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How to Pack for Space: Tips for the Best Method

Packing for a trip to space is no easy feat. Astronauts on the upcoming Artemis moon missions face the challenge of efficiently storing cargo in the limited space of the Lunar Gateway. To tackle this issue, NASA organized a competition to discover innovative ways to pack and store materials for the missions.

The Lunar Gateway Cargo Packing and Storing challenge attracted participants from 35 countries, with a total of 90 submissions. Contestants had to provide written solutions and 3D computer models showcasing their ideas for storing cargo on the Gateway. The goal was to maximize volume, minimize mass, and ensure easy access for astronauts needing supplies.

And the Winner is…

The winning design came from Austria, created by designer Kriso Leinfellner. Named QASIS, short for Quick Access Storage in Space, this design focused on efficient stacking and packing techniques without the need for motors or batteries to move cargo around. Leinfellner received a prize of $3,000 for the innovative solution.

Other winners from Turkey, Brazil, Nigeria, and Germany also received prizes ranging from $2,000 to $250. Their designs considered launch and orbital conditions, as well as manual and automated systems for cargo movement.

Packing Space for Artemis and the Gateway

The Artemis program involves multiple missions with varying logistics requirements. The challenges include accommodating a crew of four on a three-week mission to the Gateway, followed by two crew members traveling to the Moon for exploration. An uncrewed Logistics module will deliver supplies to the Gateway ahead of the crew’s arrival, adding an extra complexity to the packing process.

Check Out Also: Prosecutors: Cash Stacks Found at Menendez Home Not Linked to His Bank

Due to space constraints, the Gateway will be comparable in size to a one-bedroom apartment, making efficient packing essential. Once the astronauts arrive, they will need to utilize an internal system for stowing supplies. This task was the focus of the cargo stowage system design challenge.

Artemis Mission Overview

The Artemis mission is a long-term plan for lunar exploration, laying the groundwork for future Mars missions. The Gateway serves as a vital link in the mission, providing an orbiting station for crew transfer and supply storage. The complex logistics of the Artemis mission are managed from NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Kennedy Space Center.

Artemis missions involve transporting materials to the Gateway for construction and exploration purposes. The station’s long-term viability and role as a staging area for lunar surface operations require careful planning and execution.

With five Artemis missions planned, including crewed lunar landings and further explorations, the packing and storing of cargo will continue to be a critical aspect of the mission’s success.

For More Information

NASA Names Winners in Lunar Gateway Packing and Storing Challenge
Gateway Logistics

Intellectuals Insider

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.