Emirates introduces first robotic check-in assistant in the world

 

Why In News

 

·         Emirates introduces World's first robotic check-in assistant: Sara, the world's first robotic check-in assistant, has been unveiled by Dubai-based airline Emirates.

 

Key Points

 

·         Sara, the world’s first robotic check-in assistant, has been unveiled by Dubai-based airline Emirates. Sara is part of a new City Check-in and Travel Store which recently opened in Dubai’s financial district.

 

·         The robot uses facial recognition technology to match customer’s faces with scanned passports, check them in, and guide them to the luggage drop area.

 

·         Passengers can also drop luggage as early as 24 hours before their flight. Sara can print boarding passes and is portable, making it easier for travellers to get assistance if needed. Emirates passengers also have access to select lifestyle facilities with complimentary access to exclusive discounts at restaurants, gyms, and luxury stores.

 

·         The Emirates airline is focused on enhancing the customer experience and leading the way in the aviation industry through technology and innovation.

 

·         The City Check-in and Travel Store boasts a trendy and roomy ambiance, complete with a striking 2.5 meter LCD screen featuring Emirates’ latest destination content and interactive touchscreen maps.

·         For Emirates passengers, the establishment offers an elevated check-in experience with the convenience of paid valet parking or self-parking.

 

·         Travelers can also browse travel merchandise, book tickets, drop their luggage off as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours prior to their flight, and receive expert advice and deals on coveted destinations from dedicated travel consultants.

 

·         With opening hours between 8:00am and 10:00pm daily, customers can enjoy fuss-free self check-in or access the assistance of friendly Emirates agents.

 

·         Furthermore, the City Check-in and Travel Store is situated in the heart of Dubai’s financial district, making it an excellent option for busy professionals. To top off their top-notch services, Emirates plans to introduce Sara, the world’s first robotic check-in assistant, ensuring an innovative and seamless experience for all customers.

 

 

NASA Successfully Extracts Oxygen from Lunar Soil Simulant

 

Why In News

 

·         NASA scientists have successfully extracted oxygen from simulated lunar soil in a vacuum environment, which could pave the way for future human colonies on the Moon.

 

Key Points

 

·         NASA scientists have successfully extracted oxygen from simulated lunar soil in a vacuum environment, which could pave the way for future human colonies on the Moon.

 

·         The ability to extract oxygen from lunar soil is crucial for providing breathable air for astronauts and can also be used as propellant for transportation and space exploration.

 

The Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber:

 

·         To simulate the conditions on the Moon, NASA scientists used a special spherical chamber called the Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber. This chamber has a 15-foot diameter and is designed to allow unclean samples to be tested inside.

 

·         The vacuum environment inside the chamber is similar to the conditions on the Moon, where there is no atmosphere and the temperature can range from -173°C to 127°C.

 

The Carbothermal Reactor:

 

·         Inside the Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber, the scientists used a carbothermal reactor to extract the oxygen from the lunar soil simulant.

 

·         The carbothermal reactor is a device that uses heat to break down materials into their constituent parts. In this case, the reactor was used to heat the lunar soil simulant to a temperature of 1,000°C, which caused it to melt.

 

High-Powered Laser:

 

·         To simulate the heat from a solar energy concentrator, the scientists used a high-powered laser to melt the lunar soil simulant. The laser was able to create a temperature of 1,000°C, which is similar to the temperature on the Moon’s surface when exposed to direct sunlight. This process is similar to the one used on Earth to create items like solar panels and steel.

 

Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo):

 

 

·         After the lunar soil simulant was heated in the carbothermal reactor, the team used a device called Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo) to detect carbon monoxide. The MSolo is an instrument that can measure the composition of gases in a sample.

 

·         Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of the carbothermal reaction and its detection indicated that the process was successful in extracting oxygen from the lunar soil simulant.

 

Future Missions to the Moon:

 

·         NASA plans to send similar devices to the Moon’s South Pole on two upcoming exploration missions – the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 in 2023 and NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) in November 2024.

 

·         These missions will focusNASA Successfully Extracts Oxygen from Lunar Soil Simulant

 

Why In News

 

·         NASA scientists have successfully extracted oxygen from simulated lunar soil in a vacuum environment, which could pave the way for future human colonies on the Moon.

 

Key Points

 

·         NASA scientists have successfully extracted oxygen from simulated lunar soil in a vacuum environment, which could pave the way for future human colonies on the Moon.

 

·         The ability to extract oxygen from lunar soil is crucial for providing breathable air for astronauts and can also be used as propellant for transportation and space exploration.

 

The Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber:

 

·         To simulate the conditions on the Moon, NASA scientists used a special spherical chamber called the Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber. This chamber has a 15-foot diameter and is designed to allow unclean samples to be tested inside.

 

·         The vacuum environment inside the chamber is similar to the conditions on the Moon, where there is no atmosphere and the temperature can range from -173°C to 127°C.

 

The Carbothermal Reactor:

 

·         Inside the Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber, the scientists used a carbothermal reactor to extract the oxygen from the lunar soil simulant.

 

·         The carbothermal reactor is a device that uses heat to break down materials into their constituent parts. In this case, the reactor was used to heat the lunar soil simulant to a temperature of 1,000°C, which caused it to melt.

 

High-Powered Laser:

 

·         To simulate the heat from a solar energy concentrator, the scientists used a high-powered laser to melt the lunar soil simulant. The laser was able to create a temperature of 1,000°C, which is similar to the temperature on the Moon’s surface when exposed to direct sunlight. This process is similar to the one used on Earth to create items like solar panels and steel.

 

Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo):

 

 

·         After the lunar soil simulant was heated in the carbothermal reactor, the team used a device called Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo) to detect carbon monoxide. The MSolo is an instrument that can measure the composition of gases in a sample.

 

·         Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of the carbothermal reaction and its detection indicated that the process was successful in extracting oxygen from the lunar soil simulant.

 

Future Missions to the Moon:

 

·         NASA plans to send similar devices to the Moon’s South Pole on two upcoming exploration missions – the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 in 2023 and NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) in November 2024.

 

·         These missions will focus on the search for water and other resources on the Moon’s surface, which could be used to support future human colonies. on the search for water and other resources on the Moon’s surface, which could be used to support future human colonies.