Published in: Forum Agenda, 31. January 2024

1. Japan lands spacecraft on the moon

Japan has become the fifth nation to land a spacecraft on the moon. The Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency hailed what it called “a pinpoint landing”, Reuters reports.

While the landing position was accurate to within 100 metres of the target site, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon toppled over on an incline, reducing its ability to generate power using its solar panels.

Despite the setback, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said: “We proved that you can land wherever you want, rather than where you are able to. This will inspire more and more people, desirably Japanese missions, to try to land on unexplored places on the moon.”

Japan’s moon landing followed the failure of a private US consortium to successfully land its Peregrine vehicle on the lunar surface after experiencing propulsion system problems.

2. GPS interference endangers aircraft

Airlines and global aviation regulators are warning that interference with GPS signals over war zones is putting passenger planes at risk. A meeting of interested parties on 25 January found no quick technical fix to the problem, Reuters reports.

The concerns follow a series of incidents where GPS systems were compromised and gave false locations or inaccurate timestamps. There has been no disruption to the control of the aircraft involved.

GPS jamming and spoofing has become more common in Eastern Europe, the Black Sea and the Middle East.

The first international meeting to discuss GPS-related risk was held in Cologne, Germany. It was attended by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and global trade group the International Air Transport Association.

3. In brief: Other tech stories to know

Engineers have created a fast-charging lithium battery that could overcome the so-called “range anxiety” associated with electric vehicles. A report from Cornell University details how a team developed a battery that can be charged in less than five minutes without compromising safety or the long-term performance of the battery.

Tiny robots modelled on insects have been revealed by engineers at Washington State University (WSU). The team at WSU says the robots are the smallest of their type ever created, and could be used in applications including artificial crop pollination, search and rescue, or robot-assisted surgery.

China’s installed solar electric power generation capacity rose by 55.2% in 2023, according to the National Energy Administration. The country added 216.9 gigawatts of solar power last year, bringing its total capacity to 614.9 gigawatts.

4. More on technology from the Forum

As the metaverse evolves, comprehensively understanding identity is crucial for its potential to revolutionize how people interact and express themselves digitally, facilitating a space that respects privacy, security and human rights. Read more here.

Innovators need to learn to explain and sell the value of the technology they’re developing, argues Thomas Crampton, Co-Founder, Crampton Blackie Partners. He explores four ways innovators and entrepreneurs can engage more effectively with investors. Find out more here.

2025 will mark 100 years of scientific discoveries and breakthroughs based on quantum mechanics. With a second century of quantum development on the horizon, two quantum experts explore how governments, civil society and the private sector can collaborate to ensure inclusive and equitable advances. Learn more here.

(read original article to benefit from all graphs and visuals)

Image: DALL-E 3