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More NASA Science, Tech will Fly to Moon Aboard Future Firefly Flight

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NASA continues to advance its campaign to explore more of the Moon than ever before, awarding Firefly Aerospace $179 million to deliver six experiments to the lunar surface. This fourth task order for Firefly will target landing in the Gruithuisen Domes on the near side of the Moon in 2028.

 As part of the agency’s broader Artemis campaign, Firefly will deliver a group of science experiments and technology demonstrations under NASA’s CLPS initiative, or Commercial Lunar Payload Services, to these lunar domes, an area of ancient lava flows, to better understand planetary processes and evolution. Through CLPS, NASA is furthering our understanding of the Moon’s environment and helping prepare for future human missions to the lunar surface, as part of the agency’s Moon to Mars exploration approach. 

“The CLPS initiative carries out U.S. scientific and technical studies on the surface of the Moon by robot explorers. As NASA prepares for future human exploration of the Moon, the CLPS initiative continues to support a growing lunar economy with American companies,” said Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Understanding the formation of the Gruithuisen Domes, as well as the ancient lava flows surrounding the landing site, will help the U.S. answer important questions about the lunar surface.”

Firefly’s first lunar delivery is scheduled to launch no earlier than mid-January 2025 and will land near a volcanic feature called Mons Latreille within Mare Crisium, on the northeast quadrant of the Moon’s near side. Firefly’s second lunar mission includes two task orders: a lunar orbit drop-off of a satellite combined with a delivery to the lunar surface on the far side and a delivery of a lunar orbital calibration source, scheduled in 2026.

This new delivery in 2028 will send payloads to the Gruithuisen Domes and the nearby Sinus Viscositatus. The Gruithuisen Domes have long been suspected to be formed by a magma rich in silica, similar in composition to granite. Granitic rocks form easily on Earth due to plate tectonics and oceans of water. The Moon lacks these key ingredients, so lunar scientists have been left to wonder how these domes formed and evolved over time. For the first time, as part of this task order, NASA also has contracted to provide “mobility,” or roving, for some of the scientific instruments on the lunar surface after landing. This will enable new types of U.S. scientific investigations from CLPS.

“Firefly will deliver six instruments to understand the landing site and surrounding vicinity,” said Chris Culbert, manager of the CLPS initiative at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “These instruments will study geologic processes and lunar regolith, test solar cells, and characterize the neutron radiation environment, supplying invaluable information as NASA works to establish a long-term presence on the Moon.”

The instruments, collectively expected to be about 215 pounds (97 kilograms) in mass, include: 

Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer, which consists of two stationary and three mobile instruments, will study rocks and regoliths on the summit of one of the domes to determine their origin and better understand geologic processes of early planetary bodies. The principal investigator is Dr. Kerri Donaldson Hanna of the University of Central Florida, Orlando.Heimdall is a flexible camera system that will be used to take pictures of the landing site from above the horizon to the ground directly below the lander. The principal investigator is Dr. R. Aileen Yingst of the Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, Arizona.Sample Acquisition, Morphology Filtering, and Probing of Lunar Regolith is a robotic arm that will collect samples of lunar regolith and use a robotic scoop to filter and isolate particles of different sizes. The sampling technology will use a flight spare from the Mars Exploration Rover project. The principal investigator is Sean Dougherty of Maxar Technologies, Westminster, Colorado.Low-frequency Radio Observations from the Near Side Lunar Surface is designed to observe the Moon’s surface environment in radio frequencies, to determine whether natural and human-generated activity near the surface interferes with science. The project is headed up by Natchimuthuk Gopalswamy of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Photovoltaic Investigation on the Lunar Surface will carry a set of the latest solar cells for a technology demonstration of light-to-electricity power conversion for future missions. The experiment will also collect data on the electrical charging environment of the lunar surface using a small array of solar cells. The principal investigator is Jeremiah McNatt from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.Neutron Measurements at the Lunar Surface is a neutron spectrometer that will characterize the surface neutron radiation environment, monitor hydrogen, and provide constraints on elemental composition. The principal investigator is Dr. Heidi Haviland of NASA’s Marshall Spaceflight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Through the CLPS initiative, NASA purchases lunar landing and surface operations services from American companies. The agency uses CLPS to send scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to advance capabilities for science, exploration, or commercial development of the Moon. By supporting a robust cadence of lunar deliveries, NASA will continue to enable a growing lunar economy while leveraging the entrepreneurial innovation of the commercial space industry. Two upcoming CLPS flights scheduled to launch in early 2025 will deliver NASA payloads to the Moon’s near side and south polar region, respectively.
Learn more about CLPS and Artemis at:

https://www.nasa.gov/clps

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Huawei and The University of Hong Kong Build a Next-Generation Smart Campus, Accelerating Digital Transformation of Education

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HONG KONG, Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On Dec. 12, Huawei and the University of Hong Kong (HKU) jointly held a launch ceremony for “The University of Hong Kong & Huawei Global Smart Campus Network Showcase.” This marks a new milestone in their collaboration on developing smarter campus network connectivity and infrastructures. Both parties are committed to creating a global showcase for smart campus network innovation, which not only accelerates HKU’s digital and intelligent transformation, but also serves as an excellent reference and inspiration for more universities worldwide.

Several key leaders from both parties attended the ceremony, including Flora Ng, Chief Information Officer and University Librarian at HKU; Wilson Kwok, Associate Director (CIO & Librarian Office) at HKU; Jason He, President of Huawei’s Global Enterprise Data Communication Marketing & Solution Sales Dept; Jim Bi, President of ICT Marketing & Solution Sales Dept of Huawei Hong Kong; Yury Yin, Vice President of Huawei’s Data Communications Product Line; Jackie Yu, Director of the Branding & Marketing Execution Dept, Huawei Enterprise Business.

“As a world-class university, HKU is committed to providing the best teaching and research environment for global academic talent and promoting the integration of education and technology,” said Flora Ng in her welcome speech. “This year marks the 112th anniversary of the HKU Libraries, which has become a vital platform for global academic research over a century. With the growing diversity of teaching needs and accelerating digital transformation, building a smart campus is critical for providing high-quality educational services.”

She continued: “Together with Huawei, we have built a high-quality 10 Gbps campus network powered by Wi-Fi 7, and deployed it in multiple scenarios, such as libraries, main building (Loke Yew Hall), classrooms, and HKU Station. These deployments ensure stable, smooth network connections for teaching applications in smart classrooms, libraries, study rooms, and auditoriums, laying a solid foundation for HKU’s smart campus.”

Ng added: “Moving forward, both parties will continue to work closely on smart networks and dive deeper into scenarios such as network security, intelligent Operations and Maintenance (O&M), and smart campus Internet of Things (IoT). Doing so will build a more secure, efficient, and intelligent education environment for the future, thereby driving the digital transformation of the education industry.”

“Currently, education is rapidly integrating with digital technology. Huawei fully leverages its unmatched expertise and strengths in the ICT field to help HKU innovate in scientific research, teaching affairs, and management processes,” said Jason He, President of Global Enterprise Data Communication Marketing & Solution Sales Dept, Huawei, in his speech. “Specifically, Huawei’s high-quality 10 Gbps campus network solution powered by Wi-Fi 7 brings to HKU three types of experience upgrade: wireless experience upgrade, application experience upgrade, and O&M experience upgrade. This solution meets various campus scenario-specific needs while ensuring data security, ultimately delivering a fresh-new network experience.”

Technological innovations meet diverse network needs, taking campus network experience to new levels.

With the advent of the digital era, online exams, live classes, lectures, and ceremonies pose higher performance requirements on modern campus networks. Especially in smart classroom scenarios, a key priority is to ensure always-optimal teaching experience in the classroom.

Huawei’s high-quality 10 Gbps campus network solution can meet these needs. By leveraging cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 technology, this solution greatly increases network bandwidth needed for 4K/8K HD interactive teaching in smart classrooms. It also offers application assurance (which automatically identifies and prioritizes key teaching applications), application quality visibility, and other compelling capabilities to ensure superior experience with teaching applications.

Huawei’s latest Wi-Fi 7 APs deployed in the Loke Yew Hall (a historical landmark and also important activity center), libraries, and study rooms provide smooth network connectivity during centralized online exams and peak hours of celebration activities.

This cooperation is a key milestone and practice on the road to smarter education and smarter campus connectivity of the future. Said Jason He: “Looking forward, Huawei will continue our partnership with HKU to further create a high-quality educational environment, solidifying HKU’s leading position in global higher education. This cooperation can also set an excellent example for more Hong Kong universities to embark on their digital education journey.”

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SOURCE HUAWEI

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Hanesbrands Inc. Data Breach Settlement: Eligible Individuals Encouraged to File Claims

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Apex Class Action LLC, the Settlement Administrator for the Hanesbrands Inc. Data Breach Class Action Settlement, announces that individuals affected by the 2022 data breach may now file claims to receive benefits under the settlement agreement. The data breach, which occurred in May 2022, compromised sensitive personal information. Eligible class members are entitled to compensation, including reimbursement for out-of-pocket losses, credit monitoring services, Hanes Site Credits, or alternative cash payments. Affected individuals can visit, https://hanesdatabreachsettlement.com to check their eligibility and file a claim. The deadline to submit claims is January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.HanesDataBreachSettlement.com or contact Apex Class Action LLC at 1 (800) 355-0700.

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — A proposed Settlement has been reached with Hanesbrands Inc. (“HBI”) relating to a sophisticated ransomware attack on HBI discovered by the company in May 2022 (the “Data Incident”). The Data Incident impacted certain personal information (the “PII”), which varies by individual and may have included contact information, date of birth, financial account information, government-issued identification numbers such as drivers’ license numbers, passport information, and Social Security numbers, and other information related to benefits and employment including certain limited health information provided for employment-related purposes.

Who is Included? The Court decided that Class Members are all individuals whose PII was compromised in the ransomware attack against HBI, discovered by HBI on May 24, 2022.

What does the Settlement Provide? The Settlement allows Class Members to claim:

(A) reimbursement for documented out-of-pocket losses related to the Data Incident, AND

(B) to choose between one of three forms of additional relief:

(1) Two-years of credit and identity monitoring services (retail value $599), including up to $1,000,000 in identity theft insurance;

(2) Hanes site credit for a one-time use (within three years) to purchase products for sale on the www.hanes.com website up to the amount of $50 plus free shipping (valued at $6.99), for a total value of $56.99; OR

(3) an alternative cash payment of $35.

There is an aggregate cap of $100,000 on documented out-of-pocket expense reimbursements. There is no cap on the costs necessary to cover valid claims for Credit and Identity Monitoring, Hanes Store Credit, or Alternative Cash Payments. HBI has also agreed to undertake certain remedial measures and enhanced data security measures, and to pay attorneys’ fees of $475,000, costs not to exceed $45,000, and service awards to Plaintiffs in the amount of $1,600 each, if approved by the Court.

How To Get Benefits: You must complete and file a Claim Form online or by mail postmarked by January 3, 2025, including required documentation. You can file your claim online at www.HanesDataBreachSettlement.com.

You may also get a paper Claim Form at the website, or by calling the toll-free number, and submit by mail.

Your Other Options: If you do not want to be legally bound by the Settlement, you must exclude yourself by January 3, 2025. If you do not exclude yourself, you will release any claims you may have against HBI or Released Parties (as defined in the Settlement Agreement) related to the HBI Data Incident, as more fully described in the Settlement Agreement, available at the settlement website. If you do not exclude yourself, you may object to the Settlement by January 3, 2025. Information about how to object can also be found on the Settlement website.

The Final Approval Hearing: The Court has scheduled a hearing in this case (Toussaint, et al. v. HanesBrands, Inc., Case No. 1:22-cv-00879-LCB-LPA, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina) for March 10, 2025, to consider: whether to approve the Settlement, Service Awards, attorneys’ fees and expenses, as well as any objections. You or your attorney may attend and ask to appear at the hearing, but you are not required to do so. The hearing may be held remotely, so please check the Settlement website for those details.

More Information: Complete information about your rights and options, as well as the Claim Form, the Long Form Notice, and Settlement Agreement are available at www.HanesDataBreachSettlement.com, or by calling toll free (800) 355-0700.

Media Contact

Sean Hartranft, Apex Class Action LLC, 1 800-355.0700, info@apexclassaction.com, apexclassaction.com

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SOURCE Apex Class Action LLC

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Agoda Deepens Flight Business in India and Korea

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SINGAPORE, Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has reached an additional milestone in expanding their flight business in India and Korea through the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) accreditation, enabled by the IATA GoGlobal Accreditation achieved by Priceline on behalf of Booking Holdings.

The IATA GoGlobal accreditation is a prestigious certification that underscores both Priceline and Agoda’s commitment to upholding the highest global standards in international travel management. This recognition not only bolsters Priceline and Agoda’s credibility in the travel sector but also simplifies collaboration with global airlines, enabling more seamless service delivery to travelers.

For digital travel platforms like Agoda, IATA accreditation offers a range of benefits, including enhanced trust with customers, access to exclusive travel products, and preferential pricing on airfare and insurance. It also opens doors to a central database of airline schedules, fares, and automated ticketing systems, leading to increased operational efficiency.

“Achieving the IATA certification for the Indian and Korean market as part of our Group’s GoGlobal accreditation is pivotal for us at Agoda,” stated Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President at Agoda. “This certification not only elevates our standing in the global flights arena but also aligns with our mission to help travelers see the world for less by enhancing our service offerings.”

The Group’s IATA GoGlobal accreditation enables Agoda to access a broad range of local content across several markets, including Australia, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

With a vast network of accommodations, flight options, and activities worldwide, Agoda remains committed to delivering value to its users. Supported by its global connections, Agoda is positioned to continue fostering industry advancements while maintaining a user-centric approach.

————————Ends—————————–

About Agoda: Agoda, a digital travel platform, helps anyone see the world for less with its great value deals on a global network of over 4.5M hotels and holiday properties worldwide, plus flights, activities, and more. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 39 languages and supported by 24/7 customer support. 

Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 7,000 staff in 27 markets, dedicated to leveraging best-in-class technology to make travel even easier.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/agoda-deepens-flight-business-in-india-and-korea-302334941.html

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