Good morning! 🌞 

Did you know the first computer mouse, invented in 1964, was made of wood? Tech’s come a long way—fast. In today’s issue, we spotlight innovations that aren’t just shiny—they’re shaping how we work, live, and build.

Health Science

‘Green’ Spaceship Propellant

A Spanish startup has successfully tested a new spacecraft thruster powered by hydrogen peroxide—a safer, more affordable alternative to the toxic hydrazine still widely used in the space industry. Arkadia Space conducted the in-orbit demonstration of its DARK propulsion system in early June, mounting the thruster on an ION spacecraft from aerospace firm D-ORBIT. The system delivered 5 newtons of thrust through thousands of brief firings and several longer five-second burns. “What we have found is that it is exactly the same as the ground data,” said Francho Garcia, Arkadia’s CEO and co-founder. “It was much better than what we were expecting, honestly.”

Hydrogen peroxide isn’t new as a fuel, but interest in its use for space applications is growing due to its significant cost and safety advantages. A 2008 study from Purdue’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics estimated hydrogen peroxide at roughly $10.36 per kilogram—compared to hydrazine’s $75.80. The safety contrast is equally stark. Hydrogen peroxide can be handled with gloves and goggles, while hydrazine requires full hazmat suits. Former U.S. Air Force corporal Anthony Urankar recalled a crash where spilled hydrazine required large-scale excavation and led to cancer screenings for personnel. Hydrazine is classified as a probable carcinogen.

The shift toward greener propellants is gaining momentum. Garcia noted that satellite operators face increasing pressure to adopt non-toxic alternatives or risk exclusion from rideshare launches with providers like SpaceX, which enforces strict safety standards. While Arkadia is currently targeting satellite and spacecraft propulsion, the company has also been approached about scaling the technology for launch and re-entry vehicles. “We believe that with the data that we have, we should have no problems signing the first customers,” Garcia told Space News.

Good News

Paying it Forward

For more than 40 years, Dr. Michael Zollicoffer—known as “Dr. Z” to his patients—served some of Baltimore’s poorest neighborhoods with unwavering compassion. He never charged a copay and never turned anyone away, treating anyone who walked through his clinic doors, regardless of their ability to pay. “Forget that dollar bill,” the 66-year-old told CBS News. “I’m going to see you no matter what. You walk in that door, you will be seen. You bring your grandma with you, I’ll see her, too.” His practice wasn’t built for profit—it was built on trust, and when he faced a medical crisis of his own, that trust came full circle.

After being diagnosed with both renal and rectal cancer, Zollicoffer discovered that a policy error had caused his Medicare coverage to lapse, leaving him with an expected $150,000 in treatment costs. News of his situation spread quickly. A high school friend, Michael Haynie, launched a GoFundMe campaign, and the community rallied: over 3,400 people donated more than $280,000 to cover his care. His story also reached Capitol Hill, where Maryland Congressman Kweisi Mfume entered a tribute into the Congressional Record. “Mister Speaker, you would be hard-pressed to find another individual with as much passion for healing and love for his community as Dr. Michael Zollicoffer,” Mfume said. “For his kindness, his selflessness, and his God-given abilities, Dr. Z has been a pillar of the Baltimore community for decades.”

With his insurance reinstated and treatment underway, Dr. Z is back doing what he loves: caring for patients. And even in the face of cancer, his gratitude remains unshaken. “I’m going to say something that may seem crazy as heck,” Zollicoffer told CBS’s Steve Hartman. “I’m thankful that I got cancer, because I am the happiest man on the planet, no matter what the outcome.” His clinic continues to welcome a steady stream of new patients, many seeking the same kind of compassionate care he’s quietly delivered for decades. “This is what you’re about! We are about giving: I can’t make it without them, nor can they make it without me.” Donations to his medical fund remain open.

Environment

Quick-Thinking Zoo Elephant

At the Aurora Zoo in Guatemala City, visitors witnessed an extraordinary moment when an elephant rescued a struggling gazelle from drowning—an unexpected act that left the crowd cheering. The incident began when a gazelle slipped into the enclosure’s watering hole and couldn’t climb the steep, rocky edge to escape. Sharing the space with the gazelle herd was an elephant who quickly recognized the danger and moved to help.

At first, the elephant tried lifting the flailing gazelle with its trunk but lost its grip. On a second attempt, it secured a firmer hold on the gazelle’s horns and successfully pulled the animal to safety. “Mira, mira,” a spectator shouted—Spanish for “Look, look!”—as the crowd erupted in applause once the gazelle was back on land. The heartwarming rescue was caught on video, capturing the quick-thinking and compassion of the zoo’s largest resident.

According to USA Today, this isn’t the first time a zoo elephant has played the role of hero. In 2022, Trombita, a 61-year-old Asian elephant, sounded a trumpet alarm when another gazelle got stuck in the same waterhole, alerting a zookeeper to intervene. While the enclosure’s water feature clearly needs a redesign, for now, there’s an unofficial lifeguard on duty—and she’s massive.

Mind Stretchers

❓️ 

I rise without legs,
I blaze without flame,
I never speak,
Yet all know my name.
I chase away shadows,
But flee when it’s night—
What am I,
That brings the world light?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I come in bottles, boxes, vials,
Measured out in grams or miles.
I cannot heal a broken heart,
But I can give your pain a start.
Some seek me when they're feeling low,
Others fear the side effects I show.
I’m sold, prescribed, or locked away—
What am I that holds disease at bay? — medicine! Debbie Ettinger got this correct first! ☀️ 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected]

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.