Tech
Perseverance gets its robotic hand on a sample that’s out of this world
Earth receives its first piece of mars after NASA’s rover successfully drills a hole into brief-case-sized rock “Rochette”.
NASA’s Perseverance Rover gets its first taste of mars, after collecting a sample of Martian rock from the core of Jezero Crater yesterday.
The sample which is slightly thicker than a pencil was detected after controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California received data from the space-age device.
Now enclosed in a titanium sample tube, NASA is working with the European Space Agency to return the sample back to earth for further studies in what will be a world first.
Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator says the discovery comes as a win for the agency.
“NASA has a history of setting ambitious goals and then accomplishing them, reflecting our nation’s commitment to discovery and innovation,” Nelson says.
“This is a momentous achievement and I can’t wait to see the incredible discoveries produced by Perseverance and our team.”
Breaking down the process
The process to obtain the sample is nothing short of out of this world.
The Martian rock was obtained after Perseverance’s robotic arm drilled into “brief-case-sized rock” coined “Rochette”, with mission controllers watching the process through a camera.
A series of photos were also taken before the sample was safely tucked away in the rover’s cargo.
Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters in Washington, says this moment is truly historic for NASA.
“Just as the Apollo Moon missions demonstrated the enduring scientific value of returning samples…we will be doing the same with the samples Perseverance collects as part of our Mars Sample Return program,” Zurbuchen says.
“Using the most sophisticated science instruments on Earth, we expect jaw-dropping discoveries across a broad set of science areas, including exploration into the question of whether life once existed on Mars.”
Perseverance’s key mission is to study astrobiology on mars, particularly looking for signs of life.
The planet’s climate, geology and past climate will also be assessed as NASA paves the way for human exploration on the Red Planet.
For further updates
NASA will hold a virtual meeting addressing the media on Friday to provide an update on the rover’s process and sampling procedures.
The event will be livestreamed on NASA Television, the NASA app, the agency’s website, and multiple agency social media platforms.
Written by Rebecca Borg
Tech
TSMC posts record profits on AI chip boom
TSMC posts record Q4 profit, driven by strong chip demand, exceeding predictions and signaling market dominance.
TSMC posts record Q4 profit, driven by strong chip demand, exceeding predictions and signaling market dominance.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has posted a record net profit for the fourth quarter, driven by strong demand for advanced chips.
Net profit surged 35% year-on-year, exceeding analyst expectations and signalling a dominant position in the semiconductor market.
Quarterly revenue also rose 20.5% compared to last year, supported by robust sales in AI and high-performance computing segments. The company’s success reflects the growing global appetite for cutting-edge semiconductor technology.
Looking ahead, TSMC plans to ramp up capital expenditure, projecting investments of up to $56 billion in 2026. The positive results have sparked an upbeat reaction across global markets, highlighting TSMC’s influence in the tech sector.
Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker
#TSMC #Semiconductors #AIChips #TechNews #HighPerformanceComputing #StockMarket #QuarterlyEarnings #TechInvesting
Tech
X restricts Grok AI as global backlash grows
X restricts Grok AI from creating sexualized images amid global backlash and regulatory concerns, aligning with UK guidelines.
X restricts Grok AI from creating sexualized images amid global backlash and regulatory concerns, aligning with UK guidelines.
X has announced new restrictions on its Grok AI chatbot, preventing it from generating sexualized images of women amid mounting criticism and regulatory scrutiny worldwide.
The move comes after concerns over non-consensual image manipulation sparked widespread backlash from users, advocacy groups, and authorities.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the platform’s latest changes align with British law, as Ofcom launches a formal investigation to determine whether X has violated the Online Safety Act.
Regulators are closely monitoring the situation, highlighting growing global concerns about the ethical use of AI in image generation. Critics have argued that X’s initial measures were insufficient and did not adequately address the risks associated with sexualized AI content.
The controversy has also prompted action in Southeast Asia. Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked access to Grok entirely, citing the platform’s potential to generate inappropriate content.
Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@UCiMroZIXuwlSh1r5wZdeU6Q
#GrokAI #XPlatform #AIRegulation #OnlineSafety #KeirStarmer #AIControversy #TechNews #DigitalEthics
Tech
AI drives memory prices higher as SK hynix and TSMC expand
Explore the rising global memory market driven by AI demand and hear insights from Brad Gastwirth on industry trends.
Explore the rising global memory market driven by AI demand and hear insights from Brad Gastwirth on industry trends.
The global memory market is on the rise, with prices climbing steadily thanks to booming AI infrastructure demand.
Companies like SK hynix and TSMC are investing heavily in advanced packaging and new facilities to meet this unprecedented growth.
We speak with Brad Gastwirth from Circular Technologies about the forces behind this upward momentum. From the difference between AI-driven and consumer-driven demand to the increasing memory requirements per AI system, Brad breaks down the trends shaping the industry.
We also explore the implications of lean DRAM and NAND inventories, disciplined supply growth, and the challenges of expanding packaging capacity versus wafer fabrication. Tune in to understand why incremental demand surprises can have a huge impact on memory pricing.
Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker
#AIMemory #SKHynix #TSMC #TechInvesting #MemoryMarket #AIInfrastructure #Semiconductors #TickerNews
-
Ticker Views3 days agoGlobal power struggles and Arctic shipping risks
-
Leaders4 days ago
Sendle’s closure impacts Australia’s small business logistics
-
News5 days ago
Iran protests and the global fight for freedom
-
Money5 days ago
U.S. budget deficit falls to $1.67 trillion
-
Docos5 days ago
Trump threatens to take Greenland as NATO crisis erupts
-
News5 days ago
U.S. moves personnel from Qatar base amid Iran tensions
-
Tech5 days ago
X restricts Grok AI as global backlash grows
-
Tech4 days ago
TSMC posts record profits on AI chip boom
