Please hire all of the PopSci staffers laid off today

After more than 6 years at PopSci, I just found out that today is my last day. Others were laid off, too. This is hard, but I’m so proud of the 100s of stories I wrote while there. Got a tip for an experienced journalist with a specialty in covering aviation & transportation? robverger@gmail.com

Here's my first piece for @popsci.bsky.socialwww.popsci.com/technology/u...

Watch an uncrewed Navy 'ghost boat' fire live missiles

The exercise involved launching Switchblade munitions from a small speed-boat like vessel that had no one on board. Here's why.

I think what this company is working on seems neat: electrifying the *trailer* of a big rig truck, so that the tractor pulling it (which can be diesel or electric) gets better efficiency or range. My latest in @popsci.bsky.socialwww.popsci.com/technology/r...

How smart trailers could give trucking a clean, electrified boost

An electric trailer could follow the truck tractor like "an obedient dog." Here's how the system from Range Energy works.

no idea who needs to hear this rn but always remember mental is hocus, health not pocus

Whenever I look at the “Your Orders” section of the Amazon app, I don’t see any clear instructions on what they want me to do— no orders or directives at all. It’s just a list of stuff I’ve purchased. Weird.

A smart story by @atherton.bsky.social@popsci.bsky.social

How an underground explosion in Nevada will help the US detect nuclear tests

The non-nuclear test was an intentional effort to sharpen the methods for detecting when another country tests a nuclear weapon underground.

This is neat. An electric aircraft from Beta Technologies just arrived in Florida for Air Force testing. Take a look in @popsci.bsky.social ✈️ ⚡

This electric plane's 2,000-mile journey is over. Now its Air Force tests begin.

The electric aircraft journeyed from Vermont to Florida, making many stops along the way. At Duke Field, the Air Force will test it out.

Did anyone else sing "Have You Seen the Ghost of John?" when they were little? I remember singing it in school music class. They lyrics are... something. Have you seen the ghost of John? All white bones with the skin all gone Oooh, Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Wouldn't it be chilly with no skin on, no skin on?

Last week I sat down with Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, and JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, for a chat about electric air taxis in NYC. It was fun! And check out the vintage PopSci cover from 1976. It mentions both a VTOL (vertical take-off and landing aircraft) and heat pumps!!