Technology

NASA Awards Advance Technologies for Future Habitable Worlds Mission

Published

2 years ago

May 31, 2024

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NASA announced Friday it selected three industry proposals to help develop technologies for future large space telescopes and plan for the agency’s Habitable Worlds Observatory mission concept, which could be the first space telescope designed to search for life outside our solar system.

The mission would directly image Earth-like planets around stars like our Sun and study their atmospheres for the chemical signatures of life, as well as enable other investigations about our solar system and universe. NASA is currently in the early planning stages for this mission concept, with community-wide working groups exploring its fundamental science goals and how best to pursue them. The agency is also in the process of establishing a Habitable Worlds Observatory Technology Maturation project office at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

“The Habitable Worlds Observatory will be a historically ambitious mission, so we are taking a deliberate, strategic approach to its development and laying the groundwork now. We will need to bring together diverse expertise from government, academia, and industry, while building on technologies and lessons learned from our previous large space telescopes,” said Mark Clampin, director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “With these awards, we’re excited to engage industry to help close technology gaps to make this groundbreaking mission a reality.”

In January 2024, NASA solicited industry proposals to help advance key technologies that will eventually be necessary for the Habitable Worlds Observatory. For example, the mission will require a coronagraph – an instrument that blocks the light of a star so we can better see nearby objects – thousands of times more capable than any prior space coronagraph, and a stable optical system moving no more than the width of an atom during its observations.

To help further the readiness of these technologies, NASA has now selected the following proposals for two-year, fixed-price contracts with a combined value of $17.5 million, targeted to begin by late summer 2024:

“Ultra-stable Telescope Research and Analysis – Critical Technologies (ULTRA-CT)”This project will focus on high-fidelity modeling and subsystem demonstrations to support future development of “ultra-stable” optical systems beyond current state-of-the-art technologies.Principal investigator: Laura Coyle, Ball Aerospace (now BAE Systems)”Technology Maturation for Astrophysics Space Telescopes (TechMAST)”This project seeks to advance the integrated modeling infrastructure required to navigate design interdependencies and compare potential mission design options.Principal investigator: Alain Carrier, Lockheed Martin”STABLE: Systems Technologies for Architecture Baseline”This project will focus on maturing technologies that support telescope features, such as a deployable baffle and a structure to support the optical train, while mitigating the impact of system or environmental disturbances.Principal investigator: Tiffany Glassman, Northrop Grumman

This work will continue industry involvement started in 2017 under NASA’s “System-Level Segmented Telescope Design” solicitations, which concluded in December 2023. The new selected proposals will help inform NASA’s approach to planning for the Habitable Worlds Observatory, as the agency builds on technologies from its James Webb Space Telescope and future Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and identifies where future investments are needed.

To learn more about NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory visit:

https://go.nasa.gov/HWO

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SOURCE NASA

Technology

StarHub Powers Up Its Network with 5G+

Published

22 minutes ago

September 1, 2026

Get more with wider coverage and up to four times faster speeds indoors and underground

SINGAPORE, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — StarHub has launched 5G+, powered by the deployment of 700MHz spectrum to give customers a strong, more consistent network experience. Available across every StarHub 5G mobile plan, 5G+ gives customers more from their connectivity in the places where they need it most.

From office towers and crowded malls to basements, car parks and live events, some of the places where customers rely most on their network are also where connectivity are most tested. With 700MHz reaching deeper into buildings and harder-to-reach spaces, 5G+ delivers wider coverage and speeds of up to four times faster indoors and underground, helping customers stay connected as they move through their day.

Existing customers on StarHub 5G mobile plans will get 5G+ automatically, while new customers will get it from day one. With 5G+ across every StarHub 5G mobile plan, customers can get more from their network, whichever plan they choose.

For enterprises, 5G+ provides more dependable connectivity for critical teams and operations. With StarHub’s Enterprise Priority Services, organisations can also prioritise network access for key users and workflows when demand is high, helping keep field operations and collaboration tools running when it matters most.

Get More Out of Your Lunchtime at Lau Pa Sat

More coverage, more speed, and now more ice cream. For one day only on 2 September 2026, StarHub is bringing “more” to lunchtime at Lau Pa Sat. From 11.30am to 3pm, diners can enjoy unlimited complimentary ice cream as part of StarHub’s 5G+ launch celebrations. Competitive eater and influencer Zermatt Neo will kick off the fun with a lunchtime eating challenge, livestreamed on TikTok using StarHub’s 5G+ network.

5G+ builds on StarHub’s continued investment in its network and capabilities to give customers a better experience and more from their connectivity, wherever the day takes them.

For more information on StarHub 5G+, visit http://www.starhub.com/5g-plus.

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SOURCE StarHub Ltd

Technology

Hinen at Solar & Storage Live UK 2026: Powering Smarter UK Homes with A15 RESS

Published

22 minutes ago

September 1, 2026

BIRMINGHAM, England, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hinen will exhibit at Solar & Storage Live UK 2026, taking place at the NEC Birmingham from September 22–24, 2026. Visitors can find Hinen at Booth G12B, where the company will showcase its latest energy storage solutions, with the A15 Residential Energy Storage System taking centre stage.

As the UK’s largest solar energy exhibition, Solar & Storage Live UK brings together buyers, installers and industry leaders from across the energy value chain. Hinen will engage with partners and homeowners to explore smarter, more flexible residential energy solutions.

Smarter Energy for Modern UK Homes

As more UK households adopt solar PV, EVs and heat pumps, smart energy storage can help homeowners make better use of renewable energy and reduce reliance on grid electricity.

At the show, Hinen will highlight the A15 RESS, combining an A-series hybrid inverter with the B15 high-voltage battery. The system offers 14.4 kWh of storage per battery, up to 86.4 kWh of total capacity, 8,000+ cycles and an ultra-slim 180 mm design. Its smart energy management capabilities help homeowners optimise when to store and use energy, supporting greater energy independence and flexibility.

Comprehensive Energy Solutions

At the event, Hinen will also showcase a range of solutions tailored to different energy needs:

A Series H6S: 3.6–6kW single-phase all-in-one system for small homes.A Series H25T: 10–25kW three-phase all-in-one system for larger homes and small commercial applications.H6000-EU + B5000D-W: Flexible low-voltage solution for everyday home energy needs.H6000S + B5000D-W: Reliable Low-voltage solution with parallel function.E2400S + E2560B: 2400W balcony energy storage for space-constrained homes.PU1800 & PS3000: Portable power for travel, outdoor use and backup.

Visit Hinen at Booth G12B, NEC Birmingham, September 22–24, 2026, to discover the A15 and Hinen’s latest energy solutions.

About Hinen

Hinen is an energy storage technology company backed by more than 20 years of manufacturing experience from Hinen Group. Listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (stock code: 300787), Hinen develops residential energy storage solutions including battery systems, hybrid inverters and intelligent energy management technologies. With offices and service teams across Europe, the UK, Australia and Africa, Hinen provides localised support to customers and partners worldwide.

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Technology

GOFO Deploys Automated Narrow-Belt Sorter at Rome Hub, Lifting Southern Italy Capacity by 40%

Published

22 minutes ago

September 1, 2026

ROME, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GOFO, a fast-growing, technology-driven last-mile delivery provider, today announced that its Rome sorting center has officially entered full production with a new automated narrow-belt sorting system featuring integrated singulation technology. The system began trial operation in May 2026 and, following more than three months of stable performance, is now fully operational, lifting the hub’s overall efficiency by 40%.

The linear narrow-belt sorter’s integrated singulation technology automatically separates overlapping parcels before they enter the sort loop. Because the system relies on proven mechanical separation rather than AI-based vision recognition, it is designed to deliver consistent throughput day after day, with reliability confirmed during the trial period and now carried into full production ahead of the autumn peak season.

The system has a design capacity of 6,500 parcels per hour and 120 sorting chutes, providing routing coverage across southern Italy, including Bari, Catanzaro, Naples and surrounding areas. It integrates dimensioning and weighing in a single pass, with volume accuracy of ±10 mm and weighing accuracy of ±20 g. Around 80% of the sorting process is now automated, with manual handling limited to loading and exception processing.

“The Rome hub is our primary gateway to southern Italy, and this upgrade ensures we can meet the growing demand from our e-commerce partners without compromising on speed or accuracy,” said Jacqueline Chan, General Manager of GOFO Italy. “As we head into peak season, this investment gives us the reliability and sufficient processing capacity our customers need across the south.”

About GOFO

GOFO, founded in the United States in 2023, is a technology-driven last-mile logistics network serving merchants and consumers across the U.S., Canada, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. Guided by the brand philosophy “Drive Efficiency, Deliver Trust,” GOFO combines advanced technology with localized operations to deliver precise, reliable, and scalable delivery solutions. Operating nationwide through sorting centers and delivery centers across the country, GOFO Italy serves a broad population with high-performance last-mile delivery solutions. Its operations are powered by automated sorting, intelligent routing, and disciplined execution. For more information, please visit www.gofo.com/it.

Media Contact:

Email: branding.eu@gofo.com

Website: www.gofo.com/it

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