Light sail technology is a fascinating concept and a step change in rocket propulsion.  It may not be big and impressive like the Saturn V‚ the Space Shuttle or the new Starship rocket but when it comes to travelling among the stars‚ light sails could just be the answer. And what better material to build the sails from then something that just makes me want to say it over and over again….I talk about photonics crystals. It’s sounds right out of a Star Trek episode but a new paper examines their feasibility.  The concept of light sails is really quite simple. Instead of a fabric sail attached to a ship that harnesses the force of the wind‚ light sails harness the force of light to propel spacecraft through the cosmos. They rely upon the pressure of photons emitted by a powerful light source like a laser to generate low levels of thrust. The idea is that photons of light carry momentum and exert a force when they reflect off a surface. The deployment of large‚ super thin sails made of reflective material like Mylar – of the same variety used commonly in amateur astronomy to observe the Sun – the spacecraft can be pushed along‚ slowly accelerating but eventually to astonishing speeds.  Whilst light sails may not get a spaceship off the ground and into orbit‚ once deployed in space‚ the long slow acceleration is a very efficient way of travelling through space. This is not just science fiction‚ the Starshot Breakthrough project has become a leader in the field to develop a spacecraft to send humans to Proxima Centauri 4.3 light years away) in a human lifetime.  A paper recently published by a team led by Jin Chang explores the possibility of a new material for light sails known as nano manufactured photonics crystals. These crystals are  optical nanostructures (between microscopic and molecular scales) where the refractive index changes periodically. These occur in nature in the animal kingdom for example in the reflective nature of cat and dog eyes.  Reflection of camera flash from the tapetum lucidum – Credit : Greg Hume The team show how a silicon nitride photonics crystal with a thin silicon membrane can achieve the high levels of reflectivity in the 1300nm to 1500nm wavelengths required for light sails. The potential in the sails is significant with the manufacturing techniques able to scale up to several metres which may well set the scene for finally‚ if not slowly‚ sending humans across the galaxy.  SOURCE : Broadband‚ High-Reflectivity Dielectric Mirrors at Wafer Scale: Combining Photonic Crystal and Metasurface Architectures for Advanced Lightsails The post Photonic Crystals Could Be Exactly What Breakthrough Starshot is Looking For appeared first on Universe Today.

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Explosions in a council chamber in the Transcarpathia Region injured 26 people‚ according to authorities At least two dozen people have been injured in a series of blasts during a session of a council in western Ukraine‚ officials have said‚ adding that the suspected perpetrator was a local deputy who brought grenades to the meeting. â—¾ Ukrainian Transcarpathia‚ a local deputy exploded grenades during a session meetingâ—¾A video of the moment the grenades exploded appeared online – a local deputy of Transcarpathia came to the session‚ during which he pulled out 3 grenades and blew it up. It is reported that… pic.twitter.com/DrpnRu3aKm— Zlatti71 (@djuric_zlatko) December 15‚ 2023 Local police said that emergency services performed “resuscitation measures on the man who detonated the grenades‚” adding that law enforcement operatives and forensic experts were working at the scene. Local news portal Mukachevo.net identified the alleged culprit as Sergey Batryn‚ an MP representing the Servant of the People party‚ of which Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is a member. Initially‚ Ukraine’s National Police said on Friday that a blast at the Keretsk village council in Mukachevo district‚ Transcarpathian Region had claimed the lives of two people – one of whom was the man who brought the explosives – while 11 others were injured. Later‚ however‚ it updated the information to say that 26 people had been wounded‚ noting that six of them were in serious condition.URGENT! Keep Alex Jones in the fight against the NWO! Please pray &; contribute at DefendJones.com today! The National Police also released a video of the incident. The clip shows a small room with several seated people engaged in a heated debate. A man dressed in black enters through a door‚ closes it‚ and then leans against it. Moments later‚ he slowly removes at least three grenades from his pockets‚ pulls the pins‚ and casually drops them on the floor in front of those present. A series of powerful blasts follow‚ engulfing the room in thick smoke‚ with several people heard screaming. A photo of the scene released by police shows the aftermath of the bombing‚ with the room completely devastated and smeared in blood. pic.twitter.com/cn6aJhtakv— Zlatti71 (@djuric_zlatko) December 15‚ 2023 The motive behind the incident remains unclear. However‚ Ukrainian media outlet Strana reported that Batryn had recently been highly critical of local officials‚ accusing them of failing to address people’s problems while rewarding themselves with lavish cash bonuses. A similar incident took place last month‚ when Major Gennady Chastyakov‚ an aide to the country’s top general Valery Zaluzhny‚ died in a grenade blast while celebrating his birthday. According to Ukrainian authorities‚ the deceased officer was given a box of explosives as a gift‚ and apparently did not take them seriously despite having been warned that the grenades were fully operational. Editor’s note: Breaking preliminary details below. Preliminary reasons why Transcarpathian deputy Batrin blew up grenades have become knownDeputies at the session approved the budget for 2024. The media write that Batrin argued very strongly with them – he demanded that the deputies report on the 2023 budget‚ and then adopt the… pic.twitter.com/EYiyDlc7h4— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) December 15‚ 2023 In Transcarpathia Ukraine‚ the wounded are evacuated after a grenade explosion pic.twitter.com/wY5DdWu6JH— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) December 15‚ 2023 Fascinating details about grenade attack. Individual responsible is Ukrainian lawmaker who fought in the war‚ got disabled‚ and struggled to access welfare/psychological support upon his return. There's going to be a lot more of this‚ soon – not just in Ukraine‚ but Europe too. https://t.co/VvC5wxUyvY— Kit Klarenberg (@KitKlarenberg) December 15‚ 2023

Certain neighborhoods in the Big Apple 'plunged into darkness' The globalists have been threatening US citizens with an imminent cyber-attack. Will the chaotic planned event come just in time for the holidays or closer to the election? Don’t forget‚ Infowars relies on YOUR SUPPORT! To continue funding this independent operation‚ we urge you to visit the Infowars Store where you can fund the battle against globalism by purchasing great products such as dietary supplements‚ air and water filters‚ books‚ t-shirts‚ survival gear and much more.

If European nations allow Ukraine into NATO‚ WWIII will break out Alex Jones breaks down the growing support to include Ukraine in NATO‚ pushing WW3 to the edge of Russia’s border. Don’t forget‚ Infowars relies on YOUR SUPPORT! To continue funding this independent operation‚ we urge you to visit the Infowars Store where you can fund the battle against globalism by purchasing great products such as dietary supplements‚ air and water filters‚ books‚ t-shirts‚ survival gear and much more.

Globalists pushing for even more censorship to combat populist uprising According to a recent study by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and allied organizations‚ cybersecurity concerns are taking on new dimensions. Misinformation and disinformation disseminated via the internet are now being framed as key challenges in ensuring “cybersecurity.” The troubling report was launched on December 5 and designated as “Cybersecurity Futures 2030: New Foundations.” Don’t forget‚ Infowars relies on YOUR SUPPORT! To continue funding this independent operation‚ we urge you to visit the Infowars Store where you can fund the battle against globalism by purchasing great products such as dietary supplements‚ air and water filters‚ books‚ t-shirts‚ survival gear and much more.

Does anyone really expect any accountability? Are we witnessing the Biden family’s last stand? And now that the ball is firmly in the hands of the GOP‚ will they purposely fumble in order to protect the Uniparty? The Democrats have proven that their only contribution to the future of the Republic is weaponized gaslighting and hypocrisy. Bordering on collusion with the Biden family’s massive evidence of foreign bribery. An act that clearly violates the Constitution‚ ethics and common sense. While Republicans meekly refuse to enforce the very same laws used against the Trump administration upon the criminal accomplice of the President after Hunter Biden refused a deposition. Hunter claims to want to ask questions in the name of transparency. Then proceeds to answer nothing and makes his escape. Blatantly in contempt of Congress. And now that the Biden’s have been backed into a corner‚ how will they retaliate against the American people? What lengths will the DOJ go to protect them now? And how quickly will false flags and cyberattacks randomly appear as Congress returns after the holidays?URGENT! Keep Alex Jones in the fight against the NWO! Please pray &; contribute at DefendJones.com today! 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting and dangerous years in American History. Don’t forget‚ Infowars relies on YOUR SUPPORT! To continue funding this independent operation‚ we urge you to visit the Infowars Store where you can fund the battle against globalism by purchasing great products such as dietary supplements‚ air and water filters‚ books‚ t-shirts‚ survival gear and much more.

Critics claim the move is meant to stop Trump from following through on his anti-NATO rheftoric. Congress has just approved legislation that would stop any president from withdrawing the United States from NATO without approval from the Senate or an Act of Congress‚ The Hill reports. “The measure‚ spearheaded by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)‚ was included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act‚ which passed out of the House on Thursday and is expected to be signed by President Biden‚” said The Hill. “The provision underscores Congress’s commitment to the NATO alliance that was a target of former President Trump’s ire during his term in office.” “The measure‚ spearheaded by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)‚ was included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act‚ which passed out of the House on Thursday and is expected to be signed by President Biden‚” said The Hill. “The provision underscores Congress’s commitment to the NATO alliance that was a target of former President Trump’s ire during his term in office.” Rubio released a statement adding: “We must ensure we are protecting our national interests and protecting the security of our democratic allies.” Critics claim the move is meant to stop Trump from following through on his anti-NATO rhetoric. VasoBeet is now 40% OFF! This beetroot-based supplement was created to provide you with all the benefits of this nutrient-dense vegetable in one easy dose! Gateway Pundit reports: “The move to restrict NATO withdrawal options comes as Trump‚ eyeing a return to the Oval Office‚ vocally considers pivoting the U.S. to a less active role within the alliance‚ or departing altogether if his terms are not met. The U.S. Congress has approved a bill that would prohibit any president from withdrawing from NATO without the approval of the Senate or an act of Congress.Such a measure is related to the fact that Trump may return to the post of the US president. pic.twitter.com/GDZi4P43cD— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 15‚ 2023 Major AI Developments Set to Be Announced

by Suzanne Burdick‚ Ph.D.‚ Childrens Health Defense: Attorney Ray Flores‚ who on May 31 sued the U.S. Department of Defense on behalf of the estate of George Watts Jr.‚ said the New York Times article “marginalized” the Watts family’s “unspeakable suffering” and misrepresented Children’s Health Defense’s involvement in the case. The New York Times on […]