US House Committee Advances Bill to Boost Commercial Deep Space Program
A US House committee with oversight of NASA unanimously passed a reauthorization act for the space agency on Wednesday, signaling a significant step toward creating a "commercial" deep space program, according to Ars Technica. The legislation, which still requires approval by the full House and the Senate, provides a general sense of direction for NASA from legislators, distinct from appropriations bills that provide specific funding.
The reauthorization bill aims to establish space policy and guide NASA's future endeavors. While the details of the legislation were not immediately available, Ars Technica noted that there weren't any huge surprises in the bill. Congress typically passes these reauthorization bills every couple of years.
In other news, the English actor Tom Felton's portrayal of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films has become an unexpected Lunar New Year icon in China, particularly for the year of the horse, according to The Guardian. The Mandarin transliteration of Malfoy's name, "mǎ ěr fú," includes a character that means "horse" and another that means "fortune" or "blessing," making it an auspicious symbol. This has led to a wave of memes and fan art embracing the character.
Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg surprised crowds in Gallarate, near Milan, Italy, on February 4th by joining the Olympic torch relay, Euronews reported. Dressed in the official white kit, the rapper jogged, danced, and waved to locals along the route from Via Pegoraro to Piazza Libertà. Snoop Dogg, already a familiar face from the Paris 2024 Olympics, is part of NBC's Olympic team for Milano Cortina 2026. Videos of his appearance quickly spread online.
In the US, senators grilled representatives from Waymo and Tesla on February 4th over robotaxi safety, liability, and China, The Verge reported. During a two-hour hearing, Waymo and Tesla urged lawmakers to pass legislation to regulate autonomous vehicles, warning that the US risks falling behind China. However, the senators did not appear to be close to an agreement.
Finally, Nintendo's new Virtual Boy peripheral for the Switch is more fun to look at than to play, according to The Verge. While the device is a well-built piece of nostalgia, its games are considered too stuck in the past. The original Virtual Boy was a commercial and critical failure, but its infamy has contributed to its enduring appeal.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment