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A new robotic system capable of planetary exploration through tethered jumping has been developed by researchers at the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The robot, named SPLITTER (Space and Planetary Limbed Intelligent Tether Technology Exploration Robot), has been designed as a modular, multi-robot system composed of two quadrupedal robots connected by a tether. The system, expected to be presented at the IEEE Aerospace Conference (AeroConf) 2025, has been designed to navigate low-gravity environments such as the moon and asteroids. Reports indicate that the robotic system can perform successive jumps while collecting scientific data, providing an alternative to conventional planetary rovers and drones.

SPLITTER’s Design and Capabilities

According to the study published on the arXiv preprint server, SPLITTER consists of two Hemi-SPLITTER robots connected by a tether, forming a dumbbell-like structure. The tether enables mobility and stability during mid-air travel, eliminating the need for additional attitude control mechanisms such as gas thrusters or reaction wheels. The system has been designed to dynamically alter its inertia by adjusting limb positions and tether length, ensuring stability during flight. The development of SPLITTER was driven by the limitations of traditional planetary rovers, which are often slow and cumbersome, and the impracticality of drones due to the absence of atmospheric conditions on celestial bodies like the moon and asteroids.

Mechanism Behind SPLITTER’s Motion

Reports suggest that SPLITTER incorporates an inertial morphing mechanism based on a Model Predictive Controller (MPC) to regulate its orientation during mid-air movements. The concept is based on the Tennis Racket Theorem, also known as the Dzhanibekov effect, which describes how objects with asymmetric inertia undergo spontaneous rotational flips. Yusuke Tanaka, lead author of the study, told Tech Xplore that the technique allows aggressive stabilization of the robot’s mid-air flight through controlled inertia adjustments. It has been suggested that this method significantly enhances the efficiency of planetary exploration by ensuring stability without relying on external force mechanisms.

Potential Applications and Future Research

The research team has indicated that SPLITTER could be deployed in planetary exploration missions as a swarm of robots, allowing extensive and unstructured terrain to be efficiently traversed. The tether mechanism could also enable one unit to explore craters or caves while the other remains anchored, providing support. Dennis Hong, director of RoMeLa and principal investigator of the project, told Tech Xplore that ongoing research is focusing on improving the hardware, including new actuators and sensing mechanisms. Future studies are expected to further validate the inertial morphing mechanism through high-fidelity simulations, with the long-term goal of enhancing SPLITTER’s capabilities for real-world space applications.

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MIT Just Proved Einstein Wrong in the Famous Double-Slit Quantum Experiment

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July 31, 2025

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MIT Just Proved Einstein Wrong in the Famous Double-Slit Quantum Experiment

Physicists at MIT conducted a precise version of the renowned double slit quantum experiment, which challenges Einstein’s objections to quantum mechanics. With the help of ultracold atoms and single photons, they have shown the reaction of the long-standing wave-particle duality discussion without traditional spring setups. The researchers ignored the classical apparatus components and allowed nature’s inherent uncertainty to unleash Bohr’s complementarity, as both wave and particle-like behaviour cannot be observed simultaneously. The finding matches the quantum theory and disagrees with Einstein’s local realistic expectations.

MIT’s Quantum Experiment Challenges Einstein’s Classical View

As per Sci Tech Daily, Einstein argued for the deterministic reality, and claimed that the particles must be definite properties irrespective of the observation and that nothing could travel faster than light. With the Copenhagen interpretation, Bohr held the views which posit that only measurement defines the physical reality, along with complementary properties such as wave and particle behaviour, which are exclusive. The result of MIT supports this interpretation by Bohr.

With the removal of spring elements and the intrinsic quantum uncertain reliability of the ultracold atoms, MIT has sidestepped classical interference artefacts. Through this design, the experiment cleanly isolates the quantum effects and makes the result more robust and vague. Their behaviour demonstrates the dual nature when the individual photons pass through this experiment.

Bohr’s Complementarity Confirmed: Nature Obeys Quantum Rules

The findings through this experiment not only give the mechanical predictions and however, but also reinforce the significance of the theorem by Bell. Experiments done by Delft and Aspect have questioned the inequabilities under restricted conditions, strongly discrediting the hidden variable arguments of Einstein.

In a nutshell, MIT’s ultra double-slit experiment provides compelling evidence against the local realism of Einstein but in favour of the indeterminacy of quantum. Through the demonstration of the complementarity of the minimal classical interference, it is clear that the experiment underscores that nature follows the rules of quantum mechanics.

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PSR J0922+0638 Pulsar Keeps Glitching Every 550 Days, Scientists Are Intrigued

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18 hours ago

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July 31, 2025

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PSR J0922+0638 Pulsar Keeps Glitching Every 550 Days, Scientists Are Intrigued

PSR J0922+0638 is one of the pulsars, which are typically ultradense remains of a massive star that exploded as a supernova. These are quite compact and lie a few miles away; however, they carry more weight than several other suns. Their density infers that the internal matter is packed tightly, and the borders diverge toward the black hole. However, the collapse of these stars is prevented due to the pressure from the quantum forces. Neutrons and protons smash together at the time of extreme densities, and then they create a single gigantic atomic nucleus. However, the core of the neutron stars is still a mystery.

Unraveling the Structure and Rotation of PSR J0922+0638

As per space report, these dense stars act as giant atomic nuclei together with the neutrons and protons pulled together under the gravity. One of the behaviours of pulsars is their rotation, which is stable. For example, PSR J0922+0638 rotates after every 0.43063, and this continues for thousands of years.

Astronomers studied the data from over 22 years to further understand the stability. The data was collected from South Africa’s MeerKAT array and China’s Nanshan Radio Telescope array. Although the changes were minuscule, even less than a billionth, the stars show an energy shift because of the intense physical forces. The scientists found a dozen glitches that we call a little change in the rate of rotation. The glitches followed a cycle in which rotation repeats after every 550 days.

Glitches, Magnetic Cycles, and the Mystery Within Pulsars

Furthermore, due to sudden glitches, a slow and cyclic speeding up and slowing down of the spin of the pulsar was seen during a 500-600-day period. This behaviour made the scientists question the glitches and the time variations of the pulsar, with the unawareness of the exact cause.

The theories put forward by the scientists comprise the magnetic cycle, which is similar to the movement of the superfluid in the star or the sun. Even after these theories, the internal mechanics of a pulsar are speculative. Further, long-term observations are important to know these secrets.

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Starlink’s Unintended Signals Threaten Astronomical Research, Study Finds

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18 hours ago

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July 31, 2025

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Starlink’s Unintended Signals Threaten Astronomical Research, Study Finds

Astronomers have concerns over SpaceX’s Starlink connection, as the world is interlinked by the Starlink internet service, but there are big concerns about it. The satellite is interfering with the universe’s observation, and these fears have been confirmed by Curtin University. As per the analysis of 76 million images from the prototype station, it was found that the Starlink satellite emissions affect up to 30 percent images in some datasets. This kind of interference could change the outcome of the research that depends on that data.

Starlink’s Unintended Emissions Threaten Astronomical Research

As per NASA, it was found that from 1,806 Starlink satellites, there occurred 112,000 radio emissions. Further, it was observed that much of the interference is not deliberate. Some satellites detected emitting data in bands in which no signals are present at all. This includes 703 satellites that were identified at 150.8 MHz. This is meant to be protected for radio astronomy, as said by study lead Dylan Grigg.

Grigg observed that these unintended emissions might have come from onboard electronics. Astronomers can’t easily predict or filter these out as they are not part of the intentional signal. The International Telecommunication Union regulate the satellite emissions for protecting astronomical observations, current rules, and focuses on the intentional transmissions and does not address these unintended emissions, as said by Steven Tingay. Executive director of the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy.

Calls Grow for Policy Updates to Safeguard Radio Astronomy

The problem is not just the Starlink Satellite; the team found that it currently has the most expansive constellation, including around 7,000 satellites, which can be deployed during the survey. However, the satellite network can release non-deliberate transmissions too.

Tingay said that it is crucial to note that Starlink is not disturbing the current regulations, so there is nothing wrong with it. He further added that we hope this study adds support for the international efforts and updates the policies which control the impact of this technology on the radio astronomy that is currently going on.

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