Latest news with #Rober
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
A YouTuber Is Taking Humans To Space For Free. You Can Keep The Astronaut Suit At Home
Last Updated: Mark Rober, a NASA engineer turned YouTube launched a selfie satellite 'SAT GUS' to space for humans to capture a selfie with Earth in the background. Who Is In Space? A website devised just for space nerds gives us real-time updates of the humans currently living far away from our pale, blue dot. And if you are curious, there are 13 humans in the space at the time of writing this article. Here comes the fun part: You can be the next human up there. Assuming (politely) that you do not have a bunch of spare crores lying around to book a seat on one of those ridiculous commercial space joyrides that billionaires routinely take, a NASA engineer turned YouTuber is here to save you money and the effort. 'I Spent $5,000,000 So You Can Go To Space For FREE," Mark Rober titled his most recent YouTube video. There must be some catch, right? Mark Rober YouTube's very own science educator and inventor Mark Rober is no ordinary online content creator. Rober has spent nine years at NASA, seven of which were spent on working on the Curiosity rover at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The 45-year-old has also worked at the tech giant Apple. Here, he was employed as a product designer in company's Special Projects Group and worked on virtual reality projects. The enginerd 's resume is as impressive as they come but now he's found fighting seed-stealing squirrels and glittery porch pirates in a corner of the Internet. Rober's newest project, however, has cost him over Rs 42 crore and it could perhaps be his most ambitious project on YouTube yet. Crunch Labs Created by Rober, Crunch Labs is a toy company for kids who 'think like an engineer". The Build Boxes work the same way as assembling a Lego does, except, Rober teaches a science lesson with every new box sent out while the kids get busy building their new toy. (Crunch Labs) Rober's recent Space Selfie project comes under his toy company and pet project Crunch Labs. Space Selfie The science educator, along with his dedicated team, launched a satellite in January this year to help humans take a Space Selfie. Made up of 7836 parts, the satellite nicknamed 'SAT GUS" left the planet aboard Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon 9. He, in his video, revealed he and his team spent three years on this project. 'I slept as poorly last night as I have in over a year," Rober said on the day of the launch of satellite named after the channel's beloved squirrel 'Phat Gus". 'I am very nervous. There's just a lot at stake here. There's just so many things that could go wrong, not just today, but as the satellite goes up that… it's like that nervous excitement pit in your stomach that makes you want to jump for joy and puke in the toilet." How To Apply? Carrying a Google Pixel screen, the YouTuber's satellite is decked with a Redwire Argus camera. All you have to do is submit your selfie to the website The team will then transfer your selfie wirelessly to the SAT GUS satellite. The onboard camera will snap a photo of the Earth while displaying your selfie on the mounted screen in the foreground. 'I made a secret promise. If we somehow pull this off, I will make use of the selfie satellite free forever to anyone on the planet." Those who have seen Mark Rober accumulate nearly 70 million subscribers on the platform were left in complete awe when the video dropped on May 24. 'Mark Rober just redefined what YouTube should be in 2025: turning childhood dreams into reality, sending selfies to space, and proving that with science, passion, and $5 million, even a squirrel can make history. Thank you for the inspiration, the tears, and the reminder that 'impossible' is just another challenge to solve," a YouTube commenter wrote. 'Mark is actually such a talented engineer despite retiring from NASA, respect to him, he also influenced me a lot into becoming a Mechanical Engineer," another wrote. 'My selfie's gonna be out of this world," a third added. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : mark rober YouTube Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 30, 2025, 12:29 IST News explainers A YouTuber Is Taking Humans To Space For Free. You Can Keep The Astronaut Suit At Home
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Former NASA engineer and influencer Mark Rober on his visit to India, trying Vada Pav, and love for Bahubali
In a rare, whirlwind visit to India, YouTube's beloved science communicator and former NASA engineer Mark Rober took in the chaos, culture, and curiosity of the country — all with wide-eyed enthusiasm and a backpack full of physics. In his first-ever visit to India, Rober sat down for a candid chat about jugaad , Bollywood, and his plans to experience Mumbai in its most unfiltered form. 'To me, India is innovation.' Mark Rober's perception of India was instantly framed by its dynamic nature — not just the traffic, but the talent. 'India is the most populous country on the planet… They produce more engineers than any other country,' he said. 'And right now I get more views in India than any other country, even more than the United States.' 'The fact that you have a word like jugaad is amazing.' Rober's admiration goes deeper than numbers — he's fascinated by India's grassroots engineering culture. He's even running a contest while in the country: ₹50 lakh in prizes for the best examples of jugaad. 'We're doing a contest while we're here because it's like where we have 50 lakhs and in 5 lakhs per person, 10 people total. The best examples of jugaad that people can like come up with and submit. This is like MrBeast meets Mark Rober but for science. The simplest solution, the simplest engineering solution is always the best one. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The Indian people sort of capture that. You have a word for it. We don't even have a word for that in the United States. The fact that you have word like jugaad is amazing' he quipped. 'At NASA or Apple, we had millions to solve problems. But sometimes, the best solutions are made with junk lying around the house.' 'I want to ride a Mumbai local train. At rush hour.' Always the experimenter, Rober has big (and slightly risky) plans for content in India. 'I want to ride a local train at rush hour,' he said, despite being warned it's 'literally dangerous.' He laughed off the caution, determined to capture the intensity of the experience. 'It's better content if it's at rush hour!' 'My palate is not street-food ready… but I will try vada pav.' While Rober is cautious about Indian street food, he's not shying away from the experience. 'Vada Pav is on the list!' he promised, adding that Indian food ranks in his personal top three cuisines in the U.S. 'Bahubali made me question physics — and my career path.' When it comes to Bollywood, Mark Rober lights up. 'Bahubali,' he said, without hesitation, when asked about his favorite Indian film. 'There are some scenes… I wish I knew how to harness the laws of physics the way they do. I could come up with some good inventions!' He admires not just the spectacle but the unique visual language of Indian cinema. 'There's a curiosity in Indian culture — and that's why we click.' Beyond data and spectacle, Rober believes his deep connection with Indian audiences is rooted in shared values. 'There's a curiosity that seems to permeate Indian culture,' he observed. 'This trip is exploratory — a curiosity-gap-filling trip. And it's just the first step in building something deeper.' One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Business Upturn
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Mark Rober's Spark of Innovation Lights Up Indian Youth with ₹50 Lakh Jugaad Challenge
India has always been a land of jugaad—clever, low-cost innovations born out of necessity and pure imagination. And now, that spirit has found its global spotlight, thanks to none other than Mark Rober, the YouTube superstar and former NASA engineer who's made backyard science a global phenomenon. In his maiden visit to India, Rober isn't just meeting fans—he's unlocking a wave of grassroots creativity with his ambitious ₹50 lakh 'Jugaad Innovation Contest.' Rober's visit has quickly evolved into a cultural and scientific phenomenon. He's toured cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, connecting with students, creators, and DIY innovators. At each stop, his message is simple but powerful: Science is for everyone—especially when it's fun. It's this very mindset that fuels the contest he's launched specifically for India: a mission to uncover the country's most original, mind-bending inventions using nothing but everyday items. The #MarkRoberJugaad contest, open from April 30 to September 15, 2025, is inviting Indian residents aged 8 and above to post a video of their unique homemade solution on Facebook, Instagram, X, or YouTube. Whether it's a bottle cap fan or a makeshift washing machine powered by a cycle, creativity is the only currency here. Contestants must ensure their social media profiles are public, and most importantly, submit their video link at posting alone doesn't qualify as an entry. But this trip isn't just about competitions. Rober is truly immersing himself in Indian creator culture. In Mumbai, he visited the studios of CarryMinati, India's roasting king, for a wild video where science meets sarcasm. In Delhi, he filmed with Tech Burner, breaking down the secret tech behind India's best jugaads. In Pune, he joined forces with Mr. Indian Hacker for one of the most explosive, large-scale experiments the internet has ever seen—think water rockets, explosive rice cookers, and gravity-defying machines made from scrap. Meanwhile, a flavorful adventure unfolded with Curly Tales, where Rober explored Indian street food science, turning pani puri into a molecular gastronomy experiment. And with Slay Point, viewers can expect a hilarious deep dive into everyday Indian life, peppered with unexpected scientific solutions to common problems. Perhaps the most unexpected collaboration is his special episode with Indian cricket star Hardik Pandya. Together, they analyzed the physics of swing bowling, tested bat angles, and even built a device to measure reaction time. 'This isn't just about cricket,' Rober said. 'It's about showing how science powers everything we love.' Rober's presence also shook up India's educational landscape when he made a surprise appearance at the Summit of Future at Jain University in Kochi. As a key guest at the RoboVerse exhibit, Rober explored India's rising potential in robotics, coding, and STEM education. Students at the summit got a chance to interact with robot dogs, AI-led tech labs, and Mark himself. 'This is the most energized I've ever felt in a student environment,' he remarked during his keynote. Behind all the cameras and collaborations, Rober's goal is deeply personal. Through his company CrunchLabs, he has long promoted STEM learning through play and creativity. With India's rich culture of improvisation and resourcefulness, he saw a natural partnership. 'Jugaad is engineering in its purest form,' he shared. 'You don't need a lab or funding—just imagination and a little bit of duct tape.' The contest will crown ten winners, each receiving ₹5 lakh and the chance to feature in a global video alongside Mark Rober. The judging panel will consider creativity, functionality, and the cleverness of how household materials are repurposed. With videos pouring in daily, and Indian youth now dreaming in cardboard, motors, and string, this visit is achieving more than just viral views. It's creating a shift in how science and creativity are seen—not as subjects or careers, but as tools for daily life. Rober's India chapter is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: he came for innovation, and he found a nation overflowing with it.
Business Upturn
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Techburner Explores CrunchLabs Tech with Mark Rober
When the worlds of innovative education and gadget wizardry collide, magic happens—and that's exactly what unfolded when Indian tech creator Techburner (Shlok Srivastava) stepped into the colorful, curiosity-fueled universe of CrunchLabs, led by none other than American YouTube engineer and ex-NASA scientist Mark Rober. The meeting wasn't just a content crossover; it was a deep dive into what it means to inspire, build, and learn through hands-on exploration. Mark Rober, globally famous for his viral science experiments—glitter bombs for porch pirates, squirrel obstacle courses, and Guinness World Record-worthy inventions—has evolved into a mission-driven educator. His brainchild, CrunchLabs, is more than a creative studio. It's a subscription-based learning ecosystem that delivers buildable STEM projects right to kids' doors—designed to turn curiosity into capability. For the first time, CrunchLabs' playful engineering spirit met the vibrant energy of Indian tech storytelling, as Techburner visited the lab during Rober's India trip for the Waves Summit 2025. But this wasn't just about touring a lab—it was a chance to explore how engineering, creativity, and content can merge across cultures. From the get-go, this was not a passive walkthrough. With his trademark energy, Techburner explored the builds—like the domino launcher, safecracker kit, and inertia cart—but Rober had something more ambitious in mind. He invited Techburner to modify and remix these projects using parts from both CrunchLabs kits and Techburner's own gadget collection. The highlight? A collaborative build of a motion-sensing delivery drone, blending CrunchLabs' hands-on philosophy with Techburner's sleek, tech-forward mindset. It buzzed. It hovered. It dropped snacks. And yes—it crashed into a studio light. But it was thrilling, joyful, and deeply educational. Throughout the process, what resonated was a shared belief: engineering belongs to everyone. It's not confined to labs or classrooms; it thrives in living rooms, on smartphones, and in the minds of curious young creators everywhere. This message couldn't have been more timely, especially as Rober announced a nationwide Jugaad Contest in India—a challenge that calls on everyday inventors, young and old, to bring their wildest ideas to life using household materials. Enter the Jugaad Contest 2025 Mark Rober is inviting India's most creative minds to show off their Jugaad spirit! He's giving away ₹5 lakh each to 10 lucky inventors. Whether you're 8 or 80, this is your moment. How to Enter: Post a video of your best 'Jugaad' invention using everyday items on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or X . . Include #MarkRoberJugaad in the post. in the post. Go to submit your entry with the link to your post . . Entries without a submission link will notbe accepted! Contest runs from April 30 to September 15, 2025 . . Official Rules: CrunchLabs Contest Page 'Tech is the new universal language,' Techburner said as they wrapped. 'And if CrunchLabs is like a playground for inventors, then today, we just played the most fun game ever.' About Mark Rober With over 68 million YouTube subscribers and more than 11 billion views, Mark Rober is one of the most influential science creators of our time. He's known for everything from building the world's largest Nerf gun to launching the #TeamTrees and #TeamSeas movements with MrBeast, which raised tens of millions for global environmental causes. In 2022, he launched CrunchLabs, a Willy Wonka-style engineering playground in the Bay Area. CrunchLabs offers monthly subscriptions for kids and teens, delivering mechanical builds like the 'Build Box' and robotics kits like 'Hack Pack.' The platform now has hundreds of thousands of subscribers, with some lucky fans even winning a chance to visit Rober's secret lab. This collaboration with Techburner marked a step toward globalizing STEM education, with Rober even hinting that CrunchLabs may soon tailor kits for India, potentially with collaborators like Techburner helping bridge cultural and educational nuances. Whether it's through drone crashes, glitter bombs, or late-night builds, one thing is clear: Mark Rober and Techburner are making learning fun again—and proving that when you mix passion with play, education becomes unforgettable. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with a PR agency. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Francis could've been paid as much as the president, but instead gave his substantial salary away to the poor and needy
Pope Francis was known for his humble ways, which began when he joined the Jesuits in the 1950s. He signed away his possessions to the religious order and took a vow of poverty, which he tried hard to follow throughout the rest of his life. Francis donated his hefty salary to charity and refused the trappings of his office, like living in the hotel-like Casa Santa Marta instead of the Papal apartments. Pope Francis was known for rejecting the salary owed to him as the powerful leader of the Catholic Church, but were he to have accepted it he would've been paid just as much as the president. The late Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, joined the Jesuits in the 1950s, and in doing so, took a vow of poverty. When he joined the largest of the religious orders in the Catholic Church, which also includes Franciscans and Dominicans, Francis had to sign over all his property and possessions to the order. To cover his living expenses, Francis received a small stipend. For much of his life, Francis lived under a vow of poverty, and even when he rose to become the archbishop of Buenos Aires in the late '90s and was technically relieved of this obligation, Francis was known for cooking his own meals, riding public transportation, and living in a small apartment instead of the archbishop's palace. So it was no surprise that once he became pope, Francis rejected the lavish salary on par with the pay of the U.S. president at around 30,000 euros per month, said Daniel Rober, a professor of Catholic studies at Sacred Heart University. Instead, he opted to have the money donated to charity and others in need. 'He's somebody who lived as a Jesuit for decades before becoming a bishop and continued to live in the style that he's been accustomed to as a religious throughout the rest of his life,' Rober told Fortune. As the conclave, which will pick the next pope, begins on May 7, it's unclear whether the next pope will choose to accept the salary he is owed or not. Unlike other popes such as John Paul II, who often took breaks to go skiing, Francis never took a vacation, Rober said. In August, when Rome empties as people take their holidays, Francis stayed put. He also never visited the hilltop Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo overlooking Lake Albano, which is often used as a summer retreat for popes, Rober said. Instead, Francis opened the residence as a museum to tourists in 2016. 'He would get some criticism for this, even from people sympathetic to him, who would say, for his own health and well being—and also to follow healthy workplace behaviors for other Catholics—maybe he should take a vacation now and then, that that might actually be healthy,' Rober said. 'But he just didn't see it that way.' Even when he became the most powerful figure in the Catholic church, Francis spurned the trappings of the office, preferring to live in the Vatican guesthouse, the Casa Santa Marta, instead of the Papal apartments. During previous pontificates, access to the pope's morning mass and the papal apartments was offered to big donors in a sort of pay-for-play situation facilitated by the pope's handlers, Rober said, but that situation changed under Francis. 'By not living in the apartment and by living very simply in Casa Santa Marta, he kind of cut off that access that people had had under previous pontificates,' he said. At the end of his life, despite his humble ways, Francis had accumulated a small sum of about 200,000 euros in his personal account, Rober said, and following his death he allocated the money to juvenile prisoners of Rome's Casal del Marmo prison. Even in death, Francis remained modest. His will stated he was to be buried not under St. Peter's Basilica—built on top of the burial site of the original pope, St. Peter, and where an estimated 140 other popes are buried—but in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he would pray before and after his official trips abroad. 'The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus,' Francis' testament reads. This story was originally featured on
