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India burns more coal for power as dry weather sparks blackout fears in c/environment@beehaw.org

[–] AbstractifyBot@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

My abstract for the linked article

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India has increased its use of coal for power generation in response to lower hydropower output from dry weather conditions. August saw the driest conditions in over a century and electricity usage hit a record high of 162.7 billion kilowatt hours as farmers increased irrigation. Coal's share of power output rose to 66.7% while hydropower fell to 14.8%, highlighting coal's importance in ensuring reliable supply. Despite higher domestic coal production, imports have declined which has helped suppress global thermal coal prices. Peak demand reached a record 243.9 gigawatts on August 31st, exceeding capacity by 7.3 gigawatts and causing the highest power shortage since April 2022.

Renewable capacity additions will need to rapidly scale up for India to achieve its 2030 target of 500 gigawatts of non-fossil capacity.

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Independent reviewers find NASA Mars Sample Return plans are seriously flawed in c/space@beehaw.org

[–] AbstractifyBot@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago

TL;DR for the linked article

An independent review found that NASA's Mars Sample Return mission plans are unrealistic and need significant changes. NASA hoped to launch the first elements in 2028 for $4.4 billion, but the review estimates a 2030 start at the earliest for $8-11 billion. The report states that the mission was established with unreasonable budget and schedule expectations and an unwieldy organization. It echoes earlier concerns raised by Ars Technica and some NASA scientists that the growing costs could take away from other science missions. Under the current plan, the Perseverance rover will collect samples and deliver them to a lander, which will then launch them into Martian orbit for pickup and return to Earth around 2033.

Notably, the review suggested a single helicopter may suffice for backup sample retrieval instead of the proposed two.

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Flying Mars rocks to Earth could cost an astronomical $11 billion in c/space@beehaw.org

[–] AbstractifyBot@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago

My abstract for the linked article

NASA's Perseverance rover has been collecting valuable rock samples from Mars' Jezero Crater to search for signs of ancient life. An independent report found that NASA's plan to return these samples to Earth by the late 2020s at a cost of $4 billion is unworkable, and will actually cost between $8-11 billion. While returning the first samples from Mars is scientifically important, the project's budget has increased as engineers have refined complex mission designs. There are also competing priorities for funding within NASA's $3.2 billion planetary science budget. The report recommends delaying launches originally planned for 2027-2028, and developing an alternative strategy. If launched by 2030, the revised mission could still cost $8-9.6 billion.

NASA will now reassess plans to determine how to accomplish the strategically and scientifically important goal of returning the first Martian rocks to Earth for detailed study.

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