Short Takes – 8-31-24

Analysis Of Cellular Based Internet of Things (IOT) Technology. Rapid7.com research report. Pull quote: “CAT-M1 features include upload and download speeds of up to 1 mbps, which is higher than NB-IoT, and lower latency of 10 to 15 ms. In addition, the CAT-M1 standard supports half or full-duplex, and has enough bandwidth to support voice communication if needed. As a result, CAT-M1 is commonly used for IoT machine communication where more bandwidth is required. Examples of devices that use CAT-M1 include camera systems, alarm systems, and vehicle data collection devices.”

Secretive SR-72 Hypersonic Aircraft, Successor to Lockheed Martin’s Legendary SR-71, Could Soon Take Flight. TheDebrief.org article. Pull quote: “Amidst such 21st-century realities, by 2013, Lockheed Martin seemed confident that its vision of a new unmanned hypersonic aircraft capable of flight at six times the speed of sound would soon become a reality. Citing cost-saving production methods and recent advancements made with Aerojet Rocketdyne to “integrate an off-the-shelf turbine with a supersonic combustion ramjet air-breathing jet engine to power the aircraft,” the 2013 article seemed to indicate that the forthcoming wonder machine that Aviation Week had already nicknamed the “son of Blackbird” would soon take flight.” I saw the SR-71 one time shortly after it took off from Beale AFB, CA; impressive bird.

SpaceX finally has a new date for Polaris Dawn to achieve the highest Earth orbit since the Apollo. News.SatNews.com article. Pull quote: “Weather conditions are anticipated to be clear for a projected launch date of Polaris Dawn, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket that will launch Crew Dragon spacecraft on September 1 at 3:38 a.m. EDT (0738 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This is a project that has suffered numerous delays over years, from November and December 2022, March 2023, April 2024, early summer 2024, August 26 and 27.”

West Nile Virus cases triple in GA within the past week. Here are symptoms to look out for. WSBTV.com article. Pull quote: “While the number isn’t high, and nationally there are still fewer than 300 cases total, 33 states have reported cases of West Nile virus this year. The CDC said 195 of those cases were the neuro-invasive disease version, meaning it is the severe form of the virus that can cause hospitalization or death.”

Ortho-phthalaldehyde; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption, Solicitation of Public Comment. Federal Register EPA notice. Summary: “EPA has received a specific exemption request from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to use the pesticide ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA, CAS No. 643-79-8) to treat the coolant fluid of the internal active thermal control system of the International Space Station to control aerobic/microaerophilic bacteria in the aqueous coolant. The applicant proposes the use of a new chemical which has not been registered by EPA. Therefore, in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, EPA is soliciting public comment before making the decision whether to grant the exemption.” Comments due: September 18^th, 2024.

Di-isononyl phthalate (DINP); Draft Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability, Webinar and Request for Comment. Federal Register EPA TSCA notice. Summary: “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is announcing the availability of and seeking public comment on a draft risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) (1,2-Benzene- dicarboxylic acid, 1,2- diisononyl ester) (CASRN 28553-12-0). The purpose of risk evaluations under TSCA is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, without consideration of costs or non-risk factors, including unreasonable risk to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations identified as relevant to the risk evaluation by EPA, under the conditions of use (COU). EPA has used the best available science to prepare this draft risk evaluation and to preliminarily determine that DINP poses unreasonable risk to human health.”