Today’s picks
1. NASA lays out a packed 14-day schedule for 2027’s Artemis III moon mission
NASA has unveiled a packed 14-day schedule for Artemis III, planned for summer 2027. The mission will be pivotal in deciding whether SpaceX or Blue Origin supplies the lunar lander for the first crewed trip to the lunar surface in decades. The detailed timeline underscores the mission’s tight pace and high stakes. It is worth reading for how lander competition and schedule pressure could shape the next phase of lunar exploration.
2. Warhound wants to engineer and clone military superdogs—can they do it?
Warhound, a startup tied to the founders of defense-tech firm Anduril and de-extinction biotech Colossal Biosciences, aims to engineer and clone dogs for military work. The report asks whether the science can deliver on that pitch. It is worth reading because it shows frontier biotech being pulled into defense, and where the ethical and safety lines may fall.
3. Are some protein powders better than others?
This long read asks whether protein powders differ in quality and concludes that pure whey is the safer choice. It helps readers weigh formulation, purity, and added ingredients rather than marketing claims. Worth reading if you are choosing a protein powder.
4. What to watch this week
This week’s watchlist highlights four picks: three that are wonderfully weird and one that is merely odd. The guide sorts through what makes each stand out and where they differ. It is a concise reference for readers looking beyond standard recommendations.
5. Why am I obsessed with China’s ancient golden age? I took my daughter on a trip to find out – podcast
In this podcast, Xiaolu Guo explains why she felt a duty to write about the Tang dynasty and its remarkable social and cultural sophistication. She travels with her daughter to explore this golden age and connect her Chinese past with her child. It is worth listening for its blend of historical reflection and personal, intergenerational inquiry.
By publication
The Economist
Scientific American
- NASA lays out a packed 14-day schedule for 2027’s Artemis III moon mission
- Warhound wants to engineer and clone military superdogs—can they do it?