Chris Young

London, Málaga

Journalist and Editor at Freelance

Freelance Writer at Interesting Engineering

Freelance journalist, writer, editor — @IntEngineering, Le Cool News (at https://t.co/LP1gswaNmG), @BourbonCreative, @AFP_Services , @Lifehackorg

Articles

China test-fires reusable rocket with 9 engines to challenge SpaceX

1 week ago | interestingengineering.com | Chris Young

Chinese rocket startup Landspace performed a crucial static fire test on Friday, June 20. The company is working toward an orbital launch attempt of its Zhuque-3 rocket. The static fire engine test occurred at Landspace’s launch pad two at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China. For Zhuque-3, Landspace developed a proprietary engine, the Tianque-12A, which uses methane-liquid oxygen.
Elon Musk's woes continue as Starship explodes during test fire

1 week ago | interestingengineering.com | Chris Young

SpaceX has hit another major setback on the road to Mars. During tests for SpaceX’s tenth Starship flight, the rocket’s upper stage exploded on the launch pad. The massive explosion, which occurred at 11pm CT, local time, will delay the tenth launch of Starship. SpaceX employs a rapid iterative approach to its design that encourages learning. The company’s CEO Elon Musk has laughed off explosive setbacks in the past, calling them “rapid unscheduled disassemblies”.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in India sparks global safety probe

1 week ago | interestingengineering.com | Chris Young

Boeing is facing heavy scrutiny once again following the tragic crash of one of its 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Air India Flight 171 went down less than 40 seconds after takeoff in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on June 12. More than 270 people were killed when the London, Gatwick-bound aircraft crashed into a densely populated neighborhood. Now, new reports show that two flights involving Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft returned to their port of departure soon after takeoff in the last week.
World's first 6G electronic weapon by China can jam F-35s in seconds

1 week ago | interestingengineering.com | Chris Young

An F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Scientists in China have developed a groundbreaking new electronic warfare weapon that utilizes 6G technology. The researchers behind the project claim that the advanced weapon, which utilizes a next-generation signal processing mechanism, is much more powerful than modern military radars. China is the world leader in 6G technologies. According to a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report, the country holds the world’s largest portfolio of 6G patents.
China's new heat shield can beat thermal limit for hypersonic flights

1 week ago | interestingengineering.com | Chris Young

Chinese scientists have created a new material capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 3,600 degrees Celsius (6,512 degrees Fahrenheit) in an oxidizing environment. In other words, the new material, a carbide ceramic, is capable of surviving temperatures exceeding the current thermal limits on hypersonic flight, a report from the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reveals. Hypersonic aircraft require materials that maintain structural integrity under extreme conditions.
NASA's nuclear rocket program canceled as Trump budget slashes space science

2 weeks ago | interestingengineering.com | Chris Young

Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector. Nuclear propulsion is widely regarded as one of the most important next steps for spaceflight. So, why is the US scrapping its nuclear thermal rocket demonstrator, DRACO? Unfortunately, Trump’s NASA budget request puts a host of important programs on the chopping block.
World's fastest supercomputer helps design high-speed VTOL plane

2 weeks ago | interestingengineering.com | Chris Young

XTI Aerospace, a company developing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, announced it is accelerating the development of its TriFan 600 aircraft via supercomputer simulations. The company has completed more than 1,500 complex computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Frontier supercomputer. Using these simulations, the XTI engineering team is refining the TriFan 600’s aerodynamic design.
World’s 5th most efficient supercomputer runs 100% on green energy

2 weeks ago | interestingengineering.com | Chris Young

Paderborn University's Otus supercomputer. Paderborn University / Stefan RohdePaderborn University’s new supercomputer, Otus, has secured an impressive fifth place in the international ‘Green 500’ rankings. The Green 500 is a benchmark for the world’s most energy-efficient high-performance computing (HPC) systems. The University unveiled the supercomputer at the ISC High-Performance trade fair in Hamburg this month. It is set for an official launch in the third quarter of 2025.
China to test satellite refueling in space as US spies watch closely

2 weeks ago | interestingengineering.com | Chris Young

An artist's render of a satellite. 3DSculptor / iStockChina is about to perform a critical orbital refueling test. If all goes to plan, the test will help validate a technology that could dramatically extend the lifespan of satellites and spacecraft in orbit. For the test, two Chinese satellites will rendezvous in geostationary orbit. They will then dock with one another for an experimental demonstration.
MIT teaches drones to survive nature’s worst, from wind to rain

2 weeks ago | interestingengineering.com | Chris Young

An artist's render of a delivery drone in flight. iStock / metamorworksMIT researchers have developed a new machine-learning-based adaptive control algorithm for autonomous drones. The new algorithm was designed to help it mitigate the unpredictable effects of sudden wind gusts. Society is increasingly dependent on drones for things such as emergency first response and critical deliveries.