, but what triggers any change between types is unknown. There are a number of intermediate anthropomorphic shapes as well.

Social notes

One can certainly talk to EBMs, and they do respond in the common tongue, but their conversational abilities are more or less bland and limited. They generally do not express interest in much - but they do seem to like music. Outdoor events or clubs are known to attract them in small swarms, which can kill the vibe for other, less strange New Petrans.

They do have names - the two above are called D-Comp and D-Res.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New SpaceTime out Friday

SpaceTime 20241025 Series 27 Episode 129

First evidence of a volcanic spatter cone on Mars

Scientists have detected what appears to be the first ever evidence for a volcanic spatter cone on the red planet Mars.

Distant exo-planet may host volcanic moon like Jupiter's Io

New research has revealed potential signs of a rocky, volcanic moon orbiting an exoplanet 635 light-years from Earth.

The Sun reaching the maximum period of space weather events

Representatives from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA together with the international Solar Cycle Prediction Panel have announced that the Sun has reached its solar maximum period, which could continue for the next year or so.

The Science Report

The rise in human life expectancy is slowing down.

Scientists find that even low-risk drinking causes higher mortality in adults.

A new study warns that thawing permafrost may accelerate Arctic riverbank erosion.

Skeptics guide to the internet censorship free speech bill

SpaceTime covers the latest news in astronomy & space sciences.

The show is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Apple Podcasts (itunes), Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pocketcasts, SoundCloud, Bitez.com, YouTube, your favourite podcast download provider, and from www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com

SpaceTime is also broadcast through the National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio and on both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

SpaceTime daily news blog: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/

SpaceTime facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime Instagram @spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime twitter feed @stuartgary

SpaceTime YouTube: @SpaceTimewithStuartGary

SpaceTime -- A brief history

SpaceTime is Australia’s most popular and respected astronomy and space science news program – averaging over two million downloads every year. We’re also number five in the United States.  The show reports on the latest stories and discoveries making news in astronomy, space flight, and science.  SpaceTime features weekly interviews with leading Australian scientists about their research.  The show began life in 1995 as ‘StarStuff’ on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) NewsRadio network.  Award winning investigative reporter Stuart Gary created the program during more than fifteen years as NewsRadio’s evening anchor and Science Editor.  Gary’s always loved science. He studied astronomy at university and was invited to undertake a PHD in astrophysics, but instead focused on his career in journalism and radio broadcasting. Gary’s radio career stretches back some 34 years including 26 at the ABC. He worked as an announcer and music DJ in commercial radio, before becoming a journalist and eventually joining ABC News and Current Affairs. He was part of the team that set up ABC NewsRadio and became one of its first on air presenters. When asked to put his science background to use, Gary developed StarStuff which he wrote, produced and hosted, consistently achieving 9 per cent of the national Australian radio audience based on the ABC’s Nielsen ratings survey figures for the five major Australian metro markets: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.  The StarStuff podcast was published on line by ABC Science -- achieving over 1.3 million downloads annually.  However, after some 20 years, the show finally wrapped up in December 2015 following ABC funding cuts, and a redirection of available finances to increase sports and horse racing coverage.  Rather than continue with the ABC, Gary resigned so that he could keep the show going independently.  StarStuff was rebranded as “SpaceTime”, with the first episode being broadcast in February 2016.  Over the years, SpaceTime has grown, more than doubling its former ABC audience numbers and expanding to include new segments such as the Science Report -- which provides a wrap of general science news, weekly skeptical science features, special reports looking at the latest computer and technology news, and Skywatch – which provides a monthly guide to the night skies. The show is published three times weekly (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and available from the United States National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio, and through both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

[maxs-guesswork]

Unfinished Timeline for an Untitled Setting

Critique and advice is more than welcome, though please be nice about it. Goes up to about 2081 rn, though I plan to get at least another 50 years further in before I get to the time I want the bulk of the setting to be set in.

Timeline:

2022: First controlled break-even fusion reaction, followed by first controlled net-gain fusion reaction.

2025-2026: Increasing unrest in USA leads to mass riots outside the white-house. Sweeping reforms after growing revolts threaten to become a major armed rebellion. NASA miraculously left untouched, general increase in standard of living. Economic crisis narrowly averted.

2027: First nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) tested in orbit by NASA and DARPA. GPT-style language modeling declared “dead end” for self-aware AI.

2030: First Lunar base established under NASA Artemis program. Suez Canal temporarily blocked by a poorly driven cargo ship again. Evergreen Shipping goes bankrupt.

2034: Lunar Gateway established under joint NASA, ESA, JAXA, DLR, ASI, and CNSA. Lunar helium-3 mining declared officially nonviable. Radial detonation engines become standard for lower ascent stages, SpaceX Starship, NASA SLS, and Roscosmos Soyuz phased out. Drop in launch prices.

2034-2036: Additional modules added to the Lunar Gateway from SpaceX, KARI, ISRO, and Roscosmos. Lunar Gateway Collaborative Group (LGCG) established consisting of all current contributors to the station.

2036: First commercial fusion energy plant reaches full operation in France under ITER. Mass production of Tritium begins. First fully private space station under SpaceX. Asteroid mining corporations begin formation. Establishment of Nigerian Organization for the Development of Space (NODS). Ecuador experiences communist revolution.

2036-2037: First manned martian mission under LGCG, first human footsteps on another planetary body.

2037: Elon Musk assassinated. New SpaceX leadership declares plans for space elevator. North Korea collapses, Korean peninsula unified under South Korean leadership, becoming simply Korea. Indian nuclear stockpile secretly surpasses 50000 Gt. First baby born on the moon.

2040: Artemis base becomes semi-self sufficient, producing it’s own food and air from hydroponics, and water from mined lunar ice. Lunar LH2 and hydrolox production begins. Lunar population passes 100.

2040-2042: First commercial fusion power plants established in the US, UK, Australia, Korea, and Japan.

2042: A joint US Government and SpaceX black operation destabilizes Ecuador, leading to a corporate takeover of the territory.

2044: Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand form West Pacific Trade Organization (WPTO). Construction of the base of SpaceX’s planned space elevator begins off the coast of Ecuador.

2047: LCC completed at CERN. Mission for permanent martian base declared. Major economic crisis in China, intervention from several megacorps results in a decrease in Chinese government power and increase in corporate control in the region. SpaceX space elevator counterweight construction begins in geostationary orbit.

2048: Major revolution in quantum mechanics brought on by new data from the LCC. Lunar population passes 250.

2050: China splits into 4 corporate states, Amazon Corporate Territory (ACT) with its capitol in Chongqing, Samsung Independent State (SIS) with its capitol in Shanghai, Territory for Electronic Developments (TED) made up of Apple and Microsoft with its capitol in Yinchuan, and the Chinese Corporate Union (CCU) made up of several formerly state-owned corporations with their capitol in Wuhan and possession of the Three Gorges Dam. Beijing becomes an independent city-state controlled by the former Chinese government, retaining control over the CNSA. Massive revolution in battery energy density. Permanent martian base established by LGCG.

2051: Breakthrough in photon manipulation, beamed energy and solar collection becomes increasingly viable. Many asteroid mining corps branch into solar power, notably Binghamton Vacuum Mining Solutions (BVMS). Lunar population passes 500.

2052: Martian population surpasses 100.

2053: Martian base reaches semi-self sustainability.

2055: All 4 Chinese corporate states and the Beijing city state form the Chinese Federation for Space Exploration (CFSE), supplanting the old CNSA. Lunar Gateway module renamed and LGCG roster amended accordingly. SpaceX space elevator cable completed, first test cart sent to GEO. WPTO begins construction of a space elevator in the Banda Sea.

2056: SpaceX space elevator declared complete, commercial operation begins.

2057: BVMS surpasses $1T in net worth, becomes primary supplier of energy for the Artemis Lunar Base. Lunar Population surpasses 1k, massive migratory population surge begins following influx of energy from BVMS. Martian population surpasses 250. First fusion reactor in Ecuador.

2058: WPTO space elevator counterweight begins construction in GEO.

2060: First fusion reactors in Nigeria and India. First large-scale solar collector on Earth constructed in New York operated by BVMS. Large population surge in Binghamton NY. Lunar population surpasses 5k. Martian space station established. Regulations for GEO development established.

2061: First lunar-built spacecraft flown. Secondary lunar settlement founded by CFSE. Massive influx of funds for the WPTO space elevator from the CFSE, GEO counterweight construction begun. Lunar Gateway population surpasses 100. First fusion reactor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Congo space agency (DRCSA) founded.

2064: WPTO space elevator cable completed, declared complete and opened to commercial operation.

2065: BVME establishes unmanned Mercurian base. CFSE settlement population surpasses 100. Martian population surpasses 500. Lunar Gateway population surpasses 200.

2066: Mass expansion of Artemis Base life support systems using BVMS produced automated construction equipment. Aerostat scientific outpost established by LGCG.

2067: Microbial life discovered on Venus. Venus outpost (and LGCG) acquires substantial funding boost. Artemis base population surpasses 2.5k and begins to plateau.

2069: Unmanned mission to Europa announced by LGCG, plans to use BVMS automated platforms to drill into subsurface ocean established. Martian base purchases automated construction equipment from BVMS, massive population boon ensues. CFSE settlement population surpasses 750. Lunar gateway population surpasses 500. Martian base population surpasses 500. BVME becomes the largest corporate entity in the system.

2070: BVMS performs feasibility study on gas giant aerostat mining platforms.

2071: Study of Venusian lifeforms disproves Earth-Venus panspermia.

2073: BVMS tests laser-sail propulsion on small unmanned craft.

2075: LGCG Europa mission discovers multicellular aquatic life in Europa’s subsurface ocean. Plans for a dedicated research base drafted.

2076: Multi-corporate base established on Ceres to facilitate further asteroid belt mining. BVMS intentionally excluded from this project.

(System effectively split into quarters: Past Venus under BVMS, Between Venus and Mars under LGCG, belt under Multi-corporate mining control, outer system unclaimed.)

2077: GEO-Lunar cycler niche mostly filled by Intraplanetary Transport Services corp (ITS).

2080: Permanent scientific base established at the Europa Breach Point (EBP) with mostly automated systems and a small (5 human) management and maintenance crew.

2081: Panspermia further disproved by study of Europan life. Massive object detected in Jupiter’s lower atmosphere. BVMS begins mission to establish a mining aerostat on Saturn, utilizing laser sail propulsion to transport equipment.

(Saturn Aerostat site intended for use in the further colonization of the outer solar system and the Uranus planetary system itself. Atomic Rockets page)

[spacenutspod]

2 min readPreparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) View of the Nova-C landing area near Malapert A in the South Pole region of the Moon. North is to the right. Taken by LROC (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera) NAC (Narrow Angle Camera).NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University NASA has released two white papers associated with the agency’s Moon to Mars architecture efforts. The papers, one on lunar mobility drivers and needs, and one on lunar surface cargo, detail NASA’s latest thinking on specific areas of its lunar exploration strategy. While NASA has established a yearly cadence of releasing new documents associated with its Moon to Mars architecture, the agency occasionally releases mid-cycle findings to share essential information in areas of interest for its stakeholders. “Lunar Mobility Drivers and Needs” discusses the need to move cargo and assets on the lunar surface, from landing sites to points of use, and some of the factors that will significantly impact mobility systems. “Lunar Surface Cargo” analyses some of the current projected needs — and identifies current capability gaps — for the transportation of cargo to the lunar surface. The Moon to Mars architecture approach incorporates feedback from U.S. industry, academia, international partners, and the NASA workforce. The agency typically releases a series of technical documents at the end of its annual analysis cycle, including an update of the Architecture Definition Document and white papers that elaborate on frequently raised topics. Under NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency will establish the foundation for long-term scientific exploration at the Moon, land the first woman, first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the lunar surface, and prepare for human expeditions to Mars for the benefit of all. You can find all of NASA’s Moon to Mars architecture documents at: https://www.nasa.gov/moontomarsarchitecture Share Details Last Updated Jun 28, 2024 Related TermsHumans in Space Explore More 2 min read Unity in Orbit: Astronauts Soar with Pride Aboard Station  Article 3 days ago 5 min read Six Adapters for Crewed Artemis Flights Tested, Built at NASA Marshall Article 3 days ago 5 min read Lakita Lowe: Leading Space Commercialization Innovations and Fostering STEM Engagement  Article 2 weeks ago Keep Exploring Discover Related Topics Missions Humans in Space Climate Change Solar System

[ingek73]

Extremist or mainstream: how do Tim Walz’s policies match up globally?

Ed PilkingtonFri 16 Aug 2024 12.00 CEST

Within hours of Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, being chosen by Kamala Harris to be her Democratic presidential running mate, Donald Trump and team began attacking him as a “dangerously liberal extremist”.

Trump surrogates seized on Walz’s record of expanding voting rights for former felons, combatting the climate crisis, and other measures as proof that Harris-Walz would be the “most radical ticket in American history”.

If you step back from the melee, and look at his gubernatorial acts through a global lens, they appear anything but extreme. From the perspective of other industrialised nations, what Trump denounces as leftwing radicalism looks little more than basic public welfare provisions.

Far from being militant and revolutionary, initiatives such as paid family leave, free college tuition and rudimentary gun controls – all championed by Walz in Minnesota – have long been regarded as middle-of-the-road and unremarkable in large swathes of the world. Through this frame, it is not Walz who is the outlier, but his Republican critics.

Here are how some of Walz’s most impactful reforms compare with the rest of the world.

Free school lunches

View image in fullscreenTim Walz gets a huge hug from students at Webster Elementary in Minneapolis after he signed into law a bill that guarantees free school meals on 17 March 2023. Photograph: Star Tribune/Getty Images

‘On fire with excitement’: Tim Walz’s former students react to nominationRead more

Walz’s record: “What a monster! Kids are eating and having full bellies so they can go learn.” That was Walz’s sardonic reply to CNN when he was asked about having introduced free breakfast and lunch for all Minnesota schoolkids. The 2023 measure puts Minnesota among just eight US states that offer school meals at no cost to all children, no matter their family’s income.

Around the world: Several countries provide free lunches for their children nationwide. Sweden, Finland and the three Baltic nations all provide meals at no cost for all schoolchildren irrespective of income, and many more European countries provide targeted or subsidised meals. Even a developing country such as India ensures access to lunch for more than 100 million kids daily.

“The idea of offering free meals to all students during the school day is hardly new – many countries already do so,” said Alexis Bylander at the Food Research and Action Center, a US anti-hunger organisation. “Numerous studies show the benefits, including improving student attendance, behaviour and academic success.”

Combatting the climate crisis

View image in fullscreenPublic works employees run a water pump to prevent flood waters from coming up through the storm drains in Stillwater, Minnesota, in 2023. Photograph: Nicole Neri for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Walz’s record: In February 2023 Walz signed legislation committing Minnesota to having all its electricity produced by wind, solar and other clean energy sources by 2040 – an even more ambitious timeframe than adopted by California, America’s sustainable energy leader. The legislature also passed more than 40 climate initiatives, including expanding charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and introducing a new code for commercial buildings to cut energy use by 80% by 2036.

Around the world: By global standards, Minnesota’s ambitions do not stand out. Some 27 countries have written into law target dates by which they will become net zero – that is, stop loading additional greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In the developed world, Finland is leading the way, pledging to be net zero by 2035, and to begin absorbing more carbon dioxide than it produces by 2040. In December, almost 200 countries at the Cop28 climate summit in Dubai agreed to call on all countries to transition away from fossil fuels and for global renewable energy to be tripled by 2030.

Child tax credit

View image in fullscreenTim Walz reads a story to a group of kindergarteners in St Paul on 17 January 2023. Photograph: Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via Getty Images

Walz’s record: Last year the governor signed into law a child tax credit program for low-income Minnesota families. The measure sought to fill the hole left by a federal scheme that expired in 2021 after Congress failed to extend it. The Minnesota plan is the most generous of its type in the US, offering $1,750 per child and reaching more than 400,000 children.

Around the world: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the forum of high-income democracies, reported in 2018 that 34 of the 35 countries with available information provided their people with some form of family benefit including tax credits. The OECD compared the value of family benefits for two-child families, measured as a percentage of average earnings, across 41 countries and found that the US came in at No 40, with only Turkey being less generous in its support.

Basic gun controls

View image in fullscreenTim Walz hands out pumpkin bars to a gun safety advocate before the first day of the legislative session in St Paul in 2023. Photograph: Abbie Parr/AP

Walz’s record: The governor identifies as a proud gun-owner and hunter, and he accepted Harris’s invitation to be her running mate wearing a camo hat. That didn’t stop him in May 2023 enacting a slew of gun safety measures, including requiring all private sales of handguns and semi-automatic rifles to go through an FBI background check that looks for evidence of criminal or mental health risks. The changes also introduced a “red flag law” that allows relatives and other interested parties to intervene when someone is in danger of injuring themselves or others with guns.

Around the world: International comparisons show that Americans own vastly more guns than civilians in other rich countries – 121 guns per 100 Americans, compared with five guns per 100 people in the United Kingdom. The number of gun killings per 100,000 people is also vastly higher: 4.12 in the US, 0.04 in the UK.

Other countries also have much tougher gun controls that make those introduced by Walz look weak by comparison. Canada requires gun buyers to wait 28 days before acquiring a firearm, and imposes mandatory safety training and a ban on military-style rifles that does not exist in the US. The UK also bans some semi-automatic rifles and most handguns. Japan tightly restricts gun ownership, banning most guns other than air guns and a few other special categories and even then requiring owners to submit to annual inspections.

Paid family and medical leave

Walz’s record: House File 2, enacted by the governor last year, gave Minnesotans access to up to 20 weeks in every year of partial wages to cover medical leave after a life-changing diagnosis, mental health leave, or time off to care for a new baby. “Paid family and medical leave is about investing in the people that made our state and economy strong in the first place,” Walz said as he signed the bill.

Around the world: The US is the only OECD member country without a national law giving all workers access to paid leave for new mothers. Thirty-seven out 38 OECD countries offer national paid maternity leave – the only exception being the US. France, which holds the top spot, allows mothers and fathers to take paid leave until their child is three years old.

The US is also one of only six countries with no form of national paid leave covering either family or medical leave in the case of a health concern.

Voting rights for former felons

Walz’s record: The governor signed a bill that restores the vote to more than 50,000 Minnesotans who have been convicted of a felony. The Trump campaign denounced the measure as evidence of Walz’s “dangerously liberal agenda”, which is ironic, given that Trump himself, as a convicted felon, will only be able to vote for himself in November thanks to a similar reform in New York.

Around the world: A report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) in June concluded that the US was an “outlier nation in that it strips voting rights from millions of citizens solely on the basis of a criminal conviction”. In 2022, more than 4 million people in the US were disenfranchised on those grounds. By contrast, when HRW surveyed 136 countries around the world, it found that the majority never or rarely deny the vote because of a criminal record, while those with restrictions tend to be much less draconian in their approach than US states.

[kingme1002]

based on current trends and expert predictions, here are some possible developments we might see by the year 2050:Technology and Innovation:Artificial Intelligence: AI may become even more advanced, potentially reaching or surpassing human-level intelligence in some areas. It could be integrated into everyday life, from healthcare to personal assistants.Robotics and Automation: Many jobs, especially in manufacturing and services, could be automated. Robotics may become more common in households and workplaces.Quantum Computing: Quantum computers could revolutionize fields like cryptography, materials science, and complex simulations.Energy and Environment:Renewable Energy: A significant shift towards renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and possibly fusion power is expected. This shift could help reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.Climate Change: The impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss, may become more pronounced. Efforts to mitigate and adapt to these changes will be crucial.Space Exploration:Mars and Beyond: Human missions to Mars might be a reality, and there could be further exploration of the Moon, asteroids, and possibly the outer planets.Space Industry: The commercial space industry may expand, including space tourism, asteroid mining, and possibly the construction of space habitats.Health and Medicine:Longevity and Biotechnology: Advances in biotechnology and medicine could lead to longer, healthier lives. Gene editing, personalized medicine, and regenerative therapies might become commonplace.Global Health: Efforts to combat global health issues like pandemics, antibiotic resistance, and access to healthcare could see significant progress.Society and Culture:Global Population: The global population may stabilize or even decline, with a growing proportion of elderly individuals in many countries.Urbanization: Urbanization will likely continue, with more people living in megacities and smart cities designed for efficiency and sustainability.Cultural Shifts: Societal norms and values may evolve with technological and demographic changes, influencing everything from work and education to family structures and entertainment.Economy and Work:Digital Economy: The digital economy may dominate, with new business models, gig work, and a focus on digital currencies and assets.Universal Basic Income: Some countries might experiment with or adopt universal basic income (UBI) as a response to job displacement due to automation.

[esconpanache]

How Escon Works with Architecture

Escon Infra Realtor, a leading real estate company established by Mr. Neeraj Sharma, is renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and timely delivery of projects. The company's architectural approach is central to its success, creating luxurious and modern living spaces that meet the diverse needs of homeowners. Here's a closer look at how Escon works with architecture to deliver exceptional residential and commercial properties.

 1. Vision and Commitment

Innovative Design Philosophy

Escon Infra Realtor's vision is to not only be the most successful real estate brand but also the preferred partner for homebuyers. This vision drives the company to adopt innovative design philosophies that blend modernity with functionality. The architectural designs of Escon's projects are crafted to provide luxurious living experiences while ensuring practicality and comfort.

Quality and Modernity

Escon highly focuses on quality and modernity. Every project is meticulously planned and executed with the highest standards of construction. The use of premium materials and advanced construction techniques ensures that Escon's properties stand out in the market.

 2. Luxurious Villas and Smart Homes

Escon Panache: A Case Study

One of Escon's flagship projects, Escon Panache, exemplifies the company's architectural excellence. This newly launched ultra-luxurious residential property offers 4 BHK Villas in Greater Noida. These villas are designed to provide a lavish lifestyle with a focus on open space environments, ensuring a secure and serene living experience.

Smart Home Systems

Escon Panache incorporates state-of-the-art smart home systems. These include integrated automation, security systems, smart lighting, and voice assistants. These features enhance comfort, convenience, and security for residents, setting a new standard for luxury living.

 3. Comprehensive Amenities

Community and Lifestyle Features

Escon's architectural designs emphasize not only individual living spaces but also community and lifestyle features. The projects include amenities such as:

- Gated societies with secured entry and exit points.

- Central green spaces with landscaping.

- Modern clubhouses with swimming pools, gyms, yoga rooms, and party halls.

- Well-lit internal roads with a mix of solar-based lighting for sustainability.

Private Gardens and Pools

The villas come with private gardens and terrace gardens, allowing residents to bring nature home. Private pools and sundecks are also integrated into the villa designs, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

4. Sustainability and Safety

Eco-Friendly Construction

Escon prioritizes sustainability in its architectural designs. The projects incorporate zero overhead visible cables, ensuring a clean and organized appearance. Energy-efficient lighting and water management systems are also a part of the design, reducing the environmental footprint.

Safety and Security

High-tech security systems are a hallmark of Escon's projects. These include 24x7 surveillance, video door phones with electronic locks, and boom barriers to control unauthorized entry and exit. The use of earthquake-resistant RCC framed construction ensures that the buildings are safe and durable.

 5. High-Quality Materials and Workmanship

Superior Construction Materials

Escon's commitment to quality is evident in the choice of construction materials. The villas feature water and termite-proof WPC frames, high-quality tiles and flooring from renowned brands, and premium woodwork and joinery. The use of advanced plumbing systems and modular kitchens further enhances the living experience.

Attention to Detail

Every aspect of the construction is executed with precision. From the main entry door with biometric locks to the finely crafted wardrobes and modular kitchens, the attention to detail ensures that every element of the villa is of the highest standard.

 6. Strategic Location and Connectivity

Prime Locations

Escon's projects are strategically located to offer the best connectivity and convenience. For instance, Escon Panache in Greater Noida is close to major expressways, schools, hospitals, and the Noida International Airport. This prime location ensures residents have easy access to essential services and facilities.

Future-Proof Investments

By choosing prime locations, Escon ensures that its properties are not only desirable for current residents but also hold their value and appeal for future buyers. This strategic approach makes investing in Escon properties a sound financial decision.

Escon Infra Realtor's collaboration with architecture results in the creation of luxurious, modern, and sustainable living spaces. The company's commitment to quality, innovative design, and attention to detail ensures that each project meets the highest standards. Whether it's the incorporation of smart home systems, eco-friendly construction, or strategic location choices, Escon's architectural approach sets it apart as a leader in the real estate industry. Investing in an Escon property means investing in a lifestyle of luxury, comfort, and security.

Contact us to know more about the project and how it can help you to get your perfect home.

Visit:- https://esconpanache.com/

Ref:-https://esconpanachevilla.blogspot.com/2024/06/how-escon-works-with-architecture.html

Location: Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

[cleanenergygroupai1]

Lead the Charge: How to Dominate the Commercial Solar Market

In the dynamic world of renewable energy, commercial solar leads are the lifeblood of success. As businesses increasingly embrace sustainability, the demand for commercial solar solutions is skyrocketing. To stay ahead in this competitive landscape, mastering the art of lead generation is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore how businesses can leverage innovative strategies, backed by cutting-edge AI technology from Clean Energy Group AI, to not just compete but dominate the commercial solar market.

Understanding the Commercial Solar Landscape

The commercial solar market presents a vast array of opportunities, from small businesses to large corporations seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and lower energy costs. However, navigating this landscape requires a deep understanding of market trends, customer needs, and the competitive landscape.

Harnessing the Power of Commercial Solar Leads

Effective lead generation is about more than just acquiring contact information; it's about understanding customer pain points and providing tailored solutions. With the help of Clean Energy Group AI, businesses can analyze vast amounts of data to identify potential leads, understand their preferences, and personalize their approach.

Strategies for Success

1. Targeted Marketing Campaigns

Utilize data-driven insights to identify and target businesses most likely to benefit from commercial solar solutions.

Craft compelling marketing messages that highlight the benefits of solar energy, including cost savings, environmental impact, and energy independence.

2. Engaging Content Creation

Develop high-quality content, such as blog posts, infographics, and videos that educates and informs potential customers about the benefits of commercial solar.

Leverage social media platforms and email marketing to distribute content and engage with potential leads.

3. Strategic Partnerships

Forge partnerships with complementary businesses, such as construction firms or property developers, to offer integrated solar solutions as part of larger projects.

Collaborate with industry organizations and trade associations to expand your reach and credibility within the commercial solar market.

Leveraging Clean Energy Group AI

Clean Energy Group AI provides businesses with powerful tools to streamline lead generation efforts and gain a competitive edge in the commercial solar market. By analyzing vast amounts of data, identifying patterns, and predicting future trends, Clean Energy Group AI enables businesses to make informed decisions and optimize their marketing strategies for maximum impact.

Exploring Key Strategies for Success

Instead of delving into specific case studies, let's explore key strategies and tactics that businesses can employ to dominate the commercial solar market:

1. Data-Driven Targeting

Utilize advanced analytics tools, such as Clean Energy Group AI, to identify and target businesses with the highest potential for adopting commercial solar solutions. By analyzing demographic data, energy usage patterns, and other relevant metrics, businesses can tailor their marketing efforts for maximum effectiveness.

2. Multi-Channel Marketing

Implement a multi-channel marketing approach to reach potential customers wherever they are. This may include a combination of digital channels such as social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization, as well as traditional channels like print advertising and direct mail campaigns.

3. Thought Leadership Positioning

Establish your business as a thought leader in the commercial solar industry by producing high-quality content that educates and informs potential customers. This could include blog posts, whitepapers, webinars, and industry reports that showcase your expertise and insights.

4. Strategic Partnerships

Forge partnerships with other businesses in related industries, such as construction firms, energy consultants, and financing providers. By collaborating with complementary businesses, you can offer comprehensive solar solutions and tap into new customer bases.

5. Customer Referral Programs

Encourage satisfied customers to refer their peers and colleagues to your business by implementing a customer referral program. Offer incentives such as discounts, rebates, or gift cards for every successful referral, thereby leveraging the power of word-of-mouth marketing.

6. Continuous Innovation

Stay ahead of the competition by investing in research and development to drive continuous innovation in your products and services. By offering cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving needs of customers, you can maintain a competitive edge and attract new leads.

Conclusion

While there's no one-size-fits-all solution for dominating the commercial solar market, businesses can increase their chances of success by implementing a combination of these key strategies. By leveraging data-driven targeting, multi-channel marketing, thought leadership positioning, strategic partnerships, customer referral programs, and continuous innovation, businesses can generate high-quality leads and establish themselves as leaders in the industry. With the right approach and commitment to excellence, the sky's the limit for businesses looking to thrive in the commercial solar market.

[litcityblues]

For All Mankind Seasons 3 & 4: Some Men Would Rather Steal An Asteroid Than Go To Therapy

It's been a minute since I saw this show, but to recap: at the end of Season 2, Cold War tensions between the Soviets and Americans boil over. There's a firefight on the moon. Tracy and Gordo manage to keep Jamestown's reactor from melting down but die in the process. Danielle docks with Soyuz and astronauts and cosmonauts finally greeting each other does a lot to defuse tensions. In the final shot of the season, we see a human walking on Mars.

When Season 3 starts, it's 1992. Ed (Joel Kinnaman) and Karen (Shantel VanSanten) are divorced and Karen is in the Space Hotel business after a disaster at Danny Stevens' (Casey W. Johnson) wedding nearly takes out the hotel and takes out her new husband Sam (Jeff Hephner), Karen decides to sell to Dev Ayesa (Edi Gathegi), found of Helios Aerospace who wants to use it for his own commercial mission to Mars.

Ed and Danielle (Krys Marshall) are in the running to be commander of NASA's Mars Mission with Molly Cobb (Sonya Wagner) (now blind, because of her solar storm adventure in Season 2) clashing with Margo (Wrenn Schmidt) over who to choose. Molly picks Ed, but Margo fires her and picks Danielle instead. Ed switches teams, leaving NASA to join Helios as the commander for their Mars mission, which sets up a three-way race to Mars.

(Margo is under increasing pressure-- as her 'gentle back channel' to the Soviets in the form of her friend Sergei is rapidly becoming the KGB insisting that she sell secrets to them.)

With everyone on the way to Mars, Danny's new wife and baby are hanging out with his brother Jimmy (David Chandler) who- like Danny- is struggling with the legacy of his parents, Tracy and Gordo. Unlike Danny, who seems to have doubled down to follow in their footsteps, Jimmy wants nothing to do with NASA and is increasingly friendly with anti-NASA radicals.

On the way to Mars, NASA deploys solar sails to race ahead of the Helios crew, but an accident on the Soviet ship, which sees Ed attempt to go to their rescue, as Helios is closer, gets overruled by Dev and ultimately, it's NASA who has to go rescue the cosmonauts. They do so and while Helios arrives at Mars first, Ed's landing attempt is aborted due to bad weather and ultimately, it's NASA and Russia who land first, with Danielle and the Soviet commander wrestling their way onto Mars... together.

The Soviets and Americans are sharing Happy Valley, while Helios has its own base. Danny is spiralling hard and after he gets injured, develops a Vicodin addiction. Kelly (Cynthy Wu) has a romantic liaison with one of the cosmonauts. One of the astronauts, Will Tyler (Robert Bailey Jr), reveals that he's gay- which gives former Astronaut and Current President Ellen Wilson (Jodi Balfour) an opening to take down 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'

(Ellen's plotline is probably the more underrated of Season 3: still married to Larry (Nate Corddry), they're both still gay, they have one kid and she runs for President as a Republican, defeating Bill Clinton in 1992 to win election. The twist is that it's Larry who gets caught in a lie about an extramarital affair to Congress, which you think is going to be the start of Ellen's 'Lewinsky Scandal' that takes her down but instead, after going to see Pam, Ellen makes the one move that I think no one expects her to make: she comes out of the closet.

IRL, I honestly think that scenario would play out exactly the way Ellen intended. It would have changed the story in a massive, massive way- especially in the mid-90s media landscape, IMO)

Danny's spiral leads to a drilling accident that results in an accident that leads to more deaths and Ed and Danny being trapped in Hab 1, buried and running out of air.

The noose is tightening around Margo, as the Soviets continue to pressure her and Aleida realizes that it was she who gave NASA's engine design to the Soviets and Jimmy's radical friends help him steal the statue of his parents. Things in Season 3 come to a head with Kelly- who is pregnant and suffering from pre-eclampsia, having to be evacuated back to Earth. The North Korean rocket that damaged the space hotel way at the start of the season? Turns out it was a Mars mission and the Americans/Russians find the sole survivor and the *actual* first man on Mars: a North Korean. Back on Earth, Jimmy's friends blow up the Johnson Space Center killing Karen and Molly Cobb in the process and Margo is presumed to be amongst the dead, but is in fact, alive, well, and living in the Soviet Union.

Season 4 opens with the Mars base having grown considerably. Ed is commanding a mission to bring an asteroid into Mars orbit so they can mine it and unemployed oil rig worker Miles (Toby Kebbell) (because they've discovered something called helium-3 that's become the main fuel source, devastating the oil and gas industries) was headed to the moon, but chooses instead to go to Mars for more pay and a long stint. After the accident with Ed's mission, NASA sends out Danielle to replace him for the remainder of America's term commanding the base while Ed, as it turns out is experiencing hand tremors.

Margo is finding that the Soviet Union isn't all it cracked up to be. She's out of the space game, but after a coup removes Gorbachev and brings in new management she finds herself working for the Soviet space program again (after a fairly brutal interrogation.)

On Mars, Miles finds that Helios doesn't pay that well but gets into the black market game to supplement his income and does so quite successfully.

Aleida is suffering from panic attacks after the bombing, Kelly is getting screwed by NASA so they take her robotic explorer program (whose goal is to search for life) on the road, looking for private funding and eventually, they get some from Dev.

Political tensions are rising on Mars with the Soviet crew forming factions over their power struggle, the North Koreans are keeping to themselves, and the Americans are kind of caught in the middle if we just fast forward through to the end of this, eventually, Ed, Dev, and company hijack a shiny new asteroid and park it in Mars orbit where it will be mined. (Margo is also revealed to be alive, comes back to America for awkward moments at NASA, and has the brief, tiniest possibility of running away to Brazil with Sergei dangled in front of her before someone- presumably the KGB shoots him dead.)

All right, so let's unpack this a bit.

From what I'm reading on the interwebs, this show is still waiting for an official renewal for Season 5. I don't know what kind of metrics Apple uses to make those decisions for its streaming platform, but at this point, if the creators/writers, etc, want 7 seasons, I think Apple should just do it at this point- but, that being said, having gotten through all of Season 4, I could also see why they wouldn't do that as well. I think Season 4 feels like the show was either laying the groundwork for a heavy 'reboot' season in Season 5 (because how old can Ed get, really?) or was designed in such a way that it could serve as a series finale without too much trouble either.

And I go back and forth about that. I think the show is at a weird transition point in its story because we're moving out of the alternate history aspect of all of this and more into the science fiction aspect of all of this and I think that might be a trickier balancing act to pull off than we realize. There were aspects of Season 4 that I liked. The introduction of Miles was a brilliant choice because it created kind of this Upstairs/Downstairs aspect to the show where you get to see the people who are doing the grunt work to keep Happy Valley going as a pose to our HEROES who are upstairs doing astronaut things. The black market/secret bar aspect all worked for me- you'd expect to find that in a situation like that as well as the labor tension that eventually leads to a strike amongst the workers. No problem with any of that.

The problem I did have was Ed and Danielle. I think the show should have just gone there. They kind of do, but it's more implicit than explicit and they've danced around this before in prior seasons-- but I think Ed could have seen some interesting character growth had Danielle explicitly called him on his sexist/racist bullshit-- especially given Kelly is a woman of color. There was an opportunity here for self-analysis and reflection for a character who badly needs it and you could have more of an arc between Danielle and Ed trying to repair their relationship throughout the season. They kind of do that, but I think had they doubled down on it a bit, it would have given both characters a better arc throughout the 4th season.

(Also, Ed, man... go home and deal with your fucking feelings, already! "Men would rather stay on Mars and figure out how to hijack an asteroid than go to therapy." Though, to be fair to Ed, when Kelly finally pins him down on why he is the way he is, his explanation seems genuine enough. I just don't understand why it didn't come earlier in the season and why a guy who has had two children of his own is so gosh darned awkward around his Grandson- though admittedly, that too gets better by the end of Season 4.)

We also have to go to talk about Danny Stevens: why the fuck didn't they just send his ass home? I can understand exiling him at the end of Season 3 when they were still trying to get fuel made to get everyone back home, I get that. But now workers are being shipped into the base, surely there's a shuttle he can go home on? Instead, he just sort of sits in the North Korean capsule until he cracks and is found dead and that's just sort of the end of it. (Personally, I think a better ending for Danny would have been them finding the capsule straight up empty. With no tracks or nothing.)

Margo not getting a happy ending seems inevitable, though I would have liked it far better had she gone to Brazil, even without Sergei-- but I do appreciate the fact that she takes accountability for her plan, if not her actions by season's end which I think is a good first step for her character who has been avoiding accountability for her choices for quite some time.

Eli Hobson as the new NASA administrator had me checking IMDB constantly because I was so convinced it was Bruce Boxleitner I got very excited at first, but it was Daniel Stern who was equally as awesome.

Overall: I do love this show. Season 3 was top notch and Season 4 felt like it lost a step or two but was still good. (I'm hoping Season 4 is setting up stuff for Season 5 we have yet to discover!) For All Mankind is a great show that everyone should be watching. Apple is really impressing me with the quality of the shows they've got on there and this one is a 'must watch' that should be getting way more hype than it seems to be out in the world. My Grade: Season 3 **** out of ****, Season 4 *** out of ****

[darkfictionjude]

I thought you & some of the readers might find this interesting, things that happened in 1994 (according to Wikipedia):

February 12: Edvard Munch's painting The Scream is stolen in Oslo

March 12: A photo by Marmaduke Wetherell, previously touted as "proof" of the Loch Ness Monster, is confirmed to be a hoax

April 5: Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, commits suicide at age 27 at his home in Seattle. His body was found three days later.

April 27: South Africa holds its first fully multiracial elections, marking the final end of the last vestiges of apartheid. Nelson Mandela wins the elections and is sworn in as the first democratically elected president the following month.

May 10: Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa's first black president.

May 10: A solar eclipse occurs in The United States.

May 18: The Flavr Savr, a genetically modified tomato, is deemed safe for consumption by the FDA, becoming the first commercially grown genetically engineered food to be granted a license for human consumption.

June 12: Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Lyle Goldman are murdered outside the Simpson home in Los Angeles. O. J. Simpson is later acquitted of the killings, but is held liable in a civil suit.

June 15: The Lion King, the highest-grossing hand-drawn animated film of all time, is released by Walt Disney Feature Animation.

June 17: NFL star O. J. Simpson and his friend Al Cowlings flee from police in a white Ford Bronco. The low-speed chase ends at Simpson's Brentwood, Los Angeles mansion, where he surrenders.

June 17: The 1994 FIFA World Cup starts in the United States.

July 12: The Allied occupation of Berlin ends with a casing of the colors ceremony attended by U.S. President Bill Clinton.

August 12: Woodstock '94 begins in Saugerties, New York. It is the 25-year anniversary of Woodstock in 1969.

August 12: All Major League Baseball players go on strike, beginning the longest work stoppage in the sport's history.

September 13: President Bill Clinton signs the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which bans the manufacture of new firearms with certain features for a period of 10 years.

September 14: The 1994 World Series is officially cancelled due to the ongoing work stoppage. It is the first time a World Series will not be played since 1904.

September 17: Heather Whitestone is crowned the first deaf Miss America; she is crowned Miss America 1995.

September 19: Andrew Wiles proves Fermat's Last Theorem, solving the 357-year-old mathematical theorem first proposed by Pierre de Fermat in 1637. He would publish it in 1995.

October 1: The World Wide Web Consortium is founded by Tim Berners-Lee, becoming the main international standards organization for the World Wide Web.

November 5: George Foreman wins the WBA and IBF World Heavyweight Championships by KO'ing Michael Moorer becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history.

December 3: Sony releases the PlayStation video game system in Japan.

And that is why it’s such an interesting year to set the story in. So much happens in all areas of the world. I knew some of these but it’s nice to know how much the world began to change here. And yes I will pat myself on the back for picking 1994 as the set year for the story 🥳

Thank you nonnie this was very cool 💜 (rip to Kurt — I should add more nirvana to the game playlist).

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New SpaceTime out Monday

SpaceTime 20241007 Series 27 Episode 121

Scientists discover planet orbiting the nearest single star to the Sun

Astronomers have discovered a planet orbiting Barnard’s star, the closest single star to the Sun. The newly discovered exoplanet has about half the mass of the Earth and orbits its host star in just over three Earth days.

Hera mission slated for launch today

The European Space Agency’s Hera planetary defence mission is slated for launch today. The spacecraft will launch aboard a Space X Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida on a two year journey to the near Earth asteroid Didymos and its tiny moon Dimorphos.

A ring of fire around the Sun

People in the eastern South Pacific and South America have been treated to a spectacular annular solar eclipse.

The Science Report

Why the Tonga volcano blast was so powerful.

New Ozempic and Wegovy treatment involving a once a month rather than weekly injection.

Why people use cutesy ‘puppy voices when speaking with their pets.

Skeptics guide to psychic detectives

SpaceTime covers the latest news in astronomy & space sciences.

The show is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Apple Podcasts (itunes), Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pocketcasts, SoundCloud, Bitez.com, YouTube, your favourite podcast download provider, and from www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com

SpaceTime is also broadcast through the National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio and on both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

SpaceTime daily news blog: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/

SpaceTime facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime Instagram @spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime twitter feed @stuartgary

SpaceTime YouTube: @SpaceTimewithStuartGary

SpaceTime -- A brief history

SpaceTime is Australia’s most popular and respected astronomy and space science news program – averaging over two million downloads every year. We’re also number five in the United States.  The show reports on the latest stories and discoveries making news in astronomy, space flight, and science.  SpaceTime features weekly interviews with leading Australian scientists about their research.  The show began life in 1995 as ‘StarStuff’ on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) NewsRadio network.  Award winning investigative reporter Stuart Gary created the program during more than fifteen years as NewsRadio’s evening anchor and Science Editor.  Gary’s always loved science. He studied astronomy at university and was invited to undertake a PHD in astrophysics, but instead focused on his career in journalism and radio broadcasting. Gary’s radio career stretches back some 34 years including 26 at the ABC. He worked as an announcer and music DJ in commercial radio, before becoming a journalist and eventually joining ABC News and Current Affairs. He was part of the team that set up ABC NewsRadio and became one of its first on air presenters. When asked to put his science background to use, Gary developed StarStuff which he wrote, produced and hosted, consistently achieving 9 per cent of the national Australian radio audience based on the ABC’s Nielsen ratings survey figures for the five major Australian metro markets: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.  The StarStuff podcast was published on line by ABC Science -- achieving over 1.3 million downloads annually.  However, after some 20 years, the show finally wrapped up in December 2015 following ABC funding cuts, and a redirection of available finances to increase sports and horse racing coverage.  Rather than continue with the ABC, Gary resigned so that he could keep the show going independently.  StarStuff was rebranded as “SpaceTime”, with the first episode being broadcast in February 2016.  Over the years, SpaceTime has grown, more than doubling its former ABC audience numbers and expanding to include new segments such as the Science Report -- which provides a wrap of general science news, weekly skeptical science features, special reports looking at the latest computer and technology news, and Skywatch – which provides a monthly guide to the night skies. The show is published three times weekly (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and available from the United States National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio, and through both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

[energy-5]

The Role of Battery Storage in Solar and Wind

Introduction to Renewable Energy and Storage Challenges

As the world pivots towards sustainable energy, solar and wind power have become pivotal in reducing our carbon footprint. However, the inherent intermittency of these sources – the sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow – poses a significant challenge. Battery storage technologies have emerged as the linchpin in this dynamic, offering a way to harness and hold onto the power generated, making renewable energy more reliable and dispatchable.

The Evolution of Battery Storage Technologies

Battery storage has undergone a transformative evolution, from lead-acid batteries to modern lithium-ion and beyond. The advancements in storage capacity, longevity, and efficiency have propelled the use of batteries to new heights. These technologies now enable large amounts of renewable energy to be stored and released on demand, overcoming the unpredictability of wind and solar energy sources.

Balancing the Grid with Battery Storage

One of the most critical roles of battery storage in the context of renewable energy is grid balancing. Batteries can quickly respond to fluctuations in energy demand and generation, a task that is increasingly important as renewables constitute a larger portion of the energy mix. This rapid response capability supports the stability of the grid and prevents power outages, which are crucial for maintaining the flow of electricity to end users.

Enhancing the Efficiency of Renewable Energy Systems

In solar and wind energy systems, batteries act as a buffer, storing excess energy when production outstrips demand and providing energy when there is a shortfall. This not only maximizes the utilization of renewable installations but also significantly increases their efficiency. As a result, renewable energy projects become more financially viable and competitive against traditional fossil fuel sources.

Battery Storage in Residential and Commercial Applications

Beyond large-scale grid applications, battery storage is also revolutionizing how homes and businesses use renewable energy. Residential and commercial battery systems can store solar energy generated during the day for use at night or during peak demand times when electricity rates are higher. This enables energy independence and can lead to substantial cost savings over time.

The Economic and Environmental Impact of Battery Storage

The coupling of battery storage with renewable energy sources also has profound economic and environmental implications. By smoothing out the supply of renewable energy, storage technologies allow for a greater displacement of fossil-fuel-based generation, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Economically, this integration can lead to lower energy costs, create jobs in the renewable sector, and stimulate technological innovation.

Looking Towards a Sustainable Future with Battery Storage

The role of battery storage is not just transformative; it is foundational for a sustainable energy future. As we continue to innovate and invest in storage technologies, the full potential of solar and wind energy can be unleashed. This will be critical for meeting global energy demands while mitigating the impacts of climate change. The future of renewables is not just dependent on the energy we can harness today but on the energy we can store for tomorrow.

[poojascmi]

Global Thin film Solar Cell Market Is Estimated To Witness High Growth Owing To Increasing Adoption of Renewable Energy Sources

The global Thin film Solar Cell Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 33.01 Bn in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 19.4% over the forecast period 2023-2030, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. A) Market Overview: Thin film solar cells are made from semiconductor materials that convert sunlight into electrical energy. These solar cells offer various advantages such as flexibility, lightweight, and superior aesthetics compared to traditional solar panels. The need for clean and sustainable energy sources is driving the demand for thin film solar cells as they provide an efficient way to generate electricity from the sun. With the increasing focus on reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change, the demand for renewable energy sources like thin film solar cells is expected to witness significant growth. B) Market Key Trends: One key trend in the thin film solar cell market is the increasing investment in research and development activities to enhance the efficiency of these solar cells. Researchers and manufacturers are investing in developing new materials and technologies to improve the conversion efficiency of thin film solar cells. For example, Oxford Photovoltaics, one of the key players in the market, is developing perovskite-based solar cells that have shown promising results in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This trend is driving innovation in the market and is expected to lead to the commercialization of more efficient thin film solar cell products. C) PEST Analysis: Political: Governments around the world are implementing favorable policies and incentives to promote the adoption of renewable energy sources. This is creating a conducive environment for the growth of the thin film solar cell market. Economic: The declining cost of thin film solar cells, coupled with the increasing demand for clean energy, is driving the economic feasibility of these solar cells. This is attracting investments from both government and private entities. Social: The increasing awareness about the environmental impact of traditional energy sources is driving the social acceptance and demand for renewable energy solutions like thin film solar cells. Additionally, the aesthetics and design flexibility offered by these solar cells are appealing to consumers. Technological: Advances in thin film solar cell technologies are improving their efficiency and performance. New materials and manufacturing processes are being developed, leading to the commercialization of more efficient and cost-effective products. D) Key Takeaways: Paragraph 1: The Global Thin Film Solar Cell Market Demand is expected to witness high growth, exhibiting a CAGR of 19.4% over the forecast period, due to increasing adoption of renewable energy sources. The need for clean and sustainable energy solutions is driving the demand for thin film solar cells. Paragraph 2: The Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the thin film solar cell market, with countries like China, India, and Japan leading the way in terms of installation and production capacity. The region's favorable government policies, abundant solar resources, and growing energy demand are contributing to its fast-paced growth in the market. Paragraph 3: Key players operating in the global thin film solar cell market are Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., FIRST SOLAR, Kaneka Corporation, MiaSolé Hi-Tech Corp., and Oxford Photovoltaics. These companies are investing in research and development activities to improve the efficiency and performance of their thin film solar cell products. They are also focusing on strategic collaborations, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions to expand their market presence.

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Editor's Note: This piece was originally published by The American Prospect.

Thanks to the clean energy revolution, batteries are no longer in the public eye just in the form of that unstoppable bunny in TV ads. Batteries—like computer chips, electric vehicles, solar panels, and other hardware—are having a moment.

Last fall, with funding from 2021’s mammoth bipartisan infrastructure law, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded nearly $3 billion in grants to 20 manufacturers of electric vehicle (EV) battery components in 20 states. That’s just a portion of the taxpayer money appropriated to dramatically expand battery production and enlarge the EV supply chain in the U.S., which is, in turn, a small part of the trillion-dollar surge in federal investment.

In February, the Commerce Department announced the terms of competition for $39 billion in federal subsidies for manufacturers to expand domestic production of semiconductors. Among other conditions, the CHIPS Incentives Program limits stock buybacks and requires applicants to provide the child care that’s so crucial to enabling more women to work in manufacturing.

The question now is how these big bets to expand advanced manufacturing and boost research and development in America—taken together, what the Biden administration calls our country’s “new industrial strategy”—will create broadly shared economic gains, including good jobs, for workers and communities across the country.

This “how” is not without controversy, to put it mildly. Beyond the conservative critics who have lambasted the child care requirement and other conditions, influential liberal voices have aired serious skepticism as well. In a recent column (and clever pop culture mash-up), Ezra Klein of The New York Times decried “everything-bagel liberalism” that pursues “everything everywhere all at once.” But he, too, lumps everything together—from permitting requirements confronting nonprofit housing developers to these new, conditional industrial-policy incentives meant to embed meaningful economic opportunity for workers and communities into the DNA of some of the world’s most important and massively subsidized growth industries. Klein—whom we agree with on many things—gets it wrong when it comes to CHIPS and other promising government efforts to chart a new course.

Advocates have worked for decades in many parts of the country on how to make the economy work for all, on a foundation of good jobs and racial and gender equity. From that work, one essential lesson emerges: Attaching clear, consistently enforced expectations to public investment is indispensable. And with the enactment of last year’s landmark legislation, public officials now have a once-in-a-generation set of tools and resources to do this. The “how,” however, remains an open question, especially for jobs outside of construction.

For much of the past half-century, America’s dominant economic paradigm held that free markets and freewheeling capital alone have created the nation’s critical industries and enabled them to flourish. That paradigm denied the important role that government plays in shaping the nation’s economy. Indeed, innovation has long required and received government-backed R&D, contracts, and other investments in discovery and commercialization. Today, that investment is also focused on the making of a lot of stuff: batteries, electric vehicles, charging stations, computer chips that put the brains in all that hardware, and more. So how did we approach that challenge for the past few decades, given that influential economists and political leaders across the political spectrum often questioned whether America needed manufacturing at all?

Consider the evolution of the DOE and how it impacts our economy and communities. Created with a wartime sense of urgency—to address the energy crisis of the 1970s—the DOE quickly found itself in the crosshairs of American politics, especially as high gas prices receded and renewable energy seemed a pipe dream. For years, the DOE was a favorite target for those keen to attack public investment and many of the other tools of entrepreneurial government. By that we mean, as economist Mariana Mazzucato argues in her book “Mission Economy: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism,” a government that is both equipped and directed to help solve national challenges—not just address market failures and economic calamities.

Despite the lack of broader political support, the DOE quietly became a vital source of the R&D dollars that helped develop new technologies. Thanks to the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2008, the agency also became an important supplier of the financing that, in principle, could have helped turn great ideas into great companies that committed to good jobs in addition to great products.

Famously, the DOE bet $465 million in taxpayer dollars, in the form of a direct loan, on the ambitious domestic production plans of Tesla, now the world’s most valuable car company. That was well before the private capital markets were ready to make that bet on a largely unproven company and its first major factory in Fremont, Calif.

The DOE’s investment in Tesla paid off in terms of demonstrating the viability of mass-produced electric vehicles. But in terms of generating good jobs and racial and gender equity in this critically important new industry, the investment proved to be a bust. The company leads all carmakers in the U.S. in workplace safety violations—as Forbes put it, “racking up more infractions and fines in the last three years than all other automakers in the U.S. combined.” CEO Elon Musk has fought workers’ attempts to unionize by spying on them, firing organizers, and refusing to stop anti-union social media attacks. The company is also being sued by the state of California for alleged widespread anti-Black racism, and by several women for alleged sexual harassment.

There’s a moral to this story: Tesla may be the world’s biggest example of how much harder it is for government to push for high-road labor standards after a company has grown with the help of taxpayer financing. If something important is not part of the deal up front, it tends not to happen.

Tesla is not alone. Particularly in the South and many rural areas around the country, even in ostensibly pro-labor states such as California, innovative manufacturers are mass-producing low-quality jobs. The good manufacturing job is mostly gone, outside of the less than 10% that are unionized. There is, therefore, no guarantee that a significant chunk of the publicly supported clean and high-tech production jobs will pay much more than minimum wage or that they will provide opportunity for training and advancement.

That is, unless certain choices are made to incentivize and embed good jobs and equity into the deals.