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Shock at Powerful Facial Recognition Program
Shock at Powerful Facial Recognition ProgramNFK Editors - February 12, 2020In January, the New York Times reported on a company which claimed its computer program could identify almost anyone from a picture. The news that a small company had secretly done this shocked many people.When a computer system identifies a person from their face in a picture, it’s called “facial recognition”. Usually, the program compares one photo to a computerized library, or “database”, of known photos.Typically, a facial recognition program takes measurements based on important parts of the face and uses those measurements to create a math formula that describes the face. Then it searches the database for faces with similar formulas.(Source: IBM Research, via Flickr.com.)Typically, a facial recognition program takes measurements based on important parts of the face and uses those measurements to create a math formula that describes the face. Then it searches the database for faces with similar formulas.Many police departments use facial recognition. It can be helpful when police just have a picture of a suspect, but no other information. In some cases, facial recognition has helped identify criminals and solve cases.For companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and NEC, facial recognition is big business. These companies often sell their programs to police departments or to prisons. But until recently, these programs mainly used databases filled with pictures of criminals and pictures from driver’s licenses.For companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and NEC, facial recognition is big business. These companies often sell their programs to police departments or to prisons. Above, Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, gives a talk on facial recognition.(Source: Brookings Institution, via Flickr.com.)But in January, the New York Times (NYT) reported on a small company called Clearview AI. Using a collection of 3 billion pictures of ordinary people, Clearview claimed it could identify almost anyone, tell where they lived, and provide links to images of them on the internet – whether they were a criminal or not.Many companies could have done this, but they didn’t because of worries about privacy. Clearview didn’t share those worries.The New York Times reported that a small company called Clearview AI was using a collection of 3 billion pictures of ordinary people to identify almost anyone, whether they were a criminal or not. The screenshot is from Clearview AI’s website.(Source: Screenshot, Clearview AI.)Clearview’s library of images is based on pictures of ordinary people that the company took from websites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube – all without permission.The NYT reported that Clearview was selling its program to over 600 police departments in the US. Clearview’s program is reported to work well, and it has helped solve several crimes very quickly.Clearview’s library of images is based on pictures of ordinary people that the company took from websites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube – all without permission.(Source: Alex O, via Flickr.com.)But what Clearview is doing bothers many people, and not just because the company doesn’t have permission to use the photos.Many people find it scary that a private company is able to secretly identify just about anyone walking down the street. They point out that the technology could be misused in many ways. They also worry that when Clearview makes mistakes, it could make innocent people look like criminals.Clearview is selling its program to over 600 police departments in the US. Many people find it scary that a private company has the power to identify almost anyone from just a picture. The app shown above is by NEC, not Clearview.(Source: NEC Corporation of America, via Flickr.com.)Many of the websites have now demanded that Clearview stop taking photos from their sites. Clearview says that it did nothing wrong and doesn’t have any plans to remove the photos it has stored. Even if the photos were erased, Clearview still has the math formulas that describe the faces.Currently, Clearview is mainly used in the US and Canada, but the company has had talks about selling its technology to 22 different countries.Though some cities and towns in the United States have banned facial recognition, the US doesn’t currently have laws limiting facial recognition. It also doesn’t have laws that prevent collecting information from the internet for the purpose of identifying people.(Source: Marco Vanoli, via Flickr.com.)Though some cities and towns in the United States have banned facial recognition, the US doesn’t currently have laws limiting facial recognition. It also doesn’t have laws that prevent collecting information from the internet for the purpose of identifying people.This is one of many areas where technology is moving far more quickly than lawmakers are.Sourceswww.nytimes.comwww.abc.net.auwww.nytimes.comwww.buzzfeednews.comwww.buzzfeednews.comwww.buzzfeednews.comwww.vox.comwww.cnn.comwww.axios.comShare:Scientists at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom have created what they call “the world’s smallest violin”. The violin is made of metal and is so tiny that it can only be seen with a powerful microscope. The project was designed to test new technology for building extremely small things.
Mastering the Art of Mindful Financial Management
Often, financial difficulties arise not from insufficient income but from overspending. In my early investment career, I worked as a Grand Canyon river guide with an annual salary of just $4000. Yet, I was able to live comfortably for a decade, residing in my VW bus and occasionally on the floor of the Transcendental Meditation Center in Flagstaff during the coldest nights. While you might not want to emulate my extreme frugality, it's possible to live within your means and even save for investments by mastering a few simple strategies. 1. Mastering Expense Tracking To manage your finances effectively, it's essential to know where your money goes. Instead of the tedious task of budgeting and tracking every cent, consider a more intuitive approach that's as enjoyable as a summer's day. Collect several envelopes and a black marker. Label each envelope with a spending category, such as "fuel," "dining out," or "groceries." After receiving your paycheck, allocate a portion of cash to each envelope based on your projected expenses for that period. If you plan to spend $200 on fuel, place that amount in the "fuel" envelope. Continue this process until you've either run out of envelopes or cash. If you find empty envelopes before your cash runs out, rearrange the funds to cover your essentials. Spend only the cash from the designated envelopes, avoiding credit cards and other payment methods. If the "groceries" envelope is empty, it's time to get creative with your meals. By following this method for a few pay periods, you'll gain insight into your spending habits and identify areas where you can cut back. 2.抑制冲动消费 I must admit, I have a tendency for impulsive purchases. However, when funds are limited, such as in my early days, this habit is naturally subdued. To control your impulses, question the necessity of any purchase over $50. Consider its impact on your life and whether it's worth the cost. Apply this discipline especially to food purchases. You may find that not only do you spend less, but you also eat healthier, potentially even losing weight in the process. Ask yourself: How long will the item last? Will it put you in debt? Is the value it provides over time worth the expense? 3. Credit Card Usage: Pay in Full Each Month Credit cards are not inherently bad, but they often represent a trade-off between discipline and convenience, which is usually not a favorable exchange. As you work on financial discipline, keep those cards in your wallet and use cash for your transactions. If you must use a credit card, ensure you pay off the balance in full each month. This practice will help you track your spending without incurring interest charges, effectively making it similar to paying with cash. 4. Ditch the Need to Impress Let go of the desire to impress others; no one is truly concerned with your choices. People are more focused on their own image and what others think of them. Embrace individuality and avoid the common trap of spending to maintain a certain image. This often leads to unnecessary expenses on cars, clothing, and other superficial items. I've always been good at this; I didn't care about impressing others. My possessions were minimal, and I focused on buying what I truly enjoyed rather than what others might think. 5. Identify and Eliminate Budget-Draining Habits Living on a shoestring budget for over a decade taught me the importance of avoiding bad spending habits. If you have any, it's a sign that you likely have more money than necessary. Examine your habits for leaks in your
NASA Scientists Control Spacecraft From Home
NASA Scientists Control Spacecraft From HomeNFK Editors - April 27, 2020Around the world, millions of people on lockdown are having to work from home. Among them are NASA’s scientists – including those controlling spacecraft, and even Curiosity, one of NASA’s Mars rovers.Since March 20, all NASA workers who don’t absolutely have to be in NASA’s buildings have had to work from home. Like many people working from home, NASA’s scientists are facing the challenges of turning their living spaces into work spaces, in spite of the distractions of pets, children, and other family members.Around the world, millions of people on lockdown are having to work from home. Among them are NASA’s scientists – including those controlling spacecraft, and even Curiosity, one of NASA’s Mars rovers (above).(Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems, Julian Herzog [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)Alicia Allbaugh is in charge of the team that plans and carries out the actions of NASA’s Mars rover, Curiosity. Since Curiosity is a complicated robot moving around on a distant planet, it’s very important that its movements be planned and put into action carefully.Ms. Allbaugh says the situation is a classic NASA challenge. “We’re presented with a problem and we figure out how to make things work. Mars isn’t standing still for us. We’re still exploring,” she says.Alicia Allbaugh (above) is in charge of the team that plans and carries out the actions of NASA’s Mars rover, Curiosity. She says the situation is a classic NASA challenge. “We’re presented with a problem and we figure out how to make things work.”(Source: NASA.)But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Creating each series of actions that a rover takes can require the efforts of 20 or more people working together. When it became clear that a lockdown was likely, NASA’s teams began making plans that would allow them to keep working together, even from home.The teams are usually all in the same room at NASA. Now, at home, they are holding several video and chat sessions at once. “I probably monitor [keep track of] about 15 chat channels at all times,” said Ms. Allbaugh.Controlling a rover’s actions requires the efforts of 20 or more people working together. The teams are usually in the same room at NASA. Now, at home, they are holding several video and chat sessions at once. Above, the Curiosity rover team working from home.(Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech .)Still, the teams aren’t able to do everything at home that they can do from work. For example, in NASA’s lab in Pasadena, there are some very powerful 3D goggles that allow the scientists to carefully study the land around the rover.But the 3D goggles require a very powerful computer, so the team has come up with a simpler solution: they are wearing old-style 3D glasses with red and blue lenses.Usually the Curiosity team uses powerful 3D goggles to study the land around the rover. Since the 3D goggles require a very powerful computer, the team has come up with a simpler solution: wearing old-style 3D glasses with red and blue lenses.(Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech .)In spite of the challenges, the scientists seem to be successful in their work. Just two days after they began working from home, the team was able to send commands to Curiosity that caused it to drill for a rock sample in an area on Mars known as Edinburgh.Curiosity is far from the only project that NASA’s scientists are running from home. One of the biggest challenges is getting ready to launch a new Mars rover called Perseverance by July 17. About 90% of the Perseverance team (above) is working from home.(Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech .)Curiosity is far from the only project that NASA’s scientists are running from home.One of the biggest challenges is continuing to get ready to launch a new Mars rover called Perseverance on July 17. Because of the way the planets line up, if the team can’t send Perseverance on or near the planned launch date, they will have to wait until 2022.All NASA workers who don’t absolutely have to be in NASA’s buildings are working from home. Above, a NASA worker walks by the countdown clock for the Perseverance rover. If the Perseverance isn’t launched on time, NASA will have to wait until 2022.(Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech .)NASA’s workers are also controlling several other spacecraft and satellites. The challenges of working aren’t always connected to technology.Ryan Martineau, who’s helping operate a spacecraft from home, has a three year old and a three-month old baby. He told the news websiteThe Verge, “There have been a couple of cases where I had to hurry up with a diaper change real quick before I needed to send some commands to the spacecraft.”Check Yourself0/41. For the last month, most people who work for NASA have been going in to work as they normally do.True False2. Creating the actions that control a rover on Mars takes the efforts of _________.five peoplejust one person20 or more people10 people3. When is the launch planned for the Perseverance rover?July 17June 17March 20April 274. If NASA misses the launch date for Perseverance, when is the next time it could be sent?Alicia Allbaugh described the current situation as classic NASA challenge. How is working from home similar to some of the challenges NASA workers normally face?ResetSourceswww.theverge.comwww.space.comwww.voanews.comgizmodo.comtechcrunch.comwww.nasa.govmars.nasa.govShare:When NASA sends its new rover blasting off to Mars in July, it will carry the name “Perseverance”. The name was suggested by Virginia middle-school student Alexander Mather, who won NASA’s “Name the Rover” contest.You might be interested in…ISS Celebrates 25 Years of People Living in SpaceNFK Editors - Nov 6, 2025This week marks 25 years of humans living in space. On November 2, 2000, three astronauts became the first full-time workers at the International Space Station. Since then, the ISS has never been empty.Meteorite That Hit House Is Older Than EarthNFK Editors - Aug 14, 2025When a fireball fell through the sky in the southeastern United States on June 26, it caught the attention of people across seven states. It was a meteor breaking up as it fell through the Earth’s atmosphere. A small part of the space rock tore through a house in Georgia. Scientists now say the meteorite is older than the Earth.Blue Origin Sends Six Women Into SpaceNFK Editors - Apr 16, 2025On Monday, the aerospace company Blue Origin launched its spacecraft RSS Kármán Line on a ten minute trip into space. The spaceship carried the first all-female crew to go into space since Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963.Private Company Makes Perfect Moon LandingNFK Editors - Mar 5, 2025On Sunday, a company called Firefly Aerospace became the first private company to make a perfect landing on the moon. Firefly is working with NASA, and its spacecraft, Blue Ghost, is carrying out several experiments for the space agency.
Strategic Investment of $10,000 in 2025 for Optimal Profits
Possessing $10,000 to invest marks a promising start. Numerous affluent investors, including Warren Buffett, began with even less. However, blindly investing in the stock market without a strategic approach will not maximize your returns. To convert your initial capital into substantial long-term profits, consider these premier investment strategies for your $10,000. 1. Fully Capitalize an IRA IRAs offer considerable advantages, such as tax deferral on earnings, which makes them appealing to investors. Visualize investing $5,000 in an IRA, which could膨胀 to $40,000 by retirement. You are taxed only on the initial $5,000, not the final sum. This tax benefit is a substantial advantage. There is an annual contribution cap for IRAs. In 2017, it was $5,500 for individuals under 50 and $6,500 for those 50 and above. With $10,000 to invest, maximizing your IRA contribution should be your top priority due to the unparalleled flexibility and tax advantages it provides. 2. Optimize Your 401(k) Contributions If your employer offers a 401(k) match, it's prudent to contribute up to the matching limit. Not doing so equates to leaving free money on the table, as your contributions effectively double. After reaching the match limit, consider other investment avenues for the remaining $10,000. 401(k)s restrict your investment options, necessitating diversification across a limited range of mutual funds. This broad diversification is more about betting on overall market growth rather than selecting specific companies. While the market generally increases over time, higher returns are possible by meticulously selecting companies based on their value and potential. 3. Diversify into Individual Stocks After maximizing IRA and 401(k) contributions, consider investing in individual stocks. Employing Rule #1 investing principles can assist you in identifying high-quality companies, purchasing them at a discount, and potentially achieving annual returns of up to 15%. These returns are uncommon with broad market diversification but are feasible with individual stocks. Patient, knowledgeable, and rational investment in individual stocks can significantly amplify your wealth. 4. Invest in Personal Growth The most valuable investment is in oneself. Equipping yourself with the necessary knowledge and resources to succeed as an investor will yield the highest returns. After investing in an IRA, 401(k), and a few individual stocks, use the remaining funds to learn everything you can about investing. Education is the key to consistently selecting excellent companies for investment. Are you eager to test your investment knowledge against seasoned investors? Take the Investing IQ Quiz! P.S. If you're seeking more information before investing $10k, here are some resources you might find beneficial. Interested in the best ways to invest $500? Explore our top picks for small-scale investments. Want to learn from Warren Buffett? Check out his renowned investing quotes. Looking to double your money every 7 years with compound interest?
How Jack Sinclair Transformed Sprouts Farmers Market Through Leadership: In-Depth Case Study
At Rule One Investing, we are convinced that exceptional leadership is the cornerstone of long-term investment success. An outstanding CEO is not just about achieving financial milestones; they embody integrity, have a proven track record, and possess a clear vision for the future. In the realm of business, leadership can either uplift or undermine a company. Jack Sinclair, CEO of Sprouts Farmers Market, exemplifies how integrity, vision, and experience can transform a struggling business into a prosperous one. His management approach and strategic emphasis on core values have established Sprouts Farmers Market as a frontrunner in the health-conscious grocery segment. The Significance of Integrity in Leadership Jack Sinclair is renowned for his steadfast integrity. In his communications with shareholders and during earnings calls, he exhibits openness and honesty regarding the company's performance. He openly discusses mistakes and areas for improvement, a level of transparency that is both rare and essential for fostering investor trust. For investors, Sinclair's integrity signals dependability. His forthright acknowledgment of setbacks reassures shareholders that he is dedicated to addressing challenges as well as celebrating achievements. This is a key attribute for a guardian of investor capital—a leader who values sustainable growth over superficial success. Operational Prowess: Jack Sinclair's Track Record Jack Sinclair's extensive experience in the grocery sector is a significant factor in his success at Sprouts Farmers Market. With over three decades of industry knowledge, including his tenure as Vice President of Walmart's grocery division, Sinclair brought a wealth of expertise to Sprouts when he joined in 2019. Upon his arrival at Sprouts Farmers Market, the company was grappling with maintaining its competitive advantage. Drawing from his experience at Walmart, renowned for its cost leadership, Sinclair recognized that competing directly with retail behemoths like Walmart was impractical. Instead, he steered Sprouts towards a differentiated strategy. Strategic Shift: Prioritizing Core Strengths Instead of following Walmart's focus on low pricing, Sinclair highlighted Sprouts' unique selling proposition: fresh, healthy food and specialized products. He reoriented the company's priorities to better cater to its core demographic—health-conscious consumers seeking high-quality, niche products. Under Sinclair's guidance, Sprouts has carved out a distinctive position in the grocery industry. This strategic shift has enabled the company to grow steadily while remaining true to its mission. By concentrating on its areas of expertise, Sprouts has become a leading name in the health-oriented grocery sector. Accolades and Achievements Sinclair's contributions were recognized in 2020 when he was named CEO of the Year by Grocery Dive. This accolade underscored his transformative influence on Sprouts Farmers Market. The article detailing his achievements highlighted how he refocused the company during a tumultuous period. He not only stabilized the business but also outlined a clear path for expansion. Sinclair's vision includes increasing the store count from approximately 400 to 800–1,000 locations over the next decade to two decades. This ambitious yet feasible plan reflects his adeptness at combining operational acumen with long-term strategic planning. Insights from Jack Sinclair's Leadership Jack Sinclair's narrative provides valuable lessons for investors and business leaders: Integrity Fosters Trust: A CEO who is candid about challenges instills confidence among shareholders. Capitalize on Your Strengths: Rather than imitating competitors, concentrate on what distinguishes your business. Vision for the Future: Sustainable growth necessitates a well-defined plan and the discipline to execute it. As Sinclair continues to guide Sprouts Farmers Market toward its objectives, his leadership serves as a case study in how authenticity and expertise can bolster both investor confidence and business prosperity. Closing Thoughts Jack Sinclair's tenure at Sprouts Farmers Market illustrates the impact of transformative leadership. By emphasizing transparency, leveraging his decades of experience, and focusing on a niche market, he has turned the company into a formidable competitor in the health-focused grocery arena. Investors seeking promising enterprises should take heed: a great company is built on the foundation of great leadership. Sinclair's vision for Sprouts Farmers Market reminds us that with
Brain Implant Brings Simple Vision to Blind Man
Brain Implant Brings Simple Vision to Blind ManNFK Editors - November 28, 2019Los Angeles, California —(Map)When Jason Esterhuizen was 23, an accident left him blind. Now, eight years later, special glasses and a device inside his brain are allowing him to make out some details of the world around him.When Mr. Esterhuizen had his accident in 2011, he was studying to be a pilot. But he had to give that up and focus instead on learning to deal with a world he couldn’t see.When Jason Esterhuizen was 23, an accident left him blind. Now special glasses and a device inside his brain are allowing him to make out some details of the world around him. The picture shows UCLA scientists checking Mr. Esterhuizen’s brain activity.(Source: UCLA.)He learned to read and write Braille – a system of writing created for blind people. He learned how to use a computer without seeing. And he learned how to get around as a blind person.Mr. Esterhuizen is from South Africa. In 2018, he and his wife moved to California in order to take part in a study that offered the possibility of helping him with his vision.After his accident, Mr. Esterhuizen had to learn how to get around as a blind person. In 2018, he and his wife (above) moved to California in order to take part in a study that offered the possibility of helping him with his vision.(Source: UCLA.)The study was being run by UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) and a company called Second Sight. The goal of the study was to test an unusual medical product called Orion.There are three important pieces to Orion. One part looks like a pair of glasses. But the glasses are really for holding a camera on the person’s head. They also send wireless signals. The second part of Orion is a tiny computer that processes the video from the camera.There are three important pieces to Orion. The glasses hold a camera and can send wireless signals. A tiny computer processes the camera’s video. And the brain implant receives signals from the glasses. Mr. Esterhuizen is shown practicing finding objects.(Source: UCLA.)So that’s where the “sight” comes from. But how does it get to the brain? The third part is a tiny device – an implant – that is inserted directly into the patient’s brain. That’s what’s new and different about Orion.For years, Second Sight and other companies have been working on ways to get visual information into the brains of blind people. Most of the efforts have focused on connecting to the retina – a layer at the back of the eye that turns light into electrical signals for the brain.Most efforts to bring sight to blind people have focused on connecting to the retina – a layer at the back of the eye that turns light into electrical signals (above). The light circle to the right is where the optic nerve leaves the retina, taking vision information to the brain.(Source: Alexander Churkin [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)By sending electrical signals to the retina, some visual information can be sent to the brain. So far Second Sight has given about 350 people retinal implants.But a retinal implant wasn’t possible for Mr. Esterhuizen. That’s why Orion’s direct connection to the brain was especially interesting to him. As Dr. Nader Pouratian, the surgeon who gave Mr. Esterhuizen his implant, said, “With the current system we’re testing, you don’t even need to have eyes for the device to work.”A retinal implant wasn’t possible for Mr. Esterhuizen. That’s why Orion’s direct connection to the brain interested him. Dr. Nader Pouratian, the surgeon who gave Mr. Esterhuizen his implant, said, “With the current system we’re testing, you don’t even need to have eyes for the device to work.” Above, Dr. Pouratian points to the location of the device.(Source: UCLA.)Mr. Esterhuizen’s vision isn’t “fixed”. He can’t see normally. But he can tell dark from light. He says he sees “little white dots on a black background, like looking up at the stars at night.”There are six people in the world trying out the Orion. Mr. Esterhuizen is one of two in the US.Mr. Esterhuizen’s vision isn’t “fixed”. He can’t see normally. But he can tell dark from light. “Now I can do things that I couldn’t do before,” he says. “I can sort the laundry, find my way in lighted hallways…and cross the street more safely. It’s making my life much easier.”(Source: UCLA.)“Now I can do things that I couldn’t do before,” Mr. Esterhuizen said. “I can sort the laundry, find my way in lighted hallways without using a cane, and cross the street more safely. It’s making my life much easier.”Sourceswww.voanews.comwww.uclahealth.orgonezero.medium.comwww.insideedition.comucla.multimedia-newsroom.comLos Angeles, CaliforniaView Larger MapShare:In April, Lego announced a new project with its famous bricks: the company is making Braille bricks to help blind students learn to read, write, and do math.Blind Sailor Sails Non-Stop Across the PacificNFK Editors - Apr 28, 2019Mitsuhiro Iwamoto has been blind since he was 16. He wanted to prove that his blindness didn’t limit what he can do. Last week Mr. Iwamoto became the first blind person to sail non-stop across the Pacific Ocean.You might be interested in…Scientists Surprised by Clever Fishing WolfNFK Editors - Dec 3, 2025In 2021, the Heiltsuk Nation in Canada set traps to catch invasive European green crabs. The traps kept getting destroyed, and no one knew how. When scientists set up a camera to learn what was going on, they got a surprise: a clever wolf had used a series of complicated steps to get food from the trap.Pig Kidney Transplant Trial Begins in USNFK Editors - Nov 12, 2025Doctors at a hospital in New York have begun a program that will test whether specially designed pig kidneys can be used to replace human kidneys. The results of the trial program could help thousands of people who are waiting for a new kidney.ISS Celebrates 25 Years of People Living in SpaceNFK Editors - Nov 6, 2025This week marks 25 years of humans living in space. On November 2, 2000, three astronauts became the first full-time workers at the International Space Station. Since then, the ISS has never been empty.Is Seeing Believing? AI Videos Look Extremely RealNFK Editors - Nov 5, 2025Over the last year or so, the quality of AI-generated videos has become so good that it’s extremely difficult to tell whether a video is real or not. An English TV channel recently ran a show about AI. At the end of the episode, the “woman” presenting the show announced that she wasn’t real.
Record-Setting Astronaut Christina Koch Returns to Earth
Record-Setting Astronaut Christina Koch Returns to EarthNFK Editors - February 11, 2020Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan —(Map)Last Thursday, American astronaut Christina Koch arrived back on Earth after 328 days in space. That’s the longest spaceflight ever made by a woman, and just one of the many things Ms. Koch achieved in space.Ms. Koch, who is 41, took off from Earth for the International Space Station (ISS) on March 12, 2019. While Ms. Koch was in space, she made 5,248 trips around the Earth. She traveled 139 million miles (223.7 million kilometers), which NASA says is roughly the same as 291 trips to the Moon and back.Last Thursday, American astronaut Christina Koch arrived back on Earth after 328 days in space and 5,248 trips around the Earth. That’s the longest spaceflight ever made by a woman, and just one of the many things Ms. Koch achieved in space.(Source: NASA Johnson, via Flickr.com.)On Thursday, Ms. Koch landed safely in Kazakhstan, along with Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano and Russian cosmonaut (astronaut) Alexander Skvortsov.Her time in space is just one of the records set by Ms. Koch. In October of last year, Ms. Koch led the first everall-female spacewalk with NASA astronaut Jessica Meir.During her 11 months on the ISS, Ms. Koch took part in six spacewalks, including three all-female spacewalks. In all, she spent over 42 hours outside the station.In October, Ms. Koch (left) led the first ever all-female spacewalk with NASA astronaut Jessica Meir. The two are shown preparing their spacesuits for a spacewalk. While on the ISS, Ms. Koch took part in six spacewalks, spending over 42 hours outside the station.(Source: NASA Johnson, via Flickr.com.)But for most astronauts, space travel isn’t about setting records. It’s about doing science. Ms. Koch took part in a wide variety of special experiments while she was on the ISS. Her work included studying how crystals grow in space, how fire behaves in space, and how atoms behave in extreme cold.She did many experiments aimed at learning more about growing plants in low gravity. Growing plants in space could be an important way to provide food on future trips.Ms. Koch took part in a wide variety of special experiments while she was on the ISS, including many experiments aimed at learning more about growing plants in low gravity.(Source: NASA Johnson, via Flickr.com.)Ms. Koch also worked on an experiment which tested a new way of separating liquids from gases. This experiment could lead to simple methods of cleaning water and air in space, which could be very important for future space travel.Ms. Koch isn’t just a scientist and an astronaut. She is also being studied. She’s part of a NASA program studying how astronauts are affected by being in space for long periods of time. Ms. Koch’s 328-day trip was only 12 days shorter than the American record set by NASA astronaut Scott Kelly in 2016.Ms. Koch is being studied as part of a NASA program looking into how astronauts are affected by being in space for long periods of time.(Source: Bill Ingalls/NASANASA Johnson, via Flickr.com.)As they did with Mr. Kelly, NASA scientists will be looking carefully at ways Ms. Koch’s body has been affected by her time in space. That research is important for the longer space trips NASA hopes to make in the future, such as for a base on the moon or a trip to Mars.Ms. Koch says she will miss the amazing views of Earth, and being able to float around in very low gravity. She will also miss her friends from the ISS. But she said she was looking forward to many simple Earth experiences that are impossible in space, such as “the feeling of wind on my face.”On Thursday, Ms. Koch landed safely in Kazakhstan. She says she is looking forward to many simple Earth experiences that are impossible in space, such as “the feeling of wind on my face.”(Source: Bill Ingalls/NASA [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)Sourceswww.nytimes.comwww.theguardian.comwww.abc.net.auwww.dw.comwww.theverge.comwww.nasa.govwww.nasa.govDzhezkazgan, KazakhstanView Larger MapShare:This week marks 25 years of humans living in space. On November 2, 2000, three astronauts became the first full-time workers at the International Space Station. Since then, the ISS has never been empty.Meteorite That Hit House Is Older Than EarthNFK Editors - Aug 14, 2025When a fireball fell through the sky in the southeastern United States on June 26, it caught the attention of people across seven states. It was a meteor breaking up as it fell through the Earth’s atmosphere. A small part of the space rock tore through a house in Georgia. Scientists now say the meteorite is older than the Earth.Blue Origin Sends Six Women Into SpaceNFK Editors - Apr 16, 2025On Monday, the aerospace company Blue Origin launched its spacecraft RSS Kármán Line on a ten minute trip into space. The spaceship carried the first all-female crew to go into space since Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963.Private Company Makes Perfect Moon LandingNFK Editors - Mar 5, 2025On Sunday, a company called Firefly Aerospace became the first private company to make a perfect landing on the moon. Firefly is working with NASA, and its spacecraft, Blue Ghost, is carrying out several experiments for the space agency.
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