Science Information Abstract: Musk tells SpaceX to land spacecraft rockets on Mars properly earlier than 2030. Russia has began a spacecraft undertaking, says the Soviet shuttle designer, and extra

Below is a summary of the latest scientific news.

The Mayan ruins in Belize offer a glimpse into the inequality of ancient wealth

An examination of numerous houses excavated in two locations in southern Belize provides insight into the gaping inequality of wealth in ancient Mayan cities – an inequality that researchers believe was closely linked to despotic leadership. Archaeologists said Wednesday they had examined the remains of 180 houses in the medium-sized town of Uxbenká and 93 houses in the smaller nearby town of Ix Kuku’il, both of which flourished during the so-called classical Mayan period from around AD 250 to 900 .

According to Musk, SpaceX is slated to land spacecraft rockets on Mars well before 2030

Elon Musk’s SpaceX will land its Starship rockets on Mars well before 2030, the billionaire said in a tweet on Tuesday. The private space company raised around $ 850 million in equity in February when a prototype of its Starship rocket exploded while attempting to land after a high altitude test launch.

Russia has started a spacecraft project, says the Soviet shuttle designer

Russia is developing a reusable spaceplane, announced a subsidiary of the Kalashnikov conglomerate on Wednesday in Russia’s first such project since the late Soviet Union’s unfortunate Buran space shuttle. A full-size model of the aircraft was unveiled in an enclosed pavilion during a Russian military forum last year. The project is currently under development, said the general manager of the Molniya research and production facility.

Broader picture: By catching bats, these “virus hunters” hope to stop the next pandemic

Researchers wearing headlights and protective suits attempt to untangle the claws and wings of bats trapped in a large net after dark in the Philippine province of Laguna. The tiny animals are carefully placed in cloth bags for removal, measurement, and wiping. The details are logged and saliva and feces are collected for analysis before being returned to the wild.

(With contributions from agencies.)