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An uncrewed test launch in May successfully departed Florida, docked at the International Space Station (ISS), and landed back on Earth. Innovation of the Year The James Webb Space Telescope by NASA: A game-changing new instrument to see the cosmosĪfter years of budget issues, technical delays, and testing failures, Boeing’s much-awaited Starliner crew capsule finally took to the skies and made it to its destination. Back on Earth, innovation also reached new heights in the aviation industry, as a unique electric airplane took off, as did a Black Hawk helicopter that can fly itself. And that wasn’t even the most important event to materialize in space this year-more on the JWST in a moment. In space, no one can hear a probe smash into an asteroid-but that’s just what happened in September, when NASA’s successful DART experiment proved that it’s possible to reroute a space rock by crashing into it on purpose. So buckle up, and explore the winners below. We’ve got gadgets galore, a very long suspension bridge, and an EV with a range of 747 miles. There’s gear to help you explore the great outdoors, and devices to help you improve your health and home. We’ve got Naval fighter jets on the big screen and TikTok filters on your phone. With 10 categories spanning from aerospace to sports and outdoors, the list is a doozy.
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