A private company, Intuitive Machines, is set to launch a new lunar module, ÎĽNova, by the end of this year. This innovative 35 kg module is equipped with dual cameras, a radiometer (LRAD), and a neutron spectrometer (PLWS), all supported by an autonomous navigation system. ÎĽNova is designed for precise landings, capable of handling slopes up to ten degrees and low-light conditions.
The μNova’s mission will focus on geological surveys at the lunar south pole, specifically between Shackleton and de Gerlach craters. It aims to analyze hydrogen presence in the regolith, temperature differences in sunlit vs. shaded areas, and the thermal properties of the surface.
After landing, μNova will undergo system checks and perform a series of leaps—starting with a 20-meter test jump, escalating to 100 meters, and potentially reaching up to 300 meters. The mission includes up to 5-6 jumps, exploring the rim and the permanently shadowed regions of Marston crater.
Stay tuned with @science for updates on this leap towards new lunar discoveries! 🌌
A private company, Intuitive Machines, is set to launch a new lunar module, ÎĽNova, by the end of this year. This innovative 35 kg module is equipped with dual cameras, a radiometer (LRAD), and a neutron spectrometer (PLWS), all supported by an autonomous navigation system. ÎĽNova is designed for precise landings, capable of handling slopes up to ten degrees and low-light conditions.
The μNova’s mission will focus on geological surveys at the lunar south pole, specifically between Shackleton and de Gerlach craters. It aims to analyze hydrogen presence in the regolith, temperature differences in sunlit vs. shaded areas, and the thermal properties of the surface.
After landing, μNova will undergo system checks and perform a series of leaps—starting with a 20-meter test jump, escalating to 100 meters, and potentially reaching up to 300 meters. The mission includes up to 5-6 jumps, exploring the rim and the permanently shadowed regions of Marston crater.
Stay tuned with @science for updates on this leap towards new lunar discoveries! 🌌
n the U.S. people generally use Bitcoin as an alternative investment, helping diversify a portfolio apart from stocks and bonds. You can also use Bitcoin to make purchases, but the number of vendors that accept the cryptocurrency is still limited. Big companies that accept Bitcoin include Overstock, AT&T and Twitch. You may also find that some small local retailers or certain websites take Bitcoin, but you’ll have to do some digging. That said, PayPal has announced that it will enable cryptocurrency as a funding source for purchases this year, financing purchases by automatically converting crypto holdings to fiat currency for users. “They have 346 million users and they’re connected to 26 million merchants,” says Spencer Montgomery, founder of Uinta Crypto Consulting. “It’s huge.”
How to Buy Bitcoin?
Most people buy Bitcoin via exchanges, such as Coinbase. Exchanges allow you to buy, sell and hold cryptocurrency, and setting up an account is similar to opening a brokerage account—you’ll need to verify your identity and provide some kind of funding source, such as a bank account or debit card. Major exchanges include Coinbase, Kraken, and Gemini. You can also buy Bitcoin at a broker like Robinhood. Regardless of where you buy your Bitcoin, you’ll need a digital wallet in which to store it. This might be what’s called a hot wallet or a cold wallet. A hot wallet (also called an online wallet) is stored by an exchange or a provider in the cloud. Providers of online wallets include Exodus, Electrum and Mycelium. A cold wallet (or mobile wallet) is an offline device used to store Bitcoin and is not connected to the Internet. Some mobile wallet options include Trezor and Ledger.
