Eastern Illinois head coach Chris Wilkerson and his staff are preparing the Panthers for the 2022 season. (photo courtesy EIU Athletics)

CHARLESTON—The competition to become the starting Eastern Illinois quarterback for the Sept. 1 season opener is a three-man race, according to head coach Chris Wilkerson.

“We’ve got three guys that have done a phenomenal job competing all preseason so far, two were here during the spring and we’ve added a third here in the summer,” Wilkerson told Prairie State Pigskin following Saturday night’s practice at O’Brien Field.

Redshirt sophomore Jonah O’Brien and redshirt freshman Zach Weir are the returnees. Senior Dom Shoffner transferred from FBS Charlotte following spring practice.

“Dom, Jonah and Zach have all shown the ability to lead our offense up and down the field and most importantly, take care of the football,” Wilkerson said. “We just finished our fourth rotation with each of the guys going with the first group (offense).

“We’ll sit down and watch the film and see where we’re at, but at some point in the next week we’re probably going to get down to where it’s going to be two guys who will get a few more reps and then obviously in the near future make a decision for Sept. 1.”

 The Panthers open the season on Thursday, Sept. 1 at FBS member Northern Illinois. The home opener is Sept. 10 against Chattanooga, a non-conference FCS opponent.

Breaking down the QB race

“They’ve all got unique skills, but they can all operate the entire playbook,” Wilkerson said. “It’s just a matter of then tweaking what we do with each of their strengths.

“We’re scheduled to scrimmage next Saturday (Aug. 20) and the following Tuesday (Aug. 23) and then we’ll do preparation for the Sept. 1 game.”

When spring practice ended in April, Wilkerson acknowledged Weir as the team’s No. 1 quarterback yet also noted the competition was far from over.

Weir, from Grafton, Wisc., completed 32-of-66 throws for EIU in 2021. He had one touchdown and was intercepted four times. Weir is listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds.

O’Brien began 2019 as the EIU scout team quarterback but played the final home game of the season against Southeast Missouri, completing 12-of-21 pass attempts for 84 yards and one interception.

O’Brien, listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, transferred to Colorado State where he sat out the 2020 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

The Bartlett High School graduate appeared in one game for Colorado State in 2021 before returning to Eastern Illinois this spring.

“It was a little weird at first coming back, but (now) I feel at home like I did before,” O’Brien said. “We compete every day. The competition makes us all better, so the more, the better.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Shoffner began his collegiate career at North Carolina Central and also played at Monroe (NY) Junior College prior to his time at Charlotte.

According to his biographical sketch on the Charlotte athletic website, Shoffner missed the 2021 season with an injury. He served as Charlotte’s backup quarterback during pandemic-shortened, six-game season in which he played in four games.

“It’s an open competition (here). Everyone is working. I love this quarterback room. We all bond very well. We all know there’s one guy that’s going to take the job, so we’re all 10 toes down and working,” Shoffner said.

The quarterback room is under the direction of offensive coordinator and QB coach Joe Davis, who was hired by EIU in December 2021. Davis previously served as associate head coach/offensive coordinator at the University of Albany from 2018 to 2021.

Davis’s Albany offense broke 21 school records during those four years. In the course of that time Davis also coached freshman All-America quarterback Jeff Undercuffler, who verbally committed to EIU in May only to then sign with FBS Akron of the Mid-American Conference.

Position change

South Bend native and former University of Virginia quarterback Ira Armstead II transferred to EIU in January as a dual-threat QB option.

However, Armstead, a former three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247sports.com listed at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, has been moved to wide receiver.

“It’s been an awesome transition,” Wilkerson said. “Ira and I had a discussion at the end of summer. His biggest thing was just trying to get on the field and compete as quickly as possible and help our team as quickly as possible.

“Because of his knowledge of the offense and because of his athletic skill set we thought the easiest transition would be to wide receiver. He has certainly shown some flashes of greatness. He is a big, strong, fast young man. We’re excited about his growth and potential at wide receiver.”

BY SANDRA GUY

It might seem like a minor irritant, but those little white flakes on your scalp, your collar and on your new in-office fashions — sure signs of dandruff — are crying out for a cure.

Dandruff can become a bigger distraction when it requires extra vigilance. After all, who wants to drag around a lint brush?

And it can be embarrassing and cause you to look unkempt at an important meeting.

The first step is to find the cause.

You can get help from a dermatologist. A common cause of dandruff is dry skin. And though it sounds counter-intuitive, you could be shampooing too infrequently. You can also stop using your existing shampoo to see if you’re allergic to it, especially if you suffer from scalp soreness or itchiness. And finally, you may have a medical condition that a doctor can diagnose, such as psoriasis or a scalp fungus.

You may want to experiment with different ingredients in shampoos, but it’s wise to restrict medicated shampoo use to a few times a week, experts say. And if nothing helps, the next step is to see a dermatologist or your doctor.

Shampoos such as Head & Shoulders and Selsun Blue contain selenium sulfide, an antifungal agent. Capex, Derma-Smoothe/FS and others use a corticosteroid to help control itching and flaking, for example.

So rest assured that, despite the inconvenience, your detective work will pay off.

Eastern Illinois head coach Chris Wilkerson and his staff are preparing the Panthers for the 2022 season. (photo courtesy EIU Athletics)

CHARLESTON—The competition to become the starting Eastern Illinois quarterback for the Sept. 1 season opener is a three-man race, according to head coach Chris Wilkerson.

“We’ve got three guys that have done a phenomenal job competing all preseason so far, two were here during the spring and we’ve added a third here in the summer,” Wilkerson told Prairie State Pigskin following Saturday night’s practice at O’Brien Field.

Redshirt sophomore Jonah O’Brien and redshirt freshman Zach Weir are the returnees. Senior Dom Shoffner transferred from FBS Charlotte following spring practice.

“Dom, Jonah and Zach have all shown the ability to lead our offense up and down the field and most importantly, take care of the football,” Wilkerson said. “We just finished our fourth rotation with each of the guys going with the first group (offense).

“We’ll sit down and watch the film and see where we’re at, but at some point in the next week we’re probably going to get down to where it’s going to be two guys who will get a few more reps and then obviously in the near future make a decision for Sept. 1.”

 The Panthers open the season on Thursday, Sept. 1 at FBS member Northern Illinois. The home opener is Sept. 10 against Chattanooga, a non-conference FCS opponent.

Breaking down the QB race

“They’ve all got unique skills, but they can all operate the entire playbook,” Wilkerson said. “It’s just a matter of then tweaking what we do with each of their strengths.

“We’re scheduled to scrimmage next Saturday (Aug. 20) and the following Tuesday (Aug. 23) and then we’ll do preparation for the Sept. 1 game.”

When spring practice ended in April, Wilkerson acknowledged Weir as the team’s No. 1 quarterback yet also noted the competition was far from over.

Weir, from Grafton, Wisc., completed 32-of-66 throws for EIU in 2021. He had one touchdown and was intercepted four times. Weir is listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds.

O’Brien began 2019 as the EIU scout team quarterback but played the final home game of the season against Southeast Missouri, completing 12-of-21 pass attempts for 84 yards and one interception.

O’Brien, listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, transferred to Colorado State where he sat out the 2020 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

The Bartlett High School graduate appeared in one game for Colorado State in 2021 before returning to Eastern Illinois this spring.

“It was a little weird at first coming back, but (now) I feel at home like I did before,” O’Brien said. “We compete every day. The competition makes us all better, so the more, the better.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Shoffner began his collegiate career at North Carolina Central and also played at Monroe (NY) Junior College prior to his time at Charlotte.

According to his biographical sketch on the Charlotte athletic website, Shoffner missed the 2021 season with an injury. He served as Charlotte’s backup quarterback during pandemic-shortened, six-game season in which he played in four games.

“It’s an open competition (here). Everyone is working. I love this quarterback room. We all bond very well. We all know there’s one guy that’s going to take the job, so we’re all 10 toes down and working,” Shoffner said.

The quarterback room is under the direction of offensive coordinator and QB coach Joe Davis, who was hired by EIU in December 2021. Davis previously served as associate head coach/offensive coordinator at the University of Albany from 2018 to 2021.

Davis’s Albany offense broke 21 school records during those four years. In the course of that time Davis also coached freshman All-America quarterback Jeff Undercuffler, who verbally committed to EIU in May only to then sign with FBS Akron of the Mid-American Conference.

Position change

South Bend native and former University of Virginia quarterback Ira Armstead II transferred to EIU in January as a dual-threat QB option.

However, Armstead, a former three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247sports.com listed at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, has been moved to wide receiver.

“It’s been an awesome transition,” Wilkerson said. “Ira and I had a discussion at the end of summer. His biggest thing was just trying to get on the field and compete as quickly as possible and help our team as quickly as possible.

“Because of his knowledge of the offense and because of his athletic skill set we thought the easiest transition would be to wide receiver. He has certainly shown some flashes of greatness. He is a big, strong, fast young man. We’re excited about his growth and potential at wide receiver.”

BY SANDRA GUY

Pre-season NFL football games are live. The sun sets earlier as each week goes by. And neighborhood children carrying backpacks troop back to school.

Fall is coming.

You’ve honed your outdoor exercise routine all summer, making time for long walks, runs and bike rides in the sun. How can you stay fit as the wind gets chillier and the pumpkin lattes pop up everywhere?

One idea is to start honing an indoor strength-training routine, even as you continue to get fresh-air exercise wearing warmer clothes.

You can start with 30 minutes and aim to extend your barbell or free-weights routine as the weather gradually gets harsher.

You may be surprised by how quickly you can achieve lean muscle and tightened abs by doing stationary weightlifting. Even better, fun and effective online, affordable on-demand workouts such as Les Mills International (lesmills.com), Beachbody (Beachbody.com) are easily accessible. They’re often easier on the wallet than gym memberships.

Another possibility is hot yoga, especially if you love to get your sweat on. You can find online, on-demand yoga where you follow the teacher’s instruction to turn off off your air-conditioner before you start (although this may well aggravate others in your household, so beware). You’ll get the added benefit of stretching in your own warm home or apartment.

You can switch to a stationary bike. Even a $250 bike that you put together yourself, with no flywheel, can do the trick. Again, you can find free online spin lessons or subscribe to Les Mills+, Peloton or CardioCast. They offer expert teachers, upbeat music and a lively environment to keep you motivated.

Just do a Google search, and you’ll turn up loads of free YouTube videos featuring professional athletes and trainers who offer expert advice on weightlifting, kickboxing, ab exercises and diet tutorials. They offer paid subscriptions, but you can learn plenty from the basic, free videos from trainers at sites such as Athlean-X, Zuzka Light and BowFlex.

If you have a nice yard, take your favorite music with you and rake leaves or tidy up your garden and flower beds.

Finally, since we could all use a change of scenery, seek out something fun and different, even if it’s for a free or reduced-price trial run. Classes range from dancing to HIIT to aerial fitness (exercising around a pole or moving freely while hanging from a hammock or other rigging).

You may find you’ll benefit far more than you had expected and, especially if you return to in-person classes, some wonderful camaraderie with health-conscious people.

BY SANDRA GUY

It might seem like a minor irritant, but those little white flakes on your scalp, your collar and on your new in-office fashions — sure signs of dandruff — are crying out for a cure.

Dandruff can become a bigger distraction when it requires extra vigilance. After all, who wants to drag around a lint brush?

And it can be embarrassing and cause you to look unkempt at an important meeting.

The first step is to find the cause.

You can get help from a dermatologist. A common cause of dandruff is dry skin. And though it sounds counter-intuitive, you could be shampooing too infrequently. You can also stop using your existing shampoo to see if you’re allergic to it, especially if you suffer from scalp soreness or itchiness. And finally, you may have a medical condition that a doctor can diagnose, such as psoriasis or a scalp fungus.

You may want to experiment with different ingredients in shampoos, but it’s wise to restrict medicated shampoo use to a few times a week, experts say. And if nothing helps, the next step is to see a dermatologist or your doctor.

Shampoos such as Head & Shoulders and Selsun Blue contain selenium sulfide, an antifungal agent. Capex, Derma-Smoothe/FS and others use a corticosteroid to help control itching and flaking, for example.

So rest assured that, despite the inconvenience, your detective work will pay off.

Eastern Illinois head coach Chris Wilkerson and his staff are preparing the Panthers for the 2022 season. (photo courtesy EIU Athletics)

CHARLESTON—The competition to become the starting Eastern Illinois quarterback for the Sept. 1 season opener is a three-man race, according to head coach Chris Wilkerson.

“We’ve got three guys that have done a phenomenal job competing all preseason so far, two were here during the spring and we’ve added a third here in the summer,” Wilkerson told Prairie State Pigskin following Saturday night’s practice at O’Brien Field.

Redshirt sophomore Jonah O’Brien and redshirt freshman Zach Weir are the returnees. Senior Dom Shoffner transferred from FBS Charlotte following spring practice.

“Dom, Jonah and Zach have all shown the ability to lead our offense up and down the field and most importantly, take care of the football,” Wilkerson said. “We just finished our fourth rotation with each of the guys going with the first group (offense).

“We’ll sit down and watch the film and see where we’re at, but at some point in the next week we’re probably going to get down to where it’s going to be two guys who will get a few more reps and then obviously in the near future make a decision for Sept. 1.”

 The Panthers open the season on Thursday, Sept. 1 at FBS member Northern Illinois. The home opener is Sept. 10 against Chattanooga, a non-conference FCS opponent.

Breaking down the QB race

“They’ve all got unique skills, but they can all operate the entire playbook,” Wilkerson said. “It’s just a matter of then tweaking what we do with each of their strengths.

“We’re scheduled to scrimmage next Saturday (Aug. 20) and the following Tuesday (Aug. 23) and then we’ll do preparation for the Sept. 1 game.”

When spring practice ended in April, Wilkerson acknowledged Weir as the team’s No. 1 quarterback yet also noted the competition was far from over.

Weir, from Grafton, Wisc., completed 32-of-66 throws for EIU in 2021. He had one touchdown and was intercepted four times. Weir is listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds.

O’Brien began 2019 as the EIU scout team quarterback but played the final home game of the season against Southeast Missouri, completing 12-of-21 pass attempts for 84 yards and one interception.

O’Brien, listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, transferred to Colorado State where he sat out the 2020 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

The Bartlett High School graduate appeared in one game for Colorado State in 2021 before returning to Eastern Illinois this spring.

“It was a little weird at first coming back, but (now) I feel at home like I did before,” O’Brien said. “We compete every day. The competition makes us all better, so the more, the better.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Shoffner began his collegiate career at North Carolina Central and also played at Monroe (NY) Junior College prior to his time at Charlotte.

According to his biographical sketch on the Charlotte athletic website, Shoffner missed the 2021 season with an injury. He served as Charlotte’s backup quarterback during pandemic-shortened, six-game season in which he played in four games.

“It’s an open competition (here). Everyone is working. I love this quarterback room. We all bond very well. We all know there’s one guy that’s going to take the job, so we’re all 10 toes down and working,” Shoffner said.

The quarterback room is under the direction of offensive coordinator and QB coach Joe Davis, who was hired by EIU in December 2021. Davis previously served as associate head coach/offensive coordinator at the University of Albany from 2018 to 2021.

Davis’s Albany offense broke 21 school records during those four years. In the course of that time Davis also coached freshman All-America quarterback Jeff Undercuffler, who verbally committed to EIU in May only to then sign with FBS Akron of the Mid-American Conference.

Position change

South Bend native and former University of Virginia quarterback Ira Armstead II transferred to EIU in January as a dual-threat QB option.

However, Armstead, a former three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247sports.com listed at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, has been moved to wide receiver.

“It’s been an awesome transition,” Wilkerson said. “Ira and I had a discussion at the end of summer. His biggest thing was just trying to get on the field and compete as quickly as possible and help our team as quickly as possible.

“Because of his knowledge of the offense and because of his athletic skill set we thought the easiest transition would be to wide receiver. He has certainly shown some flashes of greatness. He is a big, strong, fast young man. We’re excited about his growth and potential at wide receiver.”

Eastern Illinois head coach Chris Wilkerson and his staff are preparing the Panthers for the 2022 season. (photo courtesy EIU Athletics)

CHARLESTON—The competition to become the starting Eastern Illinois quarterback for the Sept. 1 season opener is a three-man race, according to head coach Chris Wilkerson.

“We’ve got three guys that have done a phenomenal job competing all preseason so far, two were here during the spring and we’ve added a third here in the summer,” Wilkerson told Prairie State Pigskin following Saturday night’s practice at O’Brien Field.

Redshirt sophomore Jonah O’Brien and redshirt freshman Zach Weir are the returnees. Senior Dom Shoffner transferred from FBS Charlotte following spring practice.

“Dom, Jonah and Zach have all shown the ability to lead our offense up and down the field and most importantly, take care of the football,” Wilkerson said. “We just finished our fourth rotation with each of the guys going with the first group (offense).

“We’ll sit down and watch the film and see where we’re at, but at some point in the next week we’re probably going to get down to where it’s going to be two guys who will get a few more reps and then obviously in the near future make a decision for Sept. 1.”

 The Panthers open the season on Thursday, Sept. 1 at FBS member Northern Illinois. The home opener is Sept. 10 against Chattanooga, a non-conference FCS opponent.

Breaking down the QB race

“They’ve all got unique skills, but they can all operate the entire playbook,” Wilkerson said. “It’s just a matter of then tweaking what we do with each of their strengths.

“We’re scheduled to scrimmage next Saturday (Aug. 20) and the following Tuesday (Aug. 23) and then we’ll do preparation for the Sept. 1 game.”

When spring practice ended in April, Wilkerson acknowledged Weir as the team’s No. 1 quarterback yet also noted the competition was far from over.

Weir, from Grafton, Wisc., completed 32-of-66 throws for EIU in 2021. He had one touchdown and was intercepted four times. Weir is listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds.

O’Brien began 2019 as the EIU scout team quarterback but played the final home game of the season against Southeast Missouri, completing 12-of-21 pass attempts for 84 yards and one interception.

O’Brien, listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, transferred to Colorado State where he sat out the 2020 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

The Bartlett High School graduate appeared in one game for Colorado State in 2021 before returning to Eastern Illinois this spring.

“It was a little weird at first coming back, but (now) I feel at home like I did before,” O’Brien said. “We compete every day. The competition makes us all better, so the more, the better.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Shoffner began his collegiate career at North Carolina Central and also played at Monroe (NY) Junior College prior to his time at Charlotte.

According to his biographical sketch on the Charlotte athletic website, Shoffner missed the 2021 season with an injury. He served as Charlotte’s backup quarterback during pandemic-shortened, six-game season in which he played in four games.

“It’s an open competition (here). Everyone is working. I love this quarterback room. We all bond very well. We all know there’s one guy that’s going to take the job, so we’re all 10 toes down and working,” Shoffner said.

The quarterback room is under the direction of offensive coordinator and QB coach Joe Davis, who was hired by EIU in December 2021. Davis previously served as associate head coach/offensive coordinator at the University of Albany from 2018 to 2021.

Davis’s Albany offense broke 21 school records during those four years. In the course of that time Davis also coached freshman All-America quarterback Jeff Undercuffler, who verbally committed to EIU in May only to then sign with FBS Akron of the Mid-American Conference.

Position change

South Bend native and former University of Virginia quarterback Ira Armstead II transferred to EIU in January as a dual-threat QB option.

However, Armstead, a former three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247sports.com listed at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, has been moved to wide receiver.

“It’s been an awesome transition,” Wilkerson said. “Ira and I had a discussion at the end of summer. His biggest thing was just trying to get on the field and compete as quickly as possible and help our team as quickly as possible.

“Because of his knowledge of the offense and because of his athletic skill set we thought the easiest transition would be to wide receiver. He has certainly shown some flashes of greatness. He is a big, strong, fast young man. We’re excited about his growth and potential at wide receiver.”

SLS continues on its journey to the launchpad. Photo” Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

NASA’s Space Launch System, or SLS, is the most powerful rocket NASAs ever built, designed to get us back to the Moon. SLS will launch astronauts in the Orion spacecraft, and NASA will use the SLS to lay the groundwork for Artemis missions that will pave the way to deep space exploration.

This new rocket consists of several major elements and systems designed in cooperation with companies from all over the United States and international partners. The maiden flight of SLS, Artemis 1, is set to take place no earlier than August 29th, 2022.

SLS on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center. Photo: Michael Galindo/Cosmic Chicago

Until then, use this guide to get to know the Space Launch System, NASA’s Moon rocket.

Space Launch System

The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket stands 344.2 ft tall and will weigh 5.74 million pounds when fully fueled. Two solid rocket boosters provide propulsion, and four Space Shuttle-era RS-25 engines, which together will provide a maximum thrust of 8.8 million pounds, accelerate the rocket to 22,600 mph.

The SLS Rocket. Credit Michael Galindo

Core Stage

The Core Stage of the SLS is the backbone of the rocket, supporting the upper stages, including the Orion spacecraft, the four RS-25 main engines, and both Solid Rocket boosters. At 212 ft tall, the Core Stage comes in at 27.6 ft in diameter without the insulating foam.

SLS Core Stage. Credit Michael Galindo

The Core Stage contains the propellant that powers the RS-25 engines, Liquid Oxygen (LOX), and Liquid Hydrogen (LH2). When fully fueled with propellant, it will weigh 2.4 million pounds and contain 733,000 gallons. The core stage will operate from liftoff to Earth orbit for approximately 480 seconds, reaching a top speed faster than 17,500 mph, 23 times the speed of sound.

RS-25 Engines

Four previously flown Space Shuttle engines will power SLS to orbit; they successfully flew 135 Shuttle missions before being upgraded for SLS. Each RS-25 stands 14 ft tall and has a maximum diameter of 8 ft. Powered by LOX and LH2 the engines produce approximately 500,000 pounds of thrust. That is enough thrust to keep eight Boeing 747’s in the air and propel the SLS 73 times faster than an IndyCar at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

RS-25 Engine on display at Space Center Houston. Credit Michael Galindo

Due to the high speed and altitude of the rocket at main engine cutoff, the RS-25 engines are no longer reusable.

Solid Rocket Boosters

During the first two minutes of flight, the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) provide more than 75 percent of the total thrust for SLS. Each booster stands 177 ft tall and are the most powerful solid propellant boosters ever built for flight.

Solid Rocket Boosters during SLS Rollout to the Launch Pad. Credit Michael Galindo

Each booster generates 3.6 million pounds of thrust and burns for approximately 2 minutes and 12 seconds when they jettison from the rocket. Unlike the Shuttle program, the SRB’s used for SLS are not going to be recovered. Northrop Grumman, the prime contractor for the SRB, is currently developing new boosters for future Artemis flights.

Photogrammetric Markings

Distributed all over the SLS are black and white squares and checkerboards. These are Photogrammetric Markings.

Photogrammetric Markings seen on the SRB’s and Core Stage of SLS. (Red Circles and Squares) Credit Michael Galindo

These markings serve as references for engineering cameras positioned around the launch pad and on the rocket itself. The markings help characterize the movement of the rocket, and its stages during launch and separation events.

More Photogrammetric Marking shown in red circles at the base of the SLS rocket and on the Mobile Launch Platform. Credit NASA

Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS)

After the Core Stage has separated, the ICPS will take over. Based on the cryogenic stage from the Delta IV rocket, the ICPS was modified and upgraded for use on SLS.

ICPS being stacked with SLS. Credit NASA

The stage is 45 ft tall and 16.7 ft in diameter with a single Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10B-2 engine. The RL10 is a proven engine with over 500 flights over 50 years. The ICPS will circularize Orion’s orbit around earth and the Trans Lunar Injection (TLI) burn that will send Orion to the Moon.

Orion Crew Module

The Orion Crew Module is where future astronauts will live and work during Artemis missions. The crew module is able to sustain up to four astronauts for 21 days without needing to dock with another spacecraft for resupply, providing a safe habitat during launch, reentry, and recovery. The crew module is the only part of SLS that is recoverable and will return.

Orion Service Module

The service module, built by Airbus, is provided by the European Space Agency (ESA). It provides fuel, power, and propulsion to the spacecraft, and potable water, nitrogen, and oxygen to the crew.

Orion Crew and Service Module during testing. Credit NASA

Just before reentering Earth’s atmosphere, the service module will be separated and burn up in the atmosphere.

Launch Abort System (LAS)

In the event of an emergency during launch, the LAS will activate and pull the Orion spacecraft safely away from the SLS. The LAS also works to keep Orion safe from aerodynamic and acoustic forces during launch and abort environments.

The Orion Launch Abort System seen during the AA-2 launch in 2019. Credit Michael Galindo

Within milliseconds of an emergency, the LAS activates its abort motors, and Orion accelerates from 0-500 mph in two seconds. Once the abort motors finish firing, the LAS attitude control motor will fire and orient Orion for separation from the LAS. Once separated, Orion’s parachutes will deploy and allow for a safe water recovery.

Sophie Sanchez contributed to this piece.

Your company car can suffer damage like your personal car, whether you’re the driver or one of your employees caused it. To mitigate the wear and tear, follow these six tips for managing your company car with the utmost care.

1. Educate Your Employees

A practical first step in protecting your car is to teach your employees the policies on using it. You and your company may allow employees to use the vehicle if it’s a business-related venture. When operating the car, personnel must be sober and respect all traffic laws, especially the speed limits.

Employees should check fuel and tire pressure levels before departing for their safety. They also should not text and drive — distracted driving is dangerous and causes thousands of accidents annually. A damaged car can cost the company thousands of dollars in repairs.

2. Change the Oil

The engine oil is one of the most critical elements of your car. It acts as a lubricant and helps the part run smoothly with all its moving pieces. Oil reduces the friction and keeps the engine from wearing down quickly.

Check your vehicle’s manual to see how often you should change the oil, but a good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 3,000 miles. If you do it yourself, fill the oil levels without going overboard to avoid leaving a mess under the hood.

3. Watch the Dashboard Warnings

When something is wrong in a car, one of the first ways to tell is by being vigilant of the dashboard lights. Modern-day vehicles can detect low tire pressure, an overheating transmission, a low battery and many more issues. You and your employees must document these issues when they occur.

Immediately detecting and addressing the problem can save money at a mechanic’s shop because it will be easier to fix. Additionally, taking regular care of the vehicle can save headaches later if someone needs it for a long trip.

4. Clean the Stains

When you drive a car, accidents can happen to the exterior and the interior. Sudden braking may lead to a spilled cup of coffee or juice. The celebratory cake you’re transporting may fall out of the box and cover the backseats in frosting. Not only is this a pain to deal with, but it could leave a permanent mark.

These stains take a toll on your interior — especially on leather seats — and can be challenging to clean. For leather seats, try home remedies like lemon juice and cream of tartar to clean dark remnants of messes. 

5. Wash the Exterior

If you’re cleaning the car’s interior, be sure to clean the outside of the vehicle or take it to a car wash regularly. When your car leaves the carwash, it will look spiffy and shine bright under the sun.

It can also extend the life of your company car. When you drive, the vehicle accumulates dirt and debris underneath itself. Over time, all that soil, road salt and garbage can accrue and harm systems like the suspension.

6. Add Useful Technology

In the 21st century, cars have fantastic technology for improving driver safety and reducing accidents. Investing in these features can be a handy tool for you and your employees.

For example, a backup camera will make life easier when you need help exiting a parking space. This can help prevent damage and reduce your blind spots.

Another helpful piece of technology is a dashcam. These cameras record the driver and the front windshield while the car operates. If an accident happens, you can review the footage and see who was responsible for the crash. The dashcam’s video will help your company in court if you decide to sue the other driver for fault.

Conserving Company Cars

Whether the vehicles are old or new, your company car deserves excellent treatment. Regularly cleaning the vehicle inside and out, changing the oil and teaching proper guidelines to employees can show your business means business and takes things seriously.

Calling all the college-bound kids! It’s almost that time for them to hit the books again, but no need to stress!  Lifestyle expert Nekia Nichelle has all the essentials they need to keep them calm, cool, and collected for their next semester at school.

COSORI LITE 4.0- QUART SMART AIR FRYER

There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal in your dorm room. The Cosori Lite Smart Air Fryer will not only help save your college kid some coins, but they’ll have delicious dishes to keep their belly’s full.

Its compact frame makes it perfect for small spaces such as dorm rooms. It has a 4.0-quart capacity and temperature range of up to 450°F make no compromises. There’s 7 cooking functions to choose from. You can cook your favorites at the touch of a button with a variety of customizable cooking functions, including optimized Chicken, Fries, Bacon, Steak, Vegetables, Preheat, Keep Warm functions.

Best of all, smart control lets you monitor cooking, find recipes, and more from your smartphone. Cook with confidence with the built-in automatic shutoff feature. The air fryer will automatically turn off if overheating is detected or when the basket is removed for safe cooking. On August 17th two additional colors, white and green, will be available for purchase.

MONEYTHINK

For high school seniors and their families, starting the school year means time to start thinking about college and financial aid deadlines!

Did you know that student loan debt affects over 45 million students nationwide? It’s a huge problem, in part, because accurate information is so hard to find and comparing financial aid offers is really complicated.   

Well, Moneythink, a national nonprofit that started right here in Chicago has a solution for you! 

Moneythink created a free online college affordability tool called DecidED. That’s right, it’s free for students and families, totally accessible, and they do all the math for you. Their tool simplifies the whole process by automatically comparing financial aid letters.

Students and parents get a clear and accurate picture of college costs and other important factors, so that you can choose the best option. It’s also great for college counselors and student advisors, because it gives back your time with students instead of spending energy doing administrative tasks. 

Check it out today! It’s so worth it. 

Visit www.decided.org

LOVEVOOK BACKPACK

Let’s not forget the backpacks to store all of these essential items and more! The trendiest backpack that I found is one by LoveVook.  The laptop backpack has multiple divider pockets, easy for holding 15.6 Inches laptops, iPads, phones, water bottles, umbrellas, readers, journals, magazines, clothes, pens, wallets and so on. The coolest part about this backpack is the invisible anti-theft pocket on the back can well protect your wallet, mobile phone, and other valuables. It also comes with an external USB port with a built-in charging cable– great for a techy student that needs to keep all his/her devices fully charged.

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL BTRFE LAPDESK

This lap desk for laptop is quite convenient for a lot of uses. It makes a decent table for breakfast in bed, with plenty of room for a plate, glass, and coffee mug. It also makes a good work surface for a bed. The desk would also be convenient for a standup desk conversion, putting monitor, keyboard, and mouse at a better height for working standing up. With its adjustable height and angle, it’s super convenient for those late night study sessions or zoom classes.

SABRE PEPPER SPRAY GEL

College life is supposed to be a fun time for the kids, but safety is important too. With the rise in crime in the Chicago area, its important for students to be aware of their surroundings and take what precautions they can to avoid being victims of crime

SABRE is actually a local Chicago company that makes personal safety products specifically designed for students in our area. They are the #1 manufacturer of pepper spray products in the US and exclusively supply every major police department including the Chicago PD.

Sabre’s Pepper Spray Gel is really popular on college campuses, especially among young women who may have to walk somewhere at night.

Its really easy to use, just point and spray across an attackers face eye to eye and the major advantage of the gel over traditional spray is that it doesn’t blow back on you which of course can happen in a city like Chicago which all know can have really strong winds at times.

Sabre is offering back to school discounts on all their top products, just visit sabrered.com for more info

Back To School discount offer of 20% off: https://www.sabrered.com/back-to-campus-deals/