The Junk Keeps Piling Up

Image: Shutterstock

🤔 Why it's a big deal: Space’s junk drawer is getting bigger.

Simply put, things orbiting Earth move pretty fast – around 15,700 mph in low Earth orbit – and, as you can probably imagine, collisions at those speeds aren’t too pretty. A number of space shuttle and station windows have even been replaced due to damage caused by paint flecks (!).

• More than 27,000 pieces of space debris are currently tracked by the DOD’s global Space Surveillance Network (SSN) sensors…
• … and as you can probably piece together from earlier, muchhhhh more exists that can’t be traced. Millimeter-sized orbital debris represents the highest mission-ending risk to most robotic spacecraft operating in low Earth orbit, according to NASA.

🛰 Case in point... Astronauts living on the ISS were told to shelter in their transport spacecraft yesterday due to a cloud of space debris seemingly passing by the station every 90 minutes – or about the time it takes to orbit Earth.

💬 What they’re saying: NASA hasn’t confirmed if the debris field passing the ISS is the same one created by the Russian anti-satellite test.

Per a statement from U.S. Space Command, “We are actively working to characterize the debris field and will continue to ensure all space-faring nations have the information necessary to maneuver satellites if impacted… “

• “… We are also in the process of working with the interagency, including the State Department and NASA, concerning these reports and will provide an update in the near future.”

Stay tuned.

🎁 The NCAA and leaders across each division met virtually yesterday to discuss a newly-drafted constitution for the association that would surrender its control over a large portion of college sports.

Mastering the Mind

As we continuously cover in our Positive DONUT newsletter, maintaining a regular journaling practice can have incredible effects on your overall well being. To name a few – improved sleep, less stress & anxiety, boosted creativity, and an increase in self-esteem.

At the DONUT (surprisingly, we didn’t just fall out of bed this awesome), there’s only one company we turn to for all our journaling needs: The Scribes.

• We’re talking super high-quality journals and notebooks, as well as anything else you need to conquer your internal demons with the written word (like The Quill… we call them “space pens”).

✍️ Calling all scribes this holiday season… If you’re on the fence about starting to journal, consider this your sign – The Scribes just rolled out two limited-edition bundles: The Stocking Stuffer and The Holiday Set.

Need another sign ? Use the code DONUT at checkout for 20% off any purchase.

So whether you’re embarking on this journaling adventure alone, or are accompanied by your partner or friend…

Start journaling today. You’ll be glad you did.

Image: CNBC

📜 Background: The deal includes $550 billion in new funding towards transportation, broadband, and utilities over the next five years. (See the full breakdown.)

• It cleared the Senate by a 69-30 margin in August (with 19 R joining all 50 D) but was held up in the House while Democrats negotiated among themselves over a ~$1.75 trillion budget reconciliation bill.
• The House ultimately decided to delay the larger reconciliation bill – angering several progressive Dems – and passed the infrastructure measure earlier this month in a 228-206 vote (13 Rs in favor; 6 Ds against).

📝 Law & Order: Along with the infrastructure measure, Biden also signed an executive order creating a task force to distribute the money in ways that align with administration priorities.

• This means new projects receiving federal funding must use U.S. suppliers, offer union jobs, and be designed to withstand the impacts of climate change.
• The task force is also charged with making sure projects comply with the Biden administration’s Justice40 initiative, which calls for at least 40% of federal funds to go to “disadvantaged communities.”

👁️ Looking ahead… It’s expected to take months or years for many major projects funded by this bill to start.

💃🦠🕺 Dancing with the Cells

GIF: Northwestern University

💉 How it works: The scientists administered a single injection to tissues surrounding the spinal cords of paralyzed mice. Just four weeks later, the animals were able to walk again.

• The researchers said the secret behind their breakthrough was tuning the motion of the molecules in their therapeutic injection – the aforementioned ‘dancing molecules’ – so they can find and engage the proper cellular receptors.

👁️ Looking ahead… The researchers hope their work can eventually help the roughly 300,000 Americans currently living with a spinal cord injury and drastically improve the rate at which they recover basic physical functions (currently just 3%).

Najee Harris posing at a pre-draft party he hosted at his former homeless shelter; Image: Greater Richmond Interfaith Program

When he was younger, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie RB Najee Harris used to try and hide the fact that his family was homeless.

• Now, the breakout player is using his fame to help the homeless community, starting with one of the shelters his family stayed at more than ten years ago.

🛠️ A helping hand... With assistance from nearly 100 local volunteers, Najee began by renovating the carpets, replacing the 20-year-old green/blue floor with shiny new hardwood tiles.

• He then supplied a handful of appliances – including a new computer & grill – and helped install a rock wall, a playground, new landscaping and pavers in the parking lot, and even applied a fresh coat of paint to the whole building.

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Can you name the capitals of these states ?

A) Georgia
B) Pennsylvania
C) New Jersey
D) Wyoming

(keep scrolling for the answer)

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A) Atlanta, GA

B) Harrisburg, PA

C) Trenton, NJ

D) Cheyenne, WY