Short Takes – 3-28-25

Artemis 2.0: A model for really winning the new moon race. SpaceNews.com commentary. Pull quote: “This was the fundamental failure of Apollo. The U.S., facing off against the Soviet Union’s state-controlled space program, responded with a state-controlled space program of its own. We out-mobilized the Russians — but we couldn’t hold the ground we gained. Why? Because state-run programs in democracies only last as long as the political will to sustain them. When voter passion fades, so does the funding.”

U.S. sees large rise in border seizures of eggs, while fentanyl rate falls. NPR.org article. Pull quote: “Shortages and high prices are seen as motivating people's attempts to sneak eggs into the U.S. The CBP says its agents have carried out 5,572 egg product seizures so far this fiscal year, reflecting data as of March 1. The agency reported 15,955 seizures in fiscal year 2024 and 16,541 in fiscal year 2023 — sharp increases after 10,604 interceptions in 2022, the first year of the avian flu outbreak in the U.S.” No indication of the numbers of eggs involved.

Secure by Design: The Illusion That Ignores How OT Really Works. LinkedIn.com article. Pull quote: “The automation system is where OT security, process safety, and operational integrity converge. Addressing this intersection correctly necessitates more than a catchy phrase: it calls for carefully aligned engineering decisions, joint risk assessments, and ongoing lifecycle management. While “secure by design” can guide product improvements, it does not automatically secure an entire OT environment—especially in the brownfield reality most facilities face. Only a disciplined, inside-out approach that unifies security and safety objectives can deliver sustainable resilience in OT.”

Bird flu reinfections at US poultry farms highlight need for vaccines, experts say. TheGuardian.com article. Pull quote: “Egg prices are up because of shortages “and because companies are noticing a higher consumer willingness to pay when they see occasional interruptions”, Hayek said. “In order for prices to come down, we don’t just need to increase the supply, but the supply needs to get more reliable.””

Science silenced? Leaked EPA plan would dissolve its scientific research arm. ChemistryWorld.com article. Pull quote: “They [7 House Democrats] maintained that the executive branch demolishing ORD in this manner is illegal because it would necessitate a change to the statute that established the EPA, which requires congressional approval, and Anastas agrees. ‘I expect that there will be lawsuits challenging this,’ he states, pointing out that the scientific data supplied by ORD is used as the basis of state regulations.”

‘Star Wars’ holds clues to making speedier spacecraft in the real world. ScienceNews.org article. Pull quote: “For now, spacefarers aren’t looking to travel to another star system. But even travel within the solar system, say, to Mars, could use a boost. To safely bring people to and from the Red Planet, some researchers are looking to ion engines. These thrusters create force by shooting charged atoms from the back of a spacecraft. Star Wars’ TIE Fighters, like the one flown by Darth Vader, navigate through space battles with them.”

3D Printing: Saving Weight and Space at Launch. NASA.gov article. Pull quote: “Another approach is recycling plastic – for example, turning a used 3D-printed wrench into a spoon and creating items from the plastic bags and packing foam needed to send supplies to space. This technology could help reduce the amount of raw material at launch and cut down on the volume of waste that must be disposed of on long journeys. The Refabricator, a machine created by Tethers Unlimited Inc, tested this approach and successfully manufactured its first object. Some issues occurred in the bonding process, likely caused by microgravity, but assessment of the material could help determine whether there are limits to how many times plastic can be re-used. Ultimately, researchers plan to create a database of parts that can be manufactured using the space station’s capabilities.”

The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations. ProPublica.org article. Pull quote: “Responding to questions about criticism of the decision among some CDC staff, Nixon wrote, “Some individuals at the CDC seem more interested in protecting their own status or agenda rather than aligning with this Administration and the true mission of public health.””

‘Disappointed but not surprised’: Measles cases explode in 19 states, new outbreak confirmed. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: ““Given the measles activity in Texas, New Mexico, and other states around the country, we’re disappointed but not surprised we now have several cases in Ohio and known exposure in some counties,” said Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff. “This disease can be very serious, even deadly, but it is almost entirely avoidable by being properly vaccinated.””

Texas measles outbreak surges to at least 400 cases. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “The outbreak has also been spreading beyond Texas. The New Mexico Department of Health reported 44 cases Friday, while Oklahoma reported seven confirmed and two suspected cases.”

EO 14246 - Addressing Risks From Jenner & Block. Federal Register.

EO 14247 - Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account. Federal Register.

EO 14248 - Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections. Federal Register.

EO 14249 - Protecting America's Bank Account Against Fraud, Waste, and Abuse. Federal Register.