Beams

Four environmental organizations filed a petition asking the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its approval of a startup's plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. The groups argue the agency ignored the project's potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy, reopening debate over how the FCC weighs environmental consequences when licensing commercial space ventures.

Wired reports that space-based lasers designed to transmit energy are about to undergo their first real-world test. The experiment would mark a milestone for efforts to beam power from space to Earth, a long-discussed concept that startups and researchers hope could one day deliver clean energy across distances. The technology remains early-stage and unproven at scale.

Wired reports that space-based laser technology for beaming energy is about to undergo its first real-world test. The experiment would mark a milestone for wireless power transmission from space, a concept long discussed as a potential clean energy source. Interest centers on whether lasers can reliably deliver usable power to Earth.

Chinese researchers say they have developed an electron gun beam described as world-leading, a key step toward building an advanced 'super microscope' for studying materials at extremely small scales. The announcement, reported by the South China Morning Post, is being read as another signal of China's push to compete with the United States and others in cutting-edge scientific instruments.

Beam Therapeutics says a scientist took trade secrets and used them to help launch a rival startup in China. The allegation, reported by Bloomberg Law, adds to ongoing tensions between US biotech firms and China over intellectual property. Details of the accused scientist's identity and the specific secrets involved were not disclosed in the available reporting.

Startup Star Catcher is preparing to launch a system designed to beam energy between two separate spacecraft, which would be a historic first if it works. The company aims to demonstrate wireless power transfer in orbit, a capability that could eventually allow satellites to share energy and extend mission lifetimes. The project is drawing attention as a notable step for space-based power infrastructure.

Europe and the United Arab Emirates are planning a $1 billion data center in orbit, built around 50 connected satellite computers. A central 'LLM store' would let users choose which open source AI model to run on data gathered by satellite sensors, processing information in space rather than beaming it all back to Earth. The project highlights growing interest in orbital computing for space-based data processing.

Space-based laser technology is preparing for its first real-world test in generating energy, according to WIRED. The concept involves transmitting power collected in space down to Earth using laser beams, a long-proposed but never operationally demonstrated approach to energy generation. The trial could mark a significant milestone for the emerging space energy sector.

Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam are moving to win over the fast-growing Formula 1 audience, particularly in the United States, where the sport's popularity has surged in recent years. The two bourbon giants are reportedly competing for visibility among the sport's expanding fan base, reflecting a broader push by American brands into global motorsport marketing.

Two of America's best-known whiskey brands, Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam, are sponsoring Formula 1 racing teams, in a photo feature highlighting the tie-ups. The move signals growing interest from major spirits companies in motorsport marketing as Formula 1's audience expands, with the brands putting their names and imagery alongside the teams' cars and drivers.

US biotech Beam Therapeutics has filed a lawsuit against a venture capital-backed Chinese biotech startup, accusing it of stealing its intellectual property. The case, reported by STAT and the Boston Globe, adds to ongoing tensions between American and Chinese biotech firms over technology transfer and trade secrets. Details of the alleged theft and the startup named in the complaint have not yet been widely detailed.

Researchers report a technique for controlling electrons using three-dimensional structured light fields, a development in ultrafast physics and light-matter interaction. The work suggests new ways to steer electron dynamics with shaped laser beams, with potential implications for attosecond science and quantum control experiments.

Newly released raw imagery from NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars is being shared and discussed. The image was captured by the SuperCam Remote Micro-Imager on Sol 1994 of the mission, pointing southeast from a location designated RMC 91.0970, and comes from NASA's public raw image archive for the Mars 2020 mission. Space enthusiasts continue to follow the rover's daily image releases closely.

A data center company has signed a power purchase agreement for space-based solar power, an emerging technology that collects solar energy in orbit and beams it to Earth. The deal is being read as an early commercial vote of confidence in a technology long considered futuristic, and it highlights how power-hungry data centers are driving demand for novel clean energy sources.

Japanese menswear circles are discussing a jacket sold by BEAMS F that resembles the Baracuta G4, the classic Harrington-style jacket. The comparison ties together brands like Baracuta, UNIQLO, Alden and Maison Margiela, with fashion fans weighing whether the BEAMS F version is a worthwhile alternative to the original.

Beam Therapeutics has filed a lawsuit against a rival in the base editing field, accusing a former scientist of stealing trade secrets. The biotech claims the ex-employee took confidential information to a competitor. The case highlights rising competition and intellectual property tensions in the fast-growing base editing sector, where Beam is a leading player. Details about the rival's identity and the specific secrets involved were not disclosed.

Overview Energy says it will develop a homing beacon to support space-based solar power transmission, according to pv magazine USA. The beacon would help precisely direct energy beamed from orbit to receiving stations on Earth. The announcement has drawn attention as space-based solar power moves closer to commercial development, with companies racing to solve the challenge of safely and accurately delivering power collected in space to the ground.

A Dense Fog Advisory has been issued for Wednesday morning, with forecasters warning of reduced visibility making travel tricky during the morning commute. Drivers in the affected area are being urged to slow down, use low-beam headlights and allow extra time, as conditions are expected to improve once the fog lifts later in the day.