Daily Archives: February 15, 2022

Space travel is booming. With companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic attempting to revolutionize space tourism, its only a matter of time before it becomes widely available to the general public.

For decades, billions of dollars have been spent on examining the effects of space travel on human physiology, with a deep understanding that space medicine and science is still largely uncharted territory. These efforts have never been more important, as human space travel is now becoming increasingly mainstream.

Last year, I wrote about how research in space physiology demonstrates that space travel has a wide variety of effects on the human body, including muscle atrophy, increased risk of cancer, and behavioral changes. Indeed, the reasons for these detrimental effects are numerous, including increased exposure to solar radiation, solitary confinement for extended periods of time, lack of muscle resistance due to loss of gravity, and many more.

A recent research study supported by the Canadian Space Agency and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine found yet another noteworthy phenomenon: space anemia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines anemia as a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the haemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal. Haemoglobin is needed to carry oxygen and if you have too few or abnormal red blood cells, or not enough haemoglobin, there will be a decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen to the bodys tissues.Accordingly, the effects of anemia are quite serious. As the WHO explains, anemia may result in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath, among others.

VAN HORN, TEXAS - JULY 20: Blue Origins New Shepard crew (L-R) Jeff Bezos, Wally Funk, Oliver ... [+] Daemen, and Mark Bezos walk near the booster to pose for a picture after flying into space in the Blue Origin New Shepard rocket on July 20, 2021 in Van Horn, Texas. Mr. Bezos and the crew were the first human spaceflight for the company. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

As the WHO further details, The most common causes of anaemia include nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency, though deficiencies in folate, vitamins B12 and A are also important causes; haemoglobinopathies; and infectious diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and parasitic infections.

But the new research study, published in Nature Medicine, found that the destruction of red blood cells, termed hemolysis, is a primary effect of microgravity in space flight and support the hypothesis that the anemia associated with space flight is a hemolytic condition that should be considered in the screening and monitoring of both astronauts and space tourists.

Dr. Guy Trudel, the physician that spearheaded the study alongside other academics, explains more in the press release: Space anemia has consistently been reported when astronauts returned to Earth since the first space missions, but we didnt know why [] Our study shows that upon arriving in space, more red blood cells are destroyed, and this continues for the entire duration of the astronauts mission.

Thankfully, having fewer red blood cells in space isnt a problem when your body is weightlessBut when landing on Earth and potentially on other planets or moons, anemia affecting your energy, endurance, and strength can threaten mission objectives. The effects of anemia are only felt once you land, and must deal with gravity again.

These findings are incredibly relevant, as they highlight yet another layer of understanding regarding the impact of space travel on human physiology. Without a doubt, as space travel becomes more affordable and accessible, more individuals will attempt to treat it as a recreational activity. But just as with any other vocation or hobby, regulators and policy leaders will have to develop certain protocols, health requirements, and screening criteria to determine who is safe to travel into space.

Research like Trudels and the significant amount of scholarship done over the past few decades by thousands of other dedicated scientists and scholars have not only helped humankind push the bounds of knowledge with regards to space travel, but will also become critically valuable for the purpose of creating safe frameworks for the future of space travel.

Indeed, with a commitment to learn more, a keen appetite for curiosity, and dedication put forth by intellectually hungry scholars, humanity may indeed make space travel safe, accessible, and mainstream, one day soon.

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Space Anemia Just One Of The Many Impacts of Space Travel On The The Human Body - Forbes

Were in 1957, the height of the Cold War. The Soviets and Americans are racing to space, and the Soviets have pulled ahead by launching the first human-made object into the Earths orbit. The next goal on the horizon: sending a man into space. But before that, there was Laika, a stray dog from Moscow who was the sole living occupant of the spacecraft Sputnik 2, which orbited the Earth. Sputnik fell from space eventually, but Laika did not survive the trip.

Now Laika has been resurrected as the subject of a vapid new musical, Space Dogs, an MCC Theater production that opened on Sunday and that stars its creators, Nick Blaemire and Van Hughes.

Directed by Ellie Heyman, Space Dogs recounts the story of Laika, the best known of the dogs that Soviet scientists trained for space travel. In this retelling, a scientist known by the code name Chief Designer led that initiative.

Parts of the show are told from Laikas perspective, from doggie diary entries and songs (Laika is played by a plushie that is mostly handled and voiced by Blaemire). Other parts come from the perspective of the chief designer, played by Hughes. The rest of the scenes break the fourth wall, providing historical and political context. Its informative, in a slipshod way, but also hopelessly cheesy, packed with dad jokes, puns, silly accents and even a doggie beauty contest. Space Dogs gives off the vibe of a B-grade educational childrens show though one with the occasional vulgarity amid the bleak material.

One oddly peppy song recounts how the chief designer, driven by a void in the center of his chest, to use a clich from the show, was imprisoned in the gulag and tortured during the height of Stalins rule. And though no dogs were harmed in the making of this show, there are canine casualties and somber existential musings from the four-legged friends. Besides the Bowie-esque chorus and spoken word of Fill the Void, and the alternating soft acoustic chords and heavy strumming of Blessed by Two Great Oceans, most of the musicals songs are pretty uniform stylistically and generically upbeat bouncy yet forgettable numbers that contribute little to the story.

Space Dogs also telegraphs Pixar-level heartbreak through mawkish tunes. What if I die? What if I fall out of the sky? Laika sings, and later croons from beyond the grave about her dashed hopes for a family and delicious steak. Its emotionally manipulative, especially for tenderhearted animal-lovers in the audience. The show then must walk a difficult line between a celebration of Laika and her canine colleagues (History was changed by dogs! the two actors declare) and commentary on the ambitions of two countries on the brink of mutual annihilation.

Hughes and Blaemire attack their material with such enthusiasm; their earnestness is palpable, even taking into account the corniness of the book and their imperfect vocals (the songs they wrote accommodate their range and abilities).

The rest of the production appears poised to overshadow the two stars and their story. Wilson Chins scenic design is compact and cluttered, full of drawers and speakers of different shapes and sizes stacked together Tetris-style alongside Soviet and American flags. Amanda Villalobos offers some fabulous puppet and prop design that, unfortunately, isnt prominently showcased until the last third of the show.

The lighting design (Mary Ellen Stebbins) is the boldest, full of neons and strobes. Projections, green screens and live cameras all figure prominently as well, and though the celestial lights and scenery are dazzling, all of these elements together offer a glut of visual information that is often overwhelming.

What would my own dog think of such a show, I wondered as I left the theater. Im betting hed prefer to keep his paws on the ground.

Space DogsThrough March 13 at MCC Theater, Manhattan; mcctheater.org. Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes.

More:

Space Dogs Review: To Boldly Go Where No Dog Has Gone Before - The New York Times

Writing a book takes a lot of work.

Whether you have a story burning inside of you, or you simply want to build your brand, a well written and promoted book can be the gateway to career development, more speaking and presenting gigs, and increased credibility in your field. Writing a book is an opportunity to reach a specific audience, tap into a content marketing strategy, build a community of followers who resonate with your message, and create a platform for thought leadership. From travel podcast hosts to book publishing pros to travel writers and editors, the following experts in the travel space offer their most sage advice.

For prospective writers who are working on a travel-related guide, memoir, or the like, Marika Flatt, founder and chief publicity strategist of PR by the Book, says that to begin writers should create a social media strategy and roll it out on a consistent schedule. Also, authors should define their target reader. Create an avatar of who this person is, says Flatt. What do they like to do? Where do they buy and read books? Get clear on who youre writing for before you begin.

Founding editor of Unearth Women and co-author of the new book, Wanderess, Nikki Vargas says that to get books into the hands of readers, first-time authors will spend time developing a book proposal, approaching literary agentsa good one is key, and pitching publishers. Because getting a book published can be tricky, I have seen a myriad of stellar women I admire self-publishing books and leveraging their individual platforms to spread awareness, which I think is a great option for first-time authors that may be wary of navigating the world of publishing but are keen to see their work fulfilled, says Vargas.

We were approached by an editor at Clarkson Potter who had discovered the work we were doing with Unearth Women and believed it could lend itself nicely to a book, Vargas says. While we were extremely fortunate to be approached by a major imprint like Clarkson Potter and publisher like Penguin Random House, I recognize that my experience with Wanderess is rare.

Wanderess, as Vargas says, is a womens travel resource that utilizes the diverse experiences of leading women in the industry, women like Oneika Raymond, Brooke Saward, Kelly Lewis, Dani Heinrich, Esme Benjamin, and Annika Ziehen. Co-authored by myself and Unearth Women Co-Founder, Elise Fitzsimmons, Wanderess aims to show travelers how best to support and connect with women worldwide while also diving into the nuances of the travel experience. The pages of Wanderess cover everything from solo travel to travel planning to LGBTQ+ travel to traveling as a woman of color, as a new mom, and so much more.

With regards to the pros and cons of traditional versus independent versus self-publishing modalities, Flatt says, Most people need a book shepherd to herd them in the right direction. In traditional publishing, they do most of the work for you once you sell your bookthey'll handle everything including editing, layout, design, sales, marketing, and distribution. When you self-publish, all of that falls on your shoulders.

And, in a saturated market, writers, Flatt says, must be unique or different to stand out. Create a listicle (an article in the form of a list) that covers your expertise and make sure these are tips youre not hearing all over the placestart there and lean on that with your messaging.

Building a community of wanderers has long been the modus operandi for Jason Moore, from the popular Zero to Travel Podcast. Initially, way back in 2013, the show began as a way to inspire others to travel through storytelling, strategic planning, and expert advice.

It was the show I wish I had when I started out with $20,000 of debt and a dream to see the world, Moore says. When I started getting messages from listeners telling me how the show helped them overcome adversities and hit the road, I knew I was onto something. What I didnt know is how much of an impact the show would have on my life as well. Outside of traveling, getting married, and having kids, starting a podcast is the best thing Ive ever done both personally and professionally.

For authors, being a featured guest on a podcast has its benefits. Podcast listeners have a strong connection with their favorite shows, Moore says. An invite means the host is vouching for youyoull have the audiences trust from the get-go, so dont blow it!Provide as much value as humanely possible to the audience, do your best to entertain them along the way, and be sure to leave listeners with plenty of reasons to buy your bookinvite them to get in touch or offer a freebie to hop on your email list. If you do these things right, and the audience is a solid match for your content, then sales will be sure to follow.

To promote a book, being on a podcast as a guest can help demonstrate to readers your expertise in a field. Youve done the research; youve put in the time. Ive had a lot of authors as guests on my podcasts, says Shelby Stanger, host of Vitamin Joy, a new podcast in the health and wellness space, and Wild Ideas Worth Living, a podcast by REI Co-op Studios. Many have told me book sales have gone up after my show or other shows and many listeners have written thanking me for recommending a book on the show.

Stanger, who has a background in journalism as well as marketing in the outdoor and health and fitness spaces, says, As a writer and storyteller, Ive always loved stories about people who have taken the road less travelled, and turned their wildest ideas into a reality. That has been the impetus for Wild Ideas. There have been several times when I have felt stuck and listening to others who have been able to go for it has always encouraged me to get unstuck and make a positive change to go for it as well.

Podcasts, as it turns out, have been an excellent conduit for truth telling. I love that in podcasting, interviews live in a fuller format, and it always feels like such an intimate conversation. As a listener, some podcast hosts begin to feel like friends, and I hope I feel like a friend to some people listening as well, says Stanger.

For Wild Ideas Worth Living Podcast by REI Co-Op Studios, we interview anyone with a wild idea, from those you have heard of like author Cheryl Strayed who wroteWildand rock climber Alex Honnold who many know from the movieFree Solo to those you might not know as much, like Corina Newsome, an ornithology graduate student who started a movement for black birders and Chris Fagan who, with her husband Marty, became the fastest American married couple to ski to the South Pole, Stanger says. On the show, we talk about where people get their wild ideas, how they deal with fear, failure and obstacles along the way, and the beauty of the journey.

We share advice to hopefully encourage others to go after their own wild ideas, Stanger says. I truly believe a little adventure is lifes antidote. Over the last five years, we've received dozens of letters from listeners saying a show they listened to encouraged them to pursue learning to surf, bike across the county, and even move across the country.

Read more here:

Should You Write A Book? Experts In The Travel Space Offer Tips - Forbes

Northrop Grumman cargo launch to the International Space Station From Wallops

Live video of .Northrop Grumman's cargo launch to the International Space Station from Wallops on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021

Salisbury Daily Times

Another launch of theAntares rocket from NASAs Wallops Flight Facility scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 19means another opportunity to witness space travel.

Viewing locations on Chincoteague Island include Robert Reed Park on Main Street or Beach Road spanning the area between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. The Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Atlantic beaches also provide good viewing locations.

Live coverage of the mission countdown is scheduled to begin at approximately 7:30 a.m. on theWallops IBM video site.

This will be Northrop Grummans 17th commercial resupply services mission to deliver NASA science investigations, supplies and equipment to theInternational Space Station.

According to a statement by Wallops Flight Facility, "the public can also share in the journey through a variety of activitiesincludingregisteringto attend this launch virtually. NASAs virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities or changes, and a stamp for the NASA virtual guest passport following a successful launch."

More on the flight schedule: Antares liftoff from Wallops to Space Station set for February

More on STEM careers and NASA: NASA, UMES join forces to promote STEM careers

NASA TV will also be airing the launch for those unable to make it to viewing areas.

Originally posted here:

These are the best places to watch the upcoming rocket launch on the Eastern Shore - Delmarva Now

Six years ago, Elon Musk shared his vision of humanity as a multi-planetary species, that would achieve this status in part thanks to fully reusable space vehicles like the then-announced Starship.

About a year later, he expanded the concept, showing how the system could not only be used to send astronauts to Mars, but also connect cities around Earth in as little as half an hour, at prices comparable to todays air fares.

A journey between Singapore and Tokyo could take as little as 28 minutes compared to todays seven hours.

Many have dismissed these visions as science-fiction, but it seems that SpaceX is gradually and successfully peeling away the fiction component by proving skeptics wrong. And in the coming two years, its plans are about to bear real fruit.

Starship went from a 3D rendering to a working prototype that is expected to reach orbit this year. And not a moment too soon as SpaceXs first floating launch pads, made from repurposed oil rigs, are going to be ready for testing by the end of this or early next year.

Meanwhile, the Singapore government has just pledged S$150 million in investment into space research during the Global Space and Technology Convention, which took place in the city last week.

The funds will be injected into Space Technology Development Programme, which seeks to develop Singapores space capabilities in areas such as aviation, maritime and sustainability.

Admittedly, its just a tiny drop in the bucket but then again, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Singapore is often compared to Venice, which was once a very powerful (even if tiny) republic settled around the Adriatic sea, controlling much of the European trade with the near and far East for centuries.

The legacy of its past greatness, evidenced by its remarkable architecture, is what draws millions of tourists there today, even as the city plays no role in trade anymore.

However, this comparison has always irked me a little.

Back in the day, Venice was near the frontier of competition between Europe and the Middle East. Unlike Singapore, it participated in many wars, conquered and colonised coastal territories and islands of the Mediterranean. It was a geographically privileged, relatively powerful gatekeeper of international trade in the basin.

Singapore is just a peaceful entrept bridging East and West. A well-respected, trusted and attractive one, but certainly neither absolutely indispensable (there are other countries hoping to nib away its advantage and the melting Arctic may soon make northern trade route more viable) nor outwardly hostile to anyone.

Times of easy territorial expansion and colonisation are gone, and the entire world has been thoroughly explored. There are few frontiers to cross these days and, consequently, there are few opportunities for a tiny country like Singapore to seek undisputed international leadership at.

Lands may be divided and borders largely settled, but thats on the Earths surface. Virgin territories of the cosmos are our new frontier and there, it is still fair game for everyone, including a diminutive but wealthy city-state.

While Singapore isnt exactly what Venice once was for international trade in Europe, it could play such a role in access to outer space.

Skeptics may be eager to dismiss the local governments pledge to invest in space technologies as publicity stunt or an ill-advised response to a fashionable trend, which exploded with the successful rise of Elon Musks SpaceX, but that would be unfair.

It rather comes from a realisation that much of our future will be decided above our heads. Telecommunications, military, hypersonic travel and logistics, and cutting-edge scientific research will require access to orbit (and beyond).

To ensure a prosperous future, Singapore has to leap ahead to take advantage of opportunities that would diversify its risks away from seaborne logistics.

Curiously, just like with sea trade, Singapore is in a privileged position to be one of the critical hubs for cosmic endeavors, perhaps even one of its leaders (particularly in connecting large urban areas to space, as currently rocket launches are carried out from very remote locations).

Firstly, it is conveniently located at the equator, which gives a boost to vehicles launched into space thanks to higher rotational speed of the Earth its both less difficult and costly than launching from higher latitudes.

Secondly, with the advent of offshore launch pads (like the ones developed by SpaceX), its coastal location means it could deploy necessary infrastructure on water, away from the city itself.

Thirdly, as it is the only highly developed country at the equator, and one with a robust local manufacturing and engineering sectors, it could provide a necessary technological base that would be very close to the launch location. This includes not only parts and maintenance (e.g. by experienced offshore companies) but also products like specialised fuels for all kinds and sizes of rockets, delivered by Singapores advanced petrochemical sector.

Southeast Asia is particularly starved of launch locations, although Indonesia has already offered a new spaceport to SpaceX, located on Biak island in West Papua. But like in all other cases, its in the middle of nowhere, creating logistical hurdles.

Admittedly, theres no lack of geographically suitable locations around the world that could serve as launch sites, but there are none that would combine all the advantages of Singapore.

Enough of blue sky thinking though, we have to come down to Earth now, both literally and figuratively.

For any technology to develop, there has to be a logical business case. Singapore wont dump billions of dollars into development of infrastructure that may not yield any benefits for years, if ever.

Since were decades away from space mining of resources that may be rare on Earth (what would justify venturing out to get them), the only commercial activities that have a net positive monetary value are putting things into orbit and transporting things and people around the planet.

Its in this spirit that Elon Musk touted SpaceXs upcoming Starship five years ago. Not only as a rocket taking humans to Mars, but also one that can get them from point A to B on Earth much faster than not only traditional jet flight, but even supersonic planes that are in development today.

While we can expect the next generation Concorde to travel at top speeds of 2,000 to 3,000 km/h, the top speed on a brief orbital flight would be as much as 27,000 km/h. Any place on Earth would be within a 30 to 60 minute journey, with most locations approximately half an hour away.

Even if we assume some time would be spent like at modern airports on boarding and security procedures, it still means a journey of around two hours anywhere in the world.

The floating platforms that SpaceX has ordered are meant to aid that. Located at a distance of about 20 miles from the shore (due to safety and noise constraints), they would serve as spaceports for Earth-to-Earth travel, at speeds that no plane could possibly compete with.

And while Elon Musk, in his typical hyperbolic fashion, touted tickets as cheap as ordinary economy class, Im sure that even at first-class prices, there would be many takers to get to the other side of the globe in less time it can often take to cross a busy city.

Early calculations suggested a possible ticket price of US$1,200 per head, should the rocket fit an equivalent of an A380 (853 passengers). But its easy to see that at US$10,000 it should easily get about 100 each time, in business/first-class equivalent conditions.

Such a low cost is achievable thanks to full reusability of the rocket, which reduces operational costs to just fuel and maintenance.

During last weeks presentation at the companys Starbase in Texas, Elon Musk stated a target of flying each rocket every six to eight hours, with the first-stage refuelling process taking as little as 30 minutes, thanks to the new launch-and-catch tower designed by SpaceX engineers in just a year to accelerate the vehicle turnaround times.

But to get people on board, they still have to get there and current space launch centres are often located hundreds of miles away from major cities.

Singapore, however, is among the best-suited to be one of the first to build one close enough.

I mentioned the 20 mile (32km) distance that any future spaceport would have to be located away from the nearest urban centers as rockets are rather loud far louder than traditional jet airliners.

For frequent, daily flights (which are the ultimate goal), the noise levels would not be acceptable anywhere near a major city.

So, the question now is: where can Singapore find a place 20 miles away from the shore when the island itself is little over 20 miles long, east to west?

Indonesias Batam, home to over a million people, is just 10 miles away. Johor is right across the border. All in all, there are approximately 7.5 million people living within a 20 to 30 mile radius.

Rockets cannot just take off and land at Changi, with noise and vibration tearing nearby buildings (and peoples eardrums) to pieces.

Fortunately, and unexpectedly, Singapore happens to have just the place for the job.

The lengthy territorial dispute between Singapore and Malaysia over ownership of a few rocky outcrops out to the east of the Malay Peninsula, was concluded by International Court of Justice in 2008, confirming Singapores sovereignty over Pedra Branca and Malaysian over nearby Middle Rocks.

While it may have thus far seemed to have been a rather petty squabble over distant and largely useless rocks that barely stick above the water (that few Singaporeans will see), the requirements of space launches may suddenly make them very valuable.

It does not seem to be a far-fetched idea to consider repurposing the area for the needs of a rocket launch and landing facilities, of a size comparable to the offshore rigs that SpaceX is developing now (or even larger). Alternatively, it could perhaps act as a mooring location for floating platforms or a support and control centre of sorts.

Most importantly, however, it is both close enough to the city to allow a swift journey (one could even imagine using existing Changi facilities for the purpose) over sea or a short hop by helicopter, and far enough not to be a nuisance to anyone.

The nearest shores are 10 miles away and home only to a handful of people in a few coastal towns and villages.

If Singapore wants to seriously engage in space travel and retain full control over the infrastructure, this is the only place it could do it at. The alternatives are a cooperation with Malaysia and/or Indonesia, and while certainly possible, we know it may often not go to plan.

Until recently, space travel for mere mortals was just science fiction. But with SpaceXs contributions to lowering launch costs, todays business elites are now already able to afford a journey to the orbit and soon, even around the Moon, like Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa.

While the price tag for these experiences is still in the millions of dollars, progress made on new launch vehicles promises to cut the costs even further, gradually opening space to thousands and then millions of travelers.

Leadership in this private market space race is going to be taken by countries and cities that can provide the most attractive combination of conditions: large and wealthy enough populations, attractiveness to travel (particularly for business), regulatory clarity, political stability, engineering expertise, logistical connectivity and geographically suitable launch locations.

Despite its tiny size, Singapore appears to be ticking all of the boxes.

And if the market trends prove to be promising, it can deploy nearly unlimited amounts of capital from its reserves, that are invested in profitable ventures in and out of the country, just like it painstakingly built stellar reputation of Singapore Airlines over the years.

With the right timing and a dose of good luck, it can open up a literally unlimited space of opportunities and become a gateway to the orbit and beyond with the added benefit of abandoning its Earthly territorial limitations, that will no longer constrain its future.

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Singapore to Tokyo in 28 minutes? Can the Lion City become the Venice of outer space? - Vulcan Post

First it was oral care biofilms, now it is skin care. Colgate-Palmolive, through its PCA Skin brand, is sending new research into space this weekend.NASA and commercial cargo provider Northrop Grummanare targetingthis Saturday, Feb. 19, for the launch of the company's 17th resupply mission to the International Space Station. In the more 8,200 pounds ofresearch, crew supplies, and hardware, Northrop Grumman's Cygnus is Colgate-Palmolives investigation that will leverage the acceleration ofskin aging in microgravityto help create and validate an engineered tissue model to serve as a platform for testing potential products to protect aging skin. The study comes from Colgate-Palmolove-owned skin care brand PCA Skin.

Last summer, NASA's SpaceX Dragon returned to earth with a Colgate experiment on board. In December, Tide detergent headed into orbit aboard SpaceX Dragon.

We know from historical data that space travel and lengthy exposure to microgravity have profound effects on the skin. Astronauts in space experience thinning, dry skin that is susceptible to cuts. While these changes are comparable to those observed during the normal aging process on Earth, it appears that they are accelerated in microgravity, said Lia Arvanitidou, global technology and design vice president for Colgate-Palmolives skin health businesses. Through this exciting endeavor, well be able to gather new data on the skin health biomarkers behind those changes - data which will be available faster than it would be on Earth, said Arvanitidou.As microgravity accelerates changes in skin that mimic aging,exposure to it aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is crucial for rapid identification of aging-related alterations in skin physiology and for prediction and mitigation of aging-associated skin problems.To investigate the effects of microgravity on skin, an in vitro 3D human skin model is exposed to the microgravity environment aboard the ISS. Analyses of molecular markers indicate the level of tissue stress and recovery responses. The microgravity-induced molecular blueprint is compared to that from skin tissues cultured as ground controls. Observed differences in molecular patterns can offer unique insights on the biological pathways involved in normal skin homeostasis and clues on mechanisms of their disruption during aging. These insights will be used to design molecular strategies for skin health management interventions.

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PCA Skin To Send Skin Aging Study Into Space on Feb. 19 - happi.com

Getting to another star system? Its commonplace in science fiction. Simply switch on the hyperdrive or warp drive, depending on the fandom one prefers and youre there. But getting it done in reality is no easy task.

Traveling to Alpha Centauri, our nearest star system neighbor at 4.37 light years away, would take much more than a lifetime. Even one of the fastest probes humankind has launched, Voyager 1, would take more than 70,000 years to arrive there at its current speed of 61,500 kilometers per hour.

Still, the tantalizing prospect of reaching other stars in our lifetimes has motivated many engineers to come up with creative approaches to accelerating spacecraft propulsion, including laser-driven light sails. Instead of harnessing the wind like their ancient shipboard cousins, light sails are propelled by light reflecting off their surfaces.

A multi-scale nanostructure enables the sail to reflect laser light well, while staying cool by radiating its heat away (Courtesy of Aaswath Raman)Toward that goal, researchers at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering and the University of Pennsylvanias School of Engineering and Applied Science are exploring ways to build and optimize nanoscale light sails for the journey into interstellar space.

Funded by Breakthrough Starshot, a $100 million research and engineering program seeking to develop a new technology for un-crewed interstellar travel, the research was recently published in Nano Letters. In two separate papers, the groups proposed and evaluated new concepts in the shape, size and materials of future light sails designed to accelerate quickly while staying cool so they will not overheat and evaporate in space.

A powerful laser pulse beamed from Earths surface would provide the push needed to reach the great speeds required for faster interstellar travel. This beam would accelerate a small nanocraft, no heavier than one-third an ounce, through the vacuum of space. If designed correctly, such a spacecraft could reach speeds around 20% of the speed of light, about 3.6 million kilometers per hour. At those speeds, Alpha Centauri-bound spacecraft could reach their destination in about 30 years and could then beam images and measurements back to Earth.

Humanity has never accelerated macroscopic objects to such relativistic speeds before. To achieve this breakthrough, extreme properties are required of all components involved, from the lasers to the ultralight probe, as well as the sail itself.

The sails must be extraordinarily light much lighter than a feather yet able to adequately reflect the lasers light to propel itself forward. A sail that is about 2 meters in diameter might weigh less than a gram, or a few thousandths of a pound.

In one of the papers, the research groups addressed a fundamental challenge faced by laser light sails: absorbing even a small fraction of the laser light on a sail could destroy it.

We demonstrated designs that have the ability to quickly accelerate the sail and the craft its pulling along, while making sure it doesnt disintegrate immediately. said Aaswath Raman.

Unfortunately, when you aim a powerful laser at something, even if it absorbs a very tiny fraction of that laser light, it will tend to get really hot, said Aaswath Raman, a UCLA assistant professor of materials science and engineering who led this study. We aimed to solve this problem by designing nanoscale light sails that leverage unique material properties and optical behaviors that arise when materials are structured at scales comparable to the wavelength of incoming light. We demonstrated designs that have the ability to quickly accelerate the sail and the craft its pulling along, while making sure it doesnt disintegrate immediately.

Previous research on light sails has focused on increasing vehicle speed at the expense of durability or vice versa, but the UCLA-UPenn team aims to strike a realistic balance between both.

The team incorporated molybdenum disulfide, an emerging atomically thin 2D material with a high index of refraction, along with silicon nitride, a material that also has the properties needed to radiate heat away effectively. Their modeling shows that this sail design could not only survive the initial acceleration phase that propels the light sails forward but also reach the target velocity at a distance close to Earth. This is important because the laser targeting the sail will be beamed from Earth and cannot propel the sail once the vehicle gets beyond a certain distance.

The new sail material could be incorporated into a design in which very small squares of the fabric, about one hundredth of a millimeter in area, are lashed together, rather than a single sheet, to further improve heat dissipation.

The lead author on the paper is John Brewer, a UCLA doctoral student advised by Raman and supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Other senior authors on the paper include Penn Engineerings Deep Jariwala, an assistant professor of electrical and systems engineering, and Igor Bargatin, an associate professor of mechanical engineering and applied mechanics. Additional authors include UCLA undergraduate student Sachin Kulkarni and Penn Engineering postdoctoral researchers Matthew Campbell and Pawan Kumar.

In the second paper, the researchers proposed that the sails design should allow it to bulge out, more like a parachute, instead of being flat.

The intuition here is that a very tight sail, whether its on a sailboat or in space, is much more prone to tears, said Bargatin, who led the study. Its a relatively easy concept to grasp, but we needed to do some very complex math to actually show how these materials would behave at this scale.

Rather than a flat sheet, Bargatin and his colleagues suggest that a curved structure, roughly as deep as it is wide, would be most able to withstand the strain of the sails hyper-acceleration, a pull thousands of times that of Earths gravity.

Campbell was the lead author on this paper. Other authors include Brewer, Jariwala and Raman.

Breakthrough Starshot is part of the Breakthrough Initiatives, a suite of space science programs investigating the fundamental questions of life in the universe. Funded by the Breakthrough Foundation, these philanthropic initiatives were established by Yuri and Julia Milner.

Link:

Innovative Reflective Materials to Accelerate Space Probes Light Years Away - UCLA Samueli School of Engineering Newsroom

The Lockheed Martin logo is seen during the the 70th annual International Astronautical Congress at ... [+] the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC on October 22, 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Our theme of Space Stocks continues to underperform, falling 17% year-to-date, compared to a decline of the S&P 500 which remains down by 6%. Now, enterprise-backed space programs actually saw much progress through the Covid-19 pandemic, with the likes of SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and BlueOrigin launching multiple crews and high-profile individuals into space. However, space stocks havent fared as well, as investors have been reducing their exposure to futuristic stocks as they brace for higher rates and tighter monetary policy.

Although the volatility could continue in the near term, as investors have been prioritizing cyclical plays and companies with stronger cash flows, there is still a pretty good case for investing in space stocks for the long haul. There has been a gradual shift from government-driven space programs toward privately run programs, and this could bode well for the companies in our theme. Moreover, new markets are opening up, ranging from reusable rockets, satellite-based Internet, space tourism, and point-to-point transport around the earth and this could drive revenue growth for the theme in the long run.

Within our theme, Lockheed Martin has been the best performer, with its stock up 12% year-to-date in 2022, driven partly by the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, which have been driving defense stocks higher. On the other side, Virgin Galactic has been the worst performer, with its stock down by almost 36% year-to-date.

Below youll find our previous coverage of the Space Stocks theme where you can track our view over time.

[10/15/2021] Space Stocks To Watch As SpaceX And Blue Origin See New Milestones

Our theme of Space Stocks has underperformed this year, declining 7% year-to-date, compared to a return of almost 18% on the S&P 500. However, there have been a couple of notable developments in the space sector in recent weeks. Elon Musk backed SpaceX saw its valuation soar to over $100 billion last week as the company made an agreement to sell stock from company insiders. This would make SpaceX the worlds second most valuable private company after Chinas Bytedance. Moreover, Jeff Bezos BlueOrigin successfully launched the second crewed mission of its New Shepard rocket on Wednesday. These high-profile developments could bode well for publicly listed stocks with exposure to the space theme. As weve noted before, the longer-term outlook for the theme also appears promising, given the shift from government-driven space programs toward enterprise-backed programs and the emergence of a host of space-related opportunities such as reusable rockets, space tourism, and satellite-based Internet.

While all the stocks in our theme have meaningfully underperformed the broader markets, Lockheed Martin has been the best performer, with its stock up 2% year-to-date. On the other side, Maxar Technologies has been the worst performer, with its stock down by about 22% year-to-date.

[7/15/2021] Virgin Galactic, Aerojet Rocketdyne: How Are Space Stocks Doing?

Our theme of Space Stocks has underperformed this year, rising by just about 8% year-to-date, compared to a return of over 17% for the S&P 500. That said, things could look up for these stocks. July is turning out to be an eventful month for the space industry. Earlier this month, Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) successfully completed its first fully-crewed test flight, which carried its founder Richard Branson to space. Separately, privately held startup Blue Origin plans to fly its founder, e-commerce billionaire Jeff Bezos as part of its first crewed flight on its New Shepard rocket ship on July 20th. These high-profile trips are likely to create a lot of buzz for the space industry, turning the focus on publicly listed space stocks in the near term. The longer-term outlook for the sector also looks promising, given the shift from government-driven space programs toward enterprise-backed programs and the emergence of a host of space-related opportunities including reusable rockets, satellite-based Internet, and point-to-point transport. Virgin Galactic has been the strongest performer within our theme, rising by about 39% year-to-date. On the other side, Aerojet Rocketdyne was the worst performer, with its stock down by roughly 11% year-to-date.

View our Space Stocks theme for the complete list of companies and an overview of their financial performance.

[8/10/2020]

Investor interest in the space exploration area has been rising after Elon Musks SpaceXs successfully completed its first manned mission this year. There are a couple of broad trends driving the industry. Firstly, there is a gradual shift from government-driven space programs toward enterprise-backed programs. Moreover, new markets appear to be opening up, ranging from reusable rockets, satellite-based Internet, space travel, and point-to-point transport around the earth. Per Morgan Stanley, the global space industry is poised to expand significantly over the next two decades, growing from roughly $350 billion currently to over $1 trillion by 2040. [1]

Although SpaceX remains privately held, weve picked a theme of a few publicly listed space companies including Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Aerojet Rocketdyne (NYSE: AJRD), Iridium (NASDAQ: IRDM), and Virgin Galactic as part of our theme Space Stocks To Watch. Parts of the analysis are summarized below.

Lockheed Martin ($108 billion market cap, +0% YTD), is a diversified aerospace company that also makes satellites and space craft for government and commercial customers. The company is developing the Orion spacecraft that is intended to be used in NASAs human spaceflight programs that will venture into deep space and lunar orbit. The company also provides launch services under the United Launch Alliance partnership with Boeing.

Virgin Galactic ($4 billion, +55%) is an aerospace company focused on suborbital spaceflight for private individuals and researchers. While the company is currently in the test phases and doesnt generate meaningful revenues just yet, things are likely to change in the next few quarters, as it likely begins commercial space flights carrying paying space tourists from 2021, charging each passenger roughly $250,000.

Aerojet Rocketdyne ($3.4 billion, -7%) is an American rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer. While the company derives more than half its revenues from missile defense systems, its space business is also poised to grow considering its contracts with Boeings SLS rocket, Northrops OmegA, and the United Launch Alliances Vulcan rocket.

Iridium Communications ($4 billion, +20%) operates a constellation of satellites that are used for worldwide voice and data communication from hand-held satellite phones and other devices. The company essentially provides communication services across the world, even in areas where there is no cellphone coverage. Iridium largely caters to governments and private sector companies including maritime and aviation solutions.

What if youre looking for a more balanced portfolio instead? Heres a high-quality portfolio thats beaten the market consistently since the end of 2016.

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Space Stocks Are Having Another Rough Year. Should You Buy? - Forbes

Nearly 70 years before the woman who would become the first known Native American female engineer was born, her great-great-grandfather, John Ross, was fighting for the rights of the Cherokee Nation. In an 1836 letter to U.S. legislators, Ross, the nations principal chief, wrote, Spare our people! Spare the wreck of our prosperity! Let not our deserted homes become the monuments of our desolation! He was protesting the legitimacy of the Treaty of New Echota, an accord that, without any agreement from Ross or the Cherokee National Council, was used as legal basis to forcibly, fraudulently, and violently expel the remaining Cherokee population from their ancestral homelands.

His protests would ultimately be in vain. Ross and his people would be forced to embark on the Trail of Tears, where his wife, Quatie, would die. Eventually, he and others settled in Park Hill, Oklahoma, a hamlet some five miles south of Tahlequah, the city resting at the southwestern edge of the Ozark Mountains that would come to be the Cherokee Nations capital.

Its an incredible origin story that set the gears in motion for the glass-ceiling-breaking life of Mary Golda Ross, the chiefs great-great-granddaughter. While Chief Ross had fought to keep his people out of obscurity, Mary became a trailblazer by setting her sights on the stars.

She would walk through a door and stick in her foot to make sure that it stayed open for others.

She was the kind of person who would walk through a door and stick in her foot to make sure that it stayed open for others, says historian Emily A. Margolis, a curator of American womens history at the National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Not only did she do all these amazing things in aerospace, but she did it at the same time that she was trying to make engineering in general more inclusive and welcoming to all.

She was born in Park Hill on August 9, 1908, one year after Oklahoma became a state, the second of five children to William Wallace and Mary Henrietta Moore Ross. From a young age, Ross showed promise. She was sent to live with her grandparents to study in Tahlequah and graduated high school at just 16. As a freshman at Northeastern State Teachers College (now Northeastern State University), Ross majored in mathematics, an unusual pick at a time when women were not a necessarily welcome presence in STEM.

But to Ross, math seemed the most obvious and appealing option. Math was more fun than anything else, she explained in a 2002 interview with writer Laurel M. Sheppard for Native Peoples magazine. It was always a game to me. She often found herself the only woman in her classes, with her male classmates physically insulating themselves from her. I sat on one side of the room and the guys on the other side of the room, she recalled to Sheppard. I guess they didnt want to associate with me. But I could hold my own with them, and sometimes did better. She graduated with her bachelors in 1928.

Courtesy of the Ross Family

In the years after, Ross worked as a high school teacher, a statistical clerk at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and an adviser to students at a boarding school for Native American students in Santa Fe, New Mexico. During the summers, she took astronomy classes at Colorado State Teachers College, eventually earning her masters degree in 1938a feat rarely accomplished by women at the time. (Only 86 women earned Ph.D.s in mathematics between 1940 and 1949.)

Then came World War II.

Though women have long labored (with little to no recognition) in or outside the home, the war brought an unprecedented jump in female participation in traditionally male professions. Women were called to join the ranks of the production line as their husbands, brothers, and fathers were drafted into the war. Jobs that were previously kept from them were suddenly available, and by 1945, nearly one out of every four married women worked outside the household.

Following the advice of her father, who encouraged her to channel her mathematical pursuits into the war effort, Ross went west. In California, she was hired as an engineer at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, an aerospace manufacturer that became a key military facility during the war. By the time she joined the company, Ross became one of nearly 480,000 women who worked in the aircraft industry in the United States. Certain aircraft factories located in Southern California, where Lockheed was headquartered, saw 60 percent of their workforce composed of women.

What truly captured her imagination was a concept that was then inconceivable: space travel.

At Lockheed, Ross worked on design issues concerning the P-38 Lightning, which at a whopping 400 mph was one of the fastest fighter jets in the world. Though she put her expertise to use on matters of aeroelasticity and high-speed flight, what truly captured her imagination was a concept that was then inconceivable: space travel. She recalled later, If I had mentioned it in 1942, my credibility would have been questioned.

When the war ended in 1945, women often saw themselves pushed out of the workforce as men reentered the labor pool. But lucky for Ross, her genius hadnt gone unnoticed during her time at Lockheed. Instead, the company sent her to the University of California, Los Angeles to receive her engineering certification. She returned to become one of 40 founding engineers at Skunk Works, the highly secretive Advanced Development Program at Lockheed. She was Skunk Works only woman engineer.

Often at night there were four of us working until 11 p.m., she later said in a 1994 interview with San Jose Mercury News. I was the pencil pusher, doing a lot of research. My state-of-the-art tools were a slide rule and a Frieden computer.

Much of their work still remains classified today, but what we do know is that Ross got her chance to develop technology for space explorationno longer a shot-in-the-dark concept. The San Jose Mercury News noted that she worked on preliminary design concepts for interplanetary space travel, manned and unmanned earth-orbiting flights, [and] the earliest studies of orbiting satellites for both defense and civilian purposes. Her efforts also helped develop the Agena spacecraft for the Gemini and Apollo programs, which allowed NASA to test equipment for Earth-orbiting and lunar missions. In 1966, she became one of the primary authors of NASAs Planetary Flight Handbook Vol. III, which touched on the possibility of traveling to Mars and Venus.

The true extent [of her influence] is unknown, because much of the work that she did remains classified, Margolis says. But I think that aerospace technology and knowledge that we have today builds on what came before, and so she is part of the larger trajectory of what aerospace looks like today and will look like in the future.

By the time Ross retired in 1973, she was involved with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, as well as the Society of Women Engineers, the conduits through which she worked to recruit and encourage Native American youth to pursue STEM.

Courtesy of the Ross Family

Cara Cowan Watts, an engineer from the Cherokee Nation and the CEO of Tulsa Pier Drilling, a Native Americanowned and operated drilling business in Oklahoma, remembers her friends career as a groundbreaking guide to other Cherokee women in the field. Marys work professionally and later as a community leader inspired me to continue my work in STEM, says Cowan Watts, who first met Ross in 2004. Mary was clear in her conversations and her daily actions that you own your career. Achieving excellence in STEM enables you to do incredible things for your nation, your family, and your community. It opens doors for you.

Still, since Rosss time, scientific and mathematical fields havent seen a significant increase in terms of Native representation. In 2015, for instance, the U.S. engineering workforce was composed of just 0.3 percent Native people and 0.07 percent of Native women.

The workforce has grown immensely since the time that Mary Golda Ross became the first known Native American woman engineer, Margolis says. But we havent necessarily seen a corollary increase in the Native representation in those fields.

[Her] impact on my life was to create more of us.

Why isnt Ross as well-known as other space pioneers who loom large in pop culture today? There is this problem that historians deal with called erasure, Margolis explains. When youre doing the history of women or other people whove been marginalized, their labor at the time that they were working was often devalued and invisibilized in a way that meant that it was rare for their contributions and their records that they created to be recorded in archives.

In Rosss case, there is an extra level of archival difficulty since so much of her work is still confidential. What we do know of the engineer, though, is in large part thanks to her family. We only know about her today, because people in the past decided that a story was important and worth saving, Margolis says. Its really a credit to her family and to the archivists and museum professionals that were even able to know about what she did.

Cowan Watts adds, [Her] impact on my life was to create more of us. She would be happy to know that she inspired just a few more folks to become engineers or pursue applied math to further our nation.

Before she passed on April 29, 2008just months shy of her 100th birthdayRoss asked her niece to create a traditional Cherokee dress that she could wear to the 2004 opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. (which she would eventually leave a $400,000 endowment upon her death). There, on opening day, walking in her green calico dress in a procession alongside thousands of other Native Americans, the history-making pioneer would again pave the way for a brighter future where the contributions of Indigenous people wont be lost to the dark. As she told a local paper in 2004, The museum will tell the true story of the Indiannot just the story of the past, but an ongoing story.

A new statue built in Ross's honor will be erected at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, the capital of her birth state. The statue will be on view starting February 23rd.

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How Mary Golda Ross Changed the Game of Aerospace Forever - HarpersBAZAAR.com

The crypto economy got the red-carpet treatment at Super Bowl LVI.

The biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, looking to demystify their businesses for tens of millions of Americans, secured commercials during the big game, which cost up to $7 million per 30-second spot. Some enlisted famous faces.

Larry David appeared as a clueless time traveler who turns up his nose at great innovations (The wheel? Eh. The lightbulb? Can I be honest? ... It stinks.) before pooh-poohing a pitch for crypto company FTX. The tagline: Dont be like Larry. Dont miss out on the next big thing. Later, LeBron James schooled his younger self about taking chances in an ad for Crypto.com.

It was widely anticipated that big names would back crypto and non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, during the big game. So much so that ahead of the match, cryptocurrency trading platform Binance dropped videos featuring the Miami Heats Jimmy Butler and music artist J. Balvin warning viewers against celebrity crypto endorsements.

On Feb. 13, youre going to hear some of the biggest names telling you to get into crypto, Butler said. But they dont know you or your finances. Only you do.

The star-studded ads were the latest example of the entertainment industrys growing interest in everything blockchain. In the past year, theres been a preponderance of actors, musicians and athletes talking up digital currencies and NFTs unique digital records authenticating ownership of an item, tracked on a digital ledger.

Movie studios are auctioning off crypto collectibles to promote new films. Musicians are releasing songs, albums and memorabilia as tokens, giving fans access to bonus material. Theme park designers are talking about bringing famous characters and fantasy worlds into the metaverse. DJs are planning totally virtual concerts and parties.

And of course, there are the celebrity crypto endorsements. Last year Matt Damon appeared in a Crypto.com ad comparing electronic currency investment to nautical exploration and space travel, with the slogan Fortune favors the brave. Paris Hilton showed off her Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Reese Witherspoon has touted crypto assets on Twitter. In the (near) future, every person will have a parallel digital identity, the Big Little Lies star tweeted in January.

Critics have balked at the spectacle of the rich and famous encouraging viewers to gamble on a risky and speculative market that has been plagued by grifters. Skeptics say the cryptocurrency and NFT craze has primarily benefited wealthy early adopters the true believers who could afford to get in early.

Analysts see clear parallels in the crypto space to the dot-com bubble. That earlier hype cycle reached a pop culture apex at the 2000 Super Bowl. That game featured ads by companies like Pets.com, which quickly collapsed.

My problem is, when 98% of these NFTs will go bust in the next couple of years, it will just crush a lot of the small investors, said Anindya Ghose, a professor at New York Universitys Stern School of Business. If youre Matt Damon or Paris Hilton, you can afford to lose 5% of the net worth. But for many small retail investors, 5% or 10% of your net worth is a nontrivial loss.

A-listers repping brands and products is nothing new, of course. But selling crypto and NFTs is more awkward than pitching for typical consumer goods, because the concepts are still foreign to many consumers. Its not quite the same as pitching for potato chips and energy drinks, said Columbia Business School professor R.A. Farrokhnia.

How are you going to explain non-fungible tokens in a way thats understandable and portrays some of the risks attached to it? Farrokhnia asked.

Broad skepticism hasnt stopped ambitious artists from experimenting in the growing crypto universe.

DJ and producer Steve Aoki, one of the most vocal proponents of NFTs and the possibilities of blockchain technologies in entertainment, has set up an online platform dubbed A0K1VERSE for holders of Steve Aoki NFTs.

He describes the project as a digital version of a membership-based social club, like Soho House, with different tiers of experiences, including access to collectibles, concert tickets and virtual performances. At a certain membership level, fans could collaborate with him on music, he said.

I call it the preseason, Aoki said. Theres a lot of different ways to think about where were going. The exciting part now, for creators like myself, is that we can actually start building the architecture.

Entertainers and companies are trying to learn and prepare for a future when audiences live more of their lives in virtual worlds, said Adam Friedman, an executive at Creative Artists Agency.

Were well past the notion of anything in the space being a cash grab, Friedman said. Its about what makes the most sense strategically for the client, their business and their brand.

Some in the industry think theres potential to mine NFTs for movie and TV show ideas, treating them as intellectual property, similar to comic books, video games and toy lines. Last year, CAA signed Jenkins the Valet, a digital character created by Tally Labs, for representation in books, film, TV and podcasts.

At the end of the day, its IP, and if the IP is compelling, and clients and the market find it compelling, theres a lot of opportunity, Friedman said.

Kat Graham, an actress and artist who makes music under the name Toro Gato, released her latest album exclusively as a series of NFTs. Graham said she sees the format as a way to circumvent an exploitative record label system.

Graham worked with the NFT marketplace YellowHeart, which helped the rock band Kings of Leon release an NFT version of its record in one of the first major uses of the format by a mainstream artist.

Graham said selling NFT albums gives her a more direct connection to fans than streaming, which smaller artists have despised for years because of paltry royalties.

It feels like we have our own club, like we have our own community, she said. I hope that this space will open up more artists.

NFTs started to pick up steam during the COVID-19 pandemic amid the rise in popularity of physical collectibles, such as baseball cards, as alternative investments.

But the newness and volatility of the crypto economy has made it a hotbed for swindlers and intellectual property theft. Early this month, a website called HitPiece allegedly auctioned off music NFTs without artists permission, infuriating musicians and leading the Recording Industry Assn. of America to call the platform little more than a scam operation.

A class action lawsuit last month accused Kim Kardashian and Floyd Mayweather of artificially pumping up the price of the cryptocurrency EthereumMax. The coin lost about 97% of its value in seven months, leading critics to call it a pump and dump hustle.

The Department of Justice this month charged a married couple one of whom moonlighted as a YouTube rapper in a $4.5-billion crypto money-laundering scheme.

Such incidents have damaged the sectors reputation with the general public. Some believers recognize the issues but see them as a natural part of a work in progress.

Theres going to be bubbles, theres going to be bad actors, theres going to be scams, said Jeremy S. Goldman, a Los Angeles-based partner at law firm Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz who specializes in blockchain issues. But that doesnt negate the fact that underlying this is an incredible new innovation that has the ability to bring tremendous value to new creators and to existing creators.

Studios have tried to clamp down on artists selling NFT versions of their work featuring Marvel and DC superheroes. Miramax sued Quentin Tarantino for planning to auction images of his handwritten Pulp Fiction script. Tarantinos lawyers argued that the director had the right to sell the pages as NFTs under his original contract.

Meanwhile, movie studios and TV networks are dipping their toes in with their own NFTs.

Warner Bros. has issued tokens based on its Matrix and Space Jam franchises ahead of new film releases. AMC Networks enlisted NFT production company Orange Comet to issue computer-animated Walking Dead clips as tokens. And Sony Pictures and AMC Theatres created Spider-Man NFTs for members of AMCs movie ticket subscription program and investors.

To promote Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Sony Pictures auctioned 10 Ghostbusters vignettes as NFTs on the OpenSea marketplace leading up to the release. The Culver City studio also issued thousands of digital collectible Mini-Pufts (tiny Stay-Puft marshmallow characters) to appeal to the more everyday consumer.

Were in a phase where you have these crypto whales and these people that understand the technology that are buying these, but theres not a lot of those people, said Jamie Stevens, Sony Pictures head of consumer products and licensing. So we really wanted to create an opportunity for our fans to be able to own a piece of it.

Some studios also see an opportunity to take what theyve done in physical theme-park attractions and bring that into the digital world.

Jenefer Brown, who runs live and location-based entertainment for Santa Monica film and TV studio Lionsgate, envisions a world where fans can enter the world of the John Wick action franchise and book a room at the Continental Hotel, the action series neutral refuge for the criminal underworld.

Weve dusted off concepts that weve come up with, from a physical standpoint, that just couldnt be built for a variety of reasons, that absolutely could be built in a digital environment, Brown said.

Buying NFTs is complicated, and experts predict that more consumers will embrace it only as the technology becomes easier to use and understand.

Right now, the market is frothy with capital pouring in, and many analysts expect it to contract. However, the technology itself is not going anywhere. NFTs are here to stay, Goldman said. Theyre just going to evolve, as technology always does.

See the rest here:

Larry David and LeBron James Super Bowl ads for crypto: Why? - Los Angeles Times