Month: May 2011
Finding anti-matter from ISS
How space technology helped kill Osama bin Laden
Elon Musk defends his vision and success
Elon Musk defends his vision and success. Key quote:
For the first time in more than three decades, America last year began taking back international market-share in commercial satellite launch. This remarkable turn-around was sparked by a small investment NASA made in SpaceX in 2006 as part of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. A unique public-private partnership, COTS has proven that under the right conditions, a properly incentivized contractor — even an all-American one — can develop extremely complex systems on rapid timelines and a fixed-price basis, significantly beating historical industry-standard costs.
China has the fastest growing economy in the world. But the American free enterprise system, which allows anyone with a better mouse-trap to compete, is what will ensure that the United States remains the world’s greatest superpower of innovation.
To put it simply, Musk is right, on all counts.
Elon Musk defends his vision and success. Key quote:
For the first time in more than three decades, America last year began taking back international market-share in commercial satellite launch. This remarkable turn-around was sparked by a small investment NASA made in SpaceX in 2006 as part of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. A unique public-private partnership, COTS has proven that under the right conditions, a properly incentivized contractor — even an all-American one — can develop extremely complex systems on rapid timelines and a fixed-price basis, significantly beating historical industry-standard costs.
China has the fastest growing economy in the world. But the American free enterprise system, which allows anyone with a better mouse-trap to compete, is what will ensure that the United States remains the world’s greatest superpower of innovation.
To put it simply, Musk is right, on all counts.
Endeavour launch could be as late as May 13
The last launch of Endeavour could be delayed to as late as May 13.
The last launch of Endeavour could be delayed to as late as May 13.
El Condor Pasa – Chinese E-Wu and Flute w/ Peruvian flute
An evening pause: El Condor Pasa, played by a Peruvian flute and a Chinese E-Wu and Flute. As the youtube webpage notes, “This is possibly the best-known Peruvian song worldwide, partly due to a cover version by Simon and Garfunkel in 1970 on their Bridge over Troubled Water album, which is called “El Condor Pasa (If I Could)” in full.”
Inside the heart of the volcano
Arne Saknussemm would be proud: Inside the heart of the volcano.
Arne Saknussemm would be proud: Inside the heart of the volcano.
SpaceShipTwo’s First “Feathered” Flight
SpaceShipTwo’s has successfully completed its first “feathered” flight.
After a 45 minute climb to the desired altitude of 51,500 feet, SpaceShip2 (SS2) was released cleanly from VMS Eve [WhiteKnightTwo] and established a stable glide profile before deploying, for the first time, its re-entry or “feathered” configuration by rotating the tail section of the vehicle upwards to a 65 degree angle to the fuselage. It remained in this configuration with the vehicle’s body at a level pitch for approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds whilst descending, almost vertically, at around 15,500 feet per minute, slowed by the powerful shuttlecock-like drag created by the raised tail section. At around 33,500 feet the pilots reconfigured the spaceship to its normal glide mode and executed a smooth runway touch down, approximately 11 minutes and 5 seconds after its release from VMS Eve.
SpaceShipTwo’s has successfully completed its first “feathered” flight.
After a 45 minute climb to the desired altitude of 51,500 feet, SpaceShip2 (SS2) was released cleanly from VMS Eve [WhiteKnightTwo] and established a stable glide profile before deploying, for the first time, its re-entry or “feathered” configuration by rotating the tail section of the vehicle upwards to a 65 degree angle to the fuselage. It remained in this configuration with the vehicle’s body at a level pitch for approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds whilst descending, almost vertically, at around 15,500 feet per minute, slowed by the powerful shuttlecock-like drag created by the raised tail section. At around 33,500 feet the pilots reconfigured the spaceship to its normal glide mode and executed a smooth runway touch down, approximately 11 minutes and 5 seconds after its release from VMS Eve.
According to Rasmussen poll, the Ryan Plan is losing support nationally
According to a new Rasmussen poll, the Ryan Plan is losing support nationally.
If this is so, we are really in trouble, especially since there presently is no other realistic option on the table.
According to a new Rasmussen poll, the Ryan Plan is losing support nationally.
If this is so, we are really in trouble, especially since there presently is no other realistic option on the table.
The Sun in April – Steady as she goes!
The monthly updated graph for April of the Sun’s solar cycle sunspot activity was posted yesterday by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. You can see it below.
Though the Sun remained active, you can see that the steep increase in sunspot activity that occurred in March has ceased. At the moment it looks as if the Sun’s sunspot activity is following the most recent scientific prediction, more or less exactly, though the small dip in April puts the numbers slightly below that prediction.
All in all, we still appear to be headed to the weakest solar maximum in two hundred years.
A Dragon to Mars
The story behind China’s planned space station begins to emerge
The story behind China’s planned space station begins to emerge.
China first said it would build a space station in 1992. But the need for a manned outpost “has been continually contested by Chinese space professionals who, like their counterparts in the United States, question the scientific utility and expense of human space flight”, says Gregory Kulacki, China project manager at the Union of Concerned Scientists, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “That battle is effectively over now, however, and the funds for the space station seem to have been allocated, which is why more concrete details are finally beginning to emerge.”
Though I am always skeptical of comments from the Union of Concerned Scientists, in this case Kulacki makes sense. He also illustrates a further example of what I wrote in 2005, “After more than 40 years of debate, the argument is over and the supporters of manned spaceflight have won.”
The story behind China’s planned space station begins to emerge.
China first said it would build a space station in 1992. But the need for a manned outpost “has been continually contested by Chinese space professionals who, like their counterparts in the United States, question the scientific utility and expense of human space flight”, says Gregory Kulacki, China project manager at the Union of Concerned Scientists, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “That battle is effectively over now, however, and the funds for the space station seem to have been allocated, which is why more concrete details are finally beginning to emerge.”
Though I am always skeptical of comments from the Union of Concerned Scientists, in this case Kulacki makes sense. He also illustrates a further example of what I wrote in 2005, “After more than 40 years of debate, the argument is over and the supporters of manned spaceflight have won.”
Amateur grabs images of solar sail Nanosail-D
An amateur astronomer has grabbed some spectacular images of solar sail Nanosail-D.
An amateur astronomer has grabbed some spectacular images of solar sail Nanosail-D.
Why is the Meathook Galaxy lopsided?
Why is the Meathook galaxy lopsided?
Why is the Meathook galaxy lopsided?
The Oh of Pleasure – Ray Lynch
Mock Soyuz countdown under way at Kourou, French Guiana
A mock Soyuz countdown is under way at Kourou, French Guiana.
A mock Soyuz countdown is under way at Kourou, French Guiana.
Last shuttle launch date may shift due to Endeavour launch delay
The very last shuttle launch, scheduled for June 28, may be delayed due to the Endeavour launch delay.
The very last shuttle launch, scheduled for June 28, may be delayed due to the Endeavour launch delay.
Dawn has begun its final if slow approach to the asteroid Vesta
Dawn has begun its final if slow approach to the asteroid Vesta.
Dawn has begun its final if slow approach to the asteroid Vesta.
ObamaCare Subsidies Won’t Keep Up With Premiums
More reasons to repeal it: ObamaCare’s subsidies will not keep up with costs.
More reasons to repeal it: ObamaCare’s subsidies will not keep up with costs.
Indian scientists about to start drilling five mile deep borehole
Indian scientists are about to begin drilling a five-mile-deep borehole to study earthquakes.
Indian scientists are about to begin drilling a five-mile-deep borehole to study earthquakes.
White House modifies Osama bin Laden account
Multiple stories and contradictions from the White House over the details of Osama bin Laden’s death.
Idiots. The worst thing they could do is not get the story straight. By backing off from their original description of the attack on bin Laden’s compound the White House will only fuel conspiracy theories in the Middle East, where such things are rampant.
Is is too hard to find out what happened, then describe it accurately the first time? Or is exaggeration and lying so routine for these White House political appointees that even here they can’t resist embellishing the truth unnecessarily for political spin?
As I said, idiots.
Multiple stories and contradictions from the White House over the details of Osama bin Laden’s death.
Idiots. The worst thing they could do is not get the story straight. By backing off from their original description of the attack on bin Laden’s compound the White House will only fuel conspiracy theories in the Middle East, where such things are rampant.
Is is too hard to find out what happened, then describe it accurately the first time? Or is exaggeration and lying so routine for these White House political appointees that even here they can’t resist embellishing the truth unnecessarily for political spin?
As I said, idiots.
US a net exporter of fuel for the first time for nearly 20 years
Good news: The US has become a net exporter of oil for the first time in nearly 20 years.
This is excellent news. It means that the corrupt Middle Eastern regimes are no longer getting our money!
Good news: The US has become a net exporter of oil for the first time in nearly 20 years.
This is excellent news. It means that the corrupt Middle Eastern regimes are no longer getting our money!
Using lasers instead of spark plugs in your car
Using lasers instead of spark plugs in your car.
Using lasers instead of spark plugs in your car.
Canada’s Conservatives score massive election win
A precursor for 2012? Canada’s Conservatives scored a massive election win yesterday.
A precursor for 2012? Canada’s Conservatives scored a massive election win yesterday.
Dream Chaser drop tests planned for 2012 using WhiteKnightTwo
New Space: Sierra Nevada plans to drop test its Dream Chaser spaceplane in 2012 using Scaled Composites’ WhiteKnightTwo.
New Space: Sierra Nevada plans to drop test its Dream Chaser spaceplane in 2012 using Scaled Composites’ WhiteKnightTwo.
Shuttle launch slips to at least May 10, possibly later
Endeavour’s last launch has slipped to at least May 10, possibly later.
Endeavour’s last launch has slipped to at least May 10, possibly later.
Did Apollo 12 bring back a microbe from Surveyor 3?
Did a microbe survive 2.5 years attached to Surveyor 3 on the Moon, and then come home on Apollo 12? New research says no.
Did a microbe survive 2.5 years attached to Surveyor 3 on the Moon, and then come home on Apollo 12? New research says no.
Jeff Zwart in a Porsche GT3 Cup runs Pikes Peak
An evening pause: Let’s go for a drive! Jeff Zwart in a Porsche runs Pikes Peak, setting a record for the fastest time.
An evening pause: Let’s go for a drive! Jeff Zwart in a Porsche runs Pikes Peak, setting a record for the fastest time.
More info on the asteroid “flyby” of Earth this coming November 8
More information on the asteroid “flyby” of Earth this coming November 8.
“On November 8, asteroid 2005 YU55 will fly past Earth and at its closest approach point will be about 325,000 kilometers [201,700 miles] away,” said Don Yeomans, manager of NASA’s Near-Earth Object Program Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. “This asteroid is about 400 meters [1,300 feet] wide – the largest space rock we have identified that will come this close until 2028.”
More information on the asteroid “flyby” of Earth this coming November 8.
“On November 8, asteroid 2005 YU55 will fly past Earth and at its closest approach point will be about 325,000 kilometers [201,700 miles] away,” said Don Yeomans, manager of NASA’s Near-Earth Object Program Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. “This asteroid is about 400 meters [1,300 feet] wide – the largest space rock we have identified that will come this close until 2028.”
bin Laden killed by U.S. military
Justice: The U.S. military finally tracked down and killed Osama bin Laden yesterday.
Some additional information and analysis:
- Osama death: An embarrassment Pakistan can’t live down.
- World cheers bin Laden’s death as victory.
- Watch out for revenge attacks on Christians.
- Pakistani man unknowingly live tweets Osama bin Laden raid.
- Taliban vow revenge for bin Laden’s death.
- World wide travel alert from the U.S. Department of State following bin Laden’s death.
- Hamas leader Haniyeh condemns killing of Osama bin Laden.
Justice: The U.S. military finally tracked down and killed Osama bin Laden yesterday.
Some additional information and analysis:
- Osama death: An embarrassment Pakistan can’t live down.
- World cheers bin Laden’s death as victory.
- Watch out for revenge attacks on Christians.
- Pakistani man unknowingly live tweets Osama bin Laden raid.
- Taliban vow revenge for bin Laden’s death.
- World wide travel alert from the U.S. Department of State following bin Laden’s death.
- Hamas leader Haniyeh condemns killing of Osama bin Laden.