Short Takes – 2-3-25

Ocean Temperatures Are Rising Much Faster Than Scientists Expected. PopularMechanics.com article. Pull quote: “It isn’t exactly a surprise that the ocean is getting warmer, but the rate at which it’s doing so—roughly 400 percent faster than the rate of the 1980s—is alarming. Looking at satellite observations captured from 1985 to modern day, coupled with statistical models incorporating climate variability, scientists found that the ocean was warming at a rate of roughly 0.06 degrees Celsius per decade in the late 80s. Now, it has now jumped up to 0.27 degrees Celsius per decade. The results of the study were published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.”

It seems the FAA office overseeing SpaceX’s Starship probe still has some bite. ArsTechnica.com article. Pull quote: “During last month's test flight, Starship did not deviate from its planned ground track, which took the rocket over the Gulf of Mexico, the waters between Florida and Cuba, and then the Atlantic Ocean. But the debris field extended beyond the standard airspace closure for the launch. After the accident, FAA air traffic controllers cleared additional airspace over the debris zone for more than an hour, rerouting, diverting, and delaying dozens of commercial aircraft.”

The Cislunar Competition. LawfareMedia.org article. Pull quote: “Finally, the United States should consider whether it furthers U.S. interests to keep cislunar space non-militarized, mirroring the U.S. playbook on Antarctica in the 1950s. Should China agree to keep cislunar space non-militarized, which it may very well not agree to, verification measures will be important. China would need to be significantly more open about what it is doing in cislunar space, creating a way for U.S. officials to inspect payloads before launch, similar to how nuclear arms control agreements with the Soviet Union permitted on-site inspections. To date, however, China has not even acknowledged all launches intended for the Moon until after the spacecraft are well on their way. Additionally, the United States will need improved cislunar space situational awareness to keep tabs on China’s missions once in space.”

Duffy tells DOT to prioritize areas with high birth rates. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: ““To the maximum extent permitted by law, DOT-supported or -assisted programs and activities, including without limitation, all DOT grants, loans, contracts, and DOT-supported or -assisted State contracts, shall prioritize projects and goals that … mitigate the unique impacts of DOT programs, policies, and activities on families and family-specific difficulties, such as the accessibility of transportation to families with young children, and give preference to communities with marriage and birth rates higher than the national average,” reads the undated memo, which says it is effective immediately.”

Three Actions Published by the Environmental Protection Agency With Comment Periods That Close Between February 3, 2025 and February 11, 2025; Notice of Comment Period Extension and Delay of Public Meetings. Federal Register EPA meeting notice. Summary: “This document extends the comment period for three notices published by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register on December 3, 2024 and December 13, 2024.”

EO 14183 Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness – Federal Register,

EO 14184 Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military's COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate – Federal Register,

EO 14185 Restoring America's Fighting Force – Federal Register,

EO 14186 The Iron Dome for America – Federal Register,

EO 14187 Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation – Federal Register,

EO 14188 Additional Measures To Combat Anti-Semitism - Federal Register,

EO 14189 Celebrating America's 250th Birthday – Federal Register,

EO 14190 Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling – Federal Register,

EO 14191 Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families – Federal Register,