Earth tidal perturbations affecting laser-ranged satellites are critical for refining satellite orbital dynamics modeling, and their accurate computation represents a prerequisite for high-precision fundamental physical effects and geodetic investigations based on satellite orbit analysis. This study focuses on the tidal perturbations induced by the asymmetric responses of LARES 2 and LAGEOS on their orbital nodes and inclinations. Perturbations induced by a total of 402 (392 2nd and 10 3rd-order) earth tide constituents on the two satellites were calculated, based on Kaula's orbital perturbation theory and Lagrange's planetary equations for satellites, considering the frequency dependence of Love numbers. The asymmetric characteristics of tidal perturbations between the two satellites were quantitatively analyzed. The minimum resolutions of orbital inclinations and nodes, used as screening thresholds for significant constituents, were derived from the RMS of overlapping orbit differences using orbital geometry and error propagation law. With these thresholds, 83 significant constituents were identified from the 402. The cumulative effect of the 319 minor constituents was further evaluated, and it was found that their total impact, from coherent superposition, noticeably exceeds the thresholds, thus becoming non-negligible. The results of this study provide accurate tidal perturbation parameters for LARES 2 and LAGEOS, and offer methodological references for the screening of Earth tide constituents in high-precision satellite orbital dynamics research, laying a foundation for subsequent studies on inverting geophysical parameters from satellite orbits and verifying fundamental physical effects, particularly the relativistic Lense-Thirring effect.
Directs the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council to designate coal as a “mineral” under Executive Order 14241, entitling coal to all of the benefits of that prior Order.
Directs relevant agencies to identify coal resources on Federal lands, lift barriers to coal mining, and prioritize coal leasing on those lands.
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to acknowledge the end of the Jewell Moratorium, which paused coal leasing on Federal lands.
Requires agencies to rescind any agency policies that seek to transition the Nation away from coal production or otherwise establish preferences against coal as a generation resource.
Directs CEQ to assist agencies in adopting coal-related categorical exclusions under NEPA.
Seeks to promote coal and coal technology exports, facilitate international offtake agreements for U.S. coal, and accelerate development of coal technologies.
Calls for the Secretary of Energy to determine whether coal used in the production of steel meets the definition of a “critical material” and “critical mineral” under the Energy Act of 2020, and if so, add it to the relevant lists.
Pushes for using coal to power new artificial intelligence (AI) data.
And things change! My Dad grew up in a world of newspapers (He was a commercial artist) and telephones pre-dating rotary dials, vacuum tubes and no transistors and such. Things really change, even over a short period, as you note.
My own college education was in physics, which essentially prepares you for every job other than physics. And since service intervened, I hopped on the aerospace job train, in optics, electronic engineering and eventually, computing, around the time when you could actually build and own your own.
I never had any mentor, so to speak, and I understand your desire for one. I hope you do find one, because a mentor can share experience and wisdom that you would otherwise learn the hard way. I sure did.
But ask what is enduring in all this change. I tell young people to become electricians, because power generation and distribution are essential. In your case, electrical engineering. and since computers run everything, your interest in computing will be important. I needn't remind anyone how vulnerable power control systems are when sloppily programmed.
And if it all falls apart, people in remote communities will always need electricity from solar or whatever, and cost-effective, reliable systems.
Here in California, communities who didn't long ago set up their own power companies, negotiating with suppliers directly, are paying a terrible price for the monopoly or duopoly which burned entire communities with outdated equipment and forged safety records. We are paying for the renewed infrastructure whose budget went to shareholders and executives instead. Unfortunately, switchover takes time, and it's just too late for many. Nearby Fresno has the highest total electrical costs in the U.S. [0]
Well, just my two cents. To be honest, I was (and still am) a Jack of all trades, adapting to various job opportunities, from aerospace, to education, finance, sales engineering, and whatnot.
Seek good advice, and build your basic competence (as I did with physics) and confidence. We are all problem-solvers, and the ability to bring in ideas from outside a specialty can pay handsomely.
And avoid forums other than Hacker News. They are overrun by bots.
[0] https://gvwire.com/2025/05/09/fresno-pays-the-most-for-elect...