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Russian Kosmos 2553: Scientific Satellite or Weapon of Mass Destruction?

Russian Kosmos 2553: Scientific Satellite or Weapon of Mass Destruction?

By Steve Taranovich

What’s at stake:

Global powers are increasing their space-based capabilities over the next decade to secure their defense and economic interests. Creating a free-for-all environment presents unacceptable risks to global stability. Has Russia triggered the rush for unfettered space-based weapons systems?

Why did Russian Aerospace Forces launch the Kosmos 2553 satellite (to a highly unusual trajectory in a lonely orbit at 1,240 miles above the Earth) on February 5, 2022? Moscow tells the world they are testing their latest onboard instruments and systems. Given the lack of transparency about such programs, however, I am skeptical.

The United States Space Command is very interested in this Soviet satellite as it orbits the Earth every two hours in a “graveyard” orbit, a.k.a. the high-radiation “Van Allen belt,” a band where disposal or junk typically orbit, outside of common operational orbits.

Kosmos 2553 shares this particular orbit with 10 “dead” satellites that have floated within the belt for many years. The rarely used, high-radiation Van Allen belt circles planet Earth and satellites here eventually fall into the stratosphere and burn up. Why would Moscow put Kosmos 2553 in such an orbit around our planet?

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graceful exit from TI

Time for Templeton of TI to Make a Graceful Exit

By Bolaji Ojo

What’s at stake:
By staying on as board chairman at Texas Instruments after stepping aside for a new CEO, Rich Templeton will still be involved in decision making. His continued presence could prove difficult for TI in the long term.

Texas Instruments Inc.’s decision in 2018 asking Richard Templeton to reassume the titles of president and CEO scrubbed plans for his gradual separation from the analog IC and embedded processor supplier. With the appointment of a new CEO, Templeton and TI’s board should seize the opportunity to cut that cord immediately and permanently, for the sake of everyone involved.

Read More »Time for Templeton of TI to Make a Graceful Exit
Podcast on PA AV Bill

Podcast: Can AV Bill Do Right by People?

Guests: Phil Koopman, associate professor with the Carnegie Mellon University; Computer Engineering (top left)Bill Widen, professor at the University of Miami School of Law (top right) We discuss the autonomous vehicle bill, just voted out of the Pennsylvania Senate’s Transportation Committee last week and is now heading to the Senate floor.  What’s in the bill? What’s not in the bill? What should be in the bill?  Our conversation pierces to the crux of the issues posed by the autonomous vehicle bill: safety, transparency, insurance and social justice. Listen to the podcast… Abbreviations mentioned during the podcast, and what they mean:   AV: Autonomous vehicle SB 965: Pennsylvania State Senate bill developed to eliminate human drivers from testing of highly automated vehicles on public roads  SAE J3016: Taxonomy and definition of motor vehicles with automation systems. The standard does not define “safety.” It defines the level of autonomy.  SAE J3018:  Safety-relevant guidance for on-road testing of system-operated autonomous vehicle… Read More »Podcast: Can AV Bill Do Right by People?

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