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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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SOURCE NASA

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IBSAT 2024 application deadline extended to December 23rd

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December 19, 2024

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Step into a future of management excellence with ICFAI Business School

HYDERABAD, India, Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ICFAI Business School (IBS) has extended the application deadline for IBSAT 2024 to December 23, 2024. This extension offers an opportunity for all management aspirants who couldn’t complete their applications by the previous deadline due to technical or personal reasons.

 

The IBSAT 2024 test, a gateway to IBS’s MBA/PGPM programmes at 9 campuses, is designed to assess a candidate’s verbal ability, reading comprehension, quantitative aptitude, and data interpretation skills. Key highlights include:

CAT-like Syllabus: A familiar format for aspirants already preparing for management entrance exams.Remote Proctored Test: Conducted online, allowing candidates to take the exam from the comfort of their homes.No Negative Marking: Encourages students to attempt all questions without fear of penalty.Scholarships Worth Rs 2 Lakh Each: Awarded to the top 500 rankers, recognizing academic excellence.

Additionally, IBS hosts a free mock test on ibsindia.org to help aspirants gauge their preparation levels.

IBS’s Industry-Relevant Curriculum

In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, management education must bridge the gap between theory and practice, and IBS excels in doing so. With an industry-relevant curriculum aligned to modern business demands, IBS, with its Case Based Teaching and Bloomberg/SAP Labs, provides students with the skills needed to navigate complex business scenarios. The curriculum also includes internships, industry interactions, and live projects that help students build a solid foundation for their careers.

Multiple Admission Pathways

Aspirants seeking a transformative management education with practical insights are encouraged to apply for the MBA/PGPM 2025-27 programs at IBS. In addition to IBSAT test scores, IBS also accepts CAT, NMAT, XAT, and GMAT scores, offering multiple pathways for admission. This flexibility allows candidates to choose the best route to enter IBS, making it easier for them to apply based on their strengths and available scores.

Holistic Learning Experience at IBS Campuses

IBS campuses provide a holistic learning experience, fostering personality development through vibrant club activities and practical exposure. Students engage in co-curricular and extracurricular activities ranging from domain-specific clubs focused on marketing, finance, and operations, to multidisciplinary clubs that involve live industry projects and practical learning opportunities. These activities help students develop leadership skills, team collaboration, and strategic thinking, which are critical to success in the business world.

Exceptional Placement Record

IBS has a strong commitment to career development, as evidenced by its over 95% placement rate for the class of 2024. The highest international package reached Rs 36.76 LPA, demonstrating the effectiveness of IBS’s industry connections and its ability to prepare students for lucrative global career opportunities.

Accreditations and Recognitions

IBS stands out as an AACSB-accredited institution, showcasing its academic excellence. It is ranked 39th by NIRF, holds a NAAC A++ accreditation, and is ranked 22nd by Business Today. IBS’s Case Research Center is a global leader, with award-winning case studies that are used by over 900 business schools worldwide.

IBS Alumni Network

IBS boasts a robust alumni network of over 70,000 individuals, with nearly 40% in senior management positions and 10% in international roles.

Apply Now for IBSAT 2024

Apply for IBSAT 2024 today and embark on a transformative journey toward becoming an industry-ready professional. For more information, visit www.ibsindia.org.

 

Contact Information:
IBS Admission Office
Plot No. 65, Nagarjuna Hills
Punjagutta, Hyderabad – 500082
Telangana
Ph: 040 – 23440963 (5 lines)
E-mail: ibsat@ibsindia.org

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GienTech transforms enterprise software testing with the launch of a powerful AI-driven end-to-end solution

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December 19, 2024

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Next-generation Testing Center of Excellence (TCoE 3.0) integrates AI, ML, and automation to make enterprise software testing faster, more responsive and efficient

HONG KONG, Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Digital transformation specialist GienTech is revolutionizing the way enterprises approach software testing with the launch of a powerful new Testing Center of Excellence (TCoE 3.0) solution. Built on a platform of artificial intelligence (AI) and incorporating machine learning (ML), automation, and agile testing methodologies, TCoE 3.0 will support organizations to rapidly and efficiently develop mission-critical software for reliable and stable real-world use.

Enterprise software testing is extremely complex and time-consuming. According to Gartner*, product-testing teams will continue to face increasing complexity in applications and architecture, as well as shorter development cycles, in coming years. This pressure will be made more acute by the ongoing shortage of skilled engineers and the need to meet compliance regulations for data privacy and accessibility. At the same time, teams need to continue to automate an ever-growing backlog of manual tests. GienTech is empowering organizations to overcome these obstacles with an end-to-end solution that uses Generative AI to substantially streamline and enhance enterprise software testing.

William Wong, Senior Vice President of GienTech, said: “We are on a mission to make software testing more intelligent, agile, and efficient, while also reducing costs and labour intensity. TCoE 3.0 is a comprehensive end-to-end solution designed to standardize, centralize, and optimize enterprise software testing using AI, ML, and automation. It augments your software quality assurance team and is ideal for demanding environments, like the banking and finance sector, where complex system architectures, custom-built legacy systems, and highly sensitive data are the norm.”

Key features of TCoE 3.0 include:

AI-powered test case generation: TCoE 3.0 leverages large language models (LLMs) to analyse business requirements and automatically generate test cases. This approach ensures that the test cases are aligned with business objectives throughout the end-to-end testing. By automating test case preparation and enhancing agility, TCoE 3.0 enables testing teams to achieve broader coverage with minimal additional effort.

AI-powered script creation and auto-execution: TCoE 3.0 converts natural language descriptions of test scenarios into executable test scripts and automates the execution of these scripts for end-to-end coverage. This innovation simplifies testing for dynamic user interfaces and custom workflows, empowering non-technical users to create test scripts. It effectively covers a wide range of scenarios across complex architectures, reduces manual tasks, and significantly streamlines testing efforts. 

Smart and scalable adaptive testing: TCoE 3.0 incorporates self-adapting capabilities to manage changes in application flows as well as self-healing capabilities to automatically adjust to user interface changes. By seamlessly adapting to continuous software updates, TCoE 3.0 minimizes the need for frequent script maintenance due to minor changes, significantly reducing the time, effort, and costs involved in test script upkeep.

The launch of TCoE 3.0 caps off a year of great strides in AI by GienTech. In 2024, GienTech launched the “ORIGIEN AI+” initiative to spearhead breakthroughs in AI-related product innovation, dataset construction, and model training. It has already introduced intelligent solutions to enterprises across various industries, including finance, energy, and manufacturing. In April, GienTech signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI). The first fruit of this collaboration is the newly released Financial Intelligent Assistant, a comprehensive toolkit built on GienTech’s AI agent technology framework and ASTRI’s RAG framework to help financial sector enterprises accelerate AI application development and digital employee adoption. Earlier this month, GienTech unveiled the ORIGIEN Financial Large Language Model, which is tailored exclusively for the financial sector. The model enhances financial insights and applications through targeted training and tuning with 700GB of financial data, focusing on banking scenarios to ensure precise alignment with industry needs.

“With the explosive growth of technology, the application of AI is becoming increasingly practical, particularly in the highly digitized financial sector, where AI is experiencing large-scale adoption. The industry requires not merely AI products or models, but a true realization of enterprise intelligence that transforms business models through AI. Centred around the application and scenarios, we are committed to unlocking the value of AI application. Combining advances in AI technology with our strengths in infrastructure, consulting, software, data governance, and large-scale customized services, GienTech can help enterprises achieve intelligent digitalization, enhance productivity, and improve profitability,” Wong continued.

* Gartner, “Market Guide for AI-Augmented Software Testing Tools” (13 February, 2024)

About GienTech

Founded in 1995, GienTech is an expert in intelligent digitalization strategies and software solutions, specializing in the financial and other key industries. GienTech has more than 40,000 employees across China and in overseas markets, serving over 800 financial institutions and more than 160 Fortune 500 companies. GienTech has ranked first in the IDC China banking IT solution market for seven consecutive years and has been selected in the global top 100 in the IDC Financial Insights FinTech ranking for nine consecutive years. Its strict quality and management principles have passed CMMIL5, ISO27001, ISO9001, ISO20000 and many other international certifications.

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SOURCE GienTech

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Montrose Environmental Group Selected by Sydney Water to Install PFAS Treatment System

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December 19, 2024

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Montrose Environmental Group, Inc. (NYSE: MEG), a global environmental solutions company, was selected to install its per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) mobile treatment system at Sydney Water’s Cascade Water Filtration Plant (WFP) outside of Sydney, Australia to address PFAS in drinking water.

In June 2024, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and PFHxS, two forms of PFAS, were detected in the outlet of the Cascade WFP. Sydney Water took prompt action to find a solution that would quickly begin removing PFAS compounds from drinking water. 

As a leading provider of water treatment solutions in Australia and a pioneer in treating PFAS-impacted water in the country, Montrose was engaged by Sydney Water, Australia’s largest water utility, to implement a mobile solution for the immediate treatment of drinking water while Sydney Water pursues long-term upgrades to the Cascade WFP. Installing Montrose’s system at the WFP will help reduce PFAS to below the limits proposed in the draft Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which are set to be finalized in April 2025.

Roch Cheroux, Managing Director of Sydney Water, commented: “We are committed to leading the way with new ideas to ensure the continued delivery of world-class drinking water to our communities. This initiative to install a rapid treatment system reflects our commitment to deliver safe and reliable water to all our customers.” 

“Montrose is proud to be working with Sydney Water, which has a shared commitment to providing communities with safe drinking water,” said Vijay Manthripragada, president and chief executive officer of Montrose Environmental Group. “The installation of these multi-million-dollar systems underscores our commitment to the Australian market and achieves our organic growth goals in the region. By deepening our relationship with the broader Australian environmental services sector, we are confident in our prospects for 2025 and beyond.”

Contacts

Investor Relations:
Adrianne Griffin
(949) 988-3383
ir@montrose-env.com

Media Relations:
Lauren Dowling
(214)-514-9809
pr@montrose-env.com

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SOURCE Montrose Environmental Group, Inc.

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