It's been a busy week for Elon Musk, with events ranging from celestial mix-ups to debates within the hallowed halls of the Royal Society. Here's a quick rundown of the latest news.
Roadster's Close Encounter (of the Misclassified Kind)
Remember Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster, launched into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket back in 2018? Well, it recently had a brief moment of mistaken identity. The Minor Planet Center (MPC) erroneously classified the car as a near-Earth asteroid. Yes, you read that right! For a few fleeting hours, Starman's ride was considered a potential space rock.
The error was quickly identified and corrected, but the incident raises important questions. How easily can we misidentify objects in space? And what does this say about the challenges of tracking space debris, a growing concern as our orbit becomes increasingly crowded?
"The incident highlights growing concerns about the tracking of space debris and the complexities involved in monitoring objects orbiting the Earth."
The MPC's quick correction is a testament to their vigilance, but it also serves as a reminder of the complexities of space monitoring.
Royal Society Stays the Course
Meanwhile, back on Earth, a different kind of drama was unfolding. The Royal Society, one of the world's most prestigious scientific institutions, held a meeting to discuss a rather sensitive topic: the behavior of one of its fellows, Elon Musk.
A petition signed by over 3,400 scientists, including Nobel laureates, called for Musk's expulsion, citing concerns about his undermining of scientific integrity. The petition referenced his past role in the Trump administration's "department of government efficiency" (Doge), as well as his attacks on public scientists like Anthony Fauci.
Despite the outcry, the Royal Society decided to retain Musk as a member. This decision has sparked further controversy, with some members resigning in protest. Kit Yates, a former fellow, wrote a scathing critique, stating: "Elon Musk is a proven danger to good science, but the Royal Society won’t say so. That’s why I resigned."
The Royal Society, founded in 1660, has a long and storied history of promoting scientific excellence. The decision to keep Musk on board raises questions about the Society's commitment to upholding its standards in the face of controversy.
Whether you agree with the Royal Society's decision or not, it's clear that Elon Musk continues to be a figure who provokes strong opinions and sparks important conversations about science, technology, and society.