For years, getting anything into space has been slow and expensive. You prepare for months, sometimes years, and you often get one shot to run your experiment. If something does not work, you wait again. That model is starting to change.

A new U.S. competition called the Runway-to-Space Spaceplane Challenge is opening the door to a different way of doing space research. Instead of relying on traditional rocket launches, teams will be able to fly payloads on a reusable spaceplane that takes off and lands on a runway. It sounds simple, but it could reshape how innovation happens.

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How the Runway-to-Space Challenge changes space testing

The program is built around the Aurora spaceplane from Dawn Aerospace, operating out of the Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport. This vehicle can reach the edge of space, traveling at speeds above Mach 3.5 and climbing to altitudes of about 62 miles. During each flight, payloads can experience a short window of microgravity that lasts just over two minutes.

On its own, that may sound similar to other suborbital missions. What makes this different is how often it can fly. The Aurora is designed for rapid turnaround, which means it can land, be prepared again and return to flight much faster than a traditional launch system. That shift removes one of the biggest bottlenecks in space research.

A closer look at how this spaceplane works

The Aurora spaceplane has already completed more than 60 missions, with a focus on making access to the edge of space more routine and scalable.

“Meaningful access to microgravity typically means going to orbit, which is expensive, slow, and often out of reach for early-stage ideas,” said Stefan Powell, CEO of Dawn Aerospace. “Aurora changes that by giving teams a fast, lower-cost way to access microgravity and iterate within months. It’s not a substitute for long-duration missions, but it enables experiments that would otherwise never leave the ground, turning ideas that might never have flown into viable missions that can ultimately progress to orbit.”

That idea of faster iteration is what makes this program stand out. It gives researchers a way to test concepts, adjust them and return to flight without long delays.

Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine also sees the bigger picture.

“This competition is about capturing the imagination of scientists, engineers and researchers, while also enabling a new way of working, where research can move faster, iterate more frequently, and strengthen U.S. leadership in space-enabled science and industry.”

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Why spaceflight is starting to look more like aviation

Think about how commercial aviation works. Planes land, refuel and take off again in a matter of hours. That same rhythm is now being applied to space access. Instead of designing a perfect experiment for a single launch, researchers can test, adjust and fly again. That creates a more flexible process where ideas can evolve in real time.

This matters because many early-stage concepts never make it to space. The cost and complexity are simply too high. With a reusable system, smaller teams have a better chance to test bold ideas without waiting years between attempts. It does not replace long missions in orbit, but it fills a gap that has existed for decades.

How the US is pushing faster space innovation

The challenge is being led by the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority, which is working to expand the state’s role in the growing space economy. There is real investment behind that effort. The spaceport is undergoing major upgrades to support more advanced operations, including new infrastructure designed specifically for spaceplane missions.

Programs like this reflect a broader push to speed up space research and make it more responsive. When teams can test ideas more frequently, progress tends to follow. The timeline reflects that long view. Applications open in April 2026 and close in September, with flights expected to begin in 2027. That gives teams time to prepare payloads while the supporting infrastructure continues to expand.

Runway-to-Space Challenge details and how to apply

If you are wondering who can actually take part, the program is structured to center on Oklahoma institutions while still allowing broader collaboration. Applications must be led by an Oklahoma-based university or research institution, though out-of-state partners can join as collaborators. The application window opens April 16, 2026, and closes Sept. 25, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT.

Selected teams will be able to fly payloads weighing up to 33 pounds. Each mission can reach altitudes of about 62 miles, exceed Mach 3.5 and provide up to 127 seconds of microgravity. Flights are expected to begin in mid- to late 2027, giving teams about a year to prepare.

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What this means to you

Even if you are not working in aerospace, this shift could still affect you. When access to space becomes faster and more flexible, innovation tends to accelerate. Research that once took years can move forward in shorter cycles. That can influence everything from materials science to weather forecasting.

It also signals a broader change. Space is moving away from rare, high-stakes missions and toward a model that supports routine experimentation. That usually leads to more competition and more rapid breakthroughs. Over time, those breakthroughs often show up in everyday technology, even if the connection is not always obvious.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Spaceflight has always pushed the limits of what is possible, but the process has remained slow for a long time. The Runway-to-Space Challenge points to a future where reaching the edge of space becomes more practical and repeatable. That alone could unlock ideas that have been sitting on the sidelines. If space starts to operate more like aviation, the pace of discovery could change in ways that ripple far beyond the aerospace industry.

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If spaceflight becomes routine enough for constant testing, how quickly should we expect new technologies to move from experiments to everyday life? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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As with the Osmo Pocket 4 and recent Lito drones, DJI has no plans to release the Mic Mini 2 in the US, but it’s now available in most other markets. Pricing starts at €59 (around $69) for a bundle that includes a single mic transmitter, a compact USB-C wireless receiver, and a smaller charging case. There are several additional bundles available, including a €99 (around $116) option with two mic transmitters, a larger version of the wireless receiver that can be used with cameras, and a charging case large enough to accommodate them all. Obsidian black and glaze white magnetic covers are included, while 12 more colorful alternatives are sold separately.

The Mic Mini 2 transmitters are slightly larger and a gram heavier than the originals as a result of the redesign that accommodates the covers. But they’re much smaller than the Insta360 Mic Pro’s transmitters that will feature a customizable color E Ink screen. Battery life remains the same at 11.5 hours for the Mic Mini 2 with ANC turned off and 10.5 hours for the receiver, while the wireless transmission distance still maxes out at just over 1,312 feet. There’s still no redundant on-mic recording, but DJI teased a Mic Mini 2S version with that feature as part of today’s announcement that it claims will be announced this summer.

If you use an Android phone, there is a good chance this case affects you. Google has agreed to a $135 million settlement over claims that its Android system used people’s cellular data without permission. The part that caught our attention is when it allegedly happened.

According to the lawsuit, these data transfers could take place in the background, even when your phone was not in use. Most people assume that if their screen is off, nothing is happening. That isn’t always the case.

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What the lawsuit says your Android phone was doing

At the center of this case is how Android handled background activity. The lawsuit claims Android devices were sending information back to Google servers without clear user consent. This reportedly happened over cellular networks, which means it may have used data you were paying for.

That detail matters. If something runs over Wi Fi, most people do not think twice about it. Cellular data is different. It is limited for many users and often tied to monthly costs.

The plaintiffs argue that Google could have restricted these transfers to Wi Fi. Instead, they say the system used cellular connections, which shifted the cost to users. Google has denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle the case.

“We are pleased to resolve this case, which mischaracterized standard industry practices that keep Android safe. We’re providing additional disclosures to give people more information about how our services work,” José Castañeda, a Google spokesperson, told CyberGuy.

Who may be included in the settlement?

This case covers a huge number of people. If you used an Android device on a cellular network at any point after November 12, 2017, there is a good chance you are part of the group. The only major exception is if you are already included in a similar case called Csupo v. Google LLC. Estimates suggest around 100 million users could qualify. That makes this one of the larger consumer tech settlements tied to everyday phone use.

How much you might actually receive

Before you start planning how to spend it, this is likely to be a modest payment. The settlement fund is $135 million. When that is divided across millions of people, the amount per person will depend on how many claims are filed. In most cases like this, payments tend to be small. Think of it as getting reimbursed for something you did not realize was costing you.

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How to claim your payment

The process is already underway, but it is simpler than most people expect. In many cases, you do not need to file a full claim form to be included. If you qualify, you are already part of the settlement unless you choose to opt out.

That said, there are a few steps worth taking to make sure you actually get paid.

• Start by checking your email or physical mail for a notice about the settlement. Some users are receiving a class member ID or notice code, which makes the process faster.
• Next, visit the official settlement website at federalcellularclassaction.com and confirm your eligibility. This is also where you can enter or update your payment details. You will typically be able to choose how you want to receive your money, including options like direct deposit or popular payment apps.
• If you do nothing, you may still receive a payment automatically, but there is a higher chance of delays or missed payments if your information is outdated. You only need to take extra steps if you did not receive a notice, your contact details have changed, or you want to opt out or object to the settlement.

The timeline you need to know

There are a couple of important dates to keep in mind. The deadline to opt out or object to the settlement is May 29, 2026. The final approval hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2026. If the court approves the deal, payments will follow after that process wraps up.

Why this situation matters beyond the settlement

This case taps into something bigger than one payout. Smartphones are designed to stay connected at all times. That includes background activity that most people never see. While that constant connection powers useful features, it also creates gray areas around consent and cost.

Situations like this raise a simple question. How much do you really know about what your phone is doing behind the scenes? It also puts pressure on companies to be clearer about how data is used and when it is being transmitted.

We reached out to Google for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline. 

What the Android data lawsuit means for you

Even if the payout ends up being small, the takeaway here matters more than the money. Your phone may be using data in ways you do not notice. That includes apps you rarely open and system services running in the background. Taking a few minutes to check your settings can give you more control.

Check which apps are using background data

(Settings may vary depending on device manufacturer)

Samsung/Android: Go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Mobile data usage >  then tap an app to see its data use and background activity.

Limit background data for specific apps

(Settings may vary depending on device manufacturer)

Samsung/Android: Go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Mobile data usage > tap an app > toggle Allow background data usage off

This stops the app from using cellular data when you are not actively using it.

Reduce data use for updates and backups

(Settings may vary depending on device manufacturer)

Go to Settings > Software update > Auto download > Using Wi-Fi only

For apps, open the Google Play Store > tap your profile > Settings > Network preferences > App download preference > choose Over Wi-Fi only > OK

These small changes can help you avoid using cellular data without realizing it and give you more visibility into what your phone is doing behind the scenes.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

This case is a reminder that the devices we rely on every day are doing more than we see. Most of the time, that works in your favor. Sometimes, it raises questions about transparency and control. Google chose to settle without admitting fault. That leaves room for debate about what really happened. It also highlights how quickly technology can outpace what users expect or understand. As phones become even more connected, these kinds of cases will likely keep coming.

Should companies like Google be allowed to use your cellular data in the background without clear permission, even if it powers features you rely on every day? Let us know your thoughts by writing to us at CyberGuy.com

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