The First Women-Only Spacewalk Will Happen After All

Initially cancelled because NASA didn’t have spacesuits for two women (Christina Koch and Anne McClain) who happen to be the same size, the women-only spacewalk—previously scheduled for March—will now take place on 21 October. Jessica Meir (replacing McClain) and Christina Koch (in space until February) will be tasked with installing lithium-ion batteries during their mission. On this being the first walk to be performed by …

Link About It: This Week’s Picks

Talking to dogs, flawless sound, architecture-inspired pleasure toys and the changing face of fashion

New Technology Enhances Dog-Human Communication From Maria Goodavage’s brand new book Doctor Dogs, an excerpt in Wired probes the FIDO program at Georgia Institute of Technology’s Animal-Computer Interaction Lab. The epicenter of dog-human communication studies in the US, FIDO’s researchers have developed several prototype talking vest for dogs. They employ tabs and pulleys that trigger prerecorded statements that the wearer dog intends to convey. FIDO is also …

Detroit’s Orchestra Hall, with Scientifically Verified Nearly Flawless Acoustics, Turns 100

Designed by C Howard Crane, an architect known for “theater palaces,” Detroit’s ornate, spectacular Orchestra Hall turns 100 years old on 23 October. With scientifically verified, nearly flawless acoustics, the venue houses the Detroit Symphony Orchestra—who are embarking on a program that will honor the 1919 season. Orchestra Hall’s shoebox shape favors sound over sight lines and its high ceiling with cloud panels perfect the …