electromagnetits

That's cool I guess, but I'm not convinced that hydrogen reduction is as good a solution as MOE (I.e. reducing molten iron ore via electrolysis).

1487 kph

Pretty scary. Apple and samsung have the absolute worst repair policies. Better market share = more enshittification.

And say what you will about the T1, but let’s give credit where it’s due. Trump Mobile aren’t gouging their fanbase…not yet anyway. Against all expectations, the T1 is actually well priced when compared to the equivalently specced 512GB U24 Pro, and the only things you give up are the 60W fast charging and your dignity.

Honestly the most shocking thing about it.

Look what I created in Demon Conjuring class.

Always has been..

🌍🧑‍🚀🔫🧑‍🚀🌚

Steam turbines, again?

Apologies, yes this is the one. I've updated the post.

Seems to be missing a link. First source in my search; https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260513221821.htm

Yeah, there are some issues with that. Ars has a better article.

+++ Out of cheese error +++

By this logic the logic gates I built with 12v and a switch is a computer. A lock is a computer. My showerhead is a computer.

When I read "spring powered computer" I first thought some kind of offgrid thingy where the spring powers a dynamo.

This is a mechanical logic circuit, not more. Might be interesting for building a reporting system for a Venus mission (it's f-ing hot down there, and silicon based computers stand no chance).

Minimum requirements for Linux once again decreased.

Doom port, when?

I've been told that this is both fake (because China) and gay (because alt-energy).

I’m still a much bigger fan of solar thermal rockets because I’m a sucker for steampunk spaceships with valves and giant mirrors.

But I’m sure there’s a limit where the number of solar panels or giant mirrors is less efficient than a nuke.

The fact that it runs on just straight electricity is what’s really cool about it. As long as you got juice you can store up for a big burn.

You did try real good though

You really don't understand this.

EDIT: actually, I withdraw my comment. In fact it was I that didn't understand. I read your comment as "we could use it as a fusion reactor." A fission reactor would in fact work as the power source as well. You are correct.

Though, the big downside of a fission reactor in space is that you need giant radiators to cool it. In many applications it's probably easier just to use more solar panels and fewer radiators. At least solar panels don't generate tons of waste heat. You still need radiators, but 1 watt of solar power requires one watt of radiators. With a reactor, as its a heat engine, 1 watt of electric power requires 4 watts of radiators.

With the high Isp and thrust we could even use a fission reactor

For those who want a real explanation for how this can work, and not a fluff piece, you probably will find the article lacking. The first question anyone with more than a single-digit IQ asks about this is, "wait, I thought fusion reactors can't produce net energy, and they're miniaturizing one to fit on a rocket engine? Why can't we just use that as a power plant?"

The answer is that this doesn't actually have to generate net energy. The goal isn't to make net energy. In space, it's easy to get energy. There's constant full sunlight available 24/7. Just put some solar panels on your craft. What this does instead is serve as a very efficient generator of momentum. Ion engines already do this, but this would have both high specific impulse AND high levels of thrust. As I understand it, the idea would be to have solar panels charging up an array of batteries and capacitors. Once those are charged, you then use that energy to power a fusion pulse, superheating the fuel to plasma temperatures and generating absurd exhaust velocities. And some of the energy of the fusion pulse is then recaptured to partially power the next shot. It's not something that would generate net energy. If we can't build a terrestrial fusion reactor that generates net power, we certainly can't do so on a spacecraft. But here fusion is only being used as a powerful momentum generating device, not a net energy device. Solar panels or RTGs would provide the extra energy that the fusion reactor itself can't.

Surely this would be more readable if sorted the other way.

China is building Megatron