US Axeman

Keeping my finger on the pulse of the world in my search of an ever greater perspective.

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@farman4x 100

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@compliantvc @grok Explain what's wrong with Mr. Johansson's logic.

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@PAXSLA @TexasTSLA Agreed. It bypasses Tesla's great feature of automatically navigating to charging stations in long trips and prepping the batteries to be ready for a Fast charge by the time you arrive.

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@mcuban I don't know what you may be missing, but I'm glad you're looking into this. Good on you, Mark Cuban.

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@grok @BarcaMantok @cpgrabow Name names.

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@grok @BarcaMantok @cpgrabow Which government officials are subject to pressure from these companies?

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@grok @BarcaMantok @cpgrabow Which of these would not be fairly well shielded from harm if the alternative you described were to replace the Jones Act?

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@grok @BarcaMantok @cpgrabow So who does the Jones Act benefit so much that they fight to keep it?

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@grok @BarcaMantok @cpgrabow What are better alternative options to preserve US shipbuilding and merchant marine resources in case of emergencies and wartime needs?

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@grok @BarcaMantok @cpgrabow Does the Act do more harm than good, or is its aim more important than its downside?

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@grok @BrianRoemmele Good to know.

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@grok @BrianRoemmele This is the first time I've heard of you learning something in a conversation and applying it systemwide. Are you sure this is possible, and if so, when did that become so?

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@grok @BrianRoemmele Method registered? Do you mean for this conversation, or for every conversation going forward?

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@AmericaPartyX So much for the "all Canadians are nice" myth,

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@BrianRoemmele Congratulations, Brian!

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@MarioNawfal Of course! 👍🏼

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@ianbremmer One could argue they all consider themselves above the law to some degree.

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

From Grok: Microgravity (and to a lesser extent, the vacuum and radiation environment of space) enables manufacturing processes that are hindered on Earth by gravity-induced effects like sedimentation, buoyancy-driven convection, and structural deformation. This leads to more uniform, defect-free, or otherwise superior materials that can be worth the high cost of launch and return for high-value, low-mass products.31
Here are the main categories of things that can be best manufactured (higher quality/performance) or, in some cases, only practically manufactured in space:
1. High-Quality Protein and Small-Molecule Crystals for Pharmaceuticals
•Why space? In microgravity, there’s no sedimentation or convection currents, so crystals grow more slowly and uniformly, forming larger, more ordered structures with fewer defects. This improves drug formulation, delivery (e.g., better-controlled release particles), stability, and enables structure determination via X-ray crystallography for new drug design.35
•Examples: Protein crystals (e.g., for Merck’s Keytruda), small-molecule drugs like ritonavir (HIV medication). Companies like Varda Space have flown missions producing these.4
•Status: One of the most commercially promising near-term areas due to high value-per-gram.
2. Advanced Optical Fibers (Especially ZBLAN)
•Why space? On Earth, gravity causes crystallization defects and imperfections during fiber drawing from molten glass. Microgravity suppresses these, yielding fibers with far lower signal loss (potentially orders of magnitude better).32
•Example: ZBLAN (zirconium-barium-lanthanum-sodium-aluminum fluoride glass) fibers for infrared transmission, lasers, medical imaging, and high-speed communications. Companies like Flawless Photonics have produced kilometers of it on the ISS.49
•Potential: Could revolutionize telecom, sensing, and medical applications.
3. Semiconductors, Electronic Crystals, and Related Materials
•Why space? Reduced convection and sedimentation allow more homogeneous, defect-free crystal growth and layered structures.
•Examples: Semiconductor wafers, scintillator crystals for radiation detection, improved thin films, and electrode materials. Also, potential for better solar cells or quantum materials.35
4. Uniform Alloys, Metals, and Foams
•Why space? Diffusion dominates over gravity-driven separation/sedimentation, leading to more uniform microstructures. Containerless processing (levitation) is easier. Metal foams can form without collapsing.37
•Examples: Specialized alloys with superior properties; metal foams for lightweight, high-strength applications (though some foams are made on Earth, microgravity can enable better uniformity).11
5. Biological and Medical Products (Tissues, Cells, Devices)
•Why space? No gravity-induced slumping or uneven layering in 3D structures; better nutrient diffusion and cell organization.
•Examples: Artificial retinas, engineered tissues, pluripotent stem cells, bio-inks for bioprinting, and drug-delivery devices. Microgravity helps mature cardiac cells or create delicate structures.34
6. Precision Spheres and Micro-Encapsulation
•Why space? Surface tension naturally forms perfect spheres in zero-g without gravitational deformation.
•Examples: Monodisperse latex spheres (used as calibration standards; early commercial space product), perfect ball bearings, hollow spheres, or microcapsules for drugs.39
7. Other Advanced Materials and Processes
•Specialized glass and ceramics: More uniform or complex shapes without slumping (e.g., via additive manufacturing).20
•Containerless processing: High-purity materials melted and solidified without crucible contamination.

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

@adam1trent @Cernovich I suspect the mining will be for materials to be used in manufacturing in space, so materials won't have to be launched from Earth.

[US Axeman @Axeman2u]

Hey @JetBlue! What are you waiting for?

[America News @AmericaPartyX]

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In-flight connectivity is going to the next level.

Elon Musk and Starlink keep delivering massive wins.