The troubles for the International Space Station (ISS) seem never-ending as a planned resupply mission has been officially scrapped due to a severe incident involving the cargo spacecraft. The scheduled delivery for June, aboard the Cygnus automated cargo ship NG-22, encountered significant damage during its transit from Northrop Grumman's Redondo Beach facility in California to its launch site in Florida. Following inspection, engineers confirmed that the mishap not only compromised the shipping container but also the spacecraft itself, forcing the cancellation of this crucial mission.

As the ISS faces shortages of essential supplies, mission controllers are pinning their hopes on the next planned resupply, a SpaceX Cargo Dragon launch set for April. This cargo ship will be upgraded to carry extra food and necessary consumables for the crew. However, this solution raises another pressing concern: waste management. Typically, the Cygnus modules are used for discarding trash from the ISS, re-entering the atmosphere and incinerating it. Unfortunately, the next Cygnus delivery isn't scheduled until autumn, which means that the crew may be facing a prolonged and unpleasant summer dealing with increasing waste.

In an unexpected turn of events, genetic testing giant 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, sparking a frenzy among its customers eager to delete their genetic data. The company, which thrived on providing at-home DNA testing kits revealing customers' genetic histories, now finds itself in the precarious position of needing to auction off its extensive database of genetic information to recover losses. With a bankruptcy judge permitting the sale, an influx of users attempting to erase their data has overwhelmed the 23andMe website, leading to widespread accessibility issues. This situation raises questions about whether the company will actually allow the mass deletion of such valuable data, as many remain anxious about privacy and the future handling of their genetic information.

In other news, Emmanuel Lidden, a 24-year-old resident of Sydney, has found himself on the wrong side of the law after procuring a sample of plutonium from a US supplier, aiming to collect a piece of every element on the periodic table. His actions have resulted in him pleading guilty to violations of Australia’s nuclear proliferation laws. The shipment of plutonium raised red flags, leading to a dramatic response from authorities who had initially seized part of the shipment, only to later return it under questionable circumstances. The situation escalated to such an extent that officials cordoned off the area surrounding Lidden's residence, leading to chaos and the presence of hazmat teams. He potentially now faces up to a decade in prison—an outcome that depicts a stark warning on the limits of scientific curiosity.

As these stories unfold, it's clear that significant challenges are emerging in both the realms of space exploration and personal data privacy. Stay tuned for more developments on these critical issues!