Apr 17, 2017

NASA plans 360-degree live stream of Tuesday's rocket launch

Ina Fried, author of Login

United Launch Allaince

If you've ever wanted to get close to a rocket launch, NASA is offering a new way to do so.

For the first time, the space agency is broadcasting a launch live in 360-degree video. The 360-degree live stream is scheduled to start 10 minutes before liftoff on NASA's YouTube channel. The launch of an International Space Station resupply ship is targeted for some time in a 30-minute window that starts around 11:11 a.m. ET. At the moment, the weather forecast looks good, with a 90 percent chance of favorable launch conditions.

While you can view the launch from a computer or standard mobile device, a virtual reality headset offers the best opportunity to feel like you are right there at Cape Canaveral.

Why it matters: Virtual Reality headsets hold the promise of allowing people to put themselves in places they would never normally be. Being able to be on a rocket launch pad is a perfect example of that.

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Updated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 5:45 p.m. ET: 5,763,122 — Total deaths: 358,235 — Total recoveries — 2,389,735 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 5:45 p.m. ET: 1,715,811 — Total deaths: 101,337 — Total recoveries: 391,508 — Total tested: 15,192,481 — Map.
Public health: The mystery of coronavirus superspreaders.
Congress: Pelosi slams McConnell on stimulus delay — Sen. Tim Kaine and wife test positive for coronavirus antibodies.
Education: Science fairs are going virtual, and some online elements may become permanent.
Axios on HBO: Science fiction writers tell us how they see the coronavirus pandemic.
🏃‍♀️Sports: Boston Marathon canceled after initial postponement, asks runners to go virtual.
What should I do? When you can be around others after contracting the coronavirus — Traveling, asthma, dishes, disinfectants and being contagious — Masks, lending books and self-isolating — Exercise, laundry, what counts as soap — Pets, moving and personal health — Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — How to minimize your risk.
Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it, the right mask to wear.

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2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Minnesota activates National Guard amid fallout from George Floyd death

A portrait of George Floyd hangs on a street light pole in Minneapolis. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

George Floyd, 46, moved to Minnesota to improve his life and become his "best self," but instead, he is dead because of Minneapolis police.

The latest: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a state of emergency and activated the state's National Guard in response to violent clashes over the past two days between police and protesters in the Twin Cities.

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2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Trump signs executive order targeting protections for social media platforms

President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday designed to limit the legal protections that shield social media companies from liability for the content users post on their platforms.

What they're saying: "Currently, social media giants like Twitter receive an unprecedented liability shield based on the theory that they are a neutral platform, which they are not," Trump said in the Oval Office. "We are fed up with it. It is unfair, and it's been very unfair."

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