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SpaceX on pace to shatter US launch records. Again

SpaceX has been on a tear in 2022, notching 18 rocket launches and two astronaut splashdowns in just the first 130 days of the year — an unprecedented pace for the company and the commercial launch industry. The latest is scheduled for Friday evening with the launch of 53 of SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellites out of California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base. It will be the twelfth Starlink launch so far this year, and it could be followed over the weekend with another mission set to take off out of Florida. It’s been a dizzying year of activity so far, further cementing SpaceX’s dominance over the commercial launch industry. Led by SpaceX, the industry is on pace to blow past the annual launch highs of the mid-20th century space race, when most launches were carried out by governments rather than the private sector. 2021 already set a new record with 145 total launches, compared to 129 carried out in 1984, the previous record-setting year, according to data from research firm Quilty Analytics. If SpaceX keeps up its current pace, it could launch more than 52 rockets this year alone, far outpacing its record, set last year, of 31. “Even 10 years ago, launches were rare,” Chris Quilty, the founder of Quilty Analytics, told CNN Business. In 2001, the total number of launches across the globe was only 51, he noted. “So, put that in context of SpaceX alone launching 52 times,” he said. “It’s pretty incredible.” Most of SpaceX’s launches in 2022 have focused on Starlink, its consumer internet business that relies on troves of orbiting satellites, which the company has been growing since it began launching batches of the internet-beaming satellites in mid-2019. The constellation now has more than 2,200 satellites in orbit and, as of March, 250,000 subscribers using the service around the world, a company executive said at a recent conference. While SpaceX stands out from its rocketry competitors, that doesn’t mean the company is or will be uncontested. Two new rockets capable of competing with SpaceX’s Falcons — the workhorse rockets that the company uses to haul satellites and, more recently, astronauts to orbit — are slated to debut in the next year or so. They are New Glenn, which is under development by the Jeff Bezos-backed company Blue Origin, and Vulcan Centaur, a line of rockets from legacy launch company United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The sheer number of satellites that all those vehicles can launch, including the thousands of satellites expected to add to SpaceX’s Starlink constellation and competing satellite internet businesses, have spurred a pressing discussion about congestion in outer space. If satellites collide, they can create dangerous plumes of debris. That’s happened in the past, and close calls are a frequent occurrence. Academics have long been attempting to raise awareness, and caution, around the issue. Others are more optimistic that SpaceX and others are taking those risks seriously enough to avoid catastrophe. “The companies that might create space junk would be immediately and directly affected by that space junk,” CEO of space research group BryceTech Carissa Christensen said, noting that the collision debris would threaten their own satellites — their own investments. With all those rockets active — and a few smaller launch vehicles also scheduled to begin launching from Florida’s Space Coast, which is SpaceX’s primary launch site — SpaceX could also run into bottlenecks at the launch pad. Every launch requires a team of ground support, including military weather personnel, to ensure a safe liftoff. And there are only so many launches they can handle at any given time. “There’s not an endless number of days or launch pads or launch sites where you can get things into orbit,” Quilty noted. Christensen added, however, that the ground support at the Space Coast has proven to be flexible, as evidenced by SpaceX’s ability to return a group of astronauts from the International Space Station off the coast of Florida last Friday and then launch a Starlink mission from a launch pad a few miles away mere hours later. Captain Jonathan Eno, an assistant director of operations with the US Space Force, which is charged with monitoring the weather and other possible interferences ahead of a launch, said that ground support crews in Florida have worked for years to prepare for the dramatic increase in the number of launches from the spaceport. The year he was assigned his role, 2019, the Space Coast — which includes NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral — only supported 18 launches. This year, it’s on track to support more than 60, notably including the first launch of NASA’s new moon rocket, called the Space Launch System. His team is now prepared to support multiple launches within the same day, even within minutes of each other. “SpaceX makes the news a lot. They are the ones launching the preponderance of launch vehicles right now,” he told CNN Business. “Obviously, we are gearing up for just a different reality.” Read more
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If I can’t pay my premium, what should I do?

If unexpected expenses come up and you can’t pay your life insurance premium, you should know the possible consequences. The effect depends on the type of policy and coverage you have and the policy terms and conditions. Term: If you stop paying premiums, your coverage lapses. Permanent: If you have this type of policy, you will have the following choices: Cash out the policy. This means that you can stop paying the premium and collect the available cash savings. You will no longer be covered by life insurance, but you will at least save some of the proceeds of the policy. You may, however, have to pay taxes on some of the cash value if the sum exceeds what you have paid in premiums. Non-forfeiture options. There may be a “reduced paid-up” option. This means that you can stop paying premiums completely in return for a reduced death benefit and no cash saving. You may also be able to convert the permanent policy to an extended term policy for a time period based on the accumulated cash savings in the policy. Policy will lapse. If this happens, see if the policy can be reinstated. Some insurers may allow this if you do it within five years of lapsing. You will most likely have to pass a physical examination for the reinstated policy and pay back the premiums you would have paid plus interest. Annual premiums for the reinstated policy may be lower than those for a new, comparable policy.
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Race to salvage fire-ravaged cargo ship drifting with thousands of supercars on board

Race to salvage fire-ravaged US-bound cargo ship drifting in the Atlantic with thousands of supercars on board including Porsches, Bentleys, and Lamborghinis with blaze fueled by batteries in electric vehicles The Felicity Ace caught ablaze on Wednesday and 22 of its crew members were airlifted to safety There are 4,000 cars onboard the ship including 189 Bentleys, 1,100 Porsches, and multiple Lamborghinis The cargo ship was carrying vehicles from Emden, Germany, to Davisville, Rhode Island Lithium-ion batteries in electric cars have caught fire and require specialist equipment to extinguish Rescuers are racing to salvage a US-bound cargo ship in the Atlantic engulfed in flames with 4,000 cars on board including Bentleys, Audis, and Lamborghinis. The operation is taking place off the Azores archipelago where the ‘Felicity Ace’ cargo ship caught ablaze at sea on Wednesday. Lithium-ion batteries in the electric cars on board have caught fire and the blaze requires specialist equipment to extinguish. Investigators are probing whether the batteries started the onboard inferno. The ship is still ablaze and plumes of white smoke are billowing from the vessel as a Portuguese navy ship works to stop it from sinking with the 3,965 Volkswagen AG vehicles on board, including 1,100 Porches and 189 Bentleys. One man said his custom-ordered Porsche Boxster Spyder, whose base models sell for at least $100,000 was on board the ship. Captain Joao Mendes Cabecas of the port of Hortas said: ‘The ship is burning from one end to the other… everything is on fire about five meters above the water line.’ What is on board the cargo ship? The Felicity Ace is believed to be carrying 3,965 vehicles on board on its route from Germany to the US. Volkswagen has not confirmed the number of cars on board, but Porsche said around 1,100 models are on the ship. Porsches range in price from around £45,000 to £200,000 for their standard models. Bentley said 189 of its cars were also on board. A new Bentley Continental GT V8 would set a driver back £157,000. There were reportedly 21 Lamborghinis on the doomed vessel last month, but the current number is unknown. A limited-edition Lamborghini can cost as much as £2.5million, while a standard SUV from the Italian supercar maker costs around £150,000. Rescuers believe the 650ft longship may be too large to be towed to a port in the Azores, which is more than 900 miles from the European mainland. Towing boats were en route from Gibraltar and the Netherlands, with three due to arrive by Wednesday. A sixteen-person salvage team from Smit Salvage, owned by Dutch marine engineer Boskalis, was sent to the ship to help control the flames. The Portuguese Air Force has rescued 22 crew members from the burning ship after they abandoned the vessel and were taken on board the Resilient Warrior tanker after it diverted its route to assist with the rescue. They were then airlifted to safety in a military helicopter and taken to Faial Island. The Felicity Ace sounded the alarm after a fire broke out in the hold, the Portuguese Navy said in a statement. The cause of the fire is not known. The ship was sailing from Emden in Germany and had left on February 10 and was heading to the Port of Davisville in the U.S. state of Rhode Island, according to online vessel trackers. The ship was originally expected to arrive at Davisville on February 23. Portugal’s navy said one of its patrol boats and four merchant vessels were helping with the rescue. The Portuguese Air Force aircraft were also mobilized. After transmitting the distress signal, a Portuguese Navy patrol boat together with four other merchant ships in the area headed toward where the distressed ship was located. The crew abandoned the ship and got into lifeboats. Eager Porsche buyers logging into the Track Your Dream service, which details the progress of the car’s delivery, stated how the company was ‘aware of an incident on the Felicity Ace carrying certain Porsche vehicles.’ Matt Farah, the man behind The Smoking Tire YouTube channel, posted Wednesday regarding his own Porsche that was apparently on board the ship. ‘I ordered a Boxster Spyder in August, and I was very excited to get it at the end of this month, and now it seems like it might become an artificial reef,’ said Matt Farah who runs the Smoking Tire YouTube channel, which has more than 1 million subscribers. ‘I’m only saying this because I know no one was hurt, which is obviously more important.’ Bentley said 189 of its cars were also onboard the blazing ship. That could work out at around a total loss of £22million in Bentleys alone. ‘We are working with the shipping company to find out further information,’ said a spokesman. Lamborghini has refused to comment on the number of its vehicles on board the doomed ship, but last month 21 supercars were being transported by the vessel. The majority of the rest are likely to be Volkswagens or Audis. On Wednesday, Porsche released a statement over the stricken ship. ‘Our immediate thoughts are of the 22 crew of the merchant ship Felicity Ace, all of whom we understand are safe and well as a result of their rescue by the Portuguese Navy following reports of a fire on board. ‘We believe a number of our cars are among the cargo onboard the ship. No further details of the specific cars affected are available at this time – we are in close contact with the shipping company and will share more information in due course.’ Volkswagen also released a statement: ‘We are aware of an incident today involving a cargo ship transporting Volkswagen Group vehicles across the Atlantic. At this time, we are not aware of any injuries. We are working with local authorities and the shipping company to investigate the cause of the incident.’ A Portuguese Navy spokesperson said there were no more details about the ongoing operation. Read more at DailyMail.co.uk
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Which dry-herb vaporizer should you buy?

In recent years, vaping has become a fad that many people are following. It is being used by people of various ages for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. With rising demand, the vaping sector has been developing continuously. While there are many different types of vaporizers on the market right now, cannabis consumers increasingly choose dry herb vaporizers. It might be challenging to pick the best dry-herb vaporizer among the many options available, especially if you’re a beginner. Are you considering purchasing a dry-herb vaporizer but are unsure of where to start? Then enter now to discover the entire manual for picking your first cannabis vaporizer. A dry herb vaporizer is what? You may heat dried cannabis flowers in a portable device called a dry-herb vaporizer to extract vapor from the plant material. It is also known as a herbal vaporizer, and it often uses conduction to directly heat the cannabis plant. Some vaporizers have a convection heating system as well. They feature sophisticated temperature settings that boil the cannabinoids and terpenes into vapor rather than burning the herb. Dry-herb vaporizers come in two varieties: desktop and portable. A desktop vaporizer is perfect for a leisurely vaping session, while a portable vaporizer is unobtrusive and allows you to vape while on the go. How to choose a dry herb vaporizer? When purchasing a dry herb vaporizer for the first time, it is rather simple to become confused by the many functions and settings. Even while it may appear to be quite difficult, it isn’t if you know what to look for. The following are all the factors you need to take into account before making your first dry-herb vaporizer purchase: Portability You should first think about where and how you want to utilize the vaporizer. Choose a desktop vaporizer or a bigger vaporizer if you simply want to smoke at home. But a portable dry herb vaporizer might be the best option for someone who is constantly on the go and enjoys smoking sessions at any time and location. They may simply fit inside a pocket because they are tiny and compact. They also are easy to transport and won’t add extra weight to you. Additionally, utilizing a portable device might provide the discretion, particularly in a public setting. Regulating temperature While some dry cannabis vaporizers offer heat settings, some employ completely programmable temps that give you total control. Both options are OK as long as you know how to utilize them. The temperature control allows you to savor the fragrances of various terpenes while preventing combustion. Terpenes are the substances found in cannabis that are responsible for the plant’s distinctive scent. You may enjoy different terpenes by adjusting the temperature settings because each terpene has a unique heating point. Make sure the temperature when heating the cannabis flower doesn’t exceed 420 degrees Fahrenheit as a general guideline. Powered Nothing is worse than getting your pals together for a much-needed vape session and realizing your vaporizer is battery-less. Choose a dry-herb vaporizer with lengthy battery life if you don’t want to find yourself in this predicament. The Li-ion battery may be recharged using the USB connector that is included with the portable devices. Choose a vaporizer with longer battery life if you use it frequently. The most recent vaporizers also include an LED panel that shows the battery level so the owner may determine how long they can use it. You should not be concerned about the battery with a desktop vaporizer because they normally plug into a wall adapter. Superior An investment is a vaporizer. Finding a high-quality item with an extended shelf life is crucial. Start by looking for a well-known brand that has good customer feedback. Use only approved, safety-checked, and compliant items. False vaporizers and vaporizing liquids should never be used since they can seriously harm your health. Even if you’re looking for a portable gadget, be sure it’s strong and resilient enough to endure years of usage or even little damage from a mishap. Style Although it may not be crucial, the aesthetics of your device may undoubtedly improve the vaping experience. You may vape in elegance with the aid of a sleek little gadget. Other features on some devices include buttons for setting adjustments, an LED screen for battery life, several modes, and other accessories for vaping cannabis. Some high-end versions, like those provided by Gofire, even provide dose advice and record your usage history using vape pods with AI capabilities. Price Finally, take into account your spending plan. Today, there are all different kinds of vaporizers accessible, including a budget, midrange, and luxury models. A higher-quality item will often cost more, but it will typically last longer and provide a better vaping experience. Get a cheap device to enjoy the experience without spending too much if you’re just experimenting with vaping cannabis herb. Final reflections Cannabis is being vaporized by an increasing number of people who are interested in its therapeutic and medical properties. Don’t be intimidated if you wish to join the dry-herb vaping fad. Simply look for a legitimate distributor that can assist you in your hunt.
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Papua New Guinea: only 500 doctors for 9 million people

Papua New Guinea only has about 500 doctors for 9 million people. Now it’s dealing with a Covid outbreak. Reva-Lou Reva is worried. For the first time he can remember, he says hospitals around the Pacific Island nation of Papua New Guinea (PNG) are so overburdened they are closing their doors to patients. “This is very frightening, to know that you don’t have any medical facilities open, or very limited, and you cannot easily access them because of the restriction,” says Reva, 48, PNG assistant country director of program support for humanitarian non-profit CARE International. “I’m breathless, I can’t explain how difficult it is.” Until recently, PNG had largely managed to stave off a major coronavirus outbreak. At the end of February, the country had only reported 1,275 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. But over the past month, cases have more than tripled. PNG has now reported at least 4,660 Covid-19 cases and 39 related deaths, including that of MP Richard Mendani, who died age 53 earlier this month, according to a Radio New Zealand report. On Friday, the country reported 560 new infections — its highest for a single day — with Prime Minister James Marape admitting there is “rampant community transmission.” While those figures might not seem high compared to other countries, they pose a major issue in PNG, where the government says there are only about 500 doctors for an estimated population of 9 million people. At the best of times, the country’s health system is fragile — now NGOs are warning it could be on the “verge of collapse.” Low testing rates also mean PNG’s case load is likely much higher — something authorities acknowledge. Meanwhile, rampant misinformation in the country means some people are still not taking the threat seriously. Onlookers warn the crisis could worsen next week as people in the predominantly Christian nation travel home for Easter — and are calling on neighboring Australia and New Zealand to do more to help. “Papua New Guinea’s health crisis has now reached the level we feared it would a year ago with a surge in cases,” Amnesty International’s Pacific researcher Kate Schuetze said earlier this month. “A combination of an ailing health system and inadequate living conditions has created a perfect storm for Covid-19 to thrive in the country’s overcrowded informal settlements.” Papua New Guinea’s outbreak For almost a year, PNG seemed to handle the outbreak well. The country confirmed its first case on March 20 last year — a man who had traveled from Spain. Within two days, the Prime Minister declared a state of emergency, stopping all incoming and domestic flights, and limiting travel between provinces. Onlookers and the government were concerned an outbreak in PNG would be disastrous. “Our country does not have a health system that is capable of defending our people in this time of emergency with the threat of the coronavirus entering and spreading in our country,” Prime Minister Marape said in Parliament on April 2. At the time, he said PNG had 500 doctors, fewer than 4,000 nurses, under 3,000 community health workers and only 5,000 hospital bed spaces. “Our existing health capacity is insufficient to fight this battle,” he added. PNG has one of the lowest ratios of doctors per 1,000 people in the world. According to 2018 World Bank figures, the country had 0.07 physicians per 1,000 people — well below the 2017 average among small Pacific Islands (0.5), the 2017 world average (1.6), or the 2017 level in the United States (2.6). For a while, PNG’s measures appeared to work. It took until February this year for the country to reach 1,000 cases. But Covid-19 was likely circulating under the radar, says Justine McMahon, PNG country director for CARE. “It’s been here for months,” McMahon said. She added that up until a month ago, people were quite ambivalent about the Covid-19 pandemic, but “there’s a growing sense of trepidation everywhere.” It’s unclear what sparked the outbreak. The country shares a land border with Indonesia, which has reported almost 1.5 million coronavirus cases, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The border between the two countries is closed, although officials said earlier in the pandemic that some people were defying the closure, according to Radio New Zealand. The outbreak may have also been exacerbated by funeral gatherings held earlier this month to honor PNG’s first Prime Minister Michael Somare, who died age 85 in late February after being diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Thousands gathered at a state funeral in Port Morseby, but few mourners wore masks at the service, Australia’s ABC reported. Crowds also gathered along the street as a hearse carried his coffin, and a number of mourning events were held for representatives from the country’s provinces. “I’m pretty concerned. The number of people who came together for the period of mourning, if it goes like any other country, it’s just going to spread like anything,” McMahon said. What’s the situation now? One year ago, PNG responded aggressively to the threat of Covid. But now cases have surged, restrictions are weak or not enforced, according to McMahon and Reva. Authorities announced restrictions on travel between provinces and mandatory mask wearing. They also said they would ban mass gatherings, close schools, and may order burials in a “designated mass grave,” according to a Reuters report. But Reva, who lives in Goroka in PNG’s Eastern Highlands province, estimated Thursday that only “about 20%” of people he sees are wearing masks. Reva also worries for his family, who live in the capital, Port Moresby, which is in the National Capital District where about 47% of the country’s cases have been reported, according to government figures. Reva said family members told him mask wearing and social distancing measures aren’t in place, and six people had died over the past week in their urban village of 30,000. So many deaths in a week is unusual for his village, Reva added — but because of limited testing, it’s unclear >>Read more
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