Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur, and Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX engineer, have achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first non-professional astronauts to perform a spacewalk. On September 12, 2024, Isaacman and Gillis emerged from the SpaceX Dragon capsule, floating 435 miles above Earth. This commercial mission, funded by Isaacman, marks a historic first since previously only government astronauts conducted spacewalks.

Historic Spacewalk by Private Individuals

Isaacman, who is financing the Polaris Dawn mission, and Gillis ventured into space around 11:52 BST, wearing newly designed extravehicular activity (EVA) suits, according to a BBC report. Isaacman was the first to exit the capsule, testing his suit’s functionality before returning inside. Gillis followed, conducting her own evaluations while narrating their experiences live. The spacewalk was initially scheduled for earlier but was postponed to ensure safety and proper preparation.

Unique Approach to Spacewalks

Unlike traditional spacewalks, which use an airlock to separate the spacecraft from space, the SpaceX Dragon capsule was fully exposed to the vacuum outside. This new method presented unique challenges, including the need for the crew to undergo two days of “pre-breathing” to avoid decompression sickness.

The spacecraft was depressurised to closely match the space environment.
Dr Simeon Barber, a research scientist at the Open University, noted that this approach differs from previous methods and underscores SpaceX’s innovative spirit, as per a Hindustan Times report. The EVA suits used incorporate advanced features such as a heads-up display, enhancing functionality and safety.

Significance and Future Implications

The successful execution of this private spacewalk represents a major achievement in space travel. It highlights the potential for private companies to push the boundaries of space exploration. While the costs of such missions remain high, initiatives like this could pave the way for more accessible space travel in the future. The Polaris Dawn mission also set a new record for the most individuals in the vacuum of space simultaneously.

This landmark event underscores the growing role of private enterprises in space exploration and sets a precedent for future spacewalks conducted outside government space agencies.

A novel approach to improving the performance of MOF-based supercapacitors has been developed by researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali. This laser-based technique allows for the controlled introduction of defects in the material, boosting energy storage capabilities. The method could offer a significant improvement over traditional methods used for defect creation, such as thermal annealing, chemical exposure, and ball milling, which lacked precision.

How Laser Technology Improves MOF-Based Supercapacitors

In this innovative approach, Prof Vivek Bagchi and his team at INST used laser irradiation to create defects and porosity in the CuZn-BTC MOF. By carefully adjusting laser power, they were able to increase the electrode’s surface area without altering the Metal Organic Framework’s (MOF) crystal structure. The details of the research were published in the journal ACS Materials Letter.

This precise tuning enhances the material’s performance by enabling better ion diffusion and improved energy storage. The pores generated in the three-dimensional MOF structure allow ions to travel more efficiently, significantly enhancing the device’s energy storage capacity.

Traditional methods of defect creation tend to transform the material or create composite structures, reducing efficiency. However, this laser method maintains the MOF’s original crystallinity while improving its electrochemical properties. Upon laser exposure, some bonds in the CuZn-MOF break, creating pores that improve ion diffusion while keeping the overall structure intact.

Environmental and Performance Benefits

In addition to enhancing energy storage, the laser process is quicker, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly than conventional approaches. It eliminates the need for chemical solvents, making the process both safer and faster. The findings, published in ACS Materials Letter, highlight the potential for applying this method to other MOF materials to improve performance in energy storage technologies.

This week, solar activity has been particularly intense, with the sun releasing powerful solar flares, including an X1.3-class flare on Thursday, September 12. The eruption, coming from an unnumbered sunspot, took place at 5:43 AM EDT (9:43 UTC). X-class flares, the strongest of its type, can cause disruptions in radio communications, especially in sunlit areas. In this case, the flare impacted high-frequency radio bands across Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Geomagnetic Storm and Aurora Chances

Following the X1.3-class flare, a geomagnetic storm occurred on 12 September 2024, rated at G3 on a five-level scale by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. This storm resulted from a coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by a solar flare earlier in the week on 10 September. As a CME travels through space, it carries plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona.

When these reach Earth, they can trigger geomagnetic storms and enhance auroras in the Northern Hemisphere. Some areas in the western US reported visible auroras following the storm. In addition to the X-class event, other solar flares in the M-class category were observed from sunspots AR 3811 and AR 3814 earlier in the week.

Another Geomagnetic Storm Expected

According to NOAA, aurora watchers will have another opportunity on Friday, 13 September 2024, when another geomagnetic storm is expected. This storm will be caused by a CME that erupted earlier this week. As CMEs take a few days to reach Earth, the geomagnetic storm could lead to even more vibrant aurora displays across various parts of the US, particularly in higher latitudes. Scientists at NOAA continue to monitor solar activity closely to forecast any potential impacts on Earth’s magnetic field.

Keep an eye on the skies this weekend, as auroras may light up the night across parts of the US due to heightened solar activity.