Following is a summary of current science news briefs.
Japanese researchers build robotic tail to keep elderlyupright
Millions of years after the ancestors of humans evolved tolose their tails, a research team at Japan’s Keio Universityhave built a robotic one they say could help unsteady elderlypeople keep their balance. Dubbed Arque, the grey one-meterdevice mimics tails such as those of cheetahs and other animalsused to keep their balance while running and climbing, accordingto the Keio team.
China state agency successfully launches rocket forcommercial use: CCTV
A Chinese government space agency successfully launched onSaturday its first rocket meant for commercial use, statetelevision CCTV reported, as firms in the country compete tojoin a commercial satellite boom. Smart Dragon-1 rocket, whichweighs 23 tonnes and was developed by a unit of China AerospaceScience and Technology Corp (CASC), successfully delivered threesatellites into orbit after a launch in Jiuquan, Gansu, CCTVsaid.
NASA chief announces Alabama facility as moon spacecraftheadquarters
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine on Friday said MarshallSpace Flight Center in Alabama will serve as headquarters forthe U.S. space agency's program to build a spacecraft to putastronauts back on the moon by 2024. Bridenstine made theannouncement at the Alabama facility, accompanied by lawmakersfrom that state. The announcement, which means potential jobsand prestige for Alabama, disappointed lawmakers from Texas whohad lobbied for a site in their state.