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Mars sample return mission With a launch window of 2018,* returning five years later,* the mission consists of an Earth/Mars transfer stage, Mars orbiter, descent module, collection mechanism, ascent module and Earth re-entry stage. Around 30 samples,* totalling 500 grams of rock and soil, are deposited into the ascension vehicle, which then launches and exits the Martian atmosphere, before making the return trip back to Earth. Once they are recovered, the samples are placed in a "curation" facility to isolate them and prevent contamination. Advanced instruments are then used to analyse the rock and soil, at a level of detail that was unavailable with previous surface rovers and their relatively limited tools. The samples hold tremendous scientific value. They provide decades of research into the Martian environment, and conclude as a major milestone in the exploration of Mars. The next major mission will be a manned landing.
Asteroid sample return mission The probe is sent to 1999 RQ36, a carbonaceous rock approximately 580m (1,900 ft) in diameter and classed as an Apollo asteroid. These are near-Earth asteroids whose orbits cross that of Earth. 1999 RQ36 is of particular interest because it has a small chance of colliding with Earth between the years 2169 and 2199.* Arriving in 2019, the probe carries a suite of instruments which includes high resolution cameras for close-range imaging of the surface. The sample is returned to Earth in 2023. It reveals much about the formation and evolution of the early Solar System, initial stages of planet formation, and the source of organic compounds which led to the formation of life.* The total cost of the mission (including the launch vehicle) is approximately $1 billion.
Laser-driven fusion energy makes progress Magnetic confinement, as seen in ITER, has thus far been the preferred approach to studying fusion energy. However, the potential of lasers is now being explored in greater depth. Following years of engineering and construction, a major new research facility is operational in Europe.* This aims to demonstrate the feasibility of commercial-level fusion. The High Power laser Energy Research facility (HiPER) uses a laser-driven inertial confinement reactor. Lasers are fired into a central core, where they collide with a single fuel pellet, compressing it to high density. A second laser is then fired, in a more intense pulse with nanosecond precision. This ignites the fuel, raising the core temperature to over a hundred million degrees celsius – hotter than the centre of the Sun – allowing fusion reactions to occur. Helium is formed, releasing energetic neutrons in the process. These neutrons are captured, generating electricity. HiPER's "fast ignition" approach uses much smaller lasers than previous designs, yet generates power of the same magnitude. This offers a total "fusion gain" that is much higher than earlier devices, with a ten-fold reduction in construction costs. HiPER is only a prototype - but when fully developed, fusion will become a revolutionary form of energy production. It will be a giant leap forward in addressing climate change, pollution, energy security and the ever increasing demand for consumption.
Turkey celebrates its 100th anniversary as an independent republic Celebrations are taking place this year to mark the centenary of the Turkish Republic. As part of this anniversary, one of the grandest infrastructure projects in history is completed: the Canal Istanbul. This is an artificial waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Measuring 30 miles (48 km) in length, and 500 ft (150m) in width, it dissects the European side of Istanbul in two, thus creating a new island between Asia and Istanbul.* It bypasses the already existing Bosphorus Strait, substantially reducing congestion on the water and minimising the potential for collisions between large oil tankers.* Excavated soil is used in the construction of a major new port, together with an airport, as well as the burying of defunct mines in the region. Turkey has also achieved energy independence by now, with 10 billion barrels of oil and over 1.5 trillion cubic metres of natural gas uncovered in the Black Sea.* These huge reserves have enabled the country to completely end its reliance on foreign imports and to meet its energy needs for the next 40 years. This comes at a time when much of the world is struggling with peak oil. Turkey's standing in the world has increased significantly in recent years,* boosted further by its entry into the EU, allowing it to serve as a bridge between Islam and the West.*
Completion of the London "super sewer" The Thames Tideway scheme is the biggest wastewater project in London since the mid-19th century. It involves a major upgrade of the aging Victorian system - helping to prevent discharge into the River Thames during periods of heavy rainfall and improving the overall quality of the city's water. The storage-and-transfer tunnel is 35km long, with shafts 25m in diameter, 75m below ground for most of the route.* It runs across the city from west to east, then west again to a final pumping station. Prior to the completion of this megaproject, some 32 million cubic metres of raw sewage was being discharged into the river each year. An overflow was occuring every week, even during moderate rainfall. By 2009, the situation had become so bad that the British government was threatened with legal action in the European Court of Justice.* The Thames Tideway attracted controversy, however. Opponents raised concerns over the cost to Londoners (£4.1bn) and the impact of construction works on parks and house prices. Nevertheless, it goes ahead and is eventually finished by 2023.*
A permanent cure for migraine is becoming available Migraine is a leading cause of disability, affecting one in five people worldwide. This debilitating condition is characterised by severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, photophobia (increased sensitivity to light), and phonophobia (increased sensitivity to sound). Approximately half of those affected have such severe attacks that they cannot function normally in their day-to-day life. In 2010, scientists discovered a genetic defect linked to this condition, which provided a target for new treatments. After years of clinical trials, a drug is now available that corrects the faulty gene permanently.*
Borneo’s rainforests have been wiped from the map The world’s 3rd largest island, Borneo was once home to a staggering range of biodiversity, covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometres. Its lush rainforests have now almost completely disappeared as a result of deforestation.* Many rare species are declared extinct around this time including the Orangutan – one of the most intelligent of the great apes.*
Gorillas are going extinct in Central Africa Rampant and uncontrolled poaching, together with large-scale deforestation, agriculture, mining, pollution, disease and militia operations have led to the terminal decline of gorilla populations.* Only those in captivity now remain.
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References 1 A Wet Run for a Dry Planet: NASA Tests Drilling Technology in the Desert with Mars Sample Return in Mind [Slide Show], Scientific American: 2 "The report's authors said that, regardless of the start date, it would take five years for the precious 500g (1.1lb) sample to be returned to Earth." 3 Seven target sites announced for Mars sample return, Nature: 4 Japan's Hayabusa spacecraft was the first, successfully returning tiny grains of the asteroid Itokawa to Earth in June 2010. 5 Long term impact risk for (101955) 1999 RQ36, Science Direct: 6 The OSIRIS-REx Mission - An Asteroid Sample Return Mission, The University of Arizona: 7 "Construction
of the HiPER facility is envisaged to start mid-decade, with operation
in the early 2020s." 8 The Istanbul Canal project, RIA Novosti: 9 Istanbul's new Bosphorus canal 'to surpass Suez or Panama', The Guardian: 10 Official: Black sea oil can meet Turkey's need for next 40 years, World Bulletin: 11 Friedman on Turkey in the Next 100 Years, YouTube: 12 Enlargement of the European Union, Wikipedia: 13 Thames Tideway Project, London, United Kingdom, water-technology.net: 14 UK faces European court for allowing raw sewage to enter Thames, The Guardian: 15 "[Chancellor of the Exchequer] Mr Osborne reaffirmed government commitment to the Thames Tideway Tunnel - or super-sewer - which will cost £4.1 billion and is due to be finished in 2023." 16 Migraine
cause 'identified' as genetic defect, BBC News: 17 Home, YouTube.com: 18 Wild Orangutans: Extinct by 2023?, nationalgeographic.com: 19 Gorillas Could be Extinct in the Congo Basin by the Mid-2020s, Tree Hugger:
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