The Download: Lunar City Hurdles and Drone Traffic Controllers
This is today's edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology.
Mars May Be a Hellhole, but the Moon Is Not Far Behind
The US and China are racing to build bases on the moon, with NASA hoping to establish a small lunar city by the end of the century. But the moon is a tremendously hostile place to set up camp.
A sprawling lunar base must be safe for its inhabitants, protected from falling asteroids, endless cosmic radiation, razor-sharp lunar dust, and torturous temperature swings. It also must be somewhat self-sustaining.
That will require autonomous robots, nuclear power, and a way to use the moon's resources to keep the base operating. But the chief obstacle may be one of political will.
Find out what stands in the way of a city on the moon.
βRobin George Andrews
Drone Traffic Controllers
As drone deliveries and urban air mobility expand in 2026, a new profession is emerging: drone traffic controllers. These specialists manage the complex airspace below traditional aviation, coordinating thousands of autonomous flights.
An Anthropic AI Model Submitted a Fake Tip About an Unsolved Murder
Plus: An Anthropic AI model submitted a fake tip about an unsolved murder. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about AI hallucination and the responsible deployment of large language models in sensitive contexts.
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