Short Takes – 12-31-22

Recent discoveries indicate the moon's surface has massive saltwater oceans. NextGov.com article. Pull quote: ““Our research shows that if a biosphere is present in Enceladus’ ocean, signs of its existence could be picked up in plume material without the need to land or drill,” says Affholder, “but such a mission would require an orbiter to fly through the plume multiple times to collect lots of oceanic material.””

Artemis 1 to James Webb Space telescope pics: The biggest moments in space exploration in 2022. IndianExpress.com article. Pull quote: “2022 was no doubt a momentous year for humanity’s achievements in space exploration. The most significant was Nasa’s Artemis 1, which marks the first steps on a long road to take humans back to the moon almost 50 years after Apollo 17, the last crewed mission. This year also saw the state-of-the-art James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) open for business, offering scientists unprecedented views into the distant universe. While NASA added more feathers to its cap, Chinese space agency CNSA (China National Space Administration) deployed and completed its Tiangong (“Heavenly Palace”) space station, becoming only the third nation to build its own space station after the United States and the Soviet Union.”

Immigration, energy, abortion: Scalise announces first legislation for House GOP. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “None of the legislative items appear likely to pass in a Democratic-controlled Senate and signal that Republicans will put a heavy focus on messaging as they control the chamber in a divided Washington for the next two years.”

Conservatives vying to derail Kevin McCarthy's speaker bid may not be able to stop him. But forcing multiple votes — the record is 133 — could still make for a historic fight. BusinessInsider.com article. A brief history lesson. Pull quote: “The current parlor game in Washington is trying to figure out how long — Minutes? Days? Weeks? — frustrated Republican hardliners like protest candidate Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, anti-McCarthy agitator Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, and the half-dozen, concession-seeking conservatives aligned with Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania can keep the gavel out of his hand.”

After Substation Shooting, Federal Regulator Orders Review of Security Standards. GovExec.com article. Pull quote: “One, it reminds us that we need to take physical security into account just as we do cyber security,” FERC Chairman Richard Glick said last week at the commission meeting, cautioning that the motives for the Moore County attack and some similar incidents elsewhere remain murky and under investigation by local and state law enforcement.”