Unhappy landing
Latest SpaceX Starship trial flight ends in disaster
THE
FLAWLESS There was nothing wrong as it soared through the air
THE
THE
FLIGHT TOUCHING DOWN The rocket nears the ground
LANDING
ELON Musk’s latest SpaceX Starship rocket experiment has agTainHgEoneBupLiAn fSlamTes. once Footage shows the moment another rocket burst into a fireball in a failed test launch. It is the third Starship to blow up after landing. The space entrepreneur has managed successful launches of all three rockets, showing his crafts are more than capable of soaring flawlessly off the ground. But landings have consistently proved a hurdle for the billionaire’s SpaceX venture, as work continues to perfect its heavy-duty launch vehicle prototype.
Despite the fiery ending, the latest launch on Wednesday from Boca Chica, Texas, broke new ground for the Tesla founder.
The craft flew itself back to Earth to achieve the first upright landing for a Starship model – but the triumph was short-lived.
Listing slightly to one side as an automated fire-suppression system trained a stream of water on flames still burning at the base of the
EXPLOSION The rocket is destroyed minutes after touching down. Pic: Reuters rocket, the spacecraft blew itself to pieces eight minutes after touchdown.
It is being developed by SpaceX to carry humans and 100 tons of cargo to the Moon and Mars.
In a tweet offering both congratulations and commiserations from an admirer of his work, Musk replied: “RIP SN10, honorable discharge.”
DOG ownership has surged during the pandemic with canine companions helping many of us through the lockdowns.
Walking the dog is a necessity for a healthy happy pooch. But dog walks are not just bathroom breaks.
They’re a special, fun highlight of the day and a fabulous bonding time for you and your canine partner.
Walks help to reinforce good behaviour and establish leadership hierarchy. Always remember you’re the boss!
Here are vet and author Dr Margit Gabriele Muller’s five top tips on how to walk your dog correctly so you both get the most out of enjoy them.
1 Equipment
Good walks start with good equipment. There are so many collars, harnesses, and leashes that it’s hard for a dog parent to find the right one.
While collars can work for all dogs, harnesses are useful for dogs who pull strongly and for brachycephalic breeds with flat noses and googly eyes such as French bulldogs, pugs, and Pekingeses.
As a general rule, extender leashes are not very suitable for walks as they let the dog to pull more and build up tension. They can also be dangerous for your furry friend, too, because they cause pressure on the throat and this can lead to a tracheal collapse especially in smaller breeds.
Therefore, strong nylon or leather leashes of about two metres in length are best. Neon colour or reflective materials are especially recommended during the evening and at night and in grey, grizzly weather.
2 Stop the pulling!
Dogs pulling their owners are not just a nuisance, they can be dangerous too. The owner might stumble, fall, or have an accident. The best thing to do is to spend some time teaching your dog to walk properly on the leash.
Start walking with your dog by your side. The leash needs to be slack enough so there is no tension from you or your dog. When your furry friend pulls, stop walking to release the tension. Then start walking again, and don’t forget to praise him for doing it well without pulling.
You might even give him a small treat to reinforce good behaviour.
By learning to walk properly on a leash, to concentrate on you, follow your pace and direction and to heel, your dog accepts your leadership position.
3 4 Location, location, It’s sniffing location time
Of course, you can walk your dog everywhere. But nothing is more satisfying for your dog – and you - than enjoying a walk in a green location.
This may be a park, dog park or the countryside. Just walking around your block, day in, day out, is boring, and doesn’t give stimulation for the brain.
A walk should enhance mental and emotional health for you and your dog. So, it’s better to get out of the city, at least from time to time, and chill out on the grass, meadows, and forests.
Don’t forget that your dog needs a bit of freedom and doesn’t need to stay at your heel all the time (just when you’re training him for a short while).
Daily walks are a fantastic time for your dog to sniff smells of the other dogs while searching for his perfect place to pee and poo.
5 Exercise, relax and have fun
Your Pet, Your Pill: Inspirational stories about pets by Dr Margit Gabriele Muller, available on Amazon.
Walking is one of the best exercises for the whole body – your heart, lungs, muscles, joint and tendons all get strengthened. Daily walks with your dog are also a great opportunity for quality playtime.
One-to-one time with your furry friend, with the intention of enjoying a special time together, works wonders for the human-canine bond. Even a few minutes of fun playing will do the trick – the walks will never be a chore, but a special highlight of you and your dog’s day. Walks are also a great way to become socially active – interacting and communicating – while making new human and furry friends.