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Water is the new ‘spice’ of space travel

As we enter a new space age scripting history, we may be yet to come to grasps with the politics of space.

Karthik Vinod

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Credit: Anna Claire Schellenberg

“Power over spice, is power over all,” said an ominous voice (In an alien sounding language) as words then took shape on the theater screen, at last week’s release of Dune: Part Two (2024), a sci-fi adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 eponymous novel. To give a basic premise of its fictional universe, humanity has become a space-faring race, inhabiting planets orbiting distant stars. In Herbert’s Dune, humanity accessed a novel spice found only in a barren, desert planet called Arrakis. 

As much as it works to spice up food, it functions as a psychotropic drug as well. In fact, consuming too much spice can help you enable bend space-time itself like a wormhole, providing prescience to enable safe passage between the stars. 

It may just be a novel that recently got adapted into a two-parter (perhaps it’s a trilogy if Dune Messiah is adapted too) movie, but the story vibes with a lot of chatter in our society too.

Elon Musk, for instance, envisions humanity to colonize Mars with 1 million people. He tweeted at one point on the need to avoid the Great Filter, and similarly embrace our destiny as it were of becoming a space-faring species. 

It may just be chatter and hype, but last week saw Intuitive Machine’s Odyssey mission end all too soon, after a rough landing in the rugged lunar terrain, leaving it tipped over its side. That mission may have ended all too soon. However, it surely would be replaced by another robotic exploration mission that Intuitive Machines’ contracted to do as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS). And more missions will follow up to set the stage for Artemis III’s planned lunar soft landing in 2026. That mission would presumably see the first astronauts to set boots on the moon since Apollo 17.

Much like spice melange in Dune, the Artemis program hopes to demonstrate how water on the moon can fuel dreams of space colonization. Simple electrolysis of water can yield molecular hydrogen and oxygen on earth. On the moon, it’s easier to launch a rocket with even limited fuel compared to earth, since lunar gravity is one-sixth of the earth. In outer space, water as fuel can help alleviate the cost burden inherent in human spaceflight. 

The spice is actually the excreta of the native gigantic sandworms of Arrakis. Credit: Astronimation / Wikimedia

Regulating space

Dune explored themes beyond technological supremacy inherent with spice. In fact, what made the book so popular was how it imagined humanity 8,000 years from now ruled by an ‘Emperor of the Known Universe’ with their nobility like in feudal societies. However, the bearers of the spice melange held prescience abilities in addition to folding space for interstellar travel. The Spacing Guild as they were known in the novel, could see events unfold like no one could. They weren’t noble, despite being elevated to nobility status. The politics of space travel isn’t a subject that’s not been broached in science fiction, but perhaps we don’t talk as much of it in our real world as we ought to.

The universe in Dune would see wars unfold time and again. However, what’s important is how space agencies in our world – NASA, ESA, ISRO, CNSA, JAXA, Roscosmos and now many from the developing world contest for space in space. The Donald Trump administration brought the Artemis Accords to bear, and now has seen 36 countries become signatories for peaceful use of outer space. This isn’t an international mandate, since the Chinese and the Russians say they have no plans to sign yet – calling it ‘US-centric’ in designs.

What’s at stake now for space exploration is the question of whether anyone own property in space. Well, the UN’s Office for Outer Space Affairs says no, referring to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty signed and thus agreed upon that space is international property. However, it doesn’t state how the resources can be utilized in other respects. Soil samples in the moon collected by Apollo have been distributed by the US to other nations. Space research and the space community so far has always been known to be cordial, seemingly escaping the touches of politics. Seemingly. 

Water ice exists as just on average 500 parts per million in the lunar regolith (in higher latitudes) – drier than even the driest sands on earth. Though to a spectrometer on a lunar orbiter, that’s the signature for water, although not in drinkable form. However, water ice can’t be directly electrolyzed without essentially mining that water much like we do on earth. Perhaps in a not so distant future, space mining could be a thing perhaps on asteroids where, much like the Spacing Guild in Dune, space companies could send diggers. The ‘Emperor of the Known Universe’ though isn’t really well-known at this point. It’s more like the many Great Houses in the novel, with Dukes and Duchesses scheming their own ambitions, to dominate the spice and control planet Arrakis. 

The space sector isn’t regulated well enough as technology seems to keep abreast of everything else. Water’s the new oil of space. There isn’t too much of it either. However, mining anything in space would come at the cost of violating UN designated sustainability goals. Mining water from the moon in excess could cause some long lasting damage to the soil. 

Here’s an ethical outlook. When we think and dream of human spaceflight exploration and all that, we also carry with it our character as a species. Although polluting space may not affect earth physically, doesn’t it deem a society with little moral rectitude if it ever was to happen? Wouldn’t the wrong people be incentivized? Shouldn’t we care for principles we believe in on earth and apply them to space? 

As we enter the New Space Age, we perhaps remember that dialogue, “Power over spice, is power over all.” Dune’s nihilistic at best, although we can do better to not act on that urge to control and dominate. Perhaps, we can treat outer space too with some respect and the awe we always had for it. 

Society

INM: MIT’s Bold Push to Regain America’s Productive Edge

The ambitious initiative aims at reinvigorating U.S. manufacturing with cutting-edge innovation

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MIT President Sally A. Kornbluth. Image credit: Jake Belcher/MIT

In a move to reshape the future of American industry, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has launched its Initiative for New Manufacturing (INM), an Institute-wide effort aimed at revitalizing U.S. manufacturing through next-generation technologies, research, education, and deep collaboration with industry.

Announced today, INM seeks to strengthen key sectors of the U.S. economy and spark nationwide job creation. The initiative will bring together MIT’s extensive research capabilities and educational resources to help companies of all sizes increase productivity and build a more resilient and human-centered manufacturing landscape.

“We want to work with firms big and small, in cities, small towns and everywhere in between, to help them adopt new approaches for increased productivity,” MIT President Sally A. Kornbluth wrote in a letter to the Institute community this morning. “We want to deliberately design high-quality, human-centered manufacturing jobs that bring new life to communities across the country.”

“We want to work with firms big and small, in cities, small towns and everywhere in between, to help them adopt new approaches for increased productivity

Kornbluth emphasized the significance of the effort, stating in a media statement: “Helping America build a future of new manufacturing is a perfect job for MIT — and I’m convinced that there is no more important work we can do to meet the moment and serve the nation now.”

Industry Collaboration

INM has already attracted strong industry support, with its first five founding consortium members — Amgen, GE Vernova, PTC, Siemens, and Sanofi — joining forces to fund initial research projects, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence for manufacturing.

“There is tremendous opportunity to bring together a vibrant community working across every scale — from nanotechnology to large-scale manufacturing,” said Anantha Chandrakasan, MIT’s chief innovation and strategy officer and dean of engineering. “MIT is uniquely positioned to harness the transformative power of digital tools and AI to shape the future of manufacturing.”

The initiative will support research, education, and real-world applications — including new manufacturing labs, a “factory observatory” program to connect students with live production sites, and thematic pillars ranging from semiconductors and biomanufacturing to defense and aviation.

Workforce development is also central to INM’s mission. It will include TechAMP, a program designed to bridge the gap between technicians and engineers through collaboration with community colleges, along with AI-powered teaching tools and expanded manufacturing education on campus.

The initiative is co-directed by three MIT faculty: John Hart, head of mechanical engineering; Suzanne Berger, an Institute Professor and political scientist; and Chris Love, professor of chemical engineering. Julie Diop serves as executive director.

At a recent MIT symposium titled “A Vision for New Manufacturing,” Berger underscored the urgency of the moment: “The rationale for growing and transforming U.S. manufacturing has never been more urgent than it is today. What we are trying to build at MIT now is not just another research project. … Together, with people in this room and outside this room, we’re trying to change what’s happening in our country.”

Love added: “We need to think about the importance of manufacturing again, because it is what brings product ideas to people… There is a real urgency about this issue for both economic prosperity and creating jobs.”

Echoing the sentiment, Hart emphasized the long-term significance of the initiative: “While manufacturing feels very timely today, it is of enduring importance… Working with industry — from small to large companies, and from young startups to industrial giants — will be instrumental to creating impact and realizing the vision for new manufacturing.”

A Continuum of Commitment

INM builds on a legacy of MIT initiatives aimed at supporting manufacturing, including the 1989 book Made in America, the Production in the Innovation Economy project, and The Engine, a venture fund launched in 2016 to back hardware-based startups.

As Kornbluth noted in her letter, “We want to reimagine manufacturing technologies and systems to advance fields like energy production, health care, computing, transportation, consumer products, and more… and we want to reach well beyond the shop floor to tackle challenges like how to make supply chains more resilient, and how to inform public policy to foster a broad, healthy manufacturing ecosystem that can drive decades of innovation and growth.”

With its launch, MIT’s Initiative for New Manufacturing marks a renewed commitment to restoring American manufacturing leadership through innovation, collaboration, and education — aimed squarely at building a stronger, more equitable industrial future.

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EDUNEWS & VIEWS

Harvard Pledges $250 Million for Research After Federal Funding Slash

The administration has defended the funding freeze as part of a broader campaign to address what it characterizes as pervasive anti-Semitism on campuses and to roll back diversity programs

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Image credit: Kalhh from Pixabay

Harvard University has announced a $250 million investment to sustain vital research programs in the face of steep federal funding cuts imposed by the Trump administration.
The move follows a sweeping $2.6 billion reduction in government grants to the Ivy League institution, citing alleged discriminatory practices and refusal to comply with federal oversight mandates. The cuts, which Harvard is actively challenging in court, have already suspended or canceled dozens of projects—some of which were considered critical to public health and technological innovation.

University President Alan Garber and Provost John Manning issued a joint statement on Wednesday, emphasizing the urgent need to protect research initiatives. “While we cannot fully offset the financial blow from halted federal support, we are committed to backing essential research during this transitional period,” they said. The university is also working with faculty to secure alternative funding channels.

Harvard has strongly criticized the federal measures, calling the termination of grants “unlawful” and accusing the administration of interfering with academic independence. The university contends that the loss of funding not only halts groundbreaking work but also threatens years of scientific progress.

At the heart of the dispute is a broader political clash over university governance. Harvard, whose endowment reached $53.2 billion in 2024, has become a focal point of the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape higher education policy. The White House has demanded greater control over admissions, hiring, and the political climate on campus—demands Harvard has resisted.

The administration has defended the funding freeze as part of a broader campaign to address what it characterizes as pervasive anti-Semitism on campuses and to roll back diversity programs. Critics argue these moves are part of a larger effort to suppress progressive academic culture and penalize dissent over U.S. foreign policy, especially in light of recent student protests against the war in Gaza.

In recent weeks, federal authorities have also taken steps to revoke visas of international students involved in these demonstrations, accusing them of ties to militant organizations—allegations civil rights groups and university leaders have strongly disputed.

With tensions between the federal government and top academic institutions mounting, Harvard’s legal challenge could set a precedent for how universities navigate political interference while safeguarding research, free speech, and academic autonomy.

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Health

Robot Helps Elderly Sit, Stand, and Stay Safe from Falls

The innovation comes at a time when the United States faces a dramatic demographic shift

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Image credit: MIT News/ Courtesy of the researchers

As America’s population ages faster than ever before, a team of engineers at MIT is turning to robotics to meet the growing eldercare crisis. Their latest invention, the Elderly Bodily Assistance Robot—or E-BAR—aims to provide critical physical support to seniors navigating life at home, potentially reducing the risk of injury and relieving pressure on a strained care system.

The innovation comes at a time when the United States faces a dramatic demographic shift. The nation’s median age has climbed to 38.9, nearly ten years older than in 1980. By 2050, the number of adults over 65 is projected to surge from 58 million to 82 million. As demand for care rises, the country is simultaneously grappling with shortages in care workers, escalating healthcare costs, and evolving family structures that leave many elderly adults without daily support.

“Eldercare is the next great challenge,” said Roberto Bolli, a graduate student in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and one of E-BAR’s lead designers, in a media statement. “All the demographic trends point to a shortage of caregivers, a surplus of elderly persons, and a strong desire for elderly persons to age in place.”

E-BAR is designed to address exactly that challenge. The mobile robot acts as a robotic support system, following a user from behind and offering both steadying handlebars and rapid intervention in case of a fall. It can support a person’s full weight and includes side airbags that inflate instantly to catch users if they begin to fall—without requiring them to wear any equipment or harnesses.

“Many older adults underestimate the risk of fall and refuse to use physical aids, which are cumbersome, while others overestimate the risk and may not exercise, leading to declining mobility,” said Harry Asada, the Ford Professor of Engineering at MIT, in a media statement. “Our design concept is to provide older adults having balance impairment with robotic handlebars for stabilizing their body. The handlebars go anywhere and provide support anytime, whenever they need.”

The robot consists of a heavy, 220-pound base equipped with omnidirectional wheels, allowing it to maneuver easily through typical home spaces. From its base, articulated bars extend and adjust to assist users in standing or sitting, and the handlebars provide a natural, unrestrictive grip. In testing, E-BAR successfully helped an older adult complete everyday movements such as bending, reaching, and even stepping over the edge of a bathtub.

“Seeing the technology used in real-life scenarios is really exciting,” said Bolli.

The team’s design, which will be presented later this month at the IEEE Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), aims to eliminate the physical constraints and stigmas often associated with eldercare devices. Their approach prioritizes both independence and safety—key values for aging Americans seeking to remain in their homes longer.

While E-BAR currently operates via remote control, the team plans to add autonomous capabilities and streamline the device’s design for home and facility use. The researchers are also exploring ways to integrate fall-prediction algorithms, developed in a parallel project in Asada’s lab, to adapt robotic responses based on a user’s real-time risk level.

“Eldercare conditions can change every few weeks or months,” Asada noted. “We’d like to provide continuous and seamless support as a person’s disability or mobility changes with age.”

As the nation prepares for the realities of an aging population, MIT’s work offers a glimpse into a future where robotics play a central role in eldercare—enhancing both quality of life and personal dignity for millions of older adults.

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