NASA has taken the next steps toward building Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket boosters to support as many as six additional flights, for a total of up to nine Artemis missions. The agency is continuing to work with Northrop Grumman of Brigham City, Utah, the current lead contractor for the solid rocket boosters that will launch the first three Artemis missions, including the mission that will land the first woman and next man on the Moon in 2024.

Under this letter contract, with a potential value of $49.5 million, NASA will provide initial funding and authorization to Northrop Grumman to order long-lead items to support building the twin boosters for the next six SLS flights. Northrop Grumman will be able to make purchases as the details of the full contract are finalized within the next year. The full Boosters Production and Operations Contract is expected to support booster production and operations for SLS flights 4-9. The period of performance for the letter contract is 150 days; the definitized contract will extend through Dec. 31, 2030.

"This initial step ensures that NASA can build the boosters needed for future Space Launch System rockets that will be needed for the Artemis missions to explore the Moon," said John Honeycutt, SLS Program Manager at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. "The letter contract allows us to buy long-lead materials in time for manufacturing boosters for the fourth flight."

The twin solid rocket boosters, which are mounted on the side of the SLS core stage, will produce more than 75% percent of the thrust for each SLS launch. The boosters were based on the design of the space shuttle solid rocket boosters but include a fifth segment to produce the extra power needed to send the larger SLS rocket to space.

"We're ready to process and stack the boosters for the Artemis I mission, and we are making great progress producing boosters for the Artemis II and III missions," said Bruce Tiller, manager of the SLS Boosters office at Marshall. "NASA is committed to establishing a sustainable presence at the Moon, and this action enables NASA to have boosters ready when needed for future missions."

Northrop Grumman has delivered the 10 solid rocket booster segments to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There they will be stacked with other booster components outfitted at Kennedy and readied for launch. Casting is complete for the solid rocket motor segments for Artemis II and is underway for the Artemis III crew lunar landing mission.

Recently, NASA conducted SLS procurement activities to acquire additional RS-25 engines and core stages for future SLS flights. The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage for the second Artemis mission, as well as the launch vehicle stage adapter and Orion stage adapter are in the initial phase of manufacturing in Alabama.

The SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, Gateway and Human Landing System are part of NASA's backbone for deep space exploration. The Artemis program is the next step in human space exploration. It's part of America's broader Moon to Mars exploration approach, in which astronauts will explore the Moon and experience gained there to enable humanity's next giant leap, sending humans to Mars.

For more information on SLS, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/

SOURCE NASA
Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov

Mazda North American Operations announced today that the 100th Anniversary Special Edition Mazda MX-5 Miata will be offered in limited numbers for the U.S. later this year. The iconic roadster is a symbol of dynamic, top-down driving on thrilling open roads, making it the perfect vehicle to honor the brand's 100-year milestone.

The 100th Anniversary Special Edition MX-5 Maita is available in either the RF (retractable fastback) or exclusive red soft top. It will be offered in Snowflake White Pearl Mica premium exterior paint and accented by red styling features throughout. The front fender has a minimalist "100 Years 1920 – 2020" badge while the wheel center caps feature the 100th Anniversary Special Logo in red and black. The red leather seats and red carpet add a level of sophistication while giving a nod to the two-tone R360 Coupe, Mazda's first passenger car. The headrests are embossed with the 100th Anniversary Special Logo, while the red floor mats share the same badge as the front fender. To bring the package together, the key fob is embossed with the 100th Anniversary Special Logo and presented in a special edition box.

This commemorative Miata is based upon the 2020 MX-5 Grand Touring. It is equipped with a four-cylinder Skyactiv-G 2.0 engine capable of delivering up to 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque and can be paired with a Skyactiv-MT six-speed manual transmission or a quick-shifting Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Manual transmission versions will include a limited-slip differential, Bilstein® dampers, front shock tower brace, sport-tuned suspension and, for the RF, a black roof. Other convenient features include Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, heated leather seats, Bose® audio system that include driver and passenger headrest speakers, automatic climate control and 17-inch dark silver aluminum alloy wheels.

The 100th Anniversary MX-5 Miata will be arriving later this year, please visit MazdaUSA.com for more information and to sign up for updates.

In addition to this special vehicle, the Mazda Collection is introducing 100th Anniversary Special Edition items to express the years of appreciation and to commemorate the brand's centennial. The new items include a cast metal keychain medallion, made in Japan ceramic mugs featuring either the Cosmo Sport or RX-Vision, and model cars in 1/43 scale that feature heritage and concept Mazda vehicles. Available in early July, is the "Mazda One Hundred" coffee table book, with a curated selection of images that honor the past, present and the future of Mazda. The book is a visual journey through Mazda's origins, its passion for motorsport, its award-winning design language and pioneering cars – all the time emphasizing the manufacturer's challenger spirit, and commitment to the joy of driving.

MSRP2 FOR THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY MX-5 MIATA IS AS FOLLOWS:

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations
Related Links

www.mazdausa.com

HeroX, the social network for innovation and the world's leading platform for crowdsourced solutions, today launched the crowdsourcing competition "Lunar Loo" on behalf of the NASA Tournament Lab (NTL) and NASA's Human Landing System (HLS) Program. NASA is preparing to return to the Moon by 2024 and needs to develop a new way for astronauts to urinate and defecate in microgravity and lunar gravity. The crowdsourcing challenge calls on the global community of innovators to provide innovative design concepts for fully capable, low mass toilets that can be used both in space and on the moon.

Competitive toilet designs will align with NASA's overall goals of reduced mass and volume, lower power consumption, and easy maintenance. Selected designs may be modified for integration into Artemis lunar landers. This effort is all part of NASA's Artemis program to return astronauts to the moon in 2024.



During the eight-week challenge, problem solvers can win up to $35,000 in prizes.

"As NASA astronauts prepare to set their boots on the Moon in 2024, we're turning to the global network of problem solvers to design the next-generation lunar toilet," said Mike Interbartolo, project manager for the Lunar Loo Challenge in the HLS Crew Compartment Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center. "As we prepare for this extraordinary event, we can't forget about the ordinary needs of our astronauts."

"NASA's previous challenge, Space Poop, went viral, demonstrating how effective the power of the crowd is to solve galactic problems," said Christian Cotichini, CEO, HeroX. "It's always an honor helping solve 'number two' challenges."

The Challenge: NASA is calling on the global community to submit their novel design concepts for compact toilets that can operate in both microgravity and lunar gravity. These designs may be adapted for use in the Artemis lunar landers that take humanity back to the Moon. Although space toilets already exist and are in use (on the International Space Station, for example), they are designed for microgravity only. NASA is looking for a next-generation device that is smaller, more efficient, and capable of working in both microgravity and lunar gravity. Getting back to the Moon by 2024 is an ambitious goal, and NASA is already working on approaches to miniaturize and streamline the existing toilets. But they also want ideas from people that will approach the problem with a mindset different from traditional aerospace engineering. This challenge hopes to attract radically new and different approaches to the problem of human waste capture and containment. And, to encourage the next generation of solvers, there will also be a Junior category for innovators under 18 years of age.

The Prize: The challenge will award $35,000 in prizes to the authors of the three most compelling design concepts. In addition to the awards, design winners will have the opportunity to talk directly with NASA engineers about their proposed toilet designs. The top three participants in the Junior category will each receive public recognition and an item of official NASA-logoed material.

How to Become a Solver: The prize is open to anyone aged 18 or older participating as an individual or as a team. Individual competitors and teams may originate from any country, as long as United States federal sanctions do not prohibit participation (some restrictions apply). To submit to the Junior category, you must be younger than 18.

To accept the challenge, visit https://www.herox.com/lunarloo


SOURCE HeroX
Related Links

http://www.herox.com

For the 2021 model year in the U.S., many of the 718 Boxster and Cayman models are receiving a comprehensive list of upgraded standard features. All standard 718 Boxster and Cayman models, as well as the T, S and GTS 4.0 variants, will come standard with automatic two-zone climate control, heated front seats and auto-dimming mirrors with rain sensor for the new model year. Additionally, Apple CarPlay® as well as bi-xenon headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) (bi-xenon in Black with PDLS for GTS 4.0) will become standard features. Prices start at $59,900 for the 718 Cayman, and $62,000 for the 718 Boxster, not including the $1,350 delivery, processing and handling fee. As before, all models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, and can be optionally fitted with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.


Now available to order: the 2021 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 and 718 Cayman GTS 4.0

• Today, Alfa Romeo officially celebrates its 110th birthday, reopening the doors to its historic museum in Arese
• Visitors will have access to areas of the museum previously concealed from public view, featuring an additional 150 cars, plus trophies, artwork and engines
• "Alfa Romeo in Uniform," a new section dedicated to the cars of the carabinieri – the national police force of Italy – will be unveiled
• The new limited-edition Giulia GTA makes its first public appearance
• Exclusive video content unveils private areas of the museum, including "Storage" and "Archive" sections
• Enthusiasts can join the celebration online via this link at 9:30 am EDT
• Festivities at the museum will continue until Sunday, June 28, with extra visiting hours

Panasonic today launched the LUMIX G100, a new Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera designed and developed for creating high-quality, versatile content.

Intuitive controls, visually engaging images and excellent sound quality are hallmarks of the new LUMIX G100, raising the bar for content production and user experience in the vlog camera category. Usability is further enhanced by its remarkably compact and lightweight design that doesn't skimp on functionality and creative options.


1. The Logical Next Step from your Smartphone

LiveU and Grabyo have teamed up for broadcasting and sports partners, and anyone sharing content online, to provide a simplified end-to-end solution for live video productions, based on their integrated cloud-based technologies.

Enabling remote production and cloud editing from anywhere in the world, the solution is particularly relevant in today's COVID-19 environment, where video editors and producers need to create live programming from their home studios and other remote locations.

The solution combines Grabyo's cloud-native SaaS platform, providing a range of digital video production and publishing tools such as editing, clipping and highlights, with LiveU's broadcast-quality live video solutions, ranging from its professional-grade hardware HEVC field units and Solo wireless video encoder to its LU-Smart app for smartphones.

This integration is optimized in LiveU's new LU800 production-grade, multi-camera field unit, with its inherent support for remote production workflows.

Ronen Artman, VP Marketing, LiveU, said, "With the growing demand for cloud-based solutions, we see huge benefits for our customers in partnering with Grabyo, an expert in cloud-based video production and editing – especially with the remote production capabilities of the LU800. We're committed to work together to enhance and simplify the content workflow, helping our customers, which include some of the largest broadcasters and media organizations, to create compelling live content from anywhere."

Gareth Capon, CEO at Grabyo, said: "We're excited to bring this solution to market with LiveU. Our products complement each other perfectly and by working together, we are able to offer an agile, innovative and robust cloud production workflow to broadcasters and digital publishers. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for cloud-based solutions to be an integral part of any live production set-up, and this partnership will equip producers with the tools they need to future-proof their video strategy and extend the scope of live broadcasting."

Production teams can implement the integrated solution quickly, with limited training and an easy set-up, with additional service integrations to follow for joint customers.


SOURCE LiveU


Related Links

http://www.liveu.tv

Moshi, purveyor of electronics and accessories, today announced a stylish wireless charging stand - Lounge Q. The new addition follows the company's ethos of creating quality products from durable materials that extend their usable life. This principle is backed by the company's industry-leading 10-year Global Warranty on all their products.

As the latest addition to Moshi's Q Collection inspired by Danish furniture design, today Moshi has announced its Lounge Q wireless charging stand. The charger's stylish design makes it the perfect complement to any minimalist desktop, workstation or nightstand. Unlike other charging stands with a fixed charging coil, Lounge Q features an adjustable-height design which means the charger will accommodate phones of any size. This makes it suitable for those using iPhone, Samsung, Google, and more.

The internals is driven by Moshi's proprietary Q-coil™ technology which includes a ferrite sheet that offers better charging speed and efficiency compared to other wireless chargers. This allows Lounge Q to wirelessly charge through cases up to 5 mm thick. The stand is Qi-certified by the Wireless Power Consortium and thanks to its extended power profile, it can fast-charge any device up to 15 W. Lounge Q is compatible with any Qi-enabled phone and supports both Apple (7.5 W) and Samsung (9 W) fast-charging (supports WPC Qi-EPP spec).

Lounge Q (USD $70) will be available on June 23rd on moshi.com and from select retailers.


SOURCE Moshi
Related Links

https://www.moshi.com/en

Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire Cambridge, UK-based UltraSoC Technologies Ltd., a provider of instrumentation and analytics solutions that put intelligent monitoring, cybersecurity and functional safety capabilities into the core hardware of system-on-chip (SoC). Siemens plans to integrate UltraSoC's technology into the Xcelerator portfolio as part of Mentor's Tessent™ software product suite. The addition of UltraSoC to Siemens enables a unified data-driven infrastructure that can enhance product quality, safety and cybersecurity, and the creation of a comprehensive solution to help semiconductor industry customers overcome key pain points including manufacturing defects, software and hardware bugs, device early-failure and wear-out, functional safety, and malicious attacks.

"Siemens' acquisition of UltraSoC means that for the first time our customers can access not just design-for-test, but a comprehensive 'Design for Lifecycle Management' solution for system-on-chips, including functional safety, security and optimization," says Brady Benware, Tessent Vice President and General Manager, Siemens Digital Industries Software. "By utilizing design augmentation to detect, mitigate and eliminate risks throughout the SoC lifecycle, customers can radically improve time-to-revenue, product quality & safety, and profitability. UltraSoC has a fast-growing business and impressive customer list and, as part of Siemens, can complement Tessent to create a truly unique offering in the market."

UltraSoC is a pioneer of embedding monitoring hardware into complex SoCs to enable "fab-to-field" analytics capabilities designed to accelerate silicon bring-up, optimize product performance, and confirm that devices are operating "as designed" for functional safety and cybersecurity purposes. Tessent is a market leader in SoC design-for-test (DFT) solutions, and has established strengths in the field of automotive functional safety via its Tessent Safety Ecosystem. These two highly complementary offerings are the foundation of a complete package of solutions, encompassing semiconductor design and production, functional safety, cybersecurity, and functional optimization of products in the field.

The combination of Siemens and UltraSoC technology can benefit the entire semiconductor product lifecycle, including structural, electrical, and functional capabilities of SoCs. It also supports Siemens' comprehensive digital twin with UltraSoC providing monitoring of the real device.

"This acquisition accelerates UltraSoC's vision at a much larger scale with the incredible team, assets, industry know-how and footprint of Siemens," said Rupert Baines, CEO, UltraSoC. "Being part of one of the world's foremost technology companies will allow UltraSoC to better serve our customers by accelerating R&D, leveraging a much larger pool of go-to-market resources, and an enormous global infrastructure. It has been clear since our initial meeting that UltraSoC and Siemens share a vision on how technology businesses can transform their operations end-to-end, from design conception to field deployment and we are excited to join the community."

UltraSoC's products are widely used in the automotive, high-performance computing, storage and semiconductor industries. The company was recently selected as a participant in the DARPA AISS (Automatic Implementation of Secure Silicon) program; and is a member of the Secure-CAV consortium, an ambitious collaborative project that aims to improve the safety and security of tomorrow's connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs). Siemens' acquisition of UltraSoC is due to close in the fourth quarter of Siemens' fiscal year 2020. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Siemens Digital Industries Software is driving transformation to enable a digital enterprise where engineering, manufacturing and electronics design meet tomorrow. The Xcelerator portfolio helps companies of all sizes create and leverage digital twins that provide organizations with new insights, opportunities and levels of automation to drive innovation. For more information on Siemens Digital Industries Software products and services, visit www.sw.siemens.com

For further information on Siemens' SoC offerings, please see www.siemens.com/mentor


SOURCE Siemens Digital Industries Software
Related Links

https://www.siemens.com

As the country reopens, property managers, human resource professionals, and facility managers have rallied to create safer lobbies and access to buildings. New building safety measures require a new set of tools that support good and constant communications as well as safe distancing and protective health procedures.

TouchSource, the leader in smart digital signage, has led the industry in offering digital building directories, kiosks and interactive visitor and tenant communications. The company has extended its innovative solutions to enable property owners and managers to safely re-open public spaces using contactless, interactive directory-to-mobile apps, and new safety compliance solutions.

To support visitor safety programs, TouchSource is now introducing the TouchSource Taos wellness kiosk. The TouchSource Taos can display contactless public health messaging, directory, and wayfinding content on a digital display along with built-in temperature sensors and touchless hand sanitation in the kiosk. Its cloud-based software allows users to easily deliver always-current messaging that's easy to update. The Taos is perfect for contactless wellness assessments, vendor check-in and auditing of health safety compliance, visitor management, and touchless concierge applications. The Taos is also available in a variety of powder coat colors and ready for custom vinyl applications for a solution that fits any brand.

Now users can deliver highly visual, digital information that keeps pace with rapidly changing public health messages from a safe distance. Let visitors see and scan information to personal mobile devices while sanitizing their hands and doing a quick wellness check. Place at least one unit at each entrance and leverage TouchSource safety messaging options for optimum impact. Deploy contactless TouchSource Mobile Directory and Mobile Wayfinding with the kiosk to support easy and safe visitor movement throughout the facility. Add contactless visitor concierge to make it easy for visitors to call tenants from the kiosk.

Manage vendors more easily with vendor check-in forms and acknowledgment of safety and health requirements. Maintain an auditable list of vendor compliance. As things change in the future, the temperature functions can be easily disabled or utilized as proximity sensors for dynamic content experiences. The Taos is designed to be future-proof beyond the current health crisis and be a long-term asset for any public space. https://touchsource.com/products/taos-wellness-kiosk/


Related Links

Kiosk Product Overview

SOURCE TouchSource

The modern production line requires diligent planning and oversight to function at full capacity. Any inefficiency at any stage in the line will cause delays on further functions – leading to logjams and backlogs that production line managers are all too aware of. In this article, and in light of the many delays that can and do take place on production lines each day, we’ll walk you through four tips to help you increase your production line’s capacity without also increasing its inefficiency.


Audit

When you start thinking about making changes to your production line, you need to make those changes in a planned and phased manner. You need to be aware of where you’re making the changes, why you’re targeting that phase of your production line, and what the knock-on effects of that change might be. You can do this by conducting an audit of your facility, to give you an impression of how your changes will improve our overall capacity. Make sure you go through this stage if you’re interested in boosting your overall production line’s performance.


Hardware

Next up is the hardware that you use on your production line. All modern production lines are slick operations, governed by the technology that was available at the time of their construction. Naturally, technology moves on, and the relics of the past that sit in your production line are likely to have been improved upon in more recent years. That’s the case with Fluent Conveyors, which ferry your products along your line, as well as highly dexterous robotic machines, which you can have tailor-made for your line from several production robotics companies. Look always to your hardware, and to the new technologies on the market, to improve capacity on your line.


Software

While some automation has been running on production lines for decades, the level of control that you can now operate over each element of your production line has increased dramatically. In today’s world of manufacturing and production, it’s easy to monitor and change your production line from a responsive piece of software. This software – much of which may be updated and upgraded from the software that you currently operate – is excellent at spotting where your production line’s weak spots are. As such, this is a significant upgrade to help you boost your production line in the long run.


Workers

How can workers improve your production line? Well, the more experienced your workers, the better able they are to spot issues with your line as they develop. It’s therefore essential that you’re able to keep these most experienced workers at your facility – by increasing their wages and offering them promotions. Meanwhile, bringing in expert software engineers, or hardware designers, can help you slowly work on the next upgrade on your facility – whether that’s in terms of further automation, or a better, faster machine at a specific phase of your production line. Staff will help you make your line far more efficient, increasing capacity.

Bear these four tips in mind to increase the capacity of your production line this year.

Photo de energepic.com provenant de Pexels

The United Allied States (UAS) is announcing the formation of its new sovereign government.

"The founding principles of UAS are freedom, respect for human life and free-market enterprise," says Cory Cozad, Congressman of UAS. "We have a unique opportunity to take principles from history's decisions and develop a united, prosperous nation."

Vision

The vision of the UAS is the establishment of a worldwide, sovereign nation of states, each offering its residents an unparalleled level of freedom and prosperity.

Utilizing principles that are proven to facilitate economic growth and foster the creation of wealth, the UAS will promote the values of individual freedoms; respect for human life; and free enterprise. All with the fierce determination to drastically impact the lives of, not only its citizens, but its allies, partners and the continent of Africa as a whole.

The UAS believes that together, we can build the American dream in Africa, and around the World.


Expansion through Collaboration

The central goal of the United Allied States is to establish freedom focused, sovereign special economic zones across the globe. Each sovereign special economic zone will act as a permanent state providing energy, infrastructure, food, jobs, and critical resources to its partner nation. This sovereignty is accomplished by the signing of a treaty between the UAS and this ally. This treaty allows the UAS to offer foreign companies, foreign investors, and its citizens an economically and politically stable, income tax-free, business-focused territory to develop costly infrastructure in areas that would otherwise be considered high risk.

These states act as a beacon of opportunity and prosperity in regions suffering from economic hardship and instability, providing well-paying jobs to the host nation, pouring money into its local economy, and opening up resources and infrastructure that would otherwise be impossible to obtain.

The UAS will utilize its stable government framework to adopt policies of low taxation, minimal regulation, and business security. Not only significantly enhancing the lives of its citizens but also the lives of the citizens within partnering nations.


Individual Rights and Liberties
The United Allied States was founded on the belief that government institutions are only there to serve and protect their people. It is guided by the principles of preserving individual rights and liberty; by protecting life; and by promoting a free-market enterprise that fuels small business.


Free-Market Economy

UAS maintains laissez-faire market conditions empowering businesses to grow and innovate, and enabling all workers to prosper. Citizens and businesses pay 0% personal income tax and 0% corporate tax, respectively, and there is no property tax.


The World's Most Efficient Government

Nearly all government departments and services will be interconnected using one of the most advanced blockchain systems on Earth. Every Citizen and Resident of the UAS will utilize the UAS National Government Platform where services will be made simple to understand and accessible. Residents will be able to access all of their documents in one location. Whether you are incorporating a company, registering a vehicle or filing your yearly taxes, it can all be done in a matter of minutes.

"UAS will create conditions that give citizens maximum freedom, as well as accelerate growth for companies," says Cozad, of UAS. "It's a place that protects the sanctity of human life and empowers businesses to flourish through a highly-responsive, free-market economic system."

The United Allied States (UAS):

United Allied States (UAS) is an independent, sovereign entity with the determination to become the freest and most prosperous nation on Earth. The nation promotes the values of freedom; respect for human life; and free-market enterprise.


SOURCE United Allied States
Related Links

https://uas.govt.agency/