Fast Facts

• NASA’s key 70-meter Deep Space Network antenna at Goldstone was seriously damaged due to “over-rotation” in September 2025.
• Russia’s first AI-powered humanoid robot, AIdol, suffered a public demo meltdown, highlighting the challenges of robotics development.
• AI companies are using real estate “walk-through” videos and chore-recording footage to train domestic robots for life in human homes.
• European astronauts may someday eat protein powder made from their own urine, as part of closed-loop life support systems for deep space missions.

Space Giants Brought Down by Simple Mistakes

Imagine a giant ear, tuned to the whispers of distant planets, suddenly silenced by a twist too far. That’s the fate of NASA’s DSS-14, the “Mars Antenna” at Goldstone, California, a 70-meter wide behemoth crucial to the Deep Space Network. For decades, this trio of global dishes - at Goldstone, Madrid, and Canberra - has been the lifeline to humanity’s far-flung space probes, from moon landers to interstellar voyagers.

But in September 2025, a routine maneuver went awry. According to NASA, the antenna was “over-rotated,” likely spinning past the physical limits of its azimuth axis. The result? Cables and pipes at the heart of the structure were wrenched and wound tight, putting the dish out of commission. In an era when Mars missions and lunar projects are ramping up, losing a node in this fragile chain is a blow that ripples across the entire space program. Similar mishaps - often blamed on software glitches, operator error, or mechanical failures - have sidelined critical infrastructure before, but rarely one so central to global science.

AI Robots: Still Not Ready for Prime Time

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Russia’s unveiling of its first AI-powered humanoid robot, AIdol, turned into a slapstick spectacle. The robot’s debut was a parade of stumbles, faceplants, and failed attempts to save face - literally. The event, meant to showcase Russian tech prowess, instead highlighted just how far even the most advanced bots are from matching the fluidity and reliability of human movement.

The challenges of robotics are not just about flashy demos. Behind the scenes, armies of workers like Naveen Kumar spend their days recording themselves folding towels or performing chores, GoPro cameras strapped to their heads. This footage is fed into machine learning systems, teaching AI the subtle art of daily life. Even more quietly, real estate “walk-through” videos - originally meant to sell homes - are now being mined to help robots learn to navigate the cluttered, unpredictable world of human houses. It’s a reminder: the AI revolution is built on the backs (and living rooms) of millions, with privacy and consent as uneasy afterthoughts.

From Space Food to Biohacks: The Human Cost of Innovation

As if astronauts didn’t have enough to deal with, European space scientists are now trialing “Solein,” a protein powder that could one day be made from their own urine. The process, which uses microbes and electricity to turn urea into edible protein, is a radical experiment in closed-loop life support. It’s a vision of the future where nothing is wasted - but also a stark reminder of the lengths we’ll go to survive beyond Earth.

WIKICROOK

• Deep Space Network (DSN): The Deep Space Network (DSN) is NASA’s global array of large radio antennas that enable communication with spacecraft exploring deep space.
• Azimuth Axis: The azimuth axis is the horizontal pivot of a dish antenna, allowing it to turn left or right to track objects or signals across the sky.
• Humanoid Robot: A humanoid robot is a machine built to look and act like a human, with arms, legs, and the ability to interact with people naturally.
• Machine Learning: Machine learning is a form of AI that lets computers learn from data, improving their predictions or actions without explicit programming.
• Closed: Closed describes systems or environments that are isolated from external networks, reducing risks by limiting outside access and potential security threats.