Author: Robert Zimmerman
Palin and NASA
Sarah Palin comments on the Obama administration’s policies towards NASA.
Sarah Palin comments on the Obama administration’s policies towards NASA.
Driving vs flying
After a twelve hour drive from Chicago, I am finally home. It might seem silly to make this trip by car when the plane is faster, but since Sept 11 I have found it actually makes more sense to drive when the trip is 12 hours or less. First, a door to door plane flight will take about 6 hours, so you don’t save that much time. Second, by driving I have access to a car in Chicago, and don’t need to rent something. Three, the total cost is significantly less, especially since we save two airfares.
And finally, neither I nor my wife Diane have to submit ourselves to TSA abuse. I consider myself a free American, and don’t take kindly to government officials abusing their power unconstitutionally. If the airlines haven’t yet realized that this security madness is losing them business, it ain’t my problem.
Black Friday madness
An evening pause: I know some people enjoy this, but this is not how I want to spend my day after Thanksgiving!
Animal rights terrorists make death threats against scientist
Thugs! Animal rights terrorists have repeatedly threatened a scientist with death, including blowing up his car . Key quote:
The researcher, who experiments on monkeys, opened a letter left in his mailbox to discover razor blades and a death threat. “We follow you on campus,” Jentsch recalled the note reading. “One day, when you’re walking by, we’ll come up behind you, and cut your throat.”
Thugs! Animal rights terrorists have repeatedly threatened a scientist with death, including blowing up his car . Key quote:
The researcher, who experiments on monkeys, opened a letter left in his mailbox to discover razor blades and a death threat. “We follow you on campus,” Jentsch recalled the note reading. “One day, when you’re walking by, we’ll come up behind you, and cut your throat.”
Six arrested after melee at anti-violence rally in northern NJ
You can’t make this stuff up: Six people arrested after melee at an anti-violence rally in northern New Jersey.
You can’t make this stuff up: Six people arrested after melee at an anti-violence rally in northern New Jersey.
Met Office admits global warming has slowed down over the past 10 years
Progress! The Met Office of the UK admitted in a report today that global warming has slowed down over the past 10 years.
Link fixed. Sorry!
Progress! The Met Office of the UK admitted in a report today that global warming has slowed down over the past 10 years.
Link fixed. Sorry!
Woman arrested for threatening shoppers with gun
In the spirit of Christmas shopping: Woman, trying to cut ahead of others in line, is arrested for threatening to shoot the other shoppers with a gun.
In the spirit of Christmas shopping: Woman, trying to cut ahead of others in line, is arrested for threatening to shoot the other shoppers with a gun.
What pilots think of the TSA
What pilots think of the TSA. I like this one:
THEY THINK THE AVERAGE TSA WORKER IS AN IDIOT.
If there is one theme that emerges clearly time and again in pilots’ online discussions, it’s disdain for the TSA checkpoint worker. They are “the government equivalent of being a Wendy’s burger flipper,” according to one typical comment from AirlinePilotForums.com. “Barney Fife is more suited for their job,” writes another. Anecdotes frequently portray TSA workers as mindlessly hewing to procedures at the expense of exercising the judgment needed to sniff out the evildoers.
What pilots think of the TSA. I like this one:
THEY THINK THE AVERAGE TSA WORKER IS AN IDIOT.
If there is one theme that emerges clearly time and again in pilots’ online discussions, it’s disdain for the TSA checkpoint worker. They are “the government equivalent of being a Wendy’s burger flipper,” according to one typical comment from AirlinePilotForums.com. “Barney Fife is more suited for their job,” writes another. Anecdotes frequently portray TSA workers as mindlessly hewing to procedures at the expense of exercising the judgment needed to sniff out the evildoers.
Why NASA recently pulled the X-34 out of storage
Why NASA recently pulled the X-34 out of storage. Key quote:
The idea to ship the X-34s to Mojave and inspect them originated with a Dryden-based NASA engineer, Brown said. “When he found out this thing still existed … he decided people should take a look to see if it could be refurbished and made flightworthy.” That’s when the contractors came to retrieve the two neglected spacecraft, pictured above en route to the Mojave.
But that doesn’t mean NASA has formal plans to operate the X-34s under its own auspices, now or ever, Brown stressed. Provided they’re in flyable shape, it’s far more likely the space agency will make the X-34s available to private industry. “There are a number of firms interested in these things, developing communications and other technologies,” Brown said. “It would be helpful if they had a vehicle.”
`
Why NASA recently pulled the X-34 out of storage. Key quote:
The idea to ship the X-34s to Mojave and inspect them originated with a Dryden-based NASA engineer, Brown said. “When he found out this thing still existed … he decided people should take a look to see if it could be refurbished and made flightworthy.” That’s when the contractors came to retrieve the two neglected spacecraft, pictured above en route to the Mojave.
But that doesn’t mean NASA has formal plans to operate the X-34s under its own auspices, now or ever, Brown stressed. Provided they’re in flyable shape, it’s far more likely the space agency will make the X-34s available to private industry. “There are a number of firms interested in these things, developing communications and other technologies,” Brown said. “It would be helpful if they had a vehicle.”
`
The Montana Supreme Court Friday sided with a Butte High valedictorian who was barred from speaking
Victory for freedom of speech: The Montana Supreme Court Friday sided with a high school valedictorian who had been barred from speaking at her 2008 graduation because her speech made references to “God” or “Jesus”.
Victory for freedom of speech: The Montana Supreme Court Friday sided with a high school valedictorian who had been barred from speaking at her 2008 graduation because her speech made references to “God” or “Jesus”.
Second test flight of hypersonic vehicle pending
The Pentagon’s second test flight of its hypersonic test vehicle is pending.
The Pentagon’s second test flight of its hypersonic test vehicle is pending.
Motes, beams and the University of East Anglia
Saturn moon has thin oxygen and carbon dioxide atmosphere
Saturn moon has a thin oxygen and carbon dioxide atmosphere. Key quote:
“The major implication of this finding at Rhea is that oxygen atmospheres at icy moons, until now only detected at Europa and Ganymede, may in fact be commonplace around those irradiated icy moons throughout the universe with sufficient mass to hold an atmosphere,” said study leader Ben Teolis of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas.
Saturn moon has a thin oxygen and carbon dioxide atmosphere. Key quote:
“The major implication of this finding at Rhea is that oxygen atmospheres at icy moons, until now only detected at Europa and Ganymede, may in fact be commonplace around those irradiated icy moons throughout the universe with sufficient mass to hold an atmosphere,” said study leader Ben Teolis of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas.
ISS crew land safely in Kazakhstan
Three astronauts from ISS landed safely in Kazakhstan this morning. Meanwhile, the next crew contingent passed its exams in Russia.
Three astronauts from ISS landed safely in Kazakhstan this morning. Meanwhile, the next crew contingent passed its exams in Russia.
Johnny Cash sings a Thanksgiving Prayer
Woman wears bikini to go through security at airport
Woman decides to wear her bikini in order to go through security at the airport. Fun quote:
“Every time I go through security I always say, ‘I don’t even know why I got dressed this morning.’ I end up taking off belts, jewelry and everything else off anyway,”
Woman decides to wear her bikini in order to go through security at the airport. Fun quote:
“Every time I go through security I always say, ‘I don’t even know why I got dressed this morning.’ I end up taking off belts, jewelry and everything else off anyway,”
Airport scanners barely used on day before Thanksgiving
Body scanners at Newark airport were hardly used yesterday, suggesting to me that the TSA decided to avoid the battle on National Opt-out day.
Body scanners at Newark airport were hardly used yesterday, suggesting to me that the TSA decided to avoid the battle on National Opt-out day.
Obama administration plans to establish 187,000 square mile polar bear reserve
Another government land grab: Obama administration plans to establish 187,000 square mile polar bear reserve.
Another government land grab: Obama administration plans to establish 187,000 square mile polar bear reserve.
Climate change will destroy Thanksgiving
Better stop using that SUV! Global warming will not only destroy the Earth, a food scientist now claims that it will also destroy your Thanksgiving dinner!
Pasty, dry turkey meat along with expensive fruits, vegetables and potatoes could be on the horizon if more variable extremes in regional weather patterns continue as a likely result of climate change, indicates author Neville Gregory.
Better stop using that SUV! Global warming will not only destroy the Earth, a food scientist now claims that it will also destroy your Thanksgiving dinner!
Pasty, dry turkey meat along with expensive fruits, vegetables and potatoes could be on the horizon if more variable extremes in regional weather patterns continue as a likely result of climate change, indicates author Neville Gregory.
Lockheed plans test flight of Orion capsule
The space war continues. Lockheed is now planning a test flight of Orion capsule in 2013. The flight would occur, not on an Ares rocket, but on a Delta IV Heavy. More here.
Specifics of the proposed test flight haven’t been reported before. But those plans may run into flak as Republican lawmakers take control of House committees and subcommittees that oversee NASA, according to industry officials, including competitors, critical of Lockheed Martin’s efforts.
At least some of the incoming Republican panel chairmen and other senior GOP lawmakers, these officials said, may view the proposed test flight as circumventing congressional language to quickly develop a new heavy-lift NASA rocket able to transport astronauts past low-earth orbit. Congress has adopted language strongly favoring space-shuttle derived rockets for this purpose, rather than a version of the Delta IV. The Delta IV is operated by a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co.
The space war continues. Lockheed is now planning a test flight of Orion capsule in 2013. The flight would occur, not on an Ares rocket, but on a Delta IV Heavy. More here.
Specifics of the proposed test flight haven’t been reported before. But those plans may run into flak as Republican lawmakers take control of House committees and subcommittees that oversee NASA, according to industry officials, including competitors, critical of Lockheed Martin’s efforts.
At least some of the incoming Republican panel chairmen and other senior GOP lawmakers, these officials said, may view the proposed test flight as circumventing congressional language to quickly develop a new heavy-lift NASA rocket able to transport astronauts past low-earth orbit. Congress has adopted language strongly favoring space-shuttle derived rockets for this purpose, rather than a version of the Delta IV. The Delta IV is operated by a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co.
Jupiter’s stripe is coming back.
Jupiter’s south equatorial stripe appears to be reappearing.
Jupiter’s south equatorial stripe appears to be reappearing.
Cassini back in operation
Cassini back in operation.
Cassini back in operation.
Discovery’s launch delayed until December 17 at the earliest
Discovery’s launch delayed until December 17 at the earliest. Key quote:
Shannon said that one of the concerns was that another major crack might liberate a piece of insulating foam large enough to damage Discovery, as happened during the January 2003 liftoff of Columbia. A suitcase-sized chunk of foam punched a hole in Columbia’s wing, dooming the ship and her crew of seven astronauts when they reentered the atmosphere.
Shannon said that teams were also examining the possibility that the tanks have been flying with undetected cracks for years.
Cracks became more common after the 1998 debut of “super-lightweight” tanks built with a more brittle aluminum-lithium alloy. Since then, 29 cracks in stringers making up the ribbed “intertank” section that separates liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks have been found and repaired in 18 tanks, including Discovery’s and a tank scheduled for use by the shuttle Atlantis next summer.
Discovery’s launch delayed until December 17 at the earliest. Key quote:
Shannon said that one of the concerns was that another major crack might liberate a piece of insulating foam large enough to damage Discovery, as happened during the January 2003 liftoff of Columbia. A suitcase-sized chunk of foam punched a hole in Columbia’s wing, dooming the ship and her crew of seven astronauts when they reentered the atmosphere.
Shannon said that teams were also examining the possibility that the tanks have been flying with undetected cracks for years.
Cracks became more common after the 1998 debut of “super-lightweight” tanks built with a more brittle aluminum-lithium alloy. Since then, 29 cracks in stringers making up the ribbed “intertank” section that separates liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks have been found and repaired in 18 tanks, including Discovery’s and a tank scheduled for use by the shuttle Atlantis next summer.
George Winston – Thanksgiving
The administrator of TSA speaks
The administrator of TSA speaks: You are my servant and you will bend over.
The administrator of TSA speaks: You are my servant and you will bend over.
Update of Discovery’s launch status
An update of Discovery’s launch status, including possible launch dates.
An update of Discovery’s launch status, including possible launch dates.
Brian Marsden, 1937-2010
ISS next expedition main, backup crews to begin exam
This week the Russians will give “final exams” to the main and backup crews for the next expedition to ISS.
Though NASA constantly rates its astronauts, it does not give them “exams.” This whole procedure (as well as how this Russian article is written) gives a nice flavor of the cultural differences between the U.S. and Russia.
This week the Russians will give “final exams” to the main and backup crews for the next expedition to ISS.
Though NASA constantly rates its astronauts, it does not give them “exams.” This whole procedure (as well as how this Russian article is written) gives a nice flavor of the cultural differences between the U.S. and Russia.
X-37B mission almost complete?
Is the mission of the X-37B space plane almost complete?
Is the mission of the X-37B space plane almost complete?