The Daily Valet. - 8/26/22, Friday

✔️ Boom, Like a Rocket

August 26, 2022

Friday, August 26th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

Was that week as quick for you as it was for me?

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

NASA Preps for Launch

You’ll likely hear a lot about the Artemis 1 this weekend, as NASA preps the megarocket for launch

There’s going to be a lot of space talk this weekend. NASA is about to launch its next-generation rocket for the first time and send it hurtling out beyond the Moon. It’s the first major step for the space agency’s Artemis program that aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface—something the U.S. hasn’t done since 1972.

To commemorate the inaugural moon rocket mission, watch parties—both official and unofficial—are popping up all over the country. CNN points out that while recent astronaut launches by SpaceX have garnered excitement, this is on another level. To be clear, those trips have taken astronauts to and from the International Space Station (orbiting just about 200 miles above Earth’s surface). NASA’s new spacecraft, on the other hand, will be making a 239,000-mile trek to the moon.

To do it, the Orion space capsule will be launched from a giant rocket that will light up like a 5.75 million-pound firework. According to The Verge, two 17-story boosters will burn through six tons of solid rocket fuel every second during launch, generating more thrust than 14 four-engine jumbo commercial airliners. Then there’s the core stage—the big orange part of the rocket. On launch day, it will be packed with 537,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and 196,000 gallons of liquid oxygen. Within 8.5 minutes of launch, the whole thing will be hurling towards the sky at speeds of around 17,000 miles per hour.

The space agency plans to launch the rocket as early as 8:33 am ET on Monday, August 29. NASA has a two-hour time window to blast the rocket into space, with backup dates of September 2 and 5 if there are any delays. Weather often delays rocket launches, but so far the forecast looks clear.

To be clear, this liftoff won’t have astronauts onboard. This is a test flight. There will be three mannequins strapped inside, which look like varying degrees of terrifying. One is named Commander Moonikin Campos, and it will wear one of the flight suits that astronauts will wear on future missions. It will be accompanied by the limbless Helga and Zohar, which will carry radiation detectors to figure out how much radiation astronauts might be exposed to during a trip to the Moon.

The rest of the cabin will be filled with things like Amazon Alexa, loveable stuffed characters Shaun the Sheep and Snoopy (which will serve as zero gravity indicators), miniature satellites and most importantly, tons of navigation and data collection equipment. These special instruments within Orion will track vital information about the spacecraft’s trajectory and safety that’ll essentially map out the routes of future missions—missions with a human crew that will include the first woman to step onto the moon.

↦ Look Closer: NPR examines how two photographers pieced together more than 200,000 shots to make a single highly-detailed photograph of the moon.

The Mar-a-Lago Affidavit Will Be Released Today

The document lays out the justification for DOJ’s search but it will be heavily redacted

A redacted version of the affidavit used to secure the search warrant for former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate is set to be unsealed by noon today under a judge's order.

According to the Washington Post, the order arrived hours after Justice Department lawyers submitted proposed redactions they felt were necessary to avoid jeopardizing witnesses or undermining the high-profile investigation into the handling of classified documents, which the Justice Department has characterized as still in the “early stages.”

Federal Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart apparently agreed with the government's proposed redactions and said that the department had shown sufficient cause to redact portions of the document, noting that releasing the affidavit in whole would reveal the identities of witnesses, law enforcement and “uncharged parties,” as well as the scope and methods of the investigation.

The DOJ probe is eyeing possible obstruction of justice and violations of the U.S. espionage act and the law prohibiting the removal of official records. And media organizations have been arguing that unsealing at least portions of the affidavit is necessary to help the public understand the Justice Department's reasons for the search. So, I guess, now we wait and see what's left in the redacted documents.

Partner

There's a better way to get more alert than downing an energy drink. Turns out, you don't need more caffeine, but you could very well be deficient in this vital bodily element.

California Bans Gas-Powered Cars

The challenge will be making it happen

California, the country's most populous state and the center of U.S. car culture, is banning the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles starting in 2035, marking a historic step in the state's battle against climate change.

But even before Thursday's announcement, American automakers and their international rivals were setting increasingly aggressive targets for exclusively electric product lines. But while the goals of automakers and regulators are aligned, mass production of affordable electric cars will not be an easy task.

The regulation will be phased in gradually until then, and it includes an exception for plug-in hybrids, allowing them to make up as much as 20% of new car sales even after 2035. And the they still have a long way to go before ridding California roads of overly pollutive vehicles: As of 2021, just 12.4% of new cars sold were either battery-electric vehicles or plugin-in hybrids, per California's Energy Commission.

But this is important because when California does something like this (such as setting tougher emissions standards), more than a dozen states usually follow its lead, adding up to a third of the U.S. auto market. And it's easier for automakers to conform to a single playbook. Plus, consumers have shown an appetite for more modern electric models. It makes you wonder ... what's going to happen to all the gas stations? Will they all convert to charging stations or simply switch to selling primarily snacks?

A Weekend Pairing

‘Welcome to Wrexham’ + a Brown Ale

In November 2020, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia creator and star Rob McElhenney formed a company with Ryan Reynolds and bought a small professional football club in the U.K. Seriously. And by “football”, I mean soccer, obviously. And, of course, there's a resulting docuseries all about the experience. Welcome To Wrexham is streaming now on Hulu and FX.

There have already been plenty of Ted Lasso comparisons. And sure, American vs English sensibilities are paramount here, but it's made abundantly clear early on that this isn't the real-life equivalent of the hyper-optimistic Apple TV+ hit. It is, however, plenty wacky. Why are they doing this, really? The question is addressed often, but according to The AV Club, a single, concrete answer remains elusive, but the pair are clearly having a good time. And critics agree. The Hollywood Reporter says the feel-good show “leaves a warm and fuzzy feeling behind” while The Wrap calls it “infectious.” The show seems to capture the same feeling of being an owner, as Reynolds confides to the camera “In the short time I've been a football-club owner, I've found it to be very time-consuming, emotionally exhausting, financially idiotic and utterly addictive.”

↦ Your Pairing:No fancy cocktail for this soccer show. Crack open a good old fashioned beer, like the classic British import, New Castle. But, like the show, there's been a transatlantic swap. The legendary brown ale is now darker, bolder and not an import at all, but an American craft beer made by Lagunitas.

In Other News

↦ Remote Workers Are Wasting More Than an Hour a Day on Productivity Theater, New Report Finds

↦ Drought-Hit Rivers Across the World Reveal Treasures—and a Worrying Future

↦ How Long Will You Live? It Could Depend on Your State.

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

Pre-date vibe checks

This wooden airport terminal

The evolution of cellphone cameras

Partner

Don’t Overlook Your Hydration

This vital element is key to preventing soreness and a sluggish workout recovery

It's one of the most important rules when it comes to fitness: Don't overlook your recovery. Because this is when your muscles rebuild to get stronger and bigger. The key, of course, is to focus on recovery after substantial activity. Something that a lot of us tend to forget.

I've learned this the hard way. An avid weekend cycler, I found that when I push myself and clock 50+ miles on the bike, I'll be sluggish and sore for a couple of days—if I don't take care of myself. Downing some LMNT upon returning home has been amazing at ensuring a less painful “day after”.

That's because during a workout, dehydration occurs when fluid losses (be it from sweating, increased core temperatures or even breathing) are accompanied by the loss of electrolytes—vital minerals that aid in healthy cell signaling and function. LMNT packs a wallop of a punch with a science-backed ratio of sodium, magnesium and potassium. There's no sugar or mystery ingredients, but there is a refreshing taste—especially after a hard workout. But the real bonus is keeping all that unnecessary pain away.

↦ Try It: Valet. readers get a free LMNT sample pack with any purchase.

The New Shoes on Our Radar

Taylor Stitch is known for its sturdy outerwear and durable denim, which is why you shouldn't be surprised about the quality craftsmanship of their footwear. The waxed suede is thoughtfully sourced and is ready to be worn in any terrain no matter the season. Handmade in Mexico, the shoe ($298) is built to last a lifetime thanks to the Vibram lug sole, weather-resistant leather laces and a 100% resoleable Goodyear welt. Wear these with anything from a good pair of beat-up chinos to some relaxed-fitting corduroy pants—these will be the star of your entire fall kit.

↦ Want more? 5 new shoes on our radar