Latest news with #RogerMyers
Mint
10-08-2025
- Science
- Mint
US vs China: NASA plans to build nuclear reactor on Moon. What it means? All we know so far
.NASA's interim administrator Sean Duffy recently announced plans to install a nuclear reactor on the lunar surface by 2030. He said the US is in a new space race with China to claim the most resource-rich part of the moon. Water ice and continuous sunlight make certain parts of the moon, especially near the south pole, ideal for setting up a permanent moon base. These conditions are important for both sustaining human life and generating power. "There's a certain part of the moon that everyone knows is the best," he said. "We have ice there. We have sunlight there. We want to get there first and claim that for America," he said. Unlike solar power, fission systems can operate around the clock — invaluable during the weeks-long lunar nights or Martian dust storms. Notably, spacecraft orbiting the Earth or stationed on the moon are typically powered by solar panels. However, solar power alone won't be enough for long-term human occupation of the moon, said Roger Myers, an expert on space-based nuclear power, "The sun sets on the moon for two weeks," he was qopted by NPR as saying. "You have to have another source of energy: The sun and batteries do not work. We're going to have to have nuclear power." Duffy explained earlier in August that energy is the key to setting up a permanent base, and that's why he wants a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor placed on the moon within the next five years. He said such a reactor would generate about the same amount of electricity that a typical US household uses in 3.5 days. The US is rushing to put nuclear power reactors on the Moon and Mars, and hopes to launch the first system by the end of the decade. NASA is currently working to return astronauts to the moon through its Artemis program, which aims to establish one or more bases on the lunar surface by 2030 or so. Meanwhile, China also plans to set up a moon base, in partnership with Russia and a number of other nations. A successful manned landing before 2030 is likley to boost China's plans to build a "basic model" of the International Lunar Research Station by 2035. This manned base, led by China and Russia, would include a nuclear reactor on the moon's surface as a power source," Reuters reported. NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return to the Moon and establish a lasting presence near the south pole, has faced repeated delays. The timeline for Artemis 3, the first planned crewed landing, has slipped to 2027, a date few see as realistic given the planned lander, SpaceX's Starship, is far from ready. China, meanwhile, is targeting 2030 for its first crewed mission and has proven more adept at meeting its deadlines in recent years. A space lawyer said a lunar nuclear reactor "may sound dramatic, but it's neither illegal nor unprecedented." "Nothing in international law prohibits the peaceful use of nuclear power on the Moon," Michelle LD Hanlon, Professor of Air and Space Law, University of Mississippi wrote in The Conversation. She said that if deployed responsibly, it could allow countries to peacefully explore the Moon, fuel their economic growth and test out technologies for deeper space missions. Hanlon explained why being the first to do so is important. She said, "The first country to succeed could shape the norms for expectations, behaviors and legal interpretations related to lunar presence and influence." The space law expert said building infrastructure is not staking a territorial claim. 'No one can own the Moon, but one country setting up a reactor could shape where and how others operate – functionally, if not legally,' she added. She further believe that a reactor on the Moon 'isn't a territorial claim or a declaration of war. But it is infrastructure.' Since 2000, NASA has invested $200 million towards developing small, lightweight fission power systems, though none have progressed towards flight readiness, according to the new NASA directive -- first reported by Politico and seen by AFP on Tuesday. The most recent effort came in 2023 with the completion of three $5 million industry study contracts that focused on generating 40 kilowatts of power, enough to continuously run 30 households for 10 years. NASA formally committed to using nuclear power on Mars in December 2024 -- the first of seven key decisions necessary for human exploration of the Red Planet. Besides, the United Nations' 1992 Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space recognises that nuclear energy may be essential for missions where solar power is insufficient.
CBS News
19-06-2025
- CBS News
Baltimore County gym teacher accused of inappropriately touching students
A 28-year-old Baltimore County gym teacher is facing charges for allegedly inappropriately touching students, according to police. Jordan Adams, a teacher at Northwest Academy in Pikesville, has been charged with multiple counts of second-degree assault. He is being held in the Baltimore County Detention Center without bond. Police said the allegations happened at the school. Investigators are asking family members of students to contact the police department at 410-887-7720 if they have additional information regarding Adams or believe their child may also be a victim. More gym teachers are accused of sexual assault Two other school gym teachers were arrested within the past couple of weeks on charges of sex crimes against students. Police said 40-year-old Sean Brooks,, a gym teacher at Perry Hall High School, allegedly sexually assaulted a student on school property. According to the school, Brooks has worked at Perry Hall High School since 2017. School leaders said he is on administrative leave and is barred from Baltimore County Public Schools property. "Ensuring a safe learning environment for our students is our top priority," Perry Hall Principal Abbey Campbell said in a letter to families. On June 2, Baltimore County police said a middle school physical education teacher was arrested on charges of sexually abusing children. Roger Myers, 61, allegedly abused the students at Deep Creek Middle School in Essex. The school said Myers was placed on administrative leave in January. "These charges are deeply troubling," Deep Creek Middle School principal Laura Kelly said in a letter to families. "BCPS holds its employees to a high standard of character, and this alleged behavior is abhorrent and completely unacceptable." Myers has been employed with the Baltimore County Public Schools since 1996 and has been employed at Deep Creek Middle School since July 2024. Anne Arundel teacher acquitted of charges On Tuesday, June 17, Matthew Schlegel, a suspended elementary school teacher in Anne Arundel County, was cleared of sexual abuse allegations. Schlegel is a third-grade math teacher at Severna Park Elementary School. According to the school district, Schlegel will return to "paid status," but officials are still determining whether he should remain employed. Five children testified during the five-week trial. Schlegel was ordered by the judge to be released from jail. Protesters rallied outside the courthouse Wednesday to oppose the not-guilty verdict and to advocate for child sex abuse survivors. The jury deliberated for three days, with jurors struggling to agree on several counts. On Monday, the jury told the judge they were deadlocked on four charges. After agreeing on one more charge, they told the judge they doubted they would come to a consensus on the others. Court officials are expected to share more information about how the three remaining charges will be handled during a status hearing on July 1.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
Baltimore County gym teacher accused of sexually abusing minor on high school property
A Baltimore County high school gym teacher is facing charges for allegedly sexually abusing a minor on school property, according to police. Sean Brooks, 40, is being held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center. He is a physical education teacher at Perry Hall High School, according to a letter shared by Principal Abbey Campbell. "These charges are deeply disturbing, and this alleged behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Campbell said. Teacher barred from school property Brooks has worked at Perry Hall High School since 2017. School leaders say he is on administrative leave and is barred from Baltimore County Public Schools property. "Ensuring a safe learning environment for our students is our top priority," Campbell said. Anyone with additional information or who believes they may be a victims should call police at 410-887-7720 or the Department of Social Services at 410-887-8463. Another P.E. teacher charged On June 2, Baltimore County police said a middle school gym teacher was arrested on charges of sexually abusing students. Roger Myers, 61, was arrested on multiple sex offenses and assault charges, which allegedly happened at Deep Creek Middle School in Essex. The school said Myers was placed on administrative leave in January. "These charges are deeply troubling," Deep Creek Middle School principal Laura Kelly said in a letter to families. "BCPS holds its employees to a high standard of character, and this alleged behavior is abhorrent and completely unacceptable." Myers has been employed with the Baltimore County Public Schools since 1996 and has been employed at Deep Creek Middle School since July 2024. Former student accuses teacher of assault In May, WJZ reported that a high school student filed a lawsuit against the Baltimore County school board, saying she was assaulted by a teacher in the classroom. The girl described the assault by her AP Spanish teacher when she walked into the classroom at Overlea High School two years ago. "She stood up, grabbed me by the hoodie and started punching me over and over and over again and she finally let go," Maysha Tuyas-Perez told WJZ. "I don't remember how many times she punched me." The girls' family filed the lawsuit against the school board over negligence and claiming that the school failed to provide a safe space for students and proper staff training. The family is seeking over $75,000 in damages. Anne Arundel County teacher on trial for sex abuse of students A former Anne Arundel County school teacher is on trial for allegedly sexually abusing multiple students at Severna Park Elementary School. Matthew Schlegel, 45, who was a third-grade math teacher, allegedly sexually abused eight students during class between August 2022 and March 2024. He is facing 33 counts of assault and sexual abuse of a minor. Schlegel was removed from the classroom in March 2024 after the district learned of the allegations, a spokesperson for the Anne Arundel County schools said. He had been employed with the school district since 2008. He became a teacher at Severna Park Elementary in 2016. Earlier in the trial, the mother of one of the alleged victims took the stand, saying that her daughter is "not the same child that she was before her third-grade year."
CBS News
01-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Baltimore County middle school P.E. teacher accused of sex crimes of students
A Baltimore County middle school physical education teacher is accused of sexually assaulting students on school property. Police say 61-year-old Roger Myers was arrested on multiple sex offenses and assault charges, which allegedly happened at the school. Baltimore County Public Schools says Myers is a teacher at Deep Creek Middle School in Essex. He has been on administrative leave since January, when the school initially learned about the investigation, according to the school's principal. "These charges are deeply troubling," Deep Creek Middle School principal Laura Kelly said in a letter to families. "BCPS holds its employees to a high standard of character, and this alleged behavior is abhorrent and completely unacceptable." Myers has been employed with the Baltimore County Public Schools since 1996 and has been employed at Deep Creek Middle School since July 2024. School leaders said counseling will be available to students. "Ensuring a safe learning environment for our students is our top priority," Kelly said. Myers is being held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center. Police are asking if you believe you are a victim or have information related to the case to call 410-887-7720.
