Science Saturday: SpaceX, 3D printing, Russia moon mission and OpenAI

SpaceX Starship

The SpaceX Starship exploded once again! It had a successful launch from south Texas last Saturday, with the booster separating from the spaceship. However, less than 10 minutes into the flight, both components exploded over the ocean. This incident occurred seven months after the spacecraft's first flight ended in an explosive disaster. SpaceX founder Elon Musk aims to use rockets to shuttle passengers to Mars.

3D printing technology

Scientists have expanded the possibilities of soft robotics by successfully printing a robotic hand with bones, ligaments and tendons made of different polymers. The new technology, a laser scanning technique, allows scientists to 3D print complex, more durable robots using various high-quality materials in one go. It also simplifies the process of combining soft, elastic and rigid materials. Scientists anticipate using this technology to design even more sophisticated structures.

Russia moon mission

Russia is planning a manned moon mission, aiming to send cosmonauts to land on the moon between 2031 and 2040 – the first time in its history – and build a moon base in the next decade. In August, Russia's Luna-25 moon lander spun out of control and crashed into the moon. The spacecraft was intended to complete Russia's first lunar landing mission in 47 years. The country's last lunar lander, Luna-24, touched down on the moon in 1976.

OpenAI leadership 

OpenAI has reinstated Sam Altman as CEO, and Greg Brockman, president of the startup, has also been rehired. Brockman had resigned after the ChatGPT owner unexpectedly fired Altman on November 17. Over the weekend, OpenAI investor Microsoft hired both Altman and Brockman. Nearly every staff member at OpenAI had threatened to leave unless both leaders were reinstated.