Welcome to today’s edition of the Spiceworks Snap!
It’s your daily dose of security and tech news, in brief, along with a mix of other odd or interesting things that might come up. We’re glad you came.
Now, let’s jump right in…
Image by Suzanne from Spiceworks (AI-generated)
Flashback: July 9, 1981: Donkey Kong and Mario’s Birthday (Read more HERE.)
Flashback: July 9, 1982: Disney Releases Tron (Read more HERE.)
Security News:
• Ruckus Networks leaves severe flaws unpatched in management devices (Read more HERE.)
• Microsoft Patches 130 Vulnerabilities, Including Flaws in SPNEGO and SQL Server (Read more HERE.)
• Ivanti, Fortinet, Splunk Release Security Updates (Read more HERE.)
Something Spacey
Successful test of second-generation phased array antenna
According to Ars Technica:
"Northwood Space has completed initial testing of the second generation of its phased array antenna technology, which can simultaneously communicate with spacecraft across a range of orbits, from near Earth all the way out to geostationary space.
The prototype gateway was able to connect with several satellites in space during recent testing, said Bridgit Mendler, co-founder and chief executive of Northwood Space. . . . “This system, with planned multinational deployment this year, will be the first building block in our network that over the next three years aims to support 500 simultaneous spacecraft across multiple frequencies, data rates, and orbits,” she said.
The production-ready antenna system, which will be formally named Portal, is designed to connect with satellites in low-Earth, medium-Earth, and geostationary orbit. Mendler said it has demonstrated the ability to deliver 1 kW of transmit power and receive sub-picowatt signals. . . .
“The difficulty of testing satellite ground systems is the lag time between satellite passes as you wait for them to reach the right point in their orbit to pass overhead,” Mendler said. “We spent a few hours in the parking lot waiting for a pass to test with. Some team members brought out cots to rest on; others took naps in their cars. I ordered Taco Bell, and one of the engineers’ girlfriends brought homemade cookies.”
During the first couple of passes, the prototype had some difficulty acquiring a signal from a handful of passing satellites. There were some technical issues. After a couple more misfires, the prototype connected with a passing satellite. . . . As Northwood engineers continue to test the Portal hardware and software and prepare to move into production of the antennas, Mendler is focusing on identifying locations around the world to deploy the technology."
Learn more HERE.
Something Odd
World’s largest solar mural turns building into giant power generator
According to Interesting Engineering:
"The SunRise Building, a residential complex in Alberta, Canada, has established a Guinness World Record for the largest solar panel mural. The installation combines art with building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), contributing to the building’s energy supply. This project measures 34,500 square feet and provides 267 kW of solar capacity, powering the building’s common areas. . . .
This system incorporates solar cells behind custom artwork by Lance Cardinal, featuring an aluminum honeycomb core. The system includes an integrated rainscreen with an air and moisture barrier, continuous insulation, and versatile sub-framing. . . .
Mitrex conducted analyses to refine color selection, ensuring solar efficiency and maintaining façade integrity. A full budgetary assessment, energy analysis, and modeling were also performed to ensure performance and cost-effectiveness. . . .
The project exceeded its original goal for energy self-sufficiency. Mitrex projects that the SunRise project will save approximately $80,000 annually in energy costs starting from year five."
The pictures are pretty cool, if you want to check them out. 
Learn more HERE.
Something Interesting
Researchers Can Now Print Robots Too Small to See
According to ExtremeTech:
"A remarkable new study out of the University of Colorado in Boulder has not just created microscopic 3D constructs with precisely desired shapes, but it has further made these constructs controllable. It’s a breakthrough that could have big implications for doctors and microbiologists, in particular, who have always struggled to create tools that can act on the tiny features they study.
Up until very recently, any micro-scale active element available to scientists had exactly one origin: biological evolution. CRISPR is probably the most famous example, but everything from DNA synthesis to drug delivery has the exact same background. We have not historically been able to create objects on the molecular scale without exploiting the molecular-scale processes that already existed in life.
Now, techniques originally created for the fabrication of microprocessors could help. . . . The team uses a nano-stenciling technique to deposit metal “patches,” or patterns, onto the surface of created microparticles. They show that their technique can deposit the logo of their university. That’s cool and all, but more important than molecular graffiti is the fact that these metal patches react to magnetic fields.
By exposing particles with these patches to a magnetic field, the researchers can begin to propel them around an environment. The shape and placement of the patches, relative to the shape and size of the particle and the character of the magnetic field, dictate how the particle moves. . . . After proving they can control the particles overall, they then set out to make controllable actuators using this method—“microrobots,” by definition. . . . showing a clear ability to grab or otherwise affect something through its pincer-like action. . . .
The fact that these grippers could also be propelled by magnetic fields offers the potential to cover a cell with grippers, then move the grippers to move the cell—potentially within a living patient."
Getting into the range of additional scary sci-fi stories here.
Learn more HERE.
Did You Know?
Lucid Motors just broke the world record for “longest journey completed by an electric car on a single charge”: 749 miles.
(Read more HERE.)
Tip of the Day
Windows 11 25H2 lets you ditch bloatware apps.
(Read more HERE.)
IT Zodiac Sign of the Day
Sign of the Zebracorn
(Read more HERE.)
Lucky Hex for the Day
d1455a299c6eeb754b
(Read more HERE.)
What was the most interesting story today? Vote in our poll below.
- Flashback 1981: Donkey Kong and Mario’s Birthday
- Flashback 1982: Disney Releases Tron
- Ruckus Networks leaves severe flaws unpatched in management devices
- Microsoft Patches 130 Vulnerabilities
- Ivanti, Fortinet, Splunk Release Security Updates
- Successful test of second-generation phased array antenna
- World’s largest solar mural turns building into giant power generator
- Researchers Can Now Print Robots Too Small to See
- Did You Know? Lucid Motors just broke an EV world record.
- Today’s Tip: Windows 11 25H2 lets you ditch bloatware.
- IT Zodiac: Sign of the Zebracorn
- Lucky hex: d1455a299c6eeb754b
- None: leave suggestions below
Missed a day? If so, check out previous editions of Snap! HERE.
