分类： technology

South Korea has taken a significant leap in its space exploration endeavors with the successful launch of its largest satellite to date using the domestically developed Nuri rocket. The event, which took place early Thursday from the Naro Space Center on Goheung Island, marks the fourth in a series of six planned launches extending through 2027. The three-stage Nuri rocket successfully deployed a 516-kilogram science satellite and 12 microsatellites into a target orbit approximately 600 kilometers above Earth. The Korea Aerospace Administration is currently verifying the successful transmission of signals from the satellites. The primary satellite is equipped with advanced instruments, including a wide-range airglow camera for observing auroral activity, systems for measuring plasma and magnetic fields, and equipment for conducting life-science experiments in space. The smaller cube satellites, developed by university teams and research institutions, are designed for various purposes, such as studying Earth’s atmosphere, tracking oceanic plastic, and testing solar cells and communication equipment. This launch follows a successful mission in May 2023, which placed a 180-kilogram observation satellite into orbit, and represents a recovery from the initial failed attempt in October 2021. Further launches are scheduled for 2026 and 2027 as part of South Korea’s broader strategy to enhance its space technologies and narrow the gap with leading Asian space powers like China, Japan, and India. The Nuri rocket, powered by five 75-ton-class engines in its first and second stages and a 7-ton-class engine in its third stage, is a testament to South Korea’s growing capabilities in space technology, having previously relied on other nations for satellite launches since the 1990s.

Abu Dhabi has officially launched the world’s first commercial fully driverless taxi service outside the United States, positioning the UAE capital at the forefront of autonomous transportation innovation. The groundbreaking service, operational since November 26, 2025, represents a collaborative venture between Uber Technologies and Chinese autonomous vehicle developer WeRide.

The initial phase of deployment focuses on Yas Island, where passengers can now access self-driving vehicles without any human safety operators inside the cabin. This Level 4 automation technology enables complete hands-free operation within designated geographical zones, with vehicles capable of handling all driving tasks and responding to dynamic traffic conditions without human intervention.

Users can access the service through Uber’s platform via two distinct methods: through the standard Uber Comfort or UberX options, or specifically through Uber’s newly created ‘Autonomous’ category—marking the ride-sharing giant’s first dedicated autonomous ride option worldwide. The vehicles maintain critical safety protocols including emergency pull-over capabilities and manual takeover options as precautionary measures.

The current deployment follows WeRide’s acquisition of a federal permit for fully driverless commercial operations last month, building upon the company’s four-year presence in Abu Dhabi’s autonomous vehicle landscape. Since initiating robotaxi services in 2021, WeRide has maintained a first-mover advantage in the region, becoming the first company to receive a comprehensive UAE national license for all self-driving vehicle types in 2023.

The partnership has expanded significantly since its December 2024 launch, now covering approximately half of Abu Dhabi’s core urban areas including Al Reem and Al Maryah. With over 100 robotaxis currently operational in the Middle East, the companies plan to extend coverage to additional metropolitan zones by the end of 2025, solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for autonomous transportation technology.

In a groundbreaking move, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) has unveiled a comprehensive action plan aimed at accelerating the growth of the commercial space sector and fostering international cooperation over the next two years. The initiative, announced on Tuesday, underscores China’s commitment to integrating commercial space enterprises into its broader space exploration and development agenda. The CNSA has called on domestic commercial space firms to expand their global footprint, particularly by assisting developing nations in establishing satellite-application industries. To facilitate this, the agency has pledged to incorporate commercial space projects into China’s international cooperation framework. A key component of the plan is the expansion of commercial access to China’s national network of civilian tracking, telemetry, and control (TT&C) stations, data-receiving sites, calibration ranges, and validation fields. Additionally, commercial entities will gain access to large-scale test assets, including rocket-engine test stands and space-environment simulation facilities. The CNSA will also establish a national commercial space development fund and broaden government procurement to include commercial capabilities such as launch vehicles, satellites, launch sites, and TT&C facilities in national missions. Local governments are encouraged to set up technology-innovation centers focused on reusable rockets and smart satellites, and to create open platforms for advanced manufacturing, final assembly, and testing. The plan also includes measures to build commercial launch sites, unify space standards, and open space-debris data to enhance collision warnings for commercial spacecraft. Furthermore, commercial firms are urged to pioneer new frontiers in space resource utilization, on-orbit servicing, debris removal, space tourism, and in-space biomanufacturing. The overarching goal of the plan is to achieve high-quality development of the commercial space sector by 2027, aligning with the recommendations for China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), which lists the aerospace sector among its strategic emerging industries.

The Australian government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing a groundbreaking ban on social media access for children under 16, despite a legal challenge from the Digital Freedom Project. The Sydney-based advocacy group filed a constitutional challenge in the High Court on Wednesday, contesting the law set to take effect on December 10. The legislation prohibits children under 16 from holding accounts on major platforms, including Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, as well as Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube. Companies failing to comply face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($32 million).

Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized the government’s resolve, stating, ‘We will not be intimidated by legal challenges or Big Tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we stand firm.’ The Digital Freedom Project, led by New South Wales lawmaker John Ruddick, argues that the ban infringes on young people’s right to freedom of political communication and shifts parental responsibilities to the government. ‘Parental supervision of online activity is today the paramount parental responsibility. We do not want to outsource that to unelected bureaucrats,’ Ruddick said.

The case, brought by Sydney law firm Pryor, Tzannes and Wallis Solicitors on behalf of two 15-year-olds, has yet to determine whether an injunction will be sought to delay the ban’s implementation. Meanwhile, Meta has begun warning thousands of Australian children suspected to be under 16 to download their digital histories and delete their accounts before the ban takes effect.

Australia’s move has also influenced other nations, with Malaysia announcing plans to ban social media accounts for children under 16 starting in 2026. Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil cited the need to protect young people from online harms such as cyberbullying, scams, and sexual exploitation. The Malaysian government is studying Australia’s approach and considering age verification methods using identity cards or passports.

Recent delays in subsea cable projects across the Red Sea are unlikely to immediately impact internet speeds in the UAE, thanks to the country’s diversified connectivity routes and robust domestic infrastructure. However, experts warn that the region remains vulnerable to long-term risks due to the fragility of this critical global corridor. According to industry specialists, the Red Sea has become a significant bottleneck in global connectivity, with repeated disruptions over the past two years highlighting its vulnerabilities. Tony O’Sullivan, CEO of RETN, emphasized that delays in deploying new high-capacity cables remove the future headroom needed to absorb shocks, leaving the region exposed to extended repair cycles and repeated disruptions. The UAE’s ability to manage recent incidents better than neighboring markets is attributed to its diverse subsea and terrestrial routes. However, the region still lacks sufficient high-bandwidth alternatives, making it susceptible to resilience gaps. Vincent Chok, Founder and CEO of First Digital Trust, noted that delays in subsea systems also impact financial networks, creating latency in payment processing, trading execution, and cross-border settlement systems. Experts stress that ongoing investment in diverse routes and genuine capacity redundancy is essential for long-term resilience. While the UAE’s current infrastructure mitigates immediate risks, reducing dependence on the Red Sea corridor remains a strategic priority for the region.

In a groundbreaking development, China has successfully launched an advanced safety system for the air transport of power lithium batteries, addressing long-standing global challenges in the safe transportation of high-risk energy products. The inaugural flight, operated by SF Express, took off from Ezhou Huahu International Airport in Hubei Province on Tuesday, coinciding with a seminar on power battery air logistics supply chains held in Ezhou. The event brought together industry experts and enterprise representatives to discuss solutions to development bottlenecks.