Football Champions Set to Toast Victory with This Edible Pop-Tarts Trophy

The winner of this year's Pop-Tarts Bowl will celebrate victory with a special toaster trophy. The unique trophy features slots to insert Pop-Tarts for the winning team to enjoy after the game in Orlando, Florida on December 28. Organizers have added fun food elements to bowl games outside the College Football Playoff, including coffee baths and mayonnaise showers for winning coaches. This year's Pop-Tarts Bowl champions will toast their game-winning snacks with a new toaster trophy designed by GE Appliances.

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Over $1M Raised for 88-Year-Old Veteran Still Working Full-Time After Losing His Pension

Ed Bambas thought he’d be forgotten. Instead, he’s become the face of a movement. The 88-year-old Army veteran was quietly stocking shelves at a Detroit supermarket when he crossed paths with a stranger who saw something extraordinary: a man who never gave up. Despite working five days a week, eight hours a day, Ed had never received the pension he earned over decades of hard work. He lost his wife years ago. And yet, he kept showing up — with a quiet dignity that moved people far beyond that supermarket aisle. Now, thanks to a viral post and a heartfelt fundraiser, Ed’s life is changing in ways he never imagined. More than $1.2 million has been raised in his name — all of it going directly toward helping him cover living expenses, medical care, and hopefully, for the first time in years, a little rest. The man behind the campaign wrote, “Ed fought for his country, he worked his whole life, and now it’s our turn to fight for him.” And fight, they did. Tens of thousands of people shared Ed’s story, moved by the image of a man who never complained, never stopped working, and never asked for help — even when the system failed him. “Too many of our seniors, especially veterans, face incredible challenges just to survive,” the post reads. “Let’s show Ed that the same bravery and commitment he gave to his country and community does not go unnoticed.” The outpouring has stunned Ed, who reportedly never expected his story to resonate so widely. But for many, Ed represents something bigger: the quiet struggles of elderly workers, the forgotten promises to veterans, and the simple power of human connection. In a time when outrage often dominates the headlines, it’s a moment of compassion that caught fire. The GoFundMe page continues to grow, with donations pouring in alongside messages of support and gratitude. Strangers from around the world are sending love, prayers, and thanks to a man they’ve never met — but feel like they know. Because Ed could be anyone’s grandfather. His story is personal for all of us. And that’s why it’s resonating. As one donor wrote: “You remind me of my dad. He would’ve kept working too. Thank you for everything you’ve done. Now let us take care of you.” It’s still unclear how Ed plans to use the money, but one thing is certain — he won’t have to keep working unless he wants to. After a lifetime of service and sacrifice, he’s finally being given something in return: peace of mind, a bit of rest, and the knowledge that his country hasn’t forgotten him after all.

Japanese Scientists Develop Quieter Dental Drills To Reduce Anxiety

The dreaded high-pitched whine of a dental drill may soon be a thing of the past. A team of Japanese scientists is developing quieter, less anxiety-inducing dental drills, using supercomputers and simulations to better understand and reduce the sound that many patients fear the most. The research is being led by Dr. Tomomi Yamada, a dentist and assistant professor at the University of Osaka’s graduate school of dentistry. She says the motivation came from personal experience. “Originally, I was doing research on dental materials,” she said, “but I realized that almost no one — not even dentists — was tackling this sound problem scientifically.” Dental drills are powered by compressed air and spin at around 320,000 revolutions per minute. That speed generates a piercing, high-frequency sound that can reach nearly 20 kilohertz, making it especially uncomfortable for some patients. It's even been linked to odontophobia — a fear of dental procedures — which prevents many people, especially children, from getting proper dental care. To tackle the problem, Dr. Yamada’s team used Japan’s flagship supercomputer to run large-scale aeroacoustic simulations. These allowed the researchers to map how air flows through and around the drill — both internally and externally — and how that airflow creates noise. The result? A detailed visual model of the drill’s soundscape. “Our research showed that just making the drill quieter isn’t enough to make the sound less unpleasant,” Dr. Yamada said. “What really matters is improving its sound quality.” That distinction is key. The frequency and tone of the sound affect how people perceive it, and how much discomfort it causes. In addition to the simulations, the team ran listening tests to measure psychological responses to the drill noise. They tested both adults and children, and found that younger patients were more sensitive to the high-pitched sounds, often describing them as louder and more unpleasant than adult listeners did. “This indicates that children’s fear of dental sounds is not merely psychological but also physiological in nature,” Dr. Yamada explained. “Children truly hear these sounds differently, so their fear of dental treatment is a genuine sensory response, not just imagination.” That finding could shift how dentists and manufacturers think about sound in dental tools, especially when it comes to treating younger patients. Dr. Yamada’s team is now working to re-engineer the drill itself — modifying the blade geometry and the exhaust port — to reduce noise without compromising performance. But it’s not as simple as just dampening the sound. “To get the dental industry to adopt the new technology,” she said, “achieving a balance between the device’s performance and safety is key, as a quieter drill won’t necessarily get the job done.” Next steps include forming partnerships with manufacturers and moving toward commercialization. But before the new design can go mainstream, it must pass strict regulatory and durability tests. Dr. Yamada presented the team’s findings at a joint meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan in Honolulu, Hawaii. If the project succeeds, future visits to the dentist — especially for kids — may come with a little less noise and a lot less fear.

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How Angel Tree Programs are Spreading Holiday Cheer Across Canada, and Helping Those in Need

Across Canada, holiday trees are being decorated not with lights and tinsel, but with paper tags carrying names, ages, and wish lists from children and seniors in need. They’re part of a growing network of “angel trees”—a seasonal tradition that connects donors with people who could use a little extra help at Christmas. The idea is simple. Take a tag from the tree, shop for the listed items, then return the gifts to the organization behind the campaign. The result: thousands of families receiving something they might not otherwise have under the tree. And thanks to social media, these programs have taken off. Angel trees now pop up in malls, grocery stores, churches, and even in online registries. Here’s a quick look at some of the ways Canadians are taking part. Salvation Army The Salvation Army has been part of angel tree efforts for years, typically placing their trees in high-traffic spots like malls and retail stores. In 2024, the group’s Edmonton branch collected 2,071 toys through its Toy Angel Program. “Every child deserves to experience the joy of Christmas morning,” the organization says on its website. Availability varies by region, so local chapters may run slightly different versions of the program. Contact your nearest Salvation Army to find out if there’s one in your area. Prison Fellowship Canada This angel tree program takes a slightly different approach. Instead of traditional donations, it connects children with gifts from a parent who is currently incarcerated. “Through this program, children not only receive a gift under the tree at Christmas but maintain connections and bonds with their incarcerated parent,” the organization says. Last year, Prison Fellowship Canada says it supported 4,904 children, with help from 2,009 sponsors and 117 participating churches. People can sign up to sponsor a child online. Lethbridge Family Services In Alberta, Lethbridge Family Services has run an angel tree campaign every year since 1992. Donors can select an “angel” online, or get more details through the charity’s website. The group coordinates gift collection and distribution in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold In Ontario, Community Care’s “Adopt an Angel” program focuses on toys and winter gear. They’re looking for new, unwrapped gifts for kids aged 0 to 12. The campaign encourages locals to pitch in by either donating items or spreading the word. More info is available on their website. BGC Ottawa Formerly part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, BGC Ottawa’s angel tree program aims to support around 2,000 children and teens each holiday season. They accept both physical gifts and monetary donations for kids aged six to 18. Highland Shores Children’s Aid Society This Ontario-based angel tree drive serves Hastings, Prince Edward, and Northumberland counties. Donations can take the form of money, toys, or gift cards. People can also sign up to sponsor specific children or families by fulfilling wish lists or hosting their own toy drive. Caring and Sharing Food Bank In Nova Scotia, the Caring and Sharing Food Bank places angel trees in businesses across Lantz, Enfield, and Elmsdale. The trees display individual wish lists, and donors can also choose to support a whole family. The group helps with food, gifts, and other holiday essentials. Whether it's through a local food bank, a church, or a national charity, angel trees continue to bring people together at one of the busiest and most financially stressful times of year. The gestures may be small—a toy truck, a winter coat, a gift card—but for families receiving them, the impact can be enormous.

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Massive Christmas Tree Created Using 100,000 Balloons

A Christmas tree made of 100,000 balloons is turning heads in Birmingham — and raising thousands for charity at the same time. The towering 7.6-metre (25-foot) tall tree is being hailed as the UK’s first balloon-based Christmas tree. It sits inside a giant custom-built snow globe on the grounds of Moor Hall Hotel & Spa in Sutton Coldfield, where it will remain on public display until January 6. It took 20 volunteers five days to complete the inflatable feat, which was the brainchild of balloon artist Naomi Spencer. Her goal? Raise £100,000 for a group of local charities by offering people the chance to sponsor balloons or baubles in memory of loved ones. “This has never been done in the UK before,” said Spencer, who owns Balloon Colour Blending. “People don’t realize the scale of building a balloon Christmas tree.” The project came with major logistical hurdles. The team needed engineers, balloon blowers, and designers working together to build the custom frame, pattern the layers, and coordinate the inflation and placement of every balloon — all 100,000 of them. Even the globe itself had to be specially made. “We brought together 100,000 biodegradable balloons, precision engineering and a bespoke globe to create something magical — and all while supporting vital local charities,” Spencer said. Visitors can sponsor a single balloon for £2.50, a memorial balloon for £10, or a branded bauble for £125. All proceeds go to 10 UK charities: The Luca Foundation, Acorns Children’s Hospice, Smile for Joel, Kids Village, Buddy Bag Foundation, Tabor Living, KIDS, Black Country Women’s Aid, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham’s Charity, and Help Harry Help Others. Spencer said the fundraising aspect was just as important as the build itself. “We had a massive team,” she said. “We had engineers, blowers and a design team.” She came up with the idea as a way to give back during the holidays, combining her technical know-how with a bit of festive spectacle. The result is one of the largest and most intricate balloon sculptures the UK has ever seen — and one that’s making a real difference for families in need. The tree is now open to visitors, who are encouraged to take photos, make a donation, or dedicate a balloon in someone’s name. The installation will remain in place until the end of the festive season.

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Scientists Create Ultrablack Fabric Inspired by Bird Feathers — and Use It to Make a Dress

The classic little black dress just got a high-tech makeover. A team at Cornell University has created the darkest fabric ever made — a soft, wearable textile that reflects just 0.13% of light, earning it the title of “ultrablack.” The breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, merges fashion with science and takes its cues from nature’s original masters of dark style: magnificent riflebirds. Riflebirds, native to New Guinea and known for their striking courtship dances, sport feathers so black they seem to swallow light. That illusion is more than just pigment — it’s a trick of structure. The birds' feathers contain layers of tiny barbules that bounce and trap light, enhancing the depth of blackness. And now, researchers have managed to mimic that same optical magic in fabric. “The light basically bounces back and forth between the fibrils, instead of reflecting back out — that’s what creates the ultrablack effect,” explained Hansadi Jayamaha, lead author and Ph.D. student in Cornell’s Department of Human-Centered Design. To replicate the birds’ plumage, the team dyed white merino wool with polydopamine, a synthetic melanin that mimics the natural pigment found in the birds. Then, they used plasma etching — a technique more common in electronics — to carve nanoscale structures into the fabric, giving it the same light-trapping qualities found in riflebird feathers. The result? A soft, breathable, stretchable textile that’s blacker than any other fabric on record — and one that stays black no matter the angle you view it from. “From a design perspective, I think it’s exciting because a lot of the ultrablack that exists isn’t really as wearable as ours,” said Larissa Shepherd, the project’s senior author and a materials scientist at Cornell. “And it stays ultrablack even from wider angles.” That’s a big deal. Previous attempts at creating ultrablack materials — including one that reflected just 0.005% of light — involved toxic, fragile, or rigid substances that made them impractical for clothing or everyday use. This new textile, by contrast, is flexible and safe, opening the door to a range of real-world applications. The team showcased its discovery with a nod to fashion history: they used the fabric to sew a tiny black dress, adding a flash of iridescent blue in tribute to the riflebirds that inspired it. Beyond fashion, the material could have serious implications for industries like aerospace, solar energy, and optical engineering. Ultrablack materials are highly sought after for use in telescopes, cameras, and solar panels, where reducing stray light can dramatically boost performance. But it's not just about optics. The fabric is also a case study in biomimicry — the practice of looking to nature for engineering inspiration. By studying how birds achieve one of the darkest colors in the natural world, researchers found a way to solve a challenge that has long frustrated materials scientists. Ultrablack, in this context, isn’t just a color — it’s a measure of how little light is reflected. Anything that reflects less than 0.5% of incoming light qualifies. Riflebird feathers, and now this fabric, hit that mark effortlessly. That makes it not just dark to the eye, but almost invisible under certain lighting conditions. The team has already filed for provisional patent protection and hopes to bring the material to market soon. For now, the little ultrablack dress stands as proof of concept — and a striking example of how science can be as stylish as it is functional.

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Here's How You Can Witness Back-to-Back Northern Lights Displays This Week

Skywatchers, mark your calendars — the aurora borealis may be putting on a rare holiday-season show this week, thanks to a powerful solar flare and a burst of energy hurtling toward Earth. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) say the northern lights could become visible on Wednesday night, Dec. 3, and continue into the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 4, across parts of the northern U.S. and upper Midwest. The spark? A recent X2-class solar flare — one of the strongest categories — and a coronal mass ejection (CME), both of which erupted from the sun on Monday. When those charged solar particles reach Earth, they interact with the planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere, creating the vibrant green, purple, and red waves known as auroras. According to SpaceWeather.com, the CME may “graze our planet on Dec. 2,” possibly scooping up a solar wind stream in the process — which could boost the impact and trigger a stronger geomagnetic storm. What kind of aurora activity is expected? NOAA is currently forecasting a G2 geomagnetic storm, which is considered moderate. If conditions line up just right, there's a chance it could briefly intensify to G3, a strong-level storm that dramatically increases aurora visibility across more of the U.S. Where might the northern lights be visible? If the storm remains at G2 strength, look north from states like: • Alaska • Washington • Idaho • Montana • North and South Dakota • Minnesota • Wisconsin • Michigan • New York • Maine If it hits G3 levels, the lights could dip farther south and be visible in parts of: • Oregon • Nebraska • Iowa • Illinois • Indiana • Ohio • Pennsylvania • Vermont • New Hampshire • Massachusetts Best tips for seeing the aurora: • Head away from city lights. Find a dark, open spot with a clear view of the northern horizon. • Check real-time alerts on NOAA’s aurora dashboard or use apps like Aurora Now, My Aurora Forecast, or Glendale Aurora. • Be patient. Auroras can fade in and out, so give yourself plenty of time. No fancy gear? No problem. • On an iPhone, turn on Night Mode. • On Android, switch to Pro Mode. • Turn off the flash, hold your phone steady (or use a tripod), and let your camera adjust. If you’re using a DSLR, go with a wide-angle lens, crank up the ISO, and try longer exposure times to capture the subtle colors and swirling patterns. Whether you're in a northern state or just keeping an eye on the forecast, this week offers a rare chance to see one of nature’s most stunning shows — no airfare to the Arctic required.

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6,000-Year-Old Tools and Medieval Ruins Were Just Unearthed Beneath the UK Parliament

Archaeologists digging beneath the Palace of Westminster — home to the UK Parliament — have uncovered a sweeping record of human activity that stretches from prehistoric toolmakers to Victorian stonemasons. The discoveries, made by the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) as part of Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal Program, include 6,000-year-old flint tools, remnants of a long-lost medieval hall, Roman-era artifacts, and even 19th-century beer jugs and tobacco pipes. “The Palace of Westminster has been a central part of our national story for a thousand years,” said Simon Thurley, chair of the program’s Delivery Authority. “As we plan for its restoration, we must tread softly on the history beneath our feet.” Prehistoric London, revealed Among the most surprising finds were 60 pieces of prehistoric flint, including a tool and sharp-edged flakes used in tool-making. Dating to around 4300 BCE — the late Mesolithic or early Neolithic period — the fragments were discovered in sand deposits that once formed part of Thorney Island, a raised area along the River Thames that attracted early human settlement. “While research suggested we might find traces of early human activity on the site, I was surprised to discover direct evidence of flint tool-making,” said Diane Abrams, archaeology lead for the Delivery Authority. “Finding prehistoric remains in central London is incredibly rare.” Researchers believe the site may have been used by early inhabitants for fishing, hunting, and gathering, adding a new layer to London’s deep past. Medieval halls and fiery ruins The excavation also revealed substantial remains of Lesser Hall, a two-story building constructed in 1167. Originally a royal dining space, it later housed various legal courts, including the Court of Chancery and the Court of Requests, and was even used at times by the House of Commons and House of Lords. One of the hall’s roles, through the Court of Requests, was to hear civil petitions from poor citizens and royal servants — essentially a venue for those without the means to access other courts. In 1834, while functioning as the temporary seat of the House of Lords, the Lesser Hall was engulfed in what became known as the Great Fire of 1834. Yet the excavation found that large portions of the stone walls survived the blaze and that the building was reroofed and used until its demolition in 1851. “The Lesser Hall walls are the most significant discovery of the current archaeological investigations,” the program noted in a statement, offering “vital insights into the layout and survival of historic structures beneath the modern palace.” Abrams called the survival of the building “one of the most exciting and unexpected” finds of the dig. Roman altars and leather shoes Other notable discoveries include a fragment of a 2,000-year-old Roman altar, likely reused in a later building, and an assortment of medieval personal items: 800-year-old shoe soles, leather straps, a boot, and a heart-shaped badge from the 14th or 15th century — possibly worn as a token of love. The 19th-century layers of the site revealed more recent relics: broken clay tobacco pipes likely used by stonemasons rebuilding after the fire, and a large five-pint beer jug marked with “Ship and Turtle Tavern” and “Geo Painter,” referring to the tavern and its owner at the time. Together, these finds “reveal a remarkable timeline of human activity on this iconic site,” Abrams said, adding that the discoveries will help guide the sensitive restoration of the aging Parliament buildings. Before being reburied for preservation, many of the remains — including the Lesser Hall — were carefully documented and turned into 3D models. As Parliament prepares for extensive restoration, the archaeology beneath its foundations serves as a reminder: Britain’s seat of power is also a layered time capsule, preserving stories that stretch back thousands of years.

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Kenya's Inked Sisterhood Challenges Gender Norms, Empowering Women Bikers

Every weekend in Nairobi, a striking scene plays out. Dozens of women swap their office heels and work uniforms for leather jackets, biker boots, and helmets — revving their motorcycles and heading out as a pack. They call themselves the Inked Sisterhood. Formed in 2017 out of a Nairobi riding school, the group has become one of Kenya’s fastest-growing female biker communities. Its members come from all walks of life: scientists, lawyers, civil servants, and marketing executives. What started as a space for women to feel less outnumbered on the road has grown into something bigger — a community built around freedom, friendship, and challenging stereotypes. “Over the years, we've grown to having over a hundred members,” says Lucy Monyenye, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya who also helps coordinate the group. “The numbers keep growing and reducing just because at times life happens.” To keep things organized, the Sisterhood officially registered the club. “For continuity purposes,” Monyenye says, “so that we can have some form of institutional memory around the club.” Their presence is impossible to miss. What was once considered a masculine pursuit has become, for these women, a symbol of independence — and a break from daily routine. “Among ourselves, if someone's had a baby or someone's going through something and things are tough, we visit the family,” says Amanda Khamati, a marketing consultant and rider. “So apart from just biking, we socialise, we hang out together.” The bike rides are about more than just speed or adrenaline. For many, it's about reclaiming a sense of power. “When I sit on a motorbike, I feel powerful,” says scientist Kisianan Kenana. “Of course everyone thinks riding is for men, and I am one of those women who are here to show you that everyone can do it.” Still, gender stereotypes remain stubbornly in place. “Most people think being a female biker you're slower than the men, you can't do long distances, you get tired quickly, and also you're a tomboy,” Kenana says. “You're stubborn, and you just love adrenaline. Yes, the last part might be true, but the rest...” She shakes her head and laughs. But perspectives are starting to shift. Michael Othieno, a tax consultant and fellow motorbike enthusiast, has seen the change up close. “The difference between women and us is that the women seek out training more and more and more, a lot more, and have become better at it,” he says. “So much so that when they remove their helmet and you actually see there's dreadlocks or there's braids under that helmet, you can really tell that they've taken it up and they're as good as men — some even better.” Beyond the social side, the Inked Sisterhood has a community mission. The group has helped promote road safety and organised charity rides, tree planting sessions, memorial events, and mixed-gender awareness campaigns. In a country where public roads have often been seen as unsafe or unwelcoming spaces for women, the Sisterhood isn’t just riding — it’s leading. Every time they kick up their kickstands, they’re making a point: This space is for everyone.

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This School Bus Driver Knits Hats For Every Student On Her Route, Spreading Warmth and Love

For more than a decade, Tina Hutcherson has safely driven kids to school in the Putnam City School District in Oklahoma. But this winter, she’s doing more than just making sure they get there on time — she’s making sure they stay warm, too. At 63, Hutcherson has been knitting and crocheting since she was 12. When her daughter recently gifted her a new knitting machine for her birthday, Hutcherson immediately put it to good use. The machine cuts her time to just 30 minutes per hat — fast enough that she decided to make one for every student who rides her bus. “I said, oh Lord, I’m gonna make every one of them babies on the bus a hat,” she told KOCO News 5. “I just don’t want nobody to be without, especially when they're riding with me.” Hutcherson drives about 100 students to school each day, from elementary through high school. So far, she’s handed out 25 hats to her youngest riders — and they’ve responded with hand-written thank-you notes. Each student gets to choose their own colors, and the hats are reversible. Hutcherson calls them her “bus babies,” and they’re the heart of the project. “I got enough yarn to make any hats I wanna make, and colors,” she said. “I’ve been stocking up since I was 12. So if these kids need a hat, coat, I like making ponchos for them, I don’t care — they’re gonna get it.” For Hutcherson, it’s not just about staying warm. It’s about making sure the kids feel loved. According to Nonprofit Quarterly, two out of every five children in the U.S. are clothing-insecure, meaning they may not have access to season-appropriate clothes or the right sizes. Hutcherson is doing what she can to close that gap — one stitch at a time. “I just hope they take away that somebody loves 'em, and that’s all,” she said. “And if they don’t have any love at home, they gonna get on this bus in the morning… they always know they can always talk to me about anything. I want them to be safe.” Hutcherson shares photos of her creations on Facebook, sometimes posting other hats she’s made for coworkers or community members. But the ones she knits for her morning route hold a special place in her heart. “I’m so happy with my knitting machine for helping me with this project for my good babies on my morning route,” she wrote in one post. “I’m hoping they will use them and keep their heads warm for winter.” In another post, she added simply: “I’m praying for all the [families] that are having hard times these days. Love is in the air.”

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NASA is Testing a Drone In Death Valley, Prepares For Martian Exploration

When NASA engineers want to design new ways to explore Mars, they first have to simulate the Red Planet here on Earth — extreme heat, barren terrain, and all. That’s why this year, teams from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other centers hauled experimental hardware into the desert to test how it might perform millions of kilometers away. The tests, which ranged from autonomous drones in Death Valley to robot dogs in New Mexico, are part of 25 technologies funded by NASA’s Mars Exploration Program in 2025. Each one aims to help future robotic missions — or astronauts — navigate, explore, and survive on Mars more effectively than ever before. One of the main challenges on the Red Planet is featureless terrain, like endless sand dunes. These surfaces are difficult for flying robots to navigate because they don’t offer enough visual markers for their onboard cameras to track movement. That problem became real for NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter, which flew its final mission earlier this year after logging 72 flights on Mars. Toward the end, Ingenuity’s navigation system struggled over smooth dunes. “Ingenuity was designed to fly over well-textured terrain,” said Roland Brockers, a JPL researcher and drone pilot. “But eventually it had to cross over blander areas where this became hard. We want future vehicles to be more versatile.” To tackle that, Brockers and a team from JPL tested an upgraded drone navigation system called Extended Robust Aerial Autonomy in California’s Death Valley and Mojave Desert — places known for their brutal heat and Mars-like landscape. Only the third research team ever licensed to fly drones in Death Valley, the group endured 45°C heat while running software trials on three drones. They tested different camera filters and algorithms to help the drones better track ground movement and avoid unsafe landings in cluttered areas like rocky outcrops. The findings are already paying off. “Field tests give you a much more comprehensive perspective than solely looking at computer models,” said JPL geologist Nathan Williams. “Scientifically interesting features aren’t always located in the most benign places, so we want to be prepared to explore even more challenging terrains than Ingenuity did.” NASA has a long history of testing Mars hardware in deserts. The twin Viking landers were prepped in Death Valley in the 1970s. A component of the Perseverance rover’s precision landing system was flight-tested over the same dunes. The agency even nicknamed one site “Mars Hill” for its Mars-like topography. Meanwhile, another NASA team took a four-legged robot into the field this year. At White Sands National Park in New Mexico, researchers from Johnson Space Center tested LASSIE-M — a doglike robot built to scout unstable terrain. Equipped with sensors in its legs, LASSIE-M can detect surface changes — loose sand, hard crust, soft rock — and adjust its gait accordingly. That gives it the ability to cover terrain too dangerous for traditional wheeled rovers and search for spots with scientific potential. Out east, at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia, engineers have been testing a completely different kind of robot — one that flies fast and far. It’s called MERF, short for Mars Electric Reusable Flyer. Unlike Ingenuity, which hovered like a helicopter, MERF is built for range and speed. It’s essentially one large wing with twin propellers and no tail or fuselage, designed to fly fast and skim the Martian surface while mapping features below. The prototype, currently at half-scale, is roughly the length of a small school bus when fully deployed. Testing has focused on how the robot handles high speeds, vertical takeoffs, and lightweight materials crucial to flying in Mars’ thin atmosphere. Other projects in the Mars Exploration Program include next-gen sampling gear, drills, and power systems — all part of a broader push to make Mars exploration more autonomous and more ambitious. “It’s incredibly exciting to see scientists using Death Valley as a proving ground for space exploration,” said Mike Reynolds, superintendent of Death Valley National Park. “It’s a powerful reminder that the park is protected not just for its scenic beauty, but as a living laboratory.” NASA’s goal isn’t just to explore Mars better — it’s to let robots explore it on their own, learning and adapting in real time. That means building tech that can operate in the worst terrain, in the harshest conditions, with no one around to fix it. And to do that, the best place to start is still here on Earth — under the scorching sun, surrounded by sand, with a laptop under a canopy and a drone in the sky.

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