1.NASA Opens Door to New Moon Lander Proposals as SpaceX Faces Delays
NASA's looking for a backup plan to get to the Moon because SpaceX is running behind.
They want to land astronauts on the Moon before January 20, 2029 (the end of Trump's possible second term). NASA's no longer just counting on SpaceX for the Artemis III mission's lunar lander. NASA's Acting Administrator, Sean Duffy, said they're opening bids to other companies to beat China in what he calls the second space race.
This is a big change for America's Moon plans. SpaceX is still key, but its Starship is complex, and issues have NASA looking at other options like Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, and other space companies to make sure the U.S. gets there first.
China's moving fast with its space program and wants to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030. NASA feels the pressure. Duffy said on CNBC, We're not waiting for one company… We're going to push this forward and win against the Chinese.
Trump really wants a Moon landing before his term ends in January 2029. That gives NASA less than three and a half years to build, test, and launch a new lunar lander – which is a super tight schedule.
SpaceX won a $2.9 billion contract in 2021 to build the Artemis III lunar lander. They're using a version of their Starship rocket, a huge vehicle for deep space trips, even to Mars.
Starship's complexity is a problem. It's too big to fly straight to the Moon. It needs to refuel in Earth's orbit by connecting with other Starships, which hasn't been done. Plus, SpaceX has to land a Starship on the Moon without people before the Artemis III mission.
They had three test flight failures this year, slowing things down. Recent launches looked better, but tests are paused until 2026 for an improved Starship. These delays put doubts on whether SpaceX can meet NASA's mid-2027 target for Artemis III – which already seemed optimistic.
Ex-NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said the Starship plan doesn't make sense if you're trying to get to the Moon fast to beat China.
Musk responded that SpaceX does stuff fast unlike most of the space industry. He also said Starship will do everything for the Moon mission, claiming it.
He then went after Blue Origin, saying they haven't even put a payload in orbit, or even less on Moon. Blue Origin did launch a craft to orbit, Musk said he meant a useful payload.
Blue Origin, started by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, has a $3.4 billion contract to build a lunar lander for Artemis V, not until the 2030s. Still, they could move things up or work with others to get it to NASA sooner.
Lockheed Martin's been quietly working on a backup lander. Rob Chambers, a director at the company, shared that they've been working with other space companies to build a lander with current tech and parts – some already built and stored.
Chambers said it was like Apollo 13, when engineers had to make a fix with whatever was available. An ex-NASA official, Douglas Loverro, said you can’t make anything new to build a lander in under five years. “Anything you use has to already exist.
Lockheed Martin's lander would be smaller and easier than Starship or Blue Origin's Blue Moon. It would have a two-part design like the Apollo missions. It gets to the lunar surface with the descent stage and goes to orbit with the ascent stage.
The ascent stage would use parts from Orion, Lockheed Martin's crew capsule for Moon trips. For the descent stage, they might use the Blue Moon Mark 1, a cargo lander from Blue Origin. Chambers wouldn’t say if Blue Origin is part of the plan.
A Blue Origin rep mentioned, “Blue Origin is ready to support.
It'll cost lots to build a new lander so fast. SpaceX and Blue Origin have billionaires who can spend for development, but Lockheed Martin would need full funding from NASA.
Chambers said it won’t be cheap. He said this is the safest and fastest solution.
Still, he gave warning We can’t commit to that date yet.”
NASA's already starting to open the contract. Bethany Stevens, NASA's press, said they will ask “request for information” from the space industry to see how to launch more lunar missions.
This means NASA’s changing its plan, not just trusting one company, but getting companies to compete. Duffy mentioned on Fox & Friends, “I think we’ll see companies like Blue get involved, and maybe others… There will be a space race between American companies competing to see who can actually get us back to the moon first.”
NASA's plan to get a Plan B for its lunar lander shows both how hard space is and the pressure to beat others. China is moving fast and there's political pressure, so NASA can't wait for just one company.
The next months will be key. NASA needs to see the proposals, choose partners, and start things, and support SpaceX too. From Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, old tech mix, so it's true the race to the Moon is on again, and it's not just to explore the Moon, some want to be the boss.
2.Samsung Set to Reveal Vision Pro Rival — Four Big Announcements Expected Today
Samsung is taking on Apple's Vision Pro with something called Project Moohan. It's a mixed reality headset, and from what I hear, it's got some pretty slick AI stuff baked in.
At a recent event, Samsung showed off Project Moohan – that mixed reality headset everyone's been talking about. Underneath is Android XR (although they haven't shared the official name yet). It could shake things up for how we interact with computers in 3D space. Essentially, Samsung is looking at Apple and saying, Can you beat this?
Project Moohan is the first stuff made for Android XR, which Google and Qualcomm helped put together. It tries to combine good-looking visuals with AI features. People who've tried it out seem to like it.
🤖 What's Special: The AI
Tech guys like Abner Li from 9to5Google and Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) got the chance to mess around with a test model last year and seemed pretty excited about the AI. The design is a bit like Apple’s Vision Pro. Project Moohan runs Gemini and Project Astra (Google's AI tools), which could be a major plus.
Gemini is fast. You hit a button, and you can start chatting. It feels like you are talking to a human. What's even better is that Gemini can see what you see through the cameras. You can ask it to translate anything, share its name, or tell you what is around you. The answers come back in messages.
Being able to see and understand what's going on around it could be a big deal! Apple's Vision Pro is interesting, but it doesn't have AI built in. As AI becomes more important, this difference could really set it apart.
📦 Questions Still Open
Okay, so they showed it off and we know it exists, and we have a few questions:
1. So, Is Project Moohan the Name They Are Going With?
It's called Project Moohan as of right now. The tech community is aware of the name, but the final version could reflect if Samsung is focused on a market: high-end users, developers, or everyone.
2. Any Other Features?
Reviewers liked the test model. However, Samsung might include extras for the actual product. Maybe better controls with your hands, better screens, or even more advanced AI ideas?
3. When Do I Get One?
Samsung initially pointed to 2026. If that's the case, then when is it available for pre-order!? By the way, Samsung is offering a \$100 credit if you sign up early.
4. How Much Does It all Cost?
The cost is everything! Apple's Vision Pro was an expensive \$3,499. As a result, its early adopters were developers. If Samsung can develop something of good value, with good AI features, for less cash, they could interest a large number of consumers.
🧠 Android XR: Operating System for VR/AR
Project Moohan runs on Android XR. Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm spend a great deal of time effort into the framework. Android XR is supposed to have apps run on lots of headsets, include integrated AI functions, and be updated for future tech.
The operating system is similar to Apple's visionOS, yet it's available for others. This opens the possibility for other companies to Android XR and create their own business models.
💡 If you're using Apple products, then take notes!
3.Oakley Meta Vanguard Review: Smart Glasses That Actually Feel Ready for Daily Use
🕶️ **Oakley Meta Vanguard Glasses: Are They Worth It?**
Just so you know, I'm kind of a tech lover. So, when Oakley dropped these Meta Vanguard smart glasses, I got curious. The basic idea? Oakley stuck a camera, headphones, and even basic fitness tracking inside sunglasses. Sounds cool, doesn't it? I had to try them out and see what all the fuss was about.
If you're into making videos but don't want to keep holding your phone, these glasses might be up your alley. Plus, they look like normal sunglasses. That was what made me buy them; they're way cooler than the older Meta Wayfarers.
🚴♀️ **Good for Workouts?**
I think these glasses are good for people who're always doing something. Like bikers, hikers, runners, or anyone who is constantly busy. You can record what's going on while you're doing it, without having to deal with a phone or camera. You'll still look cool!
And if you care about your fitness info, these glasses work well with Garmin and Strava. Want to show your speed and heart rate in your workout videos? It's easy with these glasses!
🧱 **How Do They Feel?**
Oakley made the Vanguard glasses with their Sphaera design, so they look good. Even so, they're a little heavier than regular sunglasses.
These Vanguards are about 66 grams, while normal Sphaeras are closer to 30 grams. Where does the extra weight come from? All the tech inside. The camera, speakers, mic, and battery weigh it down. I noticed it at first, but after biking and running a few times, I got used to it. They're still easier to wear than your Grandma's glasses, BTW.
For a comfy fit, Oakley gives you some extra nose pieces. This lets you change how they sit on your face.
I didn't even need the extra nose pieces, though. The lenses aren't polarized, but Oakley's Prizm does its job making colors pop.
🌧️💧 **What About Rain and Lenses?**
The Vanguard glasses should be fine with light rain and sweat. Don't go swimming with them! I believe the occasional drizzle won't bother them. Since they have so much tech inside, I wonder how long they'll last. I hope they last at least a year!
Mine came with Prizm 24K lenses, which are great for bright days. They also come in red, black, and blue. Scratched or broke a lens? It'll cost you about $85 to replace it. Ouch!
📸 **How's the Camera?**
The glasses have a 12-MP camera and 32 GB of space. The 122-degree field of vision is nice and wide. Remember: it's not a GoPro, but it works fine for everyday pictures and videos.
Recording videos is easy. Just say, Hey Meta, record a video, and it starts recording. You can also set a button that records in slow motion. Cool, right?
Video clips can be set from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Great for TikTok and Instagram Reels. The glasses save the videos to your phone, so you can share them easily.
🎧 **How's the Audio?**
The Vanguard glasses use open-ear headphones, speakers, and a decent mic. The sound is better than the older Meta Wayfarers. When biking at 20 mph, I can hear my music just fine. I can still hear what's happening around me, which is really important so I don't get hit by a bus.
Hooking them up to my phone with Bluetooth or the Meta AI app was quick. The sound is good enough for just listening, but it will take a second to raise the volume. It doesn't block out all the noise, but that has good and bad sides. Sometimes, I get so into my surroundings that I forget there is music playing.
🔋 **How's the Battery?**
The charging case holds about 36 hours total. The glasses last about 9 hours before needing to charge. It was almost a week before I needed to charge them the first time. Not bad, I think.
🧭 **Garmin and Strava: Do they work together?**
The glasses connect to your Garmin watch or fitness tracker with no problems. They can even start recording when you hit a goal. Awesome for people who like to show off their achievements. I think it is really neat.
🗣️ **Meta AI: Is it good?**
Meta AI can change the volume using only your voice. Pretty cool, right? It can also try to figure out what plants, animals, and bugs you are pointing at. But, it messes up. I asked it what bird I saw in a tree, and it said it was an eagle. Seriously? That needs improvement.
Also, double-check the privacy settings. You can turn off the Public Vibes option under Settings > Data & Privacy. If you care about privacy, do that.
🏃♂️ **Should You Buy Them?**
The Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses aren't for everyone. If you need super-high-quality HD video, get a GoPro. But, if you want sunglasses, headphones, and a camera all in one, you should think about these glasses.
Here's the deal:
Get them if:
* You work out a lot.
* You like music while you work out.
* You want to record video without using your hands.
Don't get them if:
* You want to film long videos.
* You care too much about photos and videos being perfect.
* You'd rather just use your phone to take photos and videos.
🧭 **In Conclusion: Great for Active People!**
If you want wearable tech that you can use every day, try these glasses. The camera and headphones aren't the best you can buy, but I like the all-in-one ease of use. If you want to record a run, listen to music, and identify bugs in nature, these glasses might work out great for you. If you like doing things on the move, you might like these glasses
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