Gattaca

Gattaca is one of the most provocative sci-fi movies ever. Imagine a world in which a child could literally be created in a test tube. He could have perfect health, high IQ and a long life expectation. In a future world where it is possible to be born practically perfect, humans that are born naturally …

Biomimicry in Engineering

Good morning EUROAVIAns,in today’s Fact Friday we talk about biomimicry in engineering. Biomimicry is a study that solves human problems with models, systems and elements of nature. Living beings have evolved multiple times by creating structures and mechanisms which are efficient and well-built, so when we build or design something we can be inspired by …

Flatland

Flatland is a satirical novel, written by Edwin Abbott Abbott, that depicts a nightmarish dystopia in a two dimensional setting, populated by living geometrical figures. A mathematician, called A. Square, describes his world, Flatland, a society that is strictly divided in social classes, resembling Victorian England. The government of Flatland is administered by a cabal …

Space Medicine

Good morning EUROAVIAns,in today’s Fact Friday we talk about space medicine.  Space medicine is a term first used in the 1950’s when commercial aviation grew rapidly and big steps were made towards the first space missions.  This makes it hard to imagine that, after all that time, the main medical equipment aboard the ISS was …

Star Wars: A New Hope

When talking about space, the most famous saga in the history of cinema is probably Star Wars. In this review we will focus on the first film produced: “A new hope”. This film was released in 1977 and won seven Oscars, among them best visual effects, best original score and best costume design.  The film …

Meteorite falls in Molise

Good morning EUROAVIAns,in today’s Fact Friday we talk about #meteorite: on March 15th, a meteorite fell in Temennotte, Molise. Yes, you read right, it may seem absurd but it’s the truth. The rock weighs approximately 1 kilogram and it is about the size of a fist. It is of great interest to the National Institute …

Hidden Figures

“Hidden Figures” (2016) is a movie based on the true story of some brilliant and committed women whose work was crucial for NASA during the 1960s. During those years, the race for space against the Russian enhanced the investment of a massive amount of money and manpower, besides fostering a great patriotism. Unfortunately, disparity, injustice …

Space Rider

Good morning dear EUROAVIAns,in today’s Fact Friday we talk about Space Rider, ESA’s mini-shuttle! Space Rider, acronym of Space Reusable Integrated Demonstrator for Europe Return (space people really like acronyms!), is Europe’s first reusable space transportation system. It is developed by Thales Alenia Space in collaboration with the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA). Space Rider …

Does God play Dice?

In “Does God play dice?”, the English mathematician and popular science writer Ian Stewart speaks about chaos theory and its implications in mathematics, physics and even in computer science. This essay begins with a historical background on “kaos” from ancient Greek mythology and, later on in history, during the Renaissance where scientists and polymaths followed …

Planet Nine

Good morning EUROAVIAns, in today’s FactFriday we talk about Planet Nine! How many planets are in our Solar System? If you answered eight, we’re sorry to inform you that, as shocking as it sounds, there might be a ninth planet out there! No, we’re not talking about Pluto (sigh), but of an undiscovered planet hiding …

The Naked Sun

In Isaac Asimov’s “The Naked Sun”, social distancing – as we would now call it – is not just a useful device to underscore the difference between Earth and another planet: it is an integral part of the novel’s plot. First published in 1957, The Naked Sun is the second of Asimov’s four ‘Robot’ novels.  …