Supreme Court ruling on mail-in ballots ensures astronauts can vote from space — or anywhere else

space.com Jul 10, 2026

Supreme Court ruling on mail-in ballots ensures astronauts can vote from space — or anywhere else

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 10, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 29 that mail-in ballots can be counted if postmarked by election day, even if they arrive up to five days later. The decision blocked a Trump-era executive order that sought to restrict mail-in voting and conflict with state procedures. The ruling benefits not only voters on Earth but also astronauts, military veterans, and NASA personnel who rely on absentee voting due to their unique circumstances.

💡 Why It Matters

· The ruling preserves a critical voting method for Americans in remote or mobile situations, ensuring that astronauts, military personnel, and others can participate in elections without undue barriers.
· By upholding flexibility in mail-in voting, the decision reinforces democratic access for those who serve or work in unconventional environments.

Capsules Policies

Read full article on space.com

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma Is Advising the Federal Reserve on the Economic…

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has joined a Federal Reserve taskforce to evaluate the economic impact of AI and other technologies on productivity and jobs. Sharma, who recently restructured the Xbox business, including cutting 1,600 jobs, brings experience from Microsoft’s AI division. She joins figures like Marc Andreessen and Stanford economist Charles I. Jones. The taskforce aims to assess how technological shifts affect employment and economic policy.

💡 Sharma’s dual role at Microsoft and the Fed highlights the growing intersection between corporate tech strategy and macroeconomic policy. Her insights into AI’s role in both job displacement and innovation could shape how central banks respond to future economic disruptions.

cleantechnica.com · Jul 10

EPA Moves to Eliminate Public From Permitting Process for Data Centers, Concrete…

The Trump Administration’s EPA proposed removing public input from air pollution permits for “minor sources,” including data centers and concrete batch plants. This move would eliminate transparency and community involvement in permitting diesel generators, which are linked to serious health risks. The proposal comes as Texas data centers expand using a strategy to obscure cumulative pollution impacts by starting small and scaling later.

💡 The change threatens to limit public ability to challenge harmful pollution in local communities, especially in states like Texas where state regulators have shown limited action. By reducing federal oversight, the proposal could enable unchecked expansion of industrial facilities that disproportionately affect public health.

spacenews.com · Jul 10

Space capitalism needs more than a bull market

The commercial space sector is experiencing rapid growth, marked by executive actions from Washington and a historic $2 trillion SpaceX IPO. While regulatory and market developments signal optimism, key challenges remain, including unresolved legal frameworks for space governance, property rights, and debris management. The sector’s long-term success depends on durable institutional change rather than short-term policy shifts or market enthusiasm.

💡 As space becomes a new frontier for economic and strategic competition, the absence of clear legal and regulatory structures risks stifling innovation and inviting conflict. Without institutional foundations to govern activities like asteroid mining and orbital traffic, the U.S. could lose its competitive edge to nations like China, which are actively building their own space capabilities.

appleinsider.com · Jul 10

No, EU iPhones won’t have a removable battery door in 2027

The European Union’s 2027 battery regulation will not require Apple to redesign the iPhone with a user-replaceable battery. While the regulation mandates easy battery replacement for smartphones, Apple is exempt due to its iPhones meeting specific criteria, including battery longevity and water resistance. The rule applies to smaller manufacturers more directly, potentially limiting consumer choices in the short term.

💡 The exemption highlights a regulatory gap that favors large tech companies over smaller competitors, raising concerns about market fairness. It also underscores how nuanced EU legislation can have uneven impacts across the industry, depending on a company’s product design and resources.

energy-storage.news · Jul 10

SEC and Energy Dome to deploy 20MW/200MWh compressed CO2 energy storage system…

The Victorian State Electricity Commission (SEC) and Energy Dome have announced plans to build Australia’s first commercial compressed CO2 energy storage system in the Latrobe Valley. The 20MW/200MWh facility will provide 10 to 12 hours of continuous power and support Victoria’s renewable energy goals. The project, housed at SEC Energy Works, will use closed-loop CO2 technology and leverage the region’s engineering expertise.

💡 The project marks a shift toward long-duration storage solutions in Australia, addressing energy gaps during prolonged periods of low renewable output. By utilizing existing industrial infrastructure and workforce skills, it supports regional economic transition while advancing clean energy infrastructure.

appleinsider.com · Jul 10

Facebook & Instagram’s addictive design could cost Meta $12.5 billion

The European Commission has formally notified Meta that its Facebook and Instagram applications likely violate the Digital Services Act due to addictive design elements. Preliminary findings indicate that features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and push notifications encourage compulsive usage, particularly among minors and vulnerable adults. The Commission argues these mechanisms shift users into an autopilot mode, fostering unhealthy habits. Meta faces potential fines capped at 6% of its global annual turnover. With 2025 revenues reported at $200.97 billion, the financial exposure exceeds $12.5 billion. Regulators criticized Meta’s existing mitigation strategies, stating that parental controls require excessive technical knowledge and screen time tools are easily dismissed. The Commission demands Meta disable infinite scroll and autoplay by default and implement more effective time management systems. Meta retains the right to defend itself against these allegations. If the preliminary breach findings are confirmed, the company must pay a penalty proportionate to the infringement’s nature, gravity, recurrence, and duration. This regulatory action targets core engagement features central to Meta’s business model.

💡 Regulators are moving beyond data privacy to directly challenge the psychological mechanisms driving user engagement. Forcing Meta to disable infinite scroll by default would fundamentally alter the user experience and potentially disrupt the attention economy that powers its advertising revenue.